DEAR
JOCELYN
Episode 11
By: Faith Lucky.
Rodney sat at the balcony upstairs having lunch with his mum and megan.Megan seems to be saying funny things and mrs Houton was laughing uncontrollably.But, Rodney couldn’t p@rticipate in the jokes as his mind and attention were else were.
“Oh my God megan” you don’t mean it” mrs Houton said, Laughing hysterically.
“Of course, aunt i do” Megan replied and they both bur-sted into another round Of laughter again.
Mrs Houston looked at Rodney and noiticed he was just picking at his food and looked abs£nt minded.
“Rodney are you alright? Have you even been listening to us?” She asked and Rodney cleared his throat to talk.
But just as he was about saying something, his phone rang and his countenance brightened up a bit. But he kind of looked nervous as well. It was a call from Davis.
‘ Excuse me,” he said to his mum as he took the phone and left.
He walked away from where they where and st©pped in front of his room.
” yes?” He said on the phone after picking the call.
” Hello? Rodney watsup?” Davis said from the other line.
” i’m fine . How did It go?”
“She just left my ap@rtment and well your suspicions are wrong. She is not Jocelyn.”
Rodney sighed heavily and leaned on the wall. He placed his hand on his fore head and suddenly felt weak.
“Is ……is that so?” He asked Dissappointment resounded in his voice.
“Yes She told me about her past, mostly her childhood memories and none of them reflected she might be Jocelyn. They left for North America even before Jocelyn went missing and just returned her to L.A few years ago. In a nutshell, her childhood memories doesn’t include you.”
Rodney remained silent, trying to hold back his tears.
” But why did you think she might be Jocelyn?”Davis asked and Rodney sniffles before speaking up.
“I…..i just….” he paused and cleared his throat ” It is ha-rd to explain, But she kind of felt different. She felt unique.
” The first time i heard her sing, It was Jocelyn favorite song and her voice was just took perfect. At that moment, i wished to hear her sing forever. Then, when she didnt show up in the next contest, i felt incomplete i was so worried. I wanted her to be around, sing for me . And where she c@m£ to my house pleading to get back on the contest i couldnt be any happier.
“If it were to be someone else eering the way she did in the contest, i’d had never given a listening ear to them.But with this Audrey of a lady, i find myself crossing my own lines”.
He paused and took in a de-ep breath.
“Anyway, just…forget about it. It was just a thought. Thanks for the help.” He added and almost ended the call
“Hey, Hey, Rodney”; Davis called just before he’d hang up.
“Dont rack your head over it, okay? If jocelyn still alive and is meant for you, she’d definitely return. Okay? ”
“Yeah”; Rodney said un-der his breath and ended the call.
He bent his head in sombre as He felt shattered. Since jocelyn left, Audrey was the first person He had suspected to be her. That was way He had purposely s£nt her to Dr Davis so He could question and know If his suspicions were right. But, it turned out He was only imagining.
Maybe it was his much thinking of jocelyn That resulted to it. Oh, Jocelyn! How badly He nee-ded her back.
He was still standing there, lost in thoughts when a cold hand embr@ced him from behind and rested on his che-st it was megan.
“Rodney”, she called in a mild voice and placed her head on his shoulder, still hvgging him from behind.
“What’s the problem, huh? Talk to me” She said and Rodney fred himself from her embr@ced and stood, facing her.
“I’m fine”, He replied in a croaky voice, although He tried not to sound That way, But couldnt.
“Rodney, come on. St©p pushing me away. What else do you want me to do so you could see me as a friend just we once were before?”
Rodney sighed and held her palms, softly.
“Megan , i appreciate your efforts, okay? And what makes you think we’re not friends?we’re Friends, okay? And you’re important to me. But…..”
“But what?” Megan cut in and he let go of her hands.
“Tell mum i’ll be in my room,” he told her and faced the direction of his room.
“Rodney….” she called , but he ignored her and walked into his room.
*
*
Audrey knocked on the gate and awaited the gateman to open up.
“Hi plea-se, is Mr. Rodney around she asked with a smile and the gateman nodded and ushered her in.
“You can go in. He’s expecting you” he told her and Audrey walked away, headed for the door.
