yeah Dave has a point. helping Chinwe to find happiness is so inspiring.
things might not seem as it looks, but am sure Clara couldn't be mistaken on the identity of the man.

I just wish chinwe would give tokunbo the opportunity to defend himself,anyways thank you OP,you're doing well

Odoogu:
yeah Dave has a point. helping Chinwe to find happiness is so inspiring.
things might not seem as it looks, but am sure Clara couldn't be mistaken on the identity of the man.

Well spoken

BigDebbie:
I just wish chinwe would give tokunbo the opportunity to defend himself,anyways thank you OP,you're doing well

You're welcome

EPISODE 14
Joseph looked up from the laptop he was typing from and saw his friend grinning from ear to ear into his phone; he shook his head and went on with what he was doing. The room was getting hot and he does not want to put on the generator at that time of the night.

“What is the matter Dave, do you realize Chinwe is a married woman?”

Davis looked up at his friend and asked his friend “what are you talking about?”

“Who you dey follow chat?”

“Clara!”

“Clara? Aha I saw her this afternoon; she stopped by at the café before she went home.”

”That is what she is just telling me.”

“I thought you were chatting with Chinwe, I for say make you tread gently before her father have you picked up.”

”That will not happen, I am not breaking her marriage, it seems as if there was no marriage between those two.”

“Still it is not right to chat with a married woman at this time of the night.”

“Na you sabi, why is your laptop screen shaking?”

“Henry almost broke my laptop; I am surprised it is working with that kind of fall.”

“That boy ehn!”

Davis’ phone rang and he decided to end the call, so he could call his sister back.

“Blessing how are you?”

“I am fine, how are things there?”

“Fine, what is happening, I hope you are fine?”

“I am o, just said I should say hi.”

“What is the problem, I know you have more than hi to say, if you are calling at this time?”

“I have another carry over, making it a whole 18 unit I have to clear after the normal units of the regular course for the first semester. I am tired of my life and I don’t know what else to do.”

“What is your CGPA now?”

“1.18”

And your last GP is?”

“1.22”

“Okay, so what do you want to do, I have told you before now, drop out of that course and go for Literature that you love and wanted to go for, you have no interest in this course you are pursuing.”

“After 3 years? Dad would kill me.”

“He would kill you all the same, but painfully and slowly if you continue to have so much carry over and have to take an extra year.”

“Dave…”

“It is the truth, I wanted to study Statistics, he thought Engineering would sell more, I did the Engineering and now he wants me to come and head a business I know nothing about. I told him I wanted to get my Masters in Business Administration, he wanted me to go to Canada to study International Business.

He will not stop running your life. Cut the leash now and live your life before he runs it down, don’t worry about the tuition fees, he will pay, he would not want to appear bad to his friends.

“But still, I am scared, I have gone 3 years, this is my second year after pre-degree and I am not getting any younger.”

“Yeye, you are just 21, you are young. If you want to be happy and not turn up on your 27th birthday to be a frustrated fool like me, you better take a hold of your life now, I will support you.”

“Is 21 young?, anyway, I will think about it.”

“Think fast and let me know before I start investing in the things I want to do here.”

“Alright big bro, I will. Thanks so much, if I say I love you now...”

“E go sound like America film” fondly, he ended what has been their bye -for-now anthem for some years now.

“Na wa o, I just don’t understand your parents, they have money to support your dreams, but they are forcing their dreams on you both, where as my own papa dey encourage me to go for any course as long as na university I enter, I just don’t get it.”

“I wish I developed some balls earlier, the 4 years I spent messing up his business with innocent people covering up for me all in the name of the CEO’s son has caused me more embarrassment than I can allow my sister to go through.”

I know jack importing and distribution of those tanks and containers he sells, leave me with any broken device and the right screw driver and I will make it work again if God wishes it, but asking me to seat in front of a computer just drowned my brain. It got to a point that I installed PES on my official laptop which I would play from 8am to 4pm sometimes.”

“Na wa o, if my father has the half of what your father does, he will move mountains, I swear. Although he also has his own faults, don’t marry Yoruba, don’t marry Hausa and all those things he is still holding on to. I plan to make him wait to the extent that he will beg me to come home with any girl I find on the street.”

Davis and his friend laughed heartily at Joseph’s joke.

“But who will suffer the consequence? By the time you are 50 and your son is 4 or so, what joy and fun will be there? When you can’t play football with him and some other things together.”

“Dude forget, with this body and the way I plan to stay fit, even at 50, I will still be bouncing.”

”Yeye boy.”

“But I like your advice to you sister, if it were some other big bro, they would confuse the.poor girl more and make her feel like she is not being serious.”

“Well, I did that the first year, but I see articles this girl writes for our church and her school magazine and how she is able to read stories, interpret and narrate them, I concluded she does just not have interest in.the course she is doing now.”

