Night time with the police

The police officers arrived at the station, and led us to the counter, we quietly followed.

"Mom!" I and Carey screamed when we saw both of our mothers discussing with the police officers.

"Glad you're here, they arrested us unlawfully." I said to my mother, mustering up my spirit. "How did you know we were here?"

Mrs. Elsa looked at Carey and I in vexation. I knew what my mother was thinking. That I and Carey had started following the bad kids they always warned us about.

"Mom.." Carey moved to Mrs. Thelma, her mother. "Tell them to let us go right away, how dare them?!" She turned to fully face officer Jerry. "My father can get you arrested, I just need to put a call across to him."

"Not when I was the one that ordered for the arrest." Mrs. Thelma moved her glare from Carey to I. I immediately looked away.

"You what?" Carey asked, made a face and cursed. "Mom! Have you gone insane?"

"Mom," I moved closer to her. "What's Mrs. Thelma saying? You guys had us arrested? Why?" My voice was breaking.

"Yes I had you arrested," Mrs. Elsa exhaled. "And that is because I found out this drug addict!" She pointed at Jason. "Proposed to you and you accepted his marriage proposal.." She was fuming.

"Mom.." I took a step closer to her. "First, I'm sorry, please forgive me. I really wanted to tell you but..I was waiting for the right time. Mom, I love Jason and I'll love to marry him.. he's a great guy, a drug abuse advocate, not the other way round.. someone slipped drugs in his pocket to have him framed..mom, please I'm sorry."

"So how and why I'm I cut in the middle of this?" Carey looked at my mother, shrugging. "Well I'm not engaged to nobody." She moved back her gaze to Mrs. Thelma. "Mom, please get these officers to let me go."

"Shut up." Mrs. Thelma said. "I warned you not to stay out late partying with dangerous people but did you listen? I and Elsa planned an expensive birthday surprise party for both of you, to also celebrate your graduation but what did you do? Stand us up for hours!"

I and Carey exchanged embarrassed glances.

"You could have easily told us.. it's not our fault, we were only trying to have fun." Carey defended. "We weren't out with dangerous people, we were out with our friends."

"I'm sorry." I said, looking into my mother's eyes. "I'm really sorry..I had no idea."

"You accepted a marriage proposal without letting me know, Aliyah?" Mrs. Elsa sniffed back tears. "I guess you're all grown now and know what's best for you." She shot Jason a deadly glare before taking her eyes back to me. "Your father would be grunting in his grave." She stormed out.

Mrs. Thelma took a few steps towards me. She touched my chin. "You got it wrong this time, Aliyah. Ordinarily, this is something Carey can and will do, but not you my child."

Carey couldn't hold her laughter, it was loud and mocking.

"I'm sorry mom, but I was going to tell you about him." I said, my face bent. "Please help me plead with mom."

"I'll try." Mrs. Thelma responded then walked out.

Slowly I raised my face to look at Jason. I caught him pacing round with his handcuffs. I felt sorry for him but I even felt more guilty that I hurt my mother.

I'd never hurt her intentionally, she's everything I have. Ever seen I lost dad to cardiac arrest, she's been the only one. And maybe Carey, Mrs. Thelma and Jason.

"I will sue this division, just wait until my father gets here." Jason threatened. "I am Jason Donald, do you hear that?" He moved closer to Officer Jerry. "Jason Donald! The new CEO of Legacy Group of companies."

Officer Jerry responded with a scoffing laugh. "Kelan Donald is the CEO of Legacy Group of companies. And I know Kelan for a fact, he's not a drug abuser."

"Fuck you man!" Jason said. "Stop lying."

Officer Jerry knew better. All the while he was unaware of Jason's identity, but after the confrontation, he proceeded with Jason's bail papers.

"Hurry up with that if you love your job." Jason said. "I'm leaving here with everyone else too."

"Excluding Aliyah and Carey." Officer Jerry replied.

"No, I'm…"

I interrupted Jason with a glare, shaking my head in disapproval. "No, Jason..I can't go against my mother."

Carey laughed. "Officer hurry up..I have a party to attend."

Jason nodded. "As you wish, but don't forget, I need your help, tonight."

"Can't it wait?" I asked.

Jason's voice softened. "My life depends on it."

