Two in one Chapter coming up today💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽.. Who is excited???

It was so  long! More than twenty thousand words! 😲😲😲 I had to divide!

NEPA showed me love. ... That reminds me Belated belated Valentine's day to you all! I would have done Valentine oh but NEPA didn't show love! (For a moment I was suspecting that someone broke the heart of the guy on duty.)😂😂

The love level was zero! Maybe 4/10😂

Hello!!! How is the country treating you where you are? Here in Nigeria, we are on God!  Lol

Stay Safe

Nigerians, I  hope you have your PVC's... Do well to vote well!!

And Stay safe please! No unnecessary political arguments, people are literally angry for no reason! No cap! People are looking for the slightest excuse to exercise their anger😩.  Truthfully, you can even evangelize on the street for now because everybody blood hot! No cash! Funny😂 but sad! 😩

It's well.

May God help us in our various countries of residence. May He protect each and every one of us. Amen

😂😂. I dont understand why I'm going all 'Pastor like' right now😂😂😂

Bear with me!

Chapter 23 is here.... But Vote first. You don't need PVC for this one! You're not standing on a long queue either. Ten people can vote at the same time and wattpad will not complain. Even i gan! I wee not complain.

Just Vote! And put a smile on my face.

Scratch that, put smilessssss with lots of S on my face😂

What's wrong with me today?

Oya

Enjoy! 😘

⭐🌟★ ☆⭐🌟

Chapter 22

Unedited

Thursday

12:23 am

Manny laid on his back ceiling gazing, trying to calm myself down by not thinking of Hilary, and trying not to worry too much about her but he couldn't. Staying late at the studio didn't help either! Why will she even attempt night journey? Isn't she worried that people will be worried about her?

People like him!

It was freaking past the hour of 12 and he's still finding it difficult to sleep. Worst! Hilary had turned off her phone since 10 pm!

"God please protect her" He muttered a prayer reaching out to his phone then he dialed her number and it finally went through. "Hello?" Her voice came back scratchy.

He exhaled in relief, thank God!

"How long have your phone been on?" He moved from being excited to be mad at her for turning off her phone. "I turned it on to the use the torchlight but then i slept off living it on, my worst mistake" She confessed and he scoffed.

"You don't even appreciate my call"

"You've called me more times than you've ever done. Manny I want to sleep, its midnight"

"Its morning"

"Whaaaat? Are you in this same time zone?"

"I can't sleep." He paused busting into songs using Ekueme tone, "See what you've done to me, see how you stole my sleep"

Hilary laughed, "I'll like to hear the chorus" "Hilary oh! Hilary oh" He answered and they both laughed. "Oga, just close your eyes, sleep will come" "I want to hear your voice so I'll be convinced you're safe"

"I am safe. We've parked in a bus park, what am i saying? Sleep is taking control of my speech. We pulled into, abi we pulled over. Ugh! Manny, sleep is busting my brian"

"You just reminded me of KayCee's park! Baby oh pull over, eh baby oh pull over"

"Why don't you just go into studio tomorrow to start releasing covers of songs you remember." "This might sound selfish but let's just talk. I can't sleep. I hope you carried a power bank

Hilary exhaled, "This is far from Power bank, people are going to throw me out of this bus faster than they threw Jonah out of that ship on that fateful day. I've been disturbing these guys with calls as if it's only me that's traveling"

Manny smiled, "Oh please! They should endure it! Maybe they don't have loved ones" "Will i be the first to have loved ones? Have you called your Mom after yesterday, sorry two days ago." "No" "Why?" "We don't talk often, I called her that day to wish her a happy birth month. We won't be talking again till..."

"Na wa oh and you're so comfortable"

Manny rolled his eyes, "The last time we spoke before this month was the ending of January. I know it looks kinda bad" "Kinda? Kinda is tad bit simple for what is happening between you and your mother. It's a catastrophe. What about your father?"

"We talk from time to time, he checks up on me regularly and I mean regularly. He's the...." He paused in thought, "Permit me to use, the woman figure in the marriage. He's emotional, he'll call to pour his feeling. You know that God will always give strong and controlling wives a very soft man to compliment her"

Hilary laughed, "My mom and Dad are hot headed people, I don't know how God brought them together or how they sustained their marriage. So..... What actually sparked up your enmity with your mother?"

