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Yesterday Lives goes live

Hi,

If you are here, it probably means you have been following this story for the past 22 Chapters.

I would like to say a big thank you for following me thus far. You have made this journey interesting 😊

It is because of you that I keep writing.

Yesterday Lives has been published and the concluding chapters can be found on Amazon.

I know you love this story and desire to know what happened to Ayotunde, Ayorinde, Aderemi and Grace.

Please click any of the images below to get a copy of Yesterday Lives on Amazon or Okadabooks.

I would also love to know what you think about this story. Would you be kind to leave comments?

Buy-On-Amazon

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Are you wondering what I have talking about all through? 🤷‍♀️

Then, it means you are here for the first time. Thank you for coming 🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️

You would need to catch up on all the previous chapters of Yesterday Lives. Please leave me a comment after each chapter. I would love to know what you think about this story.

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If you would like to send your comments or reviews by email, I can be reached on naomie2debra@live.com

If you encounter any issues with getting a copy of my book on any of the platforms, please feel free to send me an email.

*

This is where I sign off. Thank you all for staying with me as we walked through Yesterday Lives together. If you enjoyed the story, please share with your contacts on social media.

A new story starts next week; same time, same place.

Till then, please stay safe 🙏

*

Yours in writing ✍

Olubukola

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Yesterday Lives – Chapter 19

After much persuasion, Mr. Johnson agreed that his daughter, Grace apply to the University of Lagos to study Theatre Arts. Classes began in earnest. Grace and Ayotunde made efforts to get the same room and stuck to each other when they were not having lectures. Even though Mr. Johnson’s intention for Grace was not to live on campus, she convinced him by telling him that her best friend was living on campus. Grace also informed her father that she felt she would be more focused while in the campus environment. Mr. Johnson agreed reluctantly.

*

In about four months, Aderemi was ready to return to Nigeria. A flurry of activities began to welcome her back home. Grace sought the help of her best friend to organize a mini welcome party. Knowing that her sister wasn’t going to be so excited about the party, she decided to make it one for only family and a few friends.

Grace and Ayotunde went to the airport with Mr. Solomon to pick up Aderemi. Grace mentioned to their dad that Aderemi not seeing her at the airport would raise suspicions. Aderemi was glad to see her sister and her friend. Both girls chatted with Aderemi asking her questions after questions until they arrived home.

Grace led the way as they got home. As she got to the front of the main door, she opened the door and asked her sister to go in.

‘Welcome home’ rent the air as Aderemi walked into the house. Aderemi was both surprised and happy. The living room had been decorated with balloons which had the welcome home inscription. The balloons were in her favourite colours of blue and black. Two of Aderemi’s friends were in attendance and they were excited to see her as they hugged her tight.

Aderemi saw her father smiling at a corner of the room and she squeezed herself out of her friends’ grip as she made a beeline for him. He hugged her as he kissed her on her forehead.

‘I’m glad you are home, my Princess.’ He said, his smile reaching his eyes.

‘I’m glad to be back too, Dad. I feel like I was away for too long.’ She laughed as she hugged her dad again. ‘This was Grace’s idea, I’m sure.’ She said spreading out her hands round the living room.

‘Your sister is as strong-headed as you are.’

‘Daddy, I hear my name over there.’ Grace said as she walked towards her father

‘We are just admiring your party.’ Aderemi shrugged.

‘Thank you, thank you.’ Grace curtsied. ‘Come and meet my friends.’ She continued as she dragged her sister to introduce her to two of her course mates from school.

After the introductions, she whispered to her sister. ‘One more person you need to meet.’ She danced excitedly.

‘Hmmm….the one?’ Aderemi snickered.

‘Sis c’mon, you would love him.’ Grace tapped her sister on the arm playfully as she led her away from her friends.

As they approached where Ayorinde was sitting, he stood up. ‘Welcome home, Aderemi.’ He said as he stretched out his hand.

Aderemi took his hand and her eye twitched.

‘Thank you.’

‘Sis, this is Ayorinde, my boyfriend.’ She held him by the hand and whispered the word ‘boyfriend’ to her sister.

Aderemi nodded. ‘Hi Ayorinde. Have we met before?’

Grace laughed. ‘Sis, I’m always talking about him, so you know; you kinda met already in the spirit.’ She gesticulated with her hands.

‘Oh o-okay!’

‘Ayorinde, my sis and I need a lot of catching up to do.’ Grace said as she dragged her sister again; away from Ayorinde.

About 2 hours later, Aderemi thanked everyone for attending her welcome party which she warned her sister against. Everyone laughed and in another thirty minutes, it was just Aderemi, Grace and their father as it had always been.

******

The girls retreated into Aderemi’s room for the night. ‘Your boyfriend really does look familiar.’

‘Really? You’ve been away for a while. Where would you have met him?’

Aderemi shrugged. ‘I don’t know but I know I have seen that face before.’

‘I’m sure you haven’t sis. Your mind is playing games on you.’ Grace laughed. ‘He never had the opportunity to attend a Uni, the reason why I am sure you couldn’t have met him.’

‘He didn’t? So what does he do?’

‘He’s a hairdresser. He has a big salon for both men and women at Gbagada.’

‘And you think your father will allow you date someone who didn’t attend a Uni?’ Aderemi asked, eyebrows raised.

Grace moved closer to her sister. ‘That is why I need you on my side, sis. I know dad is suspicious ‘cos he kept looking at Ayorinde all through the party. I think he relaxed a little when I mentioned that he is Ayotunde’s elder brother. But you know your father, the questions will come soon and I want to be prepared when they come.’

‘I don’t know about this Grace. It is going to be difficult to convince him that you want to date a hairdresser coupled with the fact that – I think you are still too young to be getting yourself involved or worried about men.’ Aderemi put her right hand on her sister’s cheek. ‘You are in 100 level darling, you have a long way ahead of you. Bury your head into your books now.’

Grace sighed. ‘Sis, I need you. You can’t do this to me.’

‘Grace, you are just eighteen, for crying out loud. You still have the world ahead of you to conquer. Leave boys alone for now.’

‘Nineteen in a few months and in love.’

Aderemi burst out into laughter. ‘Okay baby sister in love, I need to go to bed. I am tired. I have had a long day.’ She said as she turned her back to Grace.

Grace knelt on the bed as she clasped her hands in a prayer mode. ‘Just say yes sis.’

Aderemi turned to face her. ‘Yes to what? Continuing a relationship? Capital N-O.’

‘Please, please, please sis. Please!!!’

‘Oh goodness gracious!’

‘Sis, you know I love you. Sis, please, please.’

Aderemi threw her hands up in the air. ‘Okay, okay. Just leave my room.’

‘Is that a yes?’ Grace got up from the bed smiling.

‘Whatever! Shut the door after you.’

‘I love you sis.’

‘Love you too.’ Aderemi grumbled.

******

Aderemi woke up with a start. She had beads of sweat on her forehead. She sat up and turned on her bedside lamp to the lowest setting. She couldn’t understand what was going on. The last time she had nightmares was years ago. She looked at the clock beside the lamp. It read 2:00a.m. A sharp pain hit at the right side of her head and she swung her legs off the bed gently. She knew the first aid box in her bathroom would be empty since she had been away for a while. She got up and padded down the hallway with slow steps.

She got to the kitchen and flicked on the light. A wave of pain hit her again and she grimaced as she held her head. She walked quickly to the kitchen cabinet where they kept over-the-counter drugs. She pulled out a pack of Tylenol and took out 2 tablets. She was trying to get a glass cup from the kitchen counter when her hand missed it. It rolled down the counter and fell with a loud shatter on the floor.

‘Oh shoot.’ She cursed.

She bent down to pick up the shards on the floor. As she got up, she saw her father running into the kitchen.

‘Just leave it. I will clean it up.’ He said as he got the broom and dustpan behind the door.

‘I’m sorry I woke you up.’

“It’s fine darling. What’s wrong?’ Her father asked as he bent down, swept the shards carefully and dumped them in the bin.

Aderemi looked at the tablets in her hands. ‘I have a pounding headache.’

Adeleke signaled to his daughter to sit at the kitchen island. He got another glass cup, filled it with water and gave it to her.

‘Thank you Daddy.’

He pulled out another chair and sat facing her.

‘Jet-lag?’

She downed the tablets and the water. ‘Nightmares.’ She said she placed the tumbler on the table.

‘You still have nightmares?’

‘It stopped.’

‘So when did it start again?’ Adeleke asked looking worried.

‘This night or should I call it morning.’

‘That’s strange. What triggered it?’

Aderemi looked at her dad. Her mind flashed back to the conversation she had with Grace last night.

‘Aderemi…Aderemi!’

‘Yes dad. I’m sorry, did you say something?’

‘Are you okay? You were sitting right here in front of me and totally lost.’

‘I’m sorry Daddy. I guess the stress of the long flight must be making me disoriented.’

‘Okay, you should go back to bed then.’

‘Yes.’ She stood up and kissed her dad on the cheek. ‘Thank you.’

Adeleke watched as his daughter sauntered to her bedroom. He put his hand on his chin deep in thought. The last time he remembered Aderemi having nightmares was after she was robbed about seven years ago. What could have triggered it this time?

He stood up, switched off the kitchen light and went into his room. However, sleep eluded him. Thoughts of Aderemi struggling with nightmares every night as a child when she lost her mother besieged him. His mind also took him back to the night she had gone to her friend’s party, the way she had sobbed uncontrollably on his shoulders and the nightmares thereafter.

He took a deep breath as he lay on his bed. He looked up to the heavens in the dark as he said a prayer. ‘Oh God, please help my daughter again.’

……..

The story continues…

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Yesterday Lives – Chapter 18

About two weeks later, Grace called Ayotunde. “Hey babe.”

“Wassup?”

“Nothing much. Bored to death in this house.”

Ayotunde laughed. “Watch movies, read a book, take a stroll. That’s all I have been doing.”

“Same here. They can fix weaves at your brother’s place, right?”

“Yep.”

“I think I should go there today. Can you help me call your brother?”

“Okay. I will. Who’s taking you?”

“Mr. Solomon will drop me off and come back later to pick me.”

“Okay then. I will call Ayorinde now.”

“Thanks babe.”

***

Ayotunde called her brother immediately. He wasn’t in the salon but he said he was around the corner and was going there right away. Hours later, Ayorinde parked his white Toyota Corolla in the premises where his salon was situated. He picked up his mobile phone from the center console and was about to dial his sister when he saw a car drive in. Mr. Solomon parked the car and Grace stepped out.

Ayorinde put his phone into his pocket and eased out of the car. “Hi.” He said as he walked up to Grace; his smile reaching his eyes.

“Good afternoon.” She replied Ayorinde. She looked at Mr. Solomon. “Please, come back in….” looking at her wrist watch; “Three hours.”

