Belina – batch 5

Belina

EPISODE 15

I stared at d TV in shock as d newscaster relayed d story of a murder. I sat shivering
in my seat,not really hearing what was
being said. Prisca’s parents initially did not know who was being referred to & they just
reacted to d news d way every normal person would.
Prisca who was by my side on d two seater couch hugged me
tenderly & when her parents looked at us, they remembered
where they had heard that name & Prisca’s dad became angry.
“So this is d bastard that have been making ur life miserable?” he asked & stared at Tunji’s picture again on d tv
“He d–n right
deserves what he got so don’t u dare cry if u love urself”
he said glaring at me.
I didn’t intend on crying &even if I did, tears seemed to des**t my eyes. I should be
happy that I would finally have a little bit of peace but I just could
not smile. I pitied Tunji &wished he hadn’t ended his life like that. I had a strong convinction that if my dad had not made him believe that he could have me, he would not
have pursued me this long. I remembered that it had been
only 2days ago when I saw him & he looked so full of life.
The might & ability of God now amazed me tremendously as he
could wipe out anything &anyone with a second. Prisca’s mother scolded her husband for being too harsh on me & even
though he wished that Tunji would get a special department
in hell, his eyes said he wished he could kill him himself.
***
Richærd sat in his office not looking very happy. Tony had told him about Deji’s memory
loss & how he only
remembered d traumatic accident & his heart reached out to him. He knew that that
state was far better than death & even though Deji had lost his
memory, he still gave thanks to God. He promised himself to do
all that he can to see that Deji recovers his memory. Deji’s
parents including Adewale &some friends came to d hospital & Richærd had explained the situation to them.
He noticed that they were not thappy with his loss of memory
but were glad all the same thanking him for his help.
Although Deji should be around
24 to 25 years by his scrutiny, his
parents fussed over him like a
newly born baby while he just
looked at them confused.
He went into the bathroom to
wash his hands and when he
saw his reflection in the toilet
mirror, he noticed that he looked
drawn and stressed so made a
mental note to have a vacation
sometime soon. He left his office
and went into Deji’s room to
check on him and saw his
parents with him. Deji looked at
him upon arrival and smiled at
him. After greeting the parents,
he looked at Deji, smiled back
and asked, “How is the good
patient doing today?”
“I am feeling much better Doctor
Richærd” Deji said still smiling.
“You can call me Richærd”,
Richærd said feeling a little bit
awkward having a young guy
like him call him so formally. He
wouldn’t have felt awkward if he
had not taken Deji’s case
personal.
Deji smiled the more and asked,
“When would I recover my
memory doctor? I feel awkward
when I see people I don’t
remember treat me with so
much familiarity”.
Richærd nodded sympathetically
and said,

“Very soon. A
psychologist would be here to
check on you on Monday and I
think in a very short while, you
would recall even the day you
were born”.
Deji laughed at the joke and
asked another thing, “Can I at
least stand up and walk about a
bit? I feel like I have been lying
on this bed since the day I was
born”.
Richærd laughed slightly was
about to talk when Deji’s mother
said,

“no, u are not standing up from this bed yet o, ma koba mi iwo omo yi”, she said aggressively.
“He can stand up and have d nurses push him around in a wheel chair for a few minutes”,
Richærd said softly even though Deji’s mother did not buy d idea. After convincing her that it is a good idea, he left & on d way, told nurse Titi to carry out d assignment
Tony had taken & evening off to rest at home and prepare for
service the next day & Richærd also felt he should do d same
thing. He was glad that Tony had convinced d Human Resource
Department to employ Belina even though he knew she could
have been easily employed without his interference, she is
exceedingly brilliant. Even though
he still haven’t seen her he had seen her credentials and test
papers have acknowledged
that she must be a genius. He knew that she was going
through a tough time by what Tony told him the other day and
he was glad that she would be working there. He sat down in his office anticipating her arrival on Monday & how it would help Deji’s memory.
***
Sunday passed without any
unusual event only that I did not
attend my church and I had to
attend prisca’s church. The
church was a very big church
and the service was so enjoyable
but I was not used to being a
bench warmer. Prisca is a part of
the dancers in the church so she
did not seat with us. I forgot
totally about Tunji and my past
intentionally pushing it behind it
knowing fully well that when you
dwells on his past and problems
you remain stagnant.

