Chapter 37

Song: Avril Lavinge

(Wish you were here)

I love the way you are

Its who I am don't have to try hard

They always say, say it like it is

But the truth is that I really miss

All those crazy things you said

You left them running through my head

You're always there

You're everywhere

But right now I wish you were here

(Chorus)

Damn, damn, damn

What I'd do to have you here, here, here

I wish you were here

Damn, damn, damn

What I'd do to have you near, near, near

I wish you were here

"It's been three days...."

Jason thought angrily to himself. Three days brooding indoors about what could and couldn't have been. Whether to report her missing, possibilities that she might have been kidnapped were there also but he knew Sophia left because all her belongings were missing and the maids testified to knowing of her departure.

When he learned doctor Stanley visited while he was out, Jason felt betrayed for some reason. The doctor who had always been the basis for most of their altercations now resurfaced from nowhere and eloped with her. He couldn't stomach the news when one of the maids present when he woke narrated. Jason sent everyone home including his mother Olivia, claiming he needed space, he felt suffocated.

The thoughts of letting go and moving on persisted, besides. "life's too short."

Went through his mind as he sat hopelessly on Sophia's bed. He'd been hibernating there since after his recovery from the fall. Reminiscent of the beautiful times they shared on that same spot.

His mother had tried her best in talking him out of that room into his own but Jason was adamant, claiming if it were closure he needed then he'd get it while in Sophia's room. She knew he was already heads over the heel and spurting gibberish but none more foolish than a person in love. He'd spoken of letting go of any ties and feelings he had for Sophia in a spur of the moment but Olivia knew he was far too gone to let go.

His phone buzzed for the hundredth time with his mother as the caller which he purposely ignored. She'd been calling at intervals to know how he managed. Jason didn't need such attention, the only one he needed attention from deserted him and left him conflicted.

"It was all Charlotte's fault" he blamed bitterly.

With frustration, he flung the phone with such alacrity that it hit the window blinds and shattered as it made contact with marble. The continuous noise and irritation it created in his numb mind were getting to him, enhancing such impulsive acts.

He sighed repeatedly fastening on his flops Jason walked out of the room bare-chested in search of food. He hadn't tasted anything since the previous day and it was telling on him. Once he stepped into the living room he paused and watched the empty dining seats and their homey nature. Every moment with Sophia he'd tried to suppress came back in mockery of his sober self.

He recalled vividly how he returned home one afternoon and met Sophia with the doctor in that same spot conversing like lovers. It was that same scenario that had prompted the private feud between him and the doctor.

He had thought after the hospital incidence that doctor Stanley would know his boundaries. But he had to come and steal his wife again. He'd called the hospital about the doctors home address but they claimed he no longer worked there, that he also moved out of the state doubling Jason's frustrations.

The door banging heavily brought him back to reality, he turned to find the unexpected staring at him with uncertainty. Jason swallowed hard.

"What is it you want woman?!" His countenance worsening. He looked her up and down.

Maureen mumbled incoherent words, looking like she ran off a wrecked train. Her richly plump cheeks were sunken and rough patches of sunburn were so evident. She didn't fit into the nice modern room she stood in.

"What?!" Jason barked suddenly, his patience wearing thin. Again, an angry Jason was the worst side of him one could encounter.

"I'm sorry... Where's my daughter Sophia? I've been meaning to have a heart to heart with her and apologize for my wicked ways..." She answered, her color drained and eyes roaming about in desire for the wealth around her, Jason noticed.

"Who even let you in by the way? You smell like sewage" he spat pressing his fingers on his nostrils.

"The gateman let me in" her stomach made a loud hungry noise. "Uh... Do you have anything in the house I can eat am hungry?"

"Wasn't your reasons for being here to apologize to your stepdaughter?" he retorted, never ceasing to remind her of the distant relationship they both shared.

"Uh yes, it is... But am very famished right now and I need energy. Heavens I've been suffering for my evil deeds. I have lost my family, title, money, and even pride. Am a street beggar, even in my daughter's home I beg for crumbs hey!!!!!" She forcefully lamented uncontrollable tears gushed out of her eyes.

Jason stood there watching the drama unfold. Maureen fell to the floor and wailed helplessly, hoping her son-in-law would have a change of heart or even speak to Sophia on her behalf. But Jason was far from touched the wailing was getting to him, propelling a migraine which had been as a result of his insomnia.

He waited patiently for Maureen to round up her charade but she suddenly clung to his unbelted jeans throwing him off balance.

"Let go of me now!!!!" He yelled snatching his leg from her hard grip. "Are you insane? Don't you ever touch me with your filthy fingers again in fact leave my house!!!!."

Maureen kept on wailing and spilling gibberish ignoring his present order.