She pressed the doorbell and a maid opened up. She were a blue go-wn and a hairnet.
“Hi i’m looking for Mr Rodney. He’s expecting me” She said to the maid who let her into the house.
“plea-se, take a sit while i call him”, the maid replied and climbe-d up the stairs.
“Wow! Audrey g@sped as she sat on a couch, her eyes going round the sitting room.
It looked like paradise to her. The sitting room was so large and the floor was tied with HD wallpaper and It was designed to looking like a waterfall. The room was air conducive and different colors light were puined to the ceiling fan in such a was that as it rotated, the different colors rotated.
Even the stairs looked like royol stairs that was meant to lead one to heaven. Mehn! The gouse was kiling and she wondered how people who lived in this house felt.
She picked a toy pillow that was on the couch next to her and pla-yed with it. It was so adorable.
The next, she heard the sound of someone climbing down stairs and she discovered it was Rodney.
She sprang on her feet immediately and straightened her go-wn. She looked at him as he walked lovelly, starring at her. He inser-ted his hand in his left trou-ser pocket and walked so calmly and all the time he kept starring at her.
He was so cute and Audrey almost found it difficult breathing.
“M….Mr Rodney” , she called and bowed a little.
By this time, Rodney was alre-ady standing in front of her.
He didn’t say anything to her and she decided to going on.
“Here, Dr Davis signed the file”, she said in excitement and gave the file to him.
He collected it but still didn’t say anytjing and Audrey bec@m£ a little surprise bec@m£ he kept starring at her.
“Uhm. ….Mr Rodney, hope i was able to reach your conditons? So…..does that meant i’m back on the contest?”
“Y….yeah, of course, he stuttered a little and took his eyes away from Audrey’s face.
Audrey itched her head as she suddenly felt nervous at Rodney strange behaviour.
“Uhm….Thank you so much, Mr Rodney. You’ve really done a lot for me and i will never forget it. Don’t worry , i wont dissapoint you again”, Audrey said with her both palms placed together..
Rodney didnt say anything as he fixed his eyes on the floor.
“Okay. Uhm ……so, i’ll take my leave now. Bye” Audrey said and turned to leave but surprisingly, Rodney held her back by the wrist and she turned to meet his sea-blue eyes staring into hers. Oh, that cute stare. But, somehow, she could notice some sadness into his eyes.
They were staring at a close range and he kept staring at her in such a way Audrey felt he might k!ssher.
“S…..Sir, is there a problem?” She asked in a lot turne, confounded.
“I nee-d a favour from you ” Rodney replied. “In tonight’s contest i want you to repeat the love story song”
“The love story?” Audrey thought.
“Oh…..sure…..No problem”, she replied and cleared her throat and that was when Rodney fred her hand.
“See you later, Bye;” she told him and he nodded just before she left.
As she walked out of the door, she t©uçhed her wrist he had held and smiled.
“Mr Rodney held my wrist! Oh my God!!
Megan watched from the upper p@rt of the room and couldnt believe what she saw. What was going on between Rodney and that thrash girl? Why was he holding her wrist like that? Why did he keep starring at her the whole time? And what brou-ght her Here in the first place?
That Audrey of a lady was even smiling at the hand he had held. She was proud of it.
And Rodney? He kept starring at her even when she left and close the door. He stared at the closed door for some time before walking away. He kind of looked sad.
What was going on?
DEAR
JOCELYN
(His birthday)
Episode 12
By: Faith Lucky.
Audrey’s joy knew no bounds. She hurried home immediately to prepare for the night contest and on reaching home, she found her aunt Tessy and Rachel over there.
“Good evening, aunt. Hey, Rachel” she greeted in a haste and ran off to her room to get dressed.
“Why’s she so happy?” Aunt Tessy asked and Rachel shrugged.
Audrey wore a black trou-ser and a yellow sleeveless shi-t. Then she went back to the sitting room and brushed her hair in front of the mirror.
“So, you’re p@rt of the music contest?” Aunt Tessy asked as Audrey brushed her hair.
“Oh, yes; aunt. I thought you knew about it” replied Audrey.
