Smiles of the Heart – Special Episode 38

Smiles of the heart( Obianuju II)

Written by Princess Juliet

Special episode

OBIANUJU

ONE YEAR LATER.

“…………..May I once again congratulate all graduates on their achievement.”The vice chancellor’s deep voice rang out through the large hall and a deafening applause greeted his speech, amidst swaying and tears of happiness.
Handkerchiefs could be seen waving through the air.

“May you all find success in your future endeavours.” he prayed and the loud cries of amen filled the air.

I jumped up and down clapping my hands as loud as I could.

I was so excited. Try as I might, I just couldn’t stop smiling.

After five years of consistent hard work, I am now a second-class upper graduate in law. How amazing!!!

“Amen! Amen! Amen!”I put my hands close to my mouth and screamed, but my voice was drowned by the voices in the crowd.

Gosh! The hall was like a carnival banquet. I could barely hear the vice chancellor’s voice, even though he was speaking into a micro phone.

I let my eyes roam the crowd in search of Shakirat, but I couldn’t find her.  She is probably somewhere there screaming her head off,  I guess.

The vice chancellor paused to clear his throat. “Thank you  all and God bless.”he dropped the microphone on top of the podium with a loud thud and muscled his way through the crowd.

Once more the thousand or so people in the hall became very rowdy as they started pushing their way towards the entrance.

“Leave the way miss.”A large guy nudged  me out of the way and I staggered backwards, almost losing my balance.

Are you blind? I opened my mouth to lash out at him, but stopped.
No! No! I won’t let anyone ruin this day for me.

I simply straightened my gown and reached for my handbag which was on the leather chair and started towards the entrance, fighting my way through the crowd when I felt a tug  on my back.

Startled, I turned around and saw Shakirat was standing behind me a few steps away, looking so elegant in her convocation gown.

“Ha Juliet.” she steadied her self with her hands on her knees for a moment, panting before looking at me. “I have been screaming your name for a while now, where did you put your ears?” she frowned slightly.

“Inside my bag.” I replied jokingly and she punched me on the arm playfully. “Ode.”

“Why did you do that?” I feigned a look of pain.

“You were late.”her frown deepened. “I thought you’ve  left for Canada already.”her voice turned to a whisper and she looked at me, conflicted.

“Haba now!” I tried to keep a straight face, but I could feel a small smirk escaping my lips. Is this the reason why she is angry? oh Jeez! “you should know I would never leave without informing you. I had to pick up Demide from my father’s place before coming down here.” I explained. ”

“Oh.” A smile lit up her gloomy features and her eyes flashed. “Where is my Adorable little white princess?” she laughed in her low, husky voice.

I smiled, it was lovely to hear her laugh. “She is outside with Funmi.” I told her.

“Funmi is around?”she gasped at me in surprise.

“Actually, everyone is around.” I corrected. “Including your fiancé.” I added, seeing her confused look.

For a moment she merely stared at me, her expression unreadable and then nodded her head slowly. “Yeah, I guess I can see that, sure. You are really leaving.” she turned away, looking straight ahead. Is she crying? I thought I saw her blink back a tear. “Shakirat.” I called her name softly.

“I am fine! I am fine.” she muttered, wiping her face with the palm of her hands. I blinked my eyes twice. She is indeed crying! ” Let us get out of here.” she caught my off guard when she held my hand and dragged me along with her out of the hall to a crowded surrounding.

“Where is Funmi?” She questioned, her eyes darting about.

“Over there.” I pointed to Funmi who was dancing in front of her husband car, little Eliana beside her………but wait! My step slowed down, and I came to a dead stop, frozen to the spot. Where is my daughter? my breathe caught in my throat. Ademide wasn’t anywhere close to Funmi.

My heart began racing, faster and faster—so fast that I could barely breathe. An hundred insane thoughts raced through my mind. What if she had been kidnapped? Oh no! I snatched my hand out of Shakirat’s grasp and stormed off to Funmi. “Where is daughter?” I yelled at her.

Do I even know what I was doing? hell no. I was on the verge of  bursting into tears.

“Your daughter.” She looked about her in confusion. “I thought I saw her here just now, playing with Eliana.”her voice was laced with fear.

