Smiles of the Heart – Episode 34

Smiles of the heart (Obianuju II)

Written by Princess Juliet

Episode 34

Love or Obsession

OBIANUJU.

 

A feeling of dread crept up from the pit of my stomach, and my heart began pounding faster and louder than usual.

“Dave,” I muttered and shook my head in disbelief. I couldn’t believe my eyes. This can’t be real, it has to be a bad dream or something. I pinched myself, only to realize it wasn’t a dream.

Dave was standing right in front of me, an annoying smile plastered on his craggy face.

A cold wave embalmed me as the hairs rose on the back of my neck and I used every muscle in my body to stifle a whimper. “What … are… you… doing … here?” I felt my lips quivering and heard my voice cracking.

I was shaken to the bone. This was the very same person who had attempted to ki*ll my husband and hurt me in the process.

His smile widened and he took a step forward toward me. “Don’t,” I warned, my eyes darting back and forth impatiently, looking for an escape route.

Moonlight and darkness alike bent and danced around me, surrounding me in a hazy- metallic shimmer.

“I wouldn’t try that if I were you.” his voice, cold and deadly sent shivers down my spine.

My breath caught with sudden alarm and I stared at him, fear clutching at my heart. “What do you want?” I could feel my knees shaking with terror, but I put on a bold front and glared at him.

 

“I want you.” he caught me completely off guard when he clamped one hand around my waist and slid me closer.

 

My nostrils dilated. How dare he touch me! “Leave me alone,” I screamed and began struggling with him, hitting him in the chest as hard as I could.

“Hey! Hey! Hey!”He chuckled lightly and held me even more tightly against him. I went limp in his arms and sucked hard for air to keep breathing. “You are one tough little girl, aren’t you?” I could hear the smile in his voice.

I almost said no, but then, I thought about it.
I didn’t want to appear weak to him.

“Yes,” I grunted in anger and pushed him away with all my might. He staggered back and fell in an ungainly, unconscious heap on the ground.

Thank goodness! I turned around and tried to run, but realized I couldn’t move. The bas***d was holding on to my right leg. “You beast.”I tried to shove him off, but he snagged over my hips and dragged me down, pinning my hands over my head.

“Get away from me you monster.” I gnashed my teeth in silent fury.

He laughed heartily, his dark eyes never leaving my face for once.” How can you be so beautiful even when angry!” his words set me off, there was no stopping me as I lost control. I let out a long loud piercing shriek.

“Shut the f**k up,” he growled and leaned forward, attempting to clamp his hand over my mouth, but I bit him hard, acting like a crazy animal.

 

“Who goes there?” a whistle sounded several times and we heard the sound of heavy, dragging footsteps coming our way.

 

“Holy sh*t!” Dave cursed aloud and slapped me hard across the face. I broke out in cold sweat and began to see stars. I had not expected that. “Have you seen what you have caused?” he hissed loudly and jumped to his feet, grabbing my hand as he pulled me along with him.

“I said who are you?”The whistle sounded again and in the dim, Dave’s eyes met mine. It was cold, unflinching…

“Stay still.” he picked me up and threw me over his shoulders; then started down the path into the enveloping darkness.

I couldn’t scream. I could only open my mouth to find that even words had deserted me.

I was scared. Damn scared! Where is the beast taking me to? Panic set in, and I started throwing my hands about in a silent protest and lost my phone in the process.  Oh, God! This was too much for me. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I couldn’t hold them back any longer.

 

“What the heck!” he stopped abruptly in front of a red Camry car and put me down on the floor. I stumbled and almost fell.

“Sorry,” he said softly and opened the passenger door of the car. “Get in.” he held the door open for me.

“No! Please! No.” I begged desperately and earnestly. “Let me return to my hostel please.”

At that moment I was certain I saw something in his eyes, something akin to remorse. “I don’t want to hurt you again.” his whisper was almost too quiet for me to hear. “Get in please.”

 

I wanted to run for safety, but my feet would not allow me do so. “No! No! Please don’t do this to me, I am………”

 

“I said get in.” he thundered and I flinched back a little at his harsh tone. “Now.” his dark eyes were shooting daggers at me.

I nodded wordlessly and slowly climbed into the seat, my heart threatening to explode through my ribs.

“Good girl.” he teased and closed the door behind me before he walked around the car and climbed on the other side, sitting beside me.

Sweat poured down my body as I stayed still as possible. I could no longer control my hands; they were shaking in an odd trembling rhythm.

“Are you alright?” he started the car after giving me a quick glance.

 

Why does he care? I turned away from him and stared out of the window into the darkness.

My eyes were probably bloodshot and tears were beginning to blur my vision.

