Acquittal

      “Oh shut up ! Spare me the lectures ! Stop it ! You don’t get to dictate what I can and cannot do. I’m sick of hearing all the crap you have to say .I’m done!” ,Gina yelled with her eyes tightly closed and hands firmly covering her ears . She didn’t want to hear any word Mrs. Priscilla had to say ,and Mrs. Priscilla isn’t willing to give up the fight until her points are made clear . Stunned, Mrs. Priscilla sighed to ease her tensed nerves and apologized ,”Alright I’m sorry, sometimes I forget you’re all grown up to make your own decisions . It was never my intentions to provoke you at all. What was offensive in all I had said Gina?” “Enough mum ! Keep your apology to our old self! i don’t need it and as it is I never will “,then came a stinging reply .In all the years Mrs. Priscilla raised her daughter ,there never was a time Gina raised her voice against her let alone utter insulting words ,never ! Whatever it was ,Gina was extremely upset, her eyes were red with anger. “By the way ,Dave will be here in a moment to get me and my child “ “Hell no Gina ! “ “Hell yeah mum !” “ I won’t let you make any more stupid mistakes ! Isn’t it bad enough you gave me a grandchild under my very roof whose father’s identity is unknown ! You brought shame to this family . You can barely take care of that child without the little Change I give you and those you steal from wherever! “, Mrs. Priscilla immediately covered her mouth with her palm ,regretting all she had said ,resisting the any such anger from saying more hurtful words to her daughter ,but somehow she believes all she said were true. “There you go! Don’t stop, keep talking . At least I go extra mile to feed my child .How about you ? Saint huhn, oh I always forget …remind me ! You’re always out there but never there for me “,Gina laughed containing the hurt she felt like pin piercing through her heart ,taking deep breaths she continued ,“You disgust me ! Now you’re here acting like the perfect mother .Where were you when I needed someone to believe me back then ? You took the side of the man that took your child’s honor while everyone pointed fingers at me . Sometimes I wonder if he’s got you in his bed because no mother would see her child In such state and be quiet ”, Gina retorted ,turning her face toward another direction trying so hard to hold back the tears her heart desperately wanted . Hearing Gina’s response ,Mrs. Priscilla flew into rage “Now listen ,I would slap you in the face if you utter one more nonsense. Don’t test me ! If it wasn’t for that same man, you and I would be out on the streets .He risked his life and dignity to help us after your goddamn father died leaving us with nothing but debts and more debt. Rather than thank him ,you accused him of r**e ! r**e Gina! He wasn’t even in town that week ! Help yourself by accepting your mistake and move on ,let me help you “,Mrs Priscilla moved forward about to hold Gina’s hands when she noticed a car driving into the compound .She looked out the window just over Gina’s shoulder but couldn’t immediately recognize who’s car it was. “Finally !”,Gina exclaimed with relief looking out the window “Gina ! hold on a minute and let’s talk about this ,please “ ,Mrs. Priscilla said pitifully “ Like we haven’t talked about it a thousand times but you go on talking about how perfect Mr Daniel is .For once mum ! did you ever try to believe your own daughter ? Did you try ?”,Gina returned her gaze to her mother Ashamed Mrs. Priscilla cupped her face in her palm with nothing to say . Gina fixed her eyes on her mother ,pretending to be deaf to the repeated car horn out the door , tears filled her eyes but she immediately wiped her face with the back of her hand. “You have nothing to say now ,I thought so .You said it ,I’ve brought you so much pain mum .You don’t say it but I see how you look at my child ,you’re ashamed of her . I can’t let my child live in a place where everyone would point fingers ,even her own grandmother .Toun deserves better ! “. Gina headed for the door and whispered something into the ears of the driver having kept him waiting for long and returned into the house to pack up all she needed . Minutes later ,Gina returned to the living room with a child on one arm and a big travelling bag on the other . She stood for a while waiting for Mrs. Priscilla to say something but the room was silent .Gina reached out to her bag ,removed an envelop and dropped it on the