WHEN ODDS MEETS ENDS' NEED

Catherina sat alone in the darkness of the room, thinking about her life and wondering why she always fall victim of agony. As far as she could remember, she has always been a wallowed person almost all her life. She was constantly trying to deal with issues helplessly, with no one to even share her problems with. Just after being promoted to the senior class in secondary school, she had been raped by six male students. Even though she was drugged with an alcoholic beverage, she believed part of it was her own fault for trusting their simple nature. She never thought the boys could be so mean and wicked, but the deed had been done before she realized she shouldn't have visited such place at all. Most unfortunately, she was very shy about the incidence and had let those criminals to go scot-free. She was afraid of what the aftermath and shame might cause her so she kept it to herself until her best friend started to notice a sudden change in her. Though her friend wasn't a psychologist, she sure knew and understood her old friend from the new one she was becoming. And when her friend started asking too many questions and mounting pressure on her, Catherina finally opened up to her, narrated the story tearfully, and had her friend promise to never let it out to anyone.

She was shocked when not long after, she heard some of her mates talking about the incident. Some boys even mocked her to her face and it devastated her so much. She thought her best friend was the one who had told the others; but it was some of the rapists who spread the story, feeling more confident after seeing that their wrong deed did not boomerang. Catherina was so much eaten up in her sorrow that she couldn't concentrate much on her study anymore. This eventually led to her expulsion from the school after not making the required grades. Her parents, whom she refused to tell the real cause of her problem, enrolled her into a new school. Though she incessantly felt the hurt and disgust in her stomach, it was a new start for her where only few people knew her and her little transgression. She tried as hard as she could to move on and live with the past.

During her final year in the university, she got pregnant for a guy she had been dating for about a year. It was just three months from their final examination, and though she was not too happy about the pregnancy, she considered keeping it. After all, she was old enough and would be graduating soon. However, when she informed her boyfriend, he didn't share her opinion. He insensitively declared that he wasn't ready to father a child and told her get an abortion real quick. But she was not going to take such a risk and put her life on the line. She begged him to allow her keep the pregnancy and she can move in with him after their examination. She didn't even demand for the regular marriage rites to be done beforehand. But her boyfriend would hear none of it. He flared up, saying she was only trying to push the pregnancy on him and started to make up stories about her keeping some other relationships. At a point he totally rejected the pregnancy and told her categorically that he will never be responsible for the child if she decided to keep it.

Catherina was frustrated and helpless. Since there was nothing she could do to change his mind, she decided to focus on passing her exams and keeping the pregnancy. It was not an easy combination but then she possessed the strength to move on after every break down. Fortunately, her parents were understanding and supportive through it all.

She successfully finished her exams and gave birth to a baby girl whom she left in the care of her mother while she searched for the proverbial greener pasture. She later got a job that made her a little comfortable and gave her the opportunity to be able to look after her own daughter. She did not bring her daughter to live with her though, because she believed that way, she would be able to focus on advancing in her career and making the best out of her life.

Her daughter, Joy, was about twelve years old when Catherina met Paul, a young man of about her own age again. At first, she was not into him and they remained just casual friends. They had met through a mutual friend at a party Catherina could not but attend. He had wooed her like a man seeking a treasure but she remained indifferent to his advances. It was not because she had come to dislike men or harden her mind towards them but she didn't want any more distraction or distress. Paul never gave up though. He was also determined to get her as much as she was determined on her decision too. After what seemed like forever and she still was not yielding, he decided to bring in her close relative on the matter and made it clear he was willing to marry her.

Though she also had liked him from the first time they met, she intentionally buried how she felt about him. She was not sure he would still want her after hearing the story of her life. But after narrating her life's experiences to him and he still showed a strong interest in her, she was convinced that he really wanted her. They didn't court for long before they led each other to the registry where they legalised their union.

Joy was fast becoming an adolescent and Paul wanted her to come and live with them immediately after the wedding, saying he was ready to take her in as his. And because he was really a good and sincere man, Catherina had agreed with her husband and accepted his offer for her teenage daughter to move in with them. The first year of their marriage was blissful. Every other thing remained constant and was going fine. Catherina still had her job and Paul loved and generously provided for his family.

