25/06/2025
ORPHANED CHAPTER 13
The next day, Precious went down to Ryan’s village to see his family. She did that for two reasons. She wanted to begin creating a strong bond with them, and she also wanted to put the dream to a test. But after she had stayed there for the weekend, she realized that so far, the dream had not materialized. But it could also be too early to conclude.
She travelled back to the city to resume school. But she was worried. Ever since Ryan travelled, he had not contacted her. His social media accounts also had no signs of any recent activity. She could not understand what was happening. So, she called his mother.
“You mean he has not called you guys, too?” Precious asked.
“My daughter, he hasn’t oh. I don’t know what is happening. Did you hear any news of a plane crash recently?” His mother asked.
“No, mama. Nothing can happen to him. Even if there was a crash, and just one person survived, I believe it would be my Ryan.”
“For real, my daughter. I am so worried. Anyway, let us keep our fingers crossed and pray. We can only hope on God.”
“He is the ultimate, mama.”
That same night, as Precious was about to go to bed, her phone rang. She checked and it was a foreign number with the country code of the United States. She immediately knew who it could be. So, she grabbed the phone excitedly and answered it.
“Hello! Hello!! Ryan, is that you?” She asked.
“Yes, baby.” Ryan replied. “It is me.”
“Yes!!!” She exclaimed. “Ryan, we have been so worried, your family and me. What happened? Why didn’t you call immediately you reached?”
“I am sorry, baby. I had to put one or two things together. You know I gave my phone to my elder sister before leaving. So, I had to get a new phone, a new SIM, all that stuff. I am so sorry. How is my mum?”
“She is fine. She has been so worried. Please, call her immediately you drop this call.”
“Yes, baby. I will. Anyway, do you have data?” He asked.
“Of course, what kind of a question is that?”
“Okay, please go to WhatsApp.”
Precious ended the call and logged in to WhatsApp. Ryanhad sent some new pictures to her. They were so beautiful.
"Wow!! Ryan. The pictures are so good and you look so handsome in them. That beautiful house, is it yours?” Precious asked.
“Yes, that is where I will be living.”
“I wish I could be with you now. I am so lonely.”
“It is alright, Precious. It is just a matter of time. All you have to do is remain true to our love and promises, and also study like your life depends on it. Everything will be fine. I want that you should graduate with a very good Grade Point Average so that you would be able to have admission into a foreign university.”
“I will do my very best, sweetheart. Wow!! I am so excited talking to you. Can we do video?” Precious asked.
“Why not?”
They switched the call to video and smiled broadly at each other when their eyes met.
“Ryan, just a few days abroad, and you are already this fresh?” Precious asked.
“I tell you oh. Maybe it is the cold.” He replied, laughing.
“Don’t worry, I am coming to keep you warm.”
“When?”
“Now.”
“Oya, hurry and come fast. Take the first available flight.” They both laughed.
They chatted for a long while. Then, after what seemed like eternity, Ryan asked Precious to go to sleep since their time difference was up to six hours.
For the next one year, communication between Ryan and Precious was very regular. They did their very best, in spite of their tight schedules, to keep the line hot. From time to time, in spite of the fact that Precious had the proceeds of the taxi to cater for her needs, Ryan still sent her some dollars. Precious was a good girl, too. Every now and then, she sent some money from the taxi money to Ryan’s mother since Ryan had not started sending money to his mother.
About a year and a half later, one day, while they were talking, Ryan informed Precious that a friend of his was coming to the country, and he was going to send some things with him. Precious was very happy and said she couldn’t wait for that friend to arrive.
A week later, the friend called Precious and told her that he was already in town. He wanted directions to her house so that he could deliver the goods from Ryan. She gave him directions to her house and within the next thirty minutes, he showed up in his big car.
“Welcome, Gilbert.” Precious spoke.
“Thank you, Precious. Wow!! You are so beautiful. My friend really has eyes for nice things.”
“Thank you.” Replied, shyly.
He opened the car trunk and removed a big black bag and helped Precious carry it into the house. Once they were seated at home, she opened the bad and started checking the things alongside the list Ryan had sent to her on WhatsApp. Everything was in order. The parcels were all labeled. Some were for Ryan’s mum and sister, and the rest was for, of course, her. When she was sure that everything was in order, she thanked Gilbert.
“Can I get you something to drink?” He asked Gilbert.
“Yes.” He answered after hesitating for a while.
She offered him a whole bottle of wine. She brought two glasses and poured some for herself, too. As they drank, they chatted. Soon, it was time to go. She walked Gilbert to his car and he drove off in a cloud of dust.
The next day, she went down to the village and handed the rest of the things Ryan had sent to his mum and sister. His mum, especially, was very happy and danced all around the house in joy. After she had finished her dancing, she came back to Precious.
“My daughter, please, take some things for yourself. You cannot give us all these? How about yours?” She asked.
“Mama, thank you very much.” Precious replied. “But I have already removed mine.”
“What?” She asked. She and her daughter looked at each other and Precious was quick to notice that they didn’t seem very happy. But Mama Ryan quickly rearranged her facial expression. “Of course, my daughter. I should have thought of that.”
The next day, Precious went back to the city, but as she went, she couldn’t help but remember what she had noticed. Ever since she made that statement about her already removing her own goods, Ryan’s mother and sister had been cold towards her. They had tried to act normal, but she was a good psychologist and could see behind their masks. Well, she hoped that they got over it as soon as possible because to her, she hadn’t done anything wrong.
The next day, Gilbert called her and told her that he would like to take her out for a drink. She called Ryan and told him about his friend’s proposal. He granted her permission to go, but told her to be watchful and careful. His rational for letting her go was because he felt she needed some time out since she had been saying that she had always been indoors.
The outing went well, and around 8:00 PM, for Precious didn’t like late nights, she asked Gilbert to drive her home. When they got back home, instead of Gilbert to go to his own house, he followed Precious into her house. Precious didn’t like him following him inside since he had had too much to drink and tried to talk him into going home, but he wouldn’t budge. Instead, he grabbed her around the waist from behind.
“What are you doing, Gilbert. Please, let me go.” She spoke, struggling to free herself from his grip.
“Please, I want you, Precious.” He spoke. His breath stank of alcohol. Precious could feel the hardness of his thing pressed against her behind.
“Are you alright, Gilbert, I am your friend’s fiancée. I can never do a thing like that. Please, let me go or I will scream at the top of my voice.” She threatened.
But Gilbert didn’t budge. Instead, he flung her carelessly on the sofa and got on her, pressing his sweaty body against hers. Precious fought with all her strength, scratching, biting and kicking as Gilbert was struggling to pin her down, and at the same time, remove his belt. Then, it happened.
The door burst open and she heard a female voice shout.
“Precious!!!!”
With the last strength in her, she pushed Gilbert away from her and tried to look at who had called her name. She was shocked when she realized who it was.
It was Ryan’s elder sister.
TO BE CONTINUED…
By Tim’s