Smiles of the Heart – Episode 27

Smiles of the heart (Obianuju II)

Written by Princess Juliet

Episode 27

Blames

ADEMILADE

My heart literally stopped beating. In my terrified mind every breathe of wind was as loud as a blood curdling scream.

 

“Chichi.” I heard a loud pitched scream; I didn’t realise it was  mine until much later.

Fear crippled me, freezing every muscle of my body as I stared down at her limp body in my arms. She was bleeding profusely from her lower stomach and groaning in pain, her eyes shut tightly.

Few tears escaped my eyes and slipped down to my face, to my upright knees. “Don’t do this to me please.” I begged and shook her body lightly. She gasped and winced in the process.

 

“What is going on here?”her dad  roared behind me. “What did you do to my daughter?”

 

I scoffed at his questions. Is he too blind to see that she got shot!

 

“Someone should please talk to me.”he cried  out loud. “What  is happening to my daughter? Why is she laying sprawled out on the floor?”

At that moment, People came quietly trooping in, making the whole place unbearably crowded.

“Sh*t!”I cussed. I really hated this kind of stuff. I looked around me and caught sight of Obianuju in the crowd, leaning against her grandmother, looking like she has  just seen a ghost.

 

I looked away from her and stared back at Chichi pale face. I put an arm around her and checked for her pulse, it was so weak.

I knew I had to act fast! I gently placed her on the ground and rushed to my car, shutting my ears to all the harsh voices.

Hastily, I opened the car door and reached into the backseat for my personal first aid box.

I never fail to go out with it, an odd habit of mine. I returned to chichi and set to work.

Firstly, I took out a bandage and pressed directly against the wound using the palm of my hands.

Thankfully! She was still conscious and needed no CPR.

“Who is he ?” I heard voices from everywhere. “Is he a doctor? Will the girl die? Who even shot at her?…..”

Gosh! Can’t they just shut the f**k up? Someone is trying to concentrate here.

The bleeding finally stopped and I proceeded to dress up the wound, not minding the blood on my hands.

 

“Will she be alright now?” her father asked, a hint of fear in his voice.

 

“Yes.” I wrapped the bandage firmly around her stomach. “But she needs to be looked at.” I moved off her and lifted her up in my arms, bridal style. “The bullet is still inside her body.”

 

“B-Bullet.” His voice started to tremble, and I thought he was going to cry. “Is ..that … a .. bad …. thing?” The  agony I saw in his eyes made my stomach roll.

“She will be fine.” I muttered a brief reply and handed Chichi to him, placing her gently in his outstretched arms.

 

“But what really happened?”he looked deeply into my eyes. “Who were the men that shot……”he stopped mid sentence when Chichi groaned aloud. “Hang in there Princess.” he rushed to his car.

“Open the door.” he said to no one in Particular and Chidi did, his little hands shaking oddly.

 

“Will my sister be alright?” he asked his dad.

 

“Go stay with your grandmother.” his father simply told him and placed Chichi gently in a lying position at the back seat, slamming the door shut.

He then got into the driver seat and sped out of the compound. The crowd began to disperse in ones and twos, streaming and scattering into the street.

 

I watched the car go down the road for a moment longer and then walked towards Obianuju and stopped when there was just two steps distance between us.

 

“Hey Babe, how are ………..”

 

“What the hell happened to my sister?” She glared at me, her cheek flushing. “It was you right?”

I was taken aback by her sudden anger. Seriously, I wasn’t expecting this outburst from her.

 

“What did the little girl do to you?” She stepped closer to me. “Tell me, what did she do to deserve the pain?”She screamed at the top of her lungs.

“That is enough Ada.”her grandmother scolded at her.

“No grandma.”She refused to listen. “Let me tell this young man what exactly he is.” her eyes burned with unshed tears. “You are a curse Demi, a curse to your mother, a curse to anyone who gets associated with you and that includes me.”

