THE JAILBIRD
Episode 44 & 45
.
Continues.
Elaine breathes deeply, trying to still the pounding of her heart.
She descends slowly to the living-room where Effe is waiting.
Effe turns from the aquarium she has been staring emptily at, and faces her friend as she comes down the last stairs.
Effe is dressed for the office in a rather beautiful dark-blue suit that enhances her beautiful skin.
Her eyes are dark with pain, and she looks very hurt indeed.
Elaine stops and looks at her best friend warily.
ELAINE
(softly)
You know.
EFFE
(bitterly)
I know, Elaine. Chris told me.
ELAINE
(nodding)
And he told you he didn't rape me, didn't he?
EFFE
(bitterly)
Did he, Elaine? Did he really?
Elaine walks towards Effe, and she stares at her, and a moment later she drops to her knees.
ELAINE
(contrite)
I'm guilty of keeping my relationship with Chris a secret, Effe. I'm very, very sorry, but at the time I didn't want to destroy your happiness when I saw how much you loved him. When I realized it was you he was going to marry, it was too late to tell you. Your happiness was important to me. Effe, I was wrong, but I did it for you. Please forgive me.
Effe turns away from her.
She is hurt, and she fights to keep the tears away.
EFFE
Get up from the floor, Elaine.
Elaine stands up slowly. She walks to Effe and takes her hand in both of hers. She looks shame-faced as she speaks.
ELAINE
(earnestly)
You have to believe me, Effe, please.
EFFE
(tremulously)
I trusted you, Elaine. You were like a sister to me. You were my bridesmaid, not Eyram. But all along as you stood beside me at the altar you were hurting over Chris!
ELAINE
(inhaling to keep the tears away)
I admit I was hurting, yes, but I had to do everything to make your marriage work. That night I promised to bring him to you, the night you found him raping me, he was very high on alcohol and hard drugs. He begged me, telling me he wanted to sleep with me one last time, I refused. I called you from the bathroom, and when I went back to the room he pounced on me, and raped me. That's the truth, Effe, and nothing but the truth!
Effe rubs her forehead. She still stares at Elaine as if she just cant' take it all in.
EFFE
Chris was talking about some conspiracies, Elaine, as if I knew something about what happened. I pressed him, but he said nothing, but for a moment I could see there was more. Something he really wanted to say. Is that all, Elaine, or there's more? This is your chance to come clean, because he also told me about how you used to love violent sex, and how it wasn’t rape at all because that’s exactly how you wanted it. You better come clean now, Elaine.
ELAINE
(passionately)
We're closer than even twin sisters can ever be, you and eye, and I’m telling you the undiluted truth now, Effe. He tore off my clothes and raped me. If you want, let me confront him in your presence, and listen to what he will say, Effe. Why do you think I hate him so much? He was my former boyfriend, yes, but when I told him I wasn't going to sleep with him, he should have understood, and not forced himself on me. I couldn't do that to you, Effe. I can never do that!
Elaine takes out a handkerchief and dabs rather unsuccessfully at the tears running down herp face.
EFFE
(softly)
I hope so, Elaine. But know that truth never stays hidden. Don't let me find out there's more to this from somewhere else, okay? If I should ever find out you lied to me now, I’ll never forgive you.
Effe turns and heads quickly for the entrance.
Elaine stares after her, smiling rather sadly.
And there is unbridled profound relief on her face...and a subtle twist of cruelty to her lips.
JUNIOR'S RESTAURANT
It is a Saturday.
Grand opening of JUNIOR'S.
A month has passed like a whirlwind.
Madam Didi had begged Chris to take on some of her dedicated staff.
Chris has retained three counter girls, four waiters, two waitresses and four chefs.
Eyram had graciously advanced him some money to design the white, blue and red food packs and polythene bags.
Effe had paid for the huge neon-lit signboard and one-week ingredient supply.
The profiling of JUNIOR'S on HEARTBEAT TELEVISION had made the news spread like fire through a dry prairie.
Other news stations had come on board to do interviews, but Chris has refused to appear in any of them.
Surprisingly, a couple of non-governmental Christian organizations had agreed to provide new interior seats and tables, and also pay for a year's car park rental.
Chris had been extremely nervous at first, detesting the whole idea of being a chef, but Junior had been with him constantly, and given him the needed strength.
