Chapter 22
21 — Zion Zoe got home with tears smeared face. She had cried all through in the taxi. Matthew and Julia had waited behind to go to the hospital with Zion. But she didn't go with them, with the excuse that there was no one who would come get her if eventually they finished late. That was acceptable, Julia had already called her mom while Matthew had called his cousin who was with them for the holidays. They would come pick them up if they ran late into the night.
Zoe walked slowly till she got to her apartment. Opening the door, she dropped her purse and removed her shoe, when she discovered she didn't have her phone with her. Thinking she had lost it in the taxi, she didn't trouble her mind since she had enough money in her account to get her a new one. She jumped on the bed and lay with her back. Staring at the ceiling, the tears flowed freely. The image of little Gloria in pains kept playing in her head.
I'm a monster! She yelled. Hitting herself.
She was drowning in guilt and heartache. Who was she to think that she deserved love? That she deserved any type of care. Who was she to think that? She was a monster. A despicable bitter person. She agreed with herself that it was because God most have seen how wicked she could be. That was why she lost her family. Love? She didn't deserve it. Thankfully, her phone was lost now. So she wouldn't have to be connected with her friends and the school term was over. So she wasn't seeing them daily. She was simply going to slide into her old self on resumption.
All she prayed for in her heart. Was that nothing bad happened to little Gloria.
••
Zion paced round the waiting room, while Julia rested on Matthew's shoulders on a bench. Priscy's mom was also there tapping her feet in worry. Zion couldn't concentrate and he was so tensed.
Gabriel and Dara rushed into the waiting room, and on sighting Zion. The ran to him.
"What's wrong with my daughter?!?” Dara asked with tears on her eyes
"Ma…"
"Zion what happened?” Gabriel asked.
"She slept and woke up. Started screaming that her tummy was paining her. She rushed into the toilet and when she came out. She passed out,” Zion explained.
“Ah. My God. Don't let the enemy rejoice over me oo!!!” Darasimi yelled.
“Dara calm down!!!” Gabriel ordered. "How is she now?"
"Well. The doctor is attending to her now.”
“Okay. All will be fine. Darasimi calm down and sit,” Gabriel said leading her to the bench “Good evening sir,” Matthew and Julia said simultaneously.
"Evening dears,” he responded and sat down.
"Dad. Those are my friends. They were around when it happened,” Zion said.
"Oh. Thank you so much for coming with Zion,” he appreciated.
The doctor walked in and they rushed to him.
"Doctor. How's my sister. And here are my parents!” Zion said.
“Oh. Nice to meet you Mr. And Mrs. Oshogbon,” the doctor said and gave Gabriel an handshake.
"Thank you! Please what's wrong with my daughter?” Gabriel asked.
“Uhm. She is stable now. It's great she was brought here early. She's down for food poisoning.”
“Food poisoning!!?” Dara asked, throwing her gaze at Priscy's mother in a questioning look. Priscy's mom who was already in panic, gestured in the negative.
"How come?” Gabriel asked.
"I don't know yet. But she's stable now. She'll be fine in a few days,” the doctor said and walked away.
Darasimi questioned Priscy's mom but her response was in the negative. They believed her since she had been working with them for a long time. It was probably a mistake.
••••
It was day before Gloria would be discharged from the hospital. She had spent close to two weeks in the hospital, the first three days of which she was so weak she could barely talk.
On this day, Julia and Matthew were together with Zion in the ward where Gloria was admitted. They were gesting while Gloria was busy watching cartoons on the TV in the ward.
Gbenga's call came through on Julia's phone.
"Corper Gbenga!!” Julia yelped happily as she sighted the caller's ID.
"Really. Pass it here!” Zion said. Julia swiped the icon to green and she picked the call. She put the call on loudspeaker.
"Heyyyyy,” Julia shrilled.
"Julia. How are you?” Gbenga asked happily.
"I'm fine! I'm together with Zion and Matthew Right now”
“Hello, Corper Gbenga,” Matthew said.
“Yo!!” Zion said.
“Ahahn. We have a full house there!” Gbenga said. "Where's Zoe and why is Zion still in Nigeria”
“My sister fell sick. We couldn't go anymore. In fact we are in the hospital right now.” Zion explained.
