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Fadeke arrived Lagos at 1p.m and took a cab straight home. She had cried enough. Tears weren’t going to change the situation. She needed to think of the next step. Her life was going to take a different course and she needed to think. The one she loved had rejected her and the only person […]
Fadeke touched down in Abuja at 7.45a.m. She changed her itinerary at the last minute and decided to take the second flight into Abuja. She knew Chinedu wasn’t expecting her until 2p.m but she wanted to give him a surprise. She had called him two nights earlier and he had confirmed that […]
via The Height of Deceit … By Olubukola Adekusibe — MakeADream_NG
Kunbi arrives Lagos Sunday evening. Sola is walking out of Wale’s apartment as she gets to the door. She smiles on seeing him. “Hi Sola, leaving already?”
“Yes, how was your trip?” He asks.
“It was okay”.
“I wasn’t aware you had resumed your weekend trips. I was expecting to meet you at home”.
“Erm….yes, I have”. She stammers. “You haven’t been visiting on weekends as well”.
“I decided to visit today”. Sola says.
“Well, I’m back. You can stay a while or are you in a hurry?” She asks hoping he would oblige.
Sola smiles as he stretches his hand to collect her weekend bag. “Let me help you with that”.
They walk back into the house, Kunbi using her keys to open the door. “Wales, I’m back”.
“In here”. Wale says from his bedroom.
Kunbi walks towards the kitchen. “Should I get you a drink or a glass of juice?” She asks Sola.
“I’m fine”. Sola answers.
“Okay. If you say so. I need a glass of cold water”. She says disappearing into the kitchen.
Wale sees Sola as he walks into the living room. “You came back?”
Sola shrugs.
“I thought you said you were going to visit your aunt”. Wale says.
“You were?” Kunbi calls from the kitchen.
“Yes, I was. But you asked me to stay”.
Kunbi smiles as she shakes her head. She is glad she is alone in the kitchen. She closes her eyes and she feels the butterflies. Oh Sola, if only…….
“Why are you smiling?” Wale asks breaking into her thoughts.
Kunbi is startled. She had not realized anyone had walked into the kitchen.
“Nothing”. She says.
Wale squints as he looks at her. He grunts as he gets a bottle of water from the refrigerator. “We need to talk”. He says.
“Now?” Kunbi asks.
“After Sola leaves”.
“Okay”. Kunbi says wondering what the discussion could be about as she goes back to the living room.
“So, I assume you and Ola are back together?” Sola asks.
Kunbi is unable to respond as she looks at Wale, who is walking into the living room. He looks at her as he tilts his head expecting her response.
“I….yes, we are”. She says uncomfortable with the discussion.
Sola looks into her eyes. “I wish you good luck”.
Kunbi looks away unable to look at him. She wishes they did not have to talk about her relationship. Just then, Wale’s mobile phone rings breaking the unwelcome silence. He looks at the caller ID and walks towards the kitchen as he picks the call.
“Hello mum”.
“Báwo ni Wálé?” (How are you, Wale).
“Adúpé mà” (I’m fine, thank you ma).
“Sé o ti bá àbúrò ë sòrò”. (Have you spoken to your younger sister?). Wunmi asks.
“Kò ì pé tó wolé” (She just came in). I will definitely speak with her”.
“Jòó (please), let me know the outcome of your discussion”.
“Okay ma”. He cuts the call and walks back to the living room.
“That was mum, right? Is there a problem?” Kunbi asks, worry written on her face.
“No. She asked me to discuss something with you”.
“Okay. What is it about?”
Wale looks at Sola but says nothing.
Sola notices and gets the hint. He stands up immediately. “I think I should leave now”.
“But I just arrived. Besides, you came to see me, right?” Kunbi asks.
“Looks like Wale has something very important to discuss with you”. Sola says.
“I am sure Wales can talk about it while you are here unless you would get jealous with our heart to heart talk”. She smirks.
Sola looks at Wale.
“I am not sure you want Sola listening to this conversation”. Wale says looking at Kunbi.
“Why? Is something wrong with my mum? Kunbi asks, beginning to get worried.
“No, she is absolutely fine. This is about you”.
“About me? I don’t understand”.
Sola who is still standing looks from Wale to Kunbi, trying to understand as well.
“Kunbi, can’t we discuss this later?” Wale asks.
“No Wales. I want to know now. Too many things happen without my knowledge. I want to know what is going on”.
Wale takes a deep breath. “She called about your engagement to Ola”.
Sola looks at Kunbi with shock.
Kunbi opens her mouth looking aghast. She is about to say something when she hears Sola’s voice.
“You are engaged?”
“Yes….No, it is not what you think”. She replies in confusion.
“Really?” Sola and Wale ask in unison.
“Ola proposed.……”
“And you agreed to marry him”. Wale finishes her sentence.
“Sola, I wasn’t expecting the proposal when it happened. I needed time to think about it”. Kunbi stands up as she walks towards him.
“When did he propose?” Sola asks.
“Sola, please….” Kunbi closes her eyes as she holds him.
Sola yanks his hand from hers and asks again. “When did he propose?”
“The weekend Wales and I went to Ibadan”.
