It was 11:28. The tension grew even more. Mr. Zayzay thought on going to the nearby police station, but he knew that nothing would have been done until Kebbeh had been gone three days.

“Jenny, who is the boy that your sister went away with?” Though he was angry, Kebbeh’s dad managed to ask in the most polite manner to avoid frightening her.

“Honestly daddy, I…I don’t know.” Jenny struggled with the words.

“Jen, you mean that you don’t know any of your associates that your sister could have possibly gone with?” He was getting impatient and you could see it through his entire body: his hands and feet were trembling. His voice was getting high in pitch and the pain could be seen in his eyes.

It was 12:15 in the morning when the phone suddenly rang. It was strange number and Mr. Zayzay picked the call eagerly. “Hello.”

“Yeah, is this Mr. Zayzay; Kebbeh’s father.”

“Yeah, she’s my daughter. Is she at the station? Is there a problem?” Mr. Zayzay tripled the questions.

“Calm down Mr. Zayzay. Your daughter is okay. She told me to call you guys so that you will not be worry” the detective said.

“I’m on my way there. You sure there’s no problem, sir?”

“Absolutely not” The detective reassured them.

“What is it Za? What had happened to my daughter? She’s in jail? Za, talk to me; is my daughter okay?” Mrs. Zayzay threw the endless questions like an October rainfall.

“Marvel, calm down! The detective said ‘things are okay’” said Mr. Zayzay.

“Then what is she doing at the station?” asked Mrs. Zayzay.

“I will soon find out” announced Mr. Zayzay

“I’m coming with you” said Mrs. Zayzay.

The entire house was silent. So many questions ran through everyone’s minds, but especially Jenny. She only wished she and her best friend had not gotten in such a huge fight. Tears rolled down her eyes slowly as she regretted everything.

“What if she got raped? No, she probably would have been at the hospital.” She answered herself. “But then what’s the hell going on?” She asked confusedly.

When everyone finally arrived at the police station, they saw Kebbeh right away.

“Daddy! Mommy! So sorry I kept you guys worried” Kebbeh apologized as she ran to hug her parents.

“Keb, what’s the problem? Are you hurt?” asked Keb’s mother.

“No Mommy, It’s…“ Said Keb.

“Mr. and Mrs. Zayzay, can you have a seat please.” The head detective called out. “Your daughter here is a victim and witness against an alleged rapist and murderer.”

“Jesus Christ!!! Did someone rape my daughter? Ooh… Za, I’m finished. I’m dead!” Mrs. Zayzay cried out.

“Who’s that? I will show him the man I am! He will feel the heat of the coat I wear! When the ants bear stretches out its tongue, it does not means that he is stupid, but rather he awaits for an intruder. That man had prey upon my tongue and now it’s time that I show him that I’m not stupid. It’s time that I swallow him up alive.” Mr. Zayzay raged with anger.

Meanwhile, Kebbeh realises the humiliation she had caused her entire family. Her eyes leak endlessly while her parents move back and forth not knowing what to do.

“You guys will have to calm down. I know it’s hard but you will have to try to calm down and hear the rest of the details. So like I said,” the detective continued, “he’s a well-known person. He’s Mr. Washington; her principal.”

“No, you have to be joking, detective. Don’t tell me that Mr. Washington raped my daughter. I’ll kill that coward.” Said Mr Zayzay.

Mr. Zayzay was on fire, unlike for Mrs. Zayzay who was in tears.

Mr. Zayzay was told to sign some documents and take the family home afterward.

***

Tell us: What do you think of Mr Zayzay’s reaction to his daughter being raped?