”Ehya!”

“Yeah, Dad is manipulative, he hears that his friend’s child is studying this course and he thinks it is the best, he hears about that school and concludes it is the best, and sometimes when I expect mom to help, she starts her love in Tokyo talk about how our father knows the best and wants the best for us. I am just tired.”

“All is well. Our parents cannot be 100% perfect but in all their fussing, they actually want for us what they think is the best.”

Power was restored, so Joseph stood up to plug his phone and laptop into the wall socket.

“Watch out for that wire, so you don’t pull your laptop down” Davis cautioned his friend.

“Lest I forget, a lady dropped her laptop for me to help her find someone to repair it; can you take a look when you come back from class tomorrow?”

“Sure, it is in the café right?”

“Yes”

They talked more till one of the fell asleep.

Chinwe called Clara and they spoke about a lot of things, she talked about her job and her new boss, saying she likes him but not sure he is a single man. Chinwe encouraged her to be open with him and expect nothing from him, saying men are all the same.

“Well, I understand, but how many men have we met in the universe that could lead to that conclusion?”

“Well the ones we have met are enough to make us say that” Chinwe argued stubbornly.

“Chinwe, you need to be realistic. Your situation hurts me more than you can ever know, my cross should not be a barrier for you in life, I am truly sorry for what I have caused you.” Clara said with a tinge of sadness in her voice.

“Clara, it is not your cross that has blocked me, it is the error of an undisciplined man that has refused us the peace we so much deserve, and also you need to stop apologizing.”

“But has he asked you what your reasons were, for running away I mean?”

“Yeah, he did.”

“And what did you tell him?”

“The truth; that his past mistake has ruined someone’s life.”

“And his reply?”

“Trust any man now; he said he did not understand what I was saying, until I asked if he would also rape me for him to recall the
incidence of 4 years ago.”

“Could it be he does not recall the incident?”

“Who knows, maybe there have been so many that he can’t even keep track.”

“So he denied it, I am sure when he sees me and his son; he won’t be able to, not even with the resemblance with Henry. I see his face in my dreams sometimes; I can never.ever forget that face. He was brutal, he hit me several times Chinwe, threatened to cut off my throat after he finishes if I dared to shout.

He raped me in the toilet and left quickly, before I could even dress up, the police came and took us all away.”

“You don’t have to recall that horrible event Clara.”

“I never stopped remembering, you can imagine losing your virginity to a man like that, but in all that I thank God everyday for the son I have. His face makes the dreams bearable. I can live with myself knowing that what happened that night was not my fault.”

“No it was not, it was mine, all mine and I tend to make him pay for it.”

“It was not yours either, but his. I have lived with it for 4 years but I hope you know I did not just make up a story.”

“Even if you did, are my eyes not working? Henry is a spitting image of him and that birthmark on his head, Clara, that is enough to take the story.”

“But I think your father needs to know exactly.who he is, maybe that would make him allow you divorce him.”

“Hmm, forget that man, I will not bank on that. Even when his action could have saved me years back, he did nothing. Now that his money is involved in our union, he would never agree to it. You know what he told me?

Even if he is the devil, you must marry him.”

“Na wa o, what about your mom, someone needs to know, you can’t continue to live like that, with him forever.”

“Mom has enough on her plate; handling or coping with Dad, she would love to help but, Clara my reasons are best known to me.”

“But how long can you stay like that?”

“Till Dad dies; which I hope it will be soon anyway, he is not immortal.”

“You are sick babe, what if he lives longer than… you know.”

“Then you have to join me in prayers for him to die soon enough. If I would be the only one to suffer when I leave Tokunbo, I would not have returned to Lagos on Saturday, but he would make life miserable for Mom and Nkem, so pray with me that he dies soon, otherwise I am condemned to a life with Tokunbo.

“Chinwe!”

“What, that is the fact Clara. He would not make it possible. Do you know my international passports are with him; he still pays me stipends as monthly allowance and does not allow my mother work for a reason and did not allow us study outside the country for the same reason. I and Nkem are the pawns for getting my mother to stay with him. His friends and informants are in every place I could run to for help. I know the man my father is, he is a monster and as I said earlier, there are many things about him I did not tell you back then.”

“Waoh, but now that you are married, don’t you think you should insist you want to work.”

“I never thought of that before I married Tokunbo, I have only known one life and that is being dependent. I am not even sure I will be a good employee.”

“Don’t say that, you are a strong lady and whatever you want to do, you will succeed at it, get a job and follow instructions. Would all those certificates waste away?”

“Clara, I have never had a job in my life.”

“You start from somewhere, I did and I am growing my confidence daily, insist you need to work and let them get you a good place to work.”

“You are right o” Chinwe said thoughtfuly.

“Yes I am, you need to have control over an aspect of your life, and they can afford you that.”