Wale is stunned. “That was three Saturdays ago”.
Sola sneers. “Looks to me like you have had so much time to think about it”. He looks at Wale. “I have overstayed my welcome. Thanks bro. I appreciate every effort you have made”. He says as he walks towards the door.
Kunbi runs after him trying to stop him from leaving as she holds his hand. Sola looks back at her. “I thought I could hope for a future with you but I guess I deceived myself for too long. Good luck and take care”. He says as he gently releases his hand from her grip.
Kunbi kneels down and begins to cry.
Wale walks up to her and lifts her up as she sobs on his shoulders. When she is spent from her crying, she looks up at him. “Wales, I am confused”.
“If you love Sola, why are you getting married to someone else?”
“I don’t know what to expect from him”. She says wiping her eyes.
“Is this about his commitment?”
Kunbi nods.
Wale sighs. “I don’t know about his issues with commitment but I know when I see someone truly in love. And there is no doubt that Sola loves you and it is obvious that you do as well”.
Kunbi looks away.
Wale lifts up her chin and turns her face towards him. “You have fought your feelings for him for too long. You need to let go and follow your heart”.
“Ola is supposed to see mummy next week. What do I tell him? His engagement ring is in my bag”.
Wale shrugs as he walks away. “I have no idea but I know you can handle it”.
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Sola sits in his living room depressed and heartbroken. The living room is tastefully furnished with entertainment gadgets. Even though different ladies had previously left him to get married, the rejection he felt had never been this deep. He had made up his mind to be committed to Kunbi. He loved her with his life. Tolu had just been a distraction for him. He knew he could never love her as much as he loved Kunbi. Tolu had made it easy for him to go back to the one he loved by her betrayal.
I was a fool to have believed Kunbi loved me. I thought I saw love in her eyes, her actions, her mannerisms. But it was all a joke. He assumed giving his love and attention to Kunbi would eventually make her fall in love with him but how wrong he was. He stood up and walked to the credenza by the wall. Two frames sat on it. He picked up the smaller one and staring at him was a picture of himself with his parents at a restaurant. He had a big smile on his face and his parents had their arms around him. He could see from their faces that they must have been happy and in love. The frame was beautiful but old and he had refused to change it. It was the only reminder he had of who his parents were and how they had lived. His aunt had given it to him when he turned eighteen. After the accident that killed his parents, she had picked up the frame in his parents living room and decided to keep it till he was old enough to have it. She wanted him to have a constant reminder of his parents. The second and bigger frame was an older version of him with his aunt and cousin. His aunt had made sure he and his cousin attended the same schools. The picture was taken during their graduation from secondary school. He stood on the right while his cousin stood on the left of his aunt. They both had their lips on each side of her face in a kiss; and she had a smile that ran from one side of her cheek to the other. She had been a happy mother on that day as they had both graduated with good grades.
He smiled sadly as he looked at the two frames. His parents had a good marriage according to his aunt. His cousin had gotten married five years ago and lived in Tanzania. His job as an engineer had necessitated his relocation. He had two kids; a boy and a girl who he doted on. Every time, they discussed on phone, he never ceased to talk about his loving wife and kids. He shook his head as he sighed. His cousin had found love despite his mother’s failed marriage. He wondered if he was ever going to find true love.
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Photo Credit: http://www.123rf.com
As Sola drives to Tolu’s apartment, he rethinks his decision to see her while Kunbi lies critically injured in the hospital. The doctor had said she needed to rest but he still felt obligated to be by her side in her time of need. She was the reason why his relationship with Tolu was going smoothly. The visit to Tolu could wait. He is about to make a U-turn when he remembers that Wale would have left the hospital as well. He shrugs and decides to continue with his visit.
30 minutes later, Sola parks his car a few metres away from Tolu’s apartment. He walks to the door carrying a shopping bag and a bouquet in his hands. He attempts to knock on the door but then hesitates. On second thoughts, he places his hand on the door handle and the door opens. His surprise visit is working better than he planned and he goes in smiling.
The TV in the living room is switched on but no one is there. There is an opened bottle of wine and two glasses half-filled with wine in the living room. A shiver runs down his spine and he feels cold and hot at the same time. Sweat beads at his forehead and he pulls out a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe it. He drops the shopping bag and the bouquet on the floor as he hears laughter. He recognizes that laughter which has become distinguishable. He moves towards the direction from where he has heard the laughter. It gets louder as he moves closer to a room. It is obvious there are two people in there as he can hear a man talking.
As he gets to the door, he shuts his eyes afraid to imagine what is going on behind it. He breathes deeply as he places his hands on the door handle and opens it. He gasps at the sight before him. Tolu is shocked when she sees him. She stands up from the bed immediately and struggles to tie a wrapper over her chest. She runs to meet Sola but he turns back and leaves in anger.
“I don’t know how I got home. I still can’t believe it. I almost feel like this is a bad dream that I would wake up from. She has called me severally today but I have refused to pick her calls”. Sola says shaking his head.
“I’m at a loss for what to say. I guess I should say I’m sorry but I think you should have picked up her call at least to hear her out”.