One particular Friday, she had her colleague stand in for her at work and left for home by noon. Paul had been on leave from work and would be resuming the following Monday. Catherina was eager to return home to her family to begin a restful and an enjoyable weekend. She had planned to cook their favourite foods, rent some movies, and declare 'family time', just for her, her husband and their daughter. As she moved towards the bedroom, she heard some muffled sounds. She stood transfixed at the door as she tried to make out the tones clearly. She thought of the worst and imagined many scenarios in her head. Still with the reflux burning through her veins, she busted into the room unsure of what her next action would be. There on her matrimonial bed, she saw her husband and the landlady's daughter passionately entwined in a sexual position. Catherina let out an audible groan. This sound alerted the lovers and they broke away from their action to look for their discarded clothes. Ironically, she felt a little relieved because she had believed she would find her husband together with her daughter. She knew it was absurd to think that way but the recent closeness between her daughter and her husband was beginning to give her concern and she was finding it difficult to deal with the issue without creating too much a situation.

The silence in the room remained a fraction of seconds as all three just stared at one another, none of them knowing what to say or do. Catherina found her feet first and headed back towards the living room. She took a seat, inclined her right arm elbow against the handle of the sofa and her chin rested on the palm of the same hand. She sat there disappointed and dejected though a part of her was grateful it wasn't her daughter she found with Paul. She had heard of such cases happening and that would have more complicated the whole issue for her.

The young lady bolted out of the room and when she saw Catherina in the living room, she took some steps backward as if to run into the protective arms of Paul. But Catherina only looked her over once and shook her head in disappointment. Then Paul walked out and edged the girl along, not even looking his wife's way. As she saw him head towards the main entrance, anger rushed through her veins and she made to go after him. But on instinct, she quickly relaxed the tension in her and muted the utterance that was coming from her mouth. She remained in her seat, wondering what her husband was up to and made up her mind to wait for a chance to find out.

Later that day when her daughter returned from school, Catherina tried as much as she could to hide the pain in her heart. Paul had not returned since he left without even a glance at her. Perhaps she should have held his shirt and not allowed him go out with his partner in adultery, but that might have created a shameful scene. She is calm now after a long thought about all that happened, and she realised she wasn't even angry with her husband anymore. She was ready to talk about what happened and see if they could put it behind them. When Paul had not returned about midnight, she called his phone and got a 'switched off' response. She kept trying and the response remained the same. She started panicking, praying no harm had come to her husband. Joy tried a few times to find out what was wrong with her mother and where her dad was, but Catherina would not tell her daughter about the ugly scene she saw in their home. She eventually dissuaded the girl from probing further and asked her to go to bed.

She thought of calling his friends and siblings to find out if he was with any of them, but it was far into the night and she didn't think it was wise to disturb other people's rest with story of her missing husband. She did not sleep a wink that night and as soon as it was morning, she called her husband again and still didn't get through to him. She called few of his friends that she knows and none of them confirmed having seen him in at least three days. She called his brothers too and the story was same. The very last person she called, her husband's cousin, had noticed the unstableness in her voice.

'Didn't he say where he was going or don't you know when he left home?' Segun had demanded casually.

'I was at home. I believed he wasn't going too far and would return soon. Paul does not keep late nights, not to talk of not coming home at all. And the times he had to come home late, he called me to let me know. But now he didn't even call and his numbers are not going through,' Catherina lamented ghastly.

'Did something happen between you too recently?' Segun had guessed right.

'Eeh…Yes, we actually had a misunderstanding. We were not talking before he left and I didn't know he took it seriously. Please just help me find him. I have called everyone who may know where he is but no one seems to have an idea.'

'Don't beat yourself up over that. He's a big boy and will turn up soon, I am sure. Maybe his phones' batteries are dead,' Segun tried to calm her down.

'Both phones at the same time?' Catherina was bewildered.

'Well, it's possible. You just relax. I will also see who I can talk to. But no worries if he doesn't show up today, he will definitely tomorrow,' the person assured her and they ended the call.

Contrary to their expectations though, Paul did not return home that day and the next. Catherina kept calling his phones without any success. She had to tell their daughter that he was called for an impromptu meeting outside the state when her constant questions were beginning to add to her worries. Catherina thought of going to the landlady's daughter to see if she could get any useful information from her but was unsure of the reaction of the girl, and she didn't want to wash her dirty linen in the public. She was still contemplating explaining the whole deal to someone in the family when her husband walked in, three days after he left the house on his don't ask…don't tell strike. Suddenly, with the new air her husband had brought into the house, she was reluctant to talk to him anymore. A new set of anger boiled up in her mind but after a while the endurance level life has taught her rose to the surface and she went in to meet him.

'Where have you been, Paul? You switched your mobile phones off and did not even bother to contact me. Do you think that's the best to do after what you did?' she shook her head sadly. She waited for Paul to reply but it was as if she was not even in the room with him.

