Smiles of the Heart – Episode 26

Smiles of the heart ( Obianuju II)

Written by Princess Juliet

Episode 26

Caught in between

 

ADEMILADE

Every muscle in my body stiffened as I held Obianuju close to me. I could feel a fire slowly building inside me, tearing at my lungs, threatening to explode.

So this is it! I slowly shifted my gaze to her father and saw the raw look in his eyes.

Resentment blossomed within me and I stared back at him, trying so hard to still my rage.

“Good afternoon sir.”I greeted in a mocking tone.

“You this devil incarnate.” he said, with venom in his voice. “How dare you come into my house! how dare you.” I could see the muscles in his jaw clench as he looked daggers at me.

“I am here for my fiancée.”I held his gaze, daring him to do his worst. Gosh! he was beginning to irritate me with his holier-than-thou attitude.

Why is he acting all crazy? It is not like I denied the pregnancy, did I?

“You fool.” He thundered and sprang forward to strike me, but was held back by his mother-in-law.

“Please Frank.” She clutched at his shirt. “Don’t do that. Stop all this craziness, you are hurting your daughter.” she choked back her sob and whimpered like a child.

“Me! Crazy.”He stared down at her, his eyes devoid of any emotion. “Are you trying to say my daughter was right to get pregnant?”

 

“No, I did………..”

“Get off me.”He shoved her out of the way and began pacing up and down the room, panting hard. “I will teach you all a lesson today.” he grabbed a cup from the centre table and hurl it at Obianuju.

 

“No oooo.” Obianuju  screamed and I quickly covered her, hugging her tightly, wincing a little as the cup grazed my skin.

“Holy Sh*t.” I cursed silently.

“Ademilade.” She struggled out of my grasp. “Are you alright?” She stared at me with frightened eyes.

“Yes.” I replied through gritted teeth. “But your father is definitely not alright, he is crazy.” I mumbled the latter part under my breathe so she wouldn’t hear.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw her grandmother struggling with her crazy father. I saw Chidi standing in one corner of the sitting room crying.

My breathe quickened and I used every muscle in my body to stifle a whimper. At that moment I knew exactly what to do. But in much more real sense, I had no idea what to do.

 

“I will marry her.” I said aloud and they stopped, her grandma and her father, and stared at me.

 

“You will marry her?” Her grandma eyes sparkled as she smiled somewhat in relief.

 

“Yes.” I nodded slowly, my intense gaze fixed on her father.

 

“Well.” He shrugged his shoulders. “If that be the case, you will have to pay her bride price today.”

 

“Today?” Obianuju gasped in disbelief and her father looked at her. “What then about my elder brothers?” She questioned. “Are they not going to be there at the ceremony?”

 

“They are far away.” her father replied nonchalantly and shifted his gaze back to me. “Are you okay with that?” he smiled at me wryly.

 

I tore my gaze away from him and stared down at Obianuju. “What do you think?”

“My brothers.”her lips quivered as she spoke. “They have to be here…..”

“They are all out of the country.” I interrupted her. “Well! except for Arinze and he is as busy as f**k.”

She swallowed hard and shook her head. “I want him to be present.”

Jeez! Why is she acting so stubborn?

“See babe, I understand what you want, but we have got no time. Moreover, this isn’t a proper wedding, it is just to calm your father down.We will invite them all for the main wedding.” I said in a rush, hoping to convince her.

 

She stared intently at me, her eyes flickering back and forth.

“Please babe.” I begged. I desperately wanted to have her all to myself.

 

“Alright.” She finally agreed and I let out a sigh of relief.

“I am ready.” I stared boldly at her father.

 

“Good!”he nodded sharply. “Call your father asap and inform him about the marriage. And you.” he looked at Obianuju. “Go to your room now. Don’t come out until I tell you to.”

 

“Should I?” She asked for my permission.

 

I nodded lightly and smiled.

“Alright.”She exhaled deeply and walked across the room to the stairs. I followed her with my eyes until she climbed up the stairs and then walked out the house, dialling my dad’s number.

He picked up right away.

“Hello Ade.”His baritone voice rang out through. “I am in a meeting right now, I will call you as soon as I am done.” He said and with that ended the phone call.

 

What the heck! I bit the inside of my upper lips with anger and made to dial his number again, but stopped when I heard my name.

 

I quickly looked in the direction and saw Chidi beside the garden, seated right on his mother’s grave.

“Brother Demi.” He called again, but this time around with a low voice.

A light smile played on my lips and I slowly walked up to him.

“How are you?” I asked softly.

“Fine.” He replied with a grin. “Are you really going to marry my sister?” His eyes sparkled brightly.

I nodded lightly.

“Then you need to ask my mum for her permission.”He looked down at the tiled grave.

