MEANT TO BE EPISODE 21

MEANT TO BE

EPISODE 21

****** She opened her eyes looking scared,..... "Richard,.. Please i want to talk to him,..... Can someone call him for me, "she said fidgeting Her voice woke Vanessa who was sleeping beside her on the bed,...... She turned and was surprised to see Vanessa sitting on the chair with her head on the bed sleeping " Thank God you're here, aunty Vanessa,... Pls call Richard, i want to see him,.... "she said stretching out her hand for a hug " calm down dear, Richard will soon be here, he went to see the doctor,..... "she said hugging her The door opened, Richard and the doctor walked in " Oh thank God you're here,.. "she heaved a sign of relief " Richie,..... They want to kidnap me,...... They hit the driver,..... "she stuttered He hugged her tightly,.... " Angel, i'm here now, nothing will happen to you,...... " " Baby they want to harm our baby,....... I saw them in my dreams,... " Her condition was getting worse,.... Richard held her tight,... " Doctor please what's going,...?,..... Pls help her" "It's normal,... She's regaining her memory,.... I'll give her sedative to calm her down, she'll wake up feeling better "the doctor assured him " Baby, pls don't leave me alone, stay with me,... They might be back to take me,..... " She slept off few seconds later in Richard 's arms,..... He refused releasing her from his grip,....... When she was deeply asleep, he quietly laid her on the bed,.... He went out and called her mother telling her about the good news,.. He assured her that everything will be ok,.... And begged for her Permission to allow Angel sleep over in Asaba because of her present state of health ,..... He told her to discuss with her husband 's family since he' ll be coming with his father for the introduction,...... Angela 's mother was filled with joy,.... She called aunty Beatrice and broke the good news to her,.... ******* Angela was discharged late at night,... She had fully regained her memory,.... Desmond and Nancy were there to take care of her,..... Richard was the happiest man on earth,..... He was over excited as he watched his Angel hover around him,.... His Angel is back,...... He carried her to the car not minding people were staring at them,.... After helping her with a warm bath,... He served her dinner,... He fed her as she loves being fed by him,...... "baby i can't believe i forgot you and everyone around you this past months,.... I've only seen such in movies,.... I never believed such will happen to me,...... I cant imagine how you felt during those periods,.... " " sssssshhhhhhhhhhh"he said putting a finger across her lips "Dont talk while eating,... " When he was done feeding her,.... He called the cook to clear the table,..... He bathed and joined her in bed,.... "I'm sorry for making you pass through alot,...... Actually, i wanted to tell you about the pregnancy before i saw myself in Lagos,.... I know you were shattered when you knew i was pregnant,..... Baby i'm still scared,... I feel they might come back for me" "Nobody will harm you,.. I'm now here with you,.... " " I'm sorry for failing in my duties,... "he apologized to her " i should've prevented this from happening but i was too careless,...... My step mother is the one behind your kidnap,..... She confessed to doing that,.... "he told her " I'm happy i'm here with you,...i love you so much Richie,... " " i love you too My Angel"they slept in each other's arms ********* Richard dropped her off the next day after going for her check up,... The doctor confirmed her perfect,...... He informed her mother of their visit the next day,... He wants to hasten his marriage plans,...... ******* Two days after the introduction ceremony,.... Richard and his family embarked on a journey to his village,.... He managed to remember the route to his village Umuahia in Abia state,.... Though he noticed the place is rapidly developing,..... His father instructed him to drive to his uncle's house first before going to their house,...... On getting there, his uncle and family rushed out wondering who had parked the jeep,.. Vanessa, her dad and Richard alighted from the jeep,.. Their uncle was shocked, after many years, his cousin is back,... They ran to Mr Johnson shouting Johnny, Johnny,...... Their scream attracted other villagers,.... Everywhere was filled to the brim,.... He was known as a philanthropist in the village,... His second wife changed all these,..... They were all happy to see them,.... Richard could barely recognize Any of them,.... He was small when they last visited the village,.. He had wanted to report his stepmother to his kinsmen but a force always stopped him from doing that,.... He believed his step mother had a hand in that,..... Mr Johnson took his time to narrate all he has been through to his kindred,.... They were all shaking their head in pity,..... Uncle Ogbonna, his father's cousin was almost shedding tears,....... "That evil woman destroyed our family,.... Do you know that i wouldn't have been in this village suffering if not for what that woman did,..... My brother here got me a US visa,..... I went to get my ticket money from him only for her to tear my visa before