Chapter 29: The Reckoning
The morning air was crisp, and the streets outside buzzed with life, yet inside Ezinne's home, there was a tense stillness. Ezinne paced the length of her living room, the echo of her footsteps sounding louder than usual in the quiet space. Her thoughts churned, a storm of uncertainty and anger threatening to break free.
"I don't like this, Ogechi," she said, pausing by the window and looking out at the street below, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "Something doesn't feel right. Why is he back now? After all this time?"
Ogechi sat on the couch, her hands clasped in her lap, her face pale from lack of sleep. She had always been the more reserved of the two, but tonight, even she couldn't hide the anxiety bubbling just beneath the surface. "We don't know yet, but we need answers. He's been watching you. Watching Chibuikem."
Ezinne turned sharply, her gaze fixing on her friend. "What do you mean, 'watching'? Have you seen him?" Her voice was tight with frustration, the lack of clarity driving her mad.
Ogechi shook her head. "No, not me. But I've heard things, seen things that don't add up. We need to be careful. He's been keeping an eye on us, Ezinne, and I don't think it's just coincidence."
The realization hit Ezinne like a slap. Somto, the man who had abandoned her, had returned, and with him, a flood of memories that she had fought to bury for years. But this wasn't just about him anymore. It was about her son. Chibuikem had no idea who Somto was, and it was her responsibility to keep him safe from the man who had never even acknowledged his existence.
"I need to confront him," Ezinne muttered, her fists clenching at her sides. "He can't just come back into our lives and expect everything to be fine. Not after all these years."
Ogechi stood up, her eyes full of concern. "Are you sure you want to do this now? It's not just about the past, Ezinne. He's not the same man anymore. I'm scared of what he's capable of."
Ezinne took a deep breath, her mind made up. "I have to know why he's here. I have to know what he wants from Chibuikem, and I won't wait any longer."
She turned back toward the window, her gaze narrowing on the street below. "We can't wait for him to make the first move. We need to take control of this."
Ogechi stepped closer, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. "And how do you plan to do that?"
Ezinne's lips curled into a tight smile, a hint of defiance flickering in her eyes. "I'll meet him on my terms. But first, we need to find out where he's hiding. We need to know everything—where he's staying, who he's talking to, everything."
They both knew what needed to be done. No more running from the past. No more allowing him to have the upper hand. The time for confrontation had come.
Later that afternoon, Ezinne and Ogechi sat at a small café, the dim lighting offering a sense of anonymity. They had agreed to meet in a place that would keep them away from prying eyes. Ezinne was restless, her fingers tapping against the table as she glanced around the room, her mind racing.
Ogechi leaned forward, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've been asking around. Some of the locals said they saw him near Chibuikem's school. Disguised as one of the vendors who sells things outside. They didn't recognize him at first, but they said something about his face. It was familiar."
Ezinne's stomach clenched, a wave of nausea threatening to take over. Somto. Near Chibuikem. Disguised.
"Do you think he's trying to get close to him?" Ezinne asked, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to remain composed.
Ogechi nodded slowly. "It's possible. He's been keeping an eye on him, Ezinne. He wants to know him, even if it's just to get information. He's calculating, and I'm sure he knows how important Chibuikem is to you."
Ezinne clenched her fists. She had kept Chibuikem safe from the chaos of her past for so long, but now the shadows of her former life were creeping in. Somto was back, and he was trying to insert himself into her son's life.
She stood abruptly, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. "We're going to confront him. Tonight."
Ogechi stood too, her eyes wide with concern. "Are you sure you're ready for this?"
Ezinne's face was set in a determined expression. "I'm done running, Ogechi. I've spent too many years running from him, and now it's time to face him. For Chibuikem's sake, I have to."
They stood for a moment, exchanging a look of quiet understanding. Ezinne knew the road ahead would be difficult, and that she would have to be strong for her son. But this time, she wouldn't let the past control her. This time, she was ready to confront the man who had once shattered her life—and who now threatened to do the same to her son.
That evening, as the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows over the city, Ezinne and Ogechi made their way toward the location where Somto had been spotted. It was a quiet street, not far from the school, and the air felt thick with anticipation. Ezinne's heart raced, but she kept her pace steady, her mind focused on the confrontation that awaited her.
They arrived at the small vendor stall where Somto had been seen earlier that day, but he was nowhere to be found. Ezinne's gaze swept over the area, searching for any sign of him. The street was quiet, almost too quiet, and her instincts told her that something was off.
"Where is he?" Ezinne muttered under her breath, the unease in her chest growing.
Ogechi scanned the street. "He's here somewhere, Ezinne. Just stay alert."
Ezinne took a deep breath and nodded, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the street once more. She was ready to face the truth, no matter how much it hurt. Somto had been close to Chibuikem, and now it was time to find out why.
The shadows seemed to stretch further as the night grew darker, and Ezinne felt the weight of the past pressing down on her. But this time, she wasn't running. This time, she was ready for whatever came next.
And she would do whatever it took to protect her son.
Meanwhile, just a few streets away, Somto watched them from a distance, concealed in the shadows. He had been following them for days, biding his time. He hadn't made his move yet, but it was only a matter of time before he did.
Somto's eyes followed Ezinne and Ogechi as they stood in front of the vendor stall, unaware of his presence. A slow smile curled on his lips. The game was just beginning.