When Love Dies

Episode 43

Gabriel

The day sped fast and evening came too soon. There was little visibility outside and the pool of blood which covered Andy’s face became dark maroon and clotted. He wasn’t saying anything even after the torture ; the massive brutality of Jethro. In that moment I admired his courage .

” We’ve been on this since morning , Andy” Jethro said ” just save yourself the stress. Tell me what I want to know” his voice sounded empathic this time.
Jethro faced me and shook his head. I knew from his reactions , that we weren’t getting anywhere with the interrogation.

Why did this man choose to make things difficult?. Andy was either immune to torture and pain or he was too strong willed.
” Mr . Gabriel ” the detective said ” let’s have a talk outside ”
” OK. Sure ”

His arms drew down his sleeves on both sides, he had sweat breaking from every pore on his skin.

He led the way and I followed , few inches away form the door, he stopped and turned to me . I shifted away from the door, and locked the hinge.

” I think I should be —”
” be on your way now and spend time with your family , right?” Jethro interrupted me ” Mr Gabriel ,… don’t worry . I will handle the situation from here. His stronghold will soon break”

I nodded and gave him a casual handshake. He was good at his job and I had no reason to doubt .Nevertheless, this particular case had taken a long time to solve. I hoped he won’t fail.

I took my leave and he went back into the room,through the air , I heard his voice barking again.

” Will you confess? Who did you hire to do the dirty job for you ?

Andy groaned and coughed at every blow Jethro landed on him. That served him right ! I wished , his heart bleeds with pain during the interrogation. I smiled at the thought of it.
A few minutes later , I was inside my car, which parked outside the station. I turned on the engine, I hesitated on shifting the gear to D. I thought of abandoning the car , right there and that minute , the feeling made me hate Dami even more. She had really complicated my life .

I heaved a sigh and tilted my head forward then I changed the gear box to drive.

” Gabriel…” Someone knocked on the side glass, I was figuratively startled and a jump in my heart came suddenly.

” Kemi?? ” I said under my breathe .
” what do you want ? I asked while rolling down the glass.

Kemi’s mood radiated seriousness and somehow, she looked pitiful. Her eyes were sorrowful, unlike her, as if she had been shedding tears . Who knows? it might be one of her numerous trickery. This lady was evil in human clothing. It would take a miracle to save her from sinister affairs .

” I have something to tell you ”
” what is it?
” Andy is not the murd– ” She paused ” He is innocent , I know who did it”
I became surprised and I alighted the car impulsively . I wanted to hear more, what did she mean by knowing “who did it”
” Tell me something Kemi ,what do you know? Don’t play games . You know who did what??… anyways. … I’m listening ..”

” can’t we at least find somewhere to seat– ” she paused when she saw my reaction ” ok, we can talk here …”

I crossed my arms and relaxed my back on the car. I was ready to listen but she better not joke around.

“OK”
” Gabe, I can boldly tell you that Andy is not behind the murder. ”

” You are trying to protect your lover. Spare me the trash? I hissed and disgust boiled deep down in my stomach .

” No , not that . OK fine , believe what you want but just know that he didn’t do it… It was”

She paused for the third time and I noticed her reactions again :the words choked her. Then she bit her lips, and moved her head from side to side.

In milliseconds , a siren bellowed intensively into the police premises. A group of officers alighted and the five of them carried AK 47’s , each man fully armed to the teeth. They had in custody , a criminal . The last couple of them, each from both doors, carried bags of what seemed to be cocaine.
” Damilola , is responsible ” kemi brought back my attention.

” You are joking ” I scoffed and opened my car door” count yourself lucky that you ain’t behind bars with Andrew. What sort of rubbish are you saying?”
I knew her game and I won’t play along , not while her lover was involved in the gameplay.

” Gabe , please listen ” She begged and pulled my arm gently. ” believe me. We are not saints. I have dark sides, and so do you, but save my heart from pain.. Drop the charges against Andy and I will testify that Dami had the entire event planned. From the hit on Tayo; the private investigator she hired to install a hidden camera in your home and how she framed Andy ”
I was shocked and lost of words. My knee buckled but I boiled with great anger. ” wait!!! A camera in my home? You are not serious?

So Dami had been watching my very move , even when I’m in the shower? And she’d saw the invisible? No way ! The thought tormented me.

She nodded in approval like she had read my mind.. She was d–n serious.
” why are you doing this? I asked ” Dami is your friend . So you’d throw away your friendship for that fool in there ” I pointed towards the police entrance.
” I love him ” she continued ” And I know you loved your wife too… I’m sorry for your loss but help me out here. Let’s make the real culprit pay. Don’t let Andy pay for a crime he didn’t commit. Please, I’m begging you ”

I had heard enough and I was convinced, it wasn’t easy to understand but I could not believe that my so-called employer had been behind every setback in my life. I should have known ..

I took out my phone and dialed the detective’s number and after a long discussion we reached a consensus ; a perfect line of action .

