…Continued from Chapter Thirteen.
“What did he say, mom?”
“He said he needed to see you.”
“What else did he say?”
“I told him to call you, and then he said he lost your contact.”
“Did you give him my number?
“Ah ahn. Why so many questions? I hope he’s not one of those your useless friends?
“Mom please answer me first. Did you give him my number?” I inquired more sternly.
“No, I did not and I don’t want you associating with people like that anymore nitori Olorun,” she warned.
I breathed a sigh of relief. I changed my phone number after the kidnap saga. The last thing I need right now is Collins showing up at my door, but now that he has, it is only a matter of time.
“No mom, I won’t. I have learnt my lesson,” I replied, heading for the door.
Still wrapped up in my dreaded thoughts, the sudden movement of our neighbours startled me. Urgh! Collins has managed to reverse the progress I’ve made with the therapy. Now I was on high alert, again.
When I got to his office, doctor Obi was already waiting for me at the reception.
“Good morning Ebun,” he said with a kind smile. He always had an inviting smile.
“Sorry to have kept you waiting,” I apologized for my lateness.
“Are you alright? He asked, “You look rattled.”
“Yes. I’m fine. I’ve just had a rough morning. I’m sure our session this morning would fix me up.”
He ushered me into his office to get the full confession of my morning and the shocking, unexpected news. I told him what had happened with Collins and he advised me to inform the police since my safety was in question.
After the session, he drove me to the police station and we registered a complaint.
“Where are you going to from here?” he asked as we walked towards his car.
“I think I’ll just go home and rest.”
“Can I drop you off at home?”
“Oh. You don’t have to bother. I can take a taxi once you drop me at the bus stop.”
“It’s no hassle at all, I insist.”
I obliged him.
On our way, I kept wondering about Chioma. Did she give my house address to Collins? I decided it was time to pay her a visit.
“This next right turn is my street and you can stop me at the third house on the right,” I said as we arrived.
“Lovely neighbourhood,” he said in admiration.
“Do you want to come in for a drink?” I asked politely as we pulled up in front of my house.
“Err. No. It’s fine. I should get back to the office.”
“But, my mum would really love to meet you.”
“I know but I really should get back to work, maybe some other time?”
I tried to convince him to stay. I felt safe whenever he was around and I wanted to spend some time with him but he insisted.
“Thanks for the lift.”
“You’re welcome and don’t forget the meditation exercises I asked you to practice.”
“Sure,” I said as his car pulled away.
“Who was that man that just dropped you off?” My mum spying through the window in the living room asked interrogatively.
“That’s just my therapist mom; doctor Obi,” I replied.
“So why didn’t you invite him in?”
“I did mom, but he had to get back to the office.”
“He seems really nice.”
And, there it was. Her side-glance. The one she gives when she’s about to drop the marriage bomb on me. It didn’t matter that I was recovering from a traumatic experience, anytime was the right time for her to bring up the ‘marriage talk’. Mothers!
I wasn’t going to entertain it, so I craftily dismissed her next question, “He is quite professional mom. I’m very tired and want to go inside and rest.”
As soon as my head hit the pillow my phone rang, it was Tola. I had completely forgotten about the pregnancy test kit thingy and was supposed to go see her after my session but the matter with Collins distracted me. What was the result of the test? I thought to myself, was she indeed pregnant?
To be continued next week.