Thirty-seven

💜Unugwa💛

Me: Daniel

He watched me like he was amused. I smiled and ran to hug him. He hugged me back

Me : I'm so happy to see you. When did you come back?

Daniel: this morning

I smiled and squeezed his cheeks

Me: and you didn't even text me

He shrugged

Me: but why did you come back?

Daniel: I had to tackle some things here

Me: so when are you going back?

Daniel : anytime it's done

I nodded

Me: it's nice seeing you again

Daniel: nice seeing you too. You've become quite prettier

I chuckled

Me: look who's become much more handsome and muscular. I know LA girls almost tore you apart

He laughed

Daniel: they're hilarious. So why are you here?

Me: OH I came to do an assignment with Claire. You remember Claire right?

Daniel: maybe

Me: I'll see you around right?

Daniel: of course. I'm coming to school tomorrow

Me: what? You're still coming back to our school

Daniel: yes. Well I have to get going. I'll see you tomorrow

I waved

Me: bye And... Danny

Dammit! I'm too used to Andy's name

Daniel waved back and entered his car then drove off. I crossed my arms. Daniel's changed a bit. He's acting different. Or is it the abroad-returnee-syndrome? Where people from abroad act too cool and standard. Anibe taught me about it but I still wonder how he knew

I walked on to Claire's house and knocked on the door, she opened immediately

Claire: hey I've been waiting for you

Me: well I'm here now

She chuckled and drew me in then locked the door

Claire: wanna eat something

Me: no I'm good. So where are we doing it?

Claire: my room

We headed upstairs to her room.

Claire's house was a duplex with about four rooms. Three upstairs and one downstairs. It wasn't a very big house but it was classy.

We entered her room and sat on the bed

Me: I saw someone here while coming

Claire: who? Andy?

Me: no... Daniel

She immediately looked up from her bag

Claire: what!

Me: it's surprising right? I saw him. He came back this morning

Claire: why?

Me: he said that he had business to tackle

Claire: Unugwa... Are you sure he's not here to cause trouble between you and Andy?

Me: I haven't really given that topic a thought

Claire: Daniel might not really like your relationship

Me: hmmm. I'll just let him know in a peaceful way then

Claire: okay. I hope he receives it in a peaceful way

💛Daniel💜

I dropped my feet on the ground as I stepped out of the plane. I breathed in and walked on.

Finally my conscience is at rest. I'm back to The Philippines.

I rolled my luggage into the lobby and got outside. I entered an uber and went straight to the house. I entered inside and only maids greeted me. I'm not expecting my dad to be home by now

I went up the stairs to my room. I dropped my luggage and sighed. So I'm back to know what I need to know. I just feel like there's something I have to know about mom and dad.

I covered my face with my palms and breathed out. I stood up and walked out, towards dad's room. His door was slightly opened and I was hearing sounds. Well he's at home

I walked to the door and the voice became clearer, it was a woman. Or women.

I peeped in and saw dad on the bed with two women by his side. He wasn't wearing any shirt and the ladies were also not wearing shirts

They were partially covered with a blanket. Their hands were all over dad and he was smoking. I can't believe dad smokes

Me: guess who's back?

I entered inside and closed the door. Dad was shocked and he shrieked

Dad: Daniel

Me: it's nice to see you too

I looked at his ladies and it disgusted me

Me: ugh! Could you please tell your... Whatever they are to leave so I can talk to you?

The ladies looked at him

Dad: Daniel, excuse us and endeavor to knock when you're coming in next

I chuckled

Me: that's very polite of you

I nodded at the lady sitting by his right who wouldn't get her eyes off me

I left his room and banged the door behind me. I clenched my fist and entered my room. I took my phone and wallet then went to the garage. I picked a car and demanded for the key from the driver

I then drove out of the compound.

So that's what dad's been doing? Packing ladies? And smoking pipes?

I scoffed and fired on to the prison. This is what I'm here for in the first place

The police took me to her. I sat down and she sighed and took the telephone. I took mine

Mom: what are you doing here Daniel?

Me: I wanted to see you

Mom: I see Eden has been releasing you lately

Me: not really. He can't hold me back anymore

Mom : so how are you?

Me: I'm fine. Are you?

Mom : well, I'm better off like this

I cleared my throat

Me: I just got back from the USA, few hours ago

Mom: why? I heard you were getting successful as a boxer there. Why did you come back?