'I thought I knew you well,' she continued. 'I thought you were better than this but obviously I was wrong. I don't really understand you men. You have a hoe in the hand but use your hands instead to pack dirt! Even if you wanted an extramarital affair, why didn't you do it nicely and smartly? Instead you chose to ridicule not only yourself, but our entire family, before a girl like Cindy. Cindy. How old is she? How much older is she than Joy? She can't be more than 21 years old, I'm sure. I am very disappointed in you,' she shook her head in disgust.

'Enough!' he shouted and startled her. 'Yes, I said shut up your dirty mouth. Look, it is none of your business whom I see or date. I'm glad you know I am seeing another woman now because I never knew how I ended up with a used and dumped woman like you in the first place,' he said, eyeballing her from head to toes.

'How can you say that to me? I never begged you to make me your wife. You actually talked me into marrying you.'

'A mistake I will never make twice. In fact, I want it over with this bondage that you call marriage because I can never continue to cope.'

'What exactly has come over you?'

'Well, if you really want to know, nothing. But I have woken up from my slumber and the rubbish you might have blinded me with in the first place.'

Those words shattered her heart and soul and she ran out of the room. Tears gushed down her eyes and she wept non-stop.

'Mum, why are you crying?' Joy asked innocently.

'Uh!' she wiped off her eyes. 'No, I am not crying. I mean, I cut some onions in the kitchen and it gave me watery eyes,' she faked a smile for her daughter, the only bright and shining light in her life.

'Are you crying because of daddy? Don't worry, he will be fine and will soon be home. Please just stop crying now,' Joy tried to make her mother feel better.

Catherina's smiles had broadened as she stared at her glowing angel. 'Your dad is back already but he's busy inside now. Let's go to the sitting room and watch some TV.'

'Okay,' Joy replied and held her mother's hands.

They were still seated in the living room, Catherina pretending to watch TV with her daughter when her husband came out of the corridor carrying a bag and a suitcase. When she saw him and realized that he meant what he had said in the room, she quickly stood in his way ordering her daughter to go into her room.

'Paul, why are you doing this? What is really going on? Okay, I am sorry about everything. At least let's talk about it. You shouldn't just walk out on your family like this. It's not fair,' she had said calmly to her husband.

But perhaps the situation was more than she understood because her husband's response was as harsh as before. 'Life is not fair to have made me meet you in the first place. I am sorry but you can't be my family any longer. It's just as simple as that. The lawyer will bring you the divorce papers to sign as soon as possible. However, you can remain in the apartment till the rent expires.'

'Paul, please think about this. This wasn't what you promised me. You said you will never do anything to hurt me and my daughter. You promised heaven and earth.'

'I told you already that was a mistake. I don't know what came over me then, but yet I can't condemn myself to a mistake because I made it already,' he had said those last words and walked out on her.

Six years after, at the age of forty, Catherina found happiness again. Though what is missing is still there, life had to go on. Moreover, nothing or no one is indispensable. Letting it all go and focusing on the way forward and her daughter's life made reaching the mountain top a nice climb for her. Channeling one's mind towards a single lane of concentration in an attempt to escape our greatest fears has its advantages and hers was paying off. Maybe it was easy for Catherina to live up to her nightmare because she didn't have any other choice; or perhaps it was because life had dealt her so many blows and she had learnt to stand victorious against the challenges. Yes, something remains missing but she has every other thing, including a daughter of her own who is everything to her. And Catherina did everything possible to remain close to her daughter, knowing she doesn't have any other to care for and the young girl has also understood that fact and was as loyal to her mother as best as it could get.

Later that year of her 40th birthday, Joy also turned 18 and had crossed into adulthood fast. That morning of her 18th birthday, her mother had walked into her room still in her night wear and started to pray graciously for her own daughter who acknowledged in grateful AMENs.

After the prayer session, Catherina had jokingly asked her daughter who she was sharing and spending her birthday with.

'My friends, of course. Who else, mum?' Joy grunted in surprise.

'I know. But what about him? I mean, there must be a, you know, him on the other hand.'

'I knew that was where you are going, but please mum, we are not doing that today.'

'Doing what? You are 18 now and, well, I may be very strict and protective on the issue before but I was once in that stage too so I know how things work,' she paused not finding the right words to use with her daughter. 'Anyway, if you have to do anything today or even any other time, make sure you take safety precautions. I don't want you to fall victim of the same thing that happened to me.'

