₦airaland Forum

Khriztarl:
waiting patiently for next update..Millieademi please don't let our vibe go cold on this..

Thanks dear.

I'm sorry for the delay. Imagine I thought I would finish this book last week but things came up and... Here we are.

I apologise once again to you and to everyone.

Oremeyii:
At last! At long last! I finally caught up with this book.....Millie don't let me talk too much abeg
You're, all d good words in the dictionary, you're splendiferous!

I got that splendiferous from the cartoon wonder park abi wonder land, I cannor remember again.

Sha just know I'm back with you

Awwn. Thanks dear.

Is the cartoon nice? I saw the trailer but felt it would be dry so I never watched the movie.

Hi guys. I'm sorry for the silence. This week has been a good week for me, let me not say something else.

I didn't ignore you guys deliberately. I'm stressed.

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Felicia sat on the bed reading a manuscript. She shook her head and read the sentence again. It was official. She wasn’t reading. She dropped the manuscript in her lap.. A smile crossed her face and her hand came to her belly. Twins. She was expecting twins. She bit her bottom lip and chuckled. Twins.
God, thank you.
She picked up the booklet and tried to continue reading. She dropped the booklet and picked up her phone from her bedside table. She unlocked her phone and checked her call log. No calls from Jaiyé. It was already to two. He hadn’t returned any of her calls and he wasn’t back yet. Worry creeped up within her.
This was one of the reasons she was skeptical about him taking up his new job. Even if she never voiced it out. It wasn’t news that anything government in Nigeria was a dangerous game. And Jaiyé was uncompromising and chose not to adopt the quality of diplomacy. Jaiyé would call a spade a spade regardless of who was asserting it was a shovel. So far Jaiyé was responsible for the institution of three fraud cases against some ministers. And he was acting on tips by whistleblowers. Whistleblowers of all people. People who could turn around and double-cross him to save their lives or worse for money.
She didn’t want to be a widow. And if she told Jaiyé, he tell her to calm down and quote Psalms ninety-one to her. Even David had run from Saul. What was Jaiyé’s problem, gan sef? She dialed his number again. She could take him being a corporate lawyer. Mergers and acquisitions didn’thurt anybody. But this government work scared the living daylights out of her. If anything happened to Jaiyé, she’d become a widow and her children fatherless. She snapped her hand around her head.
God forbid.
If only Jaiyé would stop seeing the nation’sproblems as his. Where did Abiola end up? She pressed her phone to her ear. His number was switched off. What if he was attacked and left in a ditch somewhere? Or worse he had been killed?
“God forbid.”, she shouted. “Jaiye will not die but live to declare the glory of the Lord in the land of the living.”
Father, please wherever Jaiyé is protect him.
I thought you were going to do that with all your worrying. I wanted to watch and see how it would turn out.
Ahh, Father, please. I have no power of my own. Please help me.
Felicia, I thought faith cometh by hearing and hearing by my word. What did you read yesterday?
Felicia racked her head trying to remember what she had read the previous day. Then it hit her. She had been studying the books of Psalms and Proverbs. Yesterday, she had read Psalms one hundred and twenty one. She inwardly smacked herself.
The excellent way is the way of love for there is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. Felicia, the way of love is the way of faith. You cannot please me without faith, you cannot love me without faith. Remember my covenant with you and your household. I keep the covenant of mercy with them that love me.
Just as she was being berated, Jaiyé walked into the room, his jacket crinkling in his right grip, his tie long lost and his sleeves rolled up, looking like what the cat dragged in. He tossed everything on the sofa by the door
“Hey.”, he greeted as he sat at the foot of the bed.
“Hey.”, she replied as she got out of bed and walked to meet him. She sat beside him and pulled him down to rest on her laps.
“Im sorry for coming home late.”, he said as he closed his eyes. Her fingers worked on his temples, massaging them and relieving his headache.
“I know. What happened?”, she said.
“I don’t know where to start. Yesterday was a very tumultuous day. My boss is sick and I had to step into his shoes and believe me, those shoes are quite heavy and they pinch a lot.”, he replied and sighed. “Right there.”
“Pele. Did you eat?”, she asked and dropped her hands. “I can prepare something light while you take a shower.”
“Felicia, I don’t think I can stand long eenough to take a shower. I still have a meeting by ten tomorrow. I want to sleep till seven.”, he said.
“What about devotion?”
“Please, you and Dapo will have to do it without me. Felicia, I’m damn tired.”
“Ok. I have good news.”, she said smiling.
“Hmmn.”
“I went to the doctor and I had an ultrasound done. Jaiye, we are having twins.”, she said giggly. The soft sound of her husband breathing answered her. She looked down at him and discovered he was well on his way to lala land.

