LOST WTHOUT MR GENIUS

Chapter six

I screamed like one out of a horrible nightmare and when I opened my eyes, I saw Dave carrying me in his arms. I raised my eyebrows in bafflement. How did he suddenly appear?

"Dave, you!" I said with a gush of guilt.

"Shut up!" He said quietly, gurning at me. "What were you thinking? Throwing yourself at a stranger!" You could tell he was miffed. I was speechless, my eyes still glinting with l**t. He must have seen everything. What a shame! I could imagine the foreseeable consequences of my silly actions. I knew that Dave was gutted by my shameful misconduct and the chances of keeping our relationship seemed futile to me. Which man would accept to marry a lustrous woman like me? I had really messed up big this time!

"Do you know her?" The godly-like gentleman asked.

"Yes, she's my sister. Sorry, sir for the trouble. She has a mental problem."

"Is that so?"

"Yes." My mouth fell open at this but I held my grip. Did I have a choice? Nevertheless, I was scared that Dave might find himself in a fix if his company happened to be inquisitive.

"You are lucky that I came in time or else she would have chopped off your lip. She's very dangerous." Ha, I felt bitter inside: "Soon you will say that I am crazy!" I thought and kept quiet.

"Oh, which sickness is that?" Marcus asked with tremendous concern. I swear I got scared uncertain of what Dave would answer next and he shocked me,

"Um, ceclemotolony, Sir," Dave said humorlessly.

"What?"

"Never mind, Sir. You won't understand. As you can see, the name is as complicated as the nature of her sickness."

He spoke with difficulty as if he would cry while his face evinced sadness. I almost burst into laughter at his guile. "Which game are you playing, Dave?" I wondered.

My lips twitched as I stared at him in shock.

Marcus must have heard the term for the first time- just like me. The funny thing is that I did not doubt that even Dave couldn't pronounce the word again flawlessly if he was asked to. Quickly, I turned my face to his chest and giggled quietly. I think Marcus was confused. I was so ashamed that I wished not to look at his face. Perhaps Dave was doing everything to restore my dignity. If that was the case, then his efforts were slowly paying off because when I peeked at Marcus, his face was filled with pity- perhaps pity towards my fake condition and Dave's burden of taking care of me. Dave levelly apologised for my behaviour

"Sorry for the bother, Sir. I will take her home and give her her medicine before she turns wild."

"It's alright. Take care. I hope she gets better soon." Marcus said feelingly.

Dave turned and made it as if to go and then halted, still carrying me. In an agonised voice, he shrieked,

"Why, Lord, why? This is too much to bear. Why don't you let me die instead of inflicting such pain on her, why?"

"Huh, Dave, what are you doing?"

I murmured with a frown astonished and fazed by his behaviour.

"Joana, Just stay quiet, okay?" He whispered in a serious tone. I took heed because I trusted that he meant well although I couldn't guess what he was up to. If anything, why wouldn't I take pleasure in feeling the tenderness of his arms instead?

I suddenly heard the sputtering footsteps behind us and then Marcus's voice, which put the fear of God into me. In a flash, I closed my eyes and foamed at the mouth to confirm the truth in Dave's utterances.

"Young man," he said, "take heart. She'll be fine."

"Fine? Did you say fine?" Dave said, sounding upset and laid me down on the grass near the rail. I stiffened and listened, letting the foam dribble down my cheeks as I listened intently.

"Do you know how much money I have spent on her- her medicine? Millions and millions! It's been ten years since this mysterious sickness plagued her life. Don't tell me she'll be fine because nothing is convincing about it." He was now gasping in crocodile tears while I almost choked with laughter." I must say that it wasn't easy for me to pretend although I tried. It's the least I could do after my shameless behaviour.

"Do you know what's worse?" He resumed.

"Tell me, let it all out if it will give you peace," Marcus said in a shaky compassionate voice

"Never mind, Sir. What difference will it make? I…"

"No, no, don't worry. I am willing to help you if I can. Please, tell me." He said with humility.

"We...we…" he stammered and sniffed.

"Go on, dear."

"We are orphans; no mom, no dad." Dave lamented and broke into sobs.

"Oh, gosh!" I heard Marcus say sadly and I discreetly opened my eyes. I was stunned to see Dave buried in his chest enfolded in his arms in a lull as though he was a baby. He was a master of deception. Honestly, I didn't know whether to be proud of him or resent him for this because he was acting out of sanity. After minutes of brooding silence, Marcus suggested taking us to the city,

"Alright," he said, "how about I take you to a good doctor in the city. I'm sure he will treat her. She's still young and pretty and deserves to live life to the fullest, hmh?" This almost chased the demon out of me. I had anticipated such a conundrum. What if he came to discover that it was all a lie? "Dave, please!" I muttered and bit my thumb. My hair stood on end and I held my breath as I speculated Dave's answer.

He disengaged from his grip and answered in a doomed voice, "Yes, I would love that, but we can't go with you right now. I need to first prepare." It was a quite relieving answer, wasn't it?

"Okay, I think you have a point." Marcus asserted as he shoved his hand into his chest pocket and brought out a small card.

"Here, take this. It's my business card. You may call me anytime you're ready." Ho, I sighed quietly. That was close!

"Thank you, sir,"

"And in the meantime, you can use this to buy her medicine."

"Money?" He asked like a fool.

"Yes, you need it," Marcus said, offering him a bundle of paper money. I was elated and almost leapt up due to excitement but remembered my cause. Things were turning out better for us after all! Now I knew that Dave was a genius. With this money, we would be able to travel without hindrance. Where we would stay and how we would survive didn't matter to me now. Soon, my joy was curtailed by Dave's answer; "No sir. I can't take your money…"

"What?" I cried out of anxiety and raised my head yelling "I didn't know that soon I was getting married to a fool."

They both twisted and turned to look at me.

"I think she's back to sanity. Gal, are you okay?" Marcus said, walking towards me with a frown. Dave winked and winked at me as anger flashed in his eyes. His piercing gaze lashed at me. Then it dawned on me that I had spoiled the game. Yes, I could see suspicion in Marcus's eyes as if he was beginning to impeach our intentions. "What the heck have I done? I've ruined our chance-everything!" I muttered and fell again kicking and flinging my hands obnoxiously to add lustre to the scene.

"Sir, I think her fits were back!"

"I guess you need this."