JEMIMA

Chapter 47

"What happened. What did you see? How is your father" Derin asked panicking?

"Calm down mom. I had a dream. Where is Dad? I've been calling him for a while now but I've not been able to reach him". Anne asked.

Derin lost her voice as she didn't know what to tell Anne. She was still of the opinion that only Jemima knew all that was happening. How was she going to explain that she didn't know where her father was, her own husband. How was she going to tell Anne all the hurtful thing Dele did now that she was just growing to forgive and trying to forget all that had happened.

" Mom?" Anne called, "Talk to me".

" He's... He... He is fine... Yes fine", Derin lied.

"No, he's not. Don't lie to me, mom. I know something is wrong at home. I saw your messages when I came home some days ago. You were drunk and in tears. I found out about Dad's affair. You don't need to pretend mom. I know all that happened ", Anne said.

Derin burst into tears, she could only imagine how shocked Anne would have been. How disappointed she would have been. She was always in a fight with her father. Derin could only pray that this hadn't caused Anne to have hatred towards her father.

" It's okay mom. I just need you to answer my question". Anne said. "Where is Dad".

" I don't know!" Derin said.

"What!" Anne exclaimed. "When last did you see or speak to Dad?" Anne asked

" I don't know. Maybe days, or weeks. ..."

"Ah, mom! Why! "

"Anne he's probably with his mistress I don't know please".

" Okay mom. But we need to find Dad quickly. I sense he is in danger where ever he is".

"Definitely. Outside God is enough danger already. I need to find my husband". Derin dropped the call as soon as Anne complained of her hostel mates being around.

She searched for Hadassah's phone number. She was the only person she could think of at that moment.

Hadassah picked the call on the second dial.

" Good morning ma", She said.

"Good morning to you to ma", Derin responded.

" Yes, ma. I hope all is well. This is quite early", Hadassah asked.

"I know. And I'm sorry if I disturbed"

"No, no. You didn't. You didn't disturb ma" Hadassah said.

"I just need someone to talk to", Derin said, her voice breaking as she felt another round of tears brimming in her eyes.

" Oh. Okay ma, where do you think we can meet?" Hadassah asked.

" If you can come to the hotel I'm lounging at. That's if it's ok by you"Derin answered

"Perfect. That's just perfect. Send me the address and I'll be there in an hour".

           ••••••••

" Who was that?" Joseph asked from the other side of the bed.

"Don't pretend like you don't know from our conversation. It's Mrs. Adewale". Hadassah said.

" What did she say? What happened?", Joseph asked.

"I don't know, she just asked me to come to see her. Maybe she has had a change of heart"

"Hmm', Joseph sighed. " let's hope so"

"Yes. We will keep praying", Hadassah said.

She prayed inside her for the right words to use later that day. This family meant a lot to her and other people out there. She couldn't let anything happen to them. God wouldn't want anything bad to happen to them.