“There’s a reason we are friends this long.”

“Yes, I am your common sense, yeye.”

“Ahhhh, see pride o, just a compliment and it has gone to your head already?”

“Gerrout”

“I miss you”

“Me too”

“I miss you more; you don’t know what it is like without you two. How’s my boy? I want to speak with him.”

“I made him sleep by fire by force.”

“Ahah, what happened?”

“He was being naughty jare, asking me to buy him Bobo after eating a solid meal, he cried from Joseph’s café to the house. When I could not make him stop, I gave him two towais on his buttocks, bathed him and asked him to lie down and sleep.”

“Ahhh, you beat my baby because of Bobo?”

“Ehn now, the 500 naira with me is what I am holding on till they pay salary. Where is the money for Bobo and don’t you dare send any money to me this time, you need it too.”

“You must be out of your mind, do you think I send the money because of you? It is for Henry and not for you. Buy him packs of Bobo and if you don’t, I will send money to Joseph or Davis and ask either of them to buy it.”

“Ahah, I know I will have a godmother one day soon, I have hope.”

Their friendly banter lasted a long while till Chinwe asked her to go and sleep, reminding her she needs to work the following day.

<<<<To be continued>>>>

Nice update

oluspicy pls be giving us 2 episodes since you're updating every 3 days fa. Biko I'm begging you. mo fi olohun ma be yin

ote author=thatsleepboy1 post=99328727]oluspicy pls be giving us 2 episodes since you're updating every 3 days fa. Biko I'm begging you. mo fi olohun ma be yin[/quote]

I gt you bro. But the update is two days though.

May God help me.

Thanks for the update

EPISODE 15
Chinwe lay in bed, wondering what her father would spring upon them this time, since he would be coming with his lawyer. it would be a civil discussion of course, but with her father, one can never be too sure of anything.

She sensed a movement by her door and expected the door to open but it never did, it seemed Tokunbo changed his mind, but before she finished that thought, he came back and knocked on the door gently but opened before hearing her reply.

“Hi” he said without really moving into the room.

“Hi”

“I need to talk with you, and before you say no, you have to listen to whatever it is I have to say.”

“Well, it is your house; you can say whatever you want to say.”

“It is yours too and I would like us to be civil about this discussion.”

“I’m all ears.”

“You said some things this morning and I would like us to clearly discuss it again, because I swear you got me confused.”

“What would you like to clear?”

“The statement of yours accusing me of rape, if I heard you correctly.”

“Yes you did.”

“Who is the person I raped please and can I see her?”

“Why would you like to see her?”

“So she could say it to my face when and where I raped her.”

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Please”

“When did you leave for the US?”

“February 2011”

“So that would make it 4 years that you traveled out”, she said, making a quick calculation in her head, the incident that marred Clara’s life happened January 2011 and with his admission, it makes it clearer.

“Yes, 4 years”

“Okay, that’s all I want to know.”

“Well, I would like to know who this person is for God’s sake, I need to know.”

“Well, if you are insisting you need to know, it is only making two thoughts come to my mind.

1. That you have raped more than one person and you can’t keep tab of the number or 2. you want to continue to deny it.”

“I will continue to say it, I have never ever in my life forced a woman to do anything for me or with me. What is the matter anyway, is the person dead, that I cannot meet her or you are just bent on getting out of this marriage so much so that you would cook up any story to suit your mission?!”

He replied with a tight voice as if he would like to blow it all up, but he decided to not rise to her bait.

She obviously wanted him to lose his cool so they could suspend the whole discussion again.

“You think I’m making this up?” She laughed sarcastically, sitting up straight in bed and looking him straight in the eyes.

“Well, if you are not, then let me meet this woman or is it a man?”

“I’m sorry that cannot happen!”

Tokunbo wanted to scream at her but held it all back in again, taking a deep breath to.calm himself and then trying again.

“You know what, I will make a deal with you. Let me meet the woman and when she tells me to my face when and where I raped her and we can confirm that, I will give you a divorce. I will sign any divorce petition against myself and give you the freedom you so much desire. I know you are here because your father threatened you, but I swear, let me meet this woman and I will walk to him and tell him I want to divorce you."

The deal sounded so good to Chinwe that she almost answered immediately but decided to weigh the possibilities of Clara wanting to come to Lagos to see him or even wanting to receive him in Uyo. Well she had to make him know he has a child anyway, she would agree.

Chinwe calculated in her brain.

“Deal!”

“Fine, so when can we meet her? Tomorrow would be a perfect time” obviously pleased they are agreeing on that.

“Nope, I need to inform her first and she’s not in Lagos, mind you.”

“Well, distance does not matter and I can get her ticket to come down here, or we could go to wherever she is to see her.”

“Well, when she agrees we will see her.”

Chinwe was smiling triumphantly as she watched him stare at her.

