Shadow of love episode 52

We were all seated in the waiting room, hoping upon hopes that Anna survives the surgery. What was she thinking? If anything happens to her, William won't be able to forgive himself. I looked at William, he was no longer the handsome guy that came into my house that morning. He looked different. Was it guilt? His suit has been removed and is on Lois's hand. His tie has been loosened and the hand folded like he was returning from a masonry job. I stood up to go to him but Leonard walked in,memories of what happened in my house came back to my head and I hissed.


I had pushed him away and slapped his face. What was happening to my friend, I wondered? He held his face, just where the slap had landed and I stood up.

Me: Leonard, get out of my house

Leonard: Pamela, let me explain please.

Me: I don't want to hear anything. Just get out.

He stood up and came to me, he tried holding my hands but I slapped his hands away. anger filling every hole I had in me that moment.

Me: Leave

Leonard: Look, I know it's going to sound awkward but Pamela, I'm in love with you.

Me: What?

Leonard: Yes. I don't know how but since that day you walked to the barbeque with me, I've practically not been able to get you out of my head.

And I slapped him again!

Me: Are you insane? What is wrong with all of you for Christ's sake? Why haven't you made your intentions known all this while? And here I was, trying to make you and Lois work.

Leonard: I know. I ....

Me: You know? Then why do this? Why fall for me? Why will you even try it in the first place?

Leonard: We don't control our emotions Pamela. They just come.

Me: I do.

Leonard: Then I'm not like you. I'm not. I hide nothing. I have blood in these veins, I have feelings behind this muscles you're seeing. I'm human.

Me: Me? And did I ever mention that I've got no feelings?

Leonard: I'm sure you don't. But look, I'm sorry about whatever happened here. I just realised you have got your heart all stoned out. No wonder none of your relationships work.

He stormed out of my house and I sat down there in confusion. Did he just say that to me? Did my friend, Leonard, mock me just now? I wanted to cry but the tears refused to fall. I just sat down there, staring at the empty wall beside my electronic gadgets.
It took me a while to snap out of my thoughts and I headed upstairs, undressed, got into the shower and let the water cool my nerves.
I'm not a bad person. I've not just found the right man for me. The Lord's prayer came to my mind and I started saying it, getting to that part, even though I walk through to the valley of the shadow of death, I stopped and started thinking again. Tobe and Anna are on a thin rope. What if they die, for Anna, there will be no thoughts of Williams, for Tobe, there will be no Claire to make his life miserable. They would be happy in the after world. But me, I don't even know the shadow I was walking on, or the shadow I was following. I closed my eyes and heaved a sigh. It was time to work on myself. Once Tobe and Anna are certified healthy, I'll start going on dates, work on my tight schedules and see if I can loosen up a little. Since Leonard could say those words to me, my own Leonard, it means anybody could say anything to me........and I won't allow that.

I got out and picked another dress, tied my weavon in a messy ponytail and stepped out without any make up.
I got a cab that drove me to the hospital only to realise that Anna had been wheeled to the theatre. And that's how we all sat silently, hearts in our hands, praying to God to spare the life of this innocent girl, to give her a second chance.

He walked in and sat beside William, saying something I couldn't hear. Franca was sprawled on the floor, weak from crying. I went to her and joined her on the floor. She looked at me and smiled.
I hugged her and we held each other like long lost siblings.

Me: She'll be fine. Trust me FranC

Franca: I'm sorry for my earlier outburst. It's not William's fault.

Me: You don't have to apologise. Anybody in your shoes will act same way.

Franca: He's angry at me right?

Me: Let's bother about Anna now. Every other thing will come later.

She nodded and went back into my arms. We remained that way until the bulb outside the theatre turned off. We all stood up and waited for the doctors to come out and give us the news.

Franca: Do you think she'll survive?

i nodded, not sure of what I was to say. Just as we expected, two doctors walked out of the theatre. One looked mean and the other had a faint smile. Out of instinct, we all wentto the foc


Out of instinct, we went to the doctor with the smile, gathering round him like we were ants going for a cube of sugar while the other doctor walked away without as much as a hello.
We looked at the doctor with expectant eyes and his smile gave me hope. It was weak, tired and not sure but I still counted it as something.

Lois; Doctor, how was the surgery? How is she?

Doctor: The surgery was successful. If luck be on our side, she'll return to consciousness within a day or two, if not, she might slip into coma and we might eventually loose her, but I pray it doesn't get to that. If I may ask, what really happened? Mr William, you know we did this without a doctor's report because of you?

William nodded and Franca leaned into me.

Leonard: Actually, we just got a call that she shot herself.

Doctor: Who shoots herself three times?

Three times? I scanned the faces of others and their reaction was just like mine.

Doctor: A bullet in the scapula and two in her lower abdomen doesn't look like suicide to me. But anyways, Mr William, I suggest you involve the police immediately. If you don't mind, you'll have to excuse me. I need to freshen up.

He walked out without waiting for a response. Who shot Anna? Who wanted her dead? Franca left my side and went to William who enveloped her in a warm embrace. I lowered myself to the nearest chair and carried my head in my hands. Something is amiss. Small Anna?

Lois: You alright?

She sat beside me, placing William's coat on her laps.
I shook my head in the negative and she placed a hand on my shoulder.

Lois: It's going to be fine. Like the doctor said, we'll involve the police and get this thing sorted out.

Me: But who would hurt Anna? She's just 18. Gosh!

Leonard: In this case, two things are involved.
We looked up to see him standing beside Lois. Anger quickly replaced whatever feeling I was having then.

Leonard: Its either an old enemy from school or someone who wants William

Lois: Yes. You're right you know?

Leonard: But I don't know, Anna doesn't look like someone who'll be .....

I stood up and walked out of the building. I wasn't going to sit down there and listen to his dumb talks. He wasn't a cop and he sure knows nothing about tracking a killer. I walked to where Lois had packed my car. I leaned on it and closed my eyes, allowing the early afternoon sun wash through me.
My life has gone back to seven years ago when I was pushed to run away. But this time, I'm going nowhere. I'll sit and see it through to the end. I'm not going to risk being lonely again because of some guys who don't know when to catch feelings. I'm 27, forgive me, I'll be 27 in a month and some days, yet, the men in my life don't even know what they want. Just the same way I have denied myself sexual satisfaction.
My phone vibrated in my hand and I looked at it. It was a phone call from an unknown number.
I picked it and put the phone in my ear without saying a word, typical Nigerian right? Lol.

Caller: Hello house mate.

And it clicked. Claire!

Me: Claire?

She laughed and my hatred switch got on.

Claire: Nice you still remember my voice.

Me: The same voice that wants to drag me to insanity. When did you get out from prison killer? You still have a long term to serve

Claire: You're in Nigeria baby. Slip money into the right hands and you're a free bird.

Me: Oh Claire, I hate you

Claire: The feeling is mutual babe.