A few hours later, in her grandmother’s living room,
she wiped the tears that ran down her face, with the back of her left hand.
With her right, she picked up the piece of paper on her laps and continued
reading.
The way he asked me how you were, anytime I came back home, from a visit to you, told me more than you ever wanted to. You may never have talked about it, but I knew he was the one.
A teardrop fell on the paper.
Trust me, my darling. It will be alright.
Your father…
She stopped reading, as memories of a night, five years ago, came rushing in.
The way he asked me how you were, anytime I came back home, from a visit to you, told me more than you ever wanted to. You may never have talked about it, but I knew he was the one.
A teardrop fell on the paper.
Trust me, my darling. It will be alright.
Your father…
She stopped reading, as memories of a night, five years ago, came rushing in.
“How could you have been so stupid, Bunmi?”
“Daddy, I…” She put her face in her hands and started crying.
“Niyi, calm down, please.”
“Calm down, Sade?” He spread his arms upwards and shook his head. “Calm down, she says!”
He spun around to face her. “Where were you when your daughter was sleeping around?”
Bunmi raised her head and gasped. Niyi looked at her and nodded continuously. “Yes, you must have been. Why else do you not know the animal that got you pregnant?”
He pointed his right index finger at her. “Do you have any idea who you are? Tell me, do you?”
He brought his hand down and shook his head slowly. “The daughter of Adeniyi Williams-Akanbi will not have a child outside wedlock. That won’t happen!”
Bunmi fell on her knees and stretched out both arms to her father. “Daddy, please. I beg you… Please… Don’t ask me to have an abortion. I can’t do that.”
“You can’t do that?” He drew his brows together and nodded slowly. “I see. You prefer to bring shame to this family, right?”
“Niyi, please…”
Still looking at Bunmi, he said, “Sade, stay out of this. Oluwabunmi, I ask you for the last time; who is the man that dared to defile my daughter?”
Still kneeling, she pleaded, “Daddy, I can’t say now, please.”
He turned away from her and went to sit on his chair, behind the table. Supporting both elbows with the table, he put his head in his hands. There was silence in the study, for a while, till he raised his head again. When he wiped away tears from his eyes with both thumbs, Bunmi sprang up. “Daddy!”
His raised hand halted her in her tracks. He shook his head and spoke slowly, “I cannot allow another…” He paused and continued, “… a bastard child into this family and I will not have a daughter with loose morals.”
“Niyi, I beg you.” Sade got up from her chair and fell on her knees. “Please, don’t do this.”
He ignored her, still looking at Bunmi. “You will leave this house immediately. I cannot bear to see the shame that is you.”
Bunmi, crying harder, fell to her knees again and stretched out her arms to him. “Daddy… Please, don’t send me away. I beg you.”
He spoke slowly, pronouncing each word carefully. “You will take your things and you will leave this house now. Till you get rid of that thing in you, I do not know you.”
She turned slowly to look at her mother, who was crying too. “Mummy…”
“Leave my study now.”
“Daddy, I…” She put her face in her hands and started crying.
“Niyi, calm down, please.”
“Calm down, Sade?” He spread his arms upwards and shook his head. “Calm down, she says!”
He spun around to face her. “Where were you when your daughter was sleeping around?”
Bunmi raised her head and gasped. Niyi looked at her and nodded continuously. “Yes, you must have been. Why else do you not know the animal that got you pregnant?”
He pointed his right index finger at her. “Do you have any idea who you are? Tell me, do you?”
He brought his hand down and shook his head slowly. “The daughter of Adeniyi Williams-Akanbi will not have a child outside wedlock. That won’t happen!”
Bunmi fell on her knees and stretched out both arms to her father. “Daddy, please. I beg you… Please… Don’t ask me to have an abortion. I can’t do that.”
“You can’t do that?” He drew his brows together and nodded slowly. “I see. You prefer to bring shame to this family, right?”
“Niyi, please…”
Still looking at Bunmi, he said, “Sade, stay out of this. Oluwabunmi, I ask you for the last time; who is the man that dared to defile my daughter?”
Still kneeling, she pleaded, “Daddy, I can’t say now, please.”
He turned away from her and went to sit on his chair, behind the table. Supporting both elbows with the table, he put his head in his hands. There was silence in the study, for a while, till he raised his head again. When he wiped away tears from his eyes with both thumbs, Bunmi sprang up. “Daddy!”
His raised hand halted her in her tracks. He shook his head and spoke slowly, “I cannot allow another…” He paused and continued, “… a bastard child into this family and I will not have a daughter with loose morals.”
“Niyi, I beg you.” Sade got up from her chair and fell on her knees. “Please, don’t do this.”
He ignored her, still looking at Bunmi. “You will leave this house immediately. I cannot bear to see the shame that is you.”
Bunmi, crying harder, fell to her knees again and stretched out her arms to him. “Daddy… Please, don’t send me away. I beg you.”
He spoke slowly, pronouncing each word carefully. “You will take your things and you will leave this house now. Till you get rid of that thing in you, I do not know you.”
She turned slowly to look at her mother, who was crying too. “Mummy…”
“Leave my study now.”
With her mother trailing behind her, Bunmi slowly
went upstairs to her room. She took only a few valuable possessions, in a
handbag, and went downstairs.
“Bunmi, I will talk to him. He’s just very angry now.”
She turned and hugged her mother and they clung to each other, crying. It was a few minutes before nine p.m., so only the three of them were in the main house. She was glad there were no witnesses to her disgrace.
When the door of the study opened, she started and pulled away from her mother. Clutching her handbag, she opened the door to leave, but Sade clung to her hand. “Please don’t go, baby. Let me talk to him.”
