The Deathlike Mission - Episode 18

 

Thanks everyone for the nice comments and encouragement. I really apologize for the delay in uploading, the reason is the story is a work in progress. Promise to work harder. 

TWO DAYS LATER.

Jide and Kari took spry steps into the hospital building with Kari bearing a little bag containing food. They had been called earlier that Laura gained consciousness at the wee hours of the morning and their joy knew no bounds . Going over the events that led to Laura state, Kari had every reason to be grateful. When they had driven off from her office that evening in their search for her, they were confused where to begin. Jide suggested they go to her house which they did, but Laura wasn't there and the maid reported she hasn't been home since she left for work in the morning. She had called Paul upon Jide's coercion and he picked. She didn't make it sound as though she harboured suspicion about him and she prayed Laura hadn't given them away as she said. Paul had admitted promising to do lunch with Laura, a promise he failed to fulfil as a result of his busy schedule. He on his part claimed he had been trying to reach her to apologize and reschedule a makeup dinner for them both

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-deathlike-mission-pt-1

. That was it. Whatever he had done to Laura they did not know because he hid it well. They couldn't force anything from him yet until their evidences were rigid enough. From his reply, Jide deduced he did not know about their suspicion and decided to proceed in their search for their friend any other way, God help them she wasn't dead yet.

They combed the likely places where she could be till about 9pm. When they were almost giving up hope, Laura's number rang Kari's phone. Relief flooded them for a second but suddenly disappeared when they discovered the caller wasn't Laura but from a hospital. A familiar feeling gutted Kari's throat at the news especially when the caller intentionally refused to reveal to them if she were dead. In the hospital it was disclosed to them however that she was shot on the arm and severely beaten that afternoon. It was only good that the police arrived in the nick of time to stop her assailant who escaped as the case might have been worse. They had also assured them that since the bullet has been removed her condition was quite stable as there was no internal bleeding or injury.

In spite of all these assurances, Laura still lay unconscious for almost forty-eight hours. Then that morning she came around, Kari's relief was immeasurable.

In a few more strides, they were in Laura's ward where they found her in a seated position though weak with bandages and plasters all about her, a doctor and a nurse through with their thorough examination on her and about to leave.

"It's true! She's awake," Kari gasped while Jide smiled.

She rushed forward and threw her hands over her friend who in turn reciprocated.

"Take it easy ma'am, she's still recovering." The doctor had said playfully as he left.

"Oh I'm sorry, I'm just so glad that she's fine. Hey, how are you? You got us worried." Kari poked her nose. Laura just stared tearfully at her friend without making an effort to reply. Kari on her part did not expect any reply from her either because she hugged her again, this time tenderly.

"Hello Laura," Jide greeted with a smile as he came closer. "Feels good to have your wits back again."

She and Kari freed themselves.

"How are feeling?" Jide repeated.

"Aside little pains here and there, I'm okay." She replied weakly, looking up at him.

"You'll be fine," he continued sitting by her other side so that she was in the middle of he and Kari.

"I'm sure you have a lot of questions to ask?"

"Of course we do dear. How did this happen?" Kari asked immediately, touching a cut on her upper lip. "Your message, it scared me. We looked everywhere but we couldn't find you."

"Yes Laura" Jide added, "You need to tell us every bit."

At that, Laura began to sob while Kari patted her back.

"You were right. It's Paul, it has been him all along. We have been so blind, I have been so foolish." She sobbed more.

"Laura, relax alright, just tell us everything that happened."

There was a pause.

"That day," she began after gaining control. "We were supposed to have a discussion over lunch but he did not show up at all. So after I had finished eating I thought of checking up on him at his house to find out why before coming back to work. When I got into his sitting room, there was no one, but I sort of heard a scream coming from upstairs. I climbed to make certain I wasn't mistaken, then I heard it clearly. It was a woman begging for her life. I heard male voices coming from the same room too, I was careful not to alert them so I peered through the keyhole and I saw him."

"Saw who?" Kari pried even though she could guess who.

"I saw Paul, our paul pointing a gun to the woman's head and then he fired at her. Oh Kari it was such a bad sight. Only a heartless man could kill such a helpless woman, but Paul did it, he did it." she ended with frustration.

"And the text?" Jide asked this time.

"After the shot was fired, I couldn't believe myself. That was when I realized how foolish I had been and there, I sent you the message. Maybe my phone made a sound for they became aware of a presence. Paul opened the door and found me still in a state of shock, I couldn't run at that time. He was frustrated at the thought that I had discovered his dark side and I knew quite well he will eventually kill me if kept standing there. So I kicked his groin when he made to grab me and ran out. In his pained state he ordered one of his men to go after me and kill me. I was pursued into the streets, you know how lonely that side of the town usually is. He shot my arm, I lost balance and fell. With that advantage, he gained up on me and decided he will beat me up to my death. The look in his eyes was so scary. I already said my last prayers when I heard a police patrol siren but I must have passed out immediately becuase I can't remember what happened thereafter. I only woke up this morning to find myself in a bed in white sheets, alive."

"Oh no," Kari exhaled. I'm so sorry, I should have watched out for you."

"This isn't your fault, I should have listened to you. I'm sorry for everything I said, you were right after all."

"It's ok," Kari assured her once again. "I'm only glad you are convinced."

"Jide," she turned to him and held his hand. "I'm so sorry. I really should have believed you but I guess I had myself to deal with. I will trust you henceforth."