table before her mother .Mrs. Priscilla looked at the white envelop, confused . what could be in that envelop ? definitely not money ,maybe some bill she thought . “Maybe you’d believe me once you go through this “,Gina said walking out the house without looking back . The driver was upset, having to wait outside for long with the neighbors staring in suspicion like he was criminal . Gina ,too angry to have noticed his displeasure ,went straight for the back seat ,set her luggage and sat with her child in her arm without saying a word . “You shouldn’t have called if you weren’t done with packing .You know how much I hate this neighborhood, everyone just has something to whisper to another looking at me “,he said angrily “I had unfinished business. Besides Dave, that’s what you get for being friends with an outcast like me . They all say I’m possessed or something ,that I can deal .But a word against my child ,I’d kill “, “Wooooah ! Gina ,possessed , I might have to agree with them because you my girl can be very annoying. You might wanna take a chill pill on that ‘kill’ part . What could they possibly say about this Angel “ .Dave turned to look at Gina’s baby ,he has never seen her sleep so peacefully before . “ its over a year now but nothing has changed .You have no idea what I’ve heard them call my child ,even her grandmother thinks likewise “,Gina spat with disgust “Heyyyy….Hold it my Lady, I spent a whole lot to get this baby sparkly clean and shiny . Just because I like you doesn’t mean you wont pay for damages done to my ride. I mean, I would do anything to stop that mouth of yours from spitting ,like kiss you “,he let out a flirty wink. Gina, pretending not to have heard a thing ,prepared her baby’s seat right next to her and laid her to sleep gently rocking the seat .Dave has never hidden his intentions about his love for Gina ,even after the unfortunate event, he cared even more for Gina and her child . Dave continued to observe Gina and the baby quietly. She noticed his gaze and felt uncomfortable, “Are we going to leave here or you’re just going to stare at me and the baby all day !”,Gina said with her eyes still fixed on her child ,avoiding his gaze. “Hi-hi Captain! “,he responded and starts the engine with a smile on his face . Gina glanced at her wristwatch ,8am. Its going to be a long ride .She relaxed as she admired Sabo city ,one last time .Looking back, she is reminded about how her father had always protected her whenever she got into a fight with anyone while her mother was out all day on one missionary journey or the other .She almost lived a perfect life as a child in Sabo city with a few bumps and twists ,some of which left permanent marks . As a child,Gina would always ask her parents what lies outside Sabo city but they would always make excuses and false stories to make her lose interest but in her curiosity ,Gina never did . This journey is about to change her life for good . “Dave, I’m not sure if what I’m doing Is right but I just want to believe I’m not leaving all these only to regret it and return like some prodigal daughter”, she looked out the window Dave was quiet ,he wasn’t sure either, he didn’t know what to say . He looked at her from the mirror just above him as he drove slowly ,breathing in and out calmly ,”Sabo city is a great place Gina ,you have a lot of beautiful memories here . Look at that !” ,he paused and pointed at an old store ,”Richie Store ! Remember when we first bumped into each other right there . I saw the prettiest girl ever and since then she’s been my best friend .Strong ,sweet ,intelligent ,a great mother and “ Gina burst into laughter ,”Really Dave ! We first met at church ,we even got into a fight. The only thing we did in that store was clean toilets for money but some people think I go about stealing from stores to feed my child . You are probably growing old ,you don’t even remember how you met your supposed best friend, silly ! “ “I was in the middle of giving a great speech Gina ! All I’m trying to say is that you’re strong .Even when the whole town rejected you ,you didn’t quit! Scrubbing one toilet or the other just to feed your little angel since that was the best job anyone could offer you since the incident . You’ve been through a lot since the r**e scandal, you became the talk of the town but you’re still striving .Not a lot of women can be this strong. If you leave ,I’d support you and if you stay I’d till support