Mr. Solomon nodded and put the car in reverse.

“Ayotunde called me that you were on your way here.”

“Yes.”

“So what would you like to do?” Ayorinde asked as he looked at her hair.

“I want to fix weaves.”

“Do you have yours with you or do you want to buy?”

“Oh, I didn’t realize you also sold weaves.”

Ayorinde smiled. “Yes, we do. Let’s go inside”. He said as he signaled for her to walk ahead.

*

Ayorinde personally attended to Grace. In an hour and half, he was done. “Do you like it?” He asked her as he looked at her reflection in the mirror opposite.

Grace smiled. “I love it. I love this look.”

“I’m glad you do.” Ayorinde looked up at the clock above the mirror. “You still have about an hour and half left to wait.”

“Oh goodness.”

“Can we go to the café downstairs for a drink?”

“Okay.”

*

Grace decided to order an ice cream while Ayorinde ordered a bottle of malt. As they sat at a table of two, Ayorinde asked; “So what are your plans for the University?”

“I’m interested in Theatre Arts but my dad hasn’t given a go-ahead. He says the course is a no-go area and that I should think of something else.”

“So have you thought of another course?”

Grace shook her head. “I don’t want to study another course. I want to study Theatre Arts.”

Ayorinde sipped from his glass and looked at her. “So how do you intend to convince your dad?”

“I haven’t thought about it sincerely. It makes me tired having to fight over something like this.”

“What do you mean?”

Grace shrugged but refused to give an answer. Even though, Ayorinde was her best friend’s brother, she wasn’t sure of how much information he knew about her and she wasn’t willing to give him more than he probably already knew from her friend.

Ayorinde noticing the change in Grace’s body language decided to change the topic. He told her he would be glad if she could introduce more of her friends to his salon.

Grace smiled. “I would love to.” She said. She flicked her weaves and it bounced around her shoulders. “How did you get to make women’s hair so perfectly?”

Ayorinde laughed. “I never got the opportunity you have now.”

Grace looked at him confused.

“To go to the University. So I decided to do something else. I always loved to see a head with lovely hair on either a man or a woman. So I told Mama T I wanted to go to a beauty school. She registered me at one and the rest is history.”

“Wow! That’s cool.”

“Yeah.”

“I always wanted to ask Ayotunde. She also called your mum Mama T anytime she talked about her and you just did the same now. Is there a particular reason why?”

“We met her some years ago when we were down and out. She made us what we both are today. We called her Mama T then, I guess it stuck.” He laughed. “We call her mummy at home though.”

Grace finished her ice cream and pushed the cup aside. “I don’t understand. What do you mean by met her some years ago. She isn’t your biological mum?”

“She’s our guardian.”

“And your parents?”

“They are fine.”

“They live in this Lagos?”

“Yes. They do.”

“This is strange.”

“Don’t worry your pretty head over it. It’s complicated.”

*

Grace looked outside and noticed Mr. Solomon was back. “I didn’t realize we had spent over an hour here already.” She said pointing to the car. “I have to go.” She stood up.

“That’s fine.” Ayorinde said also standing up.

“Thanks for the ice cream and the company.”

“The pleasure is mine. I enjoyed the company as well.”

As they walked outside, Ayorinde asked; “Is it okay if I call you sometime?”

“Okay.” Grace replied as she reeled out her number.

Ayorinde punched the numbers on his phone. “See you around.” He said as she eased into the back seat of the car.

***

That evening, Ayotunde called Grace. “Babe, so did you like your hair?

“Like or love? I love it. Your brother personally attended to me.” Grace laughed over the phone.

“Hmm…..that’s nice.”

“Your brother is a cool guy.”

“So I hear from everyone who meets him.”

“You don’t think he is?” Grace asked.

“You’re kidding, right? I love my brother to bits. He is the definition of cool.” She laughed heartily.

“I like him.”

“Hmmm……”

“What? Is he out of bounds?” Grace sneered into the phone.

“Meaning?”

“Does he have a girlfriend?”

Ayotunde guffawed. “My brother is as clear as the sky.”

“Really?”

“What are we friends for? If he was tied up, I would have told you.”

“Okay then.”

“Erm….what does that okay mean?

“Nothing.”

“Grace!!!!” Ayotunde stressed her name.

“Oh girl. You always have a way of getting things out of my mouth.”

“Spill it. I’m all ears.”

“We had some time to chat at the café downstairs while waiting for Mr. Solomon. He took my number as I was about leaving. I just wanted to know where to place the boundary when he decides to call.”

“Well, it looks like you guys are getting along pretty well without me.”

“Oh c’mon, don’t tell me you are jealous.”

“Jealous? No way. As long as my brother is happy, I am happy.”

“Okay girl. I have to go. I need to make dinner for my dad before he gets back from work.”

“Okay. Talk to you later.”

“Bye.”

******

Ayorinde called Grace two days later. His calls became frequent and Grace began to look forward to them. They talked for long hours on the phone. Ayorinde made sure he called her every morning and every night before he went to bed.

Grace called her sister, Aderemi every weekend by video call and on one of their calls, she decided to voice out her feelings to her sister.

“Sis, you should meet him. He is such a sweet guy.”

‘Really? How long have you known him?’ Aderemi asked; as she beat an egg in a bowl.

‘About two months now.’

‘And you said he is Ayotunde’s elder brother?’

‘Yes sis.’ Grace said as she adjusted the ear buds in her ear.

‘Okay. What does Daddy think about him?’

‘I haven’t told Daddy yet oh. Ah! Before he will say; is that what you should be thinking about now?’ She smirked, gesticulating with her hands.

‘But he would be right to say so, don’t you think?’ Aderemi turned to look into the camera.

‘C’mon sis. I’m not too young to have a boyfriend.’

‘I never said you were Grace. I am only saying having one could be a distraction. You just got admission into Uni. I think you should focus on your studies and leave men alone.’

‘Sis, have I ever disappointed you with my grades?’

Aderemi ignored her question and poured her beaten egg into a fry pan.

‘Sis! Sis, answer me nau.’ Grace said waiting for her sister’s response.

Aderemi breathed deeply as she switched off the fire under the fry pan.

‘No, you have never disappointed me Grace. I just want you to be careful, that’s all.’

‘I will be sis. That’s why I love you.’ Grace smiled.

‘I love you too baby girl.’

‘When are you done with your course?’

‘In about 3 months.’

‘So we having a homecoming party in three months. Woohoo!’ Grace clapped excitedly.

‘No homecoming party Grace.’

‘But why? Aren’t you happy to be coming back home?’

‘Of course, I am but I don’t want any party.’ Aderemi said matter-of-factly.

‘I doubt you can get out of this sis. You refused to have a graduation party after your first degree. I doubt Daddy will let you get away with this one. I will personally see to that.’ Grace winked at her sister.

‘Ha! Grace, you can really be a pest atimes.’

‘I know sis and that’s why you love me.’ She replied bursting out into laughter.

Aderemi shook her head as she waved at her sister and ended the call.

The story continues…

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Yesterday Lives – Chapter 13

Friday morning, Ayo dropped the girls at school and also Kevwe at the hospital. He told Kevwe he would not be able to pick her up later as he had to continue his job hunt. He also needed to go to the house and make sure it was ready for their movement tomorrow. He gave her some money and asked her to take a taxi back home once she was done.

As Ayo drove home to see Ngozi and get ready for his job hunt, he wondered if Ngozi’s conversation with her sister was favourable. If it was, preparations for her travel and that of the kids would have to be done as soon as possible. The kids were vacating in a week and that meant, they had ample time to process their visas and get settled in Nicaragua. Thinking about it made him miss them already.

He parked the car and jogged towards the main house. As he was about to tap the doorbell, Ngozi opened the door. She had freshened up and was wearing an over-sized monochrome tee-shirt on red bum shorts. Her hair had been packed into a bun at the back and it accentuated her cheekbones. Even without make-up, she was beautiful. Ayo’s heart skipped a beat as he looked at her and he got lost in her gaze for a few seconds. He opened his mouth to say something but his mind couldn’t form the words.

“Hey. Come in.” Ngozi said; breaking the awkward silence between them.

Ayo nodded and walked in. “Were you about to go out?”

“No. I saw you drive in.” She replied as she walked towards the couch in front of the TV. She was watching a news channel. She took the remote from a side stool and reduced the volume of the TV.

“Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?” Ayo said as he sat down beside her.

Ngozi blushed.

‘I guess I never had the opportunity to.” He continued. “So about your sister?” He asked changing the topic.

“Yes, I spoke with her as you advised.” Ngozi said.

Ayo nodded. “And?”

“She said it was fine. She even wants us to settle down in Nicaragua and forget about Nigeria. She said I have no business anymore with Nigeria, so she didn’t see why I would want to stay back.”

Ayo cocked his head to the side. “Did you tell her you wanted to stay back?’

“Not exactly. I only mentioned the spa and salon.”

Ayo smiled. “You haven’t been there for a while, you know? Besides, you can sell off the business and face a new life in Nicaragua.”

Ngozi sighed. “It’s all so new to me. Nigeria has been my home all my life. Thinking about settling down in another country was never part of my plan.”

Ayo took her hand. “I know. The events of the past weeks could never have been part of anyone’s plan.” He sighed as he thought about his last discussion with Chief. He was meant to be Chief’s technical assistant but here he was jobless once again and dropping CVs in organizations like he had done when he first came to Lagos.

“Are you okay?” Ngozi asked.

“I am.” He replied looking at her.

“You seemed far away just now.”

“I was just thinking about how our lives took a drastic turnaround these past weeks. Just a day before Chief’s travel, we had a discussion in the garden. I was meant to see the HR Manager on Monday and get a new appointment letter.”

“Really?”

“Yes, as his technical assistant.” Ayo said sighing. “Those plans went with him. What can I say? I can only be thankful.”

“I’m so sorry.” Ngozi said remorsefully as she squeezed Ayo’s hand.

“You know, there are times when I actually feel sorry for myself. I feel maybe I have been jinxed and….”

“Don’t say that, Ayo.” Ngozi said moving closer to him. “You are not jinxed. Things haven’t just worked out the way you want them to.”

Ayo looked at her and smiled sadly. “Ngozi, you don’t know my story.”

“I know the little Chief told me. You are not jinxed.”

“I pray so.” He said as he looked away. Even though he had been trying to stay strong, he was deeply hurt and broken. During his quiet moments when he lay on his bed with Kevwe snoring beside him, he felt dejected. He had not sent money to his parents for a while and he had been too ashamed to call them to explain the situation of things. If he was not careful, he knew he would start running low on cash. The room and repairs, Kevwe’s healthcare and the daily transport fare for his job hunt were beginning to dig a hole in his pocket.