“Wao, what happened?"
“Food poisoning"
"Wao. That's serious. How is she now?”
"She's fine. Getting discharged tomorrow"
“That's good," Gbenga paused. “Guys. Any of you heard from my cousin?” Gbenga asked.
“No!!! I wanted to call you about it too. She's been AWOL.” Julia ranted.
“I've tried calling her too. No response. After some time it seemed the number disconnected,” Matthew added.
“I'm really worried,” Gbenga said “She hadn't reached us since the night my sister was rushed to the hospital. And that's over two weeks now. Like. We don't know what's happening!!” Zion said obviously worried.
“God! I don't know what's happening to her now. And I told this silly girl to come with me for Christmas break. But she declined!” Gabriel said, agitated.
“I thought she would even decide to spend Christmas with Julia. But with what I'm hearing. Who knows what she's up to!!!"
“I've been so worried,” Julia said.
“Please guys how about we go visit her tomorrow. After Gloria is discharged,” Matthew suggested.
“Yes we should!” Zion said “Please guys do. And while you are with her. Call me so I can speak to her okay?” Gabriel said.
“Okay sir!!"
•••••
It was after noon, but Zoe was still in her pajamas. Sitting on the floor with a empty and filled bottles of yoghurt on the floor. She was not in a good state. All that was in her stomach was probably, yoghurt and more yoghurt. Music was blaring loudly, and an anime series was playing on screen of the television.
Zoe sat wasted and shattered on the floor. It was obvious she had not had much sleep, she had dark eyes and her eyeballs were red from all the crying. She barely took her bath after the incident two weeks ago. All efforts to get the image of the girl in pains out of her head was futile. She was downing the remaining content if a bottle when she heard a knock on the door.
She stood up thinking it would be one of the Owolabi's asking her Jamb questions. Opening the door, her heart skipped at those who were by the door. On impulse she closed the door and took a step backwards. The knocking increased and now they were calling her name. She was scared and fearful. She didn't know how to act under the gaze of Zion. She didn't know what to do or say with these people around her.
But she had to open the door. As the house intensified. She didn't want a situation when anyone came to check what was going on. She opened the door slowly and when they got in, she avoided their gazes and closed the door.
"What!!!” Julia said looking at the unkempt room. “What's wrong, Zoe? You look like you are going into extinction.” Zoe didn't respond but sat on her bed. The rest took their seat and stared at her.
"What's wrong?” Matthew asked. They were all curious as to why she was acting that way.
"Yeah, we've actually been trying to reach you. You phone seems disconnected,” Zion said worried. Zoe couldn't even handle his voice; it was annoying her greatly.
"I lost my phone,” she said.
"Wao. Sorry about that,” Matthew said.
"But still we’ve tried to reach you. Even your cousin's been worried,” Zion said.
Zoe couldn't hold it anymore. She had to say something. She had to say something and save herself from the guilt she was carrying.
“I've got a confession,” she said. Tears dripped from her eyes, her throat went out, and dry.
"What?” Matthew asked.
"I'm sorry. I'm a terrible person. I don't deserve to be friends with you,” she stuttered. Her voice shaking.
“What? What did you do?” Julia said.
“I will understand if you guys don't want to be friends with me anymore,” she sniveled.
“Why won't we want to be friends with you anymore!” Zion said.
“Because, I poisoned Gloria,” Zoe said.
“What!!!” Matthew and Julia exclaimed.
“Wait. You did what!” Zion said jumping on his feet.
“I'm very sorry. I didn't mean that much arm. I was only upset about something I can't tell you guys about. The drink wasn't even meant for little Gloria. I thought Zion would drink it. I'm very sorry,” Zoe confessed.
They stared at her with puzzled and disgusted looks on their faces. Zion couldn't believe his ears. What could he have done to make her act that way?
"You're wicked!!!” Zion said and dashed out through the door. Zoe cried louder as he left.
"I don't even know what to say,” Julia said. And slowly Matthew and Julia left the apartment. Leaving Zoe alone to dwell in her guilt and heartache.