Not trusting herself not to break down further, Bunmi didn’t say a word. She gently pulled her hand away from her mother’s and left for her grandmother’s house.
“Bunmi, I will talk to him. He’s just very angry now.”
She turned and hugged her mother and they clung to each other, crying. It was a few minutes before nine p.m., so only the three of them were in the main house. She was glad there were no witnesses to her disgrace.
When the door of the study opened, she started and pulled away from her mother. Clutching her handbag, she opened the door to leave, but Sade clung to her hand. “Please don’t go, baby. Let me talk to him.”
Not trusting herself not to break down further, Bunmi didn’t say a word. She gently pulled her hand away from her mother’s and left for her grandmother’s house.
Bunmi wiped her eyes now and continued reading.
Trust me, my darling. It will be alright.
Your father loves you a whole lot. I’m sure you know that, deep within you. You have children now, so you know that the love of a parent doesn’t ever go away, as long as it was there in the first place.
He handled the situation very badly and being the obstinate person that he is, he didn’t try to make things better. Your stubbornness, about not revealing the identity of the man that got you pregnant, didn’t help matters either.
I died unhappy, knowing that both of you were not even on speaking terms. That is one of the reasons I willed my estate the way I did. It is my hope that throwing you together and forcing you to work as a team, will bring about forgiveness.
My darling, you need your father and he needs you. Those beautiful babies of yours need their father too.
I’m sure that if I could still see you all, after I’m gone, I would have a huge smile on my face, when I see that the joy that once was, is back.
Thank goodness, I’m taking all my teeth with me. I don’t want to scare anyone, over there.
Trust me, my darling. It will be alright.
Your father loves you a whole lot. I’m sure you know that, deep within you. You have children now, so you know that the love of a parent doesn’t ever go away, as long as it was there in the first place.
He handled the situation very badly and being the obstinate person that he is, he didn’t try to make things better. Your stubbornness, about not revealing the identity of the man that got you pregnant, didn’t help matters either.
I died unhappy, knowing that both of you were not even on speaking terms. That is one of the reasons I willed my estate the way I did. It is my hope that throwing you together and forcing you to work as a team, will bring about forgiveness.
My darling, you need your father and he needs you. Those beautiful babies of yours need their father too.
I’m sure that if I could still see you all, after I’m gone, I would have a huge smile on my face, when I see that the joy that once was, is back.
Thank goodness, I’m taking all my teeth with me. I don’t want to scare anyone, over there.
Bunmi smiled gently and wiped away the tears that were flowing rapidly now.
She looked gorgeous in a short dress made from sheer
light blue lace. It ended in scallops, at the knees, and was lined with a
material in a slightly darker shade of blue. It was a simple halter-neck dress
with a big bow on one side of her neck, but the way it clung to the soft curves
of her body brought back memories he had suppressed all these years. Her belly
seemed flat, still, but her waist was a bit thicker than he remembered.
She’s had babies for someone else, remember?
He quickly silenced that taunting voice in his head and smiled, as he remembered teasing her and calling her short.
He could almost hear her retort, Short? Take a look at me now.
The pair of cobalt-coloured shoes she wore had really high heels. On those heels were pointed silver studs that matched the purse she clutched on her left hand.
They make her look really tall, but I wonder how she can walk, wearing those shoes.
Even from here, he could see her toes peeking out. I bet she has red nail polish on.
The legs above them were slim and perfectly toned. He remembered now how they looked in a pair of shorts.
When she turned slightly, he could see her face, framed by the cobalt-coloured gele on her head. The head tie was big and had multiple folds, but the style was perfect for her heart-shaped face. Deep curls of hair cascaded from beneath it, hanging down past her shoulders.
She is stunning!
She was laughing at something the man in front of her was saying. When she extended her right hand, to touch the man lightly on the arm, he felt an emotion he couldn’t recognize course through him.
As he walked away, that voice in his head taunted, Admit it, you wish she’d touch you instead.
She’s had babies for someone else, remember?
He quickly silenced that taunting voice in his head and smiled, as he remembered teasing her and calling her short.
He could almost hear her retort, Short? Take a look at me now.
The pair of cobalt-coloured shoes she wore had really high heels. On those heels were pointed silver studs that matched the purse she clutched on her left hand.
They make her look really tall, but I wonder how she can walk, wearing those shoes.
Even from here, he could see her toes peeking out. I bet she has red nail polish on.
The legs above them were slim and perfectly toned. He remembered now how they looked in a pair of shorts.
When she turned slightly, he could see her face, framed by the cobalt-coloured gele on her head. The head tie was big and had multiple folds, but the style was perfect for her heart-shaped face. Deep curls of hair cascaded from beneath it, hanging down past her shoulders.
She is stunning!
She was laughing at something the man in front of her was saying. When she extended her right hand, to touch the man lightly on the arm, he felt an emotion he couldn’t recognize course through him.
As he walked away, that voice in his head taunted, Admit it, you wish she’d touch you instead.
Bunmi noticed him walk away and gradually stopped
laughing, as warmth spread through her. In a sudden moment of clarity, she knew
what she had to do.
“Please excuse me,” she said to her companion and walked away. She called out to the man, whose long strides were taking him rapidly away from her.
He halted immediately, shocked to hear her call him. When he slowly turned around, she had an uncertain smile on her lips, as she came closer.
“Hi”
“Hi.”
As they stared at each other, her lips parted slightly, but no sounds came out. Immediately, he felt the urge to kiss her in front of everybody and damn the consequences.
He frowned slightly. Where did that come from?
From a warm and unforgotten place, the voice said.
She noticed the frown on his face and her smile faltered. “Leaving already?”
He smiled and shrugged. “Yeah, I am. The event is pretty much over.”