“Ayo, what’s on your mind?” Ngozi said as she turned his face to look at her.

“I will be fine.”

“Yes, you will be. We would both be fine.” She sighed and hugged him.

They stayed locked in each other’s embrace as they both savoured the moment.

“Ayo.” Ngozi whispered into his ears.

“Hmm…”

“Why do you want to leave tomorrow?”

“Please understand. Your family would kick me out if I don’t leave voluntarily.” Ayo replied.

“I just…I don’t…” Ngozi paused as she blew air through her mouth.

Ayo pulled away from her and looked at her face. “Talk to me.”

Ngozi looked away. “I just wanted to say I will miss you. I wish you didn’t have to go.”

“It is for the best. Look at what happened the last time Ebuka was here. To them, I am just a driver. I can’t stay back and deal with Chief’s family issues.”

“And why should you care about what they say? Hopefully, you would get another job soon. They would hardly notice you.”

“That’s what you think. And what about Ebuka’s accusation the last time he was here?”

 Ngozi shrugged. “Your girlfriend lives with you. I don’t see how that should be a problem. That should settle any ideas.”

“I wish it could. Unfortunately, it is not enough.” Ayo said.

“So this is it?”

Ayo stood and pulled her up. He touched her chin tenderly and looked at her. Over the past weeks, he had grown fond of her. After the death of her husband, he had done all he could to ease her grief. She had been so lost and her husband’s family had turned against her. He owed it to Chief to protect her. Right now, the only way he could do that was to leave Chief’s house. And to get her and the girls out of the country to Nicaragua. He was glad that her sister had agreed to welcome them; even though it broke his heart to see her go. He sighed at the thought of it.

He stared at her lips and his heart fluttered. The moment seemed magical and he kissed her lips slowly. Ngozi took a deep breath as she kissed him back passionately holding on to him like her life depended on him. They ravaged each other’s lips as their breaths quickened. Ayo lifted Ngozi off the floor and placed her gently on the couch. He tickled her sensitive spots as he undressed her carefully. Ngozi shivered with every touch and she responded with moans of pleasure. Ayo undressed himself quickly eager to finish what he had started.

As he was about to fulfill his pleasure in her, he suddenly felt disconnected from his environment and in that instant, he saw that the lady unclad before him was his boss’s wife. He looked at her wondering what he was doing with her. Do I want to do this? He looked at Ngozi’s naked body before him. Yes, I can’t help it. His body was already on fire and it longed for her. Chief, forgive me. He closed his eyes. I can’t stop now. Ngozi looked at him as she touched and caressed his excited body exploding all the pent-up emotions he had in him. He groaned as his body took charge of his mind. In a few minutes, the only noises heard were stifled screams and moans in the height of ecstasy.

Ngozi lay cradled in Ayo’s arms on the seven-seater couch. Ayo kissed her forehead and she looked up at him and smiled. No words were needed as their bodies had spoken their hearts desire. They lay in each other’s arms for another one hour as they listened to each other’s heartbeat and talked about their future; Ngozi’s plan for her movement to Nicaragua and Ayo’s movement out of the house the next day. The more they talked about their plans, the more it saddened them.

At about 11:00a.m, they heard the gate opening. Ayo looked at Ngozi with eyes wide open. He looked at his watch and realized they had been in each other’s arms the past two hours. They had not realized that time was far spent. He got up with speed and started to put on his clothes in a hurry. Ngozi also picked up her clothes from the floor and ran towards her bedroom upstairs.

******

Kevwe walked into the boys’ quarters and went straight to the room. She was beginning to get tired easily. She lay on the bed and in a few minutes began to doze off.

Ayo buttoned up his shirt and made an attempt to straighten it out with his hands. He looked upstairs. Ngozi had disappeared into her room. He took a deep breath as he walked out of the main house. He got to the boys’ quarters and used his key to enter into the house. He saw Kevwe’s bag on the floor in the living room. He walked towards the room and saw her sprawled on the bed. He heaved a sigh of relief when he heard her snoring. He decided to go into the bathroom to freshen up.

As he stood under the shower, his mind wandered. He had felt a connection with Ngozi which was absent anytime he was with Kevwe. He thought about Kevwe. Was his feelings for her genuine or was it because she was available at the time? And now that she was carrying his child, was this the kind of life he wanted to live? His mind went to Ngozi. He remembered how she had responded to his touch and her stifled screams as she dug her fingers into his back. A smile played on his lips as cold water coursed down the length of his body.

Even though Kevwe had more dexterity, she made love to him almost without feelings. It was more like a duty she had to fulfill. It was what she got paid for daily anyway. Ngozi may not have as much experience as Kevwe did but she melted under his touch and she responded with pleasure which excited him. An excitement that was absent with Kevwe.

The door to the bathroom opened and Ayo was jolted out of his reverie. Kevwe stood with arms akimbo as she looked at him.

“You just dey come or you never go?”

“Erm…I haven’t gone.”

“So where you dey before?”

“I went to drop something in the main house.”

“For Ngozi place? She looked down at his lower body and clapped her hands. “Ayo, you don dey go chop for dia, abi? So the one wey I give you chop never do? Na your oga wife you dey chop again.” Kevwe screamed.

“I don’t understand what you are saying.” Ayo said getting out of the bath and covering up himself with a towel. His wandering mind in the shower had been his undoing.

“How you go know wetin I dey talk? If no be say you go chop for dia, why e dey stand? She asked pointing towards the bulge he was struggling to cover up. “I look like small girl to you. Remove towel make I see am well well. Chei….I don suffer. So na me you dey do like this, Ayo?” Kevwe lamented.

Ayo felt caught in the act. He moved near Kevwe and tried to hold her but she shoved him away and he staggered backwards.

“No touch me oh. No touch me. Go meet your oga wife go continue wetin you dey house dey do. Ayo, you no know me oh. I dey tell you. You meet me when my head dey correct.”

“Kevwe, stop this. You are carrying my baby. What other commitment do you need from me?” Ayo asked cutting short her tirade.

Kevwe stepped out of the bathroom and sat on the bed. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she put her head in her hands. Ayo strolled behind her and also sat on the bed. What has come over me?  He put his arms around her. “Kevwe, I love you. Don’t you understand?” He raised her head so he could look into her eyes. “I accepted you and our baby. Tomorrow, we would move out of this house and start a new life together. Please, I need you to trust me.”

Kevwe sniffed as she looked at him. “I know say you don touch your madam. No even try to deny am but no wahala. Sebi we dey pack go tomorrow? I hope say you no go leave me for house dey come hia come chop. Ayo, try am make I catch you, you go know say oil and water no be the same.”

Ayo looked away. He couldn’t look Kevwe in the eye and deny what she had said. He pulled her close and hugged her as he took a deep breath. He prayed in his heart that once he was away from Ngozi, he would be free from the entanglement he had gotten himself into.

******

The next morning, as early as 6:00a.m, Ayo got up to begin the movement of their things out of the house. He had spoken to someone who owned a pick-up truck the night before. The driver arrived at 6:30a.m and in one hour thirty minutes, everything they owned had been loaded into the truck. At 8:00a.m, Kevwe eased into the back seat of the pick-up van. As Ayo was about to ease into the front seat, he noticed Ngozi standing at the window of her room. He looked towards Kevwe and noticed she wasn’t looking. He looked back at Ngozi and blew her a kiss. Ngozi smiled a response before shutting the blinds.

******

The next time Ayo saw Ngozi was the last day he did. She had called to inform him that she was leaving the country the next day. Their visas had been processed, tickets had been booked and she was leaving Nigeria finally. She had not mentioned anything to her brother-in-laws and no one knew she was leaving. She reeled out her plans to Ayo on the phone. She would leave the house with a hand luggage only. She would drop her kids at school and book a hotel where she would lodge till school was over. She had arranged to have her car sold and she was expecting the buyer to pick it up from the hotel in the evening. She had emailed the buyer copies of all her car documents and told him to pick up the originals in the evening. The buyer was making a transfer into her account and she was going to the bank to buy her travel allowance with the funds. She would take a taxi to the airport in the evening to catch their flight and she and her kids would be gone for good.

Ayo was surprised that she had everything all planned out. He asked for the hotel where she would be staying so he could see her one last time before she left. She gave him the location of the hotel and Ayo promised to see her the next day.

*

He had gotten a job as a casual worker in a manufacturing company. The pay wasn’t fantastic but it kept him and Kevwe from going to bed hungry. Plans of buying a car which he could use to run a taxi business had been jettisoned and he started thinking of something else he could do as an alternative source of income. He thought of opening a beer parlour for Kevwe but when he considered the risks, he flung the plan into the bin. He considered Kevwe’s antecedents, the caliber of people who would patronize them since they lived in a slum and the business becoming a source of constant raids by the police looking for miscreants. He also did not want to expose his children to the environment’s mindset which would be difficult to change later in life.

*

Ayo was unable to sleep throughout the night. He was excited. He had steered clear of calling Ngozi since he left Chief’s house. It had been difficult to get his mind off her after they left but once he got a job, he thought less and less of her each day as he put his whole heart into earning a living wage. Hearing from her had made his heart grow fonder and he looked forward to seeing her again.

——–

The story continues…

Posted on

Yesterday Lives – Chapter 11

Ayo sped towards Obalende with Ngozi on his mind. He was just finding out that she was an orphan. He now understood why she got married early. It was a pity that she also became a widow too early. So Chief’s family wanted to make her a communal wife; or why was Ebuka trying to sleep with her earlier on if she was meant to be Chidi’s second wife. He didn’t understand the whole drama. He was even more surprised that their mother agreed to such.

As he got closer to Kevwe’s place, he picked up his phone and called her. He hadn’t called her on his way because he couldn’t tell her he was just leaving home when she would have expected him to be close to her place.

Kevwe picked up on the first ring. “Ayo, wetin be dis nau? Why you no pick up your call since?”

“I’m sorry, Kevwe. I had some issues to attend to.”

“Which kain issue you get for this night when Madam don send me comot for house? I dey outside for corner.”

“I’m sorry Kevwe. Are you alone?”

“Yes nau. Oghogho stay here with me before but when we dey wait and you no pick up your call, she leave me go inside as Onome don call say Madam dey ask where she go.”

Ayo took a deep breath. “I’m almost with you. I’m so sorry, Kevwe.” He said.

“I don hear. I dey wait.”

In five minutes, Ayo reached Kevwe. She had just one travel bag containing all her clothes. He got out of the car, opened the booth and kept the travel bag inside while Kevwe eased into the passenger side. As Ayo eased into the car, he apologized again.

“I’m sorry I kept you waiting.”

“I don hear.” Kevwe replied.

“So how did Tutu hear about this? I’m a bit confused.” Ayo asked.