'Now what type of mother encourages her 18 year old daughter to have sex when she's not married?' Joy had wondered aloud.

'The type of mother that knows and understands that it's normal to feel like an adult when anybody becomes one. I want a better, simple and less complicated life for you please, so don't make it worse for yourself,' her mother had told her.

After some silence, Joy had looked into her mother's eyes and spoke softly. 'You don't need to worry, mum. I am still a virgin and I intend to keep it.'

Her mother was silent awhile as she stared indifferently at her daughter. 'Is there any reason you are doing that or is it really what you want? Don't get me wrong, but sincerely you don't have to condition your life to what I might have told or explained to you before about my own past, situations are always different. So as reasonable as it's worth, you have to lead your own life, only then will there be no regrets.'

'Honestly, you should be a motivational speaker instead of that lucrative business you are presently into,' Joy said, smiling cheerfully at her mother.

'Well, if not for that lucrative business, as you called it now, you will be staying back home lonely without a birthday today.'

'I was actually joking, mum.'

'Of course, I understand,' her mother had smiled back at her.

Human beings worry, go helter-skelter, struggling and striving for our daily needs without knowing when death draws near until it is already at the door. Nobody would have suspected Catherina was dying because even her own self was very ignorant of it. She has had Type 2 diabetes mellitus right from birth; a complication which is either hereditary or caused by environmental factors. It is usually characterized by inadequate secretion and/or utilization of the insulin being produced by the body system. Hyperglycemia is one of the symptoms whereby the blood glucose concentrations are approximately 180mg per 100ml, or even higher. If the blood glucose concentrations increase, then more glucose is filtered by the glomeruli of the kidneys which cannot be reabsorbed by the kidney tubules, then result into glucose excretion as urine. The whole process is as a result of the high concentration of glucose, creating an osmotic effect that reduces the reabsorption of urine by the kidneys, and then causing polyuria, and that loss of large volume of water from the body's circulatory system stimulates thirst for any patient suffering from hyperglycemia which as well result into weakness, fatigue, weight loss, and increased appetite. Patients are also prone to infections, particularly vaginal and urinary tract infections, which are mostly the presenting manifestation of diabetes.

In Catherina's case, the condition had come into a long-term complication of diabetes mellitus that had already resulted into a kidney disease, causing severe damages on that part of her body. She always felt like urinating almost every hour and it got worse whenever she is not doing anything. All along, she had thought it to be the rate at which she consumed water because of her constant thirst. This blinded her to the idea of checking up her urinating problems. Most unfortunately, she didn't know anything more than the basic belief that diabetes is caused by sugar or sucrose substances. Now at forty when the body's functional systems are about to wear out, she had become vulnerable, getting weaker and nauseous. She wasn't even eating much or losing weight, but she was losing the fight with the disease already. When the fatigue wouldn't go away, she agreed to her daughter's suggestion to visit the hospital and register for regular check-up with a private doctor. At first when her daughter had suggested it, Catherina had laughed it off, claiming she had never visited the hospital for medical treatment except when she was pregnant with her. Now she had seen sense in what she thought was no sense and had visited the hospital in the company of her daughter.

What she had assumed would just be a routine check and a few diagnoses turned out to be she would be admitted into the hospital because her kidney had become very dysfunctional.

'Do you usually feel pains below your lower abdomen, ma?' the doctor asked.

'Yes, sometimes ago, but it has not happened for quite a while now. I don't feel that way anymore,' Catherina had answered sincerely.

'Well, actually that's because your kidney is beginning to fail gradually,' the doctor paused a few seconds to see the surprise trigger in her eyes. 'The pains you felt was because the kidney stone was obstructing the flow of urine in your bladder. So categorically speaking, there's a complication with your kidney,' the doctor announced.

'That can't be possible, doctor. I actually feel fine. Just felt a little restless lately and…,' Catherina could not complete her sentence as she looked from the doctor to her daughter who sat in silence and seemed very surprise too.

'Virtually everybody always feels nothing is wrong with them until they visit the hospital. And sincerely speaking, madam, you've left this one untreated for far too long. With the scans and tests we've carried out already there's no doubt your left kidney, the very one you are really making use of, is seriously in danger. That is why you have to be admitted immediately and we will see what we can do to help the situation,' the doctor explained.

'But…,' Catherina made to say again.

The doctor interrupted her immediately. 'There is no 'but' there, madam. Your health is in danger and this thing can result into death, so please it will be better if you let us help you.'

There was a long silence in the room before the doctor broke it again. 'Okay then, let's get started.'