me, and asked her guard to throw me out,.... The next time i came to Lagos,..... I heard you have relocated,.... And no one seems to know where you relocated to,... I went to see your grandmother few months later only for me to be told that she has relocated to London,...... I came back one year later to check on, but i met new tenants there, they told me she has moved out,...... To make matters worse, she stopped visiting the village,... Just few months ago,..... We saw her when we returned from the farm waiting for us,.... At first i thought it was a ghost,...... She explained to us how she forgot everyone, even her family members, she lived a life of solitude for many years,.. Thank God she didn't hand over all her husband's properties to Johnny.... She employed workers who helped her out in the Company,....... She brought in a contractor from Lagos who with his workers renovated your grandfather's house,... She did a wonderful job there, you wont be able to recognize the house again, she has turned the house to a mansion,...... "Uncle Ogbonna told them Richard couldn't get what he was talking about, was he talking about his dead grandmother or what?,..... " Uncle pls i'm sorry for cutting you short, are you talking about my grandma that died when i was baby or what? "h asked His daddy stood up,...... " I'm sorry son, i lied to you about her death, she's alive,... "his dad apologized It then dawned on Vanessa that she hadn't told Richard the truth about their grandma , she hit her hand on her forehead " A lot of issues on my head,.... Thank God it's finally coming to an end"she calmly muttered to herself Richard gave her a stern look,.. And she looked at him with guilt in her eyes,.... "Son pls,we'll talk about this later,..... "his daddy begged him and he sat down " Johnny, if you're ready to go to your house, i have the spare keys here,... "he said going into his room to get the keys,...... ******** Richard was really impressed with what his grandmother did to the house,.... But he wished he would see her,... His uncle couldn't get them her number because his phone was stolen few days ago,... He gave them her new address in Lagos and they promised to go there immediately they leave the village,..... He searched the house for a family photograph but he didn't see any,.... There were no family pictures in the house,. After making acquaintance with his kindred's, it was agreed they will visit Angela's people in five days time, Richard called Angela and told her to inform their people of their proposed visit for the traditional marriage rite, he wanted it to be a low key wedding,... He would have a talk of the town wedding after his wife puts to bed,... *********** Angela and her mother have been busy preparing for the D day,.. Her mother has completed her six months mourning one month ago,..... She can now go out,... Aunty Beatrice was a handful of help to them,.... She tried calling Tope to inform her of her marriage but her number isn't connecting,..... Mama called her from London and she was happy for her, she wished she was there to witness the marriage but she promised to be around for her white wedding,..... Angela dropped the call and went out to check on the firewood that was supplied for cooking only for her to see Mama Johnson coming out of her jeep,..... Though she's old,she still looks younger than her age,..... Angela not minding her condition ran to her,...... She came into the house with all she bought for the baby,.... "i just spoke to Mama now,... She didn't tell me about your visit" "we wanted to surprise you my Angel,.... " " you will stay in this house with me, no more hotels,.... I need you around me,..... " " As you wish my daughter, " Her mother returned to see the old woman,...... She was excited ******* Richard and his daddy returned from Lagos disappointed, they were told the old woman travelled,.. They would've loved to stay longer but they need to go home and prepare for his marriage ceremony,.... On the D day,...... Angela was dressed in a traditional outfit, she looked more like a princess as she was glistening in her new look,... Richard too couldn't take his eyes off her,........ She smiled throughout the event,.. Mr Johnson later arrived with his people,..... As the occasion was about to begin,... Mama Johnson came out of the room where she has been resting to watch the event,... Mr Johnson saw her from afar, he tapped Vanessa who was busy ordering everyone up and down, she followed his gaze and saw her grandmother,. They both ran to her,.. On getting there, Vanessa knelt down in front of her and hugged her,... Mama Johnson was shedding tears of joy,...mr Johnson knelt down too, Richard just looked on,.... His father spoke amidst tears,..... "She's your grandmother,..... "he said calmly "Mama,i'm sorry for not listening to you,..... I'm sorry for neglecting you,.. I'm sorrrrrry mmamamamamama,............ Mama biko oooo, forgive me,..... I caused all these,... I invited the lizard to my home,. By harvesting an ant infested firewood,...... Nne mmmmm oma,....... Sweet mother,....... "Mr Johnson cried His kinsmen joined him in begging her,... She was surprised to see her husband's people,..... She looked at Angela who was about soiling Her face with tears,.. "Angel you never told me Richard was from Abia state, the first day i saw him, i knew there was something strange about him,. I saw my lost son in him,..... As for you"she said turning to Mr Johnson "I wont say anything until the ceremony is over,..... I don't want to ruin my grandson 's day,.... " She lifted Vanessa up and hugged her " My baby, "she said touching her face Vanessa couldn't let her go, she has missed her alot........ The ceremony ended peacefully, the villagers left early since they had a long way to go,..... They begged their grandmother to follow them to Asaba, after much persuasion, she accepted with the promise that their will confess to them the true cause of their mother's death. *****Everyone was tired when they got home,... A spare room was cleaned arranged for their grandma,...... At dinner, There was enough to eat and drink,.... Everyone was presented at the dinning except grandma, she requested her food to be brought to her room,.... Angela and Vanessa decided to serve her,..... They quietly opened her door to see her sitting with her hands on her jaws,....... They dropped her food on the table and sat beside her,.... Vanessa put her hands across shoulders and pecked her on the cheek,... "Maama, maama,.... "Vanessa teased her The old woman looked up and smiled wiping away her tears,..... " Where're my great grand children,... "she asked Vanessa " They're asleep, you have enough time to play with them,..... Don't tell me you're still brooding? " " My daughter, do you know how many years i spent away from my family,...just look at you and your brother,... I didn't watch you two grow,... I promised your late mother that i will take care of you and your brother,...... If only your father had listened to me,.... I saw this coming but he was too stubborn,.... That evil woman will know no peace,.. She'll die a shameless death,.... As for your father, i can forgive him but i don't think the wound will heal that easily,....... "she lamented " Mama, it's ok, it's well,..... At least we're here together today,.... We should be celebrating our happy re union"Vanessa told her "Mama, pls try and eat something,...... "Angela spoke for the first time since they Entered the room,.. "My daughter i'm not hungry,.... " " mama, if you don't eat, i'll starve myself,.. "Angela said feigning seriousness " Ok, i'll eat just a little. " They cheered her up with the story of how they defeated their step mother Everyone retired to their rooms exhausted,..... Richard was excited to have his Angel sleep in his arms,..... He wouldn't let her go,.... He pampered her like a baby,.... For the first time since she was pregnant, he saw her bare baby bump,...... He insisted in helping her with a warm bath,.... They bathed together,. They spent time in the bathroom kissing and cuddling each other, at last they came out of the bathroom in their robes... Angela wore a sexy nightie that revealed her baby bump,... She was looking hot in that, Richard couldn't take his eyes off her,.... He wore his pyjamas and they laid down on the bed.... They chatted long into the night,.... She was already dozing off in his arms,... He covered her with a blanket and they slept off,........ ********* Mrs Johnson has returned from Ghana, after all efforts to find Vanessa proved abortive,.... She was devastated,.... She returned home a sad woman,.... The bank she borrowed money from to execute her contract is on her neck,....... She received a distressing call from her secretary early the next morning and She rushed off to the office,.... She entered her office to meet everywhere quiet,....this was unusual as work starts by7. 30 everyday Everyone was supposed to be busy on their desk,.. But everywhere was quiet and unkempt,..... She was furious,...... The secretary walked in and saw the look on her boss's face,...... "Errmmmm, madam, this was exactly what i was trying to explain to you,..... " " What do you mean? " " Madam, you've been owing the workers for four months now,.... I dont know how they managed to find out that you're going bankrupt,.... They all resigned,.... I tried my best to stop them but they had already made up their minds,... " " You're an incompetent fool!!!!!!!! "she thundered at her secretary " But madam, you should be blaming the Board of directors, ma, i'm only a secretary to you, they all planned to quit " " Shut your mouth, you sat down and watched my workers leave and you said nothing,... " " but i tried ma, i called you several times to explain to you but you always shut me up,...... " Mrs Johnson angrily stormed out and drove home ******** Richard and his grandmother spent the morning playing with the twins in her room ,.....the door slide open,.. His dad and Vanessa strolled into the room,.... They sat on the couch,...... There was silence in the room,.. The maid was called in to take the twins to the nursery,....... Mr Johnson broke the silence "Mama,...... I'm now born again and i want your forgiveness and that of my children,... I want to have peace of mind,.... My heart is filled with guilt,........." "Daddy pls whatever it is, we've forgiven you,.... "Richard told him " please allow him to talk,....! "his grandmother ordered him " Don't stop me son,...I met and fell in love with your mother, though i met your step mother first,.... I came close to Benny so that she would help me in wooing your late mother since they were best of friends but she misunderstood my closeness to her,....... I married your mother one year later and God blessed us with Vanessa,..... It was after her birth that Benny came to help her out,..... She seduced me into sleeping with her,...... After that she threatened to expose our sex escapade to my wife if i fail to have an affair with her............ The doctor had earlier warned against giving her heart breaking news since her heart is weak,...... I was shattered, i love my wife so much and cant stand her quitting the marriage,........ I obliged to Benny 's request,..... We started having an affair,. ... She started controlling my life gradually ..... I turned to a wife beater,....i made life miserable for my wife,....... Then One night when she was pregnant with Richard,...... She caught us making love on our matrimonial bed,..... Before i could get to her, her heart failed and She fell down the stairs,...... I rushed her to the hospital and she was immediately operated on,...... Her baby survived but she died hours after the surgery,.... I couldn't forgive myself for causing my wife's death,... I decided to end the relationship,. But i didn't know how I ended up marrying her and how i became her puppet,....... "he confessed to his children They were all sobbing when he finished,.... Richard and Vanessa wept bitterly,..they hugged their dad...he left the room and returned with photographs of his late wife,.... He showed the photos to Richard who held them to his heart,..... He wished his mother was alive, he never got the chance to see his mother, he grew up believing Benny was his mother,..... He wept sorrowfully,...... He had never cried so much before........ At least he now knows what his mother looks like,.... She was smiling beautifully in one of the pictures,.... She had dimples,.... Richard couldn't let go of the pictures,........... They went back to their rooms after their grandmother accepted their dad's apology, Richard returned to his room still sobbing, Angela understood the emotional state he was in,..... He hugged her crying,...... She laid him on the bed and placed his head on her laps,.... She used soothing words on him to know if he'll calm down,.... He held the pictures to his chest while he slept on her laps,.... He slept with tears in his eyes,.... She laid beside him and they had a good siesta together ....... ******** The sound of Richard's phone woke them up,.... He checked the caller Id and it was Desmond,..... He had travelled to Dubai with his fiancee to shop for their wedding,.... They missed his best friend's traditional wedding. They chatted long on the phone before he ended the call,....... ******The family agreed to have a Thanksgiving service In their neighborhood, the Parish priest was Happy to hear that,..... They planned ahead for the Thanksgiving after which, they will all travel to the village before they would follow their grandma to Lagos to see her place and also visit their Grand Father's companies and her orphanage home,.......... ONE WEEK LATER Mrs Johnson's world has crumbled, all her associates have abandoned her,..... She thought about her life seriously and decided to attend Sunday service to see if God will forgive her and help her out with her conditions..... She kicked against going to the church in her vicinity since the parish priest knows her evil doings,.. She decided to attend another church,....... She arrived the church early and sat at the front row,.... She was so dedicated to the service,.... She was having a good time in the church as she covered her hair and parts of her face with veil,... She wore sunglasses to hide her face from the congregations since she was a public figure,......... She was enjoying herself until it was time for Thanksgiving,...... She saw her family carrying different kinds of food items in their hands dancing to the beatings of the church band... She was perplexed She saw her husband dancing with Vanessa and her babies,.... She saw her mother in-law smiling and waving at the congregations,...... Then she saw Richard dancing with a pregnant lady,.... She removed her glasses to be sure of the face she was seeing,.... "Johnson?,......mama?,..Vanessa? .......Angela? ....... "she muttered to herself Angela danced past her, she wiped her eyes,...... There were tears in them,........she opened her mouth in shock for minutes staring at them,... She wondered how they all managed to reunite again,....... Tears dropped from her eyes,..... She meant to sit down but her legs were checking,...... She sat down covering her face,..... After service,...... Mr Johnson and his family left to attend to their guests at home,... Mrs Johnson waited for everyone to leave before going home,..... When she was sure that no one would recognize her,... She decided to leave, she meant to stand but she couldn't, she tried again then she collapsed holding her chest,...........