By this time, she had parked her hair in a fine ponytail.
“I wanted you to run some errands for me, Audrey”.
“I’m so sorry; I can’t. Maybe I’ll come over to the house tomorrow”.
“I’ll be travelling tomorrow”.
“Oh!” She said and paused.
“Well, you can tell Rachel to help you out” she said and rushed out.
“Me?” Rachel shouted after her as she ran out the door.
*
As Audrey arrived, and could overhear many of. The contestants taking about her.
Why’s she so inconsistent?.
she comes and goes as she likes
why does Mr Rodney keep giving her. Second chances?
Are you sure there’s nothing going on between both of them?
Audrey walked past them and found a lonely place to sit. She couldn’t afford exchanging words with anyone.
Soon, the contest started and when it was her turn, she sang the song Rodney had requested her to sing. And all the while, he kept . staring at her.
She couldn’t tell why, but she felt the song meant a lot to him.
Could it be connected to Jocelyn? She thought.
Audrey c@m£ out from one of the lecture halls and decided to call Rachel so they could have lunch together.
“Hello, sis. Wats up?” Rachel said on the phone.
“Rachel, where are you? I’m just thought with my clas-ses and I’m starving” Audrey groused.
“Oh, dear; I’ll be with you shortly. Just wait for me at the cafeteria, okay?’ Rachel replied and ended the call.
Audrey heaved a sigh and turned to go and had almost bu-mped into Leo who was coming in front of her.
“Leo!”
“Audrey! ” they called the same time and cracked.
“Hey, how’re you doing?” Leo asked
“Oh! I’m fine and you?” Audrey replied and brushed her f!ngersinto her hair, taking out time to admire him.
He was putting on a black Jean with a white long sleeve. He was really handsome, but Rodney still beat him to it.
“I’m okay. Where’re you headed?” He asked.
“Oh! I’m just going to meet up with my sister”.
“Okay. You’re looking good, anyway”.
Huh? Audrey thought and looked from her toes to her che-st. How on earth was she looking good?
“Mmm thanks.
“By the way, thanks for the transport fare you gave me the other day. But I don’t think it was necessary. I mean, you made me feel like you were repaying me for what I did”.
“Really? Well, if you want, you could make it up to me again. Treat me for lunch”.
Whaaaaaat?
“Uh…L..Leo” she paused and laughed nervously.
“I…I would’ve loved to, you know? But… the problem is, I’m having a meeting with my sister right now. So….”
“Chill, Audrey. I was only kidding” Leo cut in and laughed.
“Anyway, I’m also having an appointment. So, see you later” he tapped her shoulder and said as he made to leave.
“Bye sir” Audrey replied and watched him walk away.
Gosh! What a j£rk” she thought with her hand on her che-st and made for the cafeteria.
The cafeteria was a little filled up but it was calm. And since Audrey was famished, she couldn’t wait for Rachel. So, she ordered for a plate of rice pudding and found an empty table to sit.
She was enjoying her sumptuous meal, but not until two ladies showed up in front of her – Megan and Edith.
What?
Megan wore a black tracksuit and had a pink handbag with her, while Edith hung a crossing bag around her n£¢k.
Audrey swallowed ha-rd as she surprisingly watched them sit in front of her on the same table.
Megan kept staring at her with her soft eyes while Edith chewed a gum, noisily.
“Um…hi” Audrey greeted nervously, trying to. un-derstand what was going on.
They didn’t reply, but only adjusted on their.their seats.
“Uh…is there a problem?” She asked and that was when Megan spoke up.
“That depends on you. Anyway, I just wanna talk to you for now” Megan replied and kept her bag on the table.
“You’re Audrey, right?” She asked and Audrey nodded.
“Okay, Audrey. Um… so well, I’ve noticed some kind of . activities going on between you and Rodney for a while and it’s really getting me.comfided. So, I was thinking you could, maybe, give me some highlights to clarify me”
Audrey itched her head and flin-ched.
“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about”.
“Come on Audrey; cut the act. Who’s it.it gonna help? First, you didn’t pas-s the audition, but I don’t know how you were able to creep your way to Rodney to give you a second chance. After that, you didn’t show up for the next stage which. Was supposed to get you evicted, but magically, you showed up last night and sang. And more interestingly, you’ve gone to his house twice. So, do you still wanna tell me it’s all nothing?”