He still looked good and she would not deny she found him attractive but she definitely would
not be banking on it, since rapists should be condemned to death, if it were up to her.

The smile on her face was made Tokunbo to skip a heartbeat, making him wonder if he truly was ready for whatever might come out of this whole mess. He stood up gently and walked to the door not minding that he still had many things to say.

He turned back from opening the door and asked her one simple question.

“If you would believe such about me, after the feelings we shared and the thing between us; that is if you actually felt it, can I then conclude that you were just playing me all those months? Because I swear if anyone told me a thing about your past that is sordid, I would have listened to your own side of the story before crucifying you. I mean it.”

He did not wait for a reply as he gently opened the door and shut it behind him without any noise.

The silence after he left made the statement so large and thick in the room so much so Chinwe could almost feel it floating over her head. She wondered if she truly ever loved him like she claimed and if she was foolish to have behaved the way she did without actually listening to his side of the story. Clara could not have lied about a thing like that and Henry is a living evidence of what she claimed.

She had met his mom and she told her about the birthmark, insisting no other person had that mark. No one else in their family does. The question about a second brother was ruled out because there are just 2 of them. Himself and his
sister, who could not come for the wedding because of her health condition. She had to stay back with her husband and kid. She is a couple of years younger than him but she got married a couple of years back to a British man.

She thought about it clearly, the whole fold of events and she unfolded them in her mindnagain, starting from the moment her father dropped the news on her lap that she would be marrying him to the time she moved out of the house to stay with Clara who was in Lagos then. To the time her mother begged her to come back, to the time she went to thebUS to ‘see him’. When she returned to Nigeria,she helped Clara move to Uyo after her rent expired and to the time he came to Nigeria and they started dating officially; everything seemed just like yesterday.

Could she have been rash in her action? Could it be she did not love him enough to listen to his side of the story. But who was she kidding? All rapists have one thing to say- I did not do it or, she seduced me; she should have known better.

<<<<To be continued>>>

Hmmmm...

•Do you think Clara is lying about the rape allegations towards Tokunbo?

•Do you think Clara would agree to meet Tokunbo with confrontation of the rape allegations?

•Do you think Tokunbo will be vindicated?

•Is there any possibility that the table would turn in Chinwe's favour?

Keep the positive comments flowing in to unlock the next episode tomorrow.

Tokunbo will be vindicated as he clearly has no recollection about what happened.

Chinwe was quick to judge although it's understandable as she feels guilty for inviting Clara to the party.

The accusation is false, Tokunbo did not rape her, she was raped by Tokunbo's half brother, Tokunbo is not his Father's biological son, op am I wrong?

divinelypruned:
The accusation is false, Tokunbo did not rape her, she was raped by Tokunbo's half brother, Tokunbo is not his Father's biological son, op am I wrong?

Well, I can't say yes or no to your kwension.

it may b tokunbo's father...if there no half brother .or cousin

Well-done Op. The story is so interesting.

And d story keeps getting better and better,nice one op,i just pray dat d person dat raped clara is tokunbo's half bro 4rm a woman outside marriage(may be tokunbo's father concubine)

[quote author=Opeade939 post=99376087]Well-done Op.
The story is so interesting.[/quote
Thanks

it keeps getting better and bettee.. weldone OP

Thanks for the update

Just waiting for everything to unfold tomorrow

BigDebbie:
it keeps getting better and bettee.. weldone OP

Definitely... thanks sis.

Ann2012:
Thanks for the update

Just waiting for everything to unfold tomorrow

You're welcome.

EPISODE 16
<<<<<<<<Lagos 1994>>>>>>>>
Chinwe’s father stopped the car in front of the house he claimed was his cousin’s, he opened the door and asked she and Nkem to come with him. She pulled her brother by the hand, he was just 9 at the time and she was 14. They walked behind their father till they arrived in front of a flat.

Shoes were scattered at the entrance of the flat with music blaring from inside, their father knocked on the door many times before a scrawny boy came to open the door.

“Welcome sir!”

“How are you Dare, where is your father?”

“He is inside.”

“Then call him out.”

“Okay sir” the boy disappeared back into the flat and the loud music was turned down. Some seconds later, a bigger version of the little boy opened the door. When he saw them, he enveloped her father in his arms, pulling them inside the flat.

“Ahah, it’s getting late, I was expecting you since yesterday.”

“Don’t mind me, I just wanted to make sure no one noticed me leaving the house with them, you understand now?”

“Yes, yes, I do. Chinwe how are you?”

“Fine sir”

“Nkem the big boy, how are you too?”

“Fine sir”, he replied too.

“What can I get you, Dare!” He shouted, too loud considering the boy was just in the next room.

“Go and get bread and eggs from the road and you Chinwe, I guess you can cook o, because you are the only woman in the house.”