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Felicia tapped away at her phone trying to reschedule meetings with the authors she was working with. She checked the time. The doctor was taking too long. She sighed and looked at the charts on the walls with different depictions of the female reproductive system, various stages of pregnancy and the one which captivated her- a chart on various scenarios that warranted a Caesarean Section. She gulped in fear as she remembered her last delivery. Her water broke while she was taking her bath and unluckily for her and her baby, the bathroom door was jammed. The labour pains had forced her to try to deliver her baby herself but no matter how hard she tried her baby wouldn’t come out. She was too weak when she discovered her baby was breech. She was about slipping into unconsciousness when her neighbours and church members found her. They had rushed her, unconscious, to the nearest hospital. By the time her baby was brought out by the doctors, she was dead.
She had the scar but no baby to show for it. She hoped she wouldn’t need a CS this time around. She tore her eyes away from the chart and back to her phone. The door opened and she turned to face her doctor. The woman was wearing a smile. That meant good news. Her bubbling blood stilled and her blood pressure returned to normal.
“I’m sorry for keeping you waiting, Mrs. Olu-Philips.”, the doctor said as she came around to sit at her desk.
Felicia’s back straightened as tension replaced her spine with a metal rod. “Doctor, am I pregnant?”
“Yes, ma. I am very sorry for the mix-up. The people at the lab mixed up two results. Yours and a Mrs. Olu. Your initials were the same. On behalf of the hospital, I apologise. We know…”
The doctor had lost Felicia at Mrs. Olu.. “Is Mrs. Olu a Feyisara? She patronizes this hospital?” Felicia asked in glee.
“I don’t know. I can ask them in the laboratory. I want us to have ultrasound done because there’s a possibility you might be expecting twins.”, the doctor said.
“T-t-twins?”, Felicia stuttered as her hand went to her tummy.
“Yes, ma.”, she said smiling. “Will next Monday be free for you?”
“Um, can’t we have it done today? I’ve already taken more than enough excuses from work.”, Felicia answered.
“I thought you had a meeting to get to.”
“I cancelled them while I was waiting for you.”
“Okay, then. I will have the machine set up. “, the doctor said as she stood.
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Elsa looked up from her Bible as she heard the doorbell. She saw Omotunde walk to the door from her peripheral vision. She heard her greet Donald and him respond before she looked down to continue reading. Or continue staring at the pages of the holy book.
“Elsa.”, he greeted and sat on the couch in front of her. She raised up a finger to tell him to wait. She forced herself to understand the few verses she skimmed her eyes over.
She hissed inwardly. Why did he have to come over? Shouldn’t he be spending time with his girlfriend?
Jealousy taints the soul.
She sighed. She wasn’t jealous. Jealous ke? If he preferred plastic, size six, women then that was his problem. She closed her Bible and looked up to her friend.
“Yes, Donald? Where’s Robert?”, she asked.
“Lydia offered to walk him.”, he put in and picked up the television remote.
“Okay. Excuse me.”, she said and left the room.
She walked to her room and laid on her bed. Why was she feeling so angry? She should be above this. If Donald found love again, she should be happy for him not feel resentful. That was what friends did. If it were the other way around, she was sure Donald would be happy for her. She rolled on the bed and sighed.
Father, help me. Fill me with love for Donald. To rejoice with him. To be genuinely happy. Father, help my soul.
She sighed as the horrendous feeling was still present I her heart. She knew it was a work in progress. She’d have faith, faith that God was faithful enough to save her soul.
Wo, Elsa. Donald is your brother. Last last, you will wear aso-ebi at his wedding and eat two wraps of pounded yam with èfó- rírò.
She smiled and sang it over in her head. She didn’t have to feel jealous. She would eat and dance at his wedding. She got off the bed and left the room to the living room.
“Donnie.”, she teased and laughed.
“You’re making fun of me, abi?”, he said and looked at her smiling.
“You will have a girlfriend and I will not make fun of you? Did you think I became a saint overnight or what?”, she said and sat beside him. “So, gimme gist. How did you two meet? What do you have in common?”
“Well.”, he said and muted the television. “I met her at that new coffee place at Gardenia close.”, he said as he turned to face her and tucked a leg underneath him.
“I thought you don’t take caffeine.”, she said with a furrowed brow.
“Well… They sell this nice French toast that has chocolate in it.”, he said scratching his head.
“You went all the way to Gardenia close for chocolate French toast?”, she said shaking her head “It is chocolate that will kill you. How did you even know they have chocolate French toast.”
“Mr. Agbe.”, he said penitently.
“That man is more of a bad influence on you than you give him credit for. Anyway, so was it a meetcute? Did you look into her eyes and find love?”, she asked in mirth.
“I think you are watching too much telenovelas.”, he answered. “ I don’t know how it happened but it did.”
“Are you lying to me or you want to keep your love life to yourself?”, she asked with an eyebrow raised.
“Lets talk about something else.”, he said and unmuted the television.
“Okay. If you say so.”

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Tanya rose slowly from the bed and tried to stand but her legs gave way under her. She sobbed in pain. She reached up to the bed to gain support to stand but she couldn’t bring her lead filled arms to pull the rest of her body up. The pounding in her head resonated with the throbbing of her heart and the shimmering of stars in her vision.
What happened?
The slow palpitations and banging in her head turned into an arrhythmic and persistent drum roll as she tried to recall what went down. She hissed in pain and stopped trying to remember. She held unto the IV bag stand and made to pull herself up but failed. A flash of a memory came to her jolting her entire system. She was being hurled into a car. She forced herself to remember but nothing else came.
Why was I thrown into the car?
She gasped as she remembered MJ out of the blue. Had MJ found out that Gabriel was pretending with her and exacted her revenge. Tanya brought a heavy hand to her tummy. Was her baby alright? What if MJ had done something to Gabe? Fear clamped at her already throbbing heart causing it to beat faster I trepidation.
God, what happened?
She wanted to know why she was in the hospital. She forced herself to focus but her memories were all over the place and scrambled like an unmodulated radio. She groaned at the pain in her head and looked around the room. It didn’t look like a hospital. The blinds were dark and heavy, most likely to keep people seeing into the room. The walls were padded and the door was metal. It didn’t even smell like a hospital. The are smelt bland and dusty. She caught a few cobwebs dangling from cornices.
Where on Earth am I?
A flash came to her again. She had been waiting at the bus stop for Grace. Yes, she was outside that night. She had asked Grace to lend her some money. Grace offered to bring it to her since she didn’t have the time during the day to go to the bank. Panic filled her to the brim.
Had she been kidnapped by ritualists? She had heard in the kitchen at the restaurant of how a pregnant woman had been dissected like a lab rat so her foetus could be removed. The woman had died from the pain and the evil perpetrators weren’t found until a week later. Years escaped her eye sockets at the thought of losing her baby.
She couldn’t afford to lose her baby. It was a curse in her family that any woman who tried to abort would die. At first, when her mother had told her, she thought it to be hogwash or something to discourage her from being promiscuous. After losing aunts and cousins, she realized it wasn’t a sham. As if that wasn’t bad enough. Apparently, the curse didn’t differentiate between forced abortions and miscarriages. Two of her aunt’s who had miscarried died days later. She didn’t want to die. She still loves her poverty-stricken, miserable life. She had glad given Gabriel up if it meant keep the breath in her lungs.
If she was kidnapped by ritualists, she had to find a way to escape. She yanked the IV plug away from her hand and bit her lips to silence her groan of pain. She crawled towards the window and pulled away the curtain. The window was secured with a thick burglary proof steelwork. She groaned again and rested against the wall. The little journey from the bed to the wall left her panting. What did they do to her to make her weak?
She sat down to think of the possibilities and ramifications. How did the ritualists know she was pregnant? She was just two months gone and she wasn’t showing yet. Maybe they had kidnapped her for other parts of her body. Did they want internal organs or parts of her body she could live without. Which part could she even live without? She was already poor. Losing an arm or leg or eye would leave her destitute. This was all her fault.
If she had been loyal to the Oduahs, maybe she wouldn’t be in this mess. Her pay there was considerably better than what she made at the restaurant. Her duty had just been to clean and she was paid well for it. She was fed three square meals everyday. She had even eaten foreign dishes while she worked there. And her madam had been generous. Whenever she cleared out her closet or travelled out she bought things for all the help in the house. She had an air-conditioned room to sleep in and a soft mattress to lie on. Her room had running water and there was no need to carry a bucket to go water hunting. She was also given a birthday bonus and allowed to take the day off on her birthdays.
Why then did she allow herself to be enticed by Gabriel? Now, she was begging money from Grace. Grace. Grace that she never liked.
I swear, Gabriel use jazz for me.
Did Gabriel even know she was kidnapped? She hadn’t seen him since the day he came to apologise. He didn’t pick her calls and when she had borrowed a neighbour's phone to call him, he picked immediately. Obviously, he had been avoiding her. Maybe, he was with MJ. She didn’t even understand what the MJ girl even had on him that he was always at her beck and call. Maybe she was blackmailing him. That wasn’t even her problem, now.
Her problem was how to get away from here.

Oremeyii:
You're welcome, but once again I disappointed and I wasn't online for some time
*nervously* Happy New year?
I want to catch up with what I've missed on nairaland now tho

Happy New year, baby.

Long time.

genius43:
Tinu's second pregnancy.

