Princess from the past

Episode 19

Tofo wasn't feeling alright that morning and his colleagues have noticed the awkward attitude. He had gone to check on his friend Ali, at his office but he hasn't arrived for work yet.

Tofo went back to his office to reminisce about last night event. He had switched off his phone since then and was too scared to switch it back on, but because of Ali's unusual absence, he exerted courage to do so.

"What's is wrong with you, why did you switch off your phone. I have been trying to reach you since mid night" the person at the end of the phone galed angrily.

Tofo surprised at Ali's outburst, replied almost in whisper

"Why are you shouting? I just called you to know why you haven't arrived for work and you are yelling. Why are you not at work? Where are you at the moment?"

"Hospital?" Ali answered

"Hospital" Ali repeated to be sure he heard right.

"Yes"

"Why? What's wrong? Is it your wife?" Are you ok?, you haven't called it off for the day. The boss will be mad" Tofo expressed concern

Ali blurted out "I know. I am fine. Barely. It is a long story. Just meet me at Goshen Way Hospital".

Tofo replied almost in whisper "but I am at work. What am I possibly going to tell the MD. You know about the last appraisal. "

"Find a way and come" Ali snapped and cut the call.

"Hello hello. s**t" Tofo dropped his phone. "What's going on" he thought out loud.

He knew Ali as a strong person and whatever is going on was really critical. He stood up fast. Picked his wallet, car key and headed to the director's office to take permission.

Goshen Way Hospital is a private firm at the heart of the city. Tofo drove in, he could see Ali pacing round the compound looking weary and still in the dress he wore to the office, the previous day. He had rushed to meet Tofo as he was alighting from his car.

"What's going on?" Tofo asked in bafflement

Ali scowled and spoke in sullenness "I don't know" They he noticed his wrecked car top "what happened to your car?" He questioned.

"Nothing. I don't know" Tofo stuttered awkwardly.

Ali gazed sternly at him "Are you sure?" He noticed his wierd gestures. Ali knew his friend was hiding something "where did you sleep last night?"

Tofo twitched and stammered "home" feigned a smile "where else will I be".

"I got a strange text from you. You obviously sent it last night. My phone was off last night until I borrowed a cord from a nurse here to power on. Then your text. I called you severally but it was off. I couldn't leave the hospital because i got a restraining order" Ali said.

It happened that last night. Ali came back home to his mom and his wife quarrelling. His mom had come to visit and she hasn't been friendly to his wife. He quickly reversed in search of a peaceful place to rest his head, he didn't have the energy for their fight. He was driving to Tofo's house to rest for the night when he saw a lady lying helplessly on the floor. So he picked her up and rushed her to the hospital.

"They had refused me to leave. The girl is in coma" He said to Tofo as he took her to the ward were she was receiving treatment.

As soon as Tofo saw the girl in bed, he recognized her to be the same girl he saw last night.

Everything was so awkward about the girl. Her dressing was strange, the cloth she put on, even the way she smells. Not bad but strange. She had no foot wear on, The sole of her feet are all hard and broken. The doctors ran a medical examination on her and concluded she is the healthiest person they have ever seen.

"She got a broken neck and arms. Only God knows what happened to her. But the doctor said she will be fine. My wife will soon be here so I came go get a relief. Shower and get breakfast".

He then tapped Tofo on the shoulder and said "Come let's go outside. I hate the smell in here. I want to show you the awkward thing we found on her".

Tofo was frozen at a spot. He was too scared to tell Ali he saw the girl before him. How would he tell him he abandoned her, though he knew Ali so well not to judge him.

Ali took him to his car to show him a bag she found with her. It was a bag made of silk which was tied at the mouth. It smelled really awkward and the content has the feel of small stones. Ali didn't want to open it at first but Tofo insisted, convincing him there could be something inside that could help contact the girl's family.

When they untied the bag, it was filled with cowries. They exchanged glances, wondering how awkward the day could get.

Ali then tied the bag, put it back into his car and closed it.

"I am not sure what to do with this girl. No trace. Not even a phone". Ali complained.

"Could she be some village priestess that lost her way". Tofo asked.

Ali gave a stern gaze, tweaked and replied

"She seemed to me rather too young but more archaic than any priestess. Well there's only an option for us here. As soon as she wakes. I just want to leave here".

Ali's wife bena had just arrived to take Ali's place so he could go home and freshen up.