Bunmi looked around her father’s compound. Large white tents covered almost every available space in front of the house and a large number of people, dressed in colourful attires, still milled around. However, that was nothing, compared to the crowd that had attended the thanksgiving service held in honour of her grandmother.
The reception held here yesterday, after she had been laid to rest at Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens, had pulled twice that crowd.
“You’re right. Most people have already left.”
When she kept silent, he raised an eyebrow and she spoke hurriedly, “There’s something we need to talk about.”
He frowned and she asked, “Do you still live in the same place?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Can I come over tomorrow, please? I can’t leave here now.”
He stared at her for a few seconds and nodded. “The office won’t be open throughout this week.”
“Yeah, I know. Is ten o’clock a good time for you?”
He nodded.
She stared at him for a while. “You look good.” She curled up her toes in embarrassment. Bunmi!
He gave a lopsided smile and turned to leave. “See you tomorrow, then.”
You should have said ‘thank you’, at least.
He countered with, What does she want?
Sade had been watching both of them talk. As she watched him walk away, she pursed her lips. Mama should have let sleeping dogs lie.
“Please excuse me,” she said to her companion and walked away. She called out to the man, whose long strides were taking him rapidly away from her.
He halted immediately, shocked to hear her call him. When he slowly turned around, she had an uncertain smile on her lips, as she came closer.
“Hi”
“Hi.”
As they stared at each other, her lips parted slightly, but no sounds came out. Immediately, he felt the urge to kiss her in front of everybody and damn the consequences.
He frowned slightly. Where did that come from?
From a warm and unforgotten place, the voice said.
She noticed the frown on his face and her smile faltered. “Leaving already?”
He smiled and shrugged. “Yeah, I am. The event is pretty much over.”
Bunmi looked around her father’s compound. Large white tents covered almost every available space in front of the house and a large number of people, dressed in colourful attires, still milled around. However, that was nothing, compared to the crowd that had attended the thanksgiving service held in honour of her grandmother.
The reception held here yesterday, after she had been laid to rest at Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens, had pulled twice that crowd.
“You’re right. Most people have already left.”
When she kept silent, he raised an eyebrow and she spoke hurriedly, “There’s something we need to talk about.”
He frowned and she asked, “Do you still live in the same place?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Can I come over tomorrow, please? I can’t leave here now.”
He stared at her for a few seconds and nodded. “The office won’t be open throughout this week.”
“Yeah, I know. Is ten o’clock a good time for you?”
He nodded.
She stared at him for a while. “You look good.” She curled up her toes in embarrassment. Bunmi!
He gave a lopsided smile and turned to leave. “See you tomorrow, then.”
You should have said ‘thank you’, at least.
He countered with, What does she want?
Sade had been watching both of them talk. As she watched him walk away, she pursed her lips. Mama should have let sleeping dogs lie.
When the doorbell rang the next morning, he quickly
pulled on a black tee-shirt over a pair of khaki-coloured combat shorts and
went to get the door. He felt strangely relieved to see Bunmi at the doorway.
The curls of her hair were deep and fell over her the sides of her face, stopping about four inches below her shoulders. She wore a yellow tee-shirt that had a blue fabric, cut out in the number three, sewn onto the right sleeve. Over the left side of her chest was a blue logo of two polo-players on horseback.
She had teamed the shirt with a pair of dark blue skinny jeans and on her feet were a pair of denim sneakers. She had a tight grip on the strap of the white and yellow satchel bag that hung on her left shoulder, down to her hips.
He remembered how much she loved bright colours. She looks so young and fresh, not like anyone’s mother.
She smiled gently. “Hey.”
He smiled back and moved a bit to allow her in. “Hey, yourself. Come on in.”
When she entered the living room, she linked her hands in front of her and looked around.
He’s done so much with this place.
Why’s there this insane need to hug her?
“Please have a seat.”
She turned to look at him. He had shoved both hands into his pockets and looked a tad uncomfortable. “Thank you.”
The curls of her hair were deep and fell over her the sides of her face, stopping about four inches below her shoulders. She wore a yellow tee-shirt that had a blue fabric, cut out in the number three, sewn onto the right sleeve. Over the left side of her chest was a blue logo of two polo-players on horseback.
She had teamed the shirt with a pair of dark blue skinny jeans and on her feet were a pair of denim sneakers. She had a tight grip on the strap of the white and yellow satchel bag that hung on her left shoulder, down to her hips.
He remembered how much she loved bright colours. She looks so young and fresh, not like anyone’s mother.
She smiled gently. “Hey.”
He smiled back and moved a bit to allow her in. “Hey, yourself. Come on in.”
When she entered the living room, she linked her hands in front of her and looked around.
He’s done so much with this place.
Why’s there this insane need to hug her?
“Please have a seat.”
She turned to look at him. He had shoved both hands into his pockets and looked a tad uncomfortable. “Thank you.”
She dropped her bag on a small stool and chose the
single-seater couch beside it. When she sat, she placed her hands on her laps,
angled her touching knees to the right side and crossed her feet at the ankles.
Her neck and back were straight and her shoulders were pulled back.
His hands came out from the pockets. We both know you’re not always this prim and proper.
He turned away from her and casually picked up a magazine from one of the side stools. “Can I get you anything?”
“No, I’m fine.”
He looked at her now and noticing her fingers tapping lightly on her knees, he smiled. Good. I’m not the only nervous one.
He dropped the magazine and sat on a three-seater couch that faced the television. He threw his right arm over the back and made a great show of extending his right leg in front of him, before looking at her. Her steady gaze discomfited him, but he held it.
Soon she broke the silence in a voice that was almost a whisper, “How have you been?”
