Collateral Damage

Quick post..light ish...will put pictures later

CHAPTER 38

SAME NIGHT

Some minutes after nine pm…

Rosa

It wasn’t easy, but she did it. She told Luke everything and it really relieved her. Of course he was hurt and felt used..but he was grateful it got settled out before it got more complicated. He wasn’t surprised that she was writing about him, he later confessed about having gone through her script when she was sleeping the other night, she had mistakenly used “Francis” in the place of “Henry”. It didn’t take him time to figure it all out. Of course he admitted that he wanted to ask her to stop writing the story line but he had no right to that..at least not anymore. He was really a gentleman, he took it lightly and he even said they could be friends, she was so sorry he wasn’t the one.

Speaking of the one, where did he put his phone? She had been calling Francis  since he dropped her at the front of Luke’s house to pack her things. Just then, he had received a call from John concerning his father, she couldn’t hear what actually happened but the way Francis’s expression had changed, she knew it was something serious. He had to go , he promised to come pick her and her luggage once she settles things with Luke that night, no matter how late it takes, she only needed to call. Now she was calling for the thirthieth time and the phone just kept on ringing.

She sighed as a lightning split the sky..please don’t let it rain..she prayed. She hated being caught in the rain, especially when she is trying to get to somewhere.

People selling things by the side of road started to wrap up their wares..the breeze was getting heavier and they wouldn’t give it the chance to steal away their means of living.

The next thunder was the worst type of thunder. Grumbling but distant sort of thunder was fine by her..but this thunder..it was too close.. soon, pedestrians hurried along the road as blaring of the cars seemed louder than it was some minutes ago.

She was getting impatient..there was no way she would go back to Luke’s house, no matter how a perfect gentleman he had been..it would be too awkward considering they had spent the night together in the same bed the previous night, now would she ask for a separate room…Hell no! too awkward!

She dialed the number for the millionth time and still nothing. Now she was getting worried..it was really unusual..as she wanted to dial his number again, a call came in..and she picked before it rang twice.

“Hello Francis…”

“Rosa”

Her stomach turned as she heard Debby’s voice, she hadn’t expected her call and that wasn’t even her number she was calling with. What was happening? Please don’t be dead Francis…she prayed..weird things start happening when someone you know dies.

“Rosa are you there?”

The excitement in her voice vanished as she replied, puzzled. “Debby..what a surprise, I wasn’t expecting your call.”

Suddenly, Debby began to sob on the phone. “I need your help Rosa. I am so sorry for everything I did. It was so selfish and I miss you. I really need you , you are the only sister I have and the only one that I trust”

Rosa was surprised and worried at the same time. “Are you okay Debby?”

“No Rosa” She sobbed. “My mother is very sick and I cannot go see her right now because Frank just collapsed and I have to be at the hospital. Please, I need someone to go see her”

Okay..wait a minute..didn’t her mother disown her or didn’t she disown her mother?

“But Debby..I thought you both are not talking.”

“I know but she called ne now and said she was dying. Rosa please, you still know how to get there..you can spend the night there and come in the morning. Promise me..please..I don’t know what to do..I need you..” She cried.

‘Okay, I promise. I also need a place to stay tonight. I will go and I will call you once I get there”

“Thank you. I will be calling you”

“How is Frank?...Helo..hello..” Rosa got now response and realized the call was dropped.

That was weird..so weird..why does she feel that something was out of place. Francis wasn’t picking and now Debby called ..that her mother was dying?

She dragged her big bag with her as she sprinted up the sidewalk..the night just got even blacker even with the streetlights and she needed to get to the junction where she could take a cab..wait..is she really doing this..would she actually go there..?

Suddenly the clouds poured their content ,,she was drenched immediately. Oh no!She waved at the on-coming vehicle who opened the door as she quickly got in, dragging her wet bag with her and she slammed the door after her.

“Airport Road please”

“300 naira” said the driver.

She was surprised, it usually was 100 naira but these drivers, they can make use of any opportunity, she was drenched and would she stay in the rain and bargain.

“Alright” She replied painfully as the driver accelerated the speed of the car…so she was doing this.

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On getting there, the downpour had already reduced but the thunder….she groaned! She scurried to the front door, placing her purse over hair which was useless for she was wet already. She hit the door bell and got no response which she knew could be as a result of  the noise of the rain so she just opened the door and walked in, pulling her soaked bag with her.

He house was quiet and everything seemed to be in place as she had remembered it except for the nice picture on the table where Mrs Patterson was putting an arm around an older man. That must be her recent catch, Rosa giggled to herself.  She removed her wet jacket and hanged it over the chair.

“Mrs Patterson, good evening ma, it’s Rosa” She said as loud as she could while placing her bag on the floor.

The silence that replied her sent shudders down her spine. She kept sensing danger but what could possibly hurt her here. she decided to check the kitchen and had only taken few steps when she realized her shoe was mudding the carpeted floor up so she removed it and took them with her as she went to the kitchen.

Nothing. No one.

Curious, she decided to call Debby but the operator said, switched off.

Awesome!

As she walked up the stairs to her bedroom she remembered the first time she had come here, she had gone to her room in the same way when Debby had sent her there about a year ago..she had walked into a naked Mrs Patterson and her stupid video chats. She grimaced at the memory..bad memory..reason why they never got along..the poor woman was so embarrassed and angry.

Rosa chuckled as she remembered how the woman had chased her out of the room. She really hoped this would not repeat herself..but she is dying isn’t she?

She stopped at the front of her door and knocked twice. “Mrs Patterson?”

No response and she opened the door..

Her bed was carefully laid and it seemed as if it hadn’t been slept on..her bed lamp was not on except for the light from the bulb..where could she be?

Rosa heard water dripping in the bathroom…and she walked closer but as she got closer to the dressing table which was just by the bed side..she stopped short and gasped at what she saw..a yelp escaped her and she clamped a trembling hand over her mouth.

Lying in a pool of blood, nakedly for the towel around her backside, was Mrs Patterson…

WILL COMPLETE IT LATER!

NEPA PLEASE NOW......