Well, Chris died and Tinu's the primary suspect. Though, she's being framed. In prison, she met Felicia as an evangelist and she was raped somewhere along the line. She was delivered of her baby prematurely and in order to protect the baby, Dele took the baby and Tinú was told the baby was dead.


Mayowa and Roselle got back together. So did Dare and Rosanna. Ose and Rosanna became friends. And Dele and Seyifunmi split up over a silly argument.

Elsa, Délé's mother met her ex-husband again after thirty-two years.

I think that's all. Let me know what else you missed out

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Rosanna groaned as she waited for her mum to pick her call. She couldn’t believe her father. One minute he was willing to accept Dare, the next he was saying over his dead body. She would have thought he’d want her to be happy. Apparently not. She had been calling her mother for days but she didn’t pick any of her calls. If push came to shove, she’d fly to France.
“Hi, my love.”, her mother cooed smiling.
“About time, mum.”, she said as she adjusted the laptop so she could lie on her bed.
“How’s Nigeria? How’s Dare?”, she asked.
“Mum, this isn’t time for pleasantries. I’ve been calling you for days. Dad doesn’t want Dare and me to be together.”, she whined.
“What is that fool's problem this time?”, her mother said. “Doesn’t he know it’s only been Date for you?”
“Ive told him. Dad is adamant. I want you to talk to him…”
“Me? You know Francis and I never see eye to eye. He’s so arrogant and pigheaded…”
“Like you are any better.”, her father said from behind her and she jumped.
“Daddy, what are you doing here?”, Rosanna shouted. “I could have been undressed or something. Did you knock?”
“Of course, I did. You were too busy listening to her rambling to hear me. I wanted to show you the picture of one of my friends' son. His name is Austin…”
“Daddy, I don’t want anybody else. I want Dare.”, she said as she knelt on her bed.
“If you were a good father as you think you are, you’d know she’s been in love with him since she was nineteen. Don’t you want her to be happy? You want her to be miserable like I was with you with your stupid friend's son.”, her mother said.
“Kike, I want my daughter to be happy. If we were miserable it’s your fault. You never controlled your temper or bridled your tongue.”, he snapped.
“Oh really? And what about you? You couldn’t keep me happy!”, she fired back.
“Enough!”, Rosanna shouted. “I thought for once you two could put aside your differences and think about me for once in your two lives.”, she shouted and ran out of the room in tears.
“See what you have caused.”, Kike said.
“Shut up.”, Francis put in and ended the call. He left the room to find his daughter. He met her sitting on the stairs. “Rosanna.”, he called softly as he tried to touch her but she inched away from his touch.
“Why daddy?”, Rosanna said sniffling.
“I can’t control myself when she starts running her mouth like she’sthe only one that knows how to talk…”
“Why did you go? Why did you go for the divorce even after I begged you. Mummy even promised to change. Why did you leave me behind?”, she asked as she turned to look at him.
“Rosanna, I asked you to come with me…”
“Why didn’t you want to make it work? I thought you loved me..”
“Rosanna, I love you more than anything but I couldn’t stay with your mum. You hurt me when you decided to stay with her.”
“You chose to leave first.”
“So that was my punishment. You chose to stay with her to punish me.”, he said.
“I stayed with her because I thought you loved me enough to want to stick it out for me. I stayed to patch up your marriage. Everyone else had divorced parents and I didn’t want them too. I thought if I stayed you’d want to stay too.”, Rosanna shouted.
“Why are you shouting?”
“Because I'm angry at you and mum. You don’t know what it was like growing up. The boarding houses. Everyone else was happy to go home but I wasn’t. Mum was always busy at the lab. I was always alone, so unhappy. I only became happy when I went to college, when I stayed with Seyifunmi, when I met Dare. Now, you want to take him away from me.”, she shouted.
“Rosanna..”
“I’d rather elope with Dare than give up my happiness for you.”, she said and went down the stairs.

Ann2012:
Margaux should park well jare

Thanks for the update

You're welcome, love

Timba24:
na wao. which kind soap tinu used baft. she just facing a lot of problem for 2020. may God help her.

Lol

VanTee20:
Perfidy is now available for free on Okadabooks:
https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/perfidy/28390

This version or the other one

TopeOmotosho:
Are we still here?

Yeah.

We are waiting for a showdown

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Margaux Oduah smiled at her friend as he came into the living room. She stood as her friend got closer. She hadn’t seen him in years and she didn’t expect him to pick her calls after the way things ended between them.
“Marge, Marge. Long time. How are you doing?”, the man said and hugged his friend.
“I’ve been better, Rasheed. I’ve been better.”, Margaux Oduah said as she pulled away.
“I heard about Chris’s death. I’m sorry for your loss. You know all the politics that goes on the house can be very tiring. That’s why I had my aide attend on my behalf.”, the man said as he sat and his friend followed.
“Rasheed, that’s why I’m here. I want justice for my brother.. His wife poisoned him and the witch thinks she can get away with it because she has a few friends in the ministry of Justice. I want her to pay for her crimes.”, Margaux spat.
“I understand. But what would you have me do? I’m not a judge or executioner.”, the man said.
“I know, Rasheed. That’s why I want you to sponsor this bill.”, she said and handed him an envelope. Rasheed scrunched up his nose as he opened the envelope and pulled out the papers in it. He perused the first page and looked up. He met a wicked grin on her face.
“Margaux, you’re asking for a big thing.”, Rasheed said and set the envelope and paper down by his side.
“Please Rasheed. For the sake of what was once between us. Please, she has to pay. You know what Chris meant to me.”, Margaux said and wiped her tears.
“You don’t have to cry, Marge.”, he said and held her hand. “Please, don’t cry.”, he said and went to sit on the arm of her chair.
“I loved Chris. You know I did. He accepted me, my sister and my mother despite the fact that my mum had an affair with Dad when his mum was fighting for her life. He didn’t resent me. And she killed him. She has to pay.”, she sobbed.
Rasheed patted her back and hushed her. He sighed and hugged her. She felt so soft against his body. He kissed her temple and then her cheek and then the corner of her lips.
Margaux looked at him in questioning and he took the opportunity to kiss her lips. He had never gotten over her. Her parents had stood against their relationship because of his age and religion. He never forgot about her.
“Rasheed, we’re both married. We shouldn’t be kissing.”, she said as she pulled away.
“Margaux, can you confidently say you feel nothing when I kiss you?”, he asked.
“I love my husband. And I’m sure you love your wife. It doesn’t matter what I feel. This is wrong.”, she said and stood.
“Margaux, I married Sarat because I needed a wife to run for house of rep not because I loved her. It was you I loved but you rejected me.”, he said and stood too.
“Rasheed, it’s not like that. I couldn’t disobey my parents…”
“But you could break my heart.”
“Rasheed, I was just twenty-one. I just finished service and I didn’t know anything then.”, Margaux said.
“So all the times you told me loved me, you were lying?”, he asked as he inched closer to her.
“I loved you, genuinely. But I didn’t think of the ramifications. You were twice my age. You needed someone more mature, someone who could be a representative's wife. Not a girl who still watched Barbie. I couldn’t have been a good wife. You deserved better.”, Margaux said.
“Id beg to differ. My wife may be every bit of the ideal wife on television and on newspapers but we don’t have chemistry. We only have duty between us.”, he said.
“Rasheed, I’m sorry I hurt you but things are the way they are. Let’s leave them as they are.”, she said.
He sighed. “I’ll sponsor the bill, Margaux. But you’ll owe me.”
“Thank you.”, she said and made to hug him but he stepped back.
“Margaux, I don’t think I can hug you and feel nothing.”, he said plainly.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Thank you so much Rasheed. I guess it pays to have the Senate president as an ex.”, she said laughing.
“Apparently. Will you have lunch?”, she said.
“No, I’m sorry. I have to go back to the company. We are facing a suit and the external auditors are coming today.”, she said and went to pick up her handbag.
“We should have lunch sometime soon.”, he said.
“Are you collecting?”, she asked slyly.
“Of course not. Just a friendly lunch between friends.”
“Ok. I’ll call you.”