“You thought?” I gasped in disbelief. What the hell is she saying? “So you mean to say  you can’t watch over a child?”I reprimanded her.

“It is not like ……..”

“That is enough!” I half shouted, waving a hand in the air. I had no interest in listening to whatever she has to say. What will I tell my husband? Where will I even start explaining from?   “Yeeeee!” I flung my hand on my head, panicking silently. “Funmi has killed me.”

“You really need to calm down Juliet.” Shakirat voice was slower than usual, like she could see that my brain wasn’t in a right state. “For all I know, Demide is safe and ……….” she suddenly paused, her gaze fixed straight ahead. “Isn’t that the baby you are looking for?”

“Where?” My troubled gaze followed hers and I saw my tiny white baby playing with Chichi and Landon. She was actually tottering around them.

“Thanks goodness!” The breath I had been unconsciously holding escaped in a quick sigh. “But how did she get there?” Shakirat and I exchanged puzzled looks.

“Well!” Funmi shrugged her shoulders, with a look of relief. “Eliana must have taken her there.”

“Eliana!” I stared down at the little girl with a bewildered expression and she smiled widely “Chichi.” she cackled gleefully, showing off her milk teeth.

I was forced to smile. Her eyes always had a way of making everything seem so sweet, so innocent, and so simple. Despite knowing where her friend was, she kept quiet and said nothing. Children! I gave her cheek a gentle caress before walking over to the two love birds

“Hey guys!” I made a clap with my hands to get their attention and only then did they notice me.

“Ma-ma.”Ademide squealed in delight and opened her arms wide for a hug. A habit of hers that I had  already gotten used to.

I lifted her up and cuddled her in my arms. “You are one little naughty girl, aren’t you?”

“Ma-ma.”she screamed with laughter as I tickled her. I lowered my head and breathe in her familiar scent, her curls tickling my face. “You almost gave mama a heart attack, hun.”I whispered in her ears.

“Soyi mama.” she pursed her lips in a pout and we all burst into laughter.

“Wait! Wait! Did she j-just say s-sorry?” Chichi asked, trying hard to control her laughing.

“I bet she did.” I said, smiling proudly. My little girl is growing up so fast.”

“Awww!”she stepped closer and ruffled Ademide’s hair. “I am going to miss her, and you too sis.” she sighed and looked up at me.
I noticed the little sadness in her eyes and reached out to touch her cheek. “Please don’t cry. I begged. I really don’t know what I will do if she cries.

“And who told you I was gonna cry?” she retorted. I could see her struggling to hold back her tears. “I…am…a…big …girl, remember?”she choked out her words. “Presently in my ………”

“Second year.” I completed and she pulled her lips into a wary smirk. “I bet Landon is going to celebrate it for you.” I teased her.

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” she jumped up excitedly. “He even promised to make me the video vixen in his latest song. Can you beat that?”

I smiled lightly and looked over her shoulder at Landon. He was watching us, no, watching her with a wry smile on his face and an amusing twinkle in his eyes. But then, I saw love, deeply hidden in his eyes.
This made me rest assured. He loves her and is definitely gonna protect her…….”

“Your husband is already here.” Chichi’s voice interrupted my thought and I turned around just in time to see Ademilade and Kewe step out of the car.

“Da Da.” Ademide screamed so loudly, startling me. Jeez! when I thought she was sleeping.

“I have got to go now.” I leaned forward to give Chichi a quick hug. “And you Landon.” I looked at him. “Make sure you take good care of my sister.”

He nodded slowly and smiled. “Safe journey sis.” he bade. “We will come visit you someday.” he blew me a kiss. Gosh! He is such an enigma, one minute all cocky and brash, the next formal and chivalrous.

“I hope you have not given him your virginity sha.” I whispered to Chichi.

“Do you think I am like you?” She sniggered.

I swallowed hard, making a noise. What an insult!……See wo! They suite each other perfectly.

“I will call you.” I simply told her and raced over to my husband.

“You are late.” I queried him.

“I am sorry babe.” he reached out and stretched his hand in readiness to take his daughter from me. Father and daughter bond, so strong. It makes me feel left out most times. “I had to take care of some stuffs in my hospital……..erm I mean our hospital.” he quickly corrected himself.