“I no even know but Madam just dey shout my name this night for room. She wan even bring her boys make dem come beat me if I no leave her house.”

Ayo looked at her with shock. “This your Madam must be wicked. Why didn’t she give you till tomorrow morning knowing that you are pregnant and have nowhere to go to?”

“You think say she dey care. E no be her business oh. Na only her money she dey after. You no fit get boyfriend if you dey with her. And if you do mistake carry belle, your own don finish be that.”

“Hmm….” Ayo grunted as he shook his head.

In a few minutes, they arrived home. Dubem opened the gate and Ayo drove in. Kevwe eased out of the car and looked at Ayo.

“You don tell your madam say I dey come?”

“Yes, I did. I had to explain to her.”

“Okay.” Kevwe said as she walked towards the boys’ quarters.

As Ayo walked behind Kevwe, he looked up towards Ngozi’s room and was shocked to see that she was standing by the window watching them. He stopped momentarily as the blinds in the room closed and the lights went off.

******

The next morning, Ayo went to the main house to pick the kids for school as usual. Kevwe was still in bed when he left and he decided not to disturb her. She had a rough night and he reckoned she needed all the rest she could get.

He tapped the doorbell and Ngozi opened the door to let him in. She was dressed in a black round neck tee-shirt on a navy blue pair of jeans. She had pulled her hair back into a bun and her face seemed brighter. Ayo smiled as he saw her.

“Good morning Ngozi. Hope you had a restful night.”

“Yes, I did. Thank you.” She replied.

“Are the kids ready?”

“Almost done. I decided to take them myself.”

Ayo looked at her. “Oh really?”

“Yes. You’ve got company and I did not want to feel like I was beginning to be a burden.”

“Oh c’mon. But I am only doing my job.” Ayo shrugged.

Ngozi smiled and for a brief second, it warmed Ayo’s heart.

“Let me do it. Besides, I think I need some fresh air to clear my head.” Ngozi said.

“Mummy, we are ready.” Amara and Amaka walked into the living room interrupting the conversation.

“Okay girls.” Ngozi said as she bent down and gave each one a kiss on the forehead.

“Let me drive you.” Ayo said as he stretched his hand to collect the car keys from Ngozi.

Ngozi took a deep breath. “Okay.” She said as she handed the car keys to Ayo.

Ayo drove Ngozi’s car while Ngozi and the kids sat behind. The kids chatted all the way as they asked their mum questions after questions. After the kids were dropped off, Ayo looked back at Ngozi and asked;

“Is there any other place you want me to take you to?”

Ngozi shrugged.

“The spa or the office?” Ayo asked.

Ngozi shook her head. “I don’t think I am ready for any. Besides, they are taking over the office soon. I might as well just stay away till the take-over.”

Ayo sighed and turned his face away from her.

“Just take me home.”

Ayo turned back to look at her again. “Are you sure?”

“Yes I am.” Ngozi replied.

As Ayo drove home, he watched Ngozi through the rear-view mirror intermittently. She was in her own world; her eyes on the window by her side as she watched life pass by. In a few minutes, they were home and Ngozi eased out of the car and walked towards the house. Ayo sat in the car watching her for a few minutes. For how long is she going to continue this way? He looked at the time on the dashboard. It was a quarter to 9:00am. He eased out of the car and strolled towards the main house. The door was open and Ayo walked in. He dropped the car keys in the basket on the hanging shelf beside the door.

Ngozi was seated in the couch facing the TV with her head slouched backwards and her eyes closed. He walked towards her and sat beside her.

“Ngozi.” He said as he sighed. “I won’t pretend to understand exactly how you feel. I just want you to know that if you need to talk, I am here. Please don’t bottle up.”

Ngozi was quiet.

“I need to go now.” He said as he touched her on the shoulder.

Ngozi raised her head and looked at him. “Thank you.”

Ayo stood up. He really did not want to leave her alone but Kevwe could wake up anytime and wonder where he was. He walked towards the door and took one last look at Ngozi before stepping out.

When Ayo walked into his bedroom, he met Kevwe awake. She was seated at the edge of the bed.

“Where you dey since?”

“I went to drop the kids at school. Have you been awake for long?”

“No. E no tey wey I wake up. I just dey wonder when I no see you.”

“Okay.” Ayo replied.

“I think say na Chief you dey drive. You dey drive im madam too?”

“No, but she hasn’t been herself since her husband died and the kids need to go to school.” Ayo said as he sat down on the bed.

“Eeya, I pity her sha. Na young woman?”

“Kevwe, we need to start scouting for a room.” Ayo said ignoring her question.

“Na fast fast like that. Your madam don dey complain?”

Ayo took a deep breath. “It is not about my madam, Kevwe. Her husband’s people are moving here soon. I don’t want to wait till they throw me out before I do the needful.”

“Na wa oh. So where we go see fine place like this one nau?”

“Kevwe, we need to be realistic. I am not looking for a place like this.” Ayo said sweeping his hand across the room. “We have a baby on the way and we need to plan. You need to register for ante-natal care, cost of delivery and so on. They all cost money.”

Kevwe looked at him confused. “So wetin you come dey say because I no understand all this your grammar.”

“What I am saying is that we would have to step down. All this here is luxury for now. Don’t forget that as it is I am also jobless. We would have to survive on what I saved up till now pending when I get another job.”

“Ahn…ahn, so because your oga die, everything go just change like that.”

Ayo closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Kevwe was proving difficult and he did not need this right now. He stood up and started walking towards the living room.

“Where you come dey go now?”

“To look for a place for us. I don’t have much time on my hands. I need to be back on time to pick up the kids from school in the afternoon.”

“Ehn, wait make I quick baff nau, make we go look the place together.”

“I’ll wait in the living room. Please make it snappy.”

“Okay. I don hear oh.” Kevwe said as she stood up from the bed.

******

Kevwe and Ayo visited a number of rooms put up for rent but each one was beyond Ayo’s budget. After about an hour of roaming the streets, Kevwe began to complain that she was tired and hungry. Ayo took her to a buka where they both ordered food and ate before continuing their search. At noon, Ayo told Kevwe they had to call it a day as he had to pick the kids from school. He drove to the government hospital close to the house and got Kevwe registered for her ante-natal visits. In about an hour, they were done at the hospital and they headed home.

As Ayo drove into the compound, he saw Ngozi sitting in Chief’s chair in the garden. Kevwe saw her as well and was shocked.

“Na your madam be that?”

“Yes. That’s her.” Ayo said as he switched off the engine.

“Ayo, your madam na fine young woman like this? See as her skin clear.”

Ayo was silent. He eased out of the car and Kevwe did same.

“Go to the house, I will meet you there.” Ayo said to Kevwe.

Kevwe grunted a response.

“Good afternoon oh.” Kevwe said as she passed by Ngozi.

Ngozi looked up and forced a smile.

Kevwe walked towards the boys quarters while Ayo strolled into the garden.

“How are you doing?” Ayo asked when he got to Ngozi.

“I’m fine. Thank you.” Ngozi replied.

Ayo was quiet for a few seconds as he looked at Ngozi.

“I….I….” Ayo said as he cleared his throat. “We went in search of a place to stay.”

Ngozi looked up at him. “Are you moving out?”

“I will eventually have to. It doesn’t seem like your brother-in-law’s want me here.”

Ngozi looked away and nodded.

“Are you sure you are okay?”

Ngozi nodded.

“I will pick the girls at 2:00. Would you like to also go to their school?”

Ngozi took a deep breath and nodded.

Ayo stood uncomfortably. He cleared his throat again.

“Let me check on my girlfriend. I will be back in less than an hour.” He said as he looked at his wrist watch.

Ngozi’s face was still turned away and he contemplated holding her but thought against it. Dubem or Kevwe could be watching and he didn’t want to give anyone of them a wrong impression.

He turned back as he walked towards the boys’ quarters and it took him all his willpower not to look back and see what Ngozi was doing.

Kevwe was seated in the living room shaking her feet when Ayo walked in. She stood up immediately she saw him and hissed.

“So wetin you come dey do with your madam since?” She sneered.

“I don’t understand your question.”

“No be two o’clock you say you wan go carry children, so wetin you dey talk with her? Two o’clock never knack.”

Ayo sighed and ignored her as he walked into the bedroom. Kevwe got angrier and took quick steps behind him.

“Ayo, so my mouth dey smell, abi? No be you I dey talk to?”

Ayo lay on the bed and looked at her. “Kevwe, I don’t need this stress right now.”

Kevwe clapped her hands. “Ehen? So na me dey give you stress now?”

Ayo stood up and held Kevwe by the shoulders. “Kevwe stop this, please. I have enough to deal with already.”

Kevwe struggled to release herself from Ayo’s grip. “Why you say make me I dey go? Wetin you wan say wey you no fit talk for my presence?”

Ayo began to walk towards the living room.

“Where you dey go again? You dey go back go meet her, abi?”

“No, Kevwe. I am going outside so I can have some fresh air since you want to suffocate me in here.”

Kevwe ran after Ayo and held his hand. “Okay, okay, no vex, abeg. I just no like as you say make I dey go and you come go meet am. I no want make anybody snatch my boyfriend.”

Ayo looked back at her. “You are carrying my baby, Kevwe.”

Kevwe sneered. “E no matter.”

Ayo rolled his eyes and dropped his hands. “I give up.”

“I don talk say make you no vex nau.” She said hugging him.

“It’s okay.”

“Oya come siddon here.” Kevwe said pulling him towards the couch.

Ayo allowed her lead him and Kevwe lay down on the couch with her head on Ayo’s laps.

The story continues…

Posted on

Yesterday Lives – Chapter 7

Kevwe smiled as she walked into her room later that night. She was sure of what Ayo felt for her and she was happy. The only thing she needed to do now was to try and save up some money so she could move out. She had not thought of what else she could do. She had no skills and no education. She lay on her bed contemplating on her next line of action when Tutu walked in.

“Madam, where you go since?”

Kevwe ignored her and faced the wall.

“Madam Kevwe, no be you I dey talk to? Abi, you don dey big since you don get driver boyfriend?” Tutu sneered spoiling for a fight.

Kevwe turned back to look at her. “Tutu, abeg, no vex me this night oh. Na beg I dey beg you.”

“What will you do? Tell me, what? Madam driver boyfriend.” Tutu said as she clapped her hands at Kevwe.

Kevwe ignored her, lay back on her bed and turned to face the wall.

Tutu’s claps and raised voice drew the attention of the other girls who were sleeping. Some woke up and watched the two of them while a few ignored them and went back to sleep.

“Talk nau, Madam driver boyfriend. Wetin you go do if I vex you?”

“Tutu, leave her nau.” One of the girls said.

“Aunty gbeborun, face your front. No be you I dey talk to.”

