The only child

CHAPTER 2

Prince Lushi, the king's son, was taking a walk with his guards in the village when he saw a widow with a son looking very tired.

He said to them,"Madam, what is wrong? The woman answered," My prince, we are just returning from the farm which my late husband left behind for my son and I. We work tirelessly just to make ends meet. We work like elephants and eat like ants.

The prince replied," don't worry I will see to it that you suffer no more".

The woman answered,"thank you,thank you, may God be with you".

The Prince said,"guards, take this woman to the guest house and give her everything she needs. Her son will also go to school on scholarship, he will go to one of the best schools in the town. Madam, don't worry, God has answered your prayers".

"Thank you,"the woman said.

The woman's son said, " uncle, thank you".

They both left. The prince and the guards continued their stroll. They came to a house looking so gigantic but no one lives inside.

The Prince looked so surprised and asked," What happened to this house? Why is no one here? Can someone tell me about this?"

The guards replied," we have nothing to say about this. But we know of one Chief who can help you know the full details of this house".

" Please, take me there immediately," said the Prince .

They walked down the town and were greeted by many villagers. They finally got to a small house surrounded by different fruit trees. They met an aged man there. He was in his late 70's. He wore an old singlet with a wrapper tied to his waist. He had a chewing stick in his mouth.

"Welcome, my Prince . It is an honor to have you all in my house today," he said, presenting a plate of colanuts.

"Thank you, thank you. I appreciate this kind gesture. We accept all that we were offered. May the good God replenish your pocket," said the Prince .

"Actually," continues the Prince , "we came here to inquire of some information from you. While coming, we walked past a house looking so gigantic but no one lives inside it, so I was so surprised, I asked my guards why no one lives there but they had nothing to say. So, we came here to inquire from you". After he said this, the Chief sighed.

The Chief started narrating," Some years ago, a rich man lived in the town. He had two children, a boy and a girl. They lived happily. He always gave the children whatever they wanted…………..

"Daddy, daddy, guess what? I got an admission in the University," announced Pamela.

"Oh my daughter, I am so proud of you. You have made us proud. So, today we will go out as a family to eat and drink. So, tell me which location do you prefer?" asked Mr Louis.

" My daughter, we will all live to see your success," said Mrs Helen.

"Amen," the whole family chorused.

They all went out to have fun at an eatery. They bought all kinds of edibles. They ate to their fullest, they also took some home to eat.

The next day, Mrs Helen went to her supermarket. One of her friends, Mrs Smith came to see her.

"My friend, long time, no see. How is family?" asked Mrs Smith.

"Family is fine. We are all fine. Glory be to God. In Fact, sit down. I have a gist for you," replied Mrs Helen. Mrs Smith sat down.

"My daughter, Pamela, just gained admission into the University. She will be leaving very soon. We are already getting her prepared," said Mrs Helen.

"I'm happy for you. My first son will gain admission very soon. Probably, they will be in the same school," replied Mrs Smith. They continued with their discussion.

The next month, Pamela resumed school. She passed all her entrance exams in flying colors. She also got a room to stay in. She has two roommates.

"You are welcome to this great Institute of learning. Please, note that this is home from home," said Katherine.

"Thank you for your encouraging words. I hope that we will become great friends," replied Pamela.

They both retired to bed .

Mr Louis was getting ready for work. He calls his secretary on the phone informing her of his coming. He bade his wife and his son goodbye. He then left for work.

"Have you washed the plates?" asked Mrs Helen.

"No, ma," replied Dave.

"What are you waiting for," she asked angrily," please, hurry up," she completed.

Dave quickly hurried up to wash the plates.

"So, they were well-to-do," asked Prince Lushi, "so, what happened?".

The Chief sighed.

"Alot," he continued, " Mr Louis left for work that morning but did not return……….

At mid-noon, Mrs Helen was informed of her husband's death.

"Hello, is this Mrs Helen?" said the stranger's voice on the phone.

"Yes, I am," replied Mrs Helen.

"Please, come quickly to Matiha Hospital, your husband just had an accident," continued the stranger's voice.

"What," Mrs Helen exclaimed,"I will be there in a jiffy,"she continued.

She immediately hung up on the phone. Hurriedly, she got to the hospital. She sat down for about three hours before the Doctor came out.

"Doctor, Doctor, how is my husband?" she hurriedly asked.

"Hmmmmmm…..well… .I…..am…..(sighs), stammered the Doctor.

"Just talk to me. What happened to my husband? Is he okay? Is he still alive? Please, talk to me," she shouted.

She immediately went towards the ward where her husband was and started banging on the door.

The Doctor immediately said, " Madam, please take heart, we tried our best but……".

"You lost him?" she immediately cut him short. The Doctor nodded in affirmation.

She burst into tears. Dave walked in, in tears. He had been informed of his father's death.

"Mom, tell me it's not true. Please, I hope that this is a joke," said Dave in tears.

"No, my son, this is not a joke. Your father is no more," answered Mrs Helen.

Pamela had to leave school for some months because of her father's death. After the burial, she returned to school. Months turned into years. They were

still doing fine since Mrs Helen had her own supermarket.

"Ohhhh, what a tragic story. I really feel bad for the family. So, what made the house abandoned?" asked the Prince .

"Hmmmmmm, we are almost there," replied the Chief.

"So, on a fateful day……………….

Mrs Helen received a phone call from a strange number.

"Hello, may I know who is on the line?" asked Mrs Helen.

"This call is from the Investigation Department. You are needed at our office for some questioning. You are expected to be present there before 10 am. Thank you". The call was hung.

Mrs Helen had so many questions going on in her mind. So many doubts and uncertainties. In the evening, she discussed it with her son, Dave.

"I still don't understand why I am needed at the Investigation Department," said Mrs Helen.

"Well, I don't know either but I would

advise you go," replied Dave.

"Okay, if you say so. I will go," Mrs Helen answered.