THE K1LLER'S KNIFE
The K1ller's Knife - Episode 20
I couldn't even wait to think of a plan as the footsteps were getting nearer. I simply took to my heels leaving the bowl and the fallen ice block shattered into pieces on the tiled floor.
Thank God I was with my cross bag so the moment I ran outside, I went down the path that leads to the busy road.
I stopped a taxi, told the driver my location, we negotiated the price and thereafter I jumped in immediately.
Throughout the ride, my mind was still on what I heard Flora say about k!lling her husband Keto.
I can't believe that father could be that heartless to suggest and successfully carry out another human being's death!
What did Keto ever do to them...? Was it his fault that Flora was having an affair with father who is a married man...?
I feel like he didn't deserve to d!e in such an unfair way. If only the dëād can take vengeance then I'm sure Keto would be the first to do so.
Father plotted with his accomplice flora to k!ll him and now they are living together as man and wife, completely disregarding his dëäth.
I was brought out of my thoughts when the taxi man slowed down to pick more passengers and soon the taxi was full.
All the while, I didn't bother to look at the faces of the passengers in the vehicle because my mind was preoccupied.
I felt a tap on my lap from someone who sat beside me and I turned to look at who it could be and why.
" So it's you Jacob. I was right after all. The moment I entered the taxi I noticed your face looked familiar and I was wondering where I met this face until it suddenly clicked...it's been a while"
I smiled seeing that it is Doctor Stanley from Erica's hospital ward.
From the way he smiled and talked, he was still his usual jovial self.
" Doctor Stanley good afternoon. I'm surprised to see you...I thought all doctors have their own cars...?" I asked childishly as I looked at him smiling
Doctor Stanley bursted out laughing. I'm guessing he found my question funny but he answered regardless
" No Jacob...not all doctors have cars... some use foot or taxis like everyone else. I do have a personal vehicle though...it's just that it broke down yesterday and since it's still at the mechanic shop...I decided to make use of public transport" Doctor Stanley explained in a simplified way amidst bouts of laughter
" Okay doctor Stanley. I'm sorry I asked in the first place...I was just curious to know...that's why!" I said bending my head shyly in embarrassment
Doctor Stanley stopped laughing and used his left hand to raise my head up
" I understand Jacob. You should know that I was once like you when I was a little boy. It's the more reason I admire your teachers because right from the hospital...I observed that you are such a whiz kid...always willing to learn"
I felt very relieved as I heard that and I smiled widely. He is such a free-spirited person and it makes me so free with him
" Thank you doctor Stanley. Should I tell you something I haven't told anyone before...?" I said excitedly
" Of course Jacob. You're free to tell me anything at all!" Doctor Stanley answered smiling back at me
" I want to be a medical doctor like you when I grow up doctor Stanley"
" Really...? May I know what inspires you towards the medical field...?" Doctor Stanley asked still retaining the warm smile on his face.
I sighed sadly as the memories of mother and I being beaten brutally by father, seconded by Erica laying on the hospital bed came into my mind's eye.
I pushed the sad memories behind me as I began to slowly answer doctor Stanley's question.
The recollection affected my mood in a way because my voice wasn't as lively as it was when we started conversing
" After what happened to Erica at the hospital...I resolved in my mind that I will be a medical doctor so I'll be able to treat my mother and sisters whenever they are sick, bruised, or hospitalized!"
Doctor Stanley looked at me and then nodded in understanding. I'm sure he must have noticed my uneasiness as well as my sudden change in mood
I was glad when he decided to change the topic of discussion to something else
" It's okay Jacob. So tell me... how have you been and how is your father, mother, Erica, your other sister doing..?"
" I'm fine and everybody is doing fine doctor Stanley. I'm even on my way to visit mother at her place and I will definitely tell her I saw you!"
I smiled as I saw the look of skepticism and confusion on doctor Stanley's face. I understood what it meant so I explained it to him as a matter of clarification
"...my mother and father are no longer together as a couple. That's why mother and my siblings are staying in a separate town currently"
" Oh, I see. It's okay then...please do send my regards to her and to your sisters too. I'll be stepping down at the zebra crossing in a few seconds from now..." Doctor Stanley said and dipped his right hand inside his suit pocket
He brought out some cash and a card. He stretched it to me and I looked at it without attempting to collect it because I was wondering what it is meant for
" Take it Jacob...give the money to your mother to get something for you and your sisters..." I looked at it for a while contemplating if to take it or not. I shrugged my shoulders and took it from him after saying a sincere thank you.
I was staring at the small sized white card in confusion and ignorance.
I have never seen one of such before and didn't even know what it is used for
It's a good thing that doctor Stanley thought it wise to clear my confusion and he explained the card's usage to me
"...that is my personal card with my phone number boldly written on it. You can call me at any time and any day especially when you have puzzling questions regarding doctors okay...?" Doctor Stanley said smiling widely at me and I nodded in the affirmative
The taxi driver came to a halt and informed doctor Stanley that he is at the zebra crossing which is his destination
" Thank you very much doctor Stanley. I'll surely send your regards to mother. Take care...byeeeee" I said waving at doctor Stanley as he came down from the taxi and he waved me back
He paid the taxi driver his charge and I heard him ask of my fee. I didn't know he cleared mine too until he told me
" I have paid for you Jacob so don't bother paying again. Goodbye Jacob. Study hard and be a good boy okay...?" I nodded gently and the driver drove off.
The short talk with doctor Stanley helped uplift my mood and clear my mind of the bád thoughts I had earlier. I counted the money he gave me and discovered it was a total of ten thousand naira. I inserted it inside my trouser pocket and smiled satisfactorily.
In a few minutes, I got to mother's place. I met her plaiting Erica's hair and after greeting her, I moved to the kitchen to find something to eat as I was so famished. I hadn't eaten all day.
Thankfully, mother prepared jellof rice and I ate to my satisfaction. I later joined mother to gist her about my meeting with doctor Stanley.
I intentionally kept the money and the card part out because I wanted to save the money for myself. Father doesn't care for my needs so I believe the money will come in handy for school
I spent the rest of the hours playing hide and seek with Erica and Angie. At about 6pm when I was sure father will almost be home, I decided to start going home.
Mother gave me some money as usual and I thanked her before leaving. With mother's money, I got a taxi which took me home without touching the money doctor Stanley gave to me.
I arrived the house still in a jolly mood. Unfortunately, it turned sour again when I stepped into the sitting room to meet an ongoing heated discussion between Father and Flora
" Did you come home in the afternoon Jamie...? Like after you left....?" Flora was asking father who looked at her as though she was insåne
" What sort of question is that Flora...? Should I now be marking time attendance because I brought you into my house...?" Father fired back in his usual impatient way
" Please answer me Jamie or else we are likely going to be in tr0úble!"
" What do you mean by that...? What kind of tr0úble are you talking about...?"
As I heard those words, I thought of turning to sneak out but it was too late.
Flora saw me and asked me a direct question like she is suspecting me
" Hei you Jacob!...where were you earlier this afternoon after your father left the house...? Okay let me rephrase the question...did you by any chance come to my bedroom door...?" Flora asked looking fiercely at a confused me who was lost for what response to give.
Father was just looking from me to flora while wondering what all this is about.
I was mutely standing at a spot looking at Flora, in my mind I contemplated if it was a good idea to tell them the truth or to simply l!e my way out of this.
(Do not take credit or Plagiarize AMAH'S HEART stories)
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