What will happen to me now? Am I going to die? I felt a nervous twitch in my lower abdomen all of a sudden.

Startled, I placed a hand on my belly and felt the quick faint movement. The realization came slow and late, but clear. “Oh, God!”I nearly freaked out. It is my baby moving.

 

My chin quivered and a burn sears my chest from inside out. The pain of regret, tearing my soul. I turned my head sideways and my gaze met Dave’s for a split second.

I could feel my anger boiling inside me, but what can I do? Nothing. I was completely exhausted.

“Help me O God.” I prayed silently for a miracle.

~~~~

 

Outside in the night sky, the moon shone brightly and sent its radiant beams glistening into the room where Shakira sat staring out of the window.

She looked frightened to death, her eyes wide as she backed herself against the wall. A cold breeze passed through creating an eerie whistle effect that sent chills up her spine.

She caught her breath and looked at the clock on the wall beside her and noticed it was 10:30 pm already.

Her fear escalated into a panic. With trembling hands, she dialed Juliet’s number for the umpteenth time this night but there was still no response, her line wasn’t even connecting.

“No! No! No!” she scrambled to her feet and prowled restlessly around the room, trying to put her thoughts in order.

What could be wrong? she was d**n confused. It was so unlike Juliet to switch off her phone…..or wait a minute! Could it be that she got into a fight? Oh no! The more she thought about it, the more panic she felt.

“Gosh!” she hit her forehead with the palm of her hand. “Why didn’t I think of this?”

Quickly, she wore a hijab over her hair, neck, and shoulders and slipped on a pair of dunlop slippers; then she reached out and picked up a blueprinted wrapper, throwing it over her shoulder as she ran out of the room and into the cold night.

Although it was dark, the giant moon lit up the road so brightly you could see the landscape. Shakira step slowed as she stared ahead into the darkness. She was scared out of her wits.

For a moment she contemplated returning to the room but quickly shrugged off the thoughts.
She needed to make sure her best friend was alright.

She took a deep breath to clear her head, and to calm herself, and started down a bushy road, running as fast as her slim legs could carry her.

Her heart and breathing drowning out every sound, she raced down a sloppy path and around a corner, sliding to a stop when she heard a cell phone ringing.

That ringtone! It sounded so familiar. She ran in the direction and her mouth hung open in disbelief.

“Juliet’s phone!” her hand trembled as she picked up the phone. Why is it here? she wondered, her eyes darting around the dark creepy surroundings.

This aroused her suspicions that Juliet was in danger and she ran all the way to Faith’s hostel, shutting her ears to the phone which had been on a continuous ring for some moment.

She didn’t bother to check out the caller!!!

*

Queen’s castle stood tall more than any other building on the street. The structure was roughly eighty feet long and about fifty feet high; said to be the height designed to accommodate more than a hundred female students.

Shakirat stood with her mouth agape, a lot of panic filling her as she stared in confusion at the gigantic building.

She felt a bit lost and out of her depth.

“What am I going to do now?” she wrapped her arms around herself and let her eyes survey her surroundings. “This is indeed a barracks”

she wandered slowly through the building, straining her ears to any form of music, but heard nothing.
The compound was as silent as a graveyard.

Oh jeez! Does this mean the party didn’t hold here? She stamped her foot in a frustrated rage and stormed towards the gate, her heart hammering in her chest.

“Juliet,” she screamed at the top of her voice. “Where in the world are you?”

Tears filled her eyes and rolled down her cheek. “If …only ..I … had ..persuaded her, then… then….then…” Grief and fury choked her words and she started to shake uncontrollably.

 

“Obianuju’s grandmother.”

The sudden voice startled her a little. She quickly turned around and saw Susanna leaning against a red car, a hand fan in her hand as she fanned herself continuously in a speedy space.

“Oh my God, Susanna.” She let out a breath in a sigh of relief and rushed to her. She had never been so happy to see her, well at least now that she needs her help.

“What is up with you?” Susanna eyed her rather suspiciously. “What are you doing here by this time? Or do you now live here?” she rolled her eyes in mock exasperation.

“I am here to see Faith,” Shakirat replied bluntly as she was in no mood to batter words with the beautiful witch standing in front of her. She only wanted to find her friend.

“Faith! Faith.” Susanna muttered. “Who is she?” she arched her eyebrow with a quizzical expression.

“Tell me you are joking.” Shakirat scoffed at her. “How can you not know your neighbor?” she fought back the urge to scream at her.

