TITLE: The Web (Part 2) EPISODE: 5 AUTHOR: Candy Mrs Seriki wished she could magically transport herself to babas house in Kogi. She knew she had to call baba again, not minding how brash he sounded on the phone earlier. She searched in her bag for her phone and scrolled to babas name. As usual, he didnt pick until her fourth call. She swore under her breadth. Her bag dropped on the floor as she stood up, but baba was already speaking on the other end. The bag can wait, baba cant, she thought. She excused herself and walked to the space between the main building and the bq to discuss with him out of Tobis earshot. ...yes, baba. Shes not even in ibadan! He ate what his twin sister cooked. Are you sure? Baba asked. He was seeing something different through the divination, but he kept quiet. Whatever happened could still be corrected within 24 hours. Just keep the dummy safe. I have stalled the effect for now, go home and tie the dummy with a tighter rope. As far as he doesnt see it, the gods will help you out. Baba told her . Thank you sir. She pressed the end button, looked furtively around to ensure Tobi hadnt sneaked in behind her. There was remedy, baba had assured her. All she had to do was keep the dummy safe. Then she remembered her bag dropped on the floor earlier. Oh! My bag, the dummy! She muttered to herself as she bolted to Tobis scattered living room. He was not there. Then she saw her bag, well arranged, lying on the side stool. Terror took her breath. She shook all over. How could she have been so careless? She picked the bag and sank back into the sofa she vacated earlier. She checked for the dummy, everything was intact. Maybe he just helped picked the bag and tucked the content back in, without looking...she thought. She decided to take her leave. She tried Tobis number twice before he picked her call. Lock the door on your way out. He had told her, without disclosing where he was or showing any anger. She pulled out of the small driveway. In one breath, she put it in drive and headed home. She managed to haul herself out of the car, slammed the door behind her and hissed under her breath. How was the meeting, Helen? Chief asked quietly as she eased herself on a sofa in the living room. Em, It was fine. She answered without looking at him. We just finished. Tobi called. She leaned farther in the sofa, eyes opened wide, she suddenly flinched in pain as if a pin had pricked her. He did? Yes, said you should leave his key with his secretary tomorrow. A shudder of fear raced up her spine. Ok, I will. I was there to say hello after the meeting. But he had an urgent call and left me at home. Ok. Chief said. I need to clarify a few things with you...l She stretched her palm, the stop sign. Not today, chief. She said angrily. She knew she was wrongly transferring aggression but she didnt care. He deserved it for sleeping with Bimpe and getting her pregnant, bringing this upon her. Ok, we talk tomorrow. Chief said lamely. She had a way of draining him of energy and will power. He had to postpone the talk. ******************** Ade concentrated on his driving. Once in a while casting side glances at Tobi. The windshield wipers thumped continuously as rain drummed hollowly on the car roof. Tyres screeched, car horns competed with the beating of the rain. Everybody was in a hurry. Cars moved slowly because of the rain. Traffic built up heavily. It didnt look like the rows of cars driving bumper to bumper along Dugbe were moving at all. Tobi checked his watch. It was 9:05am. Despite the ac and the cool weather, his palms were sweating. He blotted them on his Next jeans, the same pair he wore yesterday. He felt sweat trickle down his sides from his armpits. He was dying of anxiety. It all started with Mrs Serikis visit to his apartment. He had stood up to help her pick her bag when the content scattered on the floor. Something had caught his eye. A funny looking dummy. Suddenly, he felt weak at the knees. Then he felt a jolt of electricity and he suddenly felt the need to see his birth mother. It was all like a trance. He had rushed down to Felele to see her. There, he was told they had moved out. Then he thought of calling his twin sister, but for whatever reason, he no longer had her number. Luckily, she had Ades number. He remembered vividly how he had been unkind to the woman the few times she tried reaching out to him. Why was what he didnt understand. It was celebration galore when he finally reunited with Bolu. Where is mother? He had asked her. Bolu