The Ache Of Farida ( part five)

Morning arrived without Farida having slept at all. What is it they know now?Has any of them been found out?Are they suspicious of Dr. Taiwo?Or....?"No...." She shook off that thought very quickly. Chief Bobo and Basike were already outside waiting for her. She saw Basike signing the discharge papers as she came out of her room.Dr Taiwo entered the hospital at that moment and she gave them her brightest smile."Please,make sure madam takes very good care of herself so she doesn't fall or hit her head again""Most definitely, she'll be more cautious next time". Basike replied with a forced smile.Dr Taiwo gave Farida a nod and bade them goodbye. The city welcomed them as though nothing had changed.The Car merged into the morning traffic, disappearing among yellow buses, impatient motorcycles and traders who had already begun another day's struggle.From behind the tinted windows, Farida watched the city breathe.A young boy darted between cars, balancing a tray of bottled water on his head.A woman hurried across the road, one hand clutching a toddler while the other struggled with bags of vegetables.Somewhere ahead, a bus conductor leaned halfway out of a moving bus, shouting destinations until his voice became part of the city's rhythm.Life was loud.Relentlessly alive.And yet, inside the SUV, silence ruled.Not the comfortable silence of people with nothing to say.The dangerous kind.The kind that listened.Farida sat beside Chief Bobo, her fingers locked together on her lap.Her nails pressed into her palms so deeply that crescents formed against her skin.She barely noticed.Her mind has drifted back to the thoughts that stole her night.They know something.The words refused to leave.They circled her thoughts like vultures.What exactly did they know?Was it the guard?The former henchman?Had someone seen Bello entering the hospital?Had Dr. Taiwo been followed?The thought settled like ice beneath her ribs.She imagined Tunde.Amaka.Dr. Taiwo.Agent Bello.One mistake.One loose end.One careless moment.And they would all be six feet under.She closed her eyes briefly.Please let them be safe...A prickling sensation crept over her skin.She knew that feeling.Someone was watching.Slowly, she lifted her gaze.Basike's eyes met hers through the rear-view mirror.He had been staring.Not blinking.Not smiling.Simply watching.The corners of his lips curved upward.Not into warmth.Into ownership.He held her gaze for another second before returning his attention to the road.Farida turned towards the window.She refused to become another game for him.Beside her, Chief Bobo adjusted the sleeve of his expensive kaftan."You've been quiet."Farida nodded faintly."I'm still recovering.""I know."His voice was gentle.Practised.Almost believable."I've missed having you around."She looked at him.He continued without waiting for a response."The house has been unusually empty."A lie.The house had never been empty.Only quieter."I hope Dr. Taiwo did her job properly."Farida swallowed."She did.""Good."He smiled."We'll have you attending events again before long."There it was.Not concern.Presentation.His perfect wife.His perfect image.Nothing more.The convoy slowed.Ahead, uniformed police officers had mounted a checkpoint.One officer stepped forward, raising a hand.Then he recognised the vehicle.Recognition replaced caution almost instantly."Chief!"The officer's face lit up.Chief Bobo lowered his window only halfway."Officer.""Good morning, sir.""Morning."The officer's eyes drifted towards the back seat."Good morning, Madam."Farida forced the smallest smile she could manage."Good morning."The officer smiled back."Madam just dey glow o,chief"She nodded politely.Before the officer stepped away, Basike folded a few notes discreetly into his hand."For the boys."The officer laughed."Oga,thank you sir"The officer beamed.The barrier lifted without another question.As they drove away, Basike glanced into the mirror again."You smiled at him."Farida remained silent."I saw you."Still nothing."You looked happier greeting a policeman than you've looked greeting us."His voice carried amusement more than accusation.He wanted to provoke her.Chief Bobo did not even look up."Enough."Basike chuckled."I'm only—""I said enough!"His voice thundered.The vehicle fell silent once more.Even Basike knew when to stop.They left the expressway and turned into quieter roads.The city changed with them.The noise softened.The buildings grew larger.Trees lined the streets.Children chased a football across a dusty junction before scattering to let the convoy pass.An elderly woman arranging roasted corn looked up and smiled."Good morning, Chief"Across the road, an akara seller wiped her hands on her apron and waved enthusiastically."Good morning, Chief!"A group of young men repairing a broken motorcycle paused long enough to nod respectfully.Everyone knew the CokersTo them, Chief Bobo was generous.A philanthropist.A businessman.A man who paid school fees.Who donated during festivals.Who attended community meetings.Who smiled for photographs.No one saw the empire beneath the reputation.No one saw the blood that had paid for it.They turned one final corner.There it stood.The Coker mansion.It did not look like a home.It looked like a kingdom.Tall iron gates.High walls crowned with razor wire.Guards positioned with military precision.Cameras followed every movement.Power disguised as architecture.Security was extremely tight now.Farida stared at it.A bitter taste flooded her mouth.Bile climbed slowly up her throat.For one terrifying second she thought she would be sick right there inside the car.She shut her eyes.Forced herself to swallow.Forced the bitterness back down.Not here.Not now.The gates began to open.Slowly.Like the jaws of something that had been waiting patiently for her return.And without a word...Farida went back into the prison she had once called home.

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