“What?” The sudden shock made my muscles tense. Did she just say all that to me? I blinked my eyes in utter disbelief.

 

“Yes.”her cold gaze was piercing. “How often would I have a near-death experience for your sake?”

 

I opened my mouth to say something, but the only thing that escaped was a compressed stream of air. Words had failed me.

 

“Just pray my sister gets through this alive or you will regret ever knowing me.” She threatened and with that, walked to her car.

I stood paralysed on the spot, the menacing aura holding me in a tightened grip.

Was that really my fiancée? I doubt that.

“Don’t mind her words child.” I stiffened as her grandma stepped closer and placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. “She is just being childish.”

 

I wordlessly nodded and started towards my car when my phone began ringing.

I fished it out of my pocket to check out the caller and noticed it was Tobi. I received it absentmindedly.

 

“Oh God! Demi.” he breathe out a sigh of relief. “Thank God you are alright. What about Obianuju? Is she there with you?”

 

“What is up with you man?” I snapped at him as I was in no mood for drama.

 

“It …is ….Dave.”he spoke in a pronounced stutter. Dave! I heard a loud bang in my head. “He … came .. over. to ….my…office and asked your whereabout. I told him Demi, I did as he wanted, I betrayed our friendship.”

 

“What the heck are you talking about?”I screamed into the phone, totally confused. “Isn’t he supposed to be locked up in prison?”

 

“He is out man, and I think he is after your life.”

 

My life! I groaned inwardly and my spirit dampened as the realisation dawned on me. It was the bas***d who shot at Chichi.

*

OBIANUJU

Tears rolled down my eyes, blurring my vision as I sped off to the family hospital—Olad hospital.

“Chichi.” I cried out in anguish and slammed my fists on the steering wheel and accidentally honk my horn.

I wasn’t myself at all, I was so pained. If anything bad happens to her, I would never forgive myself, I would never forgive Ademilade ever. He caused it all, he should have  stayed faraway from her or should have at least taken the bullet ………Gosh!  what  am I even saying???  I bit my lips as I recalled the hurtful words I had said to him.

But do I regret it? I don’t even know. I just wanted my sister to be alright.

*

I got to the hospital and parked out roughly in the car lot.

Alighting, I noticed my dad standing beside his car, talking in whispers to a young doctor.

“Dad.” I called out loudly and sauntered to him, inhaling deeply as I tried to calm my self down. “Where is  Chichi?”

“In the emergency room receiving treatment.”the doctor replied.

 

I looked at my dad and then back at the doctor. “Is she going to be alright?” My voice sank to whisper, I was so scared.

 

“Of course Yes.” The doctor winked at me and I looked away, scoffing silently. What is with him? Is he too dumb to understand the situation at hand. “All thanks to the first aider, the wound was properly cleaned and the dirty blood completely flushed out.”

“It is my son-in-law, he is also a doctor.” My dad asserted, smiling proudly and I rolled my eyes in mock exasperation.

Hun! Like seriously!

“Hmmmmh! A doctor.” The doctor stared at me thoughtfully. “You are one lucky girl, aren’t you?”

“Sure.” I grunted my response. “Can I go see my sister?”

“Not yet, she needs to rest.” he reached up to touch his temple. “But she is very much alright.” The calmness of his voice assured me.

But still! Who in the world shot at Chichi? This was the one question I wanted asking Ademilade.

“Sh*t!”I cussed aloud and clenched my fist in anger. I will make sure the idiot pays heavily for it.

Reaching into my pocket, I took out my phone and dialled the media’s president number—- Caleb .

He picked half was through the second ring.

“Juliet.”He sounded excited. “This one you called me today, I hope I am safe.”

“I need your help.”I said bluntly.

“Anything for you pretty, I am all yours.”I was forced to smile hearing the smile in his voice.”

“Good! I need you to help me publish a story online. A masked man attacked my fiancée and hurt my little sister in the process.”