Maybe you can tell me where you stopped and I can give you a brief summary of what's gone down so far.

genius43:
millieademi

Finally had time to read this story after 3 months of it been an open tab.

I noticed some episodes have been deleted, if you have published it on okadabooks I wouldn't mind a link to it.

To the point where I stopped around page 22 to avoid been confused.

You are good. Love the way you play around with characters. There is space for improvements though.

One of them is the way Dele's mum whom for me was one of the reasons that got me interested in the book because of her strong will and determination got relegated to the background.

Like others pointed out earlier from comments I read along the way. Dele who I saw as a protagonist became just a supporting cast whose existence is remembered down the line.

This are just some.

Like I said if I can get a link to read the deleted parts, I would be grateful, you got yourself a fan.

Busy schedules wouldn't let me comment frequently or even read updates as soon as their out though.

Hi, love.


Thanks for the interest.


As per the deleted parts, well... it's for security reasons paramountly. I don't want my work plagiarized. Secondly, I'm still working on the book. Once, I'm done, it will be going up on Okadabooks.

As per the characters, if I ever gave the impression that Délé was the protagonist. I'm sorry, he's not. The book has several main characters. Dele, Tinú, Chris, Felicia, Jaiyé and several others to come.

Dele's mum was relegated into the background because she was relegated in Délé's life until very recently.

All in all, I'm grateful for your support and I hope you will be patient. I don't write like other writers. I think it's both a curse and a blessing. I'm not usually straightforward and it brings confusion. But if you take your time, you'll get everything.

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Elsa had a fire burning in her that nothing could put out. She had not felt this type of joy in a long time. Her smile dimmed as she remembered what she had discovered. Her impatience had cost her a lot. It had brought her a lot of pain and taken a lot of things from her. Her peace for one. Her relationship with God amongst other.
What was she thinking, that she could assist God's will? She was so foolish to have listened to Mrs. Ladipo. She thought of what she had been shown. Délé and Tinú were actually meant to be and if she hadn’t tried to add a little fast action to the process by now she’d have had her fifth grandchild. God had in his Mercy decided to spare Tinú from Délé’s wickedness and had given her succour with Chris.
Why then did Chris have to die? She had asked but God had told her it was not for her knowledge.
She wondered what would happen to Dele. He had fought with his girlfriend and Dele didn’t recover from hurt easily. His strained, no, abrasive relationship with his father was proof. She sighed she wondered when she’d tell him what Jolá did. He had been so glad when he called to tell her that Tinu’s trial had been temporarily suspended. She wondered what he’d do if he found out that Jolá asked Folá to use his influence.
The mere thought of Folá's name left a sour taste in her mouth. He was the man that stole her happiness from her. She heaved a heavy sigh. Folá was of her past. She had to forgive him and put away the bitterness, whether or not he apologized. She needed the load off her soul. She was getting closer to her end. She had to put her house in order.
“There’s something different about you.”, Donald stopped during their walk.
She stopped and turned to look at him. “I made my hair.”
“Elsa, I’m not that oblivious. I noticed that. But it’s something else. You seem cheerier. Is Tinú's case getting better?”, he asked looking puzzled.
“I don’t know but then I guess I’m just in a good mood.”, she said and pulled his hand to continue walking.
“If you say so. I even have gist for you.”, he chippered and pulled on the leash that held an inpatient Robert. “Stop it, Robert.”, he scolded and the dog growled in return and pulled on his leash. “Behave yourself! I don’t know what’s wrong with him, lately.”
“And you said you aren’t oblivious. Robert is jealous.”, she said.
“Of what?”, he asked.
“The attention you’ve been giving Regina.”, she said.
“So that’s why he’s been acting up.”, he realized and then laughed. “Robert, everyday, you amaze me.”
The dog didn’t find the situation amazing and growled in anger. Donald went down on one knee to pacify the dog. He scratched behind his ears and the dog didn’t want to give into the pleasure of the feeling but lost the battle and panted in sheer ecstasy. “You’re my baby, Rob. My first baby. Reggie's my second baby. I love you, Rob. Nothing will change that.” The dog barked in happiness and licked his face.
“Awwn. Such a cute dog.”, a voice called from behind them.
Donald and Elsa turned to look at the person who had spoken earlier. Elsa looked at the woman from head to toe. The middle-aged woman had to be a be a life-sized Barbie doll. Her skin was totally flawless and without crinkles , wrinkles or any sign of aging. She had a long dark weave on her head. Had she had any children? Her stomach was flat. She was clad in hot pink sweatpants and sweatshirt and she held her earphones in her hands.
“Oh. Lydia, it’s you.”, Donald chippered and stood.
“Yes. I’d hug you but I’m so sweaty.”, she said smiling. “Is he yours?”, she said and knelt to pet Robert.
“Yes, Lydia. He’s Robert…”
Elsa cleared her throat to remind him she was still there. “And Elsa, my closest friend.”
“Oh. Pardon me. It’s nice to meet you, Elsa.”, Lydia greeted as she stood.
“Hmmn.”, Elsa said with a clipped smile.
“Ill be seeing you guys later. Donnie, I’ll see you later in the evening”, she hollered and kept on jogging the other way.
Elsa stood there incredulous at the nickname Donnie and stupefied at the ridiculous grin on Donald’s face as he stared at Lydia’s retreating figure.
“Why don’t you take a picture? It lasts longer.”, she hurled in anger.
Donald turned to face her, scratching his head like he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “Was it that obvious I was staring?”
“Even a blind man could have seen that.”, she said and started walking ahead.
“Elsa wait up.”, he called and walked after her.
She took a breath to calm herself. “So, are you seeing her?”, she asked trying to keep the anger out of her voice.
“Yeah. We met one Saturday while you were in Abuja.”, he said.
“What?!”, she shouted. “When were you going to tell me about her?”
“I did say I had gist.”
“Today. I’ve been back for close to two months and you never said anything.”
“Because there was nothing to say. She just agreed to be my girlfriend.”, he said smiling.
Elsa cringed. “I think we’re too old be using that phrase.”
“Well, I maybe old in body but I’m young at heart”
“Young at heart, ko. Anyway, how old is she? Forty?”, she asked.
“Sixty one.”, he said smiling and he laughed at Elsa’s open mouth. “I know right.”
“Does she have children?”, Elsa asked.
“One. But she confessed she's gone under the knife. And she’s been on a rigid diet for close to twenty years.”
“Wow.”, Elsa said in jealousy rather than surprise.
“She’s amazing, Elsa. The only thing is that we don’t eat large portions when we’re together. That’s why I love coming over.”, Donald confessed.
“So I’m a buffet table to you.”, she said.
“No, Elsa. I just…”
“Im tired. I want to go home.”, she said and turned around.

