At sundown, on a weekend, Theo boarded taxi and was headed towards Jabi. He was hopeful, he would see Nkiru and of course his lovely baby, after about three weeks. This new hope was kindled, after he had a chat with Sophia. He had thought of Sophia a possible link to Nkiru, but couldnt locate her contact and that of so many others, owing to the theft of his diary. He managed to get Sophia on social media. He sent her a friend request and she accepted in the space of a couple of minutes. He revelled on his very first chat with Sophia as hes been driven in a taxi.
Hello Sophia... Thanks for accepting my friend request.
Aww! Theo... Lols, She added a smiley to depict her excitement, Its been a long while. How are you?
Im fine and you?
Im doing well... Hmm, but Theo you took everybody by surprise... guy, you no try at all, she added a sad smiley to indicate her displeasure towards Theos action.
Im indeed at fault; my apology to everyone Ive hurt.
My friend had to resign her job, because of you.
Theo knew for the first time, Nkiru had resigned her job through Sophia. He could imagine the hell of damage his singular action had caused.
Its the work of the devil. Now I have to save my marriage from an imminent collapse. I need your help now, Sophia.
I thought you and Nkiru had resolved your difference? Whats it this time?
Nkiru had disappeared with her baby and had refused to talk to me. She also served me a divorce paper, Theo revealed.
This is crazy... she never told me all these, Sophia lamented the fact that Nkiru can be secretive at times.
I want you to help me persuade her to drop her planned divorce and secretly help me find out where shes hiding and bring back words to me.
I will try, Sophia assured.
Sophia, apart from being Nkirus friend, was Theos kinswoman as well. They both hailed from the same town.
Thank you.
Theo didnt stop following up on Sophia. Sometimes, he would call to find out how she had gone with her task. She would either plead for more time, or that she forgot or was busy. But with persuasion, she was able to deliver the goods. She called Nkiru and was able to retrieve the address of where she stays in Jabi area of Abuja.
Theo was with a copy of divorce petition, which Nkiru had secretly served him through the court and flipped through it a couple of times. The petition contained a temporary order on right to custody for their daughter and other properties. Theo, in his bid to save his marriage had escalated this piece of information to everybody he knows could influence Nkiru to drop her plan for divorce. He had called Nkirus parents, his own mother and Pastor Pela, her pastor to intervene in the matter.
Theo arrived at his destination, a storey block at Games Village Estate. He walked into the block, after hed enquired from someone in the compound about Veronica. He walked the staircase and to Veronicas door. He knocked and waited for a response. He would be contented knowing both Nkiru and his baby are fine.
Nkiru was busy feeding her baby, while Vero sat close, before a knock at the door.
I will get the door, Vero stood and headed towards the door. She opened the door-half way and paused. She was startled at the guest.
Hello, the person behind the door greeted.
Hello, Vero greeted and stole a glance at Nkiru, who was equally keen to know whos there.
Whos that? Nkiru asked. Vero said nothing, but allowed the guest inside and Theo emerged behind the door.
Hello Nkiru, His voice broken like dry harmattan breeze.
What are you doing here? She paused what shes doing. She turned to Vero, Is this your arrangement Vero, let me know so I can excuse you both in peace. Nkiru sprang on her feet, with a stern look on both Theo and Vero.
I have no idea hes coming, Vero was enraged at Nkirus wild outburst.
Your friend has no idea I was coming. I find here out through some other source. Nkiru, I crave your indulgence to permit to say what I want to say, and then I will leave.
Nkiru was calmed at this time, because she felt a spell in his voice that conjured her to embrace peace.
I got your divorce paper, but I think this is not the best for us... Nkiru, I am begging you, dont go. Please dont walk out of my life... if you do so, I will be gone before the night. I know that I hurt you and I know we had a fight... so, darling forgive me please I never meant to make you cry... Paulas saga was a mistake. See how pathetic I have become... so, I beg you dont go... thanks for giving me audience. Take good care of our baby... I will be taking my leave now.
Rivulet of tears rolled down his eyes and hers too. Nkiru could see Theo was suffering; she had endured pains as well. Vero was infected by the emotionally charged atmosphere. He turned and walked away, leaving behind those words that stung like bees.
Theo did not go home straight that evening. He stopped by at the bar instead. He placed order for drink. While he passed the time at the bar, he drenched himself with alcohol.
Theo was accosted by two men, while he walked along on the street, late in the night. The street was dark and scanty. He was forced to stop by the hoodlums. What do you want? he quarried the men, who had started harassing him.
Bring out your money, your phone and everything you have on you; do that fast-fast! The fierce looking men urged him.
Im sorry, I dont get it, Theo tried to put up a resistance. He was dazed as a punch caught his face and his ribcage. He whimpered as his mouth spilled blood. He was stabbed on his arm. He couldnt defend himself as the punches kept coming in succession, until he succumbed. He was frisked and everything on him was taken and was abandoned almost lifeless on the street.