“Blah! Blah! Blah! Rubbish.”Susanna’s words made her so angry that she got a headache. “It is a big compound  you know.”

 

“Fine.” Shakirat took a deep breath and tried to calm her anger. It was never easy. Her surges of anger had gotten her into a lot of trouble over the years. “Faith is a dark chubby girl with……” her voice trailed off into silence when a horrible memory settled into her brain. she scoffed silently. “I am talking about Faith, the same one who aided with your crime…….”

“Oh! That Faith.” Susanna became uncomfortable and shifted uneasily from one foot to another. She really hated to be reminded of that! That was her past, for crying out loud.

 

“Or should I spell it out from you?”Shakirat eyes mocked her.

 

“No! Please! Don’t.” She chuckled nervously. So… Why are you looking for  Faith? What did she do?” she quickly changed the topic.

 

“The b***h kidnapped Juliet,” Shakirat spoke her heart out and began to sob.

Susanna looked dazed and frightened. She watched Shakirat silently, waiting for an explanation.

“She…. came ….this ….afternoon to invite Juliet to her birthday party.”Shakirat began explaining in a voice that struggled to hold back tears. “J-Juliet left home before six and I haven’t set my eyes on her ever since. I even found her phone in the bush…..:”

“What?” Susanna’s eyes were wide in disbelief. She couldn’t believe Obianuju’s stupidity! how could she trust that cunning b***h for the second time? Argh! she clenched her fist in annoyance, her mind working quickly. “Get into the car.” She said after a few seconds.

“But why?” Shakirat looked at her puzzled. “Isn’t this Faith house?” she glanced around the big compound again.

“Does this look like a party venue to you?”Susanna was irritated. Gosh! how can they both be so dumb!!

 

“No.” Shakirat shook her head confusedly. She was still not getting the point!!!

“Who is Faith Crush?”Susanna asked, seeing the look in her eyes.

“Landon,” she replied easily. It was what everyone already knows. The black monkey made it a habit to hover around him.

“And where do Landon mostly perform?” Susanna grinned triumphantly. She was glad someone was catching up with her little lecture.

“Time square hotel.” Shakirat finally solved the puzzle

“What then are you waiting for? Get into the car.” Susanna said as she walked around the car.

 

Shakirat nodded wordlessly and climbed into the passenger seat, closing the door behind her.

She started to cry again, too exhausted to stop.

“What is wrong again?” Susanna asked as she got in beside her.

“Nothing.” She held up her arm and wiped her tears off. “Why are you even helping me?” her question threw Susanna off guard.

“Why am I helping her?” she asked herself as she was also confused. “Probably to make up for my past mistakes,” she muttered her guess softly so Shakirat wouldn’t hear.

 

Shakirat smiled lightly. She wasn’t sure she heard her right, and sincerely hope she did.

The sudden sound of Obianuju’s phone ringing brought her out of her reverie. She checked out the caller this time around and noticed it was…….”

Chidi! her mind became troubled. Why is a nine year old kid calling by this time of the night? She received it right away and placed the phone in her ear.

“Thank goodness you finally picked up my call.”Chidi’s tiny voice rang out through. “I had a really bad dream about you and couldn’t sleep ever since.”

“What is it about?” Shakirat natural curiosity led her to ask.

There was a brief pause, and then Chidi scoffed aloud. “You are not my sister, are you?” he wasn’t a fool, he knew his sister’s voice.

“I am her roommate,”Shakirat told him plainly. “Your sister is sleeping.” she lied. She couldn’t possibly tell the little kid the truth.

 

“Alright.”Chidi believed her easily. “When she wakes, tell her to be more prayerful. She won’t lose her baby in Jesus’s name.” he prayed and ended the phone call before Shakirat got the chance to ask more questions.

Shakirat blinked her eyes nervously. Lose her baby! Is that what the dream is all about? Oh no! The mere thought of it filled her with panic.

“Who was that?” Susanna asked as she drove down the main street.

 

“A kid.” Shakirat simply replied as she was in a foul mood. She could feel the anger boiling up inside her and it was deadly, very deadly.

 

*
Shakirat jumped out of the car as soon as they got to the hotel and charged towards the building pumping loud music.

“Wait for me” she heard Susanna call, but completely ignored her and stepped into the crowded club.

She looked around, nervously and saw the b***h dancing around Landon and lap dancing on him.

 

“Faith.” she lifted up her voice and shrieked as loud as she could, then started pushing her way through the crowd.

Faith looked around her in a daze. She would swear she had just heard her name. Angling her head, she focused to listen.

“What is wrong?” Landon asked, watching her closely.

“Nothing.”She chuckled lightly and leaned forward to kiss him, but he evaded her by pretending to sneeze.