As the time drew nearer to the grand opening Chris had found himself getting caught in the euphoric excitement.
The opening ceremony had been short but colourful.
Some of the most influential people had turned up.
Junior had been allowed to say the prayers, and his passionate appeals to God to let his father succeed had moved many to tears.
Chris went to the kitchen, and supervised every step of the cooking.
He started with four dishes for the day; noodles, banku and okra stew, jollof and potato fries... and of course salads.
There is a CREAMS stand, where iced creams, smoothies, crushers and shakes of different flavours can be had.
He waits anxiously as the orders begin to trickle in.
And then things begin to really heat up!
Suddenly, people that had already eaten are now coming back for 'take-aways', and soon there is pressure at the Drive-Through window.
VICTOR NYENKU, a young chef who is fast beginning to impress Chris, walks up to him as he is pouring raw fries out of a bag.
VICTOR
(grinning)
I haven't seen such a crowd in all my four years of working here, Boss. I must admit, you have very sweet hands indeed. Look, I had my doubts at first, but now I think the TASTE BUDS restaurant is in serious trouble!
Chris looks at the young man, and they smile, and he nods.
CHRIS
Thank you, Victor. I think I like that.
Suddenly a young waiter enters the kitchen and goes straight to Chris.
WAITER
(nervously)
Sir, please there's a man in the restaurant. He says I should tell you to prepare him a picatonto salad! I tried telling him we don't have it on the menu but he told me you know what it is, so I should tell you.
Chris freezes, and his face suddenly lights up!
The only man who demanded 'picatonto' salad had been Chief Superintendent of Police, Jon Fii.
CHRIS
(excited)
Go and tell him a picatonto salad is coming up pronto, Adamu!
WAITER
(relieved)
Yes, sir!
VICTOR
(intrigued)
Picatonto? What's that, sir?
CHRIS
(smiling gently)
A speciality in prison, boy. Come and learn!
Soon Chris has the salad ready.
He dishes it in the best salad bowl, and serves the order on a tray.
He picks up the tray.
VICTOR
(alarmed)
Sir! You're not serving yourself, are you? Please, let me take it
CHRIS
(smiling)
This order I serve myself, Victor.
Chris carries the tray to the eatery, and he pauses with sudden shock when he sees that it is tightly packed!
Adamu sees him and utters a cry of shock and fear.
He rushes forward to take the tray, but Chris stops him.
WAITER
Please, sir-
CHRIS
(cutting in)
Where's the gentleman, Adamu.
WAITER
Table nine, please.
CHRIS
(kindly)
Okay, fine. I've got this, Adamu. You can serve another table.
When he walks through the restaurant he sees people looking at him with something approaching awe.
He sees children and adults digging in, eating with real relish, and he sees that most plates are completely empty except for bones, and suddenly he feels a certain kind of exhilaration he has never thought he will feel.
Amir, you old dog, thank you very much for forcing me to learn the fine arts of the kitchen!
Jon Fii is sitting at table nine, and he is not alone.
Baaba Brooks is with him.
Tbc
.
Episode 45
Continues..
Fii is in uniform today, and he gets to his feet with a broad smile as Chris carefully puts the tray down.
Fii then crushes him in a fierce hug.
JON FII
(emotionally)
Chris, Chris, Chris! Boy, am I glad to see you!
Chris looks warily at Baaba. Since that night, she had attacked him he had not seen her again.
She had sent text messages and called him to apologize, but he has kept out of her way strictly.
He had told himself that Eyram is right; Baaba is unbalanced, and as much as Chris had wanted to help her get over the trauma of being abused by her father, he knows she is quite dangerous.
Her mood swings are absolutely lethal, and he doesn't know what she is capable of doing from one second to the next.
A phrase, a look, an innocent action can set her off into that volcanic rage he has experienced twice already.
He had had the unpleasant feeling that she had wanted to kill him.
CHRIS
Glad to see you, sir. Very glad to see you. A picatonto salad, the best, just for you.
JON FII
Sit down, Chris.
CHRIS
I can't, sir. Too much pressure. Tell you what, we open at two in the afternoon on Sundays, so I'll come over tomorrow morning and have a church service with the guys. I miss that.
JON FII
(excited)
Really? That will be grand. The boys will be so happy. Especially Darlett Thompson. There is a strong possibility that Darlett will be released soon, Chris. His case has gone for review after new evidence was unearthed.