The doctor and his team at the hospital tried all they knew and could possibly do - clearance tests to estimate the filtration rate of the glomeruli, then the visual and physical examination of Catherina's urine by taking records of its physical characteristics like the color, total volume of her urination per day and its specific gravity, as well as checking for the abnormal presence of pus, the presence of protein in urine because it is often the first abnormal indication of any kidney disease, amongst other things. But very unfortunately for Catherina, trying to secure and detect possible impairment of the specific kidney mechanisms didn't work in any way and so she was noted for kidney transplant. Joy's kidney could not be used for her mother as they do not match, and so they embarked on searching to buy kidney of a cadaver. But this wasn't a very easy task because of the kind of society they live. After what seemed like almost forever, they got lucky and found a cadaver and agreed on the family's terms and conditions.

The deceased was also in his forties, and a representative of his family, his older brother who was obviously learned and modest told them they were not giving out the kidney for money but just to help Catherina regain her life. Four days after the surgery was done, Kelvin, the deceased's brother, came to see how Catherina was doing and to encourage her through a quick recovery.

'Oh, Mr. Kelvin, you are here,' the doctor said as he entered the room. Catherina was sitting upright on the bed with her daughter beside her.

'Yes, doctor. I planned to say hello to you in your office on my way out,' Mr. Kelvin told the doctor.

'I see. So how are you doing today, madam?' the doctor asked, getting a nod of the head from Catherina.

'We really need to thank Mr. Kelvin very well,' the doctor began.

'Come on, doc, don't do this again,' Kelvin tried to cut the doctor short.

'I'm sorry, sir, but I have to. It is not every time we get someone who will agree to donate a kidney for transplant and will not take the money for it. Donating the money meant for the kidney to our motherless babies' home in this hospital is a kindness we can't afford to take for granted. So again, sir, on behalf of the staff and management I say thank you very much,' the doctor added with a smile.

He turned to Catherina again. 'I trust you are taking your drugs as at when due. I will leave you alone now. Take good care of yourself, madam, and I will see you again during my afternoon rounds,' the doctor took a bow and left the room.

After the doctor had left, Catherina was again short of words as she stared embarrassingly at Kelvin.

'What can I say? Not everybody can show this much kindness to a total stranger. I wish I can thank you enough,' she said.

'Well, let's just say I am even more than glad to have been in the position to help. All my life, I've always wanted to help someone in an extraordinary way. When I was first told about the whole thing, I felt it was the chance I'd been waiting for to make a difference. I didn't even need to look around for someone to help, instead she is right in front of me. I came down here, the doctor explained the whole procedure to me, and everything went right after.'

'Wow!' Catherina said, looking to her daughter who was also in awe of the man's ideology. 'Until now, I believed nobody ever thinks that way again in the world. Thank you very much. I know you don't want or need the money, but please if there's any other thing I can do too in return, please let me know. I will always be in your debt.'

Kelvin smiled childishly. 'Actually there's one thing I will want from you,' he said. But he remembered they were not alone in the room as he looked from Catherina to her daughter.

'Well, that could wait actually.'

'Please pardon me, but my daughter is my everything. She knows me in and out so you can say anything in front of her.'

'Trust me; not anything like this!'

Catherina examined the man as he smiled shyly looking away from her. 'Okay. Joy, will you excuse us a while please?'

'Sure, mum,' Joy said and dropped the bag she held on the table beside her mother's bed. She shot a look at the man as she moved towards the door.

Kelvin allowed her to shut the door before he spoke again. 'I only hope you wouldn't take this in the wrong way because sincerely I am not trying to take advantage of anything here. If your answer is no, I will totally understand. After I lost my wife and baby to complications during child delivery, I decided to remain single and employ myself into charity works and sorts. Anyway, I received a revelation from God shortly after, that I will help a woman who will be very much in need and she will be the one I will live the rest of my life with. At first I thought the help will come as a monetary value or something financial but now I am more than sure that this is the situation I got from the revelation. Moreover, the revelation also said the lady will be about my age.

All through the man's narration, Catherina was silent and obviously overwhelmed.

'And do you think we are in this same age bracket?'

'Actually, I did my own assignment. Like I said, I will understand if you don't believe in any of this or even the revelation as it stands, but I wanted to explain the thing to you anyway, so it's okay if you don't share my view.'

'No, that's not my point,' Catherina said looking away now. 'I've always felt like there's still someone out there for me who will truly accept me the way I am, but I used to think it was just my courage pushing me through the loneliness in my heart. Now hearing it to be true is just too much a surprise,' she confessed.

