TWIST IN THE WIND (RITA SONWU AND ELECTA ALEN)

Episode 3:
     Eric was loitering aimlessly in the wide school compound when he caught sight of Anabel. Her movements were sneaky, stirring curiosity in him. He drew closer and watched as she disposed something. He peered even more and realised they were drugs. Was she ill? If yes, why would she be throwing her drugs away?
'Hey!' he said, his voice a little louder than intended. Anabel turned swiftly, visibly shocked.
'What are you doing?' he asked, calmly.
'Do you always have to pry,' she said, making to walk away.
'Why are you disposing the drugs?'
'Eric, it's not your business. Please, let me be.'
'Hmm. All right then,' he said and began to walk away.
'Hey, Eric,' he heard her call, and waited for her to catch up with him.
'Yes?'
'I'm really sorry for my cranky attitude the other day, and even today.'
'Oh, Annie. It's nothing at all. I hope you're all right.'
'Friends again?' she said, ignoring his last sentence.
'Yeah, yeah,' he said, reaching for her outstretched hand. 'Have we ever been friends?' he thought to himself.
'All right, Eric Okon. Catcha,' she said with a smile and walked away.
Eric stood there, smiling and gawking at the motile Anabel. Her fair skin shone under the bright rays of the Sun, her footsteps were ordered and chic. He was full of joy. Finally, they were friends.

Eric got home that evening with a happy feeling. His day had been lovely, and he had a content smile on his face.
'Where's Mum?' he asked Joan who was busy doing the dishes at the kitchen. Mum ought to be home before he was back from school but where was she?
'Ah, Oga Eric, you ah back. Welcome. Doh,' she greeted.
'Good evening. Where is my mother?'
'Hmm. Your daddy faint this afternoon. Dem carry im to hospital.'
'What? Daddy fainted?!'

'Mum, will Dad get well soon?' he asked his mother who had been quiet for too long.
'Oh, yes. He'll be fine, Eric,' she said placing a hand on his shoulder. 'What about Kayla,' she asked.
'Kayla... We got home together. But when I learnt Dad was here, I dashed off without telling her.'
'Eric, stay here. I want to get something,' she said, as she got on her feet.
      Eric stared at his sleeping Dad for a minute or two and stood up. He would take a look around and hurry back to the room.
       As he walked on the tiled floors of Safe Haven hospital, he stopped in his tracks when he saw someone he knew. Anabel and her parents had just walked out of a doctor's office that was some distance ahead of him, far enough for him to be unnoticed and close enough for him to see them clearly. Anabel looked downcast. Her parents too had a distraught countenance. What could really be wrong with Anabel? Eric was overcome with curiosity. He had to know what was going on.