“Yes sir”

“She dares not say no. their mother made sure of that. But I have to be on my way, I cannot stay too long, it is late already.”

“I understand, but where is their bag or will that be for tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow ke? The bags are in the car. I am being careful. You know the guy I am running against, he told me to my face that my children are not safe and I should be ready for him if I am not ready to step down. I cannot risk being followed.”

Chinwe was able to deduce that her father had come to drop them off to somewhere ‘safe’, because of the coming election. The tension in the house had been great since they were picked up from school unexpectedly the week before. Since then, they have not been allowed to step out of the house until today. Her mother had some clothes packed for them and their father ordered them into the car.

Their father left them there without any explanation or reassurance, he returned some
minutes later with their bags and some books.

“Chi, take care of your brother and listen to your other father here. I would not like to hear any negative report when I come back to get you, understand?”

“Yes sir” she replied dutifully.

After he left, her uncle showed her to another room. She calculated the rooms to be 3, he told her to feel at home and ask him for anything. They settled in and she went on to prepare the eggs Dare bought and they all ate the dinner together.

They had been there for a week when her uncle returned from work that night, asking if all things went well. He turned to Nkem and asked her to move to the other room with Dare, saying that she was old enough to have a room to herself and besides, Nkem and Dare are not far in age.

Chinwe was happy with the development, hoping to get the privacy she was used to back at her parents’ place. She quickly helped her brother to pack as she rearranged her things in the wall wardrobe and later settled for the night after dinner.

Not suspecting anything, she suddenly became aware of a presence in the room with her,
sometimes around midnight. She sat up alarmed and was surprised to see her uncle sitting on the bed with her.

“Relax, I just want to check on you and see if you are not missing your brother.”

“No sir, I am fine” Chinwe tried to cover her lacy nightwear with her wrapper. She hoped she had not drawn attention to her chest.

“What are you covering? With this your body, I am sure you are more mature than your age ”

“I don’t understand what you are saying sir.”

“You don’t understand, well let me make you understand now.”

He snatched the wrapper from her and covered her mouth immediately, forcing her on her back and then reached for the switch…the light went off.
************************************

Chinwe sat in her room the following morning, she had not changed position since he left her after having his evil way with her. She thought of many ways she could report or get in touch with her father but there was none. She looked up to see him at the door, looking as if nothing happened some hours back.

She has been too shocked to cry, her body aches and her heart was numb. She watched him, he was obviously saying something but all she could see was his lips moving but she heard nothing.

Nkem came to check on her after he left for work, that was when she finally let the tears out. She cried so hard that Nkem started weeping too. Nobody was around to comfort them. She later wiped her face, had her bath and washed the bed cover. She asked her brother to move his things back to the room with her.
*************************************

He was surprised to see Nkem’s things back in the room when he returned from work; he, however, could not force him back to the room. They were in the sitting room when a large bang on the door startled them all. Dare quickly stood up and looked out of the window and then turned to his father.

“It is Bisi’s mom.”

“All of you go into the room!”

Chinwe however stayed close to the door of her room and listened to the noise and ruckus from the sitting room with Nkem beside her.

“You evil man, no wonder your wife left you, you have been sleeping with me and my daughter at the same time?, ah may the almighty God punish you and your generations, may the land pay you back for your evil!”

Chinwe could not help but cringe at the heavy curses Mama Bisi rained on him. She, however, listened keenly for his reply.

“Why all the noise, did she tell you I raped her? You talk as if that was not what she wanted. I have never in my life taken a woman by force. She seduced me and if you want to go to the police, please go ahead. My doors are always open when they come, nonsense!”

“Ahh, it is lie, he raped me when you askednme to come and give him soup. He forced me and threatened to beat me when he finished, he did it again when you asked me to come and pack his dirty clothes last week. He said I would run mad if I say anything, I did not seduce him.”

Another voice, which must be Bisi’s, said from the farther end of the sitting room. Her voice was drowned as she sobbed.

Chinwe could not see her face, but the pain and shame in her voice was clear; she could relate to it.

She slept in the pool of her tears that night, waking at the smallest sound. Her father came to visit them 2 days after and when she mentioned she wanted to go home with him, he shouted at her and asked her to go back and quit acting like a child.

“I am trying to save you and you should be grateful for that, so go back and stay there till I come to pick you.”

They ended up staying there for a month, he never allowed their mother to visit and that was the only time he raped her. He must have thought she would tell her father when he came to visit them.

That experience changed her life forever, putting her and her father at loggerheads from then onward. He did not even notice the change in her behaviour when he eventually won the election and came to take them back to the house.

Chinwe became perpetually moody, hating her parents. She only took solace in her brother and some music she could listen to; She blamed her father and her mother for everything that happened to her.

She finally got to know through one of the staff that her mother was hospitalized for over a week after suffering another round of beating from their father.