EPISODE 16

Monday came and b4 I knew it, I was dressing up for work. I had anticipated this day & I
found myself waking up many times in d night to check d time. As I dressed up, I stared at Prisca as she dressed up for work. She had studied
Accountancy & was now working as a cashier in GTB. I had complained about d strain of d job but she barely felt it cos she loved d job so much, one would think counting money is her hobby.
I took out d white skirt suit that mum had purchased notwithstandingd cost. When I finish dressing up,Prisca stood open mouthed as she gazed at me. I knew I looked
good even without looking at d mirror but I didn’t think it warranted such drama.
“Belina”, she gasped.
“What?” I asked alarmed.
She dragged me to d front of d standing mirror & it was my turn to open my mouth. I
stared at my reflection in d mirror unbelievably. I looked so woow. As I looked at myself,tears formed in my eyes & I
forced it back immediately; tears
just seem to come frequently these days, I thought. The suit
fitted my body like a second skin,d skirt was just on my knees. I moved away from the mirror & I saw Prisca holding out a pair of purple & white shoe.
She looked at me & said
emphatically, “this is my shoe &u must wear it today. I have not worn it once & I
might as well give it to u”. I looked at d shoe & noted that it would be perfect on d dress so I took it without thinking twice & when I wore
it, I had to agree that I looked excellent.
“Oh baby, pls be careful with Tony there o,cos I am sure that all d guys there would be falling on eachother just to have a glimpse of u” she had said
looking very serious. I laughed & told her she was exaggerating but she said she wasn’t. we both knew that Tony is madly in love with her so she didn’t mind my appearance at all.
Her branch was just a bike away from d house so we both left
our room around 6:35am &went to d kitchen in order to
have a little breakfast.
We met mum in d kitchen she inspected both of us with
her eyes & she looked at me in awe.
“u are so beautiful in this suit,thank God I bought it”, I went to
hug her affectionately uttering words of appreciation. After that,we ate in a hurry & set out.

****
The hospital was bubbling with life & this Monday was
definitely a good one. Tony sat up in his office chair as he
arranged all d files on his table.
His secretary had done a good job though but he always took it as a point of duty to crosscheck & rearranged them again. His phone went alive & he picked immediately.
“Rich, wats up?
“Hey Tony, pale just call me now o, he wants me to come over”
“hope there is no problem with p man
o”
“I hope not, anyways, I just wanted u to make sure that d new psychologist, eeehm,
Miss Belina, attends to Deji today”, he said.
“oh, ok, no prob, say hello to dad for me” Tony said &hung up &
almost immediately, his intercom rang & when he picked it, his
secretary informed him that Belina was waiting to see him.
‘Just in time’ Tony thought &told his secretary to let her in.
He checked out some files &when he heard a knock, he said,
‘come in’ as he pasted a friendly smile on his face. Immediately
she stepped in, his smile froze & disappeared altogether as his eyes devoured her not able to believe she was d same person
he had rescued 2days ago.
**
I sighed inwardly obviously tired
of receiving d numerous stares but instead of d problem to reduce, it seemed to be getting
worse. I had sailed into d hospital premises & had been extremely amazed when I saw d massive building. The
stares I received from people almost made me trip so many times & I had to gather enough courage to walk past
them without jittering. I walked glamorously into d hospital.
After introducing myself at d reception, I had been directed to
Tony’s office & I was glad that I would finally be seeing a familiar face, but when I received d same ‘check her out’ stare from him
again, I shuddered. I
remembered d words of Prisca. Tony was brought back from his reverie & he was ashamed of himself cos I saw d flush in his face.
“I… I am sorry, it is just that u…u look very different from what I saw on ehm Friday, no
Saturday. u were very beautiful despite d condition but u look mind blowing & my mind was blown away when u entered”, he explained then
pointed at a seat opposite him.
I smiled & switched on my professional look as my face seemed to do no other thing
other than smile
“You don’t have to worry, Tony, I trust u &
know u won’t dare forsake my pretty friend”, I said but it was more of a question cos he laughed out & did the ‘I cross my heart’ thing. I didn’t have to
ask cos I had known Tony & knew beyond doubt that he loves Prisca deeply; he just
seemed to be born a flirt
“u would be safe with me but I cannot say d same for others”,
he said winking at me & I blushed slightly. The discussion was already moving to the area I did not fancy so I just said,
“I think I can handle them”.

