Chapter 17: Chapter 17
Six months after, Solomon got released from jail. Credits to the competent lawyer Selena hired. It costed her a lot. She even had to sell some shares and their poultry farm. She stood by him through thick and thin, constantly coming to check up during the period in jail. The case was investigated to the core and he was given reprieve afterwards. There was an inscription on the parcel 'TO BIMBO, MY BEAUTIFUL FRIEND' which was written by Amanda. This also confirmed that he was innocent. Officer Kondo and his cohorts paid heavy damages. The evil police officers weren't only dismissed from the police force, their evil deeds got exposed. They also got sued by different people they assulted and exploited money from. They got a jail sentence. They also exposed chief Radeke the publicly stereotyped business tycoon for killing his wife.
Solomon humbly walked to Selena after he was released. The court dismissed, every man to his house. With a sad countenance, they both burst into tears and hugged each other. It was an emotional scene, as people present couldn't help but also burst into tears after hearing their story.
"I'm really sorry. My greed caused this," Solomon wept on Selena's shoulders. Selena couldn't help it, she was more emotional.
"You need not be," she sobbed. "My impatience and not being deligent caused all this. Coupled with the fact that I sought bad counsel. I've been foolish. I've been dumb. I don't deserve your forgiveness fo--r .." Solomon quickly held her mouth with his palm, preventing her from talking any further as she sobbed.
"It's okay. It's okay," he pulled her closer. "We've both learned our lessons. "Let's make it our past," Solomon said, staring deep into Selena's blue eyes. This time, he admired her so much and began to wonder what he saw in Bimbo that made him to leave his pretty angel. "She's never been this beautiful. My God, greed is such a horrible quality," he thought.
"Greed will never make you get satisfied with whatever you have no matter how great it is. You will always search for some other trash." These thoughts ran through his mind. He finally dipped his lips into Selena's, and, french kisses*
"Your kids are in the car. They've missed you so much," Selena smiled.
"Oh my God, been ages I've set my eyes on them. I've been a bad father," Solomon got downcasted again.
"Hey, no dear. We make it our past, and it all remains our past. No one is perfect and there's always a second chance to rise again. We'll learn from our mistakes and not dwell on them. We move on and become better versions of ourselves."
"Daddy, daddy!" Felix and alicy came running from Selena's Jeep. They ran to their father. In excitement, Solomon threw them up in the air. He was joyful and happy to have them back. He carried them in his arms after several kisses, pecks, huggs and patting. The feeling of being reunited as a family was surreal.
They had a picnic at a cool lawn around the court premises. There was so much to wine and dine. It was worth celebration.
"So let me tell you people something," Solomon laughed as he digged his teeth into the grilled chicken he got served.
"Alriiiight, there you go," she poked at him, laughing loudly, revealing a sparkling dentition.
"Can I say I actually 'enjoyed' the little time I spent in the prison? Whatever! I learnt a lot of things there. I was able to meet some amazing people there. People who have actually turned away from their bad ways and have changed for the better. The prisons are not always filled with bad people as people stereotyped it. No! Many times, missionaries came to preach to us and many people got saved. I even became a 'pastor' there. Babe you can't believe I was preaching to hardened fierce criminals, and guess what? They repented. The ductility of their of their arrogance melted at every word I uttered."
"Hehe," Selena smiled and admired her husband's ego as he spoke.
"So there was this guy I met. He got himself in jail cos he stole to please his girlfriend. He said his girlfriend pestered him daily, billing him and making him to feel he wasn't working hard enough to earn money. From the way he spoke, I could see that he loved the girl so much. He said he had to sell so of his properties and even had to obtain some loans to please this girl. Yet, it wasn't enough. One evening, she threatened to leave leave him for a richer guy and this broke his heart. He promised to do better. He found camaraderie with gang of robbers and got arrested during one of the first operations he carried out with them. Sad enough, he was the only one that got caught. The rest of them fled. Unlucky lad," he laughed.
"So what happened?" Selena asked.
"After spending a two-year jail term, he got released only to see that his old girlfriend was pregnant for some other man. He got depressed and confused. His heart was broken, so he thought he had no reason to live again as he had been a big fool. He was about jumping off a high suspension bridge in an attempt to end it all when a young lady about his age came from behind. 'You jump, I jump' she said."
Selena laughed over and over again. "Jack and Rose, Titanic, yeah?"
"Nah. Rose was the one about to jump, then Jack came to her rescue. Back to discussion. In few words, they fell in love with each other. The lady was also a depressed person who has spent so much time in her doldrums. She also decided to go and end it because her fiance jilted her of her properties and absconded wii another lady to another country."
"Such a perfect match. They could make a nice couple."
"Yeah, they tied the knot some months ago. The newlyweds even came to visit the prison and brought a lot to eat and drink for us."
"So how was nutrition behind the bars?" Selena asked.
"Oh goodness, damn it! It's so horrible. I wonder where the money the government allocated for the upkeep of the Nigerian prison service is syphoned to. We were poorly fed. Sometimes fed with stony or watery beans, dirty garri and contaminated water throughout the week. We only got lucky when maybe some missionary visits us for evangelism and bring good food along with them. Some prisoners have rich relatives that can bribe the prison wardens to sneak food to them. Although I had a prison depression at first. I later got used to it. But I never forgot that place wasn't for me.
"Hmm, any other experience you've got to narrate?" Selena was thrilled by his tales.
"There was this crazy officer Kondo that everyone in there dreaded. He gave me the most unforgettable beating of my life. I'd never forget till eternity," He showed Selena the scars on his arms, legs and a side of his face. "These got treated after that Beelzebub was caught. Heard he's serving a jail term now"
"Captor captured. That serves him right. It's gonna be nice for him to go through the same treatment he made others go through. What goes around comes around."
"Yeah," Solomon yawned, already tired.
They had fun that day. After a resolution to live their lives for the better, they prayed to God together. They trusted Him to help them live the rest of their lives according to His will.
Black thick clouds filled the skies. It thundered. The winds became violent and dusk came calling. It was time to go home. And that day, it rained. Showers of blessings.
The End.