Chapter 12: Chapter 12
The CID mens presence at the banking hall caused everyone to fret. The men walked into the bank managers office. The manager was puzzled at the police's visit to his office. He offered them a seat, nevertheless.
How may I help you officer? he asked.
We are here to see one of your employees, Miss. Paula Isang.
Paula Isang?" the manager uttered. "She used to be my employee, but she no longer works here.
For how long has she been out of service?
A few months back.
How can she be reached?
I hope there is nothing wrong?
No. We only need information about somebody, and we strongly believe she can be of help.
The manager obliged. He went through the document which held the information of past employees. The CID men were satisfied with the success they'd made. They thanked the manager for his cooperation and bade him goodbye.
The men called at Paulas residence in the evening, but they did not meet her at home. They tried to reach her on phone, but the calls failed to connect. Her neighbours, when approached, could only provide sketchy information about her. The men left with the hope of meeting her the next day.
Theo arranged a meeting with Paula, and the duo sat at a table in a restaurant, with glasses of wine before them. But none was drinking at the time. Theo was carried away by his pondering, while Paula kept watching him.
Come on Theo, he said to himself, this is the time you tell her the truth. I am afraid what her reaction would be. Her reaction does not matter now; after all, she has been suspicious of you in recent times. Do it and clear your conscience.
Theo was indeed torn apart with double mindedness.
Theo, you called me here to tell me the truth about you," she said. "Are you okay?
Paulas voice caused him to break away from his momentary thought.
I am fine, he said.
You have not said anything about marriage to me," she said. "Not one day. Theo, I want us to get married.
No, it is not possible.
She felt a shocking anger. What? Are you refusing me?
Its not what you think.
What do you want me to think, Theo? she retorted. That you are a ghost who came to live among humans?
Paula, its not true. I am human just like you and everybody else.
Then tell me the truth or I will tell people right away you are a ghost.
Paula, I have a confession to make. I am a married man. I ran away from home because of my family problems.
Paula grew even angrier at Theo. You bastard! Bastard!
She slapped him across the cheek and struck him severally, creating a scene. Savouring his pain, Theo watched her storm off. He broke into a sob.
Paula returned to her apartment, sobbing. She found it hard to believe she had been hurt the second time by another male folk. She hated herself for her many mistakes. She soaked her sofa with tears, and would not entertain anybody at the moment. She locked up herself in her apartment and wept uncontrollably.
A knock at the door disturbed her peace, and she concluded Theo had come to agitate her even more.
Go away!" she yelled. "I dont want to see you no more. Go to hell, you bastard!
But she was rattled when the door was forced open. Two men walked into the house and she sat up with fright.
Who are you and what do you want? she asked in a high pitched voice. She gripped the empty bottle from which she had drunk.
The men brandished their identification cards, Police.
You have come to arrest me? She dropped the bottle and offered her hands to be cuffed. Take me.
I want to have a word with you about Theophilus Nzeribe, one of the policemen said.
Paula looked on and said nothing more.
Theo was still at the bar, drinking and sobbing.
Look at my life now," he lamented. "I have been running away from my problems, my family. But I cant run away from myself now. I have made the biggest mistake of my life. It would be an up-hill task for Nkiru to forgive me my infidelity and Paula for my deception.
He kept on with his heart-rending self-condemnation until the cell phone in his pocket beeped. He took out the phone and answered the call. It was Paula calling.
Paula, I know I have hurt you," he said. "I am sorry, forgive me.
Everything is over now, Theo, she said. I have forgiven you.
Theo could not believe his ears. You have forgiven me? Should I come over to your house?
It sounded too good to be true, like a mirage. Theo gathered himself together and quickly took the next available taxi to Paula's house.
When he arrived at her residence, he hopped out of the taxi and was shocked to find her waiting for him outside with a smile on her face after all that had happened a while ago.
He grew suspicious. He knew she was up to something. What is happening here?
Dont despair," she said. "All is well now.
Why are you outside?
Just to welcome you back.
Taking him by the hand, she led him inside the apartment. To his greatest surprise, he found his family and friend in the living room. His shock heightened as he found Nkiru heavy with pregnancy. He felt like a total stranger to them. He was not the Theo they had long sought after. None of the people he knew recognized him, not even his wife, his mother or his closest friend Akintola.
Nkiru, he muttered.
Theo. Nkiru recognized his voice and was shocked at her husbands conflicting identity. The shock forced her into labour. She was rushed fast into Paulas car and was driven to the hospital.
Everybody was at the hospital, waiting, eager to hear the news of a successful delivery. The inspector was on a call, telling a colleague the progress on the entire Theo saga.
Theo sat at a corner, still battling with his shame. He felt rejected and distanced himself from others. His mother was still battling with her feeling about his new appearance; she could not go near him, and neither could his siblings. They were all ashamed of him. Akintola and Paula were the only ones who stood by him, trying hard to console him.
The Doctor, after he had checked Nkiru, told her she was due for delivery. Nkiru labour took a different dimension the moment the Doctor finished talking to her. She held firmly to the edge of the iron bed, in a bid to find strength. The doctor encouraged her to put in more effort, and she was determined to give it her best. The pain was indeed evident but the gain was the ultimate. She felt something leave her within the twinkle of an eye, followed by the shrill cry of a new born. Then she knew the storm was over; the storm of five years of barrenness.
She could hear a congratulatory outpour by the medical personnel in her subconscious. She had used up her energy and was too weak to do anything at the moment. She slept off without even knowing the sex of the child, or what it looked like.
The news of her successful delivery got to the rest through a nurse. Theos mother never knew when she embraced her son. Once again, he was close to his family. It was an unconditional love bound by the blood flowing in their veins. Theo took the opportunity to apologize to everybody who had suffered one pain or the other in his course of abandoning his home and family. They all accepted his apology in the spirit of love and for the new born.
Nkiru held her baby in her arms for the first time. She stared at the child excitedly as she breast-fed her on the bed. Theo walked into the ward with packs of provision in his hands. Nkirus disposition changed as she set her eyes on Theo.
What do you want, she asked with venom in her voice.
Nkiru, I have come to check on our baby and to ask for your pardon, sobered Theo mumbled.
What baby are you talking about,” she retorted.
He paused and knelt before his wife. Nkiru, I know I dealt wrongly with you," he said. "I was out of my mind. I allowed the devil to have the best of me. Please, forgive me."
Ill never forgive you. Now its our baby, you abandoned and put me through life torments, she angered. Could you leave me alone Theo, please!
Nkiru, I know that Ive hurt you, tears literally dropped from his eyes, Please give me a second chance to be your husband.
Nkiru called the attention of the medical personnel, to come help her get rid of her husband, whom she considered a nuisance at the time.
Theo was accosted out of the ward, with his shoulders dropped in humiliation.
Nkiru allowed Theo access to the new born the very first day she was delivered of her baby; she didnt want to create a scene in the presence of everybody, but create the impression that all was well. But she had vowed within herself, she was going to give Theo a fight.