Clara the state Governor's Daughter
Episode 37
Clara’s side of the story continues from
the previous episode
As I headed back to Owerri I played back
Val’s action in my head. I really was very
mad at him over the way he
embarrassed me. I had hoped he would
be happy to see me but on the contrary
he looked so uptight and indifferent. I
had never felt so embarrassed in a long
while and I couldn’t help but feel
ashamed of myself for coming to his
house in the first place. There wasn’t any
doubt I missed him. There wasn’t any
doubt I had longed to see him but all
those yearnings and hunger
disappeared as soon as he treated me
like a leper. I slowly thought about
Charles and the doubts I was having in
my heart. My family, friends and
everyone were encouraging me to go
ahead and marry him but deep down I
felt hollow. There wasn’t this hunger in
me to get married to him. There wasn’t
any excitement, nothing but then could
everyone be wrong about him?? I
wondered over and over as my convoy
speed back to Owerri.
——————————–
Vivian’s side of the story continues from
the last scene of the previous episode
@the airport
I was so happy to be back in Nigeria, So
happy to finally be back in my country. I
really made one hell of a speedy recovery
all thanks to Chinedu. He was my
guardian, my helper and my comforter. I
was so happy to finally be in love with a
man who loved me back unconditionally.
He even had to take his much overdue
*leave* from work just to come back to
Nigeria with me and start up with the
marriage formalities.
He really was so eager to get married to
me and it was just as if we had known
each other for years.
Our relationship kind of confirmed to
me that whatever is yours is yours. On
the night I was discharged from the
hospital he proposed to me, shocking
me with his action because it was so
fast and unexpected.
‘’come on Chinedu, what are you doing?.
Have you known me enough?’’ I had
asked with disbelief.
‘’yes my love I now feel like part of your
family. I can recite every bit of your story
and I feel as if I have known you for
ages. There is no need delaying
anything. I want to get married to you
as soon as possible’’ he had insisted and
I had no choice than to accept him
because I was fully in love with him and
just like he said there wasn’t any need
holding back anything. We finally agreed
to return back to Nigeria together, to
make our wedding plans.
‘’so when are we seeing?’’ Chinedu
asked, interrupting my thoughts as he
grabbed my hand. I instantly noticed a
young man who just joined us. The guy
looked exactly like a younger version of
him.
‘’in five days time I should be in Owerri. I
will notify you once I get to town’’ I
answered softly.
‘’meet my younger brother Michael. He’s
here to take me home’’ he added with a
smile while I nodded at the young man
who greeted my mother and i.
‘’I can’t wait to see you again’’ he
breathed, pecked me and disappeared
with his brother.
‘’hmmmm love nwantinti’’ my mother
joked while I blushed.
——————————–
6:30pm the next day
Lagos state Nigeria,
I saw off some friends and was
returning back to the house with a
happy smile on my face as the Lagos hot
air blew across my face. I momentarily
closed my eyes as I mediated over some
things.
Returning home to be with my family in
Lagos was something I dreamt pretty
much every day when I was down in the
hospital. I missed everyone, hence my
joy of returning home to spend quality
time with them. I missed my family, my
neighbors, the Lagos traffic and the
noise. Owerri was just a very different
city all together and I really missed the
thrills of Lagos all the time I was under
the governor’s care. Nevertheless I was
still very eager to return to Owerri to put
Charles where he belonged. The idio.t
never deserved Clara and I was very
ready to tell my dear cousin everything
he was.
Yes I knew things could get rough. I
knew it wasn’t going to be easy but I
was very determined even if it was the
last thing I did in my life. Yes I could
have told Clara the truth the few times
she called me up but it wasn’t
something to say via phone. It was
something to be done face to face.
‘’Vivian we need to talk’’ I soon heard a two piece bridesmaid dresses
familiar voice say from behind. I instantly
turned and froze as I saw Charles
smiling down at me. Yes at first I was
scared as a human being because I
knew what he was capable of doing but
I soon relaxed because we were just in
front of the house and the street was
very lively. He equally was dressed in a
well fitted suit and matching tie like a
bank manager.
‘’I’m glad you are alive. Please can we go
somewhere private to talk?’’ he asked
while I scoffed with disbelief.
‘’you must be crazy’’ I screamed.
‘’Vivian I never intended to stab you. I
never knew you were the girl with Val
that fateful night. By the time I realized it
I had already stabbed you and I had no
choice than to finish up the job. I’m
sorry and I’m glad you made it out alive.
Just name your prize and I will
compensate you’’ he begged softly.
‘’do I look like a beggar to you?. Do I
look like a poor girl?. Just get the hell out
of my presence. I’m coming for you
Charles and I swear you will never marry
Clara. You are a murderer. You are an
animal’’ I screamed breathlessly.
‘’be careful on what you plan for me my
dear. Its better we settle this peacefully.
You already know what led to the
desperate action I took back then and
please don’t let me repeat it again’’ he
begged.
‘’are you threatening me?. Just stay away
from me. The farther the better’’ I
screamed and headed back inside the
house, breathing heavily like someone
who partook in a marathon race. Was I
scared?, yes of course I was. Charles was
really capable of anything and I felt he
could be a step ahead of me. I had to act
fast, pretty fast.
To be continued...