Katherine
I was happy to see my entire family smiling and cracking jokes , even in the face of disaster and too many setbacks. They behaved like nothing had ever happened and that act really made my day.
Mimi cuddled my little boy and he laughed at her every tickle. She brushed his hard but curly hair and pulled his nose ” Big baby ” Mimi said ” See your long nose and pink lips — should I apply lipstick on the lips?
” No !!! ” Dave exclaimed ” I’m not a girl!”

” Are you sure? Are you sure ” Mimi’s arms tickled his waistline and he jerked ” Are you— short?”

” Aunt Miriam ” Dave begged and jerked ” stop .. Please ..awwww…ohhh …mummy!! ”
He laughed with so much happiness and joy, watching him made my heart glad..
Mama and Papa were together, arms locked and smiling at each other. Yvonne and Maxwell were always the happy couple…
” Cupcakes ” Yvonne said sheepishly ” I’m hungry , get me something nice and tasty ”

” How many times will you eat in a day? You just took snacks a minute ago, your name should be changed from Yvonne to ” Feed On”.

” uhnnnnnn!!. Cupcakes, Stop fooling around . I’m hungry ”
” Maxwell , ” Gabe’s mom cut in ” So you are not taking good care of my daughter ? Eh? ”

” Mama. Don’t mind her, she eats like an overgrown baby” He continued ” I give her all she asks for, but this , Nah! Not now.. She should be taking care off me, not the other way round.”

Mimi put up her head from the bending position it had been . Max’s words had spiked her response mechanism. She stopped tickling David and analysed the statement .
” Maxwell ? Where is it written : that only the lady takes care of her family? You men make it sound like its a duty she must uphold , what ever happened to being romantic and lovely?
I hope you won’t become Gabriel Number 2.”

She frowned her face momentarily after saying that and then put up a cheerful look .
” awwwnnn, that was so harsh ” I blurted out , but deep down in me, I knew I was lacking that love and romance.

” Where the hell was my husband , for Christ’s sake? I thought so loud that my head nearly burst with pain and the bandage became heavy.
” ouch” i groaned in pain..
I felt dizzy and my head spined literally and I rotated on the sick bed , from side to sides, successively tilting my muscles in pain.
” What is wrong ? Papa asked .

“Nothing ”
” Max , call the doctor ” Papa ordered ” something is wrong”

” Don’t ” I cut in ” I’m fine ”
The door opened and I saw him . I fell in love all over again. He was so handsome and I thought I wouldn’t see his face again. His broad chest and his pink lips, those hard but curly hairs.

He greeted everyone and I admired his respect for both young and old. He suddenly changed for the good.
” Gabriel !!! Love ” I heaved a sigh and my eyes became heavy.

” I’m here” he came forward , grasped my arms and planted a kiss on my forehead , then he continued” Im here.”
” Don’t leave me again please ” I said with tears clouding at the corners of my eyes”
” I won’t. ” He began “Love , I want to tell you something ….its –” he paused ”
” Shhhh!!!! Whatever it is ,It can wait ” I placed my finger on his lips .
” It has to be now –”
I already knew what it was. I was just pretending to be unaware, and ready to act surprised if need be, just as Tayo had insisted .
” Give him a chance ” A voice whispered in my head.

” Kate , I’m sorry for everything that has happened . Ive put you through a lot of trouble and I’m sorry about it . I was bad and yelled out on you . I promised you a happy life, but in the process, I took a turn left and went out of my way, almost committing adultery. For the sake of wealth , I did things I regret so dearly…I pretended to be the father of a little girl ” he paused and looked at every one in the room , then he continued with his valedictory speech ” The little girl isn’t mine . I only pretended and lied to her. To everyone of you ”

Gabriel turned and faced me as he confessed genuinely

“.. Kate , those awkward moments when I was not the best hubby and I’m away , even when you needed me most, like the case Dave ‘s birthday. All that stops today and on this special day, I –”
He smiled and brought out a gift card , accompanied by chocolates inside a bag he had. He put them into my palms.
” love ” He continued ” Happy anniversary. In front of everyone, here ,present today , I renew my vows to you, I promise to be faithful, henceforth – I …”
“I will always be there for you. ” I joined him and our voices became one in the solemn promise” …. Even when the world is against us, I will stand by you , love you and cherish you; in health and sickness; in wealth and poverty, till death do us part, ”
I was happy and tears broke out from my eyes.
Everyone in the room where I was stationed , became emotional and Mimi cried out tears of joy, she shed it uncontrollably .
“Awwwww!!! So touchy ” She blurted and turned to Dave ” Come here , give aunt a big hug.. I know, aunty loves you too”
I wanted to hear more honest confessions . I looked deep into his eyes, I hoped he would thread on calm waters .
He kissed my lips and his arms stroked my hair in the most romantic way . I discovered that the love I had for him was far from over, it just got renewed and I could not wait to be in his arms again: happy and blissful.