 

His mum! I tried not to breathe but I knew it was impossible. So he knew his mum was dead all along!!

 

“I am waiting.” He began tapping his foot impatiently.

 

“Alright.”I inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, trying to relax. “Good afternoon ma.” I began. “I need your permission to marry your daughter. I know it sounds foolish but …..” I stopped mid sentence when I caught the angry look in Chidi’s eyes. “Fine! Fine! Fine! I love your daughter and I promise to cherish her always.” I meant every single word.

 

Almost immediately, I felt a strange and powerful emotion surge through me, leaving my body completely numb and cold.

What the hell just happened? I wondered, my heart suddenly calm and settled.

 

*

OBIANUJU

 

I looked out of the window and stared off into space, a far away look in my eyes.

The whole thing still felt like a dream to me.     I am getting married to Demi, he is going to pay my bride price today.

But why I do have this feeling that my dad agreed to this for his own selfish interest , that he wanted to get rid of me because of the pregnancy.

I stood for a couple seconds, my stomach churning, my eyes closed. I wanted to be suddenly small and to crawl into someone’s lap.

 

A good thing Demi came to my rescue, or else……………..”The sudden sound of the door creaking startled me, interrupting my thoughts and I turned around just in time to see my grandma walk in.

 

“Ada.” She smiled lightly. I could tell she was in pains from her slow walking pace. My dad really pushed her hard!

“Grandma.”I rushed to hold her. “Are you alright ma?” I gazed intently into her eyes.

 

“Of course darling.” Her smile widened. “I am more than alright.” She grinned sheepishly from ear to ear. “How I wish your mum, my daughter was alive to witness all this.”

I choked up at her words, and even though I tried to hold back my tears, I couldn’t , it was just too painful.

My mum! I really missed her.

 

“Don’t cry child.” My grandma hushed and grabbed me and held me tight in her arms rocking me back and forth like a child. I cried profusely at this point as my emotions found an exit through her enveloping arms. “I am very sure she is happy with you wherever she is.”

 

I merely nodded, a faint smile creeping across my face.

My mum! My tears remembers you, it fills up your seat again.

I tried erasing, but I can’t erase you.

You have become my everything.

Oh you! I can’t see you, i can’t hear you.

But i am okay!

Good byes are sad, my heart still aches.

 

But if you are happy, if you can smile, then I will miss you the more I erase you.

I will shed more tears than today.

Like fate, I won’t have anyone like you.

Only you! Only you!

As much as my tears, I hope you are happy.

I  love you mum.

*

OLUWATOBILOBA

The atmosphere in my office was tensed,though apparent not hostile.

I sat there on my seat, my head stuck in a big book, sweating profusely, cross checking the hotel ledger account when the door suddenly creaked open.

Looking up, my eyes popped out of its socket.

My secretary—Justina was  standing right in front of me, looking so hot in her short red gown.

What the f**k! Haven’t I warned her not to come to the office in skimpy clothes again? Or wait! Is she trying to seduce me? If yes, she must be completely crazy.

“Yes, how can I help you?” I snapped at her, maintaining a straight face.

“Actually sir.” She pouted her lips seductively and I scoffed silently. Beauty without brain! “There is a man in …… Erm ….no……I mean three men waiting in the reception to see you.”

 

I huffed at her. A man! three men! “What exactly are you saying?” I half yelled.

“Erm… it is a man. He came with two other men and he…. and he….. requested to see you.”

I stared blankly at her as she talked gibberish. How in the world did I hire this bimbo! Was  I sleeping or what?

“His  name is Ayomi Micheals.” she added and I heard a loud bang in my head.

 

Ayomi   Micheals! The only Ayomi I knew was locked up in an under ground cell.

“Are you sure you got the name ……”Before I could complete my statement, three men barged into my office. Among them was ——

“Dave.”My face went pale and I sat glued to my seat in complete shock.

 

“Hi Oluwatobiloba Edun.” He smiled lightly and moved closer to me. “It has really been a long time.”His smile was sardonic, yet his eyes held a glint of humour. “How are you?”

“You bas***d.” I cursed at him. “How did you find me?”

“Simple!” His smile widened as he reached into his jean pocket, bringing out a cut out page from a new paper.

Unfolding it, he placed it in front of me and I was immobilised by  fury.

It was a picture of Ademilade and I, taken on the day I announced the birth of Eliana to the world.

“How is little Eliana?” He teased  with a jest.

“Don’t you ever call that name again.” I warned, looking daggers at him.

 

“But why?”He gave me a sarcastic smile. “Are you scared  I will hurt her?”no now! I am not that heartless.” He chuckled evilly to himself. “Who is her mother?”he continued. “Is it her?” He looked towards Justina who was now held down by the two other men.

 

“No.”Justina  screamed piercingly. “I am not the one ooooooo, he has a wife and her name is Funmi.”