“Theresa-Louisa.”I whispered under my breathe. At first, I had thought he named it after our mothers, but now I know better. The hospital was his first gift to his daughter.

“Oh! And lest I forget.” he grinned slowly, an infectious smile that soon spread, spanning from ear to ear. “Happy convocation  babe.”

I blushed so hard. Why do I still feel this way? We’ve been married for over sixteen months now and yet the love I have for him is getting stronger every day. If I could have anyone in the world, it would still be him. “You are not even dressed in the convocation gown.”he observed. “I would have taken a picture of you.”

“Don’t mind me Jare.” I exhaled deeply. “I arrived very late. My dad delayed me with his boring …sermons.” I laid emphasis on the last word with an eye roll.  “Can you imagine! he didn’t even want us to go with Ademide, he said she is  his stress reliever.” I smiled down at my baby and saw she was staring at her father with a curious face, her deep brown eyes wide and huge.

Hello! I am the one who carried you in my womb for nine months. My subconscious mind screamed at her. Look at me! Look at me! Jealous hun! Yes I am so f**king jealous right now. I want her to watch my face too.

The sound of a car honk horning made me look up. “We need to get going guys.” Tobi called from the driver seat and darted an impatient look at Ademilade.

“Oh! Alright!” Ademilade glanced at his wristwatch and frowned. “We need to leave now babe.”he cuddled Ademide closer and started towards the car, but stopped all of a sudden and faced Kewe.

“Don’t forget what I told you, take good care of Theresa- Louisa( hospital)”

“I will do that bro.” Kewe promised, his hands wrapped around Shakirat waist.

I dreaded this moment. It was time to say goodbye.

“I… will….miss… you…. sis.” my voice cracked as I spoke. Goodbye makes you think. They make you realise what you’ve had, what you’ve lost, and what you’ve taken for granted. Ugh!!!

“I will miss you more.” she turned away from me so I wouldn’t see her tears, but I already did. My throat tightened in unshed tears. Why is she making it more difficult for me? “You …will …attend …my ….wedding…next year….right?” She choked out her words.

“Of course I will.” I tried to smile, but it felt brittle, and difficult to hold. I was fighting back my tears.

“And our naming ceremony.” Kewe asserted, smiling.

“Naming!” I looked at him, confused at first, unsure of what he was saying and then slowly the realisation hit me. “You are pregnant Shakirat.” Funmi and I screamed almost in unison.

“Yes, any big deal about that?”she snapped at us. “You two also got pregnant outside wedlock right?”she pointed out bluntly.

“But  you should have told me still?”I frowned. I couldn’t believe my best friend kept the  goodnews hidden from me. She betrayed our girls code number three, never hide anything from each other.

“I only found out this morning.”She looked at me, her eyes pleading for understanding.

“It is alright jare.”Funmi intervened. “But next time don’t try that.” she scolded Shakirat.

“When I am not mad.” Shakirat jokingly retorted and we all laughed. “Group hug.”Funmi opened her arms wide and I rushed into it. I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore, I let them fall and stood shaking.

“Hey! Don’t cry.”Shakirat hushed. “We are connected heart to heart. Distance and time can’t break us  apart.”

“I know.” I sniffed and sighed. “I just wished it was never this soon ………..”my voice trailed off into silence when the  car horn sounded again. “I need to go guys.” I broke the embrace and hurried  to the car.

“Good bye  momma.” Eliana called out to me

“Bye sweetheart.” I waved at her and climbed into the passenger seat, right beside little Demi.

“Ma-ma.” She bounced on the seat excitedly. I latched unto her tiny waist and sat her on my laps. She smiled up at me sweetly, that tiny dimple playing at the corner of her mouth. She was so adorable!

I dropped my face to hers and lightly brush my nose against her silky skin, giving her kisses. “I love you honey.” I bounced her on my knee and met Ademilade’s gaze in the car rear mirror. Even after years of being with him, he still looks at me with such sparkle and love in his eyes.

“Are you alright?” he mouthed at me

I nodded in response. He smiled lightly and shifted his gaze to Tobi. “You can drive man.”he told him.

“Alright.” Tobi started the car after giving me a quick glance.