EPISODE 17

He smiled & became
professional within d twinkle of an eye. He handed over d
employment letter since I hadn’t
taken it yet, “My secretary would
show u to ur office in d
next floor. This floor is strictly for physical treatments &d next
floor is for physical therapies,counseling & psychological aids. You would be incharge of d psychological aids
department & u would be visiting d therapy department every Wednesday to have
sessions with d depressed patients. U are to attend to one
patient at a time & u are also to maintain a strictly professional
affair with ur patients. U would only work Mondays to Friday & u are to resume work by 8 am & close 5pm.
U have a personal secretary to urself & also have a large
working area to aid ur work.
Your salary is already written in ur employment letter, I can’t tell u ‘cos I don’t know what is there. All these things & others
I have not mentioned are in ur staff brochure which is already in ur office.” He said finally
pausing. I smiled & voiced my appreciation but as I was about
to stand up, he stopped me.
“wait, I know u have just arrived but u already have one
patient. My secretary would give u his file which explains his
case & d time for his
sessions daily”. He pressed a number in d intercom & his
secretary came in in a flash. He explained everything she needed
to do to her & when he was through, I stood up & he shook my hands,

“Welcome to
Best Results Hospital”
“Thank u sir”, I said &
followed d secretary.
***
Tunji’s parents sat in a room that was definitely too large to be a sitting room but that was what it
was. They both had facial expressions which shouldn’t
naturally be seen on d faces of important state personalities that
they were. The entire room was almost filled with body guards
who seemed to be created with stony faces. Mr James picked up his phone to call d
commissioner of police for d umpteenth time since Saturday.
He picked immediately.
“ur excellency sir”
“how far?” he asked
“sir, d investigation is still ongoing sir”, he replied with his
heart in his mouth.
“Listen to me carefully, I would be coming there tomorrow &
if I don’t see d bastard that murdered my son, u would be in serious trouble, do u
understand me?
“ye… yes sir”
“good”, mr james said & hung up.
He stood up & started pacing angrily. His wife could still not get
a hold of herself as she sobbed uncontrollably.They had informed their girls who were
abroad, Tola & Tinuke, &they were on their way home. “If
someone thinks he can kill my only son & go scot free with it then he must be out of his
mind”. Mr. james said as he paced d length of d
ridiculously long but tastely furnished room. He remembered d phone conversation he had with his son d very day he was killed & recollected him talking
about traveling out. He called d commissioner immediately & told him to find out all he can
from d workers in Tunji’s house. He had a strong feeling that d trip has something to do with d murder of his only son.

***
Richærd entered his father’s house in a hurry. His father was
one of d few people he cared about d most in d world &he did not want anything to happen to him. His father had re-
married after their relocation to Nigeria & despite all he heard
about step mothers, she was d best person he knew. She had
given birth to two girls & a boy.
He saw his dad
seating in d reception & he greeted him.
“gud morning dad”, he said as he went to meet him. They
exchanged a warm hug cos it had been a long time they saw
each other & they were not just father & son, they were friends.
After a few minutes of catching up btw father & son,Richærd’s father said,

“there is
someone here that wants to see u, that’s why I called u”
Curious, he asked,
“who?”
Instead of answering, his dad led him to d main sitting room &
he stood rooted to d ground as he stared at d woman who had
abandoned him many years ago, his mother.
***
I entered my office & was impressed d more. Everything about d hospital was just
excellent but I kept a straight exterior not expressing my
amazement. Tony’s secretary had
done a good job of showing me
around but left my secretary with d job of showing my into my
office, showing me my working environment & other things.
I inspected
everywhere with my eyes appreciatively as my secretary ranted on about things I already
knew. After some minutes, I was
alone & I looked everywhere not believing that I was actually seated in my own office. I closed
my eyes several times &opened it to be sure I was not dreaming. When I was sure that
everything was real, I knelt down & for close to 20mins, I just appreciated God for my life. I knew it could only be God cos everything had happened so fast that I still could not believe it was real. I stood up & opened d patient’s file with me.
I scanned through it
reading d case file. The patient’s name is Deji & he had just lost his memory due to a fatal car crash. His wealthy family had demanded for 2hrs everyday in order to speed up his recovery.