“But don’t you think…….” he began to protest but I stopped  him.

“I will send you the details in a jiffy.” I spoke in a rush and ended the phone call.

I planned on infuriating the masked man, I wanted him to know he was a complete failure.

 

*

Landon.

 

I walked out of the stage door, having enjoyed enormous success and a cheering crowd.

One of the advantages of being a celebrity, there is never a dull moment.

I exited the brightly lit room into a hallway and found my manager and the  annoying b***h who loves following me around  leaning against a glass doomed door.

 

“Landon.” The b***h raced over  and hugged me.

I went stiff with discomfort.” Don’t start Faith.”I huffed and pulled her away from me. Argh! When will she get learn?

“How was the concert?” There was stinging disappointment on her face and in her eyes. But who cares? She ought to know by now that I am done with her.

Dark and ugly, she wasn’t even my taste to begin with, I only used her to satisfy my sexual urges.

“Fine.” I grunted my response and walked towards my manager.  “Hi Michael…….”I had hardly opened my mouth when he interrupted me.

 

“You need to see this.”

“She what?” I arched my eyebrow at him.

“This.” He held his phone up for me to see and I scanned my eyes as I read the underlined wordings aloud.

“Trouble looms. Senator Adeoye’s son attacked by masked man, teenage girl shot in the process.

Senator Adeoye! Seeing the name piqued my curiosity and I snatched the phone out of his hand and looked closely at the images displayed on the screen.

A fair girl with a bright smile……wait a minute!My heart began hammering in my chest. “Isn’t this Obianuju sister?” I thought but said aloud.

“Obianuju.”Faith muttered. “Let me see.” She grabbed the phone and her eyes flew wide open. “Oh my God! It is Chichi.”she began to sob aloud.

Like seriously!!!

“What… happened….to her?” She asked, looking up to meet my gaze.

 

“Do you know her?” I was forced to ask.

 

She nodded sharply. “She is my sister… erm I mean she is like my sister.”

My manager and I exchanged puzzled glances. What the heck is she saying??

“Then you should know where she lives.”I drawled.

“But why?” My manager poked me in the ribs, forcing me look at him.”Don’t tell me you want to go see her.”he spoke in whispers.

I completely ignored his question and shifted my attention back to Faith. “Do you?”

“Sure.”she clamped her hands over her mouth to stifle the sobs tearing their way loose. “But she should in the hospital by now.” She whispered in a low voice that was barely audible. I was not sure if I heard her correctly or not.

“Whatever, Let us go.” I quickly put on my covers- a face cap and dark sunglasses and led the way out of the concert hall and pushed through the crowd to my car.

Phew! I opened the door and climbed into the passenger seat, waiting.

“Is this really that necessary?” My manager asked as he got in beside me.

“Just drive.” I snorted at him.

 

“Alright.” He looked at me from the corner of his eyes and reluctantly started the car. “Left or right?” he grunted out his words.

I really do not want to believe he is asking me that!

“The right turning.” Faith answered from behind me and he nodded his head bobbly, slowly driving out of the compound.

I sank into the seat, sighing as a quick unwelcome  image of the girl bleeding flashed through my mind.

Gosh! She is too young for this.

*

Finally! After long hours of sitting, the car skidded to a halt in front of a gigantic building  with tall walls.

“Olad hospital.” I read the inscription on the wall. “Are you sure she would be here?” I looked at Faith through the rear mirror.

“Yeah! hopefully.” She shrugged her shoulders lightly.

Without a word, I stepped out of the car and started towards the building.

“Can I come with you?” Faith called out to me.

I scoffed silently. To do what!!

“No.” I grunted my response and passed through a corridor, straight into the reception.

“Good evening ma’am.” I greeted the nurse on seat.

She raised her head and looked at me.
“How can I help you?” She asked, somewhat harshly.

I quickly adjusted my face cap. “I am here to see the little girl who got shot.”

“What little girl?” She raised a brow at me suspiciously.