I felt somewhat more relaxed. How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. My friends and family are my all in all.

*

In spite of the heavy traffic, we got to the airport on time and Tobi pulled into the driveway of a small office complex.

“So………”he turned off the car engine. “When next are we going to see?”

“I don’t know.” Ademilade let out a deep sigh and looked out of the window.

Like seriously! I gaped on in surprise. Does that mean we will remain in Canada forever?

“But we will visit Nigeria from time to time.”he quickly added. “You know for Kewe wedding and other important events.

Important events! hmmmmm! Why do I feel like they are hiding something from me?

“Alright then.” Tobi nodded at him. “Stay safe bro, and you too Uju.” he looked at me in the rear mirror and smiled.

I returned the smile and cuddled my daughter close. “Thanks.” I stepped out of the car and slammed the door shut, my eyes darting around the beautiful surroundings.

“Let us go.”Ademilade tapped my shoulder, tucking his hand in his pocket as he led the way. We walked through a tunnel road to a large field where a large aircraft sat warming up.

“MacAdams.”I spelled out its name and my eyes nearly popped out of my head. “Is this yours?” I looked at Ademilade, waiting for an answer.

He merely shrugged his shoulders, his eyes fixed on a slim white lady approaching us.

Who is she? I wondered, sneaking a look at her.

She was daintily dressed in black suit and shoes, her long hair pinned into a loose bun.

“You are welcome mr&mrs Troy.” She greeted with a gallant bow.”You may please go ahead and board the Jet.” her smile was quick and warm, her blue eyes dancing.

“Is the pilot  on seat already?”Ademilade questioned her.

“Yes sir.” she replied politely. “Please do make yourself comfortable.”

We stepped into the Jet and I couldn’t help, but admire the beautiful interior designs. The expensive light bulbs, television, rug, leather seats. Jeez! It looked just like a sitting room.

“Are you sure this isn’t a house?” I jokingly asked.

Ademilade laughed. “Does it look like one to you?”

“Well, all jokes aside, it really look  like a house.” I gently lowered Ademide to the window seat and sat beside her, buckling her seat belt. She screamed and began throwing up her little legs  in a tantrum.

“That is enough!”Ademilade sat opposite her and she stopped, staring at him with huge eyes. “Da da.” She threw her head back and cackled with laughter.

There we go again! The father and daughter bond. I buckled my seat belt and leaned back against the head rest, releasing a deep contented sigh.

So here I am, moving to another country with my family. I really can’t wait to arrive Canada.

*

Ademilade

The jet landed upon the brightly lit tarmac, wheels kissing earth with a small and joyful bounce.

“Phew!” I let out a sigh of relief. After a twelve hours flight, we were finally in my birth country—Canada.

“Hey wifey, wake up.” I leaned over and  gently tapped her on the arm. She fell asleep listening to music. “We are already here in Canada.” I whispered.

She stirred awake and straightened up, blinking. “Where are we now?” she blinked again before rubbing her eyes.

I smirked at her question. Didn’t she hear me the first time? “Canada.” I replied, unbuckling my seat belt.

I stood up and reached out to unhook Ademide’s seatbelt before lifting her into my arms. She was sleeping peacefully, her breathing calm and steady.

I drew my face close to hers and kissed her forehead. She is my biggest achievement, my little star. My life has changed so much for the better since she came along.

“Where are we going from here?”Obianuju questioned. I glanced at her and found her watching me intently. “Home.”I simply replied, holding my daughter close to my chest. I stepped off the jet and stopped short.

A dozen people wearing  The MacAdams vest were outside in the open field waiting to receive us.  Holy Jeez! I never expected such grand welcome.

“Welcome back home Troy.” A  chubby white woman greeted, her smile warm and infectious.

I easily recognised her thanks to the few photos she sent to me. It was Anastasia, my mum’s lawyer.

“Hello Anastasia.” I smiled widely. It feels so good meeting the woman  who had been a great support to me.

A surprise expression crossed her face. “Oh my goodness, Troy! You recognised me?” she chuckled. “How are you……..”her gaze dropped to Ademide and her brows lifted. “Your daughter?”

“Yes.” I nodded proudly.