Not again! she winced inwardly, afraid to show her disappointment. She was so scared that he would leave her. “I hope you enjoying the pa…….”

“Faith.” A voice behind her interrupted her.

Startled, she turned around and came face to face with Shakirat angry gaze.

“Oh! so it is even you.” she glared back at her. “What are you doing………”Shakirat smacked her hard across the face before she could complete her statement.

Faith caught her breath in a startled gasp of pain. She hadn’t expected that!!!!

“Where is Juliet?”Shakirat yelled at her.

 

“Juliet!” her face contorted into confusion. “isn’t she supposed to be at home?”

“Don’t test my patience Faith.” Shakirat stepped closer to her, but Faith inched backward and up against a chair. “Where the hell is my friend?” Shakirat lifted her hand to slap her again, but Landon caught her hand.

“What is going on?” he whispered, fully aware of the crowd that had gathered to watch them.

Shakirat angrily snatched her hand out of his grasp. “Tell your ugly girlfriend to bring out my friend.” she fumed.

“Friend.” Landon looked at Faith and then back at the hijabite girl. He was beginning to get rather confused. “How did you come about such a conclusion?” he frowned at the hijabite girl.

 

“This.”Shakirat held up  Juliet’s phone for him to see. “I found it in the bush.”

“What?” Landon shrieked has leaped to his feet. This is beginning to get scary! He slowly shifted his attention to Faith and watched her closely.

Faith looked away and fingered her neck chain absentmindedly as she pondered the known fact. “Where is Obianuju?” Landon question made her heart skip a beat.

Like seriously! she looked up at him, sensing both his anger and regret. “You are accusing me too.” she pouted her lips like a little child.

Landon scoffed aloud. He wasn’t buying her trick, he knew how desperate she could be. “Tell me where she is else I will leave and never come back.” he threatened

 

“No! No.” Faith panicked. “Don’t do that to me,” she begged.

Landon smiled inwardly but maintained a straight face. He knew just how to get her. Gosh! she was completely obsessed with him. “Then start talking,” he growled at her.

 

“Erm….”Faith scratched her hair as she looked at the faces in front of her one after the other. She was surprised to see Susanna standing beside Shakirat, glaring hard at her. When did she become friends with Obianuju?

“I am still waiting.”Landon’s voice interjected her thinking process and she swallowed hard, bracing herself for the worst.

 

“It is your brother.” her voice was so calm, Landon wasn’t sure he heard her right.

“My brother,” he muttered, his mind a jumbled mess of thoughts.

“Yes, Dave.” Faith spelled out his name.

“What?” Shakirat and Susanna shouted in unison. “Dave is your brother?” They immediately stepped back, creating a large distance between him and them.

 

Landon swore under his breath. His heart quickening, he started towards the entrance of the club.
This is exactly what he had been avoiding! The world pointing fingers at him accusingly. He wasn’t a murderer, for crying out loud! He stormed out of the club angrily. Dave will have to answer to this.

Shakirat remained standing in the same spot as she quietly contemplated the scene that lay before her.

She was faced with a difficult choice. Should she call Ademilade or not? she decided to call him. This was a decision she had already made before-but not really.

Her hands trembled as she dialed his number. She prayed and hope silently for him not to pick up, she was scared of how he would react.

But her prayers were not answered, Ademilade picked up halfway through the second ring.

 

“Hey Shakirat.” his voice was so hoarse. Shakirat could tell she disrupted his sleep. “What is up with you? Are you still guys at the party?”

 

“No.” she choked back a sob. “Juliet is missing.” There was an awkward pause and she took a deep breath, forcing it out slowly. “Dave abducted her.”

“Tell me this is a Joke.” Ademilade began laughing. He couldn’t bring himself to believe the sh*t. Dave is with his wife right now, impossible!!!

“I am serious,” Shakirat muttered incoherently to herself.

“You were supposed to be with her,” Ademilade screamed at her, a surge of anger swelling within him. “I trusted you Shakirat, I really did.”

“I am sorry, I am so……”Shakirat stopped mid-sentence when she noticed the call was no longer connected. Oh no! she whimpered and her legs collapsed underneath her. She started to sob, slowly at first, then harsher.

She felt like a bad friend, no she is a bad friend.

*
Ademilade.

I was so confused, I couldn’t think straight as my brain was completely messed up.

Dave abducted my wife, but why? I jumped out of the bed and reached into the wardrobe for just anything to cover my nakedness. I pulled out a black jalamia and hurriedly changed into it.

My head was throbbing with a metal-like drumbeat that threatened to drive me mad.

“D*mn you Ade!” I cursed myself for being such a damned fool. How could you agree to her partying out at night! she is pregnant, for crying out loud.ughh!!!!