According to him; their mother did not support his dreams and only cared about her children when all his effort was for them to have a better life.
*************************************

She was still in bed when Tokunbo announced her father’s arrival. When she walked into the sitting room, she met her father and Olu
Oyewole, his lawyer having some cup of tea. She has been awake for a while and decided to stay in bed not wanting to run into Tokunbo. She had a lot to think about after he dropped that million dollar question on her lap.

She also had a lot to think about her misfortune 10 years back and wondered what would happen. How she would react the next time she sees her ‘Uncle’. Dare, his son stayed with them once within the last 10 years and she almost could not stand the thought of him under the same roof with him just because of his father.

How would Clara feel about seeing Tokunbo after all these years, because she sure would
raise hell if she had to be in the same room with her Uncle who raped her. She might even do him some bodily harm if forced to discuss that particular incident with him.

“Good morning.”

“Chinwe, good morning, how are you?”

“Fine”

“What happened last night, I called but you never picked?” her father asked instead of answering her.

“I saw it.”

“And you could not call back?”

“I already got your message.”

“Anyway, sit down lets all talk.”

Instead of sitting immediately, Chinwe went back to the kitchen to get a bottle of water but found an empty fridge. So she got water from the tap instead and walked unhurriedly back to the sitting room.

Tokunbo really loved her punk and could not help but smile, he shouldn’t be the only one to suffer from her attitudes at least her father should also have a taste of her attitude.

“Are you done?!” her father asked irritated, looking at her as if he would like to say more.

Instead of answering, Chinwe pulled a chair out from the dining table and sat on it the other way, resting her chin on the backrest.

“Hmm-hmm” the lawyer cleared his throat.

“Well, I will go straight to the point. I just want to prepare you both for the press conference. Somehow, they’ve been able to hear about your return and different papers would like to interview you. They will be asking lots of questions and in reply to them, please stick to the kidnap story. Your father has many enemies and a story of an elopement would do no good to the plans we had for his senatorial come back.”

“Wonderful, tell me more” Chinwe asked excitedly, obviously trying to taunt her father to anger.

However, instead of replying her, the lawyer continued in his thoughts. He gave different likely questions and the answers expected of them. Tokunbo listened raptly and wondered if he would be able to remember the answers.

After about 45 minutes, Chinwe stood up again, saying she needed to use the bathroom. She surprisingly came out fast enough.

“When is the press conference?” she; asked as she resumed her seat again.

“Friday, this Friday.”

“What time?”

“That is yet to be concluded as we want as many pressmen as we can get to be there.”

“Hmmn, Friday will not work.”

“And why not?” her father asked.

“I have a condition, if I am to appear there or attend any press conference to tell lies, I have to get a job and I must be sure of that job before I can give any interview.”

<<<<<<To be continued>>>>>

•Do you think Chinwe's request would be granted?

•Even if her request is granted, do you think she would stick to the kidnapp story and spill out the whole truth of running away on her wedding day?

I can't wait for your positive comments in order to unlock the next episode.

Now i know why chinwe's attitude has been moody and y she hates the word "rape". Nice one op

Finnestgreat:
Now i know why chinwe's attitude has been moody and y she hates the word "rape". Nice one op

That's why they say 'without smoke, there will be no fire.'

You're welcome

Thanks for the update

Ha,so chinwe was raped..Kai

EPISODE 17
“What nonsense are you saying?”

“Senator, it is either you listen to me this time or no show. I want to work and I must be sure of a place to work before I get out there to give more lies.”

Senator looked at Tokunbo to see if the decision was from them both but saw the same surprise mirrored on his face.

“You can work at your husband’s side when he resumes office after the press conference.”

“I am not working beside anyone, get your phone and call your friends and get a position for me somewhere; otherwise, I will tell them I eloped and will tell them more than you want them to know, sir.” She added the word spitefully.

“Chief, about her working, I can arrange that, we need an administrator at our chamber and
she could work there, but you have to still meet with my partners so we can decide a befitting salary, I’m sure we could use your expertise and education. Is that alright with everyone?” the lawyer sensed trouble and decided to interfere quickly.

Tokunbo looked up and was surprised they were all looking at him to give his blessings; so he was the ‘everyone'?

“I am totally fine with that, it is what she wants” Tokunbo replied with a shrug.

“So that is settled, on Friday hopefully in the afternoon, we give the interview and later that night, we will have a dinner party to host our well wishers; it will also serve as a welcome party for you my dear.”

“Sir, don’t deceive yourself, it s more like a campaign party than a welcome party. Well, I am still standing on the condition; no job no
interview.”

“Young lady, you will not push me to suit your desire.”

“Father, you have pushed me to suit yours longer than I can recall, so it is either my way or no way,” she replied him hotly and walked out of the room, leaving everyone staring after her.

