Read The Faintest Dawn (Story) Episode 8

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 8

James: Where is she?

Victoria: She’s in a ward.

James: what did they say is wrong with her?

Victoria: (faintly) They’ve not yet told me anything.

James: Okay, let’s wait then. What really happened?

Victoria: I told you, she collapsed at the market.

James: Oh, okay…

Victoria: So, they said we’ll need to deposit money before they finish treating her. So, hope you brought money, cus I’m broke.

James: (stammered) errrrm, errrm, errrm.

Victoria: Errrrm what?. Don’t even start with excuses now oooo. You’ve not fed us since two months and you want to start giving me excuses. Just go and look for money anywhere oooo.

James: I know dear but, I don’t know who to ask. I’m owing almost everyone I know.

Victoria: Are you listening to yourself at all? So, you’ll not do anything. James, I didn’t want to say this before but, you’re a disgrace, I regret marrying you. I’m not a graduate, yet, I’m way more creative than you are. You just sit at home all day and…. I won’t just say anything.

James: Dear, please don’t say that. It’s not my fault.

Victoria: I should not say the truth abi?

James: You know, if I have……

Victoria: If you have what?, if you have what?. You’re annoying James, really annoying. Now, you want to put me to shame. I have to call my parents to come and pay my own daughter’s hospital bill.

When Victoria made this statement, she realized that she caught the attention of most people on the waiting bench and some of the nurses on duty that morning. She was a little ashamed but, she didn’t care.

James: You want to call them? He asked because, he was embarrassed that his in-laws had to come to his rescue everytime.

Victoria: If I don’t call them, will you do anything?

James: I can’t but…..

Victoria: But what?, you’re evil James. You don’t want to bring money, you don’t want me to call people that will help. Abi you want Laura to die?

James: No, why would I want that. No problem, you can call them.

Victoria: I didn’t need your permission before.

Idowu: You’re right, that rascal knows what I’m involved in.

Bodyguard: What if he decides to involve the police?

Idowu: GBenga, that’s ill luck for him. Few of the officers are our people, so it won’t work. But, just in case, I know he has a wife and daughter. They can come in handy if he messes up.

Gbenga: Okay, if you say so sir.

Idowu: For now, deliver those stuffs to those clients, they paid a month ago.

Gbenga: Okay sir, no problem sir.

Laura: Mummy.

Victoria: (Almost in tears) Baby,….my dear….

James: (Entered the ward immediately) interrupting Victoria’s speech. Is she awake?

Victoria: (Looked at him despicably)

James: (Held Laura’s right hand). How are you, my dear?

Laura: (softly) I’m fine.

Victoria: What did the doctor say the problem was?

James: They said, she lacked some vitamins. He even asked us to get some.

Victoria: Thank God, my parents will send money today.

James: Thank God.

Victoria: you’re thanking God too, may God deliver you.

Laura: I want to sleep.

Victoria: Yes, yes, dear but are you hungry?.

Laura: No, I’m not hungry.

Victoria: Okay, just sleep then.

James: (scratching his head). He didn’t want to say anything to avoid another insult from his wife.

A week after, Laura was discharged from the hospital with different prescription of drugs by the doctor and a strict diet routine to follow. A diet routine, they could not afford. James would go through his contact list severally wondering if calling Idowu again for help was the best thing to. He was contemplating joining Idowu’s business especially when he remembered Idowu’s assurance of protection but it was still a difficult decision to make.

After service on Sunday. James had made up his mind to join Idowu. What occurred during the service was a serious embarrassment. He shook his head as he remembered what happened earlier. The pastor had called out the men in the church to make a pledge of #15,000, he didn’t feel bad at first because, not all the men came out but soon the amount started dropping till it reached #500. He was the only man sitting in the pew. The other women jeered at him while his wife bowed her head in shame. The service was yet to close when his wife took their daughter and left. He followed an hour later to avoid suspicion from members that embarrassment was the reason he left. While James walked home, he brought out his phone from his pocket to call Idowu. He was aware that Idowu would ignore his calls but, that wouldn’t stop him from trying. It was as James predicted, Idowu didn’t pick his call neither did he return it. This lingered for two weeks leaving James miserable. His wife had begun threatening to leave the house. He couldn’t even persuade her to stay when he had nothing to offer. He thought of what to do about Idowu, then, he decided to send a text message to Idowu indicating his intentions to join his business. He thought of what to type and finally came up with the conclusion of writing a short text which went thus;

“Idowu, I’m interested”.