and Ade exchanged glances. Just a few hours back, he had embarrassed her right on the same spot he was standing on. Bolu believed a miracle had finally happened. She believed the charm story. One look at Ades face and she knew he believed it too. Mother is in Oshogbo. She lives there now, with her mother. Then I have to go see her today, now! Bolu had laughed as she explained that they couldnt go that day, she was beyond herself with joy. I have a major supplier coming over by my store tomorrow as early as 8am. We can set out after that. Tobi didnt like the arrangement, but he had no choice. He couldnt go back to his apartment, he didnt feel like seeing Mrs Seriki. He wasnt ready to discuss his plans with her just yet. Tobi slumped back against the passenger seat of Ades car in frustration. They were on their way to pick her at her store, somewhere around Mokola. He watched silently as Ade navigated the heavy Dugbe traffic. Bolu was waiting for them as they pulled up in front of her store. It was a big place. Hop in. Ade opened the door for her and she got in the back seat. It was a memorable day for her and tears rushed to her eyes as she began to imagine how her mother was going to feel when Tobi called her mother again. She couldnt wait. One could slice through the silence in the car. Each one lost in thought. Finally at 2:15pm, they pulled over in the fairly deserted compound. Mother! Tobi screamed when he saw madam ty. He rushed over and hugged her. She smiled and greeted him back. How are you? She asked. They were all taken aback by the cold reception. Thinking she was angry, Tobi prostrated, Im sorry about the way I treated you ma. I dont know what came over me. He was in tears. Ade and Bolu joined him in apologizing. Madam ty appeared even more confused at their reaction. Was he someone special? Please, lets go inside. She said. Inside, she told them calmly, I honestly cant remember where we met, young man! Are you ok mum? Bolu used the back of her hand to feel her forehead for temperature. Your temperature is ok mum. Whats going on here? She asked in frustration. This is Tobi, your son, my twin brother that mrs seriki snatched from you! She shrugged her shoulders in resignation. I dont get the connection. We need to get you to ibadan today ma. Ade chipped in. Something is not right here. Reluctantly, madam ty threw a few clothes in her bag and got in the car beside her daughter. She looked really confused and gradually, she sank back into her shell. ********************** Tobi drove his honda crv to the private psychiatric clinic at Akobo. He had not been to work in two days, except when he went to pick up his key. He has been avoiding Mrs Seriki, though he knew he was going to talk to her sooner or later. Earlier in the morning, he had gone to Bolus place to pick madam ty and Bolu for a scheduled psychiatric evaluation. They met the doctor that attended to them earlier, when she was in shock, Dr Uba. Madam ty seemed utterly unaware of her environment. The experience seem to be taking a new toll on her. Though she talked and smiled when necessary, she appeared almost withdrawn again. Tobi stood and adjusted his shoulders to settle his well-tailored jacket in place. He looked great, as usual. Bolu couldnt care less about her appearance. She had on a simple knee -length chiffon dress, a pair of casual slippers and no jewelry of any kind. Concern was written all over her beautiful face. Good morning doctor. Tobi took Dr Ubas outstretched hand. He knew who Tobi was, he had been briefed on the phone. Taking madam tys hands in his own as he sat down next to her on the couch, Dr Uba spoke gently to her,staring right into her eyes . Madam, do you know this young man, Tobi Seriki? He asked pleasantly. She hesitated for a moment, then said Yes. They all smiled at her response. Where and how did you know him? Dr Uba asked. He was with my daughter and son-in-law at Oshogbo on monday. We came down to ibadan together. Dr Uba sighed. Tobi shrugged his shoulders in frustration and Bolus eyes became cloudy, the river of tears set to overflow. She had raised their hopes when she answered yes and then dashed. Can you describe the house you lived at felele, before Bolu got married? He asked calmly. Madam ty was becoming uneasy with the questions. Am I mad? She thought within herself. Then she answered straight faced, determined to convince them she was ok, We lived at Olorunshogo, Alhajis house, not Felele. At least, she got that one right, she thought, victory look on her