Chikamharida's POV.

The car pulled up in the Jone's parking lot where those vans were littered like products on sun dry. Except that they were of multiple colors and not monochrome. Henry digged his hand into the console and pulled out his gun and phone. He noticed my gaze on him and paused; I was staring at him through the side of my eyes.

Why?

I couldn't look at him in the eyes. It happens when one has no part of himself to hide and when one's afraid of showing the remaining parts of him which he thinks is inhumane.

With a sigh, Henry relaxed into his seat, his hand on the console about to make their way to my wrist.

"Henry, I..."

"Shh!" He said, his index finger making their way to my lips, where they lingered to pass across his order.

"I understand," he said while looking into my eyes and slowly removing his hand from my lips. He had such an effect on me that I had stilled in expectancy.

However, because the universe was one big joy-killer, Henry's phone had to ring, making him sigh and remove his hand from my wrist.

The caller ID was "S".

"I'm meant to follow you," he said regretfully. "But I have to take this. Just shut the door if you want to leave , okay?"

"Okay," I said with a nod, before adjusting my shirt and walking out.

I would confess however, to another lingering look at him from beside the door before I finally left.

I got to my room to find the door open. Inside it, and sitting on my bed like she owned the place was Adele. Adele was holding a diary, her mother's diary. She was sat beside the window, the heels of her vans touching the legs of the chair repeatedly.

When I got in though, she spared me a look and it was extremely calm.

I knew that wasn't her main emotion. She was always good at hiding it and it confused me sometimes.

Does that make me a bad nanny? I'm kidding! I don't want to know.

"I thought I was the one responsible for the sneaking up," I said as I made my way to the locker.

"Just wanted to make you scared."

"Impromptu visits are not your forte," I said, taking out a local-swim set. "But if I may ask, what do you think can elicit fear from me?"

I began walking into the bathroom and I heard her stand. It made me pause.

"One, you're afraid of losing your job, I know that for a fact," she said. "And two, you've been putting your nose where it doesn't belong. I've been watching you."

I shit my eyes and exhaled before turning. "What on earth are you talking about Adele?"

"You visited my mother with your boyfriend," she said, slowly walking towards me till there was barely a sliver of space between us. "I wonder if you ever knew about all this before I even revealed it."

I took a deep breath. She was definitely right for not trusting me.

"That's not meant to be an agreement between  us, Adele. I'm not meant to take excuses from you."

"Yeah, I agree," she said. "The agreement though is what I'm giving you now: your job ends or you take me to her."

"That's a delusion—" I laughed. "A big one. I'm not afraid of your threats."

"I know, that's why I also thought to inform you about people's other plans. Not everything you take in is edible," she said with a smile and a long look before slowly walking out.

Then she paused at the door.

"If anyone asks," she said. "Let them know that I missed you so much I came to wait for you."

I gave no reply and then she got out.

Immediately she walked out, I didn't think much of her words or how she'd been stalking me, instead, I picked up my phone and called Urewoli.

"Ere ewuro mama," I said in greeting but was met with silence.

"Mother?" I asked again. Instead I heard soft snivels and harsh breaths.

"Riddy? Is that you?"

I immediately recognized the voice that was speaking.

"Chellu. It's me sis, what's up?"

"I called you but you didn't pick," she said and started sniffling. "You changed numbers?"

"It's the same phone. It was bad for a while?"

"How's school?"

"I'm not in school. You've forgotten?"

"No, I'm just hopeful. I'm - mother -I... It's just that—"

"They've been asking of me haven't they?" I asked. "And that reminds me, how are the triplets, good in school I hope?"

"Yeah, two have been good but Garga got a scholarship. I'm afraid it's like yours."

"I'm sure it's not the same with mine. Why didn't mother call to tell me that he's here with me?"

"She tried but you were unreachable?"

"Ooh! About that, I had an accident at work."

"What-?!"

"Just a fall," I said. "But my phone screen ended up damaged."

"It's been three weeks Harida."

"I know. How are you? He hasn't disturbed you again has he?"

"Not really, Riddy. It's just that I'm engaged to someone. They came for the introduction yesterday."

"Riddy, you're not saying anything?"

"Chellu, please give the phone to mother."

"She's not home."

"When she comes, we'll speak, okay?"

"Okay. Take care, Riddy."

I couldn't reply her. It was hard to.

Immediately I ended the call, my hand went to my chest as if to stop it from exploding. Why would mother let Chellu be engaged? She was barely sixteen. Besides what type of guy would want to wed a child?

Hope it wasn't Manga?!

Immediately the thought came to mind I swore and started calling Chellu again. Twice, it rang out. No response!

Why wasn't she picking?

Damn!