Akara ja s'epo!!!

And down the drain goes Efe's love for Amanze.

Mama should better embrace God's love.


Thanks, sis.

jadeliyi:
milliademi with are twists, well i feel use to them nowadays sha! i can't be heartbroken.

Ok o. I still have one more up my sleeve sha.

Bridgovoks:
Just love the suspense in this story
Thank you Millieademi

You're welcome, love

Favy1235:
Yipee i finally caught up.
Seriously ur story is like zeeworld (extra ordinary everyday)unpredictable
ave been glued to my fone throughout dis wk cos of dis story.
Chaii i even cried when they were reading Chris's will.
More ink to ur pen.
U re such a gud writer.

Thanks dear.

I know right. I think this book has made me cry as well.

Ann2012:
What is going to happen to Rossana and Alisdare now

Thanks for the update
Happy first Sunday of the year

I don't know o

You too, dear.

“Are you asking me to kiss you?”
“And if I say yes?”
“Then your wish is my command.”, she said and pressed her lips to his, finally convinced that Délé loved her.
“I was thinking. How would you like to come work at ElsaTech? “, he said beaming down at her.
She smiled and hugged him. “Whats the fraternization policy like? I wouldn’t want to be the skank shagging the boss.”
“There’s none.”, he said as he ran his fingers up and down her spine. “Are you accepting?”
“What do you think?”, she said.
“If I know you at all, I think no.”
“Im sorry. It doesn’t sit well with me…”
“Your pride, you mean. But I won’t force it down your egoistic throat.”, he said softly.
“All I can say is that it takes one egoistic person to know another.”, she said and kissed him.
“I hope you know I offered the job because I know what you’re capable of.”
“I’d have smacked you up the head if I thought otherwise.”

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Elsa sat watching Donald sing to Regina. It seemed surreal. This what she had hoped for with Jolá. To grow old and gray with him. To play with their grandchildren together. But it was never meant to be. At least, she had Délé and her grandchildren. Tinu’s friend had permitted them to stay with her for a week during their next holiday. And she couldn’t wait.
“God’s not dead, He’s alive.” Donald sang and Regina seemed more interested in his beard than I the song he was singing. She probably won’t have an affinity for music like her older brother, Tèmí. Tèmí, from what she could remember loved songs. Tóminí had begun doodling as soon as she could hold a pen. She wondered what Regina would like. Apart from food and Donald’s beard.
She heard Robert whine in jealousy as Donald rocked Regina to sleep. Truth be told, the dog had every right to be jealous. Even she got jealous sometimes. It wouldn’t be bad to receive all the attention Donald was giving Regina. She couldn’t remember the last time someone fawned over her. Prior to now, she didn’t fancy it. But now learning Jolá had remarried it made no sense not to want to be loved. She had been silly. Thinking Jolá would be so miserable without her that he’d come back. She was such a child.
Now, she wanted someone to love and someone who would love her back. She sighed. It wasn’t feasible. Who would love her? In her old age? She was doomed to be alone.
You’re not alone.
“Did you say something?”, she asked Donald in fear. Had she been thinking out loud?
“Nope.”, Donald cooed still smiling at Regina as he carried the baby outside to the balcony. Donald barked at being left behind and he followed them outside. She sighed. She was hearing things.
Have you forgotten my voice already, Mopelola?
Only one person called her that name after her mother died. Her heart broke with joy. She hadn’t heard the audible voice of the Holy Spirit in years. She thought He had forsaken her. And she wouldn’t blame Him, she deserved worse than that.
You underestimate the force of my love for you. Your sins I have a terrible memory of.
She clamped her hand against her mouth to muffle her sob.
I have called you by my name. You are mine. I never forsake what is mine.
I didn’t hear you anymore.
I was always speaking. You chose not to listen, Mopelola
I didn’t know. I’m so sorry, Father.
I know, Mopelola. But you tabernacle in your godly sorrow and refuse to accept the grace I’ve she’d abroad for you.
I made a big mistake.
Is your mistake bigger than my faithfulness?
No.
Is your sorrow purer than the blood of my son?
No.
Then why, Mopelola? My grace is capable to pick you up again once you repent. And you have. Mopelola, I’ve been calling for you for so long. I’ve missed you.
Daddy, I’ve missed you too.
Elsa ran into her room to pour her heart out to her Father. She had so much joy in her heart and so many questions to ask.

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Dare smiled at Rosanna and she smiled back. He was anything but dandy. He was meeting for father to ask for her hand. Rosanna had wanted a traditional wedding and that began with asking for her hand. He hoped things would go smoothly. He couldn’t be nervous. He had met the man before. There’s was nothing scary about him. He stood as he saw the man coming down the stairs. Rosanna giggled and stood too. She slipped her arms around his hand.
“Relax, Dare.”, she whispered in to his ears.
“Good afternoon sir.”, he greeted.
“Afternoon, Dare. It’s Dare, right?”, Francis Amaechi said and extended his hand.
“It’s Dare, sir.”, he said and smiled as he took the man’s hand.
“Please sit.”, the man said as he sat opposite them.
He sat at the edge of the chair and Rosanna sat beside him clinging onto his arms.
“So, you want to marry my daughter?”, he asked rather than said.
“Yes, sir. I love Rosanna and I’ve come to ask for her hand in marriage.”, Dare said and cringed inwardly. Was that how Rosanna put it?
“Has Rosanna told you about the list?”, he said threateningly.
“Yes, sir.”
“And…”
“I’m totally ready. Anything for Rosanna.”, he said and she smiled at him and he put his arm around her.
Francis Amaechi smiled warmly at the young couple before him. He was glad his little girl was going to tie the knot and settle down. The young man she clung to seemed respectable enough. He had hired an investigator to dig up any sordid detail about his past. Anything he could use as leverage to stand against their union but the investigation came up clean. The guy had a squeaky clean record and so did his family. He wasn't really in support of his daughter marrying an African American but if he put the huge goofy smile on his Rosanna's face then he'd have to support the wedding.
"So, should I call the realtor to help you get choice listings?", he asked and took a sip out of his wine.
"Daddy, we're moving back to the States after the wedding.", Rosanna stated in glee and interlocked her fingers with Dare's.
Her words caused the wine to go down his windpipe rather than gullet. He coughed in response. His nose was on fire and his throat burned. He dropped the wine glass immediately. His daughter jumped out of her seat and went to pat his back.