face. Bolu and Tobi exchanged glances again. Both sighed in frustration. He asked her series of questions that should jolt her memory, Bolu and Tobi also described a few scenes to help her. No luck. She answered every other question correctly, she even remembered her daughters birthday, life in Kaduna and every memorable detail of their lives. Dr Uba turned to them, cleared his throat and said, your mother seem to be suffering from dissociative amnesia. What is that, dr? Bolu asked, alarmed. Its memory loss resulting from emotional shock or trauma. though she got out of the depression, she seemed to have totally blocked the events that lead to the Initial shock out. Tobi paced up and down the consulting room. He knew he was totally responsible for his mothers mental condition. He closed his eyes for a few seconds to block the tears from flowing. He felt like kicking himself in the groin. What is the next thing? He asked Ordinarily, we need to do an MRI to rule out structural causes, an EEG to rule out a seizure disorder, blood and urine tests to rule out reaction to illicit drug use. He paused for effect, before continuing, but since Im familiar with her history, Ill let you guys decide if we should wave the tests and go through therapy. So, what are the prognosis? Tobi asked, barely able to look his sister in the eye. Well, most patients recover their memories but some patients are never able to reconstruct their missing past. The prognosis is determined mainly by the patients life situations, particularly the ones related to the cause of the amnesia. Bolu sighed. Madam ty looked at the doctors note pad in confusion. What do you guys think? We run the MRI and other tests or we skip and go to therapy? He looked at Bolu for answer. I think I choose therapy, since we know the cause. Bolu offered. Well, we can run the tests for formality sake, Doc. Tobi suggested. Bolu appaered to be in thought for a few seconds then she agreed. Dr Uba also liked that. Lets quickly do that today. For treatment of this condition, a supportive environment and Psychotherapy will do. Trying to re-enact scenes from the lost period is very good too. This measure alone helps patients to recover with time. He concluded. Unrestrained tears streamed down Bolus cheeks. If only you had come back earlier, she thought as she stared at Tobi. She called Ade to inform him of the latest development. Guilt didnt allow Tobi to be part of the conversation. He drove them to the government hospital for the tests in silence. His phone rang incessantly but he didnt pick. Why dont you pick your calls or switch off your phone? Bolu said in annoyance. Im sorry, I dont want to miss important business calls. Its mostly Mrs Seriki calling though. He told her. He couldnt define his feelings for the woman that brought him up, but he had a nagging feeling she had something to do with all of this. His thought kept flashing to their lunch at the chinese restaurant and his feeling of uneasiness whenever she was around her. Since yesterday, he saw her in a different light. His thought was interrupted by his sisters harsh words. You and business. It was this same money and business that made you turn your back against your own mother. Look where it brought us now... Bolu went on and on. Unable to take it anymore, Tobi parked the car and rested his head on the steering. He sobbed into his folded arms like a baby. Bolu was too upset to care. Madam ty felt pity for the young man crying, though she didnt think it was really her place to interfere. Its ok, young man. Was all she could say. She had her own troubles. They all felt she should know this young man, if she didnt, she feared another round of trips to the doctors. Yet, here she was, unable to connect him in anyway to her life. When he let it all out in tears, Tobi baeced himself up for the task ahead;the task of helping his mother regain her lost memory, especially him. Bolu didnt exchange a word with him till he parked the car at the hospital. He felt bad about her anger, but he knew he deserved it. Within a few hours, the tests were carried out. The results confirmed Dr Ubas diagnosis of dissociative amnesia. They both agreed on consulting Ades mum for the therapy sessions. The drive back home was better. Bolu had gonee over her sulking mood, they were back in talking terms. It felt good. Even madam tys mood lightened up. To be continued...
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 16:24:01 +0000
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