The Story of My Life – Episode 22

She was right, it was Sheila returning the call. I quickly picked up, only to hear a man’s voice on the phone.
It was none other than Roland.
“Let me speak to Sheila this moment!”  I demanded“So you could not even be there for your father in his last moments. What a son you are! Shame on you!” Roland said.
Who even told Roland that Sheila’s father was my father?” That wasn’t the plan.
“What do you mean by his last moments? Let me speak to Sheila right away” I said.
“Well, I’m afraid you can’t speak to her now, she doesn’t want to talk to you boy. Your father needed you before he died.“ Roland said.
“Roland, are you saying my father is dead?” I asked, praying that it was a joke.
“I believe you heard me loud and clear. So if you would excuse me, I have a wife to console.” He said and hung up.
I broke down. My father was really dead.
Amina’s sister saw the sadness in my eyes. She noticed how disappointed I looked after the call.
“As much as I don’t trust you at all, I’m curious to know what happened. Is everything alright?”  She asked.
So she cared after all. At least, she had a soft side. But hey, can’t really blame her. She has every reason to doubt me.
“It’s my dad, he just passed away.” I answered.
“I’m sorry about that.” She said.
“You know what, I had a call from my sister a few minutes before we came here that He had slipped and was unconscious.  She needed me there to take our father to the hospital but I didn’t show up. I mean, I also could not leave Amina helpless there like that. And now my father is gone.
“I didn’t get a chance to spend time with my father before he passed. I do not think I can muster enough courage to even stand before my own sister now, not when I couldn’t be there for her the one time she needed me most. I think the best thing will be to just mourn my father from a distance.” I said with tears in my eyes.
If I knew it was my father last moment, I would have gone and been there for him, but what would have been Amina’s fate if I was not with her during her crisis?
“Well, everything happens for a reason. I’m sorry though.“ Her sister said.
The doctor came out of the ER. We rushed towards him, to hear what he had to say about Amina’s condition.
“Doc, how is she? Is she Ok?” I asked.
“Which of you is her relative?” The Doctor asked.
I kept quiet when he asked that. It wasn’t a question I could answer.  Much as Amina and I had a thing together, I was not her relative. Come to think of it, if Amina really had a sister, how come she’s giving all her assets to me? That’s something I really don’t understand. I believe her sister is her next of kin, so why me? I am not interested in her property; all I need is for her to get back on her feet.
“I am her sister.” the lady with me responded.
The doctor then asked me to excuse them, so I had no option than to walk away. I went a few steps away from them. From where I stood, I could see her talking to the doctor even though I couldn’t hear a word of what they were saying. Amina’s sister was not looking happy, I hoped it wasn’t what I was thinking.
She finally finished talking to the doctor and signaled me to follow her.  We went to the ER were Amina was.
She was alive and awake. She looked very weak and pale though. But she gave me something to be happy about. She was alive. That was enough for me. She opened her eyes to see her sister and I standing right beside her bed.
“Ben, Halima. You are here.” She said in her sweet soft voice. I’ll really miss that voice if she goes.  So Halima was her sister’s name. I even forgot to ask her.
“Hey dear sis. Of course I am here, I have missed you” Halima said, patting her hair.
“When did you fly in? I was expecting you to come over until next week.” Amina asked.
I was beginning to feel out of place now. I just stood there as they went on with their family reunion.
“I couldn’t stay till then sis. After you told what that Roland guy had done to you, I just couldn’t help it. I had to rush in and wherever he is now, he’d better be ready for me. He’s going to pay dearly for messing with the Simmons family” Halima said.
Wow! So Halima was actually here for Roland. Trust me, with the few minutes I had spent with her, I knew Roland was no match for Halima.
Roland really has to prepare. He won’t have it easy with this one.

watch out for episode 23