"Sophia isn't here woman! If you insist I'd call the police on you."

"Eh... Then where is she? I know she's somewhere or she stepped out please I have to speak with her and I need shelter" she pleaded on her knees.

"What happened to living in doctor Stanley's home... Wait you have the doctor's private number right?" Jason asked with burning anticipation.

"Yes I do but it's not connecting anymore... He threw me out of the house too and his line is no longer in use... I've tried severally but nothings working" Maureen cried seriously wiping her tears.

Jason felt deflected for a while, his hopes were dashed to the mud once more. He sighed in resignation.

"Please my son, help me beg my daughter to forgive me even my sister whom I called family has deserted me. I didn't know how kind Sophia has been to me until I messed up, yeah!!!!" She continued.

Jason moved over to the land phone and dialed a number, as he spoke into the phone requesting two muscular policemen at his residence, Maureen sensing danger quickly ended her noisy charade, grabbed her dirty shoes, and ran off without as much as looking back.

Once he noticed she was gone, Jason dropped the phone not caring to disconnect. He wasn't speaking with anyone, he made it all up.

He quietly made his way to the comfortable kitchen.

Everything smelled fresh and clean, and the fridge which was always stuck up with varieties of local dishes were left with nothing of the sort. The maids made sure to put them there because Sophia loved local dishes unlike him Jason who could go on with nothing in his belly.

He looked around for something that might rouse his lost appetite. Only fruits and nuts were what he could manage. He grabbed a bottle of nut clutching it in his underarm to properly adjust the zipper of his wobbly pants when he heard someone clear their throat.

Jason angrily looked up expecting to see a tenacious Maureen but caught sight of a short chubby lady who timidly angled her face away to give him privacy.

There was a little pause while he carefully zipped up properly and returned his hold on the bottled nuts.

"Uh...did..." Jason stammered in bashfulness. "Did my mother send you?" He squeaked suddenly developing a soar throat.

Sabina took the question as a go-ahead to face him, though still not meeting his daring eyes. "Yes sir, said you might be hungry and in need of peppery dish for your appetite" she confirmed.

"Oh..." He replied in realization and made to leave.

"Sir... What particular dish would you like me to prepare for you?."

"Anything with pepper, I do need my appetite as you said earlier" he uncorked the cover pouring out some nuts to chew.

"Jollyoff rice with Tumeric and ginger?..." Sabina suggested reluctantly, when Jason didn't reply she continued. "Your wife used to like it when I prepare such, she'd eat everything..." She added reminiscently.

But Jason frowned. Even the groundnut wasn't so appealing anymore. He moved over to the counter and dropped the bottle. Sabina could notice his mood swing and quietly apologized for talking too much.

"No... It's not your fault I just... I  am not in my best mind now and every little thing irritates me... you don't have to apologize."

"I miss her too sir... This house used to be so lively and cheerful when she was around. She would treat us like her sisters. I usually wonder how she never lets her situation define her, she would put up a strong face during the painful therapies or days when the sun wasn't so bright and promising. Every time we talk she's always optimistic and I forget my problems. She's so nice... Too nice I'd say" Sabina staring into space smiled at the memories they made.

Jason watched and listened carefully realizing his runaway wife not only impacted him but everyone she came in contact with within the little time they were together.

"Uh, it looks like I said so much again" Sabina corrected.

"No... No, it's nice to hear that. I sincerely miss her too. She made me feel different for some reason" he whispered. "But Why?... Why wouldn't she want to sit and talk to me about anything? It doesn't make sense to me. To run when you have a problem is cowardice I learned. It beats me" he lamented temperamentally adjusting his bare torso on the kitchen counter.

Sabina shrugged defiantly. "I guess there are some things that can't be settled just by talking... Sometimes we need space, a breather, or a nice vacation too" she smiled suggestively.

"Do you think she's on a vacation somewhere?" Jason asked curiously.

The young maid laughed innocently, smelling jealousy in his question. "I don't know sir I only helped her pack her things that day, she hardly said a word or two then... So unlike her. She left no message nor words of goodbye."

"Sir I'll have to start preparing the dish soon or else I'd be late for my post-UTME lessons."

"You're about to enter the Uni?" Jason questioned surprised.

With a nod Sabina confirmed. "That's nice and what program are you up for?."

"Food science and technology" she smiled.

"To improve your cooking skills right. Are you Zara or Sabina? Which one of them" he rubbed his evident stubble, embarrassed at the fact that he didn't know her name while they had a heart-to-heart discussion.

"Am Sabina, Zara is in school already."

"Oh, sure lemme leave you to it then" he stretched himself throwing a lip-sided smile at her then retired to his room.

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