Solitude – Episode 12

 

 

SOLITUDE

 

_12_

 

Unedited

 

The rest of the week was much like the first day I had come for work, nothing was making sense and I kept having a headache, worse of Mr. Cochrane had not gotten back to me so my fear was beginning to kick in that maybe he had turned me down.

 

Saturday morning; I woke up pretty early, I was having trouble sleeping since the death of Chileshe so I wasn’t surprised when sleep deserted me at 4AM. After thoroughly cleaning the house and doing some laundry, I took a bath and decided to go and visit the orphanage. The last time I was there was during a luncheon that

 

 

Chileshe had organized three months ago, I don’t know if I will ever meet anyone that goes out of their way like she did.

 

The head nun sister Bridget is happy to see me, she helps remove the shopping bags from the car and cant stop telling me about how happy she is to see me.

 

Some children come and greet me, I have taken it upon myself to help out whenever I can.

 

We sit on one of the benches outside and cant help but think of myself growing up in these premises.

 

‘Do you ever miss this place?’ Sister asks

 

I smile, a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes

 

‘Truthfully, no.’ I respond

 

‘You have always told the truth.’

 

I smile

 

‘This place has changed from the time I was here, it wasn’t this nice.’

 

I pause

 

‘We didn’t have all the facilities that they have now, back then it was just a roof on our head which had holes and wasn’t safe in the rainy or cold season.’

 

‘I have heard so many stories.’ She says

 

‘That is why I bless the day that mum adopted me, trust me it could only have been God because they were so many kids to pick from.’

 

Sister squeezes my hand lovingly.

 

‘You must miss her don’t you?’

 

 

‘A lot.’ I say truthfully

 

‘We all do, she was an angel amongst humans.’

 

I chuckle

 

We chat some more about how the kids have been fairing, I love hearing the stories and everything they have been up to. It gives me great pleasure seeing how well they are living from the way we used to.

 

‘Your lawyer was here the other day?’

 

‘My lawyer?’

 

‘One Mr. Cochrane.’

 

‘August was here?’

 

‘Yes.’

 

I look at her with wondering eyes

 

‘What did he want?’

 

‘He came here looking for your files.’

 

‘Why?’

 

‘That I am not sure of.’

 

‘Did he find anything?’

 

‘Of course not, even if there was something, I couldn’t give it to him. You know my loyalty is with you.’

 

I sigh worriedly

 

 

‘Your mother gave me strict instructions to give only you all your documents after Vatican permitted us to pull them down.’

 

‘I thought she had them.’

 

‘That’s what everyone thinks but they have been in my possession all along.’ She said getting up

 

‘Give me a minute.’

 

I wait for her to disappear into her office then comes back carrying back a huge box.

 

‘This is everything.’

 

‘Thank you so much.’ I say getting it from her

 

‘Nella.’

 

‘Yes sister?’

 

‘I don’t know why your mother wanted these documents pulled down, but I am pretty sure it was for a very good reason. So I would suggest you protect them with your life. If it means scanning them and putting them on soft copy do so before they get into the wrong hands.’

 

‘I will consider it sister.’ I say

 

We say our goodbyes before I drive off.

 

So many things continue to run through my mind, as the day goes by there are more discoveries that I make which are not even cleared. I get home and I find Chanda’s car parked in front of my gate. I sigh deeply, this better be good.

 

‘I see you fixed your car.’ She says, both our windows pulled down

 

‘Good morning to you too Chanda.’

 

‘Cut the crap, this is not a friendly visit.’ She says

 

‘Then what do you want because as far as I am concerned aside from work we have nothing in common.’ I say

 

She rolls her eyes.

 

‘You guessed right I didn’t come here for a friendly visit, I just came to warn you to stay away from my man.’

 

I want to laugh, but then again I know she is a serious one.

 

‘Your man?’

 

‘Stay away from August Nella and trust me I don’t ever want to repeat myself on this.’

 

‘So August is your man?’ I ask trying so hard not to laugh, this is funny even though she doesn’t realize it

 

‘I don’t know what is humorous about all this but I don’t ever want to repeat myself, so do as I have told you.’

 

‘Yes ma’am.’ I say driving into the gate

 

I can’t help but laugh, women are all sophisticated until it comes to their men. Here is the all mighty Chanda bringing down her walls because of a man.

 

I get into the house and make myself some noodles with greens, it’s the only food that I am able to eat and so I will stick to this. I switch on the television and switch to some Netflix movies, I just want to relax my mind as much as possible before I go back for work on Monday.

 

The knock at the door has me frowning, I rarely receive visitors and I am into the movie.

 

 

‘Hold on.’ I say when the person persists but get shocked to find August standing there. He is wearing blue sweat pants and a white t shirt

 

‘What do you want?’ the words escape my mouth even before I can check them

 

Instead he pushes the door and lets himself in

 

‘This is a beautiful place you have here.’

 

‘What in God’s name do you want August?’ I ask

 

‘So now you wont refer to me as Mr. Cochrane?’ he asks focusing his eyes on the box, I forgot to take it to the bedroom.

 

‘I went to the orphanage where Mrs. Chanda got you and unfortunately they are no files on you.’

 

He pauses

 

‘Tell me something, what is so special about you that all your documents could just vanish?’

 

I feel a shiver run through me, those words almost send me into a panic attack because I know whatever I say here might bring me down.

More Stories @ generalloaded.com

‘You are not welcome in my house and besides we are not friends so why would you come here and not the office.’

 

‘Maybe I should reintroduce myself Nella.’

 

‘No August, maybe you should leave.’ I say as the air gets heavy