THE ARREST
Few days later, Kaima was seen sweeping the compound. two men identified themselves as police man, with their ID Card
"Ok sir, so what do you guys want?" Kaima ask
"We're here to see, one Mister Emeka Okorie" 1st police man said,
"My older brother, what do you want from him, what's his offence?" she asked curiously, Nnenna walks out from the house, in her mourning wear, her face swollen, her eye reddish, as if she has eye plastic surgery.
"For the murder of three young men, identify as Williams, Benson and Kane, they were murdered in their apartment" 2nd police man said.
The names rings at Kaima's head, they were the men, who sexually abused Mary, which led to her demise. And the police couldn't do anything, but rather keep making empty promised.
Even when Late Mary's friends had testified against them, they still wanted to do more investigation, even after a doctor carry out a test on her, test results came out evidently. But that wasn't an enough prove they need more to indict the crime. While the murders were still patrol around, living a free life.
Kaima felt some sort of satisfaction hearing the news, she felt guilty for feeling that way, his brother took the law to his hands but what would have happened if they weren't killed
"They might still be living their life, feeling so fulfilled and proud of themselves, they would never feel guilty and they police would never found them guilty" she thought to herself, what Emeka did was justice.
"Emeka my son murder?" she said. so divested, she felt like her heart seized. like the air she breathes was invade from passing through her lungs, a look on her face was like she was expecting more agony but she has to be strong, she took a deep breath as well let go
"My son is not back" she retort
"Then she has to come to the police station with us" 1st police man said. directing it on Kaima
"No, not my daughter, I will go with you" she brutal
"Mommy no, let me go with them" she proclaimed
Kaima, my dear daughter, stay at home and take care of your little brother. I know I have to wait for Emeka to come, what's the need of staying in this house, let me take up my responsibility of being a useless mother. Yes…, I have to pay the price, this is the price I have to pay" she grunt
"Mom, please don't say that, I'm not letting you go to that police station, they are going to lock you up" she said, as she struggles to keep the tears in her eye from dropping
"My dear, there is nothing you can say or do to stop me from going. let go" she brutal leaving. They police officers joined her
"This is the reward of being a bad mother" she said in language, she moves as if she was going to win a prize. what has happened in her family so far, has made her so strong and brave, the fears she couldn't face has defeated her, she feels like now she needs to pay the price. If she has taken up a commitment on Controlling Chinasa and not letting her see her weakness, things won't have gotten this bad. The day she saw Emeka smoking, she felt like her soul was bleeding, she wishes she could beat him or maybe flog the stupidity out of him, but she thought Emeka understand her pains with the sorrowful and a broken hearth reaction, she gives to him. He felt her pain but that wasn't enough to express her emotions because she shows weakness in taken action.
***********
"It's a relief, is not a death sentence "Nnenna exclaimed, holding his hand
"But I'm going to be here in a very long time" he said in tears
"You should know that we your family, will never turn away from you, I'm your mother, I will stay with you for as long as I live" she console
"Life in prison, is not a death sentence, it means there's still hope, despite what you did was wrong" caresses his cheek. As she holds his hands in her palm, Emeka bow he's head. You would not have recognized him, if not for a Mark he had on his forehead, which he got at a tender age when he felled from a church stair case, as he was playing around with a friend. his cheeks swollen with black spots on them like a dye, from the beaten he had in the interrogation room.
"At least she will be at rest, knowing that we fight for her, her death was not taken for granted. I don't regret my actions; I did the right thing" he consoles himself
"I condemned your actions but it's not time to blame" She console.
"Mommy, it's not over, we have a reason to live and die, so you have to be strong, live for us. I know you have gone through a lot, but you have to be strong. live for me, Nasa, Kaiama and Ugo, you have to live for us, we're are reason you must live" he said with so much composure. He stood up leaving, turns stares at her. and left. Nnenna watched has he walked into the cell, not even a drop of tears dropped from her eye, no more tears to cry. It was time for her to pick up her cross and move on, knowing the lights will shine when the time is right.
**********
She stood beside her, held her hand, for the first time she held her hand after some years. she stares at her, her faced hasn't changed at all, she still has that ten years old face. She remembers the bonds, the connection they had, they friendship, which has been lost long time ago.
"I told you, why can't you just listen to me, look. we have to go now", she's seen fighting the air. "Mary, I'm talking to you" she moaned. she was unable to breathe, she gasped for air.
"Doctor, Nurse!" Nnenna scream on her voice. A doctor rush in, joined by a nurse, at that point, she was inhaling proper, the doctor did a check up on her, give her an injection before she retorts to Nnenna
"Ma, she will be fine" he consoles, he checks her heart beat. After given instructions to the nurse he zoom off.
"Is she going to be ok?" Nnenna ask curiously, edging to get a quick feedback.
"Ma, your daughter is fine, she is doing ok" The Nurse retorted.
She stares at her, place her hand on her forehead, she felt her temperature, her body warm, it's an enough prove she's still breathing.