EPISODE 18

I brought out my diary & started writing
some things. My diary is always in my bag cos I use it very frequently. Most of my things
were still in my house so I didn’t bring anything much.
Around 10 o’clock, I headed towards Deji’s room & I was glad to start work mmediately.
I saw d patient on d
bed sleeping with his parents by his side. I greeted &introduced myself as his
psychologist & they had been extremely happy. Just then,d patient turned in his sleep &
opened his eyes. He looked exceedingly attractive in his sleep& I could not but pity his
present state internally but that was not what I ought to do as a
professional so I smiled lovingly at him. I gave him a few minutes
to get familiar with his
environment & just as I was about to open my mouth, his mother spoke.
“it is good u are awake dear,ur psychologist is here” he smiled at me like he had known me all his life.
“I went to him still smiling &said, “Hello Mr. Deji, I am Miss
Belina Badmus & ur new
psychologist, don’t worry, in a few days, we would have fixed
this little thing up there”, I said casually & he laughed slightly.
He had a positive manner; I noted delightedly & knew that
it would help me tremendously
***
The look on richærd’s face was unreadable, maybe surprise,anger,uncertainty, or even all of them; his expressions were
always unreadable just as he was
unpredictable. He stared at d woman b4 him & knew without a doubt that she is his
biological mother. He was barely above 5 d last time he saw
her but he still remembered how
she made no move to bid him goodbye. She never really loved
him; she always hit him even though that sort of treatment was not allowed there. She loved
her daughters a lot & his father had told him of how she fought for their custody in d
court. People say that u can’t remember what happened to u as a child but he remembered everything cos no matter how small u are, bad things have a way of printing its
footprints on ur mind that u find it hærd to forget
She had aged but she still had d fascinating beauty that seemed
to draw everyone to her;something that pissed him
‘what are u doing here’ he askd
“Son, I…” she was saying.
“Cut it out ma,u are not my mum ok? That is my mum’s photo over there”, he said
pointing to a picture of his step mother on d wall. She looked
distraught at that & she started sobbing.
“pls, 4give me my son, I should not have treated u badly then, I am sorry”, she said as she
advanced towards him.
He stopped her b4 she got to him & said straight to her face,
“u have never been my mother & u can never, EVER, be my mother”. He stormed out of d
house & 4d 1st time ever,he did not stop even when his dad called him back.
***
Inspector Sule marched into d house of d deceased with a
renewed vigor. He had been like a mad man trying to find d
murderer who had d guts to come against d Deputy Governor’s son & hadn’t gotten
anywhere even though they had made useless arrests knowing
fully well that d people in d cell knows next to nothing about d case. He had appointed three
police men to stay permanently at Tunji’s apartment monitoring
d workers & ensuring that they did not go out at all.
When he got into d sitting room he gathered all d workers in d sittingroom &
asked them collectively,
“What do u people know about ur late
boss’ traveling plans?”
One of them who looked like d cook looked up & said,
“oga
olopa, e don tey since my oga don dey talk say him go travel go
oyinbo land with hin wife?”
“Wife? What wife?” d inspector asked, already liking d news.
“Aah, oga bin wan marry one girl, but e be like say d girl no dey
gree for am because na d papa just dey come hia everytime, I never take my eye see d girl
b4”. The cook completed.
Inspector Sule nodded
thoughtfully & said,

“so he was traveling out with his fiancee
that Saturday right? Maybe d girl killed him”.
The driver with more fluent English then said, “Yes sir, I wanted to drive him to d airport but he said I shouldn’t
worry, so he drove himself & just about 2hrs later, he came back very angry”.
“Yes, he angry well well o”, the
cook interjected, others just kept
quiet.
“He just dey shout on top of everybody head & he bin break plenty cup o. I even hear
am as him just dey shout for phone say make person bring
money come give am for night”.
“What? Who was he talking to?”
d inspector asked.
“I no no ooo” she replied.
One of d most silent of d other two staffs felt
uncomfortable & d eyes of d inspector tormented him until he opened his mouth &
said,
“sir, I am not an amebo but I also heard his phone conversation & didn’t hear any
name mentioned but after d call, he started saying some
things out loud & from what he said, I feel d person he was
talking to was Belina’s father”.
Elated, d inspector was visibly relieved & he asked d driver
if he had knows the address & he replied in affirmative saying
he had driven  his boss there times without number. He took d address & walked out
smiling victoriously.

TBC

⬅️ PREVIOUS episode