Tears welled up in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks as she reached out to touch her face. “Why …does… she ..look so …much…like….Louisa?”

“That is because she is her granddaughter.” Obianuju sniggered. I could tell she was pissed off with the way a  stranger was touching her daughter. But hey, Anastasia wasn’t a stranger to me, she was my mum’s lawyer, my lawyer now.

Anastasia smiled through her tears and looked at her. “You must be Obianuju right?” she pronounced the name in a very funny way.

“Yes.” Obianuju nodded, a smug look on her face. “Mrs Obianuju Adeoye.”she spelled out the name.

“Oh I see.” Anastasia glanced at me and smiled.

She must be wondering how I got entangled with such drama queen and I was ready to tell her how  “the drama queen” stole my heart right out of me before I even realised she had her hands on it.

“It is nice meeting you Obianuju.” She leaned forward to give her  a quick hug. “Reid over there will drive you and little Louisa home.” she nodded towards a fat man leaning against a red sport car.

I watched the man intently for a few moments longer and then turned my attention back to her. “What then about me?”

“You need to report to the hospital first.”

Like seriously! “But I just got here.” I queried.

“The hospital needs you Troy.” she patted me on the shoulder and started towards a black sport car. “Make your decision now.”

Gosh! she is so impossible!!

“You should go.”Obianuju whispered softly and I exhaled, breathing out more air than I thought my lungs were capable of holding. “Yeah right, I should go.” I gently placed Ademide in her outstretched arms and kissed her forehead. “I will join you  at home soon.” I walked quickly to the black car and climbed into the passenger seat, right beside Anastasia.

She smiled sweetly at me  before facing the driver, a young black man with a goatee. “You can drive John.” she told him.

“Alright ma’am.” The man started the car and drove out of the hospital, heading down the highway.

*

The car skidded to a stop in front of a gigantic building with marble walls and I stared out of the window in complete astonishment.

The name MacAdams stood boldly on the lawn, surrounded by water falls and rich greenery.

I nodded my head slowly in silent wonder. Now I understand why Lily was so desperate and crazily obsessed with owning it. This hospital  could make her rich and famous within a short period of time.

 

“It is all yours Troy.” Anastasia  said as she alighted from the car.

I swallowed  nervously and stepped out from the other side of the car. All this for me!My eyes darted in all directions. Why does it feel like I am in a dream?

“Let’s go in.”She nudged my arm. I nodded wordlessly and followed behind her inside the building  up to the second floor, fully aware of the thousand eyes watching me.

“Troy!”The sudden sound of a familiar voice nearly made me jump out of my skin. I quickly turned in the direction and saw Emma leaning against a glass doomed door, her hands folded across her chest.

“Emma!” I stared at her  in utter disbelief. “What are you doing here?”

“I work here.” she replied, a gentle smile plastered across her face.

I shifted my gaze to Anastasia and frowned. “And you didn’t inform me about it?”

“I wanted to, but she pleaded with me not to.” A shadow of guilt darkened her eyes. “Well! at least for the main time.” she bowed her head and clasped her palm gently.

“I feared that you would have me fired.” Emma spoke up with total resignation, utter defeat as she looked up at me. “After all my mother did to you, I thought you…. you.” she paused and took a deep breathe. “You should go in, the senior staffs are all waiting for you.”

 

“Senior staffs.” I watched Anastasia silently, waiting for an explanation.

She simply smiled and nodded toward a room by the right. “The senior doctors are waiting.”

Argh! Can someone please sh00t this woman? She is really annoying. Gosh! How did my mum even cope with her bossy attitude sef?

I walked into the room and  found four white men, two black men, and three white women seated around the  meeting table. Are these the only senior doctors here? I wondered.

 

“It is my pleasure to finally introduce the hospital chief doctor.” Anastasia announced my presence and the doctors stood up, applauding.  “Troy MacAdams.” she passed me a smile.

” I am not a MacAdams.” I whispered to her.

“Then learn to be one.”she retorted nonchalantly.

Now she is really asking for it!

“Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.” I addressed the doctors. “You  may please have your seats.”

“Thank you sir.” They said almost in unison, taking their respective seats.

I smiled lightly and looked at the unfamiliar faces in front of me one after the other. “First of all, I want to thank you all for your participation and inputs to this hospital. May God Almighty bless you all.”