He let out a breath and raised his left hand to rub at his eyes. Dropping his hand, he looked at her again and sighed deeply. “What do you want from me, Bunmi?”
Some of her composure slipped and she leaned back on the couch. “I need to discuss something with you.”
“Yeah, you said so.” When she didn’t say anything, he added, “I’m listening.”
She covered her face with her hands and blew out air from her mouth, behind them. How do I even start?
His heart beat fast. What’s this all about?
His hands came out from the pockets. We both know you’re not always this prim and proper.
He turned away from her and casually picked up a magazine from one of the side stools. “Can I get you anything?”
“No, I’m fine.”
He looked at her now and noticing her fingers tapping lightly on her knees, he smiled. Good. I’m not the only nervous one.
He dropped the magazine and sat on a three-seater couch that faced the television. He threw his right arm over the back and made a great show of extending his right leg in front of him, before looking at her. Her steady gaze discomfited him, but he held it.
Soon she broke the silence in a voice that was almost a whisper, “How have you been?”
He let out a breath and raised his left hand to rub at his eyes. Dropping his hand, he looked at her again and sighed deeply. “What do you want from me, Bunmi?”
Some of her composure slipped and she leaned back on the couch. “I need to discuss something with you.”
“Yeah, you said so.” When she didn’t say anything, he added, “I’m listening.”
She covered her face with her hands and blew out air from her mouth, behind them. How do I even start?
His heart beat fast. What’s this all about?
She removed her hands and linked her fingers
together on her laps. She shook her head once and covered her face again. He
couldn’t hear what she was saying behind her hands. “I’m sorry. What was that?”
She removed her hands and blurted out, “Jake and Joanna are yours.”
He sprang up, startling her. “What?”
“They’re your children. I was pregnant five years ago before I went back to New York.”
“What sort of a joke is this?”
He spoke very slowly and she knew he only did that when he was close to erupting in anger.
She shook her head and whispered, “I wish it were a joke. They’re a few months past four years old.” Looking at him start to pace around the room, her voice turned pleading, “They’re yours.”
He looked at her then and something in her eyes convinced him.
He turned away from her. “How dare you keep this away from me, for so long?”
“I…”
He turned around and looked at her, his brows tightly knitted in a frown. “Didn’t I have a choice in the matter?”
He shook his head twice and spread his arms to the sides. “Didn’t it ever occur to you that as their father, I had rights to them too?”
He believes me. Her shoulders slumped in relief and she started crying.
“You left me, without a word, five years ago…”
Her brows knitted in confusion and she asked in a small voice, “Without a word?”
He ignored her interruption. “Suddenly, you’re back and with two children, whose existence you hid from me. You’re thrusting fatherhood upon me, Bunmi! Did you think of that before coming here?”
“Kunle, please…”
He waved his right hand angrily. “Don’t ‘Kunle please’ me! What… exactly… do… you… want?”
She wiped her tears with her palms, reached for her bag and brought out a sheet of paper from it. Eyeing the paper in her outstretched hand, he asked, “What is that?”
“A part of my grandmother’s will.”
He shrugged and shook his head, looking at her face now. “What does it have to do with me?”
She shook the paper and he took it. Immediately, he noticed the parts she had highlighted in red and going back to sit at the edge of his chair, he started reading.
She removed her hands and blurted out, “Jake and Joanna are yours.”
He sprang up, startling her. “What?”
“They’re your children. I was pregnant five years ago before I went back to New York.”
“What sort of a joke is this?”
He spoke very slowly and she knew he only did that when he was close to erupting in anger.
She shook her head and whispered, “I wish it were a joke. They’re a few months past four years old.” Looking at him start to pace around the room, her voice turned pleading, “They’re yours.”
He looked at her then and something in her eyes convinced him.
He turned away from her. “How dare you keep this away from me, for so long?”
“I…”
He turned around and looked at her, his brows tightly knitted in a frown. “Didn’t I have a choice in the matter?”
He shook his head twice and spread his arms to the sides. “Didn’t it ever occur to you that as their father, I had rights to them too?”
He believes me. Her shoulders slumped in relief and she started crying.
“You left me, without a word, five years ago…”
Her brows knitted in confusion and she asked in a small voice, “Without a word?”
He ignored her interruption. “Suddenly, you’re back and with two children, whose existence you hid from me. You’re thrusting fatherhood upon me, Bunmi! Did you think of that before coming here?”
“Kunle, please…”
He waved his right hand angrily. “Don’t ‘Kunle please’ me! What… exactly… do… you… want?”
She wiped her tears with her palms, reached for her bag and brought out a sheet of paper from it. Eyeing the paper in her outstretched hand, he asked, “What is that?”
“A part of my grandmother’s will.”
He shrugged and shook his head, looking at her face now. “What does it have to do with me?”
She shook the paper and he took it. Immediately, he noticed the parts she had highlighted in red and going back to sit at the edge of his chair, he started reading.
Two minutes later, his head came up. “That’s such a
joke.”
He stared at her for a few seconds, then went back to the will. The room was so quiet, that the sound made by the second hand of the clock, as it moved, suddenly seemed noisy.
Kunle’s eyes were angry when he looked up finally. “No way am I doing this.”
Bunmi started to speak, but he raised a hand and she fell silent. “It’s one thing to step into the role of a father, to children whose existence was hidden from you, and another to marry a woman, just because her dead grandma said so.”
He shook his head. “I understand the bind this puts your family in, but I can’t…” His head moved again. “I can’t do this, Bunmi.”
She bit her upper lip before speaking, “Grandma left me some cash too, as well as other stuff. Erm…”
He raised his eyebrows. “Ehen?”
She spoke hurriedly, “It’s only for a year. I intend to pay you.”