Like seriously, was Megan confronting me because of Rodney?
“Um…miss Megan, I think you’re getting it all wrong. Actually, there’s nothing going on between Mr Rodney and I…”
“Audrey?” Rachel called from behind Audrey turned to look at her.
Somehow, she felt relived seeing Rachel.
“What’s going on?” She asked as she sat next to Audrey.
“Um…nothing really. We were just…”
“Go on, Audrey” Megan cut in and Audrey cleared her throat.
“Well, like I was saying, there’s nothing going on between Mr Rodney and I.” She continued.
“When he had given me a second chance, it was throu-gh the help of his brother”.
“Oh! So now, Leo’s also involved?” Megan asked.
“Hold on” Rachel ch!pped in.
“Don’t you think you’re questioning the wrong person? Why don’t you ask Rodney yourself?”.
“Hey! She wasn’t talking to you” Edith said.
“And I wasn’t talking to you either” Rachel replied back at her and she scoffed.
“You really have some guts, don’t you?” Edith asked and was about flaring up when Megan tapped her.
“Chill, Edith. I don’t think I’ve got the time to exchange words with Commoners in public. Besides, I think myl-ipstick can buy her three square meals a day” Megan said and stood up with her bag.
“Just one word for you, Audrey; I know Rodney’s every lady’s dream. But you’ve got to know this; he’s not meant for everyone. So, don’t think you can be any different and st©p dreaming. Know your limits” she said derogatorily and walked away with Edith while Rachel stared angrily at them.
“Gosh! That Megan’s really something else. Simply because she’s close to Rodney doesn’t make her his wife or something. I should’ve poured ice water on her.
“And that Edith that walks around as a friend, she doesn’t know she’s just being a fool…”
“Rachel come on; that’s enough” Audrey said, sounding frustrated.
But Rachel wouldn’t listen as she just kept ranting.
*
*
That same evening, there was another stage of the contest and during Audrey’s performance, she had sang Enchanted by Taylor Swift.
Rodney was so engrossed in the song that he kept staring at her the whole time. And although he was smoking, Audrey could tell he enjoyed the song.
After the contest, six people were evicted and one of the judges made an announcement. He announced the arrival of miss Vanessa in the next contest.
Rodney turned on the be-d and his eyes met with the morning sun that glinted on his windows.
He felt a soft hand on his th!gh and turned to see his mum sitting next to him on the be-d.
“Hello sweetheart. You were slee-ping so sound” Mrs Houston said as she brushed his hair with her palm.
“Good morning, mum” he said in a faint yawn and stretched.
“Morning dear. You returned late last night. Here, look what Megan got for me” Mrs Houston said and showed him a pendant.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” She asked excitedly and Rodney rolled his eyes.
“Megan’s so sweet” she continued.
“She spent the entire evening with me and had even as-sisted me in ma-king a fruit salad. She’ll make a fine daughter in law, Rodney. Don’t you think?”
Rodney looked at her and scoffed. Seriously?
“Do you have any appointments today?” She asked, noticing he didn’t like what she said.
“No”. He replied.
“Okay. Can you spend some time with me? Lets go out together”.
“I…I can’t. I’ll be busy”.
“Busy? But I thought you said you weren’t having any appointments?”
By this time, Rodney had alre-ady sat up and was putting on his be-droom sli-ppers.
“I just don’t feel like going out today” he replied and left the be-d, headed for the door.
“Rodney” Mrs Houston called and he paused to look at her.
She also stood up and stared pathetically at him.
“Happy birthday” she said in a frail voice and Rodney’s eyes drooped.
She walked over to him and k!$$£d him and walked out of the room.
Rodney walked back to the be-d and fell on it. He couldn’t believe he had forgotten his birthday – again.
For the past eighteen years; his birthday has meant nothing to him and most especially because Jocelyn had gone missing two days after his birthday.
Each time it was his birthday, he felt so much agony and that was why he didn’t want to acknowledge it. He always forgets it.
TBC.