The Lockdown

Chapter Two

Dad calls a friend at work and tells him about what is going on in his house, making the lockdown a hell for him.

Later in the day, dad said to Josephine I'll be going to get some foodstuffs for the remaining days of our stay at home, I'll be taking Amara with me. Josephine replied okay babe, you should be cautious about the security personnel. Dad leaves the house we the Amara for the mall.

At the mall Amara sees a young boy of her age and they run to each other. Amara! Don't touch him! Dad said

I know him dad.

where do you know him from, your class mate?

No dad, he has been coming with the uncle to the house sometimes when yoy go to work so we have been playing together. The boy's mother walks towards them

Hello madam is that your son? Dad asked

Yes pls, how come your daughter knows him? Asked the boy's mother

I think u should ask your son dad said

Mike, where do you know this girl?

Dad said I shouldn't say it Mike replied

Dad said you shouldn't say what? Tell me dear I'll buy you ice cream and anything you want at the mall today Amara's dad also added I'll buy you a nice parcel if you tell mum what dad said you shouldn't say OK. Dad orders a container of ice cream for the kids. Now tell me Mike, what did dad say you shouldn't say.

Mum, promise me u won't tell daddy about it like said

I promise you dear. Dad will never hear this. Replied the mother

When dad takes me that we should go to the mall, we go to Tilly's house to visit her mother before we come home.

Is that all?

And he said if I don't tell you he will always buy me chocolate when I am going to school. And he promised to buy me a bicycle. That's why he bought me the bicycle we brought the other day.

Do you know Amaras mother's name? Mum asked No mum Mike replied

Mike's mom angrily asks Mr. is that your wife my son is talking about?

Dad responded Hmmm, madam, calm down OK. We are not at a conducive place to have this conversation, if you don't mind let's exchange contacts and talk about this proper since we can't meet anywhere because of the lock down OK. Pls calm down. I understand how you feel, I'm going through same thing.

Mike's mom responded, this is why my husband has taken his attention off me all this while and he refused me having any kind of conversation with my own son. We had to leave the house without his notice while he was asleep to come to the mall.

Dad responded, don't worry let's exchange contacts and deal with this in a more appropriate manner madam. Dad and mike's mom exchange contacts. One more thing, promise me you won't ask your husband anything about it till we get to the bottom of it dad said.

Mike's mom sighs... you have my word. Anyway I don't know your name, sorry for my actions I was tempered, I'm Victoria what about you. I'm Johnson, says Dad. Mike and his mom left while Amara and her dad continued their shopping.

After lunch the next day Dad calls Victoria.

Hi Victoria it's Johnson, hope u good?

I'm fine, yourself?

I'm doing well. Sorry for what happened yesterday anyway. Hope you didn't show any sign of it when u got home?

I gave you my words. I didn't. But he was mad at me for taking the boy out without his notice. But I apologized and cautioned the boy not tell him about what happened. From now I'm gonna keep an eye on his movements.

Alright. I have your husband's Voter's card with me. How can you trick him to look for it?

Really? What's the name on it?

Benjamin Williams Is that his name?

Yes of course!!

Josephine walks in as Dad makes the call. Honey, can we have a word? She said Pls let me finish this call. Dad replied Alright mom said

Back to the phone That's my rival I guess. Hmmm Victoria siad

Well, she was the one. So as I was saying, what can youu do to make your husband look for his voter's card?

I really don't know but I'll be glad if you can send me your wife's picture on w******p. I wanna see if I know the face.

Well, I'll do so. I'll get back to you shortly OK. Bye.

Dad calls his wife honey you wanted to see me yes darling Josephine replied okay am here now dad said. Who was that on the phone? She asked

A friend I met on my way to the mall.

A friend, So you ignored me because you were speaking to a friend? When did you start this honey.

I'm sorry dear, I didn't know you needed me so urgent. I'm here for you. Let's talk.

OK, I'm cool. I wanna go visit my mum and dad in the village and educate them a little on the pandemic and as well give them some foodstuffs. I think I'll get some farm produce from my dad's garden so we preserve as well.

That's not a bad idea. When do you intend going?

My junior brother the soldier said he will bring me a permit to show to the security personnel on my way, so if he brings it today I'll leave the day after tomorrow.

Well, you can go if he brings it. Are you going with Amara?

Yes of course granny misses her.

For that I won't allow. I think you should go and come since you will return the following day. Just prepare something and keep in the fridge for us, we will stay behind so you go and come. Just tell ur mum I didn't allow her to come with you because of the of the pandemic.

OK, if you say so. Dad left for the hall he goes through his phone and sends a pic of his wife to Victoria.

Victoria gets the message and replied thanks Johnson. I don't think I've met this face before.

OK then no Problem

Anyway my husband told me yesterday that he will be visiting his parents. He said his dad needs him urgently and he wants to take the boy along. But I refused. He hasn't said anything about that yet. But he said he will leave tomorrow. Victoria said

Dad supprised. Really, how is he gonna drive through town?

well, he said he has sorted that already.

wow. My wife equally said same story but she said she will leave a day after tomorrow.

For real, where does he parents reside?

Prampram

Huh, my husband's parents are in New Ningo, not far from Prampram.

Really? Dad said

Yes.

well I have plan.

Tell me!

You give me your husband's car registration number, I have a police friend I'd employ to track him for me.

Which guest house do you think is conducive that he may book?

AZ 405 -11 A. He drives a silver ford edge. He only has one guest house he goes, it's called Micah's Villa at the outskirts of New Ningo on the Prampram road.

OK. I'll give u updates just in case OK. Chat you another time. I still have your word. Don't show signs of anything kk.

Okay Johnson. Thanks

Dad calls his school son back at senior high who is now a police officer currently serving in Prampram and feeds him with info about Benjamin and how to track him in Prampram.

Later that evening. Josephine came to meet her husband in hall honey, I've prepared jollof rice and banku with palm nut soup for you and Amara Hope u like it? Dad Nods in agreement.

well, so I'll be leaving early tomorrow, my junior brother brought me the permit so he advised I leave early.

dear. Hope you have got your stuffs ready?

Yes honey. But I'm gonna miss home. You and Amara...

we gonna miss you too, just come as you promised so we won't miss you more OK.

Ok dear, I will.

That reminds me. It's a new month and per ur calendar you should be menstruating by now or experiencing signs of it, but you didn't add pad to the list we sent to the mall.

Come on babe, you are so caring but sorry I didn't tell you, my menstrual cycle changed last month so I'm expecting this one a week from now.

Is that so? Well I was just thinking aloud.

I know dear. I love you honey.

Love you too. Josephine kisses her husband and leaves for the room. Dad chatted Victoria up on w******p.

Hello Victoria, sorry for the late reply, I've been busy with stuffs in my mail.

Don't worry, I got busy during the day too. Anyway, Benjamin left around 11am this morning, he left Mike behind.

OK, I've worked on how he will be tracked so keep calm OK.

Hmmm, seriously Johnson I'm running out of patience. I can't watch my husband cheat right in my face while I sit and watch. seriously loosing it.

Take it Easy Victoria, we need enough evidence to track them down, we can't do anything now since we both have little info about their relationship. So keep calm OK.

Alright, if you say so.

Yes, let's keep our fingers crossed OK.

OK, I've heard you

Take care OK. Let's chat another time I've got stuffs to do bye.