Under the Crimson Sunset (a Nigerian Romance story)

"Hi, mother."

Her tone was as cold as winter. Dr. Wilson turned her head grimly at her. Slowly, she approached her, a step at a time, till she closed up the distance between them. At once, in a swift, she scooped Tina together in her arms and buried her face on her neck.

Tina was too fazed to speak. She pinched herself to be sure she wasn't dreaming. Ella's jaw was literally on the floor. Chief didn't seem amazed. In fact, he predicted something like that. Anytime he was with his wife, which was everytime, he always predicted anything and everything. After a while, without uttering a word, she let go of Tina and approached Ella. She did same thing to her while Tina watched dumbfoundedly. She had never seen her mother like that. She couldn't even remember the last time she hugged her. Now that she thought about it, she hardly heard her speak. Or probably she did and she forgot it. She couldn't remember how her mother sounded like. Dr. Wilson finally hugged her husband after hugging Ella.

"Where's my son?" She whispered to him.

Chief bent a bit to whisper to her ears. "He is not here..."

She shuddered at the response. Her voice went loud, "where's he? Hope he's safe. Hope he's not hurt. My baby boy, my darling Dave. Oh, where's my boy?..." She kept on rumbling. Chief drew her closer, "He's with Prof. He's safe." She calmed down. He held her hand and approached the stairs that led to their bedroom. Tina crossed the way. She needed explanation and answers.

"Tina, your Mom and I need to rest."

"I want to speak with you." Her confidence was sprouting again.

"Tina, that can wait till tomorrow. I need to rest now." His voice was getting sternly.

"Daddy, that's what you've always said. Tomorrow has arrived and it's today, right now. Daddy, I want to speak with you." She stressed the last sentence emphatically. Chief hissed slightly and he tried to reroute. He found Tina in every direction. He was getting pissed. He turned to Ella, "take her to her room."

Tina flared up. "Take who? Me? Who do you think I am, Dad? I'm not the six-year old Tina, or the ten, or the sixteen. Dad, I'm twenty! Auntie Ella, don't bother yourself because I'm not leaving this spot until I speak with him."

Deep down, Ella wanted the conversation to happen. She can't be a kid forever, she'd find answers at some point and her parents should be ready for it. She made an attempt to approach Tina but at her last sentence, she stopped.

"Tina, I'm not ready to speak with you. Wait till dawn!" He wasn't shouting because he was tired. He was shouting because his wife, calmly resting against his chest, needed to go get her meds before it turned out disastrous. He knew his wife's condition mustn't be delayed when it comes to using her medication. He looked back to Ella behind him and gave her a stare. Ella understood what it meant. Mrs. Wilson's meds without delay. She knew about her condition. She knew everything from genesis. She had been with them before they got married. Ella hurriedly approached them to take Mrs. Wilson upstairs while Chief would have time for his daughter. As she came closer, Tina thought she was coming to drag her into her room, as it had always been each time she confronted her dad, so she voiced out.

"Must you do this always, Dad? Must you drag us away whenever you can't stomach our problems? You threw Dave away and you want me out of your sight too? Did you even know that Prof is dead?"

Ella froze when Tina asked the question. Not even Ella, time itself froze. Chief's face had almost turned to stone. The news shocked him to the bone. The first thought in his head was to ensure his wife didn't hear that, else...

"Which Prof?"

Her austere voice jolted them back to reality. Chief's worst fear was coming to reality too. He quickly beckoned on Ella to take her upstairs with all her strength. They both knew if she lost control, no one could hold her. Ella gripped her left wrist swiftly and she struggled to free herself while simultaneously approaching Tina.

"Tell me young lady. Who died? Who? Where's my son? My beloved son." She struggled to free herself while Ella ushered her onto the stairs with all her strength.

"No one died. Dave is fine."

"Ma, Dave is fine. He'll be here soon."

They both calmed her nerves while Tina watched with utmost astonishment. When she had gone, Chief stared angrily at Tina, who was already quivering on her spot.

"What is wrong with you?!" He almost roared. Tina shut her eyes at the yell, "I didn't know..."

"I kept telling you till dawn. Why don't you ever listen?"

"Don't yell at me, okay? I needed to know why you and mother are fond of not being with us. Do we embarrass you that much? Was it because of the awful stories about my brother that was posted years ago? And why is mother being creepy?" Her voice was shaking. Chief exhaled and sank himself into the cushion. He buried his forehead into his right palm. He knew a day like this would come, but not at a time like this. He needed to rest. He attempted to speak when Ella raced down the stairs, panting.

"I just got a call from Dr. Theresa. Dave has regained his memory."

Chief sprang up.