She was sweating profusely and shivering. Tears trickled down her cheeks uncomfortably. She didn’t know how loud her scream had been and that the inmate with her had been woken up.
“Hi little girl. Is your guts on fire?” She yelled at her, her gaze filled with annoyance. How dare this girl interrupt her sleep? She’s the President of that cell.
“No.. no…please.. my Papa..” Ava couldn’t say more than that. She ran towards the entrance, but it was shut. Oh goodness, she was shivering. Something has happened to her Papa.
“Hey, relax. You can’t see your Papa. And don’t disturb my sleep otherwise I will crush you at once” she threatened and hissed aloud.
These baby girls raised with silver spoons are like that. A minute away from their parents, they start crying like a moron. Nonsense.
Ava didn’t care about the threatening, she kept crying aloud “Oh Papa, don’t die, Wait for me to get back…Papa” she was sobbing profusely.
She stood by the entrance, hitting the iron bars. She wants them to let her call her Papa at least. She wants to be sure that her Papa is fine.
“Are you crazy?” The older woman yelled at her and rose up from her bed. She yanked Ava Leon and wanted to threw her off on the bed when Ava held her belly “No my baby”
She immediately paused and glared at her, still pulling her by her upper arm. Her eyes trailed down to her belly and her grip on Ava softened.
“Are you pregnant?” she asked and the teary Ava nodded. She is indeed pregnant and she doesn’t want anything to happen to her child.
The older woman let her go and surprisingly, got her bottle of water and offered her “Drink, your tensed emotion won’t help the baby”
Ava was shocked. She stared up at the woman and saw her eyes calm. She got the bottle, drank a little from it and returned it back to her.
“What do you say is wrong with your Papa?” She asked. She brought Ava to sit on her bed and sat next to her. She glanced at the girl and concluded that she could pass for her daughter’s age too.
“I saw my Papa. It seemed like he was dead. He came here and told me bye in my dreams…” she couldn’t continue but started sobbing all over again.
Her hands trembled, her body shook. She was covered in sweat and her anxiety was written all over her.
“Has he been sick?” The woman asked and Ava nodded. She brought herself to calm and swallowed hard before saying “Papa had heart disease. His heart is weak and he has been bedridden for many months now.
If my Papa dies, my momma will not be fine. She loves him very much and I love him too. I just want to know if my Papa is fine” Ava explained.
The older woman spent a few minutes staring at Ava speechless. This girl has been raised by lovely parents. She definitely missed them and would find it hard to accept the news of her father’s death, if truly he is dead.
“Don’t worry dear, it’s just a dream” she tried to wave the whole thing off. The girl is pregnant and she would not want her to stress herself, considering her condition.
“No ma’am, I hardly dream but if I do, it will come true. That’s what I have discovered over time. It’s either my Papa would die by morning or he’s already dead” Ava explained.
The older woman pulled Ava to herself and pats her back gently. It’s a pity that this is happening to her. Young and pregnant, jailed and father’s death. That’s really massive on her.
She’s yet to hear from her about what really happened but the news of her stabbing her grandfather in an attempt to murder him was all over the place.
But can this fragile girl really do it?
“I’ll help you get the answers by morning. Be Patient okay?” The older woman assured Ava and she nodded, wiping her tears off.
“My name is Luna Wesley,”the older woman introduced herself. She’s been in that jail for over two decades and only a few people know her real name.
And she’s not certain that she would ever step out of it. Her fate is bound there. She will live the rest of her life in that jail room and die there.
She wished that one day, her son would get to know the truth about his mother. And he would hold her close in his heart. That’s her desire.
Next morning, Ava Leon was awakened by Luna “What’s your father’s name and your home address?” She asked. She would fulfil her promise, she’d always been like that.
Ava sat up quickly and said “His name is Sam Leon and the address is…” Ava informed, her heart beating fast in excitement. She’s anticipating a response.
Luna nodded and beckoned to one of the prison officers. She folded a neat note into her hand and said “Sam Leon” and gave her the address.
It happened so quickly that Ava doubted if the officer heard Luna’s words. The latter returned and laid on her bed, reading a magazine.
Less than twenty minutes later, the prison officer returned and gave Luna a short note and walked away. Luna opened it and her eyes went pale.
“What happened, Luna? Is my Papa alright?” Ava asked, not comfortable with the sudden quietness of Luna.
*********************
Meanwhile, In Adrian’s office, Patrick Connor was furious with him. How can he act so ruthless? How can a young man like him act that way?
“… I can’t imagine that Ava’s father died at your feet, Adrian. You had his daughter jailed and got a restraint that prevented anyone from seeing her.
Now, her father is dead and you won’t have that restraint removed so that she can give her father a proper burial? What is wrong with you?” He bellowed.
When the news of Sam Leon’s death got to his ears, he felt sad and went to request on behalf of Ava that she should be granted a temporary bail so that she can mourn her dad.
He was shocked when he was told that she’s not allowed to be given a bail. He had decided to confront Adrian and the latter felt nonchalant about it.
“What’s my business with that? My grandfather is lying on the verge of life and death, it’s all Ava’s fault. She will remain there, until grandfather recovers and tells everyone what really happened” Adrian declared.
“Your grandfather isn’t dead yet. Give her the benefits of that and let her give her father her last respect. Besides, shouldn’t you be at the funeral now?
That man is your father in-law, Adrian. Ava Leon is your wife, your legally married wife. Think right , for once” Patrick coaxed.
“This would be the last time you interfere with my life personally or family wise. You should know your limits. I will forget that we’ve been friends for over two decades and I’ll break your neck if you go beyond your boundaries next time” Adrian threatened.
“Adrian!” Patrick Connor was shocked. How can he use such words for me, when he was only trying to help out.
“You’re poking your head where it doesn’t belong and I might have to break that neck. Stay away from me henceforth, I have no need of idiots like you around me” Adrian Lester bellowed.
“You’ll one day regret your actions Adrian. You’ll wish you haven’t taken this path you now trod. That conscience of yours that has suddenly been eaten up by dogs will gradually grow back and you’ll be able to think aright.
And that day, you’ll bite your fingers. You’ll go on your knees to seek pardon and you won’t get it. Your tears will know no bounds and you will pay dearly, for what you’ve done, Adrian Lester!” Patrick Connor declared.
“Enough!” Adrian thundered.