The Story of My Life – Episode 24

I didn’t know what to think. Did this actually mean that my dad was alive all this while and Roland decided to lie to me?“Are you alright? Halima asked.
I had forgotten she was still there, I was so confused that I no longer noticed the things around me. I didn’t even notice her. You couldn’t blame me for that. I had been made to believe that my father was dead and I had already started mourning him. To now be told that he was alive after all…
But if it’s really true that my father is alive, what could be Roland’s reason for lying to me? I didn’t get that bit at all.
“Ben, what happened, what did your sister say?” Halima kept asking.
“I really don’t know what is going on Halima but from all indication and from what she said, it appears that my father is alive” I answered.
She was as shocked as I was. “Who told you he was dead in the first place?” She asked.
“Hmm, it’s this same Roland guy, Halima” I answered.
“You mean, the same Roland my sister is involved with?” She asked.
“Yeah” I answered.
“And you actually believed him?” She answered.
“Who lies about someone else’s death in the first place?” I wondered aloud.
“Well Roland did. Did she tell you where they are?” She asked again.
“Yes, apparently at the military hospital.” I answered.
“What are we waiting for then? Come, let’s go. I will drive you there.” She said.
I really wasn’t expecting that from her.
“Roland is likely to be there, right?” She asked again.
“Yeah I’m very sure he’ll be there.” I answered.
I get it now… From the way she asked the question, I figured she was up to something. She was up against Roland and would do anything in her power to confront him face to face.
We hurried off to the hospital car park where her car was parked. I didn’t forget the rough ride she made me endure on our way to the hospital. As a matter of fact, I wasn’t ready to go through another one.
“Erm, you realize that this is not an emergency, right?” I asked.
“I don’t get you” She said.
“Maybe you should take it slow on the wheels.” I said.  She laughed out loud when I said that. I couldn’t believe for once that Halima could ease up like this.
“You are not a man after all Ben.” She said and immediately drove off.
On our way, I kept thinking of how Roland would go to the extent of lying to me about my own father’s death. As much as we hated each other very much, I couldn’t do that to him. Death is something serious; definitely not something you’d want to wish on someone you truly loved.
Halima suddenly started engaging me in a very uncomfortable conversation.
“So tell me, what’s your relationship with my sister?” She asked.
How was I supposed to answer this question? I was not in the right position to tell her that her sister and I are dating. If anything, Amina should be the one to answer this question.
“Erm, I don’t think I’m in the best position to answer this question Halima” I said. I thought she was going to burst out and yell at me in the car, but my guess was actually wrong. She was saving that drama for someone else, someone who really deserved it – Roland.
“Why? Are we not friends? Look I see the way you look at her, it’s not just any look. I know you have some feelings for her.” She said.
First of all, she created a comfortable atmosphere for me to think that we were actually friends. I could tell she now considered me trustworthy person to talk to.
“Well… We just started seeing each other.” I said.
“I see” That was all she said. She looked at me in a very weird way that really got me scared.
In no time, we got to the hospital. We parked at the car park and walked towards the OPD. Luckily for us, we met Sheila as soon as we got there. She hurriedly came towards me and hugged me. She apparently had really missed my presence.
It was certainly not the reaction I was expecting. I thought she was going to be cold towards me for not being there for her and our father.
“The Doctor is attending to Dad now, we will be able to see him as soon as he is done” She said, as if she knew what I was about to ask her.
So my Dad was really alive. How could Roland be so wicked?
“My apologies, I’m Sheila his sister and you are?“ Sheila went ahead to introduce herself without waiting for me.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Halima” She said.
“Oh! There is my husband coming.” She said. That was Roland walking towards us. Halima stretched out her hand as soon as Roland came.
“You must be Roland, I was very eager to meet you” She said with a smiling face. I was really surprised she was acting all cool and calm.
“Yeah I am Roland and may I know who you are please?” Roland asked.
“Your Worse nightmare” She said as her facial expression changed swiftly.
I could see the panic on Roland’s face when she said that.

watch out for episode 25