Chris Bawa's face breaks into a huge grin, and in spite of himself he sits down at the table.
CHRIS
Wow. Darlett? Damn! That is great news. He always told me he didn't steal that car, but that his partner framed him for that crime. That's great news indeed!
Suddenly Chris big left middle finger is grabbed, and he looks around and sees Junior standing beside him, his mouth full with chicken.
JUNIOR
Daddy!
Chris, heart bursting with joyful love, sweeps his son into his arms and plants a kiss on his cheeks as Junior giggles insanely and wriggles.
CHRIS
My son, sir. Champ, meet a friend of mine, Jon Fii.
JON FII
(smiling tenderly)
Yes, the famous Chris Bawa Junior! I saw you on television. The boy who bought this place for his father!
Junior's face splits into a huge grin of pride as Jon Fii shakes his hand.
JUNIOR
(shyly)
Pleased to meet you, sir.
JON FII
Oh, call me Uncle Fii. You look so much like your father, it's amazing.
JUNIOR
He's my father and I should look like him.
They all burst into laughter, and Baaba reaches out and shakes Junior's hand.
BAABA
Hello, Junior. Happy to meet you again after the fun we had at the beach. Please tell your father I'm very sorry okay? He's angry at me, and I believe if you ask him to forgive me, he will.
Junior looks at his father and frowns, and then he wags a forefinger at him.
JUNIOR
(calmly)
Daddy, Sunday School teacher says we should forgive each other like, erm... seven times? No, no, no, she said like seventy times?
JON FII
(spooning salad into his mouth)
Seventy times seven times.
JUNIOR
(awed)
Woow! That's radical! You know the Bible too, Uncle Fii?
CHRIS
(laughing)
He is the Chaplain at the prison where I was, Champ!
JUNIOR
Awesome! Yes, Jesus says we should forgive seventy times seventy times... is that right, Uncle Chaplain?
JON FII
(laughing uproariously)
Close enough, son, close enough!
JUNIOR
So, you will forgive Miss Baaba... no, wait a minute, are you Missus?
BAABA
(smiling and showing her hands)
See, no ring. Still Miss Baaba, my dearest boy.
JUNIOR
Daddy-
CHRIS
Alright, alright, shut up already! I forgive her!
They all laugh, and Baaba suddenly draws Junior into a warm embrace.
BAABA
Thank you, Junior! I owe you one!
Sitting at Table 15, Effe and Eyram look across at them with conflicting emotions.
With them is Rupert Henderson who is eating beef noodles.
Effe recognizes Baaba, the prison officer who seems to be so besotted with Chris.
She sees Baaba hugging Junior, and she sees the way Chris looks so happy and comfortable in her presence, and she feels a sudden blast of insane jealousy which she tries unsuccessfully to curb.
Eyram is furious.
She has not seen Chris and Baaba together since that terrible night.
She has assumed Chris has cut all ties with the mad girl, but evidently, judging by the way they are behaving, they are still in contact with each other.
Rupert looks at her sudden tense face, and he experiences a mild bout of jealousy himself.
It is true Eyram had convinced him that there is nothing between her and that Chris boy, and that there will be nothing between them, but he just cannot shake off the feeling that all is not as it seems.
After a moment Victor Nyenku emerges and looks for Chris.
He quickly approaches Chris and leans down.
VICTOR
Problem, sir. We're sold out!
Chris gets to his feet, and he struggles to keep his face straight.
CHRIS
Sold out.
VICTOR
(grinning)
Completely! And there's still a queue. What we gonna do?
CHRIS
Well, has the technician finished installing the Public Announcement System?
VICTOR
Yes, I heard him testing it a couple of times.
CHRIS
Right. Send one of the boys to make an announcement that we're temporarily out. Next orders will start in forty minutes. Then come to the kitchen. We gotta cook!
VICTOR
(laughing)
Yes, Chef!
Chris and Jon Fii embrace again, and then he hurries towards the kitchen.
Baaba calls his name, and he stops.
She comes towards him and stops in front of him, and she smiles sadly at him.
