HOPE IT'S OVER 3

Since the police and detectives are now involved, it wouldn't be long before my whistle be blown, before the world knew I was the murderer of Gabriel, Dr. Smith's only son. I took a bike from Dr. Smith's estate to mine. All that was in my head was how I would get out of the country and make a trip to the States. I browsed through my contacts to dial aunt Chloe's, I needed to know if I could get an accommodation in her duplex.

It was at that time I realized I hadn't called aunt Chloe since the last time I visited her in Washington, but I had no choice than to still beep her. I wouldn't like to make a call to Wayne, he himself hadn't got his green card, and the last time I visited Macaroni Joe's with aunt Chloe, I saw him being challenged by the Homeland security by the coffee shop opposite the Magic Arena.

I never knew Gabriel could come from nowhere at the peak of my wedding preparations. My moments of happiness were too close, and the bitter times I was already getting over. I slept times without counts on binary calculator with Gabriel who saw and considered my temple an hotel, my private as a public house. I couldn't believe it would be that worse, or get to that level, since my union with him was just to cover up in the first instance. Gabriel had the video copy of the sex I had with poor Wayne while he was still here in the green land.

Wayne and I committed the immorality back then while in secondary school, without knowing that Gabriel, whose parents were too rich and could afford to get him a mobile phone, was recording everything we had. Timid, coward, but smart and cruel Gabriel came to meet me after the special service I had with Wayne was over and the blackmail began. Gabriel had me for the rest of my stay in the college and everything seemed to be over, not until few months o my wedding when Gabriel reappeared. He wanted more satisfaction, more satisfaction and deeper pleasure.

I wish Gabriel hadn't come back into my life, I wish I had satisfied him then once and for all, and he wouldn't have had reasons to return. If only he hadn't come back, if only his Jenifa hadn't made a come back with a diary, maybe his words would have remained in his own mouth. It was later I got to know from an old friend from the same college that Gabriel opened other accounts with some other girls back then. So I was not his only blogger. Well, Gabriel returned to me and he returned to hell. It's none of my business, but it was now, since security forces are now involved.

I couldn't wait to get out of the heck traffic that was delaying me. Unlike others, the bike man was quite old and disciplined, he wouldn't overtake nor take any corner between the vehicles, and that was getting me sick already, because I needed to be home to make proper and quick preparations before my hands got in cuffs. Since we got stuck in the traffic, I took my time to try if I could get aunt Chloe's mercy. My heart leaped when I heard her number went through.

She picked the call, but the first few minutes was characterized by a long silence.

"I'm so sorry." I pleaded, remorsefully, breaking the grave signal.

"Let me guess, you saw me give you a green card in your dream or you were moved by a sermon." Aunt Chloe whined, though angry, I suspected.

"I'm really sorry."

"It's okay, Sweetheart. It's fine." She assured. "What's up with you?"

"Are you sure?"

"Come on. You see, we have a saying here in Washington, be ready to be hurt, be ready to forgive. Ughn? Let it go."

I felt welcomed and forgiven by her American accent. I spoke to her about my plan to visit her, though I hid the reason; it wasn't something I could divulge to her even though she was known in the family for being secretive. I felt so happy and some kind alleviated when she gave me a green light to her home. I couldn't wait to get home, pick my passport and every other travelling credentials I might need and get out of the country. The thoughts of wedding preparations left my mind. Only the free or living get married, I wouldn't if I got thrown into the blind jail or got executed. I was sure poor and innocent Steve would move on with his life, even though he might feel failed and disappointed, but at that moment, I needed to save my head first.

Finally, I was in my estate, but the security wouldn't allow the bike man to enter, seemed he had issues with them earlier. I got down and walked to my house. I was near the house when I saw few of my neighbors around my flat in a questioning mood. I couldn't comprehend what was happening until Dennis caught my sight from afar and walked to me to tell me about the situation on ground even before I got so close. "What's happening here?" I demanded.

"It was when I wanted to wash the plates in the kitchen that I saw the two of them."

"Two of who?"

"I think they're thieves. They broke in, destroyed the burglary proof and surely took some things. Unfortunately, It was when they were leaving I saw them. I shouted to raise alarm, but before I came out, they already hopped unto their bike and sped off." It was then I realized why the security didn't allow that bike man to enter the estate.

My hand bag fell from my hands unconsciously, I was becoming uneasy. Dennis bent to pick my bag up. I took it from him and went for my keys. I barely greeted the other people waiting for my arrival. "We already called the police and they are on their way." Another neighbor added. I opened the main door and the rest followed behind, wanting to know if they stole something really important. I glanced at everything from the sitting room through the dinner room, and my bedroom, but nothing seemed missing; everything was intact, but I was so sure they must have stolen something. I browsed through my room again.

"But they stole something. I saw it with my own eyes, I swear." Dennis claimed. "I saw them with a fancy hand bag. I'm serious."

'Fancy bag' struck my heart and memory. "My bag!" I screamed. I made a swift move to check the wardrobe where I had kept it, but it wasn't there. I slowly and gradually fell to the floor, and fainted flatly.

I guess a lot of water was poured on my head to bring me back to consciousness, because I could see the floor baptized with it. I came back to life to see Steve and the two policemen I saw earlier at Dr. Smith's house by him. My heart skipped and nearly came through my mouth. I thought I had been found out and had come to apprehend me, but it's like they didn't recognize me, good for me.

"It's okay, dear." Steve patted me on my back.

"Please, may we know what was stolen from you?" One of the officers asked.

Like I was still a fool to tell them. Did I look stupid? "Ugh-m. Ac- actually, I just bought the diamond rings for our wedding and it was in the bag that was carted away." I stammered.

Surprised, "But Sweetheart, you didn't tell me you have such."

"Because it was meant to be a surprise." I lied.

"Is there someone else who knows about the rings?"

"No, just the Gold shop where I bought it."

The police insisted I followed them to station, with Dennis, to go and give our statements about the robbery. I sat at the back of the van, with Dennis beside me. "Get down. Get down, madam." The officer said several times before I came back to my senses. I didn't know how and when we arrived at the elegant police station; I was so lost in thought. I was wondering, thinking who could have come to steal only my visa credentials, passport, and my mastercard.

This seemed suspicious. Someone knew about my plans to run away, and wanted me to stay behind to reap what I sow; to suffer. Whoever that person was, he or she was aiming at my downfall. He or she wanted to see me cry and die without a stain of my blood on his or her saintly hands. Or could it all be a coincidence?

Story by: MICHEALHADEN & TABITHA