"Just go, I'll wait for my mom and when I'm done with her, I'll meet you at our favorite spot." I could hear my heart beat. What could be so important? Was he in trouble?

"Please don't fail me, Aliyah." Jason pleaded. A police officer freed his hands and the rest of us. But I didn't move, I slowly sank into the couch, covering my face with palms. Everything about tonight was confusing.

"Hey holy child of her mom," Carey teased. "I'm leaving."

"Carey please.. don't respect our mothers that way." I said. "For once listen to me."

Carey rolled her eyes. "Enjoy your experience with these officers." She used her hands to rearrange her red hair. "They ruined my hair.." She frowned deeply.

"Will you be fine by yourself?" Jason asked.

"Yes, just go." I replied. "I'll try my best to meet you."

"I love you." Jason quickly placed a kiss on my forehead then walked out with Carey and the rest of our friends. They all looked at me with sympathy.

"Aliyah?" Officer Jerry called out.

I looked at him with some surprise. "Yeah?" I was registering his expression.

Officer Jerry could feel me shaking. "From the way you've spoken and acted, I'll say you're a golden child."

I was unaware when a smile escaped my lips.

"You have a beautiful and charming smile, Aliyah, and a pleasing personality as well.." He shifted into his chair. "You're a great kid, what the hell are you doing with Jason Donald?"

"Excuse you?" The smile disappeared and I was became defensive.

"I released him to go as a free man because of his father's wealth and influence in the society. I'd be in trouble by tomorrow if I let Donald's son, especially his second son spend a night in this cell."

Now I was getting bored. Jason was a harmless sweet boy that was simply envied by a lot of people that weren't in his status.

I remembered when my father was alive. He was a multi billionaire running the affairs of the city. Everyone judged me wrongly, mistaking me to be a spoiled, arrogant brat. But no, I wasn't. So I could easily relate to what Jason was going through.

"You're wrong about Jason," I said. "He's not like that and it's not his fault if his father wouldn't let him experience any form of pain."

"Stay away from Jason Donald, and you'll be glad you did." He replied firmly. "You're a beautiful girl, you can do better."

"I'm done having this conversation sir, I just want to see my mother." I stretched.

It was funny how the effects of alcohol wore off the moment the police arrived at the rooftop. That was some real shit!

I scoffed silently. My heart was beating fast and my mind buried in thoughts.

Tonight, mom reminded me of dad. But I knew dad would be happy and impressed with him wherever he was.

I was living my life rightly, maybe except for tonight.

My thoughts were interrupted when Mrs. Thelma and my mom noisily walked inside. They were arguing.

"Common look at her," Mrs. Thelma said. "She's remorseful..Elsa, she's going home, no way I'm letting her sleep here tonight."

My mom frowned.

"You're so lucky Aliyah is yours, what if you had Carey?" Mrs. Thelma asked.

"Carey is blunt at least." My mom responded. "She'd never hide a relationship from us, let alone and engagement."

I walked to my mom, tears rolling down my cheeks, but even before I could talk, she cut me off.

"You won't guilt trip me..I won't let you do it." She snapped.

"Mom, I'm sincerely sorry." I muttered.

"Get yourself settled in my car, I don't need your apology or explanation."

I nodded and quietly left, walking sadly towards her car. What have I gotten myself into? How was I going to meet Jason tonight? What was so important that couldn't wait till morning?

***

"Mmm.." Mrs. Elsa said, handing me a gift bag. "Happy birthday." She managed to add.

The happiness and smile on my face was priceless. "Thank you Mom, I love you." I hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry.."

"It's fine." She gave a weak smile. "You're just coming back from the police station, and I'm sorry I had you arrested." She paused for a while then continued. "Freshen up then come down so we can cut your cake.. we'll talk about that thug you're engaged to by tomorrow morning."

I could only nod. She was gone. I stood up and locked my bedroom door. The excitement of the birthday gift disappeared and I placed the gift bag safely in my wardrobe.

I reached for my engagement ring in the wardrobe and fixed it to sit pretty on my finger.

Closing the wardrobe, I glanced at the wall clock. It was past 11pm and I needed to meet Jason. I knew he was waiting for me.

I changed into a simple Jean and big sweater, then quietly climbed out from my window.

Once my feet were on the ground, I looked at the dark street then took to my heels.