Osaro’s dad was oblivious to the commotion in the house. He was busy with his newspaper. The persistent screams continued and that was when he was able to take notice. He stepped out of the car and walked towards the flat. He noticed that some girls were among people who were running from the apartment. “What’s happening?” He asked one of the screaming girls who was crying. She told him that someone had just been shot. He wondered what was happening; he couldn’t believe that there was an actual gun in the party. Then a second person confirmed to him what had happened. He still hadn’t seen Ramon or Osaro. He imagined the worst. Sounds of “What if, what if?” resonated in his head. Then he got to the door and as he tried to enter the house he was restrained by security personnel of the Estate. He asked the security personnel for information about the identity of the person who suffered the casualty.
At some point he couldn’t bear it again, he pushed the security personnel away and entered the room, to his relief, he saw Osaro at one corner of the room looking glum, like someone who had just been convicted of murder. He walked up towards him, gave him a hug and gave his thanks to the almighty God. He turned round and over there at the corner, was the sight of Ramon in pain. He lay on the floor bleeding but not profusely. The bullet grazed his elbow, it was heading towards his rib cage but the reflex action may have saved his life.
The ambulance arrived not too long after; Ramon was ferried to the nearby private hospital. The original assessment by the paramedics and the doctors at the hospital was very favourable. They all attested that Ramon would make a full recovery. His fathered arrived at the hospital with officials of the High Commission. They had a brief discussion on whether to evacuate the patient back to the United States. The doctors insisted that the injuries were not life threatening, they said that he didn’t require surgery to his elbow and that after antibiotics and a few days at the hospital, he would be fine.
Back at the house, the Police inspector arrived for preliminary investigation. At the scene, he met Osaro and his father, and a few shaken kids who witnessed the whole incident. He spoke with Osaro, who described to the Inspector what had happened. Osaro’s father was asked to sign a written statement on behalf of his son who was minor. He was asked to make sure that he informs the police if for any chance he has to leave the State or his son, until investigations are concluded.
As father and son left the premises, the air of silence enveloped them. Osaro was the first to speak, he apologised profusely for the embarrassing and dangerous situation he had put his father through. His father accepted his apology and said…”Dear son, sometimes it pays to listen to the other voice that warns you!…” And the car sped off.
The End
Written by Chineme Uzo