“Who you come dey talk to?” Oghogho said standing up. She was six feet tall and had a muscular build. She stood and towered above Tutu. “I say who you dey talk to. Look me well well. I look like Kevwe?”

Tutu turned away from her and walked towards her bed.

“Nonsense.” Oghogho said. “Why you no go look for your own boyfriend? Abi, if her boyfriend na driver, how that one take consine you?”

“No mind am oh. E be like say she wan steal the bobo for Kevwe hand cos she use my phone call one man one day like that. She no no say I dey hear as she dey beg the man. E fit be say na Kevwe bobo cos I know say she no get boyfriend.” Another girl said.

“Ehen, so na another person boyfriend she dey steal. Na wa oh. And she go come dey behave as if she beta pass all of us. Shior!” Another girl, Onome who had been lying down on her bed all along said.

Tutu was quiet all through. She stood up and walked towards the door when she couldn’t stand the taunts of her roommates any more.

“Eh, she dey go out. She no fit siddon hear again.” Oghogho laughed.

The other girls burst into laughter as they mocked her. Tutu, angry that she was being ridiculed slammed the door as she walked out of the room.

Ayo and Kevwe continued to see each other. Ayo reckoned that the earlier he got an apartment for Kevwe, the better for them. He scouted around looking for a decent single room where she could stay but all the rooms he saw were pricey and beyond his budget. He could not afford such right now. He however refused to relent as he continued his search.

******

Ten weeks later, on a Saturday morning, Kevwe woke up with a pounding headache and a high fever. Her roommates rallied round her as her breathing became labored and her body temperature rose.

“Sorry oh Kevwe. Make we carry you go hospital?”

Kevwe shook her head.

“But you don weak nau. E go beta make you go hospital.” Onome said.

Oghogho and one of her roommates sat on her bed as they tried to convince her.

“E go beta if you go hospital oh, Kevwe. You wey no dey sick normally.” Oghogho said.

“I no even know as my body dey do me sef. I just weak.” Kevwe replied.

“Abi, make I help you call your boyfriend make e come carry you go hospital?”

“Ah, you wan make Madam kill me finish if she see am?”

“How she go see am? You jus leave that one for me. Sebi na me go tell Madam say I dey take you go hospital.” Oghogho said.

Kevwe nodded; unable to utter another word. She handed her phone to Oghogho and asked her to look for Ayo’s number.

Oghogho placed the call to Ayo and he picked up on one ring.

“Hey beautiful.” Ayo said.

Oghogho coughed to clear her throat. “Sorry, no be Kevwe be this. Na her friend, Oghogho. Abeg, come help us take her go hospital. She dey very sick. She no even fit waka well. If you dey come, no reach here oh. Just tanda for the corner wey dey beside our house, I go bring her come meet you for dia.” Oghogho spoke very fast.

“Okay. Just take it easy. You said Kevwe is very sick and I should come pick her up to the hospital, right?”

“Yes.”

“I’m coming right away. I will call you when I am close to your place. Please keep the phone close to you.”

“Okay.” Oghogho replied.

Ayo cut the call and walked into the main house. He saw Chief’s kids watching a movie and asked about their father.

“Daddy is upstairs.” They chorused.

“Okay. Tell daddy that I stepped out briefly.”

“Okay, Mr. Ayo.” The kids said.

Ayo jumped into the car and drove in a hurry to Kevwe’s house. When he was about to round the bend beside the house, he called Kevwe’s number. Oghogho picked up the call.

“Hello, I am outside; just behind your house.” Ayo said.

“Okay, I dey come.”

Oghogho dragged Kevwe up from the bed. “Oya, make we dey go hospital.”

Onome helped Kevwe up and the trio walked out of the room. Madam was sitting in the living room watching a TV programme. She looked up and was surprised.

“Madam, Kevwe no well. We wan carry her go hospital.” Oghogho said.

“Okay. Make sure they run enough tests on her. I don’t want my clients complaining about any form of sickness or disease, understand?”

“Yes ma.” Oghogho rolled her eyes.

As the three girls walked out of the house, Oghogho hissed. “So na customer Madam dey think about? Ah, we don suffer for this life.”

Onome sighed and shook her head.

Ayo eased out of the car and half-jogged towards them immediately he spotted them. He swept Kevwe off her feet and dropped her carefully in the back seat of the car. Onome eased into the backseat while Oghogho decided to ride shotgun.

******

The doctor walked into the waiting room and called for Ayo. Oghogho stood up to walk towards the doctor but he raised his hand to stop her.

“Are you the patient’s sister?”

“No sir.” Oghogho replied.

“Okay. I will like to see him only. Thank you.”

Oghogho shrugged and turned back to sit beside Onome.

The doctor led Ayo into his office and offered him a seat.

“Doctor, what is wrong with her?”

The doctor sat down carefully and pulled out a sheet of paper from a brown file in front of him.

“We ran some tests on her. The result shows that she has malaria and she has to be properly monitored so that it doesn’t affect her baby in any way.”

Ayo gave the doctor a confused look. “Her baby? I don’t understand.”

The doctor raised his head and looked at Ayo. “You don’t know she is pregnant?”

Ayo’s jaw dropped. “Pregnant? Kevwe is pregnant?”

“Yes, she is. And she is almost concluding her first trimester.” The doctor said matter-of-factly.

Ayo could not believe what he had just heard. He was not sure whether to be happy or sad. There was no doubt in his heart about his love for her but he was unsure of what the future held for him and Kevwe. Could he handle having her for the rest of their lives? Besides, fatherhood was not a responsibility he was ready to shoulder at this time.

He sighed deeply. “Thank you doctor. So where is she now?”

“She has been placed on admission. She is in the general ward. You can speak with the matron if you need to see her.”

“Thank you sir.” Ayo said as he stood up and walked out of the doctor’s office with slumped shoulders.

Oghogho stood up when she saw Ayo’s countenance. “Wetin happen?”

Ayo sighed. The doctor said she has malaria.

“Ordinary malaria. So why your face come strong like this?”

“He said she is pregnant too.”

“Osanobua!” Oghogho exclaimed as she put her two hands on her head.

“Chai! Chai!” Onome lamented. “Wetin we go do now?”

Ayo looked at both of them but his mind was faraway. He had no house of his own, he was still trying to gather enough money to rent a room for Kevwe. How was he going to fend for her and a child? He sighed deeply as he walked towards the nurse’s station. He asked to see Kevwe and he was directed towards the general ward.

He spotted her immediately he entered the ward. He walked towards her and sat on the plastic chair by her bed. She was sleeping peacefully and he felt bad that he had to wake her up.

“Kevwe.” He whispered.

“Hmmm….” Kevwe answered groggily as she opened her eyes.

“How are you feeling now?”

“I no even understand the way I dey feel.” She said in a very low voice.

“It’s okay. You will be fine.”

Kevwe nodded gently as she drifted off to sleep again.

Ayo took a deep breath as he stood up and left the ward.

******

Oghogho and Onome were still seated in the waiting room.

“How she dey now?” Oghogho asked Ayo as he walked towards them.

“She is still very weak. She is sleeping now.”

“You tell her?”

Ayo shook his head.

“E good as you no tell her now. Make she get strength first. Wetin you wan do? Nobody must get belle for our house oh. Na because Madam no want belle, be the reason why she say we no fit get boyfriend.”

Ayo blew air through his mouth. “I don’t know. I will think of what to do.”

“Guy, think quick quick so that doctor go remove am before Kevwe sef know as you neva tell her.” Onome said indifferently.

“Remove what?” Ayo asked; shock clearly written on his face.

“Remove the belle nau. Ahn….ahn…” Onome said.

Oghogho studied Ayo’s face carefully. “You no wan remove am?”

“Why would I do that? She’s carrying my child.”

Oghogho shook her head and followed it with a nod. “You be good man. But if she keep the belle, she no go fit continue this work.”

“I know that and I was trying to get her out of this….” Ayo spread his hands with a disgusted look on his face but stopped when he realized what he was about to say would seem insensitive to Kevwe’s friends.

Oghogho smiled. “No worry. I understand. All of us don tire. We jus no dey lucky like Kevwe wey get fine man like you.”

“Thank you.” Ayo said with a sad face. “Let me drop you at your place. I will come back and wait here till she wakes up.”

As Oghogho and Onome eased out of the car behind the house they lived in, Oghogho looked to the heavens. “Osanobua, make you send me good man like this wey go carry me comot from this house.”

——

The story continues…

Posted on

Yesterday Lives – Chapter 4

Kevwe asked Ayo to drop her off a few metres away from her house but he refused. He told her he wanted to be sure she got back home safely. Kevwe told him Madam would be upset that a man was dropping her off but Ayo was adamant. If Madam decided to get upset, then so be it. He did not want her in the business any longer; so she could as well start planning her exit.

When Kevwe noticed that Ayo was not going to heed to her pleas, she took out the tee-shirt she had put in her bag when she was leaving home. She unhooked her seat belt and began to remove the transparent blouse she was wearing. Ayo was too shocked to speak. He stopped, parked the car off the road but left the engine running. Kevwe was unfazed by his look. She held on to the tee-shirt and refused to put it on. The underwear she was wearing barely covered her bust. She locked eyes with Ayo and held his gaze. She stretched her left hand and placed it on his laps. She noticed how his body responded instantly to her touch and she glided her hand to and fro his laps teasing his senses.

Ayo shivered as he struggled to control his body. He held Kevwe’s hand to stop her but his body had taken a mind of its own. ‘Kevwe.’ He called; almost in a whisper. He closed his eyes as his mind fought against his body; the excitement it felt increasing as Kevwe continued to tease him. Kevwe unzipped his trousers and her hand on his bare skin made him shiver again. ‘Ke…..’ He tried to call her name again but it came out as a moan. Kevwe knew it was time. She stretched her hand over him, pulled the lever of the driver’s seat and dragged it backward. Before Ayo could understand what was going on, she had swung her legs over him. Her bare skin on his caused him to take a deep breath as he realized she was not wearing any underwear. Kevwe took control of his body and mind as she gripped him and locked her legs around him. Ayo’s excitement reached a crescendo and he gave himself wholly to her. Kevwe took over showing her dexterity in what she was paid to do daily.

When they both stilled from their throes of passion, Kevwe lifted the driver’s seat which she had laid down during the heat of the moment. She swung her legs skillfully and sat back in the passenger’s seat. She wore the tee-shirt she had abandoned earlier and looked at Ayo.

He had a look of confusion on his face.

‘Wetin?’ She asked him nonchalantly.

Ayo shook his head. ‘Do you sleep with your clients without using protection?’

Kevwe shrugged. ‘No. If person no get rubber, na no show be dat.’

‘So why did you….’ Ayo was asking before Kevwe raised her left hand to stop him.