After a moment silence Kelvin spoke up again. 'So if that be the case I want to believe we have the same understanding then?'

'What other choice do I have? I am still very much in your debt,' Catherina said as they both smiled at each other.

Two years later, now married and living together as a family, Catherina gave birth to identical twin boys and it was indeed a blessing for their family because it had all happened like a miracle. Joy, now 20 years old and more of a mother than a big sister, was studying Medicine in one of the prestigious universities in the country.

After her graduation, Joy got a job in a private modern hospital as a consultant. To celebrate the new job, she decided to go clubbing with her long-time friend and classmate, Dave. Her mother didn't object to her going out with Dave, especially because he was a well-mannered and responsible young man. They had met during her first year at the university and had become close friends since then. The demands of academics didn't give them the time to pursue their relationship to another level, but since after graduation, Joy had been suspecting that Dave was only looking for a convenient time and space to make his intentions known. She was actually looking forward to his announcement while they were out or during the family get-together they planned to have the following day. Everyone was going to be present there and Dave was eager to meet Joy's family again.

The venue of the get-together was a luxury hotel that served both local and international dishes. They all had so much fun and so much to eat and drink. And like Joy suspected, Dave asked that they took their relationship a step higher and began to formally date with the mindset of getting engaged almost immediately after. It was a sweet experience for everyone and when it was time to go they wished they didn't have to.

A couple of steps outside the dining area, a man walked up to Dave and Joy who were holding hands and laughing over a shared joke. They didn't even notice the man but Catherina did and quickly stepped forward to shield them from the man. She had instantly recognized the man despite his aged and haggard look.

'What do you want?' Catherina muttered, eyes to eyes with the man in front of her. But he just stood there to her face, perplexed as if he had lost his hearing.

Joy whispered behind her mother, 'He is just an alms beggar, mom.'

'No, he is not just a beggar!' Catherina said and without shifting her gaze, she called out to her husband.

'Dear, please accompany everyone to the car.'

Kelvin was baffled as to what was happening but Catherina told him she could handle the situation and would join them in the car soon. Kevin reluctantly led the twins to the car and signaled to Dave and Joy to follow him too. But he kept looking at where his wife stood, gazing silently at the beggar. He was ready to jump to her rescue immediately he sensed the beggar was up to no good.

'I don't want troubles, please. I am just begging for some money to eat,' the tattered man pleaded, not sure what he had done wrong.

The attention of one of the security guards was drawn to the scene and he ran down.

'I am very sorry about this, ma,' he said to Catherina.

Then he turned to the beggar and chastised him, 'Eh you, will you get out of this premises before I deal with you? And I am warning you for the last time, we don't want to see you around here anymore. This is the last warning you'll ever get, okay?'

The beggar turned his back and walked away even before the guard finished his statement. The security guard apologized again politely to Catherina and her husband who had returned to know what his wife was up to.

Catherina's nerves seemed to calm down and Kelvin's arm went around her to comfort her.

'I hope you didn't give him any money, ma. Because he will end up using it to smoke and drink his life away as always,' the security guard mentioned.

Catherina was dumb-founded now but Kelvin spoke quickly and thanked the guard for coming to their rescue. The guard apologized again and left. By then, Joy could no longer hold down her curiosity and had left the car for where her parents stood.

'Dear, what is going on? Has that man harassed you before?' Kelvin asked Catherina.

Catherina continued to look in fixation before the words escaped her mouth.

'That's him. He was the one that got me pregnant in my college days.'

'Oh! You mean that is Joy's father! What a pity!' Kelvin exclaimed.

Joy was close to them now and heard Kevin clearly. 'Are you sure that is my father?' she directed the question to her mother. 'You said you were told no one knew his whereabouts when you tried to contact him a few years ago. I even thought he might have died. Are you sure that was him we just saw?'

'My daughter, I am sorry it has to be this way, but that was your father,' Catherina said.

'Come on, mom. Just tell me. Was that my father?' Joy asked again.

'Yes, he is the one,' Catherina confirmed.

'I have to meet him then,' Joy said as she turned away from them, hiding the mist already forming on her eyes lids.

She ran outside the hotel into the street and paused to see if she could find the direction her father went. On looking down the street, she saw a small crowd gathered and some sympathizers crying with their hands on their head. Instinct pushed her to move closer to them and she was not surprised to see that her father was on the ground, dead. He had been knocked down by a hit and run driver as he made to cross the very busy road.