BAABA
(tenderly)
I'm really sorry, Chris. I'm sorry for attacking you. I don't know what came over me. You're the only man my heart has ever craved, and still craves. You'll have to be patient with me. I know you love Effe. I've accepted it, and I won't try to hurt that relationship. It's just that, if you're angry with me, I feel this pain in my heart. I can't eat, I can't breathe, I can't think straight. I'm constantly in pain. But when you're fine with me, it is the only time I feel happy. Please don't push me away, Chris, please. You know this love thing is new for me. Please, I'm begging you, just be my friend. champagne or beige wears for flower girl
Chris stares at her, and he cannot doubt her sincerity.
His anger towards her slowly dissipates, and he reaches out for her, and he hugs her.
She puts her arms around him and hugs him tightly.
CHRIS
It's okay, Baaba.
BAABA
(voice muffled against his chest)
Thank you, Chris. I love you so much.
He breaks from her and moves quickly out of sight.
Baaba smiles, and then sees that Junior is suddenly standing by her side, and he is looking quite grim.
BAABA
Hey, what's it, little man?
JUNIOR
(softly)
Do you really really really want to be my friend, Auntie Baaba?
BAABA
(excited)
Yes, more than anything, my dear.
JUNIOR
Then you shouldn't do that huggy huggy thing and that face-licking things with my Daddy. I want my Mommy to do that with my Daddy. Remember I told you that at the beach?
Baaba laughs heartily at that, and then she embraces Junior.
BAABA
I promise, Junior. I won't do that!
Junior smiles, takes her hand, and they walk back to Jon Fii.
Effe gets to her feet.
EYRAM
Ef? Where to?
EFFE
(icily)
To get my son. I'm beginning to dislike that Baaba girl big time.
EYRAM
Let him be, Ef. Sit down. He's okay. You'll embarrass him.
Effe looks at her sister, and as she sits down again slowly she has a slight frown on her face.
Something is happening. In the past, she and Eyram had always been on the same frequency, the same wavelength. They had that common instincts that is so peculiar in twins.
But lately, it seems she and Eyram are operating on different angles, no more converging but almost as if they are always on parallels.
That closeness is somehow strained, and Effe just can't place a finger on what is happening.
Lately she has been feeling a bad vibration, some level of animosity from her twin sister.
She knows Eyram has always defended Chris, but that had never come between them.
Nowadays there is almost a slow wall building up between them, and Effe does not like it one bit.
JAILBIRD continues after comments..
.
Itz # ViciyoungTHE JAILBIRD
Episode 44 & 45
.
Continues.
Elaine breathes deeply, trying to still the pounding of her heart.
She descends slowly to the living-room where Effe is waiting.
Effe turns from the aquarium she has been staring emptily at, and faces her friend as she comes down the last stairs.
Effe is dressed for the office in a rather beautiful dark-blue suit that enhances her beautiful skin.
Her eyes are dark with pain, and she looks very hurt indeed.
Elaine stops and looks at her best friend warily.
ELAINE
(softly)
You know.
EFFE
(bitterly)
I know, Elaine. Chris told me.
ELAINE
(nodding)
And he told you he didn't rape me, didn't he?
EFFE
(bitterly)
Did he, Elaine? Did he really?
Elaine walks towards Effe, and she stares at her, and a moment later she drops to her knees.
ELAINE
(contrite)
I'm guilty of keeping my relationship with Chris a secret, Effe. I'm very, very sorry, but at the time I didn't want to destroy your happiness when I saw how much you loved him. When I realized it was you he was going to marry, it was too late to tell you. Your happiness was important to me. Effe, I was wrong, but I did it for you. Please forgive me.
Effe turns away from her.
She is hurt, and she fights to keep the tears away.
EFFE
Get up from the floor, Elaine.
Elaine stands up slowly. She walks to Effe and takes her hand in both of hers. She looks shame-faced as she speaks.
ELAINE
(earnestly)
You have to believe me, Effe, please.
EFFE
(tremulously)
I trusted you, Elaine. You were like a sister to me. You were my bridesmaid, not Eyram. But all along as you stood beside me at the altar you were hurting over Chris!
ELAINE
(inhaling to keep the tears away)
I admit I was hurting, yes, but I had to do everything to make your marriage work. That night I promised to bring him to you, the night you found him raping me, he was very high on alcohol and hard drugs. He begged me, telling me he wanted to sleep with me one last time, I refused. I called you from the bathroom, and when I went back to the room he pounced on me, and raped me. That's the truth, Effe, and nothing but the truth!
Effe rubs her forehead. She still stares at Elaine as if she just cant' take it all in.