"Don't call it enmity"

"Please, my vocabulary are restricted, educate me? What other word can we use in describing your relationship with your mother, you guys are clearly like fire and rain"

Manny exhaled, "She stopped caring" "Don't say that. There's no mother that doesn't care about her children." "This one doesn't! The only woman that made me feel anything close to motherly love was Gbadamosi's mother. God bless that woman wherever she is!" He paused shaking his head.

"There was this point in our lives where Temi and felt like we were adopted because of how she neglected us. She handed us over to my Aunty so we stayed with the George's family for over a year before Dad brought us back to the house. She wasn't the one that came for us, it was Dad" He scoffed, "We didn't understand her anymore, she'll always cry and when we try to get close in order to know what's going on, she yells at us. Since she was going around annoying us, i slowly withdrew and i started doing everything to annoy her too. I love my job as an OAP but the truth is that my choice of course was entirely to make her mad. Sounds crazy right?"

"So you took a risk on your future just to annoy your Mom, very mature" "I know it was immature but at that moment, I wasn't thinking, she wanted business for me but I chose mass communication, Temi chose psychology even though mom wanted medicine and surgery"

"Sounds like what Mama is trying to do to Ossy"

"Exactly why I felt bad for him when he said it. I know what it feels like living in the shadow of someone that's why i want him away from that place before he gets injected with negative toxins. It took God, the likes of Temi, Sam, Muyiwa and Gbadamosi not to be full of hate and fall into depression. Hilary, I'll never, I repeat, I'll never treat my children that way."

7:02 am

Gbadamosi got out of the bathroom clad in a ash colored towel, he sat on the bed, picked his phone and dialed Deja's number all to no avail. Then he went online to check if Lanre had designed the graphics he asked him to on such short notice.

Done Sir!

Are there any changes you'll like let me know.

I love it. God bless you for doing this on such short notice. Heavens opens up to you and pours down blessings.
A

men. This means a whole lot to me Sir!

Gbadamosi instantly forwarded the picture to the youth group chat!

God placed this in my heart for this Saturday. I know it's impromptu but let's try to avail ourselves for the masters use. Let's get ready to shine our light. It's a rugged evangelism, Come as you are! Flag it on your social media handles.

Let me hear your comments.

Ice breakers guys!! Let's not be too serious this morning.

Ade: 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽

Since we are doing rugged things, can I come with my hair dyed white?

Papa typing.......

Message deleted

Sister Faith: Leggo!!!! Papa I'm with you

It's not Papa I'm with you today and that day we won't see anyone

Ade: posts an old school evangelism pictures. I need anointed hands that can sew this cloth for me before Saturday.  I will dress like this so that the heavens can open. I'll be the Babalola of our generation

Bimbo : Even gan, we can copy the pose

Chioma: 😂🤣

Joke: 😂🤣🤣

Gbadamosi chuckles then he typed...

Sister Chioma, don't come and tell me you have a make up gigs for seven brides oh. This is how I will be looking at those who will miss the evangelism

Chioma: Sister Chioma just left the group

Ade: May God not allow you leave heaven like that😂

Lanre dropped a picture

Let's flag this too!

Gbadamosi laughed real hard.

Really Lanre? Really?

Bimbo: 🤣😂😂

Deja woke up with a terrible headache, she opened her eyes to an environment that didn't look like hers. For a spilt second she started to wonder where in the world she might be.

She looked beside her but there was no one but from the way the duvet was squeezed to a particular end, it wasn't had to tell someone slept there! She gasped and sat up in shock only to realize she her chest were bare. She quickly covered up using the grey duvet.

"Shit!" She cussed under her breathe. She knew she has messed up big time!

"Morning Sexy" The hairless guy from the previous night said in a deep voice as he walked into the room. "I see you're awake" "How did I get here?" "Through your car, I drove you down here"

"Did we do it?"

The guy scoffed, "From the living room to the bedroom, you like it rough don't you?" "Jesus Christ Adejare... What have you done?" She asked. "Do you know I can have you arrested to taking advantage of a poor drunk?"

"You asked for it"

"Were you stupid or blind enough to notice that I was drunk?"