The mutterings of “Amen” echoed through the room and I fought to keep the smirk off my face as I watched them. I didn’t want them to think of me as a spoilt brat.

“Secondly, my last name is Adeoye and not MacAdams.” I pointed out clearly.

“But Troy…………”Anastasia began to protest, but I stopped her with the wave of my hand. “Do you have any thing to say?”I threw my question to the doctors.

“Erm…. Yes.” the fattest among the women spoke out. “The hospital is short of IV infusion monitors and it is seriously affecting the growth and development of the hospital.”

 

“Email all the complaint to me.” I simply told her. “I will look into it when I  resume fully.”

“Alright sir.” she nodded her head and flashed me  a smile.

“That will be all for today.”I bowed politely and with that, walked out of the room and climbed down a spiral stairs into the reception.

“Wait up for me Troy.” Anastasia followed behind me, running to maintain keeping the same pace as me.

I slowed down my steps and turned around to face her.
I had expected to see her frowning, but she wasn’t. Instead a wide grin was plastered on her face. “You are truly your mother’s son.” she praised. “So bold and straight forward. You should go home and rest, John will drive you to the mansion.”

 

Who is John? I opened my mouth to ask, but stopped as I remembered the black man with goatee beards who had drove us down here.

“Alright.” I simply said and walked out of the hospital. I easily found the man. He was leaning against the black car, talking and laughing with Emma.

Are they related? I tucked my hand into my pocket and walked briskly towards them.

“Hey Troy.” Emma waved her hand, smiling like an idiot. “ThankGod you’re out, I have been waiting patiently for some time now.”

“Why?” I glanced at the black man and saw  he was watching us with a polite smile. Oh yeah!

“I just wanted to say thank you.”

“For what?” I retorted bluntly. “I didn’t do anything, did I?”

She smiled, a bit embarrassed and began playing with her hands. Is she shy or what?

I drew a deep breathe. “I should be the one thanking you. I mean you still chose to work for me despite……..”my voice trailed off into silence when I noticed the orange apron tied around her waist. “You are a charwoman?” I gaped at her in surprise.

“A junior staff.” she corrected. “I do it to support myself through law school.” she explained.

“Oh!” I nodded in understanding. She is indeed hardworking! When you live for a strong purpose, then hard work isn’t an option. It is a necessity.  “In which of the law schools?” I asked curiously.

“Western Law school.” she replied

“My wife will join you there  next session.”I stated proudly.

“Really?” her eyes lit up. “I can’t wait to see her.”

“I wouldn’t say the same for her though.” I climbed into the passenger seat and  the black man- John closed the door behind me, walking around the car.

“Do you want to tour Canada?” he asked as he slid into the driver seat.

“No, just take me home.”

“Alright.” he started the car, made a quick u-turn and sped down the busy road.
*

It was exactly GMT- 3:30 when he pulled up in front of a big and familiar house.

Wait a minute! I opened the car door and slowly stepped out, my eyes wandering around in a daze.

This used to be my home, if I am not mistaken. The same one my mother and I lived in.

A cold chill ran done my spine as  a vague memory of my mum and I playing in the garden flashed through my mind.  My heart began beating so violently that I grew pale and had to lean against the wall to stop myself from falling. “I am finally home mum.” I whispered, my voice raspy.

“Da-da.” Ademide’s  loud scream  brought me out of my reverie.
I turned around and saw her waddling her tiny legs in my direction, her mother chasing after her.

“Slow down you little brat.”Obianuju shrieked and I laughed.

“What mischief did she play this time  around?”I opened my arms and my little daughter ran into it, laughing.

“She threw my phone into the toilet.” my wife’s response cracked me up and I laughed so hard I nearly cried.  “You being bad for mommy? hun!” I lifted  Ademide  up and gave her  thousand kisses. She smiled, showing her tiny white teeth.

“I love you princess.” I breathe out. “And you too wifey.”I took Obianuju hand in mine and squeezed it gently. “Let’s go in…………”

My wife and daughter is the reason for the smile on my face, the laughter in my eyes and the joy in my life. They are my smile, the SMILES OF MY HEART.

 

The End