EFFE
Chris was talking about some conspiracies, Elaine, as if I knew something about what happened. I pressed him, but he said nothing, but for a moment I could see there was more. Something he really wanted to say. Is that all, Elaine, or there's more? This is your chance to come clean, because he also told me about how you used to love violent sex, and how it wasn’t rape at all because that’s exactly how you wanted it. You better come clean now, Elaine.
ELAINE
(passionately)
We're closer than even twin sisters can ever be, you and eye, and I’m telling you the undiluted truth now, Effe. He tore off my clothes and raped me. If you want, let me confront him in your presence, and listen to what he will say, Effe. Why do you think I hate him so much? He was my former boyfriend, yes, but when I told him I wasn't going to sleep with him, he should have understood, and not forced himself on me. I couldn't do that to you, Effe. I can never do that!
Elaine takes out a handkerchief and dabs rather unsuccessfully at the tears running down herp face.
EFFE
(softly)
I hope so, Elaine. But know that truth never stays hidden. Don't let me find out there's more to this from somewhere else, okay? If I should ever find out you lied to me now, I’ll never forgive you.
Effe turns and heads quickly for the entrance.
Elaine stares after her, smiling rather sadly.
And there is unbridled profound relief on her face...and a subtle twist of cruelty to her lips.
JUNIOR'S RESTAURANT
It is a Saturday.
Grand opening of JUNIOR'S.
A month has passed like a whirlwind.
Madam Didi had begged Chris to take on some of her dedicated staff.
Chris has retained three counter girls, four waiters, two waitresses and four chefs.
Eyram had graciously advanced him some money to design the white, blue and red food packs and polythene bags.
Effe had paid for the huge neon-lit signboard and one-week ingredient supply.
The profiling of JUNIOR'S on HEARTBEAT TELEVISION had made the news spread like fire through a dry prairie.
Other news stations had come on board to do interviews, but Chris has refused to appear in any of them.
Surprisingly, a couple of non-governmental Christian organizations had agreed to provide new interior seats and tables, and also pay for a year's car park rental.
Chris had been extremely nervous at first, detesting the whole idea of being a chef, but Junior had been with him constantly, and given him the needed strength.
As the time drew nearer to the grand opening Chris had found himself getting caught in the euphoric excitement.
The opening ceremony had been short but colourful.
Some of the most influential people had turned up.
Junior had been allowed to say the prayers, and his passionate appeals to God to let his father succeed had moved many to tears.
Chris went to the kitchen, and supervised every step of the cooking.
He started with four dishes for the day; noodles, banku and okra stew, jollof and potato fries... and of course salads.
There is a CREAMS stand, where iced creams, smoothies, crushers and shakes of different flavours can be had.
He waits anxiously as the orders begin to trickle in.
And then things begin to really heat up!
Suddenly, people that had already eaten are now coming back for 'take-aways', and soon there is pressure at the Drive-Through window.
VICTOR NYENKU, a young chef who is fast beginning to impress Chris, walks up to him as he is pouring raw fries out of a bag.
VICTOR
(grinning)
I haven't seen such a crowd in all my four years of working here, Boss. I must admit, you have very sweet hands indeed. Look, I had my doubts at first, but now I think the TASTE BUDS restaurant is in serious trouble!
Chris looks at the young man, and they smile, and he nods.
CHRIS
Thank you, Victor. I think I like that.
Suddenly a young waiter enters the kitchen and goes straight to Chris.
WAITER
(nervously)
Sir, please there's a man in the restaurant. He says I should tell you to prepare him a picatonto salad! I tried telling him we don't have it on the menu but he told me you know what it is, so I should tell you.
Chris freezes, and his face suddenly lights up!
The only man who demanded 'picatonto' salad had been Chief Superintendent of Police, Jon Fii.
CHRIS
(excited)
Go and tell him a picatonto salad is coming up pronto, Adamu!
WAITER
(relieved)
Yes, sir!
VICTOR
(intrigued)
Picatonto? What's that, sir?
CHRIS
(smiling gently)
A speciality in prison, boy. Come and learn!
Soon Chris has the salad ready.
He dishes it in the best salad bowl, and serves the order on a tray.
He picks up the tray.
VICTOR
(alarmed)
Sir! You're not serving yourself, are you? Please, let me take it
CHRIS
(smiling)
This order I serve myself, Victor.