"If anything had happened to you my dear, I would have blamed myself terribly because I understood it wouldn't be just easy to agree with me on Paul's betrayal. But I'm glad that you are recovering and you see things clearly now." He gently squeezed her hand, adding. "Paul's not what we all believe him to be, he has been on this for a long long time. It isn't your faults that you haven't noticed his dark side until now because he did well to conceal it."

"I can take everything he is, but I can't bring myself to believe Paul killed my father. And to think he called last night asking after you like he doesn't have an idea."

"I'm surprised at him." agreed Laura.

"He is a stone cold criminal. Don't worry Kari, he will pay greatly for all his crimes."

Then his phone rang. Looking at it he said,

"I'm sorry ladies, I have to take this call." He went out leaving their eyes trailing behind him.

"You ok?" Kari asked her noticing her lost state.

"Yea, just thinking I would really be dead now if the police had not arrived when they did. You really would have cried for me right?"

"That wasn't funny,"

"It's the truth. My stupidity would have cost me my life and no one would have discovered."

"There's no point for this, you are in safe hands now."

"I was so foolish, you won't understand Kari." She lamented hiding her face in the palm of her one good hand."

"Perhaps if you calm down and make me, I will." Said Kari folding her arms.

"You'll think the worst of me, you surely will." There, she burst into heartbreaking sobs that Kari was conscience-stricken to hug her tightly.

"All these time," she began, still sobbing lightly as Kari released her grip. "I - I have been in love with Paul."

"What!"

"Please, please, before you say anything just listen to me. I wasn't proud of it but I loved him so much. As you know, he had eyes for only you which made me frustrated. Sometimes I hated you for wasting his love, hated him for not looking my way and hated myself for wanting to be with someone who didn't regard me anything more than a companion. So, there I was jostled by these feelings until Jide showed up bearing more good looks and charm than Paul could ever possess, indicating utmost interest in you as well. I hated him from the start not because I wanted to but because I was jealous of you and desired to be an object of attraction too. But you were not interested at first, not until his charm began to get to you." Kari smiled at this part. "Somehow I was happy that with you gone I just might have a chance with Paul. It was there  Jide began with the suspicion about him. I knew it could be true from the start but I never wanted to believe it because I loved him dearly. I was scared at what could happen if I lost him."

"But he didn't have a second thought ordering his men to have you killed."

"Oh Kari, you don't know how it felt to discover the only one your heart beats for is a monster, that he is capable of killing me."

"I'm really sorry about that. But you shouldn't be telling me this Laura, it's supposed to be your secret."

"I can't help it, I need to make you understand the reasons for my actions. Now that you know, will you judge me for it?" she asked innocently.

"No."

"Not even the part where I always felt jealous of you?"

"Never. Listen, I can only imagine how much of a burden this has been to you. Must really have been terrible bearing this alone all along. But hey, don't think about it anymore let it be in the past. A man more deserving will come alright?" Laura nodded at her assurance.

After a moment Laura again spoke up.

"And you, you love him don't you?" Kari wore an 'I don't know who and what you are talking about' look. "Stop acting up, I'm talking about Jide!"

"Oh well," she replied bashfully. "About that, I don't know. I only know that when with him I feel secured, happy and the whole world doesn't matter anymore. Time seems to stand still and I can never get enough of his company. It's no use hiding my feelings anymore," she defended as Laura looked at her in a funny way. "I'm not ashamed of it. But I can't say if he feels the same way."

"I'm sure he does and he will come out plain with it, soon."

Then Jide entered the ward.

"You took quite a while answering that phone call." Kari told him fearing a little that he might have heard them.

"That was Mary. She wants us to meet this night, says it's urgent."

"Your strategy worked. But is everything alright with her?"

"I don't think so, she sounded not too well over the phone."

"Please I'm lost here, who's Mary?" Laura asked.

"The lady we met at the chapel house during our visit to Inika. She was hiding something but I think she's ready to talk now." Jide explained.

"So when do we see her?" asked Kari again. 

"After Laura's left."

"Where am I leaving to?"

"You cannot stay here given the situation of things. Paul will come to know you are alive in no time and he might make an attempt on your live again."

"He's right Laura, you aren't safe here. It's better he thinks you are missing or dead and we'll do well to keep making him think that way until he is arrested. I have lost one friend, I can't stand it if I lose another."

"You guys have to be kidding. So incase I agree to leave, where do I go?"

"You won't bother about that. You are leaving to Calabar, all travel arrangements concluded and your flight is scheduled for this evening." replied Jide.

"What?"

"You'll be fine, a friend of Jide's waiting to receive you. His name is Ben, he will take proper care of you till you are fully recovered. And do not worry about work, I will take care of your absence in the office."

"But how would you guys cope, I need to be here to help you fight."

"Coming from you, that's a laugh." Kari teased.

Laura pouted at Kari's joke. Jide laughed too.

"Don't worry Laura, we will manage, besides you are no good to us this way until you recover." He reassured.

"Thank you for not giving up on me. I'll miss you guys so much more than you know."

"And I'll miss you more." Kari hugged her.

"Now ladies, if you are done with the emotional part, we need to get you out of this hospital so you will be prepared for your trip. Your flight leaves in less than six hours you know."

"And the bills?" inquired Laura.

"Settled that after my phone call."

"Can you walk?" asked Kari.

"I'm not paralyzed."

They all laughed as they assisted her up and helped by Jide they left the hospital unnoticed into his car.