I was pacing the room, heart on my wrist. The squeak of my boots against the tiles was as loud as day. Each step still wasn't enough; I still found my fear taking over.

Immediately, I searched my box for the portrait— the one thing of my mum I'd brought with me. The man who I believed to be my grandfather was staring back at me, urging me to protect my sister, and my brother.

How do I do it?

How do I fight fate?!

Deciding that a walk to the stream would be enough to think of a solution, I started on my way out, using the cobblestoned pathway and enjoying the glare of the sun. I was greeted by tall crops and calm weeds, birds perched on the wooden bridge like grains which rolled away at the sign of a foot. I marcelled at their freedom. At how their world didn't seem to crash down at them anytime they started getting a breather.

We were two different things, surely.

More leaves, more un-dug earth. Twigs and creaks, armies of the most peaceful shrubs on a planet all appraising me. Down the slope, I walked. More journey to uncover, and when I finally arrived at the opening, fenced with tall palm trees and running water, I walked straight to the tree in the water, and proceeded to remove my boot.

I failed to notice however, that there were people watching me. Out of thin air, they came, armed with nothing but their wicked hearts. O'Malley and her friend, I reckoned. Both without their mask, apparently seeing no need for them since I'd exposed their secrets.

They pushed and slapped at me. A move that caught me unaware. I hit my forehead on the tree trunk. More kicks and more punches. I would have pleaded with them but the hits were so much that I eventually stopped feeling the pain.

Just when I thought they'd kill me and dump my body in the stream, they stopped and ran away.

A figure, familiar, showed up in a hazy form. I heard a swear and the ripping of clothes. I felt the pressure he applied as he bandaged my wounds. My temperature was getting high and my body was sticky.

Despite all that, I still recognized the feeling of motion— the care of being carried.

*****

I woke up to whiteness. White sheets, white walls and even brighter rays. The windows were open but so was my skin.

I was in a hospital, I could tell and somehow, memories started flowing in.

"You're awake," a voice said. I looked up to see the same man with a scared face who'd saved me from drowning that day.

I tried speaking but coughed instead and they were painful.

"Careful," he said, ringing the nurse who came in with water.

"How're you feeling?"

"I'm good," I said, still looking at the nurse.

"We'll recheck your vitals and get you ready for discharge. I'll be back," she said and I nodded.

When she left, my gaze returned to the stranger.

"Thank you for saving me again."

"You seem to not have good luck near the water," he said, his scar shinning and his lips barely moving. "How're you feeling?"

"Terrible, but I'll live."

"That's good. Your man will be with you soon."

"Who?"

"Me," Henry said walking in.

"Thanks for watching her Samuel."

"It is my pleasure boss," Samuel said before leaving.

"Boss?"

"I lead Cynthia's crew," he said, walking towards me and holding my hand. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there earlier," he said, looking into my eyes.

"It's not your fault that they're unhinged Henry. Things happen that we shouldn't blame ourselves for. We just need to correct it."

"That reminds me, I've started making arrangements for our plan with the mall."

"I'm not sure I'm in a good state for that."

"Why?"

"Things at home aren't looking well. I have to get back home before my family makes a mistake. A grave one."

Immediately the words left my lips, my head was lowered and eyes shut. My emotions so stormy they flooded my eyes with tears.

"Was it the person you saw at the mall?" Henry's voice brought me back to life. His hand was on my back, rubbing slow circles on it.

"Yeah," I said, eyes still closed. "That was my brother. And my sister... She's already engaged at such a tender age-" and Adele, I wanted to add.

"You need to let it out Harida."

"I don't!— I'm sorry, I just need to visit your sister alone... to clear my head."

He was quiet for sometime, but I loved that he didn't ask much question. I may be leaving soon. If the only thing I could give to Adele before I left was a meeting with her mother, then so be it.

And that'd be my bargain with her if she'd allow.

Just, if she would...

"I'd see to that okay?" Henry said.

"Okay," I replied and we remained locked on our stares so that then, just then, the doctor walked in with a stethoscope around his neck. "Her vitals are alright. She's safe to go. She just has to stay away from hard labour till she's fully strong," he said.

"Thank you doctor," Henry replied.

The doctor nodded and left.

Just then my phone began ringing.

I picked the call expecting it to be Chellu but it was Praise, her voice which I'd know anywhere.

"Harida, please help!"

"Praise?"

"I- I-"

The call ended.

"Praise? Praise?! Damn it!" I said. I was at the brink of throwing my phone away, but since it all felt like a prank I kept calling her.

Riinnnggg!!!

It kept ringing out, no one answered till Henry took the phone from me.

I stared at my empty hands.

"It'll be okay," he said, patting my back.

My frustration came out in tenfold that I leaned into him, defeated. The only words leaving my lips were "Please let me see your sister."