Chris carries the tray to the eatery, and he pauses with sudden shock when he sees that it is tightly packed!
Adamu sees him and utters a cry of shock and fear.
He rushes forward to take the tray, but Chris stops him.
WAITER
Please, sir-
CHRIS
(cutting in)
Where's the gentleman, Adamu.
WAITER
Table nine, please.
CHRIS
(kindly)
Okay, fine. I've got this, Adamu. You can serve another table.
When he walks through the restaurant he sees people looking at him with something approaching awe.
He sees children and adults digging in, eating with real relish, and he sees that most plates are completely empty except for bones, and suddenly he feels a certain kind of exhilaration he has never thought he will feel.
Amir, you old dog, thank you very much for forcing me to learn the fine arts of the kitchen!
Jon Fii is sitting at table nine, and he is not alone.
Baaba Brooks is with him.
Tbc
.
Episode 45
Continues..
Fii is in uniform today, and he gets to his feet with a broad smile as Chris carefully puts the tray down.
Fii then crushes him in a fierce hug.
JON FII
(emotionally)
Chris, Chris, Chris! Boy, am I glad to see you!
Chris looks warily at Baaba. Since that night, she had attacked him he had not seen her again.
She had sent text messages and called him to apologize, but he has kept out of her way strictly.
He had told himself that Eyram is right; Baaba is unbalanced, and as much as Chris had wanted to help her get over the trauma of being abused by her father, he knows she is quite dangerous.
Her mood swings are absolutely lethal, and he doesn't know what she is capable of doing from one second to the next.
A phrase, a look, an innocent action can set her off into that volcanic rage he has experienced twice already.
He had had the unpleasant feeling that she had wanted to kill him.
CHRIS
Glad to see you, sir. Very glad to see you. A picatonto salad, the best, just for you.
JON FII
Sit down, Chris.
CHRIS
I can't, sir. Too much pressure. Tell you what, we open at two in the afternoon on Sundays, so I'll come over tomorrow morning and have a church service with the guys. I miss that.
JON FII
(excited)
Really? That will be grand. The boys will be so happy. Especially Darlett Thompson. There is a strong possibility that Darlett will be released soon, Chris. His case has gone for review after new evidence was unearthed.
Chris Bawa's face breaks into a huge grin, and in spite of himself he sits down at the table.
CHRIS
Wow. Darlett? Damn! That is great news. He always told me he didn't steal that car, but that his partner framed him for that crime. That's great news indeed!
Suddenly Chris big left middle finger is grabbed, and he looks around and sees Junior standing beside him, his mouth full with chicken.
JUNIOR
Daddy!
Chris, heart bursting with joyful love, sweeps his son into his arms and plants a kiss on his cheeks as Junior giggles insanely and wriggles.
CHRIS
My son, sir. Champ, meet a friend of mine, Jon Fii.
JON FII
(smiling tenderly)
Yes, the famous Chris Bawa Junior! I saw you on television. The boy who bought this place for his father!
Junior's face splits into a huge grin of pride as Jon Fii shakes his hand.
JUNIOR
(shyly)
Pleased to meet you, sir.
JON FII
Oh, call me Uncle Fii. You look so much like your father, it's amazing.
JUNIOR
He's my father and I should look like him.
They all burst into laughter, and Baaba reaches out and shakes Junior's hand.
BAABA
Hello, Junior. Happy to meet you again after the fun we had at the beach. Please tell your father I'm very sorry okay? He's angry at me, and I believe if you ask him to forgive me, he will.
Junior looks at his father and frowns, and then he wags a forefinger at him.
JUNIOR
(calmly)
Daddy, Sunday School teacher says we should forgive each other like, erm... seven times? No, no, no, she said like seventy times?
JON FII
(spooning salad into his mouth)
Seventy times seven times.
JUNIOR
(awed)
Woow! That's radical! You know the Bible too, Uncle Fii?
CHRIS
(laughing)
He is the Chaplain at the prison where I was, Champ!
JUNIOR
Awesome! Yes, Jesus says we should forgive seventy times seventy times... is that right, Uncle Chaplain?
JON FII
(laughing uproariously)
Close enough, son, close enough!
JUNIOR
So, you will forgive Miss Baaba... no, wait a minute, are you Missus?
BAABA
(smiling and showing her hands)
See, no ring. Still Miss Baaba, my dearest boy.