"Sir, are you okay?", Dare asked, causing the man to glare at him.
The burning subsided and a few tears left his eyes.
"Daddy, be careful.", Rosanna scolded in worry. Francis Amaechi turned to glare at her.
"What do you mean by you're moving to the States?", he asked in between coughs.

"After the honeymoon, I'm going to live with Dare in Texas.", she said.

"I thought you wanted to lecture. I thought you applied to UNILAG.”, the man sputtered.
“They said the budget cuts didn’t allow for hiring new staff.”, she explained. “Besides, my place is with Dare. And I’m going to lecture at a community college, so it’s no big deal.”
“I knew it. This is why I insisted you marry a Nigerian. You know you can find a better guy. A taller, more muscular one, if that's what you want. I mean, do you know if his family is racist? What if they don't accept you? What if he decides his predilection with a black girl is over and he wants a hot, white girl or a Hispanic beauty? What are you going to do then? Snap out of this madness, Rosanna.", he said in desperation.
Rosanna looked at her father in incredulity. This man just accepted that she was getting married to Dare and he just changed his mind.
"Sir, I can assure you that I love your daughter and I'm going to love her to the end of my days.", Dare chipped in.
"Sure, and can you assure me that the sun will never rise in the east? Her mother and I are divorced. I don't want the same to happen to her. Rosanna, listen to reason. He is not going to make you happy. I can see it. You are not the same. You're not compatible…"
“Daddy, we love each other. That’s all that matters.”, she whined.
“That is not all that matters. You two are different. If you were staying here then I would have been certain that your marriage would work. But you’re going back there…”
“Dad, I practically grew up in the West. I know more about their culture than about ours”, Rosanna said irked.
“And whose fault is that? Young Man, I’m sorry. I’m not giving my daughter to you. You can take your ring and be going.”, Francis Amaechi said as he stood.
“Dad, this isn’t fair. This is not fair. I love Dare and I’m going to marry him.”
“Eberechukwu, over my dead body.”, her father roared as he stood.
“I’m going to talk to mum about this.”, she said and hauled a confused Dare out of the room.
“If you like report to God, I am not budging.”, he yelled at their retreating backs.

Okay, I waited till the end before I commented.

Tope Omotosho, I believe I can say you've ruined foreign Christian romance for me. At least mostly.

This is impeccable. I can't wait to leave Brokelyn and buy your books. I swear you Nairaland writers will wreck me. God will sha provide.

God is using you, my sister. And I pray the anointing on your head doesn't run dry. May you remain His vessel.

I love your work.

Keep it up.


P.S. I've resent the email.

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Tanya wrapped the shawl around herself as she trudged towards the door. She wiped her nose with her hankie and turned the key in the lock. She sniffled and groaned at the pounding in her head. She had wasted her money to buy foodstuff to surprise Gabriel. Now she was sick and didn’t have money to spare for medication. If only she had thought to take her foodstuff as she was leaving. She was too humiliated to think of anything other than getting out of there.
Please, I hope it’s not the landlord.
The caller knocked again as she fought with the jammed lock. Today wasn’t her lucky day at all. The person knocked again.
If you can’t wait, be going nau.
“I’m coming jere.”, her cracked shout proceeded no louder than a small high-pitched whine. She coughed and wiped her sweaty palm on her shawl and tried the lock again and the door unlocked. She sighed and made a mental note to dab some engine oil on the lock. She swing the door open and her spine straightened at the sight of Gabriel. She didn’t expect to see him again. Had he gotten burnt in his relationship with MJ? It didn’t seem likely. Maybe he wanted to drop the money for the abortion off. She had sent the money he wired to her back.
“Gabriel, I don’t want your money. Go away.”, she said and slammed the door in his face but he pushed it back.
“Is that how you’ll treat the father of your baby?”, he asked smiling.
“What do you want?”, she asked and wiped her nose again. “Im not feeling too well and I have the night shift at the restaurant.” She crossed her arms and leaned against the jamb and her nose tried to swallow the snot running freely as she sniffled.
“Tanya, my love….”
“I thought I was your f**k buddy.”, she said and blew her nose in the handkerchief when it started running again.
“I said all those things because of MJ. I didn’t want her to hurt you. We both know she’s a dangerous woman. I didn’t want her to hurt you or our baby. Tanya, I love you.”, he said and reached out to touch her tummy. “I love our baby.”
“Gabriel…”, she sobbed and hugged him. “I knew it had to be a lie.”


✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴
Dapo looked at Tèmí and Tóminí huddled up at her desk. They kept on talking in hushed tones and Tóminí wiped tears off her face. He saw a scowl paste itself on Temi’s face and he groaned in frustration and left the class. His eyes watched her as she wiped her face and pulled out her sketch pad and coloured pencil pack.
He walked up to her and sat on the chair I front of her desk.
“Dapo, did you bring any letter?”, she said in glee.
“No, my mummy has not gone to the prison yet.”, he said.
“Ok.” She flipped open her sketchpad and started drawing a flower. He sat there in awkward silence wondering how to ask if she was okay. She stopped drawing and tapped him. “Dapo, if anything bad happens to my mummy, will your mummy tell you?”, she asked in anxiety.
Dapo wasn’t sure of the answer himself and didn’t know what to tell her.
“Dapo.”, she said and squeezed his hand. “Do you know if my mummy is okay?”, she asked with tears in her eyes.
“Stop crying.”, he pleaded and held her hand.
“Dapo, I dreamt that my mummy died. I am so afraid. I told Mrs. Arihondoun. She called my aunty AJ but she didn’t pick the call. I don’t want anything to happen to my mummy. Tèmí said dreams are not real. Dapo, do you think I'm crazy?”, she babbled crying.
Dapo didn’t know what to say. He had bitten more than he could chew. How was he supposed to tell her dreams weren’t real when he had had dreams that came to pass? He had dreamt his mummy would come back and she did. He could not tell her mum was okay when he didn’t know the facts. So he went with the simplest thing to say.
“Tomini, you’re not crazy.”, he said and wiped her tears.
“Are you sure?”, she asked.
“Yes.”
She sniffled and asked, “Do you think my mummy will die?”
Dapo had no control over his words as he became a conduit for divine succour. “Nothing will happen to your mother, Tóminí.”
“How are you sure?”, Tóminí asked in doubt.
“I just know it.”, he said.
Tóminí looked at him warily and continued her drawing. His mere intuition was no assurance for her. She needed something she could hold onto, something tangible.
“If you want, we can pray about it.”, Dapo chipped in.
“What would prayer do?”, she asked still drawing.
“It beats drawing and crying. Trust me. God always answers my prayers. There was a time my daddy was very sick. I thought he was going to die. He was in the hospital for a very long time. My aunt and I prayed and like the next day, my daddy was well.”, Dapo said
Tóminí's jaw slackened momentarily and she shook her head. “You’re exaggedating, aren’t you?”, she said.
“Exaggerating.”, Tèmí corrected from behind them. They both flinched in shock.
“I didn’t know you’re still here.”, Tóminí said.
Tèmí waved her aside and faced Dapo. “Dapo, are you lying about what happened to your dad?”
“No. If it isn’t true, I would not have said it.”, Dapo said.
“So, if we pray now, my mummy will come out of prison tomorrow?”, Tèmí asked in elation.
Dapo sighed and wondered how to explain it. “It doesn’t work that way.”
“I thought you said…”, Tóminí started.
“I know what I said. See my daddy says when you pray, you have to believe that God will answer your prayers. If you don’t believe, God won’t answer.”, Dapo said.
“So if we believe, our mummy will be released tomorrow?”, Tóminí asked.
“Maybe. You really have to believe. You can not doubt for a second. If you do then you don’t really believe.”, Dapo explained.
“What does doubt mean?”, Tóminí asked.
“When you don’t believe.”, Dapo and Tèmí said together.
“So do you want to pray now?”, Dapo asked.
Tèmí looked at his twin as they communicated with their eyes. “We’ll do it.”, they said simultaneously.

✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴
Seyifunmi sat on the balcony and as much as she tried not to she could only think of the hug Délé had given Tinú earlier today. She tried to rationalize it. It couldn’t have meant anything. She was on trial for her life and Délé just tried to comfort her. She was the mother of his children. Of course, he wouldn’t want her to die. But seeing the tenderness with which he had hugged her could only make her wonder. Did Délé still have feelings for her? And the thought alone released a torrent of jealousy in her.
Délé couldn’t. They had been together for close to two years. He loved her. Or did he? He had said he was crazy about her but he had never told her those three words- I love you. He may be fascinated with her but that didn’t mean he loved her.
No. She shook her head. She wouldn’t let her over reactive and paranoid mind ruin her relationship with Délé for a second time. Délé loved her and he had shown her even if he hadn’t said it yet. And actions spoke louder than words.
“Hey.”, he greeted and kissed her cheek.
“Hey. How’s Tinú?”, she asked, not because she wanted to know but because she wanted to see his reaction to her name.
“Relieved, I guess. We still don’t know what will happen once the trial resumes. But at least we have three months more to think of a new angle to solve this case. I just want her safe. I feel responsible for this.”, he said dejected.
“How so?”, she asked and removed her glasses.
“If I been a good husband, then maybe she wouldn’t have met Chris. If she had not met Chris, the we wouldn’t be in this situation. I don’t how the twins are coping with all this drama.”, he said and leaned against the railing.
Seyifunmi kept mute and began to second guess her conviction that Délé loved her. Was she a rebound girl, something to pacify him about losing Tinú?
“But I guess every dark cloud has its silver lining. You were the rainbow after a heavy storm.”, he put in and stretched out his hand.
“Very smooth, Mr. Dáramólá.”, she said smiling and took his hand and he pulled her out of her seat.
“What can I say, Miss Aladesuyi?”, he said and paused. “I don’t like that name. I think Mrs. Dáramólá would suit you better.”, he said as he pulled her closer to him.
She grinned and said, “Is that a proposal?”
“And if I say yes?”
“Then I suggest you go back to the drawing board because it sucked.”, she said as she arched against him.
“I think better when you kiss me.”
“Are you asking me to kiss you?”
“And if I say yes?”
“Then your wish is my command.”, she said and pressed her lips to his, finally convinced that Délé loved her.

TopeOmotosho:
Oh wow... Thank you much sis. I appreciate your encouraging words. God bless you. *hugs* Can I send you an email?

Of course

Timba24:
pls, what nenye and her twin sister

Nenye will be making a reappearance in book 2

jadeliyi:
thank you milliademi, you deserves accolades , did donald and tinu 's parents in any way were friends?

No dear

Ann2012:
I have so many questions, like.....
Why was Chris death staged
Why am I not hearing from Alisdare?
When will Tanya expose Mj and Gabe?
When will Gabe receive sense and be free from Mj?
When will my beloved Tinu be freed?

But what can I say, you're the author and whatever you feel is best is what you'll put down. Thanks for the update ma'am, té amor

Te amor, mi amor

This is all for today, my loves.

Drop your comments and thoughts. I love to hear them.

We'll continue tomorrow. I'll try as much as possible to finish the book next week.


So let's have a quick announcement.

Ocean of Secrets: The Wave will begin with totally new characters and fairly familiar ones. Please be patient. We might not hear from the characters we are familiar after the first two, three chapters. Let's exercise patience.

The Wave will also explain what happened to Chris and why his death was faked.


So stay tuned.

I love you all.

✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴
Tinu sighed and stood in the dock waiting patiently with everyone else in the courtroom. She wondered why the judge was taking so long. In a way she didn’t mind. She wasn’t in a hurry to give her testimony. Her mind went back to the lady she saw earlier. She felt a bit jealous. Délé was settling down and she was on trial for her life. She couldn’t hold her fortune against him. She turned and saw the lady sitting beside Dele. They looked good together. She smiled weakly at a worried Ajiri. She tried as much as possible not to look at the Oduahs but failed. She had once considered them family.
In the eventuality that she got released, would they believe she didn’t kill Chris? Would they accept her back? Tinú decided she didn’t want to know the answers to those questions. If she got out, the first thing she’d do is smother her children with kisses. She hadn’t gotten letters from them in a while. She hoped Felicia was okay. As she remembered Felicia, she made a mental note to finish the tract she gave her.
“Court.”, the clerk shouted and everyone else rose. The judge sat hastily and seemed irritable.
God, please don’t let him transfer aggression.
“Counsels, approach the bar.”, the judge said and the lawyers walked up to him. Tinú crossed her fingers wondering if he’d say something to favour her. Maybe new evidence came up and she was vindicated. The lawyers went back to their seats looking confused and Tinú prayed that she wasn’t going to be hanged today.
“We just received a letter from the office of the Attorney General of the Federation indicating his interest to exercise the new right embedded in the Constitution ordering that proceedings be paused for a period of three months taking effect from today. Hence, this hearing is suspended and proceedings will resume on the thirteenth of July, this year. We will go on another five minutes recess and then begin with the next case.”, the judge stated and stomped out of the courtroom as the clerk shouted “Court.”
Tinú wanted to melt in relief. She sighed as the guard led her out of the dock.
Thank you, Felicia.
God must love her to some extent by bringing Felicia into her life
Thank you God.
She smiled at Ajiri, who smiled back.
“This is preposterous!”, Mr. Jason Oduah shouted. Tinu’s smile fell.
“Don’t mind them. Haters.”, Ajiri said and hugged her friend. “Don’t worry. In no time, God will sort everything out.”

