AN OLD FRIEND

"Pascal, it feel so good to see you again." Andrew says with smiles.

"You should have tried to reach out to me, when you returned." Pascal whispers not sounding happy.

"What is wrong? You don't look happy or excited to see me."

"I am so confused."

"About what?" Andrew asks again.

"On the decision to make." He exhales deeply. "May I ask you why you cut contact ten years ago?"

"Cut contact? What do you mean? I was arrested."

"Andrew, I know you too well. You didn't even travel out of the country to work, you went there to clear your head. I knew right from day one that you weren't missing, you ran away for your own good."

"Why didn't you tell Madam Jessie?"

"If I can't be happy and live a good life, I guess you should. You were brave enough to take that decision."

"Thank you." Andrew smiles at his long time friend. "For not blowing my cover."

"Where are your kids and wife at?"

"They are upstairs taking a nap."

Pascal exhales deeply again and brings out a pistol, then drops it in the table.

"Why is this here? What if my kids see this? How do you expect me to explain to th-"

"Kill me." Pascal whispers.

"What?"

"Kill me and put an end to this miserable carriage that I call life."

Andrew swallows the heavy spit he felt in his throat some seconds ago. "What is wrong? Did anything happen?"

"Madam Jessie asked me to kill your family."

Like bombshell, Andrew almost can't believe it. "She did what?"

"She told me you betrayed her when you saw Ella and failed to kill her, so she wants me to kill your family as a lesson." Pascal holds his friend. "Please, kill me and return to where you came."

"I understand me going back, why do you insist on me killing your?"

"She told me I would be dealt it if I don't do the assignment."

"If she said that, that means-"

"Yes." Pascal nods. "She will have me killed too. But I prefer to die in your hands that hers."

"I can't even go back too." Andrew whispers.

"Why? Did someone find out about your past?"

"No, the Ella I refused to kill has grown into a merciless young lady. She had threatened my wife because my wife was acquainted with her."

"So, what do we do now?" Pascal asks again.

************

"I studied hard just to meet my mom and make her accept me with open arms." Cecelia whispers to Ella.

"It must have been so difficult."

She shakes her head. "It wasn't difficult, it was lonely, very lonely."

"I am so sorry about that."

"You don't have to be sorry, you went through as much too."

"I have lived the last ten years of my life resenting and cursing your mother. If I was given the chance then, I am sure I wouldn't mind killing her myself."

Cecelia nods. "She deserves that."

"Won't you try to save her? From me at least?"

She smiles bitterly and whispers. "No, she brought all of this upon herself."

"I don't even think she can atone for her sins in this world, after causing that much pain to me, you and Linda?" Ella shakes her head. "She deserves to end in the most pathetic and painful way, death is too easy for her."

"Like I said earlier, I wished all of these was just a nightmare. I regret working so hard only to meet misfortune here."

"Once we are done with all of this, I will like to take you to Burundi with me."

Cecelia gently turns her head to face Ella and smiles broadly. "Why?"

"I want to make up for the years we have missed as sisters."

"And what will happen to Linda? She is my sister too."

Ella looks at her sister without utterances for a moment then says. "She will choose her own fate, wether to live her life in hiding or come with us."

"Who will watch over the hospital if I come with you to Burundi?"

"I see what you are trying to do, you don't want to leave Nigeria because of Linda right?" She asks sounding a bit jealous.

"It's not like that, I am just a bit greedy, I feel like I want to control the hospital."

Ella shrugs her shoulders. "You will be the one to control it anyways."

"Really?"

"I already told you I was going to make you the managing director."

"I thought you didn't mean it."

"I did." Ella exhales sharply.

"Have you been to your father's grave?"

Ella raises her brows and quickly turns her head to the other side. "No, I do not want to." she stands and walks out.

Cecelia stares at her sister till she is out of sight. "How do you intend on punishing my mom." she asks no one in particular.