JUNIOR
Daddy-
CHRIS
Alright, alright, shut up already! I forgive her!
They all laugh, and Baaba suddenly draws Junior into a warm embrace.
BAABA
Thank you, Junior! I owe you one!
Sitting at Table 15, Effe and Eyram look across at them with conflicting emotions.
With them is Rupert Henderson who is eating beef noodles.
Effe recognizes Baaba, the prison officer who seems to be so besotted with Chris.
She sees Baaba hugging Junior, and she sees the way Chris looks so happy and comfortable in her presence, and she feels a sudden blast of insane jealousy which she tries unsuccessfully to curb.
Eyram is furious.
She has not seen Chris and Baaba together since that terrible night.
She has assumed Chris has cut all ties with the mad girl, but evidently, judging by the way they are behaving, they are still in contact with each other.
Rupert looks at her sudden tense face, and he experiences a mild bout of jealousy himself.
It is true Eyram had convinced him that there is nothing between her and that Chris boy, and that there will be nothing between them, but he just cannot shake off the feeling that all is not as it seems.
After a moment Victor Nyenku emerges and looks for Chris.
He quickly approaches Chris and leans down.
VICTOR
Problem, sir. We're sold out!
Chris gets to his feet, and he struggles to keep his face straight.
CHRIS
Sold out.
VICTOR
(grinning)
Completely! And there's still a queue. What we gonna do?
CHRIS
Well, has the technician finished installing the Public Announcement System?
VICTOR
Yes, I heard him testing it a couple of times.
CHRIS
Right. Send one of the boys to make an announcement that we're temporarily out. Next orders will start in forty minutes. Then come to the kitchen. We gotta cook!
VICTOR
(laughing)
Yes, Chef!
Chris and Jon Fii embrace again, and then he hurries towards the kitchen.
Baaba calls his name, and he stops.
She comes towards him and stops in front of him, and she smiles sadly at him.
BAABA
(tenderly)
I'm really sorry, Chris. I'm sorry for attacking you. I don't know what came over me. You're the only man my heart has ever craved, and still craves. You'll have to be patient with me. I know you love Effe. I've accepted it, and I won't try to hurt that relationship. It's just that, if you're angry with me, I feel this pain in my heart. I can't eat, I can't breathe, I can't think straight. I'm constantly in pain. But when you're fine with me, it is the only time I feel happy. Please don't push me away, Chris, please. You know this love thing is new for me. Please, I'm begging you, just be my friend.
Chris stares at her, and he cannot doubt her sincerity.
His anger towards her slowly dissipates, and he reaches out for her, and he hugs her.
She puts her arms around him and hugs him tightly.
CHRIS
It's okay, Baaba.
BAABA
(voice muffled against his chest)
Thank you, Chris. I love you so much.
He breaks from her and moves quickly out of sight.
Baaba smiles, and then sees that Junior is suddenly standing by her side, and he is looking quite grim.
BAABA
Hey, what's it, little man?
JUNIOR
(softly)
Do you really really really want to be my friend, Auntie Baaba?
BAABA
(excited)
Yes, more than anything, my dear.
JUNIOR
Then you shouldn't do that huggy huggy thing and that face-licking things with my Daddy. I want my Mommy to do that with my Daddy. Remember I told you that at the beach?
Baaba laughs heartily at that, and then she embraces Junior.
BAABA
I promise, Junior. I won't do that!
Junior smiles, takes her hand, and they walk back to Jon Fii.
Effe gets to her feet.
EYRAM
Ef? Where to?
EFFE
(icily)
To get my son. I'm beginning to dislike that Baaba girl big time.
EYRAM
Let him be, Ef. Sit down. He's okay. You'll embarrass him.
Effe looks at her sister, and as she sits down again slowly she has a slight frown on her face.
Something is happening. In the past, she and Eyram had always been on the same frequency, the same wavelength. They had that common instincts that is so peculiar in twins.
But lately, it seems she and Eyram are operating on different angles, no more converging but almost as if they are always on parallels.
That closeness is somehow strained, and Effe just can't place a finger on what is happening.
Lately she has been feeling a bad vibration, some level of animosity from her twin sister.
She knows Eyram has always defended Chris, but that had never come between them.
Nowadays there is almost a slow wall building up between them, and Effe does not like it one bit.
JAILBIRD continues after comments..
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Itz # Viciyoung