Hastily, I slipped on a black slipper, picked up my car key and phone, and dashed out of the house into the cold night.

I fumbled with the keys in the dark as I tried to open the car door. Bead of sweat dripped down my forehead, all I wanted to do was medicate.

“Arrrgh!” my mouth opened in a frozen scream as the burning pain paralyzed me.

After a few moments of struggle, I opened the door and climbed into the driver’s seat, closing the door behind me.

I started the car, slowly driving out of the compound when my phone started to ring.

I stared down at it to check out the caller and noticed it was Tobi. Oh right! I bit my lips hard, knowing Shakirat had told them about it.

I reluctantly received it.

“Ademila…….”

 

“Don’t dare try to stop me,” I yelled in a warning tone.

He heaved a deep sigh and mumbled something inaudible. “you can’t handle this alone, can you?”

“I don’t care.” I retorted harshly. “Two person life is at stake here remember?” I reminded should he had forgotten.

 

“I know, but that doesn’t mean you should act rashly………..” I hung up the call on him.

Rashly! When my wife is probably crying somewhere! he must be completely crazy!!!

I stepped on the brake and increased my speed, driving down the highway, heading to Ago-Iwoye.

*

OBIANUJU

 

I was not frightened nor was I afraid. What I felt was beyond such mere nouns as I looked around the beautiful room with ancient paintings.

What does Dave want from me? I still couldn’t tell. He just left after threatening to beat me up.

Wiping the tears from my eye, I slowly climbed out of the bed, went to the door, and tried opening it. But as expected, it was locked.

Argh! I let out a loud groan of frustration and returned to the bed dejectedly.

The never-ending questions began to stroll my mind once again. What will happen to me? Is this way I am going to die? What then about my baby? I closed my eyes and swallowed a lump in my throat.

Vague images of Ademilade crying flashed through my mind and I began to whimper and tremble.

“Are you alright?”Dave’s voice brought me out of my reverie. I opened my eyes and saw he was standing right in front of me.

My heart hammered in my chest. I stood and moved to the end of the bed. “Please don’t ki*ll me.” I looked at him, my eyes pleading for understanding.

“You are scared of me?” he sounded hurt.

“I just want to go home.”I carefully avoided his question. Did he need to ask that? I mean who wouldn’t be scared of a dangerous monster like him.

The smallest of smiles crossed his features and he walked toward me and stopped when there was just a step distance between us. “This is home.” he sniggered and brought his face close to mine. I wanted to drawback, but his eyes held me. “I love you Obianuju, you know that right?”

Love kwa! I made no attempt to hide the disgust in my eyes. “You are delusional.” I glared hard at him.

The smile faded from his lips and the twinkle left his eyes. “Is that how you think of me? Fine! Fine!! Then I am going to show you how a delusional person behaves.

With that, he pounced on me and pinned my hands to the bed. I cried out in panic as he struggled to unzip my gown. “I am married! I am a married woman please.” I begged desperately, but he did not budge.

His gaze was penetrating and direct, stirring shivers and fear within me.

As my cries for help increased, my power to speak decreased. My heart was pumping and my mouth was dried with fear.

Suddenly, the door opened and he left me in an instant.

“Landon,” he muttered softly and sprang out of the bed. I quickly adjusted my clothes and sat up in the bed, crying my eyes out.

“What are you doing here?” he yelled at his younger brother.

Landon didn’t respond. He stood there at the entrance, his hand tucked in his pocket, watching me intently. “Are you alright?” his voice was so calm and I felt I could trust him.

“No.” I shook my head vigorously. “I am ……not fine at…. all.” I choked out my words. “Take me out of here please.”

“D**n!” his clenched fist was the only outward sigh of anger as he faced his brother. “How could you!” he stepped closer to him. “How could you attempt to rape a married lady right on our late grandparents’ matrimonial bed.”

So this is their family home! I glanced around. No wonder there are lots of ancient artifacts!

“Leave Akorede.” Dave stared at him, his expression blank. “Leave and don’t ever return.”

“You are crazy.” Landon raised his voice at him. “A crazy demented soul who should have never been born.”

Dave’s face contorted with rage, and his eyes blackened. In one swift move, he pulled a gun out and pointed it at Landon.

My breath caught in my throat and my heart did a little dance. He definitely won’t sh00t his brother, that is impossible! I assured myself.

“Say that one more time and I will blow off your head.” he threatened Landon with the gun.

“You are delusional.”Landon dared him and started towards me. “C’mon Uju! Let’s get out of…………”A gunshot sounded in the air and a body fell to the floor with a heavy thud.

TBC