He started laughing. “Only for a year, you say? You’re offering to pay me to become a divorcee in a year, do you know that?” He shook his head. “That’s not part of my plan for me, so I’ll pass.”
He raised an eyebrow again. “I’m curious, though. Exactly how much am I worth?”
Without breaking eye contact, she said slowly, “I’ll pay you ten million naira, Kunle. I’ll give you half of that now and the other half at the end of the year.”
He smiled. “I have a great job, thanks to your father. I’ll pass.”
He stopped smiling. “Speaking about your father, I assume he doesn’t know his grandchildren are mine or he would have …” He stopped and shook his head. “What a mess.”
“He doesn’t know. I refused to say who the father was.”
“And he has to find out now, right?”
She shrugged. “It’s up to you, really.”
He shifted from the edge of the chair, leaned back and put his right hand over his eyes. “Bunmi, this is a lot to take. You’ve had five years to get used to the idea of being a parent. I don’t even know your… my… our children!”
He removed his hand and looked at her again. “I need some time to process all this. Right now, I have a major headache.”
She stood. “That’s alright. Can you call me, when you decide on what to do?”
He stared at her for a few seconds, then went back to the will. The room was so quiet, that the sound made by the second hand of the clock, as it moved, suddenly seemed noisy.
Kunle’s eyes were angry when he looked up finally. “No way am I doing this.”
Bunmi started to speak, but he raised a hand and she fell silent. “It’s one thing to step into the role of a father, to children whose existence was hidden from you, and another to marry a woman, just because her dead grandma said so.”
He shook his head. “I understand the bind this puts your family in, but I can’t…” His head moved again. “I can’t do this, Bunmi.”
She bit her upper lip before speaking, “Grandma left me some cash too, as well as other stuff. Erm…”
He raised his eyebrows. “Ehen?”
She spoke hurriedly, “It’s only for a year. I intend to pay you.”
He started laughing. “Only for a year, you say? You’re offering to pay me to become a divorcee in a year, do you know that?” He shook his head. “That’s not part of my plan for me, so I’ll pass.”
He raised an eyebrow again. “I’m curious, though. Exactly how much am I worth?”
Without breaking eye contact, she said slowly, “I’ll pay you ten million naira, Kunle. I’ll give you half of that now and the other half at the end of the year.”
He smiled. “I have a great job, thanks to your father. I’ll pass.”
He stopped smiling. “Speaking about your father, I assume he doesn’t know his grandchildren are mine or he would have …” He stopped and shook his head. “What a mess.”
“He doesn’t know. I refused to say who the father was.”
“And he has to find out now, right?”
She shrugged. “It’s up to you, really.”
He shifted from the edge of the chair, leaned back and put his right hand over his eyes. “Bunmi, this is a lot to take. You’ve had five years to get used to the idea of being a parent. I don’t even know your… my… our children!”
He removed his hand and looked at her again. “I need some time to process all this. Right now, I have a major headache.”
She stood. “That’s alright. Can you call me, when you decide on what to do?”
He blew out air from his mouth and walked over to
the wall, where a fifty-inch LED display television was mounted. When he bent
at the waist, the fabric on the seat of his shorts stretched and she found
herself staring.
That’s what got you into trouble the first time.
He picked up a phone from a short, rectangular display unit under the television and slowly, disconnected it from a charger. When he straightened up and turned to her, he stopped short when he noticed her staring. They stood looking at each other for a few seconds, till the doorbell suddenly rang.
She picked her bag from the stool and walked to the door with him. He opened the door and his guest looked from him to Bunmi and back to him, before walking in.
He turned to her and smiled. “I’m sorry about the other night.” When she nodded, he extended a hand to her. “I’m Tijani, by the way.”
They shook hands and as he went to sit, she turned to leave.
“Your phone number?” Kunle asked, leaning on the open door.
“Oh,” she said and reeled off a series of numbers to him. As he typed them in, she noticed his phone was a Blackberry model. “I can give you my pin too.”
She rummaged in her bag for her phone. “I’m sorry. I don’t know it by heart.”
He smiled. “That’s alright. A lot of people don’t.”
When she left about a minute later, he shut the door and leaned, with his back, on it.
“No history, abi?”
“TJ, wahala dey.”
That’s what got you into trouble the first time.
He picked up a phone from a short, rectangular display unit under the television and slowly, disconnected it from a charger. When he straightened up and turned to her, he stopped short when he noticed her staring. They stood looking at each other for a few seconds, till the doorbell suddenly rang.
She picked her bag from the stool and walked to the door with him. He opened the door and his guest looked from him to Bunmi and back to him, before walking in.
He turned to her and smiled. “I’m sorry about the other night.” When she nodded, he extended a hand to her. “I’m Tijani, by the way.”
They shook hands and as he went to sit, she turned to leave.
“Your phone number?” Kunle asked, leaning on the open door.
“Oh,” she said and reeled off a series of numbers to him. As he typed them in, she noticed his phone was a Blackberry model. “I can give you my pin too.”
She rummaged in her bag for her phone. “I’m sorry. I don’t know it by heart.”
He smiled. “That’s alright. A lot of people don’t.”
When she left about a minute later, he shut the door and leaned, with his back, on it.
“No history, abi?”
“TJ, wahala dey.”
Lying on his bed three nights later, Kunle found
that he couldn’t sleep. He shifted on his bed, trying to get comfortable, as he
replayed the conversation he had with Tijani.
“You don’t have to marry her, you know. You can still have a relationship with your kids.”
He crossed his left ankle over his right knee and responded, “The thing is… Otunba is the closest I’ve had to a father figure. I was five when my mother got the job at their house. When we moved there, he paid close attention to me, when he could have easily ignored me. The man try for me, upon say na only housekeeper my mama be to them.”
