Chapter 17

Jason finally moved in!...

He moved in, having nowhere else to go for shelter he was forced to move into his new home.

But he did well to see that they both never saw each other. He wasn't ready to become friends with anyone.

So he'd return home very late at night and stay up all night in the living room to drink to stupor, whenever he managed not to get drunk outside.

The drink helped his insomnia. Found it very difficult to catch a good night's sleep especially when the reason was just rooms apart. So he drank till he could forget his sad and haunting conscience. Then the next day he'd wake by 8:00 am after his morning routine he'd run off to God knows where.

In his mind, he thought Sophia wouldn't want to lay eyes on him or speak to him at all. He thought she hated him for her situation. So he didn't want to see the pain in her eyes nor hear her bitter words.

As he sat there in the living room in the middle of the night, sipping on his drink while staring at nothing. He was sure Sophia was fast asleep and won't venture into the room, he found she slept early and woke as early as seven for breakfast.

He already noticed, from the little time he stayed in the house. He noticed she worked with time and he too adjusted his own time to avoid running into her on his way out or in.

So to say, sitting in the dark living room and deep thought was his most solemn moment. How could he adjust to living with another woman? He thought.

After a while, he finished his drink and dropped the glass in the sink then walked back to his room, the impenetrable, as he had warned the maids never to disturb him in the early mornings. Once when they decided to wake him to have breakfast with his new wife.

He almost beat the silly maid. They learned not to ask after him unless he asked for it.

On his way to his room, he passed Sophia's door and stopped right in front of it.

The door was slightly open and the room was dark but the little Ray of light from the passage he stood filtered into the darkroom. So he could make out her feeble figure lying on the bed with her curly hair sprayed all over the pillow in deep sleep.

He watched for a while and wondered how she could sleep so peacefully even in her present situation. Even knowing she wasn't ever going to walk again. While he the healthier one was finding it difficult to sleep without drinking to stupor. Karma was a real bitch.

He watched for a while longer then refrained quickly once he realized himself. He almost looked like a creep staring at people while they were asleep and harmless. "Once she wakes she won't be the same peaceful and innocent girl lying on that bed, rather it would be bitter and vengeful eyes he'd see," Jason thought as he walked off to his room in despair.

When morning came Sophia followed her normal morning routine and waited for her doctor's arrival once she was done with breakfasting.

She knew Jason was in the house, her maids informed her but she was yet to set her eyes on him for once. He had a way of going about his business without having to run into her anytime. She felt at peace for that. she wasn't cut out for name-calling and quarrels though, so she too pretended to be a ghost.

Her doctor arrived alongside Stan. Sophia was glad he came along. He'd been doing that lately with the doctor.

She was taken into her physiotherapy room and helped to a long benched table. The therapy took a while.

"So how is Janet?" Sophia started.

"You mean Jennifer?... Well, she's fine but won't leave me be" Stan replied while resting on an armchair in the room.

"Oh, you should give her a chance, maybe she's not as bad as you think. Some people are just very bold and straight forward and you might think them, opportunists"

"Really? I don't think I like very bold girls. And Jennifer just wants my money, I've heard the rumors about her in the hospital, she only dates richer men and is her next target" Stan folds his hands, while he watched Sophia contort her face in pain from the stretches she was doing but still masked it with a sweet smile.

"So you took your time to find out about her then? Maybe you like her somehow?" She continued.

"No I don't, my fellow intern told me, I didn't ask but he did. He likes Jennifer but she thinks he's not her standard. But please enough of her, how are doing? Sorry I didn't come along the last time. Doctor Simon needed my help."

"Yes, I understand you don't have to keep coming if it inconveniences you. I can manage with her alone. And am very okay I just need to start trying to walk, I feel I can do it already."

The doctor interrupted her. “You can't start soon to walk, I said specifically that you might or might not, I don't want to burst your bubbles dear but I don't also want to give you false hope. Your lumber is still healing we can't risk that. The therapy is to help try and bring back life to your legs to prevent further complications."

"Yes, doctor" Sophia glanced back at Stan who gave her a reassuring smile.

After the long session, the doctor filled in the necessary daily report and washed it up before leaving the two alone to return.

