Chapter 3 THE CONNECTION II

Adewale traced the hand on top of his shoulder up to see Adetutu and was surprised to see her. Adewale (confused) asked Adetutu ''what are you doing here and why are we here?''.

Adetutu said to Adewale ''right now they are trying in the real world so hard to save you because you gave up. How could you give up so easily?''

''Give up? Oh about that. I didn't want to give up but my heart felt so weak after being taken away from you. Is this place even real?'' asked Adewale.

''Yes and no cause we are in your head right now'' said Adetutu.

''My head? I guess am dead'' said Adewale.

''Well partially dead. But you could have been dead if you had chosen the wrong door'' said Adetutu.

''Oh, you mean those three red door. And am sorry that I couldn't say goodbye to you myself'' said Adewale.

''I won't accept that as a goodbye. If you want to tell me goodbye then you have to tell me that personally in real world not here'' said Adetutu.

''How do I do that? Am dead, Adetutu'' said Adewale unhappily.

''I said partially dead so you are not dead. All you only need to do is listen to the voice'' said Adetutu.

''What voice?" asked Adewale.

''The only voice that can bring you back'' said Adetutu.

''I can't hear any voice'' said Adewale (confused) as he looked at his surrounding to see nothing only for him to look back to Adetutu and couldn't see her anymore and became scared.

''Listen, listen'' Adetutu's voice echoed.

Adewale calmed himself and closed his eyes then he heard uncle James' voice that says ''you can't die Adewale, not now, because Adetutu wants to see you''.

Adewale opened his eyes as he gasp for breath only to see himself back in the room and everyone was happy.

At the same time, Mr. and Mrs. Martin were in the living room watching Tv when they suddenly heard the sound of a plate from the kitchen. Mr. Martin asked Mrs. Martin ''did you hear that?'', as he stopped watching the Tv.

''Yes I did and am sure it's from the kitchen'' said Mrs. Martin.

''And who could that be at this time?'' asked Mr. Martin.

''It can't be Adetutu. Hope it's not what am thinking'' said Mrs. Martin.

''A thief! That is not possible. How could a thief break in when we are here?'' said Mr. Martin in disagreement with his wife.

''What about when we went out. Don't forget we left the door unlocked because of Adetutu. What if the thief broke in then and couldn't leave because he saw us'' said Mrs. Martin.

''I still don't think It's a thief that broke in but let go and check who it is'' said Mr. Martin.

They both stood up, and Mrs. Martin picked up the chair pillow then Mr. Martin asked Mrs. Martin as she picked up the chair pillow ''what is that for?".

"To fight the thief in case it's him'' said Mrs. Martin.

Mr. Martin also picked up another chair pillow and told his wife to lead the way to the kitchen but Mrs. Martin insisted that he should be the one to since he man and he also said it can't be a thief. Mr. and Mrs. Martin were both scared and didn't want to go check on who it was that was in the kitchen but Mr. Martin summoned courage and lead the way quietly while his wife followed.

On getting to the kitchen entrance, Mr. Martin stood on the right side and his wife stood on the left side of the kitchen entrance. They both took a deep breath and looked at each other then Mr. Martin said to Mrs. Martin ''we can do these'', and Mrs. Martin nodded her head.

Mr. and Mrs. Martin both made a sudden appearance into the kitchen with the words ''stop right there'' as they pointed the pillow forward but to their surprise they only startled their daughter who was sited on the floor eating with a glass of juice by her side.

Adetutu shouted at her parents ''mum, dad you scared me'', as she was relieved that it was her parents .

Mr. and Mrs. Martin couldn't give any response to their daughter because they were surprised to see their daughter eating healthily. Mrs. Martin asked Adetutu ''what are you doing here, darling?'', as she dropped the pillow on the floor and kneel in front of her.

''As you can see am eating'' said Adetutu to her mother, as she continued eating.

''Are you okay, baby?'' Mr. Martin asked his daughter, as he also dropped the pillow looking at Adetutu.

''Yes, I am'' said Adetutu with a smile, and carried her food with juice then went to the living room.

