The Ache Of Farida(part four)

The message sent. The silence returned. Farida lay still, her fingers resting where the phone had been, her chest rising unevenly—as though even breathing now required permission. This is just a phase.But this isn’t over yet. She stared at the words in her mind long after the screen had gone dark. Then the night began. It stretched. Longer than it should. Longer than any night had the right to be. Time moved slowly. Heavy. Watching. Farida lay on her back, eyes open, fixed on the ceiling that refused to change. The room suffocated her. Her chest tightened slowly, deliberately, like something unseen was wrapping around her ribs, pulling tighter with each breath.In.Hold.Out.It trembled. She did not sleep. She could not. How can one sleep in such an environment? Every sound sharpened.Footsteps in the distance.A door closing somewhere.The faint hum of a house that no longer felt like a place,but a system.Controlled and alive. Morning came without mercy.A knock.Soft.The door opened just enough—A tray slid in.Food.Water.No voice. The door shut again Locked. Afternoon.The same.Evening.The same. And then came the night.This time the door opened fully.Basike.Farida did not move.She did not look at him immediately.She had learned.Reactions fed him. She's not giving him that.“oh my princess,look at you,” he said, stepping in.His voice carried amusement.Silence. “I hope you weren't too bored” he continued, slower now. “and they took care of you, right?”Farida closed her eyes briefly. He came closer, touching the nape of her neck and then whispering into her ears. "You don't do that when I talk to you,okay?"She was silent."Okay?" He gritted his teeth"O....okay". She said her voice trembling."Good girl". He added with a smirk.Farida closed her eyes again,hot tears falling before she could stop them. He pulled her closer,and she took a deep breath.Just enough to leave her body before it began.Just enough to survive.When it was over—He lingered.He always lingered.“You know I would never hurt you if you are being a good girl, right?” he said."You're not leaving this room yet,you hear me?" He added. Not angry.Certain.Then he left.And the silence returned.Heavier. The days folded into each other. Morning.Tray.Silence. Afternoon.Tray.Silence. Night—Him.... Every single night. By the third day, Farida stopped crying.By the fourth, she started counting.Steps.Voices.Time between movements. By the fifth— Her mind began to sharpen. By the sixth— She remembered everything. Every conversation.Every shipment.Every careless word spoken in her presence.Her purpose: Why she cannot give up yet. By the seventh—She was no longer waiting.She was observing.That was the morning the lock clicked.The door opened.Fully.Basike stood there with a smile that didn't reach his eyes “Come out.”Farida stepped forward slowly. The hallway felt too wide. Too open. “Dad is back,” he said. Her heartbeat slowed. “Go and welcome him”. He scoffed She nodded.. Each step down the stairs felt deliberate. Heavy. Chief Bobo was already ascending the stairs when she saw him.Farida lowered her gaze. “Welcome—” The slap came before the word finished.Sharp.Violent.Final.Her body missed the step. And then—Falling. The world tilted.Collapsed.Her head hit.And everything went dark. When she woke— It was to light.White.Unforgiving.Hurting. A week had passed. “…she’s waking up…” “…Farida?” Her eyes opened slowly. A ceiling she did not recognize. A nurse stood beside her. “How are you feeling?” “I’m okay,” Farida said. The lie came easily."How long have I been here?" She asked the nurse "A week" the nurse replied while she checked her vitals. Later the door opened again.Bobo.He walked in slowly, composed, controlled.Concern written carefully across his face.“I heard you’re doing better,” he said softly.He pulled a chair closer.Sat beside her.She stayed silent. “I missed you at home,” he continued. “I miss having you around. I'm sorry about what happened. Make sure you don't say anything about what happened, okay? Once you get home, we'll go somewhere and have a great time "Farida kept her expression steady.“I’m trying to get better,” she said quietly. “My body is getting there. Dr. Taiwo said I might be discharged in a few weeks.”Bobo nodded slowly.“That’s good."“Do you need anything?” he asked.“Anything at all."Farida shook her head.“No.”Silence lingered. Then he stood up.“I have somewhere to be,” he said. “I’ll come back. Take care of yourself"And he left.Days passed.Dr. Taiwo came.Questions followed“What happened?”“I fell.”But Taiwo did not believe her.She did not push. Not immediately.Trust does not force itself. It waits.A week later—Basike came. "I miss you"Farida was burning inside. "I can't wait to have you back home ""I'm your father's wife"He burst into laughter."That's just a title you know. You belong to me alone"He got an urgent call,and had to leave immediately "I'll be back....my love" he said, smiling.He kissed her forehead and then left. Farida broke that day when Dr Taiwo came.Quietly.Completely.And Taiwo listened.She held her as she cried in her arms. The next morning,she brought food.“My father knew Bobo,” She said finally.Farida stilled.“They were friends. Before I left for the States.”“I heard about his death while I was away. Bobo told me not to come back.”Silence. “Saying it'll interrupt my studies.....I came back anyway.”Their eyes met.“He destroyed my father,” Taiwo said.“And then tried to bury it.” Farida inhaled slowly. “We need to bring him down.”Taiwo nodded. “I know someone.” That was how Agent Bello entered.Quietly.Carefully. “I will help,” he said.“But we move deliberately. No formal authorities yet.”Farida nodded.“I’ll introduce you to the others.”The next meeting happened at night.Inside the hospital . Tunde.Amaka.Dr. Taiwo.Agent Bello.Farida.All in one room.Bello spoke first. “Taiwo… I need you to know that if we reopen this case,the guard’s testimony isn’t enough.” Silence. “Dr. Smith and Bobo were close. That creates doubt.”“We need something concrete.”Farida turned.“What do you have?”Tunde spoke.“There’s a man.”Amaka continued.“He used to work for Basike.”“He confessed,” Tunde said.“It seems Basike betrayed him,” Amaka added.“He’s willing to talk.”"Can we trust him?" Dr. Taiwo asked"Yes. Something is at stake for him"Bello nodded slowly.“That’s our opening.”"Farida needs to stay on a low though. They don't have to know she's getting better. Going back to that house is dangerous" Agent Bello said,again "I know what to do" Dr Taiwo saidThe meeting ended quietly. That night— Farida lay awake.Not peaceful.Never peaceful.But different.Tere was something now.Hope.Progress. Morning came. Basike walked in. “When are you being discharged?” he asked,his voice laced with impatience. “Soon,” Farida replied,her voice neutral. "Or is your boyfriend coming here to see you?" He smirked."What do you mean?" "Oh please.....A week"“You’ll be home in a week.” He said. Final. That night she cried again. Just when everything was beginning to go well....Dr Taiwo comforted her. She AOS tried convincing Basike,but it didn't help. He came everyday after that, watching.... observing.But he didn't come the night before her discharge. A big transaction. That was their chance for one more meeting. Bello came.Tensed.No calm this time.“Something’s wrong,” he said.Farida’s chest stilled.“They know something.”Silence.Not everything. Not yet. But enough. And just like that— Everything shifted again

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