My mind as a teenager
episode 74
I woke up the next day at the hospital. My
mum and dad were seated in the room with
me.
My head ached and I felt pains all over my
b©dy including the sides of my eyes. Mum
was crying while dad was saying something
to her. I tried to speak but I couldn’t find my
voice so I had to raise my hand to let them
know I was awake. Mum ran to my side
immediately;
Mum: Nne,you’re awake. Daddy,she’s awake.
My dad looked at me and I saw worry in his
eyes.
He c@m£ and stood beside my be-d.
Dad: How are you?
I cleared my throat so I can speak
Me: I’m hurting all over daddy.
Dad: Don’t worry. You’ll be alright. That idiot
of a boy will pay for every f!nger he la!d on
you.
Me: Did you catch him?
There was hope in my voice as I prayed that
he was really caught.
Mum: Yes dear. The people who brou-ght you
here didn’t let him escape. Luckily,they are
the local government vigilante. He’s in their
custody at the moment.
I heaved a sigh and relaxed on the be-d.
Dad: But what did you do to him?
Me: Nothing daddy. He wanted me to be his
girlfriend and when I refused,he started using
any moment he sees to beat me up or insult
me.
Mum: Wait! So this isn’t the first time?
I nodded and closed my eyes at how stupid I
had being. If only I had confided in my sister
or my mum,Frank would have being taken
care of a long time ago.
I heard my dad speak to someone telling the
person to come to the hospital.
Dad: Nne,the head of security will be here
with that idiot in no time. Tell him everything
you know and have experienced with that
boy.
I nodded while my mum ru-bbe-d my forehead.
Dad: Don’t worry. Nothing will happen to you.
And listen,you must be in school this year.
I nodded again and closed my eyes. We
remained silent until I heard a knock on the
door. A Lady c@m£ in. She looked older than
my mum. The way my mum hissed,I nee-d not
be told that he’s Frank’s mother.
Lady: Good morning sir. Good morning ma.
She c@m£ to me and t©uçhed my head.
“How’re you doing this morning?”
Me: I’m fine ma. Good morning.
Lady: Thank you.
She turned to my dad and knelt down
immediately;
Lady: plea-se sir. I’m sorry for what my son
did. plea-se forgive him.
Dad: Look at my daughter. Look the
condition she is in at the moment. If those
security men had not arrived the time they
had,goodness knows what would have
become of her. What if he had killed her? Is
that the kind of training you give your
children?
The woman started crying. She started
talking and talking about what she’ll do and
what not to do to Frank.
Dad: That’s not necessary. By the time he
comes out of prison,he’ll learn how to treat a
woman with respect. I won’t even be
surprised if he beats you.
Lady: Hey! plea-se sir,I’m sorry. Forgive my
son and . . . . . . .
I think my mum had heard enough because
she stood up and walked to the door and
opened it.
Mum: Bia,get out. You’re not nee-ded here
because you’re disturbing the peace and
quiet of this room. Get out.
I was shocked. My mum has never spoken
any mean word to anyb©dy to my hearing
before.
Frank’s mother looked at my dad but he
wasn’t even looking at her. She c@m£ to me
and asked me to get better before she left the
room.
I thought about calling my friends to inform
them about my condition but I remembered
that Frank had collected my phone.
The room went back to its tranquility and
when the next knock c@m£,I knew it was
Frank and the head of security.
Like I suspected,they walked into the room. A
look at Frank told me that he has being
thor0ûghly dealt with. I laughed inwardly as
the guy pushed him to a kneeling position. He
greeted my mum and dad but none of them
replied. He looked at me but I didn’t look
away. I maintained eye contact with him
before he bent his head.
Security: Sir,we’ll be taking him to the
barracks this evening. My elder brother who
is in the army asked that we bring him. I’m
positive that the due punishment will be
meted out on him better at the barracks.
Mum: That is the best news I’ve heard since
yesterday. This boy deserves no mercy at all.
Security: No problem ma. Nne,I’ll love to ask
you some questions
He directed his look at me and I nodded.
Dad: Nne,tell him everything okay. We’re
here.
Security: What’s the relationsh!pbetween you
and this boy?
Me; He was my friend till he started beating
me so we st©pped talking.
Security: You mean he has m©l£st£dyou
before?
Me: Yes sir. It was on an evening during my
evening stroll. Mum and dad weren’t in town
(I lied)
Security: Outside not being in talking
terms,have you ever insulted him ?
Me: No sir. I think he hates me because he
asked me out and I refused.
Security: Hmmm. Boys of this day. Okay.
Thank you very much. Sir,plea-se are you
aware and did you approve of this evening
stroll?
Dad: Yes. She went to a boarding school
outside the state so evening stroll is like a
ritual which she got used to. We’re fully
aware of it. And that’s the time she gets to
see her friends too.
The guy nodded and that was when I realised
he’s being recording the conversations.
Security: We’ll leave now sir.
Me: Excuse me Sir,he has my phone.
Security: I know. We recovered it from him
last night. We’ll return it once we’ve shown it
to the heads.
Mum: I think you’ll have to change that sim
card of yours after this.
I watched Frank being dragged out and I was
contented. My only annoyance now is my
sim card. But when I remembered I could
easily get back my contacts throu-gh 2go,I let
out a smile.
Me: Mum, can’t my friends visit?
Mum: No my dear. We don’t want this getting
into the street. If it should,let it be that fool’s
mother who would do it,not from our side.
I spent two days at the hospital before I was
discharged. The news was that Frank had
travelled to Abuja. His mum sure knows how
to pu-ll cover for him.
TBc