Stan helped Sophia to her wheelchair and they sauntered outside for fresh air.

"Don't let her words get to you dear. The woman is very strict even on regular basis. I believe your health will return. Trust me" he assured.

Sophia sighed inwardly, how could she trust again when nothing ever went the way she wanted it to. Stan was only patronizing her and she was becoming tired of people's pity and empty promises.

"Don't patronize me please" she muttered almost to herself but Stan heard her.

"I am not patronizing you, Sophia, am merely saying the truth. You'll walk again believe me" he squatted before her, eye level.

"And how do you know that Stan? You're a doctor but not a physiotherapist and she specifically told me that herself. See it's not about me never making use of my stupid legs again it's about me even finding any value in my life again... Sometimes I feel lost, then sometimes I feel so enthusiastic about the future that I forget I can't walk until I try to jump off my wheelchair. Then when the reality sets in I wonder why God has kept me in this situation for so long without hope... Every day to me is like waiting for something to take me or for a miracle to happen but I open my eyes and am still in the same house and crippled. I guess am not worth anything" she smiled painfully at Stan whose eyes could tell the depth of emotions he felt at that time just watching and listening to her revelation.

He blinked once, twice, and moved his face to the side to prevent the tears.

"Don't cry for me Stan, am a strong girl you know I wouldn't dare do it" She shook her head for emphasis.

"I wouldn't dare take my own life, even if the thought has crossed me several times. No am a coward!" She spat, bringing back Stanley's attention immediately.

"No! You're not. You're very brave. It's only a weak person that would run from her problems and take her life. But you Sophia, have endured worse than I can imagine and still put up a lovely face for the world to see. I want you to know that I'll always be here for you if you need anything. Don't hesitate okay?"

She stared at him for a while then nodded.

"You're too nice Sophia and nobody deserves you not even your husband" he nudged her and they both laughed at that surprisingly.

"He doesn't talk to me. He just sneaks around the house when am in my room reading or sleeping. I think it's best for me too."

"Yes dear, he's not important, he's trouble that's all I know. I wouldn't want to come across him either it won't be funny" he threatened. Making Sophia smile from ear to ear at how overprotective of her he'd become.

After the short ride and walk, Stan went home and Sophia decided to help the girls out in the kitchen. She finally learned the other girl's name was Zara.

Zara was a student in her first year in the university while Sabina was still struggling with her entry exams. They both were nice and decent girls but orphaned at a younger age. so apparently were employed by Olivia Bestman who made sure they have well looked after. So literally they knew Jason since he was a teenager and they told her stories of his growing up and his huge fallout with his parents.

Sabina sneered at her friend Zara for having a bad mouth.

"You talk too much for your own good Zara. He's our boss's son and you shouldn't talk of him that way" she cautioned.

"What?... Am only saying the truth ma, he has everything anyone could ask for but he chose to party, drink and also keep late nights. I remember when his father would rage the whole mansion whenever his son ran off with a woman. Or the day he intentionally took up English and literary studies at the University while his father wanted him to study business management and manage his business afterward. Mr. Bestman was in fury. The whole household was on fire. His wife couldn't calm him down as usual. I guess that's the day he finally gave up on his son" Zara finished with a sad face.

"The poor man has seen a lot" Sophia offered and the girls nodded.

"Yet I think he was just neglected" Sabina chipped in.

Zara rolled her eyes. "Neglect?... He was given everything Sabina! Everything. his father even promised him a house of his own at that age but he didn't waste time to return to his old habits. His mother was always there for him even when he got locked up in a cell for involving indirectly in a theft. She came home crying that night and he stood there watching the sports review on the television in her room while the woman ranted on about his misbehavior. I was in the inner room arranging her closet so I saw his nonchalant attitude." Zara shrugged and went ahead with her kitchen chores.

Sophia listened with rapt attention. She knew he was irresponsible but not to such an extent that he wouldn't feel for his poor mother.

"I'll be in my room, I think I'll have my dinner there too, just get me mine whenever it's ready." She strolled off while Sabina nudged Zara roughly blaming her for upsetting their madam and speaking ill of her husband to her front but Zara was adamant.

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