Daniel with his failed attempt to rape Araba, took his car keys, went into his car and drove off. He had to save his face. If Araba should spill out the beans, he would be in great trouble. He needed to find a permanent solution to his impediments.
When Mame Pokua entered the police station, she was disheartened. She was perplexed at what had become of her daughter in the grips of the police. She sat on the bare ground with her hands handcuffed behind her back. “Please, why are you treating my daughter like some hardened criminal? Why are you treating her like a creature below the standard of a human being? My motherly spirit is pierced with an arrow of sadness and loss of hope. Why do you still compound my woes with this inhuman act?” Mame Pokua lamented when she saw the state of her daughter.
Mame Pokua was called by one of the police officers in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) office. The Examination Council officers were seated in the office when she got there. She was shown a seat to sit.
“Woman, the examination council has refused to settle out of court. Under the law, you are required to look for an attorney to represent your daughter in court. The case would be called two weeks from now.” Said the CID officer.
With that, they all left the room, leaving Mame Pokua. She still had her hands supporting her chin. She was thinking of what the man said. “How am I going to get the money to find a lawyer of such magnitude against the examination council? I am a lonely woman who carries her burden alone. My husband has refused to come to my aid and everyone I know has deserted me in this time of trouble. I have no other alternative than to withdraw all the money I saved from selling off my dead brother’s properties. I think it will be enough. How can I have money in the bank and leave my daughter to rot in prison? I will go at once and withdraw that money.” Mame Pokua said while she gathered strength and left the office.
Daniel got to his house disturbed by his actions earlier. He had bruised Araba in the process and feared his crime would be brought to light if anyone finds them. He had to act fast to avoid the shame. He needed to come up with a plan. “I have to use someone closer to execute my plans.” Daniel said while treating the bruises he sustained when he tried to rape Araba.
Meanwhile, Rose had come from the meeting and was looking everywhere for Araba. She had expected to meet her at her favorite spot- the hall. She therefore went to Araba’s room, perhaps, her eyes were full with images from the screen and had gone to relax them on her bed. She knocked on Araba’s door, but she refused to answer. She tried to open the door, but it was locked. She called Araba by name, but there was no response. Rose screamed her name, but no one responded. Rose became terrified.
For the door to be locked from inside means Araba was in the room. “Why is she not responding? What is wrong with Araba?” Rose asked herself rhetorically. She banged the door with all her strength, but that wasn’t enough to yield fruits. She was about to shout for the security man when the key in the door turned, and the door was opened.
Araba was standing in the door way in a daze. Rose immediately knew there was something wrong with Araba. “What is wrong with you Araba?” Rose asked. “Nothing Sister Rose, I just had a nightmare.” Araba replied. Araba wanted to hide the whole incident from Rose. She had treated the bruises and hidden them from plain sight. “Are you sure that is the case?” Rose asked again, not sure of the answer Araba gave. “Yes, Sister Rose.” Araba replied again.
Rose had no choice than to believe what Araba was saying. “Anyway, I have some great news I want to share with you. I want you to be the first to hear it.” Quoth Rose. “Really!! I am all ears Sister Rose.” Quoth Araba. “I received a call from Daniel on my way back from work. He proposed marriage to me and I accepted. I was skeptical initially at the impromptu proposal, but guess what, I have been waiting for that a long time. I didn’t even wait for a second to accept his proposal.
Araba sat quietly on the bed. She was thinking to herself. “Should I tell Sister Rose what just happened this evening? She seems ebullient too, and I don’t want to spoil her moment. But, come to think of it, I can’t allow such a character trait into her life too. What a burden I have on me! A burden too heavy to carry yet so afraid to ask for help. I will tell her some other time when she is in her best composure.”
Rose noticed how silent Araba had been. She was not feeling comfortable. “Why, aren’t you happy for me Araba or you don’t think I made the right choice?” Rose asked. “Oh no, Sister Rose. That is not the case. I am glad you are happy.” Araba said. With that, Rose left the room in an excited mood to spread the good news to her parents.
Araba dressed and came downstairs to serve dinner. Rose had gone to her parent’s room and she could hear the sounds of joy that exploded out of that room. As she was arranging things on the dining table, she heard a knock on the door. She opened the door. To her utmost surprise, it was Daniel at the door. The two immediately became terrified as they saw each other. It was as if the forces of nature had seized their vocal chords from functioning. They couldn’t speak. Araba left the door open and left to the kitchen.
Daniel followed her to the kitchen and closed the door behind him. It seems he had recovered from the shock. He closed the kitchen door as he entered. “What do you want from me?” Araba asked with an alarming voice. “I came to warn you not to open that mouth of yours to expose what happened today. Your life will be in danger if you go contrary to what I have said.” Daniel showed an irascible gesture as he spoke those words.
Daniel looked as innocent as a flower, while he had the disposition of a snake. Araba was terrified when she heard the last statement. Was Daniel threatening her life? She wanted to go out immediately when Daniel seized her by the neck. “You are hurting me!” Araba said with an indistinctive voice. “This is just a drop of the sea of agony I have in stock for you if you let loose that tongue of yours.” Daniel continued to threaten Araba. With those words, he set Araba free, and she ran out of the room.
Daniel heard Rose descending from the steps. He immediately changed his mood and went out of the kitchen to meet her. “Hello honey. I have missed you.” He said while embracing Rose. “Same here, darling.” Rose responded to the warm gesture. “Let us go and eat. My parent’s will come down soon. They want to discuss our wedding plans with us. Can you believe it!! Dad is footing all the bill.” Rose said with cheerfulness. “That is wonderful. I am glad to be marrying from this family.” Quoth Daniel.
Meanwhile, Araba was hearing all that were being said. Her soul cried within. Her spirit wanted to tell Rose of the impending danger, but her body was stifling with the chains of fear.
To be continued….
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