STARTLED

EPISODE 2

" Miss Davis, can I have a word with you."

I looked up from the bed, my eyes filled with tears.

Then I looked at my watch. Wow!!!

I had been sitting there for over two hours.

" of course "

" Mr Frank right?" I asked, remembering that he had introduced himself already.

He smiled, " yes".

" How are you pulling through?"

" still in shock. You know we actually held a funeral for him. I just can't believe he's still alive."

Frank placed his hand on her left shoulder. " I understand "

" So where did you find him. I mean how? Why does he look like this. Was he abducted?"

" We do not have all the answers now pertaining to what happened to him. We are hoping he will let us know once he wakes up. However, he was found on a farm in Borno state. The son of the farmer called the police the moment he saw the body. Whoever did this to him probably thought he was dead. We had to transfer him to this state for security reasons and adequate health facilities.

Do you have any connection whatsoever to Borno?"

I shook with fright as Frank spoke. Borno state.

That was very far from home. There was no reason whatsoever for Lanre to have been in that environment.

" none that I can think of" I finally replied.

" well then...I guess we have to wait for him to wake up so we can know the whole story. "

I nodded in agreement as I looked as Lanre.

"The doctor said there are chances that he will be in comma for a while but I assure you that he won't be left alone. We will keep an eye on him. Since you will leave soon. "

"Thanks Mr Frank"

" sure"

He walked out of the room.

I stood up from where I sat and walked to the other side of the bed to close the curtains since it was getting dark. Then I saw it. Right there on his finger.

A ring.

My heart skipped a beat.

It couldn't be. No way.

How did I not see it when I held his hands two hours ago?

Lanre couldn't be married?

It didn't make sense.

He was missing for five years. In those years he should have been looking for a way to come home. To escape from his captors. Not getting married?

But where did that ring come from?

I stood there in silence and shock and wished that Lanre's eyes would just pop open.

Questions needed answers.

I saw Sheryl once I got out of the cab. She was standing across the road answering a phone call.

She waved at me the moment she saw me.

I crossed over. Sheryl was elegant as ever.

She wore a fitted gown that stopped a little above her knees exposing her long straight legs and her awesome figure. Her hair was parked into a ponytail. It brought out her face and the perfect contours she had. And oh!! That cologne. It was heavenly.

True.

She was every guy's dream lady and every woman's envy.

She hugged me as soon as I got to her.

Still on the phone with a client obviously.

" Please let me call you back. I've got to attend to someone immediately. "

A pause

" Alright then. Later. Thanks ".

"Oh my God!!! Look at you. It's been ages Kate. Missed you so much".

I laughed

" Sheryl,I saw you last week before I went to Enugu. Stop being such a drama queen."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. I parked my car in front of that building. " She pointed towards a boutique.

"Hmmm...I see someone has been out shopping "

"Well yes and no. I'm actually here for Ken. He needs some new shirts and as usual if I don't do it,he won't. "

I laughed, as we both got into the car.

Sheryl and Ken have been married for three years.

The didn't have any children yet. Sheryl said they were not ready. However, I always felt there was more to it that just not being ready.

I didn't want to push it. We were best friends. More like sisters. She would tell me when she wanted to. I might have pushed it if this whole issue with Lanre hadn't come up . I needed someone to listen to me. I needed a shoulder to cry on. Sheryl was the answer to that.