Tokunbo walked their guest out and watched as they drove off in a Hilux vehicle full of police blaring their siren as they went.
*************************************

Davis sat down at the desk in the admin room of the café and read from his laptop, his mind was not on the pages opened in front of him but on the woman that has been occupying his thoughts. He decided to take a careful and logical look at the situation, could she give them a chance irrespective of the situation confronting her at the moment. Would he really take that leap with her, considering who her father is and the kind of force he pulls.

Is Chinwe even willing to divorce the man she is married to or is there more holding them together than what she told him?

She once liked the guy enough to marry him and she only left him because of the incident with Clara, even though she claims they have
nothing more to do with each other and that they are only together because of her father, would she give them a chance?

Each time he tried to open a discussion down that line of thought, she always said something to change the topic or ask him to forget about him. He really likes her but who was he kidding, do they have a future together or is he simply grabbing onto nothing?

One thing he cannot deny is that he likes her a lot and feels comfortable discussing things with her, maybe because they are practically the pawns in their parents’ hands or because he could relate with the vulnerability she exuded.

They have never stopped chatting nor talking since she left Uyo. His phone vibrated and he smiled as he saw Clara’s number calling him, funny how you think of Chinwe and Clara calls. They agreed to meet today at the café to help discuss how much she could get a laptop and what type she should go for.

Poor lady, he has never stopped admiring her kind of person since Chinwe told him about her. She never looks sad, her approach to everything is all smiles and positivity and she’s funny in a cool way too and yes, Henry, his own buddy always pulls a stunt that makes him smile whenever he thinks about them.

Davis deduced she was not getting much from the new job, and considered paying part of the laptop cost for her without really letting her in on it; he has to tell Joseph about it too. With a genuine affection in his voice he listened to Clara; who just wanted to confirm if he was in the café and would like to come over.

Joseph watched his friend and Clara chatting away and sitting very close, too close for his
comfort. He has never really felt this way about a woman. Yes, he has had his days of wild party, drinking and all that but he stopped when he moved down to Uyo.

He walked up to the chair that was not occupied and pulled it to join them, for all he cares, Davis is still pinning for Chinwe but he has never told him he feels anything for Clara. He pretended to be listening to the explanation Davis was giving about the different laptops that would be affordable to her.

“That is true, I think you should go with that one, it is 65k, or what do you think Rabbi? He is the chief here” Davis turned to his friend.

“Perfect choice”

“Joseph, I heard you opened the café yesterday; why do you open the café on Sunday.”

“Because the house can be boring.”

“Be serious.”

“I mean it, the house can be pretty boring, but I don’t come every Sunday, I just do when some people ask me to come because of them.”

“That means you have to charge them like crazy.”

“Not really, but it can’t be the normal charge.”

“Of course not, let me be in charge of that next time you have a customer” Clara said.

“Mommy, poopoo” Henry announced with a contorted face.

“Ehn, what poopoo are you talking about Henry?” she made to stand up before he spoils the atmosphere. Davis simply stood up and pulled the little man behind him, leaving his friend with Clara; he probably needs it, seeing the way he keeps staring at her when he thinks he’s not watching.

“Clara, what’s happening with Chinwe, and before you look at me with those crazy eyes, yes I know everything, but what is happening? With what I gathered from Davis, she is not happy and that can only be solved by you?”

“How do you mean?”

“I mean what do you think is happening with her and her husband, and how long can she live like that. Maybe all she needs is just you forgiving her husband and then she would to, or what do you think? It is not just her life that is in a pause, yours is too and Henry’s.”

“I understand, but I just don’t know if I can face the man just yet.”

“You face him every day; Henry”

“I know, but you can’t imagine how hard it is to even think about it.”

“I can’t but I have an idea.”

“And besides, I have forgiven him.”

“You can’t be sure of that until you can look him in the eyes and say that to him, and on another note, seeing him and straightening things out would make you move on with your life, date other men.”

“Men ke, at this age?” she said with a short laugh.

“What is wrong with you, what are you talking about. How old are you?”

“27 years with a 3 year old boy. You?”

“31, and you are way too young to be ruling out men, sorry a man and for your information, Henry is a better part of the deal if someone dates you. Don’t date men, just date a man; at least one at a time.”

Joseph knew he was blabbing but he could not help himself, he is smitten by her and he prays she knows the underlying truth behind his whole preaching.

“Ok o, so how do I go about this?”

“You can go to Lagos.”

“Where is the money for that now, Joe” Joe?

She already gave him a pet name? Nice.

“Money is the least of the hurdles, the first is your willingness to go, the second is to get Chinwe’s house address and then the money will come.”

“Chinwe told me he said he would like to see me, she sent a text this morning and asked if I would be able to see him.”

“Excellent, then we have a solution. How soon can you take time off work? You can go and
see them.”