Mr. and Mrs. Martin looked at each other in disbelief to see their daughter healthy. Mrs. Martin asked Mr. Martin ''isn't that our daughter or are we seeing things now?'', as she stood up.

''It's Adetutu'' said Mr. Martin.

''Mum, dad, our Tv program is starting'' shouted Adetutu from the living room.

Hearing her voice made Mr. and Mrs. Martin smiled and jumped up happily.

As the Martin family was watching tv, smiling and talking, Mr. Martin's phone rang, and he excused himself to pick up his call. It was a call from uncle James.

Uncle James said over the phone to Mr. Martin ''evening, Mr. Martin''.

''Evening uncle James. Hope everything is alright?'' asked Mr. Martin (happily).

''Well, it almost turns bad but now it's in perfect control'' said uncle James.

''What is that? I also have good news for you?'' said Mr. Martin.

''What's the good news 'cause I also have one. You first'' said uncle James.

''Could you believe Adetutu can now eat and stand on her feet?'' said Martin( happily).

''Wow. Did you find a miracle cure for her?'' asked uncle James.

''No, she just became healthy and well all of a sudden'' said Mr. Martin.

''That's good. Could you also believe that Adewale is also now well but he almost died?'' said uncle James.

Mr. Martin was scared to hear that and asked ''what happen?''.

''I went to see him and he said he knows he was going to die and almost did. But after whispering your daughter's name into his ear he decided not to anymore'' said uncle James.

''That's weird. I think they must love each other so much'' said Mr. Martin.

''It may be so but I think there is something about both of them that we don't know or understand. Come to think of it. When he was sick she was also, and now that he is fine she is also. I don't think this is a coincidence or natural'' said uncle James.

''You may be right but even if there is something about them, how do we find out what it is?'' asked Mr. Martin.

''I can do that if you want me to'' said uncle James.

''Whatever it is shouldn't we leave it'' said Mr. Martin.

''Sir, we live in a country where supernatural stuff happens. Who knows maybe finding it out will help them and us'' said uncle James.

''Are you suggesting that whatsoever is going on between the both of them is supernatural'' asked Mr. Martin.

''Who knows, it may or may not'' said uncle James.

''Okay. How are you going to find out?'' asked Mr. Martin.

''My brother is a shaman he can tell us what it is that is going on between them if it is not natural'' said Uncle James.

''No problem. Let me know if you find out anything'' said Mr. Martin,

''Okay'' said uncle James and hung up then Mr. Martin return to his family.

Later in the night, Mr. Martin told his wife everything he discussed with uncle James.

MORNING

Mr. Martin was dressed in his suit and was prepared to go to work. After having his breakfast, he carried his briefcase to leave the house but was stopped by Adetutu at the doorstep. He bent down to match her height but was still taller than her. Mr. Martin asked her daughter with a smile written all over his face ''what is it, my princess?".

''You promised me a present last night. You said you were going to give it to me this morning'' said Adetutu to her father.

''Oh about that. It was just a joke'' said Mr. Martin with a smile.

''I don't care. I want my present right here and now'' said Adetutu with a frowned face.

''Okay, let's do it this way. I promise to bring it tonight when am coming home'' said Mr. Martin.

''You promise'' said Adetutu.

''Yes, I do. Now smile'' said Mr. Martin, and Adetutu smiled. They both did a pinky swear as requested by Adetutu.

''Okay, be a good girl and listen to your mum'' said Mr. Martin to his daughter and kissed her forehead before leaving.

AFTERNOON

Adewale was playing with his friends when he saw uncle James coming, he quickly ran to him and hugged him. They separated then uncle James asked Adewale ''how are you feeling now?''.

''Much better than you'' said Adewale with a smile to uncle James who also smile.

''Don't you know that's disrespectful to an elder'' said uncle James.

''Am sorry'' Adewale apologize.

''It's okay. Come I got something for you'' said uncle James and hold Adewale's hand then they left together.