you “ Dave’s words found way into Gina’s heart and for once since so long she felt accepted and supported. The r**e incident is over a year now but has turned her life upside down, never to be normal again .Just one night and she lost it all ,she didn’t just lose her pride as a woman ,she was made to drop out of college ,lost her internship job at NEWSTIMES: a printing firm, faced brutality from all society has to say , and a whole lot . Leaving Sabo city would be best for a new start and help her child grow in a place where she would be loved and not criticized. “Thanks ! “,Gina said resting her hand on his shoulder “Anytime !still not changing your mind ? You have proof Gina ! You can stay and fight back” “ I left the results with my mum . I’ll let her do the fighting when she finally reads it” “Atleast you faced your problem. I wish I could do same about the mess I got myself into ,I hate everything! “,he cursed “I’d advice you face your problems too .Get it over with no matter how shameful .As for me ,.Let’s say I’m never returning to Egypt , I’ll keep moving forward . And when I get to the red sea ,you’d be my Moses “ . They burst into laughter . **** “ What could this envelop contain ?” ,Mrs. Priscilla thought to herself . Standing up from the sofa she sat ,she stood right in front of the table where the envelop sat and froze . Her heart raced in full circle ,her head banged like some squad was playing bass drum in her brain ,her mind was unstable thinking far and wide of what the envelop right in front of her could contain .”Its nothing ,just an envelop “ ,she reassured herself repeatedly as she took the envelop in her hands . Then came a knock at the door ,just the right interruption she needs to get her mind right ,or maybe not . “Priscilla ,are you in ? “,the man at the door asked Mr Daniel? the only person in the whole of Sabo city that calls her by her name without any title added to it though he was by far younger than she was . They’ve grown fond of each each other ,having to work along side the other for close to seven years . He’s never been at Mrs. Priscilla ‘s ever since Gina’s case . It wasn’t in his habit to come visiting at all even before the incident. It wasn’t his visit that bothered her ,Mrs Priscilla was troubled as to what the neighborhood would have to say ,seeing him walk right at her house just after Gina left . Now wasn’t the best time to open what was in the envelop, she threw it on her study table amongst other books and papers she left unsigned . Looking at the mirror ,she wiped her face with her palm making sure there was nothing indicating her episode with Gina . ,”Mr Daniel, its such a surprise seeing you here .Big surprise at that “,she gestured as she opened the door making sure not to hide her discomfort “Yeah ,its been awhile I’ve been around here so I wanted to say hi and “ “Really ,I don’t remember you coming here ever “ ,Mrs Priscilla let out a stern look Mrs Priscilla then recalled clearly his words the night he was interrogated ,”I swear on my Children’s life and that of my wife ,I’ve never been at Mrs Priscilla’s before . We do business together but I know my boundaries !”. Mrs Priscilla wasn’t one to make assumptions so she shook the thoughts off her mind .Mr Daniels is a man of integrity and can be trusted ,he shouldn’t be blamed for Gina’s mistakes . And besides ,Mr Daniel and herself were out of town for business the night Gina allegedly claimed to have been r***d . “Come on in! Were you scared I got something on you ?”,Mrs Priscilla laughed as she returned into the living room with Mr Daniel right behind her .She gestured at a seat just beside him to seat but he hesitates . He moved slightly towards Mrs Priscilla, tensed ,”No! I know better than to cross my boundaries. Its been a while since the issue between I and Gina . I was gonna talk things out with her ,my wife insisted I do so . I hope you don’t mind, Sandy will be here soon to talk to you “ “We’ve been over this and I don’t want us to go back to the past . Sandy should let things go !” “Its not been easy on the family . My kids return home saying all manner of things their friends say to them about their father . Sandy is really bothered ,I am too ! She wants my name all cleared ,I want that too .Sandy said she spoke with Gina a month ago “ “she what ?!”,Mrs Priscilla stood up from her seat furiously “Exactly how I reacted when she told me .She didn’t give me details either and