D**m.” I cursed under my breathe. What an annoying loud mouthed b***h!

“So it is Funmi.” He looked surprised. “The ugly dumb girl I screwed mercilessly.”

“Shut the hell up.” I yelled and began to stand up, but stopped short when he pulled out a gun from underneath his shirt.

“I am not here to fight you.”A chill ran down my back bone as he trailed the gun down my cheek. “I just want to know Ademilade’s whereabout.”

 

I swallowed hard,every inch of my body itching to run away from him. “I …don’t …know …where he is.” I spoke in broken sentences  and I didn’t, couldn’t care.

 

“Then be ready to loose your precious daughter.” He rolled his eyes and drawled like a school boy, Making my heart skip a beat. What exactly is he saying?

“I have men  lurking around your house. Just a word from me, and your whole family would be dead.”He threatened, his dark eyes  icy and cold.

“Is that a threat?” I turned away from him, trying to hide my fear, but it was to no avail. My hands were shaking in an odd way.

“No, it isn’t a threat, but a promise. Tell me where Ademilade is, I Just want to talk to him.”

Talk to him! I really doubt that.

“Call him now.” he screamed and banged his fist on the table.

 

I was stuck in between! My friend or my family.

Left with no other option, I reluctantly reached for my phone and dialled Ademilade’s number, hoping and silently praying for him not to pick up.

But was disappointed, he picked up half way through the second ring.

 

“Hello Tobi.” His voice sounded so tired. “I am presently at my fiancée home,  I can’t talk right now. I will call you as soon as I am free.” He spoke in a rush and ended the phone call.

Sh*t! He just blurted out everything foolishly.

“Isn’t that so easy?” Dave ridiculed me. “You just betrayed your best friend.”

I stared at him, with a blank rapt ness, too shaken to utter a word.

“Obianuju’s home is at The bells Otta right?” he arched his eyebrow at me and I went breathless with anger.

“Don’t you dare harm a hair on her head.

“I can see you still cherish her.”he smiled lightly and then faced the two other men in the room.

“Cease his phone and don’t let him leave this office until the deed is done.”

 

With that, he nodded towards me and left the office.

I stared after him in a mute horror. What deed is he talking about??

*

 

ADEMILADE

 

Finally! After countless hours of waiting, my dad returned my call.

Thank goodness!I signed tiredly and received it right away.

 

“Hello son.”he greeted first. “I am so sorry for……….”

 

“It is alright.” I cut in. “I need your help urgently, like right now. My fiancée is pregnant and her dad insisted that I pay her bride price today.” I explained in a rush for I had no time.

“But why?” He questioned sharply.”Isn’t that too sudden?”

“It is.” I agreed with him. “But I guess he wants to get rid of his pregnant daughter as soon as possible.” I mumbled under my breathe.

 

“Pardon me! I didn’t hear what you said.”

“I said nothing.” I lied. “Can you please make it here today?” I asked, even though I knew it wasn’t possible. I just wanted him to say something.

 

There was a long pause, and then he exhaled deeply.

“Let us make it tomorrow please.”

I smiled inwardly and outwardly at his words.

“Thanks so much.” I breathe a sigh of relief and ended the phone call.

 

“Is he coming today?”The sudden sound Of  Obianuju’s dad voice startled me.

 

I looked in the direction and saw him standing at the bottom of the stairs.

 

So he eavesdropped on my conversation.

 

“No.”I replied dryly and briefly. “He will be around tomorrow.”

 

“Tomorrow! Tomorrow.”he titled his head sideways, as if thinking and then nodded slowly. “Alright.” He groggily agreed. ” You should spend  the night in the guest room.”

 

“There is no need for that sir.”I politely declined. “I will lodge in a nearby hotel.” I got off the sofa and adjusted my clothes.

“Alright, if that is okay by you.”

 

“Good night sir.” I bowed slightly and started towards the entrance, hesitated, then turned around and faced him.

 

“Can I atleast  see Obianuju?”

 

“No way.” he thundered

 

Jeez! Does he want to bite me? he should take a chill pill. I walked out of the house and stepped out of the balcony and got outside just in time to see Chichi alight from her school bus.

“Demi.”She dropped her backpack on the ground and rushed over to me.

Tsk… tsk… tsk… what a stubborn girl! I caught her in my arm, holding her close till she maintained her balance.

 

“You came to visit us?” She looked up at me, smiling sheepishly.

I smiled faintly and nodded.

 

“What about my sister?”

“She is in her …….” I stopped mid sentence when I noticed a  masked face stuck outside the window of a moving car, aiming a gun at me.

Oh no! I panicked a little. “Get down.”I screamed, pulling chichi down with me, but it was already late, a gun shot sounded and blood splattered on my face.

 

 

TBC.