13 Trauma

Deo sat in his office, looking lost. Everything about the last three days was affecting him severely. He had called his friend, Caleb, who was a policeman in charge of the Northern region to comb the entire region for that son of a bitch who was behind Lucy's disappearance. He was able to persuade Fred's neighbour; Chris to give him a picture. He had seen Fred with Lucy countless number of times and he, for some time thought the two were

dating until Lucy wiped out that doubt. His

jealousy never made him like Fred, instead, it

made him despise him but never did he know

that someone so close to Lucy could hurt her. His

forehead showed sweat beads even though the

office was chilling, considering the air-conditioner. Never in his life had he known such misery. His head rested on the back-rest of the office chair as he gazed blindly at the ceiling. He was oblivious to the consistent knock on the door until the door opened and his secretary walked in; he was still lost in his thoughts.

"Sir" Freda called. He did not hear her until she

called louder for the second time. When he came

back to his senses, he gazed at her for some

seconds like he had forgotten who she was.

"Oh… Freda, what is it?" He rubbed his forehead.

Freda's face held concern as she spoke. "Sir, it is

already some minutes past six. I wanted to ask if

I could leave since there is nothing left for me

to do."

Deo is the owner of D&C Limited. The firm

engages in supplying quality furniture to both

private individuals and companies. The company is well known for the quality doors, slates, roofing sheets, cupboards and the likes; that everyone building one thing or the other ends up buying their things from D&C.

Deo sighed as he gazed at the time. Freda should have closed since 5 O'clock and now he had kept her for more than one hour extra, doing nothing at all.

"You can go" he said, dismissing her.

"I am sorry sir but; is everything alright? I have

not seen you like this before." She was genuinely

worried.

Deo smiled faintly. "Nothing is alright but don't worry. It is personal; just go home, ok? Thanks for your concern." He stood up also preparing

to leave.

She wanted to probe but decided otherwise and left. Deo decided the family house would be better for him. He would have people around who could take his mind off this trauma; he doubted that though.

Just about an hour drive and he was in the family house, surrounded by his extended family members. His father and mother were not

around when he got there. The general discussion they were having was only making his situation worse so he retired to his room. Deo lay lost in his own world on the massive bed. He hadn't been able to stop his brain from thinking about Lucy. He picked up his phone and dialed Caleb's number again.

Fred was glued to the ground as his mind

desperately searched for a way out. He never

imagined that the police would catch him so soon, and he was a hundred percent sure the police were the ones knocking. His cloth was already soaked in his own sweat as he stood, unable to move a nerve. The knock became persistent and louder, matching with the intensity of his heartbeat.

"Fred" someone yelled from the entrance.

"Freddy". Fred exhaled audibly and almost

collapsed in relief. He had never been so scared. He knew that voice like the back of his palms. How did that freaking guy know I am in Mbale? He got to the door, peeped to be double sure his guess was not wrong before he opened the door.

"What is wrong with you? You were not coming to open the door, why?"

Caleb was angry and scared. He had been worried

that something might have happened to him in

there, not allowing him to answer the door. Fred glared at him for some time and hissed. He was still trying to regularize his heartbeat. He had a desperate urge to pee.

Caleb took a look at Fred's sweating profile and

opened his mouth again. "Oh boy, what's up?

Have you run a race to here? Or…" he smiled and

winked. "any chick in the room?"

Fred hissed for the second time and closed the

door.

"Who told you I am in Mbale?" He asked through

gritted teeth. "You almost sent me to an early

grave with fright."

Caleb widened his eyes and folded his arms across

his chest. "I never knew you could be so afraid

with a mere knock. Bless the Lord for this surprise

visit". He was definitely enjoying himself. Fred

fought the huge urge to deliver a solid punch

but calmed himself.

"Answer the damn question" he growled.

Caleb raised his hands in surrender. "I was passing

by this place yesterday night and saw the security

lights on. The light could not have come on by

itself, so I figured it could only have come on

with the help of someone. You are the only one

with the key so…" he left Fred to finish the

remaining in his imagination. He went over to

the seat and collapsed in it since Fred was not

ready to offer him a seat. He turned to glare at

Fred who was still at the door.

"Why did you not tell me that you were coming

to Mbale as you usually do? Have I offended you

or is there something you are hiding from me?"

Fred and Caleb had been friends, right from their

secondary school days. They had come to Kampala from the village together, making them look more

like brothers. Caleb's moving to Mbale because of

his business had put physical distance between

them but they still communicated very

frequently and Fred stayed in Caleb's house

whenever he was in Mbale.

Fred did not know what to say to the accusation

and he said the first thing that came to his mind.

"If you called me often, I would have told you."

Caleb laughed. "You can't be serious. I called you

last week. Why should I call you every day? I am

not your girlfriend and neither am I gay". Fred

laughed for the first time, trying to use his laughter to ward off the awkwardness he was beginning to feel. He also sat down opposite Caleb.

Caleb looked thoughtful for some seconds.

"Speaking of girlfriends, now that we are face to

face, tell me about this girl you have been crazy

about. Did she finally accept you?"

Fred blanched and sat still like someone in another world. He could practically see the scene where he picked up the knife from the tray. The fright in her eyes would haunt him for the rest of his miserable years. He had killed his love with his own hands. She tripped over something and fell and…

"Fred… Fred" Caleb yelled already close to the

chair. Fred almost jumped out of his skin. He was

sweating profusely. "What is the matter Fred?

You didn't see a spirit, did you? As you are all pale."

Fred almost had a panic attack at the mention of

spirit.

"I think you need to leave Caleb, I am not in the

mood to receive visitors" he rose up.

Caleb was now worried, very worried. "Do I look

like someone who takes orders or advises? Sit. I

must hear whatever your problem is before I

leave this place."

Fred swallowed and glared. He dragged a

bewildered Caleb and pushed him out of the

door. He slammed the door and fell into a heap

on the floor.