"What's my business? You were all over me, I read the signs and we came here"

"May you.. May you die of that sign! What kind of rubbish sign could you have gotten from a drunk? It's either you're blind or stupid or you're both"

The guy laughed sitting close to her, "It was nothing you didn't like, you enjoyed every bit of it, I made you scream" "Shut up! Shut up before I slap you! Better move away from me, if you ask around, I'm not the kind of person that have the tolerance for rubbish. Where is my cloth, I need to get the hell out here and rid myself of this filth"

He touched her arm and she slapped his face making the guy mad. "Are you stupid?" "You're the one who's stupid! You and your generation!" "Asewo lasan lasan" "Your daughter is the asewo! You took advantage of me, I'm going to sue your ass!"

"Let's see how you'll leave now"

Deja screamed, "Help! Rape" She screamed and the guy covered her lips, "I was just joking! What kind of crazy person is this? I was just joking!" He took his hands off and she resumed screaming for help.

There was a knock on the door so he tightened his fist glaring are her, "Get your shit together and get the fuck out of my house" He screamed walking out of the room to the living room then he opened the door to see Vincent's cousin.

"Hey.. Osasu how far?"

"I dey jare"

"I no see for club last night"

"I been dey run one or two. Abeg guy no vex oh, I know say I suppose mind my business but no be when I dey hear babe dey scream for help from inside your house. I been say make rush go buy something when I hear the shout. I no wan believe say you dey run that kain parole"

"Guy no vex jhoor. No be one oteku! way I carry come house, she dey tell me say I take advantage of am because say she been shak... Babe way been dey want me, na her car sef I use come here" He pointed at the car.

Osasu wondered why the car looked familiar. He remembered helping a carrying a certain drunk girl into the car along with his cousin but for all he knows, it can be another car.

Osasu couldn't believe it when he saw Deja. She pushed the bald guy making her way out of the house. "Won't you get your car keys?" "You want me to enter so you can rape me again. Idiot"

"Ozwor"

"Back to sender!"

Osasu's fixed gaze at her made her feel uncomfortable, "What are you looking at?" She snapped and he looked away.

Bimbo held her bag in preparation to go to work. Then she knelt before the center table in order to pray. "God, it's not me oh, it's you that say we should ask whatever we want in your name and it will be established. You said we should ask and we shall recieve, I have several request but number one that I'm asking. Even me Gan I'm shocked is for omo yen to pe ara re ni DeJa. I don't want to prophesy anything negative, just bring her safely, she should sha not kan lapa or less cause I don't think I have the strength to be carrying anyone around. Assuming she even answered her phone, wouldn't I have known where she is? God! I can't cry, I can't cry. Number two, I'm asking for sense, not for me but for Deja, shebi our rent will expire in months time and she has not join me to save anything all in the name of i will go to my husband's house before it expires. Now there's fire on the mountain, she ran but she did not run to the house. Give her sense so that she can have focus in life and also concentrate on paying our rent." She exhaled.

"Concerning our rent, I don't know how we are going to do it cause I can't do Ogun owo, I can't do ritual. I don't know how you're going to do it cause my salary is still the same. This is me asking, I know pe, as it right now, I'm changing face, I'm starting to look like Olivia twist. Oda naa, it's not bad, you said we should ask, I have asked, you said we should seek, owo rent, peace and happiness ni mo n seek for. You say we should knock, I have knock gan! The door have want to break, Lord before the door will break from excess knocking, give hears to my prayers and answer me"

There was a knock on the door, she rose up quickly rushing to open the door only to find Deja's mom. "Mummy, ekaaro" She greeted kneeling down, "Kaaro my dear, wo get up! You're already dressed for work and you're messing yourself up"

She rose up scratching her hair, "Mummy, I have to say I'm shocked to see you here" "I decided to pay Deja a visit before she leaves for work since she's refusing to answer my call" "Ah... Mummy come in and have your seat"

"Thank you dear" She replied entering and Bimbo's face contorts in worry. "Problem" She whimpered then she slowly made her way.

7:24 am

Mama Ebuka sat in the living watching a movie on the television when her grand children ran down to the living room in their uniforms. They stood beside her watching the movie with her.

"Grandma, den just start?"

"Which kain useless question. Eweh! Una still dey house?" She asked, "We wake up late oh" "Kedu maka osssy?  O puwago? O kwesighi ipu, o bu ya kwesiri iburu unu? (What about Ossy? Has he gone? He can't go like that now, he's always the one to mobilize you all)"

"Oputara na Ossy akpoteghi anyi (Ossy didn't wake us up)"

"Kedu ebe ono? (Where is he?)"