Me: because I know something's not right. I need to know something

Mom: that thing must be really important to you, that you had to leave USA

Me: mom... What really happened?

She looked at me without a word.

We were now in a different room, different from the one I last met her. This place was segmented and each segment had a glass, a soundproof glass. Only through the telephones can we communicate

Mom: I'm sorry but... I love your relationship with your father. I cannot ruin it

Me: so you prefer me wallowing in the dark? Don't you think I've been there enough?

She heaved a sigh and looked at me for about five minutes

Mom : how is Eden? Have you seen him today?

Me: I met him surrounded by two naked ladies in bed. And he was smoking a pipe. First time I'm seeing him smoking

She laughed so hard that I began to think I said something really funny

Then finally she stopped

Mom: that shouldn't surprise you son. Eden is full of secrets

Me: you know him really well, don't you?

She nodded

Mom: he told you that I wanted to kill him right? And that's why I'm in prison... Well, Eden is a drug dealer. A big one. He has branches and workers all over Asia. I didn't know this though. One night I went to the basement to get some ointment for your broken finger and I heard him speaking to someone on phone. He was talking about his drugs and how much they sold them all. I was so surprised. I didn't believe it. I knew Eden was one hard man and had lots of secrets but the least I expected was for him to be into illegal business. I went back up without his knowledge and began to seek evidence to be very sure. After some months, I got enough of it and if I was to hand it over to the police your dad would be the one sitting here right now

I sighed

Me: then what happened

Mom: one night, he saw all the papers and proofs against him. He was surprised I knew. I wanted to explain to him that I wasn't gonna use it against him but he didn't believe. Also he had been seeing me with a policeman who happened to be my former classmate in college. He brought out his gun to shoot me there and then. I screamed and hit him then ran off to your room to get you because I knew you weren't safe. I took you and ran into the night. Eden followed us and pointed a gun at us. I began to cry. I held an iron bar and hit him on his leg. He fell down and I quickly took the gun and pointed it at him. Police men came immediately and he began to scream for help. Some police men there were his men and they took me without even hearing anything from me. He fired a case against me and no matter the things I said, since I had no evidence, I didn't win the case

Me: and now you're in prison for something you knew nothing about

Mom: well, I've gotten over it already

Me: and you were trying to save me not take me away for selfish reasons

Mom: Daniel, be careful with Eden. He's worst than you and I know

I nodded and she stood up. She smiled and left. I sighed and sat still.

Dad... That man...

I left there and went to take a drink somewhere. I took a lot of time there because I was just thinking about lots of things. I looked out the window and saw Unugwa stepping out of a car. I smiled, I've missed this girl

I stood up but she already went back into the car so I followed her with mine. I met her in one of my dad's estates and I was really glad to see her

💛Unugwa 💜

I called Daniel after I left Claire's place to meet me at a restaurant, so we'll talk. He said he couldn't come because he had to do something with his father

I was disappointed because I was looking forward to talking with him. I've missed him

I decided to go to Anibe's house instead because it was still Day time. I drove to the apartment house and luckily, he was at home, cooking.

Me: are you doing what I think you're doing?

Anibe : it takes good actually. Though, I burnt myself

He showed me his fingers that had red marks all over

I laughed

Me: what are you even cooking?

Anibe : chicken soup

Me: and what stage are you at?

I walked to the breakfast bar and sat on the stool, facing him and resting my back against the bar

Anibe : well, I already made the sauce and just waiting for the chicken to boil before I pour it in

Me: and how did you make the sauce?

I got up and walked to the counter

Anibe: ketchup, curry, chili, little pepperoni, seasonings, added some fresh veggies, etc

I opened the saucepan and smiled to the aroma that hit my nostrils

Me: wow

Anibe: smells good?

Me: yeah

I covered it back

Me: I saw Daniel today. He's back

Anibe : from USA?

Me: yeah

Anibe : wow. Why did buddy return?

Me: for business... So he said

I opened the fridge and brought out water

Me: and he said he's resuming school tomorrow

Anibe: hmm, he's gonna punch your boyfriend in the face when he finds out he snatched you away

Me: Andy didn't snatch me away. We fell in love

Anibe : I know. The problem is Daniel. It's not gonna be easy for him to realize his somewhat best friend began to date the person he hates most while he was away. Just imagine his reaction

Me: I've thought about it. Claire and I talked about it

Anibe : maybe you should tell him about it yourself. Don't let anyone let him know first. Or just make sure he doesn't realize that himself

Me: okay. I'll try