TWIST IN THE WIND(RITA SONWU AND ELECTAALEN)
Episode 5:Thanks a lot, guys,' Eric said, as he forced a smile through his teeth. 'I might be in school tomorrow or next.'
'No, Eric. Take all your time and rest. You must be shaken by the loss,' Chris said emphatically.
'Yes. Chris is right. There should be no unnecessary rush, dear. Everyone understands,' Anabel said softly.
'Hmm. Being home all day... it makes things worse for me. I want to come to school as soon as possible.'
'All right man. No problems. We'll be glad to have you back.' Eric and the trio were finally at the monstrous gates of the vacuous compound. 'You should get back to the house now, Eric,' Chris suggested as he squeezed Eric's hand hard. 'Thanks for seeing us off.'
Eric sighed and bade them goodbye. 'Goodbye guys. See you at school tomorrow.'
'Bye, Eric. Please take care of you,' Annabel said, and gave him a side-hug.
'Bye, sweetie,' Stella cooed, after being mute for so long. She had been a million miles away in her thoughts. Her eyes had been dancing round the compound from the moment they stepped foot in it. When they had arrived and walked into the compound a couple hours ago, Stella gaped in disbelief as she beheld the home of the Okons. 'This must be the wrong house,' she thought to herself. She expected Chris and Annie to quickly realise this and then they'd turn back. But they walked on and on and into the gorgeous and palatial mansion. The beauty of the antique living room left her awestruck. She heard Eric's voice in its rich timbre as he walked into the room and then it dawned on her that this wasn't a hotel as she had concluded.
Eric had lost his father. Meningitis had taken Mr Okon away from the world and his beautiful family. Annabel, Chris and Stella had paid their broken friend a condolence visit. Eric still couldn't understand how his ebullient and jovial father suddenly turned sickly pale and then died. His father's death made him realise for the first time in his seventeen years on earth that one could lose the things he cherishes the most in the twinkling of an eye.
It was a warm Wednesday morning and Eric was home. Walter's High School had gone on a one-week midterm break.
'Hello,' Chris called out, from the other end of the receiver.
'How you doin' man?' Eric asked his childhood friend of many years.
'I'm cool o. How...'
'I text you for Whatsapp since. You no reply.'
'Errm... What's up?'
'I just need Annie's digit. Please text it to me.'
'I thought you have Annabel's number.'
'No. I lost it, Chris.'
'All right! I go send am for Whatsapp. Make I subscribe now. I even get gist for you.'
'Thanks man.'
'Oh Annie, please take your call,' Eric lamented. He had tried Annabel's number for the umpteenth time and there was no response. He was already
They had been good friends for some time now. What had suddenly gone wrong?
