Nala
returned home to a full house.Since she had been gone her grand parents on her mom's side moved in for support. With her back her other grand parents and Some other family came from around and occupied all the rooms except the master bedroom that Dawana and Nathan had their children sleep with them . Dawana noticed something she didn’t while
they were at the hospital Nala glued her throughout the night and from time
to time Dawana would feel her shake and release some sounds obviously still traumatised.
The next day the rest of the family celebrated having Nala back, Nathan unfortunately couldn't he tried his best to enjoy himself but his mind was too engaged. He found himself in troubled waters way over his head. His family and friends celebrated Nala unaware of what he had to do to get her back . Even Dawana had no clue he had been fired and given a week’s ultimatum to refund the money. He recalled the encounter with his boss still so fresh in his memory-the look of disdain on his boss’s face, the same he had only until that morning enjoyed the admiration and praise even to the envy of his colleagues especially Mr. Danja. “You resumed work yesterday with an ulterior motive” His boss said accusingly. Not giving Nathan the chance to respond before he shot more accusations at him “you took that money, you were the last to leave the building yesterday, moreover I hear Nala has been released. We all know how this works, it is trade by barter”. Unable to deny taking the money, he went down on his knees and said “I was desperate. I knew the consequences when I took the money but I damned it”. Not too surprised by Nathan’s sincerity a trait he was known for throughout his time with the company, the boss couldn’t met on him the treatment he had intended to. Danja obviously wanted a more drastic punishment for him, he looked so disappointed with the decision of the boss to let Nathan off so cheaply. All the while Nathan and the boss talked he positioned just out the boss’s office waiting for the words “call security” but they never came. Nathan remembered walking out of the office - most would call that walk of shame but he wasn’t ashamed he was only sober. Standing outside their office doors some of his colleagues wished him well while others looked at him with irritation. He cared, he felt bad, being called a theif didn’t feel good but going to prison felt so much better than a dead daughter. He shifted his thoughts back to the celebration and twitched the side of his lip as he noticed Nala in a corner trying to lift up her little brother who had his hands stretched out to her.
Back
at work Dawana was ever happy to share her story and didn’t turn down an
interview with one of the most notorious gossip papers.
“Some
guts they had to show up for my daughters welcome home party as if we don’t know
it’s because of their guilt they showed
up. I bet they ran out of money from having to feed their hostage that’s why
they had to release her. And the police feel they have no case against the
school? Even a dumb would easily finger point their motive –they needed money
because they had not been paid for months. This wouldn’t even be an arguable
case in court. Now they keep harassing my husband and I, our work colleagues
and friends. Its crazy read on one of the dailies that we initiated the kidnap
ourselves I cannot even imagine a reason why I would kidnap my own child.”
Dawana said chatting to a news reporter from a national newspaper.”
“There
are rumors your husband is in some kind of mess at the office. I am not saying
it’s true but you could also have a financial motivation for the kidnap 0f your daughter and money also the motivation . I heard that your husband staged
the kidnap and when help didn’t turn up like he expected he stole money from
his office for her release.”
“I am a
little lost here I am not aware of Nathan having any problem at work.”
“I got
firsthand information from one of your husband’s former colleagues wouldn’t mention
his name, but he was the only person willing to talk”
“Former you
said”
“Oh yes!
I am sorry to break the news to you this way; your husband obviously hasn’t filled
you in. His colleague said Nathan had been fired for theft and given two weeks
to return the money.”
“The
length you people go to for stories. Any ways I have learnt not to fall for
just any news. I will believe when I hear from my husband.”
Dawana
returned from work with the last of their guest already gone, the house had run out
of groceries and they decided to go out shopping
as a family. Dawana didn’t want to ask her husband directly so she observed him
to see if he would give away any vibe to that effect but he was himself- calm
and in control. She thought “ He went to
work every morning. if at all the news was true her husband was very calm about
it. So he got the call and he didn’t even let her know. She remembered when he
left for work that morning that must have been the day he took out the money
and paid off the kidnappers. One thing she was overly sure of was that her husband
could never have initiated a kidnap of an ant talk more of their own daughter.”
“Are you
just going to let the kids buy up the whole store? Nathans voice broke her
thoughts . She didn’t even notice the children had stocked up their trolley to the
brim. He picked the items from the basket and replaced them on the shelves “money
doesn’t grow on trees” he said. Dawana looked at him wide eyed, she thought she
was choking so she gasped for breathe “it’s true” she said to herself.
“Who am I
seeing?! The Gana lot ” Nala ran behind
her mother while Nathan continued emptying their trolley back on the shelve.
Mr. Danja went closer to Nala got on one knee and said “you are the 3rd
woman to get me down on one knee, how have you been? He squeezed her check and
Nala grabbed her mum tighter remained mute. Nathan completely ignored Mr. Danja
and rudely interrupted his wife from exchanging pleasantries with Danja. He
gently pushed his wife in front of him and walked behind them.
Distressed
by the reporters revelation and what she had perceived form Nathan, Dawana
could not sleep while all four of them slept on the same bed. She noticed that their
children were already deep in their sleep before she tapped Nathan and asked
him straight up “So you took the money from your office safe to pay the
kidnappers off” Attempting to get defensive Nathan calmed down and told Nala
all.
“How can
we raise 7.5m naira in such a short time? She asked hysterically.
“Shush”
Nathan used his palm to cover her mouth and pointed at the two sleeping.
