The Other Side

CHAPTER [5]

                                       ¬¬*^*¬¬

                               ¬¬CHAPTER 5¬¬

                                        ¬¬**¬¬

The former night was gone and a new day was created. One relating to the basic taste sensation induced by a sweet melody from singing birds and beauty of direct rays from the sun. It was a day considered to be beautiful but not for Vincent. He had carried his gloomy emotions over to a delightful day. Staying in bed all day was his set of intended action but his uncle was about to put that plan to rest.

George walked into Vincent's room to make a supposedly called beauty sleep defunct. He went ahead to open the curtains in an undeniably quick motion but it wasn't enough to wake a drunk prince on emotions in his chambers.

"Son get up." George said in quiet voice as he tapped him by the shoulder. His voice sounded more of a shout and less of a whisper. It indeed was an alternative to bringing him up from his sleep. It was clear. George's tireless devotion for cigarettes and whiskey always had his voice sound loud even when he whispered.
"Please leave me alone." Vincent replied in a moderate low pitched voice that lied flat on his feelings. It made him sound as though he wanted to weep.

"You want to talk about it?" George kindly asked. It was a bit peculiar to hear George sound sympathetic. He was known for his abstract mockery and less care with words.

"As if you care!" Vincent replied as though he was annoyed by his uncle's question. He had every reason to respond in such manner because he was well versed with George's characteristic mode of acts.

"Very well, we will not talk about but going to visit your father is not optional. Now get up!" George said in response to Vincent's remark.

At this point, Vincent had to get up from his bed. He had managed to identify the highlights of authority in his uncle's voice. It spoke to his inner being. Alone, Vincent wouldn't have gone to visit his father, but George's tone put his ego to sleep.

"Breakfast is ready!" Poshia called out. She had prepared a zesty steak and red skin potato garnished with diced carrot. It indeed was a meal that lured the eye, with a scent that could resuscitate an ill accentuated appetite. On the side, she also had prepared pancakes that had their essence defined by slow dripping honey.

Upon hearing the call for breakfast and perceiving this inviting scent, George couldn't be patient any longer. He got down the stairs as though they were a flat ground. On the other hand, Vincent took his time to reach to the kitchen table.

"Vincent are you?" Poshia asked, for his attitude that morning was a cause for concern.

"Yeah Im good," he replied.

"Well okay then, you boys enjoy your breakfast. I will be on my way collect some mails." She said as she left the house.

"Son be quick we leave in fifteen, I have got some errands I want run before we see your old man." George said.

In return to his statement, silence was the most valid response he could get from Vincent but he didn't seem to care whether Vincent had said anything or not.

Intriguing.

Vincent managed to take a few bites of his food then left the kitchen. His burning emotions had suppressed his appetite. He headed to his bedroom to get a coat then returned downstairs and said, "I will wait for you in the van."

His uncle, George, looked fixedly at him with his mouth full as he struggled to chew. Vincent looked at him and didn't seem care about his way of eating, he presumed it was his race against time that made him eat in such a manner.

A few minutes later, George then decided to come out and start the day. He was convinced that his appetite had subsided, even Vincent could not have agreed more. He walked slowly out of the verenda to the van while picking his teeth. On his appearance from the shed into sunlight, George presented a noticeable change. His stomach had significantly increased in size.

Car horn hooting.

Vincent was undeniably vexed by the depriving of timekeeping he expected from his uncle. Earlier George sounded as though they were in a hurry but his acts in motion said the opposite hence, the reason for Vincent's frustration.

"Okay okay, I'm here now lets go." George respond to Vincent's course of action as a result of his impatience.

On their way to the hospital, the atmosphere spoke silence until George decided to take a left turn from the main road. Vincent looked him with an obligation to question his reason for the turn.

"Now you are Christian."Vincent said rooting his words in sarcasm.

"What!" George acted surprised.

"I'm not blind. The sign. We are headed to the church for what reason?" Vincent replied.

George knew he had to keep himself composed for he was dealing with a young man sinking in his feelings.

"I thought I mentioned something about errands earlier and besides I don't owe you any explanation." He said, but little did he know, his last few words intended to keep himself composed were about to set Vincent's rage loose.

He had said the unexpected.

Vincent's emotions got him speaking. George thought the young man would have a little respect for him but it didn't seem to go the way he was thinking. It was quite unfortunate how his emotions got the best of him. Vincent argued with his George and did not seem care about the brutality in his words.

George finally decided to take a step back to his senses. He pulled over and said, "you know the way to hospital," as he got out of the van leaving the keys on ignition. His words and action silenced Vincent but he didn't seem to care either. Vincent jumped over to the driver seat and took off as if it was just passenger he had dropped off. Taking off like he did also didn't seem to stop George from going to see Nancy.

Meanwhile as the two headed to different destinations, Poshia had engaged herself in conflict with the mail officer pertaining the delay in processing her parcel when she met Detective Marlon. It was high time the quarreling stopped. Marlon made his presence known when he presented his badge and said, "Get her stuff done immediately." Poshia was very much surprised to see him.

"Here is your parcel ma'am," the mail officer said.

Poshia extended her gratitude to Marlon for helping to get her parcel. The two casually had a catching up conversation before Marlon insisted on taking Poshia for coffee. He saw the reaction on her face and how hesitant she was, immediately, he emphasised that it would be strictly business relating to the ongoing investigation. The investigation had long been ended but Marlon realised, it was his only way to get to Poshia.

"Well okay." Poshia replied smiling and in a convincing tone.

A switch in a series of events. During the time Poshia was sipping coffee with Marlon, her son was arriving at the hospital.

Vincent walked into the hospital with the right set of directions as to where his father was. He walked past the reception into the ward where Bernard was. Upon reaching his father's room he stopped at the door and fixed himself as he rehearsed what to say when he got in. He slowly opened the door and put his head through leaving the rest of his body in the corridor then whispered, "nurse, is he awake."
The nurse turned around to see who had spoken for she had not heard the door open. Looking at the door was a move she shouldn't have done. Following her glance at the door was a tray with medication that freely fell and got acquainted with the floor.

She was greatly shocked.

Vincent was greatly annoyed upon recognising who she was. He quickly left the room.

"Vincent!" She called out as she followed him.

At this point she convinced herself that she had to see him before he left. She ran and managed to catch up then held him by the hand. He stopped, took a brief stare at her and then asked, "what do you want."

"Can we talk?" She replied.

"You know where I live," he said while forcefully letting his hand loose from hers then departed.