"Is he back yet?"
The maid turned back to look at her madam who just entered the kitchen. She had been napping since she came back in the afternoon after complaining of a terrible migraine.
"No ma" she replied with a look of concern on her face.
" Are you feeling better now ma?"
Her madam nodded and went to the refrigerator and poured a freshly squeezed juice for herself. She looked up at clock hanging on the wall and signed in exasperation.
"I told him to be home before 6pm."
She dialed her son's number but it was reported to be switched off. She re-dialed it again hoping it was a network problem but the same report came back.
She dropped the phone on the table and picked it up again looking confused.
And scared.
She dialed her husband's line and it rang.
" Have you heard from Uche? When was the last time you talked on phone? His number is not going through. I clearly told him to make sure that he is back by 6pm and it's 7:30 already
Her husband calmed her down and assured her that he was probably on his way back.
"But why is his phone switched off?" she asked.
The husband left everything he was doing and hurried back home. He kept dialing Uche's number every two minutes.
She hugged her husband immediately he alighted from his car soaking his shirt with her tears.
"I told him to call me immediately he orders an uber and send me the uber guy's details but i didn't hear from him neither did i receive any details"
He pulled her away from him gently.
"Why an Uber? Aren't you supposed to drop him and pick him up? That was the arrangement".
Tears ran down from her eyes down to her cheek as she explained why she came back without their thirteen years old son.
"Why didn't you call? I would have gladly pick him up myself.
I wanted to but he stopped me! He doesn't want to bother you. He assured me that he can handle it"
" Ohh well, look how well he is handling it now!" There are robbers and kidnappers out there! he shouted back and walked inside the house in anger while his wife followed him behind.
He was on call with the commissioner of police when they heard footsteps down the hall.
Uche entered the room looking tired and worn out. His white polo was stained with blood.
His mother nearly fainted seeing her son in that condition but she pulled herself together and hugged him and his father ended the call abruptly.
"My battery ran down while i was about to order for an uber ride and i begged someone in the park to help me book an uber. I was delayed because we witnessed an accident and we ...me and the Uber guy have to take them to the hospital.
His father gave a deep sign of relief and sat down to get his emotions back together.