that’s why she wants us to meet with you and Gina “ “Oh hell …I have a lot of other things to take care of .And besides ,I’ve had enough drama for today .First ,it was Gina and now I have to deal with both you and sandy, crap !”,Mrs Priscilla bangs the wall making a fist. “If you don’t mind me asking ,what happened with Gina ? Is she fine ?” “The young lady woke up this morning and decided she was leaving Sabo . She literally packed everything! It must be a long trip to God knows where, probably never return .The only thing she left me is some envelop ,probably some bills she needs me to pay as usual “ “Envelop ?”,Mr Daniels asked quietly . “oh wow ,I didn’t know . And yeah ! The envelop ! Did you bother checking ? It might be important “. “Can’t deal with that now ,I threw it somewhere amongst the documents I have to sort out on that table .Later . I’d feel better if you sit ,please. Do you need anything ? Water ? Coffee ? Just while we wait for Sandra “ “No I’m fine “ ,Mr Daniel said but had a second thought about it ,”uhh Mrs Priscilla ,I think a cup of coffee would do . I need something to help me keep calm before Sandy walk in .She’s a tough one to handle “ “okay ! She’s not here yet but you already seem tensed .Make yourself at home ,I would be back in a minute” Mrs Priscilla immediately left for the kitchen to make coffee while Mr Daniel waits in the living room staring at walls pictures and r. “No ,no ,take your time. By the way ,I can see the blue file on your study table ,haven’t signed it yet ? “Mr Daniel said aloud but Mrs Priscilla was to far from him to hear Moments later ,Sandra, Mr Daniels’s wife barged into the living room without the courtesy of knocking or announcing her presence. .Mr Daniels and Mrs Priscilla were already seated pondering on one thing or the other, each man to himself . The room was dead silent. With a woman like Sandy Rays ,even a pin must never be in the wrong place let alone go missing. Rumor has it that she once worked as a secret agent for the government before she moved to Sabo to start her own family with a young businessman ,supposedly Mr Daniel Rays. Sandra walked as if counting her steps ,taking close notice of countenance of both her husband and Mrs Priscilla . Without wasting time ,or waiting for Mrs Priscilla to offer her a seat ,she sat next to Mr Daniels . “Sandra ,what a pleasant surprise! How are the kids ?and business too ”Mrs Priscilla welcomed her ,and without waiting for any responses continued ,”so Mr Daniel here tells me you have something to discuss with me “ ,Mrs Priscilla smiled uncomfortably “Yeah right ! Sorry Daniels and I are here unannounced! I consider the issue on ground a bit urgent .By the way ,I don’t see Gina around ,why ? “ “Gina won’t be making it to this meeting . She left this morning “ ,Mrs Priscilla said “okay then ,we’d continue later .Its important Gina is here because we discussed something really important the last time we met .Whenever she’s back we’d talk “ “She left Sabo city !“,Mr Daniel and Mrs Priscilla said simultaneously. “Wait! Wait!! Wait!!! That wasn’t the plan .If she left Sabo city, it only means …the puzzle has been solved then ,I’ve often my answer “ ,Sandra laughed “what answer ?”,Mr Daniel asked lost in his confusion “Nothing honey ! Let’s go home .I have no business here anymore “,Sandra replied with a wide smile “I’d appreciate if someone explains what’s going on !”,Mrs Priscilla demanded “Its simple ,if Daniel is the father ,he takes responsibility and apologizes publicly .If the results prove otherwise ,She leaves Sabo city ,away from I and my family .I can’t say more than that ! I’d take me leave .Thank you Aunt Priscilla “,in a minute ,Sandra was gone leaving her husband and Mrs Priscilla to handle the rest of the argument . They sure didn’t disappoint her . The agreement she had with Gina is clear . “I’ve got samples from my husband . I’d give the doctor the samples myself because I don’t rust you Gina .But I’d make sure the results gets delivered to you . If Daniel is the father ,you stay and I’ll leave Sabo and that traitor of a husband .If not ,you’d leave Sabo City with your shame and never return because I’m carrying another child of his .Deal or no deal?.“ .Gina couldn’t agree any less though she had no intention of packing In to live with the man that r***d her “ Deal !”,she said in agreement .Sandra remembered that night like it was just yesterday ,now, she smiles about it .