“Erm…. Obian… erm ….” I ran my hands through my hair in confusion. Think, Akorede. Think. How could you forget the pretty girl’s name! “Her name is ……………”

 

“Landon.” The sudden sound of Obianuju’s brought a smile to my face and I breathe out a sigh of relief.  Thanks goodness!

“You are Landon?”The nurse questioned, shock and disbelief written all over her face.

 

I merely smiled at her and walked towards Obianuju who was watching me with those big eyes of hers.

“What are you doing here?” She asked and passed me a frown.

“I came to see your sister obviously.” I snickered. Why is she acting so rude??

 

“Like seriously.”She folded her arms across chest. “Tell me. Why did  you come to  see her?”

“That is because… because.”I spluttered, not  not knowing what to say. Why am I even here? I asked my self.

That is because you like her. My subconscious replied.

Like her! Is that even possible, she is underaged, for crying out loud.

And so! You are only twenty one buddy. Moreover, age is just a number.

Seriously brain, just  shut off. I’m trying to act normal here.

“How is she?” I shifted my attention back to Obianuju. “Is she alright?”

 

She nodded slowly, her sultry gaze travelling over my face, probably to search for some kind of signal. “Do  you want to see her?”

Did she need asking me that?

“Where is she?”Gradually I calmed down and lost my anxiety.

“The first room.”she nodded towards a door and without thinking twice, I rushed to the ward.

Entering, I stopped short at the appalling sight.

The little girl was sprawled on the bed with a long needle passed through her veins, her stomach wrapped up in a bandage.

“Oh God.” I breathe aloud and moved my gaze to her face, her pretty pale face. I suddenly started feeling nervous for no reason, being with her alone in this room made me tensed.

 

I reached over to touch her face, but stopped when I noticed the hand band around her wrist, it had her name on it —Chinelo.

I carefully slipped it out of her wrist and stared in astonishment at it. I had a similar one. The neck chain around my neck also had my name on it.

 

I removed my  neck chain and clasped it around her neck, careful not to startle her. It was my lucky charm, my mum gifted it to me on my eighteenth birthday.

 

I really hope it works for her.

 

Heaving a sigh, I turned around and saw Obianuju was standing behind me few steps away.

I jumped up, startled. “When did you get here?” I quickly composed myself.

 

She didn’t respond. She merely smiled and walked past me to the sleeping child.”Thanks.” She finally spoke.

Oh! So she  saw everything!

 

“It is nothing.” I brushed aside her word and started towards the entrance, hesitated, then turned around and faced her.

“But what really happened to her?”I was so curious to know. “Did your boyfriend have a beef with someone?”

“None that I can think of.” She looked at me and I saw the tears forming in her eyes.

For a moment, I was tempted to hug her and assure her that it would be alright. But no! She was the forbidden princess, the girl behind my brother’s misery.

“He isn’t troublesome, no body has ever tried to ki*ll him. Well except one boy like that and he is now rotting in jail.”

A boy! “You mean Dave?”I blurted out carelessly, and regretted it when I saw the surprise look in her eyes.

“You know him?”

“Not really.” I chuckled nervously and absentmindedly walked out of the room. D**n! Why didn’t I think of it???

 

I hastily reached into my pocket for my phone and dialled his number, but it rang until his voice mail picked up. Argh! I gritted my teeth in fury and proceeded to dial it again, when my mum call came in.

I received it right away.

 

“Akorede.”her weak voice rang out through. “Do you by chance know where your brother is?”

“Isn’t he meant to be at home?” I snapped aloud.

 

“He is not home.” She screamed over the phone. “He is not in his room, he is not anywhere around here. I …think.. Ayomi… has…run away………”

 

What the heck! I hung up the call on her. She had just confirmed my worst fears. My brother—Dave is the main culprit here.

*

 

Ademilade.