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Jolá Ige glared at his brother as he waited for his sister-in-law to leave the room. He had asked him for help and the man did next to nothing. So much for wanting his forgiveness.
“I thought you said you would do anything for my forgiveness. Why didn’t you order a nolle prosequi?”, Jolá said.
“Jola, the office of the AG has already intervened in that woman’s case once. Ordering a nolle prosequi would be tantamount to raising up a billboard that says the AG is exercising his power with bias and favour. I can’t have that. Three months should be enough time for her lawyer to put together a watertight argument. I know the boy. He’s sound and knows his onions.”, Folá defended.
“Folajimi, I am going out on a limb here and trusting you. If anything happens to the mother of my grandchildren, I swear to God who made me, I will personally file a charge of rape against you and I will drag your reputation through the mud.”, Jolá stated and walked out of the room and bumped into his sister-in-law.
“Baba oko mi, you’re not waiting for dinner?”, she asked. “I am making Amala.”
“Im sorry. I can’t. Thank you.”, he said.
“Did you fight with your brother?”, she asked.
“No, it’s just that I’m not hungry. And if I eat out now, Kemi will say I’m not eating her food.”, Jolá said smiling.
“Okay o. Help me greet Kemi and the children. Tell her that the aso-ebi for Peju's engagement will be available next week. I will send her to you with your own lace.”
“O da. Ma a ji'se fun. I hope Itunnu will bring a man home soon too.”, he said.
“Amin o.”
“Bye. Help me greet the twins and Tanwa.”, he said and left the house.

No. Her heart raced. She couldn’t tell Jaiyé. She would not. The case he was working on would have the first hearing tomorrow. Jaiye would be leaving the house to stay with his colleagues in a hotel so they could work effectively. If for any reason she miscarried, he would never know. And what Jaiyé didn’t know couldn’t hurt him.
“I’m fine. I just remembered Tinú.”, she lied. She heard the Holy Spirit groan at her disobedience and lie.
I’m sorry.
She just didn’t want to lose the Jaiyé she had now.
“Felicia, are you sure you’re okay? I can ask Mr. Bamise to make the opening statements tomorrow. Our argument is solid. They can survive a few hearings without me. Please, Felicia, are you okay?”, he asked.
Her heart was pulled in two different directions. Should she tell him? Should she not tell him? She weighed the pros and cons. Jaiyé was better off not knowing.
“Im fine. Really.”, she said and pasted a huge smile on her face to tell the tale.
“Your eyes tell me otherwise.”, he stated. She smiled genuinely and carressed his face. She couldn’tlose this. This had to be more important than telling the truth.
Charity rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.
I can’t tell him. Please, don’t ask me to.
In other words, I should shut up.
No, I’m sorry.
You’ve been saying that a lot without meaning it. Felicia, you are beginning to take my grace for granted and I do not like it.
With that statement, He buzzed off.
Father, please.
She sighed and decided to obey. At least, she’d rather face the consequences with God in her corner.
“Jaiye, I… I believe… I’m pregnant. Jaiyé, please I’m sorry. I don’t… I didn’t want you to be angry with me… Jaiye, I’m sorry.”, she said tearing up.
He smiled and pulled her into a hug. “Shhshh, it’s okay. I’m not angry...”
“Jaiye, you don’t understand. I messed up. I should have listened to you. I took malaria drugs and I am pregnant. I… Something might have happened to the baby. Jaiyé, forgive me. Please.”, she sobbed into his chest.
“Felicia, it’s okay. I already had my suspicions you were pregnant. I don’t know why the doctor diagnosed you of anaemia but Daddy kept on reiterating it that a baby was coming and that no matter what happens I shouldn’t get angry. Calm down. I’m not angry. Felicia, I’m ecstatic.”, Jaiyé said stroking her head.
Felicia could not help but sob harder at her folly.

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Tinú did not understand the sudden urge to pee that came over her. She swiped her clammy palm on her uniform and watched it shake as she raised it to place on the Bible before her. She cleared her throat and repeated after the clerk.
“I, Atinuke Coker Oduah, solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. So help me God.”, she wheezed and cleared her throat again. She wondered if the judge would allow her to go ease herself. Her heart was on a pumping spree, throbbing erratically and banging loudly. Blood whirred in her ears and her worrisome thoughts churned loudly in her mind.
“Mrs. Oduah?”, her lawyer shouted.
“Yes?”, she answered as she finally noticed him. She looked around and saw everyone looking at her in curiosity. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you.”, she whispered.
Her lawyer rubbed his hand on his chest signalling her to calm down. She sighed to calm herself but it was an exercise in futility. “Ma’am, please give us a brief description of your marriage to the deceased.”
She nodded as her brain tried to recall what she had gone over with her lawyer. Her fearful heart didn’t let any string of information her brain process have coherence.
“Erm..”, she sighed again. God, this was it. She was the last witness. If the judge didn’t find her testimony cogent, she would die. That would be the end for her. Her children would become orphans. Tears fell from her eyes as she thought of that. “Erm..”, she stated again trying to jump start her brain but it wasn’t working. The only she could bring herself to say was”Erm”
“Mrs. Oduah, please take a deep breath and try to answer the question posed to you.”, the judge said and reclined in his seat.
She inhaled, filling her lungs with air, and then slowly released it. It didn’t help. “I, erm, I met Chris…”
God, Tinu, you are going to die. God, what would happen to Temi, Tomini and Chris?
Tears fell from her eyes. “Mrs. Oduah…”, her lawyer called and all but pleaded for her to get herself together.
“The court will go on a five minute recess and then we’ll continue with the examination in Chief.”, the judge announced and arose.
“Court.”, the clerk’s shrill voice shouted.
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“Tinu, what was wrong with you?”, the lawyer shouted and took off his wig.
“Debola, calm down. Don’t shout at her.”, Ajiri said as she patted Tinu’s back.
The man paced for a while and pinched his nose in exasperation. “I know the stakes are high but you have to get a hold of yourself. Breaking down like that doesn’t portray innocence or weakness but rather an attempt to stall and mislead the court. AJ, talk to her.”, Debola said and walked back into the court.
“Tinu, what’s wrong?”, Dele asked.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about the children and what would happen to them. I’m scared. I don’t want to die.”, she sobbed and Délé pulled her into his arms.
“Calm down.”, he cooed. “We can always appeal. We will fight this. Don’t you worry. Please just focus on your testimony. We won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Yes, we got you.”, Ajiri said as she got over her haze at Délé’s act.
Tinu sighed and pulled away from the hug. “Thank you.” She looked confused at the woman standing behind her friends. “Sorry. Who are you?”, she asked the woman who stood ashen and shell-shocked.
“Hi. I’m Seyifunmi. I’m sorry we had to meet under these circumstances.”, she said and stretched forth her hand. Tinú smiled weakly and shook the hand stretched towards her.
“Seyifunmi, I didn’t know you’d be coming.”, Délé said.
“Well, I’m here. It’s nice to put a face to the name Tinú. It’s nice to meet you.”, Seyifunmi said.
“Likewise, I’ve heard a lot about you, Seyifunmi.”, Tinu said, looking from Dele to the lady before her.
Délé certainly has good taste in women.
“We have to get back in.”, Ajiri stated and led Tinu inside, angry at Délé’s crassness. Did he have to bring her here?
“What is he trying to prove? Every time I want to like that guy, he does something stupid that reminds me why I don’t like him.”, Ajiri said to Tinú.