Uncle James and Adewale both went to an empty classroom and sat down. Uncle James brought out a small box from his pocket and presented it to Adewale with a smile. Adewale collected it and uncle James gave him a go-ahead to open the box. Adewale opened the box and saw a cake inside of it, he was happy and gave uncle James a side hug.

''Thank you, uncle'' said Adewale to uncle James (very happy and smiling).

''Now get on with it'' said uncle James with a smile.

Adewale took a bite of the cake and said ''yummy''.

''Pack your bag before nightfall'' said uncle James.

''Why? Are we going somewhere?'' asked Adewale as chew the cake in his mouth.

''Don't worry, you will find out in the night'' said uncle James.

NIGHT

Adewale lay down on his bed as many thoughts run through his mind which are, he hope is not being adopted by someone strange and wouldn't be able to see Adetutu again.

Uncle James ajar the door to Adewale's room, showed his head and saw Adewale then said to Adewale ''come on its time''.

Adewale got up and carried his bag then followed uncle James.

On getting close to the gate, Adewale (worried) stopped walking and asked uncle James ''where are we going, uncle?''.

Uncle James stopped walking too, looked back at Adewale and saw he was worried. Uncle James asked Adewale ''do you trust me?'', Adewale nodded his head, ''then you have nothing to worry about. Come on let's go''.

As they walked out of the gate, Adewale saw Mr. Martin standing beside his car and was surprised to see him.

Mr. Martin said to Adewale ''Hi'', on seeing Adewale.

Adewale wondered what going on seeing Mr. Martin and as uncle James went to Mr. Martin and stood beside him then uncle James said to Adewale ''just like have told you. Adetutu wants to see you and that is your ride to her'', as he faced Adewale.

Hearing that, Adewale became very happy and ran to uncle James then gave uncle James a warm hug. Uncle James said with a smile to Adewale ''you have to go now, she is waiting'', seeing Adewale wasn't ready to let go him then Adewale separated with him.

Adewale said goodbye to uncle James and Mr. Martin also said his goodbye to uncle James then Mr. Martin and Adewale both got into the car and Mr. Martin ignite it.

As Mr. Martin drove, Mr. Martin said to Adewale ''am sorry for not trying to understand you and for calling you a liar. Uncle James told me everything that happened''.

''It okay sir'' said Adewale, excited that he is going to see Adetutu.

''You will have to stop addressing me with a sir because we have already adopted you as our son, so you can call me dad'' said Mr. Martin.

''Okay, dad'' said Adewale happily.

''That sounds good. One more thing. You are a present I told Adetutu I was going to give her tonight, so we have to plan on how to present you to her'' said Mr. Martin with a smile, Adewale also smiled.

Adetutu was watching Tv with her mum in the livig room when her dad came in then she ran to hug him on seeing him. Mr. Martin dropped his briefcase on the floor and carried Adetutu as she got to him while Mrs. Martin carried the briefcase and they all went to sit down. Mr. Martin asked his daughter as she sit on his lap ''how was your day, my princess?''.

''It was great thanks to mum. What about yours?'' asked Adetutu with a smile.

''What will you do about his day if it wasn't good?'' Mrs. Martin asked her daughter.

''Leave my daughter alone, let her ask her question. My day was fine'' said Mr. Martin to Adetutu.

''Dad, where is the gift you promised me?'' asked Adetutu.

''Um...i...might kind of....'' said Mr Martin.

But he couldnt finish his words as Adetutu cut in ''don't tell me you don't have it''.

''I was just kidding. Your gift is at the door but you will have to go get it yourself'' said Mr. Martin.

Adetutu stood up immediately and went to the door. On getting to the, he opened the door and saw the best present she has ever been given.

Adewale said to Adetutu ''Hi, Adetutu'', on seeing her. Adetutu gave no response to Adewale but hugged him happily.

''I miss you Adewale'' said Adetutu to Adewale (still hugging him).

''I miss you too'' said Adewale.

Mr. and Mrs. Martin came to the door smiling then Mr. Martin asked his daughter ''so how was my gift?''.

''You are the best dad ever'' said Adetutu (still hugging Adewale), Mr. and Mrs. Martin smiled.