“Joe, I don’t know…”

“See, you have to, otherwise, we all will be stuck in this position for a long time,” he announced more forcefully this time as if he were in the position with her. They stared at each other for a long time, neither saying a word, just staring.

“This your son is funny o” Davis said as he returned to the table, breaking the spell.

“What did he do?” she said in a funny voice and cleared her voice.

“He said uncle go back, it will smell o.”

They all burst into laughter and Joseph found himself laughing harder as he swung the little boy up to his laps to sit him down, looking at the mother who could not stop laughing too.
*************************************

Her mother has been on the phone with her for over 10 minutes and the direction of the discussion is becoming uncomfortable.

“Chi, you know what I want to say? I know you have your reason but if you can’t tell me, that means it is between you and Tokunbo, but for goodness sake, I have watched that boy and he is a good kid, I know you know he is and I am suspecting something happened before you met him that changed your mind, but please, settle it and find a way to move beyond that. I don’t have another man to find for you, but if he has not murdered anyone or you found a shrine in his room or he raised his hand against you then please settle whatever it is."

"Give him a chance to prove to you he is a good man, don’t shut him out totally and choose each day at a time. Please, see beyond the things you think you know about him and learn to forgive. Forgive him, forgive your father, forgive everyone you think has wronged you, you will sleep better at night when you do that.”

She did not ask what happened again but ended the call. Chinwe dropped her phone on the bed and expected her Mom to call back and when her phone rang again, she took a look at the screen.

“Hello Chinwe?”Clara said over the phone.

“Clara, how are you, did you see my message?”

“Yeah, I did, told him I would see him. I will take time off on Friday and would come with Henry. We will come back on Saturday.

“Are you sure about this?”

“Of course I am, we all need to move on, far beyond this mess holding us all in position.”

“True, thanks a lot. How was your day?”

“Fine, I went to the cafe.”

“How is Joseph? I have not really spoken with him since I left on Saturday."

“He is fine, he even dropped us off and they left not too long ago.”

“Hmm, you sound like you like that.”

“Yeah, he’s showing me break light, but has not really said it in plain words, but I like him too.”

“I like him too, just be careful and don’t you dare shut him out.”

“I hear, goodnight, approko madam.”

“Ahhh, when he reach the time where I wan ask questions now, you dey say good night, ok o, good night.”

Chinwe smiled to her phone and imagined her friend with Joseph. Clara needs a man and Joseph is a good specimen, his sense of humour is what Clara would need more at this time.

Since her father left in the morning with his lawyer, Tokunbo has practically disappeared and they have not crossed each other’s path ever since. All day she has been either chatting with her friends or calling someone to while away time. She needs to inform Tokunbo that Clara would be willing to come to Lagos to see them, so he would be prepared about buying the tickets
for her and the son. She walked to the door of the guest room and knocked gently and was surprised the door opened slightly at her gently knocks. Without waiting she popped her head into the room and almost screamed.

Tokunbo was in the process of pulling on his shorts, probably preparing to sleep.

“Sorry, I thought you were not inside” she said as she recoiled her neck quickly out of the room.

“Come in” Tokunbo called on her from inside the room.

“I am sorry for barging in on you like that…. I” she said, still standing outside the room.

“Chinwe, you can barge in like that all you want, we are married. To what do I owe this honour?” he pulled the door opened and invited her in, but she remained outside still, so he stepped out of the room.

“Clara, my friend that you…”

“That said I raped her? So that is her name, don’t worry, you can say it, so what about her.”

“She agreed to see you, this Friday.”

“This Friday too, that would be the same day we will be having the dinner you father told us about this morning, can she come on Saturday instead?”

“She works and she wants to return on Saturday.”

“Well, she can return on Sunday.”

“I will have to ask her.”

“Please do, so that we can have time to talk and we can personally pick her up from the airport.”

“Alright, I will tell her.”

“Would that be all?” Tokunbo asked.

Chinwe still stood there, staring at everywhere, except his face.

“Yeah” she turned quickly and left the room.

It is amazing how they could have this kind of conversation agree over it and they can’t seem to find that kind of effort to make other conversations.

Well, well, well, far be it that she finds him attractive. Could she possible still like him and feels uncomfortable alone with him?

Well, if it any consolation, he finds her attractive too and must confess that he would love to feel that the feeling is mutual. Tokunbo thought to himself as he shut down the laptop he had on and settled for a lonely night again. What a way to spend a honeymoon.

<<<<To be continued>>>>

What's your take about this recent development?

I love this development, it’s a step away from finding out about the truth....

Thanks for the update

Clara will be feeling well being with a man like joe and may probably forget her past. A good way to settle. You're doing well

na wa o
we have to wait for another 3days again

thatsleepboy1:
na wa o
we have to wait for another 3days again

I just read the full story in coolval, the name is runaway bride, check it out

Nice one op,this story keeps getting better and better.