 

I drove out of the police station, cursing loudly. “Bunch of pricks, Crazy lunatics……. but stopped when I noticed  Chidi curious gaze on me.

sh*t! I had completely forgotten a nine years old kid  was seated right beside me!!

 

“Are you angry with them because they shouted at you?”

 

“No, I am angry because they can’t handle a simple case.” I retorted and gripped the steering wheel as the vehicle plunged down a steep hill.

Just imagine! After explaining everything to them, all they could ask for is money to carry out  an investigation. Jeez! Isn’t it is so annoying?

 

“Don’t worry, my sister will be fine.” he plainly told me.

I glanced at him and met  his gaze for a split second.How did he manage to stay calm despite everything? Phew! A cold sweat broke out on my forehead and I mopped it away with my forearm. How I wished I could be as courageous as he is.

“Left or right?” I asked him for the direction.

 

“Hmmmmh! Go left … no..no….turn to the right.”

I scoffed silently! “Left or right! What exactly are you saying?”

“The right. Yes, turn to the right.”

“You sure about that?” I slowed down the car and stared at him.

His face creased into a smile. “If we lost, so be it.”

He got to be kidding me! I stepped on the brake and made a right turn, driving slowly through  a bumpy road.

He should better be right else I won’t hesitate to spank his tiny a$$.  Nevertheless, I kept on driving till I sighted  the white gigantic building.

Olad hospital! I took a mental note of  the name.

“We are here already?” I turned to look at Chidi and found him sleeping.

Tsk… Tsk…Tsk..What stubborn boy! I drove into the compound and got to the drive way just in time to see Landon climb into his car.

I heard four or five loud bangs in my head. That devil! What is he doing here? I alighted from the car and rushed into the reception.

 

“I am here to see someone.” I told the nurse seated behind the desk. “Pardon my manners, but it is urgent.”

She looked at me for a moment, as if thinking and then nodded slowly.

 

“I understand. What is her name?”

 

“Chichi… Erm I mean Chinelo.” I called out her name in full.

 

“Oh! You mean the lucky girl.”She winked at me. “This one cute guys are just coming to check on her, she must be  very special.” She mumbled the words but I heard her clearly.

 

“Of course she is very special.” I gave her a response.

 

She stared back at me and smiled. “So you heard that?”

“Where is her ward?”I ignored her question and began tapping my foot on the floor impatiently.

 

“Over there.” She pointed to the first door in the passageway.

“Thanks.” I rushed to the door and pushed it open. Entering, I came face to face with Obianuju.

Oh no! not again!!

“What are you doing here?” She looked daggers at me.

 

“See! I am not here for you, I am here for your sister.” I snapped at her. “You need to stop her from seeing Landon or whatever he calls himself.”

“Why?”she stood with her arms akimbo, frowning. “Are you jealous?”

Jealous! It sound more like irritated to me!!

“This is not about being jealous.” I pointed out to her. “I saw Landon, I knew he was here. You both  need to be careful about him, he is Dave brother and might equally…………”

“Dave.”She began to panic. “No Ade, tell me this is not true.” She attempted to hold  me, but I took a step backward.

“Do I look like a clown to you?” I looked away from her when I saw the pains in her eyes. “Never mind, I will take care of it myself. I don’t want to my curse to affect you any longer.” With that, I huffed at her and made for the door.

“Did Landon really come here?” The sudden voice of Chichi brought me a complete halt.

 

I turned around slowly and saw her trying to sit up on the bed. “Argh!”she  grimaced and sank back weakly against the pillow.

 

“Oh dear.” Obianuju crooned and rushed to her, sitting beside her. “Thank God! Oh lord, thank you.” She enveloped her in her arms and Chichi flinched in pain

“Big head! Don’t you know it hurts?”

 

“I am so sorry.”Obianuju  quickly apologised and began to wipe the invisible tears off Chichi’s face.

I took a deep breathe and a wave of relief washed over me. Thank goodness! I can’t wait to be out of here.

 

 

TBC