‘You like to dey ask queshon oh. My house no far from hia. If you wan see me enter my house, come waka with me, no carry moto, abeg.’ She said as she opened the passenger door to let herself out.

Madam was already asleep by the time Kevwe walked into the house and she thanked her stars. She only hoped she would not be queried on what time she got in. As she lay on her bed that night, she reminisced on her encounter with Ayo. She had longed for this and his initial rejection had upset her. She was therefore bent on having her way when she had a second opportunity. She smiled as she remembered the look on Ayo’s face when she removed her blouse. He had been captivated by what he saw and she knew then that that was the opportunity she had been waiting for. He had moaned and shivered under her touch and held her tightly like someone who had been starved. She knew she was supposed to have used protection but she had made up her mind long before now that her relationship with Ayo was not a business transaction. She wanted to have him for keeps. She thought about the possibility of getting pregnant for him and shrugged it off immediately. E no fit happen.

Ayo drove home entranced. He thought he had been able to keep his guards up when Kevwe was in his apartment. He did not understand how he had fallen so cheaply. And more confusing was the fact that Kevwe had not asked him or used any form of protection. He sighed as he thought about her. What exactly was he doing with her? He wasn’t sure he had an idea but one thing he knew was that he liked her a lot. Keeping her was still a long shot for him.

******

Ayo and Kevwe became more attached to each other as the days went by. No day or night passed without them talking to each other. They shared text messages when calls were impossible to be placed. Ayo opened a bank account for Kevwe and began to put in a monthly stipend for her. He told her it was for her upkeep and that he trusted her judgment not to spend the money recklessly. Kevwe smiled as Ayo gave her the ATM card attached to the account. ‘Ayo, why you dey do all these things for me?’ She asked.

Ayo sighed. He loved her but he was scared of telling her. She had told him a number of times that she was not worthy of his love and attention. He wasn’t even sure what he wanted from her. He just knew that his heart skipped a beat anytime he heard her voice or saw her.

‘Ayo?’ Kevwe called him again.

‘Hmmm.’ He said coming out of his reverie.

‘I dey ask wetin you want.’

Ayo smiled. ‘I don’t want anything Kevwe.’

‘E no possible nau. You go dey credit my phone every time. You dey give me money anytime we see. Now, you open bank account for me and you dey tell me you no want anything?’

‘Kevwe, it is possible to do all these for you without wanting anything. Why do you believe every man wants something for money spent?’

‘You neva hear Shina Peters song?’ Kevwe sneered.

Ayo laughed. ‘Which song is that and what has he got to do with this?’

‘He sing money for hand, back for ground.’ Kevwe sang as she demonstrated with her fingers.

‘I know the song Kevwe but I don’t believe this relationship is based on that.’ Ayo said getting serious.

‘I hear you oh.’ She shrugged as she put the ATM card into an old wallet in her bag.

Ayo had decided to take her to the cinema again to watch a movie. It was becoming a norm for him to take her out on her off days. As he was about to drop her at the end of her street, he switched off the ignition and looked at her.

‘When are you going to drop this business?’

‘Ayo, na every time we go out you go dey ask me this queshon? You no dey tire?’

‘I care about you, Kevwe. Don’t you understand?’ Ayo asked, breathing hard.

‘I don hear. I go dey think about it.’

‘Thank you.’ Ayo said as he leaned in to give her a peck on her cheek.

Kevwe anticipating his action turned her face to him and kissed him fully on his lips as she held on to him.

When Ayo eased away from her, Kevwe smiled.

‘You should go home now. It’s getting late.’ He said as he looked at the time on the dashboard. It read 10.30pm.

Kevwe nodded as she eased out of the car. She waved goodbye and started walking towards her house, while Ayo drove away.

A few metres away from the house, Kevwe was startled by someone who walked out of the dark corner beside the house.

‘Tutu, wetin be dis nau?’ She shouted as she placed her hand on her chest trying to still her heartbeat.

‘Who be dat bobo wey you dey go meet every time?’ Tutu, her housemate asked.

Kevwe hissed. ‘How that one take consine you?’

‘How e no go consine me? Madam don dey ask where you dey go anytime you dey off. She say you no dey siddon for house.’ Tutu lied.

Kevwe’s eyes grew big. ‘Ehen, she don dey ask?’

‘Yes nau. She dey ask me last week and I don see you with that bobo before but I just no wan tell Madam the truth.’

‘Abeg, no tell Madam anything. Na my boyfriend.’

‘Hmm.’ Tutu wrinkled her nose. ‘You no say Madam say we no fit get boyfriend.’

‘I know. Abeg, Tutu, no tell Madam anything, abeg.’ Kevwe pleaded.

‘Ehn, no wahala. I no go talk but you suppose drop something for me every week when you dey see your bobo. You no nau, so that if Madam ask again, I fit look for lie tell her.’ Tutu shrugged.

‘So you wan dey collect money from me every week be dat?’

Tutu looked at her in fake astonishment. ‘No be you wan make I keep quiet. Na for free you wan make I no talk?’

Kevwe sighed. She dipped her hand into her bag and handed Tutu a five hundred naira note.

‘Ehen, na now you dey talk. He no give you something chop too? Wey my own?’

Kevwe hissed as she ignored her and walked into the house.

******

Three weeks later, Madam received a call from an old friend that girls were needed for a party. She picked about five of her girls and prepared them for the party. She gave them a stern warning to make sure they gave returns of everything they were given. She threatened them that they knew she had friends in high places and whoever lied about her returns would spend three nights in the police station.

Tutu was amongst the girls chosen and she told Kevwe excitedly. ‘Me, I dey look for opportunity to comot this business.’ She whispered to Kevwe. ‘If I see one fine sugar daddy, I go give am well well and psyche am make im comot me from dis house. If I get luck sef, e fit make me second or third wife. This work don tire me. Na Madam just dey chop all the money. Monkey dey work, baboon dey chop.’

Kevwe was quiet. She also wished she was amongst the girls chosen. She was also tired of the job but she had no real source of income. She couldn’t afford an apartment of her own. Even if she did, she had no form of education and could not get a job.

‘Wetin you dey think?’ Tutu tapped her. ‘You don get bobo nau.’ She said loudly.

Kevwe hushed her as she looked around. ‘Why you dey do like dis? You wan make other girls hear?’

Tutu faked a shiver. ‘Ah, no vex abeg.’ She replied in a whisper.

******

The party was organized by one of the top government officials in the country. It was held in Kings City Hotel in Banana Island. Drinks, food and music flowed freely. A chaperone received Madam’s girls and assigned them immediately. The girls went ahead and straight away attached themselves to the pot-bellied men who held on to them indecently. The night wore on and soon some men began to make room reservations. The man Tutu was assigned asked to be excused in order to receive a business call. He asked her to hang around while he attended to the call. Tutu waited for the man to finish his call as she watched others. Her colleagues had already gone to the rooms with their men and she was beginning to get bored. She noticed the man had walked into another hall as the conversation on the phone became serious. She decided to go outside to get some fresh air. She stood outside looking around when unexpectedly, she saw Ayo sit up in a black Toyota Land cruiser. She looked closely to be sure he was the one.

Tutu looked back to confirm she wasn’t being watched before walking towards the Land cruiser. She quickly opened her purse, took out a pack of chewing gum and popped one into her mouth. As she got to the car, she smiled. ‘Hey Handsome.’

‘Hi.’ Ayo replied as he gave her a quizzical look.

‘I noticed you were sitting all alone and I decided to come keep you company.’ She said as she rested her arms on the door. The dress she was wearing had a deep cut and her bust became exposed as she bent down slightly.

Ayo looked at her bust and looked away. ‘How may I help you? I am fine and I don’t need company.’

‘Oh c’mon. A handsome young man always needs company.’ Tutu said as she glided her right hand on Ayo’s face.

Ayo looked at her as he removed her hand gently. ‘No, thank you.’ He replied as he made an attempt to open the door of the car.

‘You don’t have to get out of the car because of me.’ Tutu said as she tried to stop him from getting out.

‘I need some air.’ Ayo stepped out of the car and started walking towards the hotel lobby.

Tutu, seeing that Ayo’s attention had been drawn away from her, picked up the phone which was lying on the passenger seat. She punched her number on it and dialed it in a jiffy. Just then, a man walked out of the hotel. He was a short man with a slight pot-belly. He was wearing a white buba and sokoto and was about placing his mobile phone to his ears when he saw Ayo.

‘Let’s go Ayo. I was about to call you. I need to go home and rest.’

‘Okay sir.’ Ayo replied.

Tutu quickly threw the phone into the car as Ayo turned towards the car. Tutu stood a few metres away from the car as she saw Ayo get into the driver’s seat while the man walked towards the back seat. ‘Good evening sir.’ She smiled at him.

‘Good evening.’ The man replied as he kept a straight face.

Ayo started the car and was about driving away when the man Tutu had been assigned to walked out of the hotel lobby. ‘Oh, I have been looking for you.’ He said as he looked at Tutu.

Tutu smiled at him. ‘I decided to get some fresh air since you were on the phone.’

‘Ah Chief, you are leaving so soon?’ The man asked when he noticed Ayo driving away.

‘Yes, I need some rest.’

‘But that’s why the ladies are here.’ The man laughed as he tapped and squeezed Tutu’s bum.

Tutu giggled.

Ayo had stopped driving and he looked back at Tutu with a blank stare.

‘Thanks Ugo. I would rather go home to rest.’ Chief said as he looked at Tutu and Ugo who was touching her indecently. ‘Let’s go Ayo.’ Chief continued.

Ayo shook his head and he began to drive.

‘Why are you shaking your head, Ayo?’ Chief asked.

‘Chief, you won’t believe that this same lady came here to meet me and was trying to seduce me just now.’

‘Just now?’ Chief asked.

‘Yes, before you came. That’s why you met me outside. I had to come out of the car when she was touching me.’

‘Ehen? Do you know her?’

‘Know her ke? For where?’

‘You too for do quick one with her nau.’ Chief laughed.

‘Ahn ahn, Chief. You know I am not like that nau. Besides, not when I am on duty.’

‘So what if I give you the night off?’

Ayo looked at Chief in the rear-view mirror and smiled.

‘Is that smile a yes?’ Chief asked as he smiled back.

‘It is a No. I am not interested in her.’

‘Hmmm, but that smile means you are interested in someone else?’

Ayo grinned. ‘Yes Chief.’

‘Ayo, Ayo, so you don dey cut show behind my back and you no tell me?’

‘Chief, it is not what you think oh. I have not cut any shows. I am still trying to get her out of her business but she keeps resisting.’

‘Her business? What does she do?’

Ayo sighed.

‘This one wey you dey breathe like person wey run. She be thief abi she be runs girl?’

