JOB INTERVIEW OR MAYA'S LIFE
1120 Words
Chapter Seven: Job Interview or Maya's Life
The early morning sun seeped through the windows of the living room, casting long shadows on the walls. Don sat across from Jacob at the breakfast table, the silence between them heavy. Jacob sipped his coffee, his eyes darting to his son, who pushed scrambled eggs around his plate.
“Alright,” Don said, breaking the quiet. “Why didn’t you pick me up yesterday?”
Jacob set his mug down, leaning back in his chair. “I was helping someone.”
Don raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with frustration. “Twice, Dad. You didn’t pick me up twice. You could’ve called.”
Jacob sighed, his face creasing with concern. “It wasn’t just anyone, Don. It was a friend. Her younger sister was kidnapped.”
Don " who is that friend, that makes you forget about your son for two days Dad?"
"Anita, she and I met at a petrol station and we became friends, and am sorry my son" Jacob added.
Don froze, his fork mid-air. “Anita?” he asked, his voice dropping a note.
“Yes,” Jacob confirmed, his gaze steady. “Her younger sister Maya. I had to help her search.”
Don leaned back in his chair, trying to process this information. His chest tightened at the thought of Anita going through such turmoil. Still, he masked his concern. “Is Maya okay?”
“Not yet,” Jacob admitted, his tone grim. “But the cops are on it. I did what I could.”
Don nodded slowly, his appetite gone. He couldn’t let his emotions show, but his thoughts were already racing. Anita didn’t deserve this. She deserved peace, not more burdens.
---
Anita sat on her couch, her arms wrapped around her knees. Her brothers were asleep, but her mind refused to rest. The house was eerily quiet, except for the ticking clock on the wall.
Her thoughts circled around Maya, the fear in her sister’s eyes as the van drove away haunting her. The police had assured her they were doing everything possible, but the waiting was unbearable.
Her phone buzzed on the coffee table, snapping her out of her thoughts. She grabbed it, her heart sinking when she saw an unknown number.
“Hello?” she answered hesitantly.
“It’s Detective Monroe,” the voice said. “We have a lead on Maya.”
Anita sat up straight. “You do? Where is she?”
“She’s being held at a property owned by Ramirez’s younger brother, Boney,” Monroe explained. “Ramirez is cooperating with us and condemns his brother’s actions. We’re planning a rescue operation.”
Anita closed her eyes, relief and anxiety swirling within her. “When?”
“Soon,” Monroe said. “But we need you to stay calm and let us handle this.”
Anita muttered a shaky agreement, her hand trembling as she set the phone down.
---
At Boney’s hideout, Maya sat in a dimly lit room, her small frame dwarfed by the heavy wooden chair. She clutched her knees, her tear-streaked face turned away from the men who loitered nearby.
Boney entered, his presence commanding attention. He glared at the men. “She’s a child. What were you thinking?”
“She’s leverage,” one of them replied. “Ramirez needs to see who’s really in charge.”
Boney scoffed. “This isn’t about Ramirez. This is about my control. He can play his peace games all he wants. I make the real moves.”
The men nodded, but unease flickered in their expressions.
---
At college, Don met up with Marcus and Theo during lunch, his mind still on the morning’s conversation with his father. He barely listened as his friends talked about an upcoming event.
“Don?” Marcus nudged him. “You okay?”
“Yeah, just... a lot on my mind,” Don replied, waving them off.
---
Later that evening, as Anita sat scrolling through her emails, a message popped up confirming her job interview for the next morning. Relief briefly washed over her; she needed this opportunity. But the thought of Maya still hung over her like a cloud.
Her phone rang, and she hesitated before answering.
“Don?” she said, surprised.
“Hey,” he replied. “I just... wanted to check on you. How are you holding up?”
Anita sighed, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. “It’s hard. Maya’s still out there, and I feel so helpless.”
“You’re doing everything you can,” Don said, his voice steady and reassuring. “Sometimes, that’s all you can do.”
Anita smiled faintly. “Thanks, Don. You’re sweet to call.”
“I’m just—” He hesitated. “I’m just here if you need to talk. Anytime.”
They spoke for a few more minutes before hanging up. For the first time that day, Anita felt a small glimmer of comfort.
---
The next morning, Anita stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her blazer. The job interview loomed ahead, but her thoughts were still with Maya.
Her phone buzzed with another call from Don.
“Anita,” he said, his voice tentative. “I know you have an interview, but... Maya.”
“I know,” Anita said, her voice strained. “I’m torn, Don. I need this job, but I can’t stop thinking about her.”
“Do what feels right,” Don advised. “If you go to the interview, you’re not giving up on her. You’re just ensuring you have the strength to keep fighting.”
Anita was quiet for a moment. “Thank you, Don. I needed to hear that.”
After the call, Anita took a deep breath and decided to attend the interview.
---
Meanwhile, Jacob noticed Don on the phone but didn’t press him about it. Instead, they prepared for college, the tension between them easing slightly.
At the precinct, the rescue plan for Maya was finalized. Officers mapped out the location and coordinated with Ramirez, who provided key details about his brother’s hideout.
“Boney’s been a thorn in my side for years,” Ramirez said, his tone bitter. “I want nothing to do with this.”
The officers eyed him warily but took his cooperation seriously.
---
As Anita entered the office building for her interview, her mind was still divided. She shook hands with the interviewer, forcing herself to focus on the questions.
Across town, the cops moved in on Boney’s hideout, their vehicles silently surrounding the property. The tension was palpable as they prepared to breach the doors, determined to bring Maya home safely.
--
- Writer