Idowu: This mad chap..

(he laughed scornfully). He took a look at James’ text message again. So, you’re interested in the Job now. Mad fellow.. I’ll just have to call him later, for now, I’m busy. Let him suffer a bit.

James: Victoria what are you doing?.

Victoria: (she ignored him and kept on packing her things).

James: (Stood up from the bed and moved closer?

Laura: Yes, mummy why are you packing your things?

Victoria: Sweetheart, I’m packing your things too, we are going to see grandma and grandpa.

Laura: (smiling). Does that mean we have to travel?

Victoria: Yes dear.

James: Your parents house? Why?

Victoria: You’re seriously asking me why… Okay, since you want to know, I’m not ready to let my daughter die, if Laura probably didn’t exist, I might have stayed with you but for now, I choose Laura.

James: you can’t take my daughter away from me.

Victoria: So, she should die here? You’re not feeding her now, I’m out of cash and my parents have consented to my arrival in Benin so, I won’t miss this opportunity.

James: Victoria stay, I will take care of you.

Victoria: Take care of who? You’re not even taking care of yourself. You’re very lazy, you’re waiting for white collar job abi?, you’ll grow beards. I hope you know the rent is due. Get ready for another embarrassment.

Laura looked at her parents confused, the little girl had no idea as to why they yelled at each other.

James: At least, have faith in me.

Victoria: I have faith that you have failed, that’s why I’m going. (she zipped the big bag and carried a polythene bag that contained the only shoe she had and Laura’s shoes.

James almost told his wife about joining Idowu, of course, he would lie about the kind of business but he changed his mind. Besides, she was determined and knowing his wife, she was very stubborn especially when her mind was made up so, she was definitely not going to budge.

Victoria: This one you’re looking, you will not help us and carry bag?, you did not give us transport, you don’t want to carry bag again.

James: Oh, okay.

Laura: Mummy, what about daddy? is he not coming with us?

Victoria: No, my baby. He has to stay here.

James: Yes dear, I have to stay here, I’ll come over later to bring you and mum to Lagos.

Laura: Okay daddy.

James: Victoria, please take care of her.

Victoria: I’m taking care of her, that’s why I’m going.

The neighbors looked at James dragging the bag lazily through the passage. The inquisitive ones asked questions only to be ignored by Victoria. James would have ignored them but, he was a debtor hence, he didn’t want to incur the wrath of his creditors. He just smiled and said. James: Eh, yes,them dey travel ooo.

Neighbor 1: Okay, you no follow go, so which time dem dey come na?

James: We never know yet.

Neighbor 1: How dem wan take go na?

James: (Useless question). Them go enter bus for bustop wey go carry them go park.

Neighbor 2: Okay, na. Safe journey.

James: Thank you.

The neighbors knew it was their detestable condition that propagated his wife’s travel but, they feigned ignorance.

At the bustop, James held Laura for a very long time in a tight hug till Victoria tapped his shoulder.

Victoria: It’s time to go.

James: Oh, okay. I promise, I’ll visit you guys.

Victoria: What’s my business?

James: Victoria, I’m sorry, I failed you but, just know, I never meant for any of this to happen. I love you Victoria.

Victoria: The love could not take care of me. (She waved towards a bus moving towards their direction)

Victoria: It’s time to go.

The bus alighted in front of them. The conductor moved her bag to the boot. Victoria made haste to enter the bus holding Laura’s right hand

James: Yes I know, you have to go but Vicky, I promise, I’ll make it up to you guys.

Victoria: Whatever.

Laura: Daddy bye bye

James: Bye dear (he waved, and the bus zoomed off)

James meant what he said, he was determined to make it up to them, he would prove his wife wrong and become very successful. considering the mood he was in, he was ready to do anything.