Sola looks at Kunbi in shock. “What? How can you say that? What could she possibly have to say?”
“I mean, just maybe….”
“Just maybe what, Kunbi. Maybe what? Am I to listen to an explanation for being in bed with a man old enough to be her father or will she explain why I was fooled and led on all along? Please give me a break”. Sola says in anger.
“I’m sorry, Sola. I know you are hurt. I have no intentions of rubbing it in”.
Sola sighs as he moves towards Kunbi. “You don’t have to be. I’m sorry I yelled at you”.
“It’s okay”.
He looks at his wrist watch. “It is late. I should leave now so you can rest.” He says as he lifts her up to re-adjust the pillow. “I won’t be able to come here with Wale tomorrow morning but I’ll definitely come home to see you. Is that okay?”
“That’s fine. Thank you”. Kunbi answers smiling.
“Take care of you”. He says as he touches her lightly on the cheeks.
Kunbi looks at him and is scared of what she sees in his eyes. She looks away as she replies; “I will, thanks”.
She refuses to look his way again until she hears the door shut firmly. She breathes deeply as she shakes her head and turns to look at the door through which Sola has just stepped out.
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A week later, Wale is sitting in the living room reading a newspaper. The TV is switched on and a music video plays on mute. He suddenly remembers something and drops the newspaper on the settee.
“Kunbi, Kunbi”. He calls.
“Yes dear”. Kunbi answers from her room.
“Please come to the living room”.
She walks into the living room wearing a white tank top and lounge pants. “Yes, what’s wrong?” She asks as she sits down on the couch facing him.
“I’ll be traveling to Abuja to supervise one of our sites. I leave tomorrow evening”.
“Home alone again?” Kunbi asks.
“I can’t help it”. He shrugs. “I have informed Sola and he will pick you up from work in the evenings”.
“Thanks. That’s thoughtful of you”.
“Anything for my baby cuz”. He says smiling. “I would have asked him to pick you up in the mornings as well but I don’t want to push the favour”.
“No, that will be too much. I can take a taxi to work”.
“Sola is just a call away in case you need anything”.
“Okay, how long will you gone?”
“About a week. I pray it doesn’t take longer than that to conclude”.
“Okay”. She says nodding.
“So are you going to tell me who beat you up last week?” He asks; his tone serious.
“Wales, I thought you’ve forgotten about the issue. I’ve put it behind me”.
Wale looks at her with surprise. “What do you mean by forgotten? Someone barges into my house, beats up my sister and you say I should forget and put it behind me? Really?”
“Wales, please we have talked about this….” She is saying as Wale interrupts.
“Don’t patronize me. I have only given you time to recuperate. I need to know the culprit”.
“Please promise me you won’t go out this night”. Kunbi pleads.
“I can’t. Is it meant to be a trade by barter?”
“Why can’t you? Okay, I’m taking the car key”. She stands up to pick up the key.
“Do whatever you like, I’m not bothered. What I need to know is this person you have refused to name. Is it Ola?”
“Erm….” Kunbi stammers.
Wale looks at her as he searches her face. “Yes….”
“Actually….erm….”
“Speak up, Kunbi. You’re wasting my time”. He says with irritation.
“It’s….it’s Ola but he didn’t mean to….”
Wale stands up in anger. “Give me the key”.
“I’m not giving you the key. Wale, please listen to me”. She pleads trying to calm him down as she holds him by the hand.
Wale snatches his hand. “Leave me alone. If you are not giving me the key, then just leave me alone”.
He paces the room biting his finger in regret. Suddenly, the doorbell rings and startles Kunbi. She runs to the door, fidgeting as she opens it.
“Thank God, it’s you”. She says.
“What’s the problem?” Sola asks walking into the living room.
“Please could you talk to your friend? He wants to go to Ibadan this night”. She says shaking.
“Hey, take it easy. I’ll handle the situation”. He says patting her on the back. “My guy, what has come over you?” Sola asks as he sees Wale shaking his head in anger and regret.
“I told you Ola was responsible. Didn’t I? I was so sure about it”.
“Yes, you were right and I was wrong to underestimate him”. Sola says matter-of-factly.
“So, if the same was done to your sister, you would fold your arms and congratulate her, right? Tell her to hand over my car key”.
“Take it easy, man. You won’t be helping matters by beating up the guy”.
Wale laughs with mockery. “You think so”.
“Right now, you’re not thinking straight. What if something happens on the way to Ibadan at this time of the night? C’mon, no one is happy with this issue, but we have to let it go. Besides, we do not want you in prison with a murder charge hanging over your head”.
Wale sits down in anger and Sola jerks his head to signal to Kunbi to take over. Immediately, Kunbi kneels in front of Wale.
“Wales, I know how much you care about me and want the best for me. I couldn’t have asked God for a better and more loving big brother, but you should understand that I still need you”. She holds his hands. “Please forgive Ola and let it go. I’ve forgiven him already”.
“Please stand up. I have heard you. So easy for you to forgive the bastard”. He hisses.
“Please….” Kunbi stresses still on her knees.
“Get up please. You can reserve the kneeling down for your husband”. Wale says as Sola and Kunbi burst into laughter.
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