There's no way I'll spend a night in a police cell and get a pint of sleep. I turn and toss in the cold floor, wondering how I'll get myself out of this mess.
As I struggle to catch some sleep, my mind goes back to three years ago when I found out George was nothing but a pathetic cheat...a liar!
*****
*THREE YEARS AGO*
Today is Friday. It's Kate's bridal shower.
It's happening in a house in one of the leafy suburbs. Kate has already confided into me that it's the house her wealthy hubby bought for her and they literally live together waiting for their wedding which will take place tomorrow.
My ever understanding boss has allowed me to take the afternoon off to go and prepare for the party which will take place later in the evening.
Kate being my best friend, I have to be there for her...it's just unfortunate that she didn't choose me to be her best maid due to reasons best known to herself.
I wake up with a start. It's already daytime and light is flooding the whole room. I yawn and stretch then sit up on the bed. I look around and I'm surprised to find myself on my bed in my house.A lot of thoughts crisscross my mind but I can't even place a finger on how I arrived in my house.Shit!My phone is just beside me on the bed therefore I decide to pick it up to call Kate and know who brought me home.I dial her number and before it connects, I happen to get a glimpse of the time and I'm surprised to find out it's already Saturday 3pm.Oh my God!I gasp and panic.Today is Kate's wedding!Oh my!She'll be mad at me for missing her wedding!Her call goes direct to voicemail and upon trying again and again, she's unreachable.No missed calls nor text messages from her.Th
I'm locked up in a dark room when I finally come around. I'm still in cuffs and the cold floor ain't giving me any peace. I'm shivering to the core and I'm afraid I'll catch a cold or something worse.So these people decided to dump me in a cell instead of a hospital?Anyway, what rights does a common criminal like myself have?I hear some murmuring outside but I can't see anyone.I hear the clicking of a lock and the door is suddenly opened.The same middle aged female cop is here, smiling as usual.“Darlene, we've been instructed to transfer you to a remand awaiting your appeal day.”“Remand? Appeal?”I ask astonished.“Don't you want to appeal? Don't you want justice to be done?”She questions still smiling.“I'd love to but...”I trail in my own voice.“Let's move. You'll be presented in court
It's about three months since I took over this branch as the manager.Life has been good and I'm not complaining.It's also over four months since that lame excuse of a man eloped with my bitch of a best friend.To say I've moved on will be pure lying but to be sincere, I'm struggling to.The intercom on my table buzzes as I get myself engrossed in thoughts.I tap on the button and the receptionist's voice comes through.“Good afternoon madam.”“Good afternoon Daisy, can I help you.”I ask in my bored tone.“Not really madam, but there's a guy here who wants to see you.”She says.“Does he have an appointment?”I ask.“He doesn't but he says it's urgent and crucial.”“It's okay, let him in.”Who might be this guy who insists to see me?I can't stop asking my
*The Appeal*It's on a Thursday, almost three weeks after being arraigned in court.It's the appeal day.I'm more keen today because I'm determined to get out of this hell hole.Being in remand ain't a walk in the park...leave alone for a crime you know nothing about.The prosecutor is at it again, setting out the rules and reading the crimes.My human hair wig was long confiscated by a cop and I'm left with untidy cornrows. I know I look like shit but all that matters is my getting out of this hell hole sane and alive.My attention shifts to my family and upon seeing my mum, my heart breaks instantly. There she is, looking so frail, with sunken eyes and wrinkled face. I'm sure she hasn't had sleep for days. My dad too looks so deep in thoughts and I'm sure alot is going on in his mind.My brother and sister too look distant and I can tell my arrest has taken a tol
*TWO YEARS AGO*“I told you young lady...”Geoffrey whom I fondly call Jeff teases me.“You can't keep on avoiding me!” He's smirking awkwardly like the winner he thinks he is.We're in his house taking some wine.At first, I just saw him as my boss's business partner and my ex's twin brother but now, I see him differently.After bothering me severally, I had to give in to his demands and I eventually became his girl.He has perfectly filled in the vacuum left by his brother and to be sincere, I don't miss George anymore.He's my prince in shining armour... He's my guardian angel...my Mr handsome.I know it's awkward banging twins but trust me, I stopped worrying about that a long time ago.This society is full of judgemental jacks but I'm not moved by any of them. As long as I've found love, I've got nothing to worry about in this world.However, we haven't talked about the direction our a
I tense under his touch as he leads me towards his car after stepping out of the elevator.What's in his mind?What's this important thing that Jeff want to talk to me about?As he reverses out of the parking lot towards his office, I can't help but notice the nervousness in his eyes.It's so evident.I'm so much engrossed into thoughts such that i don't realise that we just branched and we're heading towards his house.“Jeff, you've missed your way to the office?!”“I know...” He replies absentmindedly, still focusing on the road ahead.“We're going to the house. It's safe there.”I just nod.I can't keep on pestering him so I give him the benefit of doubt.Ten minutes later, we're in his house and I'm seated on the couch as he pours me something to drink.“Darl... ”He nervously calls my na
As the prison van disappears towards the maximum prison, I'm all tears and heartbroken. A lot of questions flood my mind such that my head starts aching.Were my eyes playing tricks on me?Wasn't that George I saw?Isn't he supposed to be dead?If not, who did I see lying there unconscious, in a pool of his own blood?Oh my God! This is too much for me to handle.First, I get an anonymous call and with all my naivety, I obey without questioning and then I find it's a set up. Cops arrive within no time and arrest me and get convicted even after an appeal...And now the one who's thought to be dead is alive and breathing!If that's George, then where's Geoffrey?Oh! Nothing is making sense at all!I'll be locked in for years...many years for a crime I didn't commit... The person I supposedly murdered is alive. Probably brea
I'm trying to cope with life here. It's not a smooth ride but through thick and thin, I'm making it. For the past one year, I've been recognised by the prison's officials for being of good discipline.My family and friends haven't gotten tired of visiting me in prison and I'm glad they've all been understanding.As for my lawyer, he hasn't gotten any tangible information about George or Geoffrey or Kate. Apparently, they shifted from where they used to stay to an unknown place.Geoffrey's house has been secured with a lock ever since and no one has been seen anywhere near it. My instincts tell me that he's still alive...somewhere.According to my family, my house in the other town is still intact and they're still collecting rent from the one my parents left for me.Today is one of those days when I wake up in high spirits.The other inmates are busy doing one thing or the other but I'm seate