He raised right hand and brought his index finger up. “He made sure I went to good schools and…” The middle finger joined the other. “…he provided for me, opportunity for travel.” His ring finger joined them. “My job…the kind of life I have now is, to a large extent, because of him.”
He put his hand down and shook his head. “Of course, I don’t want to get married to Bunmi, with the knowledge that we would be getting divorced in a year, but I just can’t sit back and watch her family lose their business.”
“How does your decision affect the business?
“E dey too complicated, jare.”
“You don’t have to marry her, you know. You can still have a relationship with your kids.”
He crossed his left ankle over his right knee and responded, “The thing is… Otunba is the closest I’ve had to a father figure. I was five when my mother got the job at their house. When we moved there, he paid close attention to me, when he could have easily ignored me. The man try for me, upon say na only housekeeper my mama be to them.”
He raised right hand and brought his index finger up. “He made sure I went to good schools and…” The middle finger joined the other. “…he provided for me, opportunity for travel.” His ring finger joined them. “My job…the kind of life I have now is, to a large extent, because of him.”
He put his hand down and shook his head. “Of course, I don’t want to get married to Bunmi, with the knowledge that we would be getting divorced in a year, but I just can’t sit back and watch her family lose their business.”
“How does your decision affect the business?
“E dey too complicated, jare.”
He picked up his phone now. He hadn’t spoken to
Bunmi since he took her number, but he enjoyed looking at the pictures she put
up on her blackberry messenger profile. So far, she had put up only pictures of
the kids and he saved all of them on his photo gallery.
He looked at her profile now. A grinning Joanna was there this time, in a pink long-sleeved tunic that had a white, ribbon-wearing, kitten on the front.
She looks so much like Bunmi.
The layers at the bottom of the tunic fell over the top of a dark blue pair of leggings, with pink threads at the seam. Her feet were encased in a pair of pink and white sneakers and the tips were almost touching. He found the knee that was jutting out and the hand she placed on her waist amusing.
The girl sabi pose, sha.
Immediately, a picture of Bunmi replaced that and he opened it, to zoom in. She was reclining on a black chaise longue, in a shiny red strapless dress. He assumed it was a dress, even though the lower part of her body was not visible.
She was smiling, her face turned slightly to the camera. Unlike the hairstyle she wore when she came to his house, the curls on her head were slightly frizzy and stopped on her shoulders. His fingers itched to touch them.
Her arms were folded on her belly and he noticed immediately that, but for the watch with a slim gold strap, on her left wrist, she wore no other accessories.
He looked at her profile now. A grinning Joanna was there this time, in a pink long-sleeved tunic that had a white, ribbon-wearing, kitten on the front.
She looks so much like Bunmi.
The layers at the bottom of the tunic fell over the top of a dark blue pair of leggings, with pink threads at the seam. Her feet were encased in a pair of pink and white sneakers and the tips were almost touching. He found the knee that was jutting out and the hand she placed on her waist amusing.
The girl sabi pose, sha.
Immediately, a picture of Bunmi replaced that and he opened it, to zoom in. She was reclining on a black chaise longue, in a shiny red strapless dress. He assumed it was a dress, even though the lower part of her body was not visible.
She was smiling, her face turned slightly to the camera. Unlike the hairstyle she wore when she came to his house, the curls on her head were slightly frizzy and stopped on her shoulders. His fingers itched to touch them.
Her arms were folded on her belly and he noticed immediately that, but for the watch with a slim gold strap, on her left wrist, she wore no other accessories.
He closed the picture and typed a message to her,
“Still up?”
Seconds after she read the message, her reply came, “I can’t sleep.”
“Me too.”
“Ok.”
He scratched his head then typed, “Can you come over tomorrow morning?”
“Time?”
“Is nine too early?”
“Is ten too late?”
“Ten is fine.”
She sent a happy smiley.
He smiled and typed, “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
Seconds after she read the message, her reply came, “I can’t sleep.”
“Me too.”
“Ok.”
He scratched his head then typed, “Can you come over tomorrow morning?”
“Time?”
“Is nine too early?”
“Is ten too late?”
“Ten is fine.”
She sent a happy smiley.
He smiled and typed, “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
They sat in the same chairs as they had, the last
time. She accepted his offer of a drink of apple juice and as soon as he
brought it, he didn’t waste time on small talk.
“I want to be in my children’s life.”
She set down the carton of juice she had been trying to open. When he noticed that, he said, “Go ahead.”
“No, you go ahead.”
He shrugged. “Besides wanting to be a part of my children’s lives, your parents have treated me like a son too. So, I have to do right by your family.”
“In plain terms, please.”
He smiled. “I’ll marry you.”
She rolled her eyes and muttered, “How romantic.”
He laughed for a while, before sobering up. “Your grandma is not the only one who can come up with clauses, though.” She looked at him, puzzled.
“I’ll marry you, only on one condition.”
“That I pay all the money in advance? Deal.”
He frowned. “I’m not for sale, Bunmi and neither is my honour. Ten million naira is not money to sneeze at, really. I might even need it, since your father would, most likely, sack me, after we tell him our plans.”
He shrugged. “However, I can easily get another great job; because, thanks to him, I have the right qualifications. So, I won’t collect a kobo from you.”
Frowning, she asked, “What’s in it for you, then?”
He smiled. “It’s right there in the will. I want a proper marriage.”
“Proper marriage?”
“Yes, Bunmi. We are required to share a house, right?” She nodded and he continued, “I don’t want separate bedrooms or beds, for that matter.”
She frowned some more and slowly shook her head. “That’s totally out of the question, Kunle. It’s a marriage of convenience, really. No strings attached.”