Ayo looked at Chief in the rear-view mirror again and looked away.

‘Ayo?’

‘Yes sir.’

‘Is she a prostitute?’

‘Chief, I…I…I don’t know….’ Ayo stammered.

‘It is okay, Ayo. You know the ultimate decision is yours. Just be careful; you are a graduate and I know you did not go to school for nothing. That’s all I can say.’ Chief said as he picked up the Ipad beside him.

Ayo took a deep breath. ‘Yes sir.’

——

The story continues…

Posted on

Yesterday Lives – Chapter 2

Ayorinde and Ayotunde ran towards the dark alley just opposite the bridge. When they got to their regular spot, Ayotunde handed over the mobile phone to Ayorinde before throwing out all the contents of the bag on the ground. She picked out the wallet and opened it. It was filled with one thousand naira notes and she whistled. Ayorinde was already taking out the sim card from the phone and fixing the back cover of the phone into its place. Ayotunde started counting the notes. She counted six notes. She nudged her brother and smiled. It was going to be a good day for them. She handed over the notes to Ayorinde who put them in the back pocket of the jeans he was wearing. He dropped his shirt which looked two sizes bigger and made sure his back pocket was well covered.

Ayotunde bent down and started rummaging through the items she had thrown on the ground. A make-up bag, some chocolates in a Ziploc bag and a hand sanitizer. She opened the wallet again and found two ATM cards. She took them out and dropped them on the ground. She was about putting the wallet back into the bag when Ayorinde stopped her.

‘Drop the wallet. You can’t take it.’

‘But why? It’s a beautiful wallet.’ Ayotunde asked.

‘It may put us in trouble. Leave it and take any other thing you want in there. I will get you a wallet if you want one.’

‘Thank you.’ Ayotunde smiled as she put back the items she had initially thrown on the ground into the bag except the wallet and the ATM cards.

She trusted her brother’s judgment and would dare not go against whatever he said.

Ayorinde turned the phone to the right and to the left. The silver lining on the phone glistered in the dark. ‘Let’s go home and eat first. We would sort this out tomorrow morning.’ He said to his sister.

She nodded her response.

He stretched out his hand and she took it as they passed through the dark alley and crossed over to the shanties behind.

As they edged closer to their abode, they heard a woman screaming. ‘You go kill me today oh. You go kill me.’

Ayorinde and Ayotunde looked at each other. Tears gathered in Ayotunde’s eyes but Ayorinde signaled a no with a wave of his fore finger and head.

She nodded as she looked at her brother with admiration. He always knew how to handle any situation.

Ayorinde took a detour and avoided the entrance of their house. He went towards the back of the house and led his sister in.

The voice of the screaming woman rose above the night breaking the peace and quiet of the environment.

Ayotunde put her hands on her ears trying to block the vulgar words spewing out of the woman’s mouth from filtering into her ears. Ayorinde noticed and hugged his sister. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. ‘I have told you not to cry. It will soon be over.’ He reassured her.

Ayotunde sniffed as she wiped the tears that were now spilling onto her cheeks. Even though she was just twelve, she understood everything that was going on around her. Her brother, who was five years older than her, was her only source of comfort in the crazy world that she lived in.

At the age of seven, she was about to be sold into prostitution but for the timely intervention of her brother, Ayorinde. He had overheard the conversation between his mother and the prospective buyer; Madam Something Nice. Everyone knew Madam Something Nice bought girls from their parents and flew them out of the country to prostitute but their mother had been indifferent. She had always told Ayotunde that she was her cheque out of poverty. She always sang it into her daughter’s ears that she was the one to take her out of the valley of wretchedness which their father had thrown them into. Ayotunde never really understood but she always nodded and smiled anytime her mother said so. At a very young age, she believed she would get her family out of poverty.

The night she was to be sold, Madam Something Nice had come knocking on the door of their room in the decrepit face to face apartment where they lived. Their father was out on night shift where he worked. Kevwe had jumped up immediately she heard the taps on the door. She had instructed Madam Something Nice to tap three times so as not to wake her children up. Kevwe opened the door quietly and stepped outside. She spoke in a whisper to Madam Something Nice asking her if she came with her bodyguard as agreed. His job was to carry her daughter while she slept. Madam Something Nice had confirmed in the affirmative. Kevwe asked for her initial deposit and Madam Something Nice had told her she needed to see her daughter first before she could make any payment.

The whispers from outside the door had roused Ayorinde from sleep and he had listened intently to the conversation. When he realized what his mother was about to do, he had woken Ayotunde up. She was still groggy and he told her she needed to go pee. She had only nodded as her brother half-carried her. As Kevwe opened the door to reveal her daughter to Madam Something Nice, she was shocked to see Ayorinde fully awake with his sister half-asleep. Ayorinde’s arms were wrapped around his sister as he dragged her up. Kevwe asked where he was taking his sister to and Ayorinde said Ayotunde woke him up saying she wanted to pee. Kevwe had no reason to doubt her son and she told him to make it quick.

Five minutes later, when Ayorinde and Ayotunde refused to emerge from the bathroom down the hall, Madam Something Nice became impatient. Kevwe pleaded with her to hold on as she would go check on them. Kevwe got to the stalls down the hall and knocked on the stall that was occupied. She called her son’s name and he answered her. She asked what was taking them so long. Ayorinde responded that his sister had decided to poo. Kevwe became edgy and asked him to get his sister to hurry with her toilet business. She walked back to Madam Something Nice to apologize to her but Madam Something Nice would have none of that. She told her she had other places to go to and if she was truly ready, she would have to bring her daughter herself. Kevwe knew this was near impossible as Madam Something Nice was hardly in the country. She only travelled home when she needed more girls.

Ayorinde came out of the stall a few minutes later to confirm if his sister’s abductors had gone. When he noticed the coast was clear, he called Ayotunde out of the stall and warned her never to go anywhere with their mother alone. He told her that going forward, they had to stick together.

Kevwe had been furious with Ayorinde when he came back from the bathroom with his sister. She slapped her son and asked him why it took him so long to make his sister use the bathroom. Out of anger, Ayorinde had spoken up. He asked his mother what Madam Something Nice was doing in front of their door at that time of the night. He asked his mother what business she had with Madam Something Nice as everyone knew her reputation. Kevwe had been shocked as Madam Something Nice had hidden in the dark and she did not realize that her son knew she had a visitor. She had been lost for words and unable to gather her thoughts together after the accusation.

She had not envisaged that she would be caught in her act. She had everything planned out or so she thought. Their father, Ayo would leave home for work where he worked as a security guard attached to a service company. He would go for the night shift at 6:00pm as usual. The kids would have dinner at 7:00pm and by 8:30pm, they would be in bed. By 11:00pm, they would be fast asleep and Madam Something Nice would come with her bodyguard, carry Ayotunde to their car while she slept and be gone before anyone noticed.

Ayo would be back at 1:00pm the next day and would ask about his daughter. She would respond that her cousin, Ejiro had arrived very early from Ghana that morning and taken Ayotunde with her so she could enroll her in school and also take care of her. Her husband would have believed her and would have been happy because even though he longed for his children to be educated, he couldn’t afford to send them to school right now.

Everything would have worked out as premeditated but all her plans had been thrown into disarray by Ayorinde. She looked at her son with anger blazing in her eyes. Ayotunde crouched behind her elder brother as he stood chin-up to his mother daring her to answer his question. When she refused to give him an answer, he took his sister’s hand and led her back into the room. He lay on the bed and hugged his sister just in case his mother tried to play a fast one on him while they were asleep.

Kewve refused to go back into the room immediately. She stood outside the door as she deliberated on the night’s event. What if Ayorinde related what had transpired to his father? No, he won’t. She thought. He wouldn’t dare. He knew what she was capable of doing. But what if he did? She sighed. It would be his words against hers. She would never own up to wanting to sell her daughter. She opened the door quietly and lay on her side of the bed. She looked at Ayorinde who was already asleep but had his arms wrapped around his sister. She turned towards the wall as she bit her lips. She wasn’t a bad mother, she just wanted the best for herself and her family; she thought as she drifted off to sleep.

———-
The story continues…

Posted on

Yesterday Lives – Chapter 1

The traffic light turned red. The grey Peugeot 405 inched slowly towards the white line and waited. The time on the dashboard read 7:45pm. Aderemi tapped her feet and the steering wheel impatiently. Her father had warned her not to stay out late but she had been so engrossed in her gist with Folake that she lost track of time.

Folake was leaving for Canada in two days and her parents had decided to throw her a farewell party. They had recently graduated from the secondary school and Folake had gotten admission into a University in Canada. Even though, Aderemi was happy for her friend, she was also sad that she was leaving. She had pleaded with her father a number of times to allow her study in the United States but he had insisted that she was going to study in Nigeria. She had just been offered admission into a private university.

As she bid Folake farewell, her eyes filled with tears. She held on tightly to her friend as she hugged her. She knew her father was going to be upset with her as she had stayed beyond the agreed time but they had not even realized that time was far spent. Her father had asked Mr. Solomon, the driver to take her but Aderemi had stamped her feet as she told her father she was no longer a baby. ‘Besides, Daddy, I don’t need a chaperone. Do you want my friends to laugh at me that instead of a boyfriend, I brought a body guard?’ She had asked as she pouted her mouth. Her father had reluctantly allowed her to go alone but with a promise to leave early. ‘Well, leaving at 7:00pm was early.’ She said to herself as she considered her other friends who were still at the party. She was engrossed in her thoughts as her mind unconsciously counted down the seconds on the traffic light and waited for it to go amber.

Suddenly, she was shaken from her reverie with a bang on her wound-up window. Terrified, she turned to see a gun pointed at her face through the glass. She started shaking as she looked at the face and dropped her eyes to the gloved hand holding the gun. A finger signaled to her to look in the other direction and she saw another person standing at the passenger window with a hand movement telling her to roll down her windows. She fumbled with the power button beside her in trepidation and a gloved hand dipped its hands into her car and retrieved her handbag and her mobile phone which were lying carelessly on the passenger seat.

Just like it had happened, she was left alone and she saw the traffic light turn green before her. For a few seconds, she sat in shock with her leg still on the brake pedal. The honk from a car behind her jolted her and she sped away. What had just happened? She kept on thinking over and over.

In ten minutes, she was at the entrance of her house. She honked continuously until the gateman rolled open the gates to let her in. She parked the car, switched off the ignition and jumped out as she broke into a run towards the house.

‘I’m sorry Daddy.’ She said as she ran smack into the father who was fuming at the door.

‘Aderemi!’ Mr. Johnson called out to his daughter who was running towards her room. ‘Will you get back here?’ He shouted but he got the slam of her bedroom door as a response. ‘What is wrong with her?’ He soliloquized as he stormed towards her bedroom in anger.