He shook his head and stared intently at her. “I want all strings attached for the entire year. That is my condition. You can take it or leave it.”
Feeling cornered, she looked away from him. After a while, she sighed and looked at him. “Don’t you have a girl friend or something?”
He raised both eyebrows, amused. “No, There’s no girlfriend… or something. If we get married, it will be an exclusive relationship. Those are my terms.”
He can’t be serious. We can’t be having a discussion about that sort of relationship, with so much unresolved issues between us.
“What if I get pregnant?”
He raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. “It won’t be the first time, would it? Moreover, that’s part of a proper marriage, right?”
He’s crazy, alright.
She sighed deeply and asked, “When do we tell everyone?”
He stood and picked up his car key from the top of the center table. “How about now?”
She let out a breath and stood as well. “I think you should tell your mum first.”
He shook his head. “No, I want her out of it, till I talk to your parents. I owe them that much.”
“I want to be in my children’s life.”
She set down the carton of juice she had been trying to open. When he noticed that, he said, “Go ahead.”
“No, you go ahead.”
He shrugged. “Besides wanting to be a part of my children’s lives, your parents have treated me like a son too. So, I have to do right by your family.”
“In plain terms, please.”
He smiled. “I’ll marry you.”
She rolled her eyes and muttered, “How romantic.”
He laughed for a while, before sobering up. “Your grandma is not the only one who can come up with clauses, though.” She looked at him, puzzled.
“I’ll marry you, only on one condition.”
“That I pay all the money in advance? Deal.”
He frowned. “I’m not for sale, Bunmi and neither is my honour. Ten million naira is not money to sneeze at, really. I might even need it, since your father would, most likely, sack me, after we tell him our plans.”
He shrugged. “However, I can easily get another great job; because, thanks to him, I have the right qualifications. So, I won’t collect a kobo from you.”
Frowning, she asked, “What’s in it for you, then?”
He smiled. “It’s right there in the will. I want a proper marriage.”
“Proper marriage?”
“Yes, Bunmi. We are required to share a house, right?” She nodded and he continued, “I don’t want separate bedrooms or beds, for that matter.”
She frowned some more and slowly shook her head. “That’s totally out of the question, Kunle. It’s a marriage of convenience, really. No strings attached.”
He shook his head and stared intently at her. “I want all strings attached for the entire year. That is my condition. You can take it or leave it.”
Feeling cornered, she looked away from him. After a while, she sighed and looked at him. “Don’t you have a girl friend or something?”
He raised both eyebrows, amused. “No, There’s no girlfriend… or something. If we get married, it will be an exclusive relationship. Those are my terms.”
He can’t be serious. We can’t be having a discussion about that sort of relationship, with so much unresolved issues between us.
“What if I get pregnant?”
He raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. “It won’t be the first time, would it? Moreover, that’s part of a proper marriage, right?”
He’s crazy, alright.
She sighed deeply and asked, “When do we tell everyone?”
He stood and picked up his car key from the top of the center table. “How about now?”
She let out a breath and stood as well. “I think you should tell your mum first.”
He shook his head. “No, I want her out of it, till I talk to your parents. I owe them that much.”
Sade’s heart jumped in her throat when Bunmi walked
into the living room with Kunle. The chickens have come home to
roost.
She forced a smile on her face, as she stood to hug Bunmi. Niyi, on a chair beside her, put down the newspaper he had been reading and smiled at them.
Bunmi and the kids had been staying in her parent’s house since the day before the burial and a truce of sorts had been established between them.
Kunle prostrated, his knees slightly bent and the fingertips, of his right hand, touching the floor. “Good morning, sir.”
“Good morning, Kunle. You may have a seat.”
Coming to an upright position, he clasped his hands before him and bowed his head slightly to Sade. "Good morning, ma."
She smiled slightly and nodded. "Good morning, Kunle."
Slowly, he walked across the large room, to a chair opposite Niyi, who had turned his attention on Bunmi.
She smiled cautiously from the seat beside her mother. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Bunmi. You left quite early. Your mum said you told her you had an errand to run,” he said cheerfully.
She glanced at Kunle. “Yes, I had something to take care of.”
He followed her eyes. “I haven’t seen you since the thanksgiving reception, Kunle.”
“I’m sorry about that sir. I’ve had a lot on my mind.”
I bet you have, Sade thought.
“A lot on your mind? Even with the week-long break from work? I hope everything is fine.”
When Kunle looked at Bunmi, Niyi turned to her, his brow knitted in a small frown. “It’s about grandma’s will.”
Confused, he asked, “What about it?”
She let out a breath and gazing at her father, said, “Kunle is Jake’s and Joanna’s father.”
Sade gasped, while Niyi sprang up from his chair, “You must be kidding!” Taking long strides, he went over to Kunle, who had his right hand over his eyes.
“Is this some prank, young man?”
Kunle removed his hand and shook his head twice. Niyi’s face crumpled, as though he wanted to cry and he turned to his wife. Speaking in a hoarse whisper, he asked, “How could we have missed this?”
Without waiting for an answer, he walked slowly to his chair, rested his head on the back of it and closed his eyes. There was silence in the room for a long time and no one made eye contact with the other.
Suddenly, he raised his head and said out loud, “This is such a mess!” All eyes turned on him. “I’ve made such a mess!”
“Niyi…”
He ignored his wife and looked at Bunmi, “You cannot marry him.”
“Daddy…”
He shook his head, continuously. “You cannot marry, Kunle.”
“Why is that, daddy? We’ll lose everything.”
He turned to Kunle and spoke slowly. “He’s your brother.”
“What!” three of them chorused.
He looked at Sade and his eyes turned pleading. “He is my son.”