Aderemi rolled into a fetal position, covered up herself with her duvet and burst into tears. She replayed the events of a few minutes ago over and over in her head. She should have listened to her father and taken Mr. Solomon with her. She should have left earlier as she had promised her father. She should have been more observant of her surroundings; her father had told her that times without number. Her father opened her bedroom door and she jumped.

‘Aderemi, what is….’ Mr. Johnson was saying and stopped short when he saw his daughter’s face. His countenance changed immediately and he walked towards her bed. He stretched out his hands and Aderemi sat up and fell into her father’s embrace. ‘Aderemi my love, my princess, the joy of my world.’ He said as he lifted up his daughter’s chin and wiped her tears with his thumb. ‘What is wrong?’

‘I was robbed Daddy.’ Aderemi said as the tears streamed down her cheeks.

‘Robbed? Where?’

‘At the traffic light at Kingsway junction.’

Mr. Johnson sighed.

‘I’m sorry I came home late Daddy. I should have listened to you and allowed Mr. Solomon to take me. I’m sorry.’ Aderemi said sobbing.

Mr. Johnson pulled his daughter closer and hugged her. ‘It is okay, my love. It is okay. I’m glad you are home and safe.’

When Aderemi ceased from her tears, her father asked her to take a hot bath and go to bed. She nodded quietly as she obeyed her father.

 

Two hours later, when Adeleke Johnson was sure his daughter was asleep, he retired to his bedroom. As he lay in bed, his mind travelled to when Aderemi was just six years old and expecting a baby sister from her mother, Grace. She had been excited as she saw her mother’s tummy grow into a big ball; as she called it. Each day, she put her head on her mother’s tummy as she talked to her baby sister. She was already in love with the unborn child and she showed it daily by kissing the big tummy. She was a precocious child and everyone including her mother marveled at her wisdom.

Grace’s labour had come in her thirty-eight week and everything had seemed normal. She put to bed a healthy baby girl and Adeleke had been filled with joy. His joy was however short-lived when Grace and the baby developed complications the next day. The doctors battled to save the life of both mother and child. Adeleke was confused. What could have happened between when he left them the night before and the next morning when he came to see them? Doctors ran from one room to the other as they struggled with each patient. After about two hours of frenzied activities, the medical director called Adeleke into his office. He had both good news and bad news.

Adeleke asked for the bad news first. They had lost Grace. The good news was his daughter had survived the ordeal and was hale and hearty; even though she was still under observation. Adeleke had bowed his head as tears streamed down his cheeks. His daughter was discharged two days later and he named his daughter after her mother.

He tossed and turned on the bed as he thought about Grace sleeping in the room next to his; separated by an interconnecting door and Aderemi in the room opposite his. After the death of their mother, Aderemi became a recluse and struggled with nightmares. Even at the tender age of six, she understood that her mother was no more. It had taken him years of constant love, care and trust to get her out of where she had hidden her emotions. He refused to send her to a boarding house for her secondary education as he wanted to be a part of her everyday life. His job as an automobile engineer allowed him time to take care of Grace and still do school runs with Aderemi every day. Over the years, the three of them formed an unbreakable bond. He steered clear of relationships as he did not want to risk breaking the bond he shared with his girls.

As he began to doze off, he prayed in his heart that the event of this night would not herald another set of nightmares for his daughter. He also prayed that she would not go back into the deep where he had had to get her out from years ago.

 

The story continues…….

Posted on

Omoshalewa – Episode 9

Funke walked into her daughter’s room and saw her lying on the bed. Her eyes were red and puffy and she sniffed loudly. Funke immediately sat on the bed as she pulled her daughter into a hug. She rocked her daughter back and forth like a baby. When Shalewa’s sobs subsided, Funke placed her hands on her daughter’s cheeks and looked straight into her eyes. “You love Akin?”

Shalewa dropped her gaze.

Funke smiled. “You always did. I remember when you came crying to me not to allow his parents send him abroad.”

Shalewa smiled despite her tears.

“I realized you were in love and it is obvious he loves you too.”

Shalewa looked at her mum, tears filling her eyes again. “Then why does daddy want me to get married to Tunde at all cost?”

“He asked me to find out from you what Akin’s intentions are.”

Shalewa looked at her mum confused. “I don’t understand. His intentions?”

“Yes. Both of you are in love with each other. What are his plans?”

Shalewa’s face lighted up immediately. “He is waiting for me to make a decision.”

“I think you should.” Funke said as she stood up from the bed.

As Funke walked towards the door, Shalewa called her. “Mum?”

Her mother looked back at her.

“Thank you.” Shalewa said.

“You are welcome darling.”

********

The next day, Shalewa walked into Tunde’s office at a few minutes to 1.00pm. The office was tastefully furnished and it was obvious that Tunde had a good eye for aesthetics. A lady was seated behind a glass table typing away on her laptop. She looked up as the sliding doors opened. Shalewa had not called to book an appointment but Tunde’s personal assistant recognized her immediately.

“Good afternoon ma.” The lady said as she stood up from her seat.

Shalewa smiled. “Good afternoon. I will like to see Tunde. I don’t have an appointment.”

The lady returned the smile. “I will let him know you are here. Please seat down ma.” She said as she walked out of the main office.

Shalewa picked up a finance magazine from the centre table and flipped through the pages. “Please come in, ma.” The lady said walking back into the main office a few minutes later. She led Shalewa in and tapped on a door. The name plate on the door read; “Tunde Richards – Barristers and Solicitors.” Shalewa smiled as she looked at the plate.

Tunde stood up from his desk as Shalewa walked in. He took her in his arms and planted a kiss on her lips. “You did not tell me you were coming.” He said with a curious look.

Shalewa shrugged. “I just decided to come here at the last minute. I initially thought about meeting you at home but I wasn’t sure what time you would get home.” Shalewa looked round his office. “You have a nice place here.” She said admiring the expansive office. A floor to ceiling bookshelf lay on the right while a comfortable sitting area with leather sofas lay to the left of the office.

“Thank you.” Tunde said. “Please feel free.” He pointed towards the refrigerator beside the sitting area in his office.

“I’m fine.” Shalewa said. “I just had an early lunch.”

“So to what do I owe this visit?” He asked as he led her towards the sitting area. He sat down while Shalewa took the cue.

“I came so we could have a heart-to-heart talk.” Shalewa said; her tone serious.

“Okay. What is this about?” Tunde asked; sitting up.

“It’s about the wedding.”

“Our wedding?”

“Yes. I am calling it off.”

“You are what?” Tunde shouted.

“You are raising your voice, Tunde.” Shalewa said calmly.

Tunde took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “Why Shalewa?”

Shalewa was quiet as she looked at Tunde. Even though his eyes were closed, she could see he was hurting. She reckoned it would not be easy but there was no way to make it less painful.

Tunde opened his eyes and looked at Shalewa straight in the face. “Are you calling it quits because of Akin?”

There was no point lying; Shalewa nodded her head.

“You never loved me?” Tunde asked.

Shalewa blew air out of her mouth. “I said it so many times that I got tired of saying it. I’m sorry Tunde. I wish we did not have to go this far.”

Tunde looked at her and smiled sadly. “I wish I did not have to be so in love.”

Shalewa stood and walked to where he was seated. She sat beside him and removed the engagement ring from her finger, placing it in his palm. “Someone else would need this. Someone who would relish in your love and return it wholeheartedly.”

Tunde caressed her face with his thumb. “Shalewa!” He said as he stressed her name. “How can I ever forget you?”

“Please don’t make this more difficult.” Shalewa said as she looked away.

Tunde turned her face towards him and planted a gentle kiss on her lips. Shalewa stood up abruptly. “I would take my leave now.”

Tunde looked up at her and nodded.

“Thank you, Tunde.”

Even though he is heartbroken, he still managed to smile back a response.

Shalewa picked up her handbag from the couch where she was seated initially and walked out of Tunde’s office.

Tunde watched Shalewa till she walked out of his office. As the door closed behind her, he took a deep breath, laid his head on the couch and used his hands to cover his face. The pain he felt was unbearable.

“Oh Shalewa!” He soliloquized. “God knows I love you so much.”

********

As Shalewa eased into her car, she took a tissue out of the box on the passenger seat to dab her eyes. She reckoned Tunde loved her but there was no point getting married to him out of pity. Her heart belonged to Akin and she did not want to regret marrying Tunde later on.

She dropped the car visor in front of her and took a look at herself in the mirror before driving out of the car park. She was almost in her office when her phone rang. She took a look at her music screen on her dashboard and saw that it was Akin calling. She smiled as she tapped a button on the screen to receive the call.

“Shally babe.” Akin said; his voice filling her air-conditioned car.

“Hey baby.” Shalewa replied.

“Can I pick you up for lunch today?”

“Nah, not today. I had an early lunch.”

“Without me?” Akin asked.

“I’m sorry darling. I had some personal errands to run so I decided to do an early one.”

Akin was quiet.

“Hey, we can do dinner.” Shalewa said.

“That means you would get home a little late. Are you sure your parents won’t begin to complain about it soon?

Shalewa laughed heartily. “They have already.”

“Wow. They did?” Akin asked.

“Yeah, yesterday. But let’s do dinner, pleaseeee.”

“Dinner it is then.”

Four hours later, Akin and Shalewa were seated at a corner in their favourite restaurant. Their order for finger foods was taken and they continued to chat away while they awaited their order. Akin was talking about his day with a troublesome client and Shalewa was laughing hard as Akin gesticulated.

Suddenly Akin stopped talking; his face serious. Shalewa was still laughing and did not notice. She was about to raise her left hand to her face when Akin stopped her hand mid-air. “What happened?” Akin asked.

Shalewa looked at him still smiling. “Happened? You are killing me with laughter here, Akin.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Akin said.

Shalewa looked at him confused.

“Your engagement ring?”

“I gave it back to the owner.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. I did some hours ago. That was the personal stuff I needed to attend to earlier on.”

“So? Are you free now?” Akin asked; giving her a curious look.

“Free?”

“Yes, free to date again.”

Shalewa laughed. “Definitely.”

Akin smiled as he stretched out his hand to her. “Hi, I am Akin Savage. Do you remember me?”

Shalewa took his hand as she continued laughing. “Yes, I remember you.”

“We fell in love fifteen years ago. Can we continue from where we stopped?”

As Shalewa laughed heartily, Akin closed the space between them and kissed her passionately. Shalewa returned his kiss holding on to him.

“Hey, get a room!” Someone shouted from a corner of the restaurant.

Akin looked in the direction of the voice and shouted back. “We ain’t getting a room. We are getting married.”

Shalewa looked at Akin and slapped him on his arm. “Not without a proposal.”

They both burst out into laughter as Akin planted another kiss on her lips.

——–

THE END

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