She forced a smile on her face, as she stood to hug Bunmi. Niyi, on a chair beside her, put down the newspaper he had been reading and smiled at them.
Bunmi and the kids had been staying in her parent’s house since the day before the burial and a truce of sorts had been established between them.
Kunle prostrated, his knees slightly bent and the fingertips, of his right hand, touching the floor. “Good morning, sir.”
“Good morning, Kunle. You may have a seat.”
Coming to an upright position, he clasped his hands before him and bowed his head slightly to Sade. "Good morning, ma."
She smiled slightly and nodded. "Good morning, Kunle."
Slowly, he walked across the large room, to a chair opposite Niyi, who had turned his attention on Bunmi.
She smiled cautiously from the seat beside her mother. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Bunmi. You left quite early. Your mum said you told her you had an errand to run,” he said cheerfully.
She glanced at Kunle. “Yes, I had something to take care of.”
He followed her eyes. “I haven’t seen you since the thanksgiving reception, Kunle.”
“I’m sorry about that sir. I’ve had a lot on my mind.”
I bet you have, Sade thought.
“A lot on your mind? Even with the week-long break from work? I hope everything is fine.”
When Kunle looked at Bunmi, Niyi turned to her, his brow knitted in a small frown. “It’s about grandma’s will.”
Confused, he asked, “What about it?”
She let out a breath and gazing at her father, said, “Kunle is Jake’s and Joanna’s father.”
Sade gasped, while Niyi sprang up from his chair, “You must be kidding!” Taking long strides, he went over to Kunle, who had his right hand over his eyes.
“Is this some prank, young man?”
Kunle removed his hand and shook his head twice. Niyi’s face crumpled, as though he wanted to cry and he turned to his wife. Speaking in a hoarse whisper, he asked, “How could we have missed this?”
Without waiting for an answer, he walked slowly to his chair, rested his head on the back of it and closed his eyes. There was silence in the room for a long time and no one made eye contact with the other.
Suddenly, he raised his head and said out loud, “This is such a mess!” All eyes turned on him. “I’ve made such a mess!”
“Niyi…”
He ignored his wife and looked at Bunmi, “You cannot marry him.”
“Daddy…”
He shook his head, continuously. “You cannot marry, Kunle.”
“Why is that, daddy? We’ll lose everything.”
He turned to Kunle and spoke slowly. “He’s your brother.”
“What!” three of them chorused.
He looked at Sade and his eyes turned pleading. “He is my son.”
TO BE CONTINUED
To read the previous parts, please go to:
Part One: SECRETS
Part Two: SECRETS: WHEN THERE IS A WILL
Part Four: SECRETS: MOTHER KNOWS BEST
Part Five: SECRETS: REKINDLING THE FLAME
Wow! What a twist. I was praying it shouldn't end like this. I was sort of enjoying the hidden romance history between them and hoping they rekindle. Please let it not be true. Enjoyed reading this. Good job Olaedo
ReplyDeleteOH MA GOSHHHHHHH...........Ola this is awesome! Next one fast fast.......
ReplyDeleteOla ooooo!choi this mystery deepens,Lord have mercy,blood don mix in an extra ordinary way...OJK,u are gifted.
ReplyDeleteHmm...ds ur twist bad o...u shattered all hopes of a budding romance...I'm rly waiting to see how u wld build ur story frm ds new angle....
ReplyDeleteoma ga o. Brother? :-'(
ReplyDeleteOMG!!!! What!!!!!! Ola you will not kill me, what a twist. Waiting impatiently for the next part.
ReplyDeleteOMG!!!!! Noooooo......they didn't have to be related na!! I just hope there's a mix up somewhere tho.. What a twist. Nice ona Olaedo. Next episode pleassseeeeeeee :D
ReplyDeleteOlaoooooo!!!!!!!!! when i just started enjoying the budding romance; then comes this new twist....chai!!!!!!!!!!. cant wait to see how this ends :)
ReplyDeleteHmm! I think I know how it will end. Am waiting to see if I am right or wrong.
ReplyDeleteOoooooooo!!!ola pls I am too old for this kind of suspense!!!pls can U̶̲̥̅̊ post d concludin part_its an emergency!Good job girl,U̶̲̥̅̊ are truly gifted.
ReplyDeleteMehn! You're goooooooood!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat?u must be joking.
ReplyDeleteJessse! I was enjoying the romance.oh! What becomes of the children? Please d concluding part, can't wait. You need to publish a book girl! You are doing so well.
ReplyDeleteNne,idi too much! Wow!wat a story,filled with suspense,.can't wait for ur book to come out.pls post d second part.....crying to see d conclusion.
ReplyDeleteOkeoghene; Thanks a lot :)I see the romantic in you ;)
ReplyDeleteNg; Thanks, darling :)
Ada; Thanks, love. No be small mixing o ;)
Zaphnathpaaneah; Awww.. You love romance too? I hope you enjoy the next part too.
Ani; Brother o!! Lol
Chinenye; ;);)
Favour; I also wondered why they had to be related, jare :)
Sugar sugar honey; Sister, love too dey sweet you :)
Nwachinemerem; Were you right?
Ijeoma; Too old, kwa? Sweet 16 di ka gi ;) Thanks, darling :)
Anon 20:00; If i could blush...
Anon 21:12; Hehehehe
Ifyowen; Yeah, what about the children and all that spark? Na wa!
Thanks, dear...Book coming soon, by God's grace :)
Anon 12:53; Daalu rinne :)Next part up... Don't know about the conclusion :)
Wow! This twist got me to my bone! Chai, nothing do you Olaedo.
ReplyDeleteAwesome story. My best part thus far
Samuel; Nothing do you too, my broda :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!