"O na arahu ura (Sleeping)"

"Urakwa? Kedu etu obu?iji m egwu egwu? (Sleeping? How come?). How did it come about? Are you playing with me?" "No Grandma, he's sleeping, him say he does not know how is doing him"

Mama Ebuka rose up rushing into the children's room where she found her grandson still in bed with a wrapper over him. "Ossy!" She called out but he refused to answer. She lifted the wrapper off Ossy's body, "It's almost school time and you're still lying down with your cover cloth. Are you okay?" She asked and he cringed, "I don't know how it's doing me. I don't think I can go to school today"

"You?"

"How e dey do you?" She climbed the bed placing her palm against his neck, "Your body no hot now" "I don't know how it's doing me"

"E nwere ihe iriri na school (Did you eat something in school?)"

"Mba, no"

"E nwere onye meturu gi aka maobu nye gi ihe obula? (Did somebody touch you in school or gave you anything?)"

"Mba... Nobody"

Mama Ebuka exhaled running her hands across his body, "Where is it doing you somehow?" "Everywhere, I can't explain it" "Hei! And you no dey sick anyhow, I no think say I don carry you go hospital before sef" She hissed, "You go swallow paracetamol? Chinaza!" She screamed.

"Where is this stupid girl? Chinaza!"

Chinaza walked in with make up on her face, "Make up kwa? Early Thursday morning" "I'm going out" "Going out? Ngwa... Get paracetamol from my room. Beside that box that I always keep my beads, all those our beads, look at the left side, you'll see that bag beside the photo album. Look inside the bag"

"Mama, come and go and look for it yourself. I don't have the strength! Na only you go know where you keep am" "Wetin hard for wetin I send you so?" "So I will enter and end up spending hundred hours for something that will not take you one second to find"

Mama Ebuka glared at her, "Even Tochi way I been send the last time... Wait oh" She shut her eyes laughing when she realized she had already used it. "Eweh... (You did not see?) Maybe its old age.. I have already used it"

"See! Maybe make you carry am go hospital"

"Hospital, on top which money?"

"Call him Mama now abi that one dey illegal again?"

"Chinaza I na-akpasu m iwe (Chinaza, you're making me angry), go and find something to do"

"Like what?"

"Like sweeping, since how many days did they sweep that parlor last? it's only make up that you know? You better go and wash your face before you go around looking like a masquerades mask."

Chinaza rolled her eyes, "No, wait here with him" "Which one should I do? Go or wait" "No, come! because you be fool way no understand English. It's like this make up is entering your brain oh or na witch doctor powder you dey use"

Chinaza rolled her eyes again.

"Let me go and get herbs" "Herbs that cockroach has entered Into" Ossy complained, "Oh. Oh.. You are now well" "I didn't say that but cockroach died inside the last time"

"And so? Is it not the same herbs I drank last night? Didn't I wake up? Abi, is It not the white people that always eat cockroach, have they died?" She adjusted her wrapper now turning towards the door where her other grandchildren were standing.

"What are you guys still waiting for? Ossy is not well, osiso osiso, go to school. You're late" "Money for biscuit" "Biscuit kill you for there, you did not eat Eba and okro soup that will last till closing time. This children will not kill me, disappear before I land you slap. Make them born you well make you bring witch come this house. I go use biscuit poison you"

Ossy withheld his laughter at the irony of her threat.

"Mama, kedu maka pencil ahu? (Grandma, what about the pencil)" Isioma requested but her grandmother hissed in response, " O budi everyday ka I na-ego pencil? (What is Pencil again? Is it every day you always buy pencil?)" "They stole it"
"Is it every day they always steal your pencil?"

"My teacher will beat me"

"Let her beat you, after two stroke of cane you will not lost your pencil again"

She suddenly busted into tears, "Disappear for my front, you no fit ask from person way get two for your class. Abi you sef no fit steal from person?"
"Them go beat me"

Mama Ebuka picked a shoe at the extreme and they all ran away, "No stay! Stay and cry for pencil. Is It only you? If you steal pencil no come this house oh! Mumu! You want pencil but you no fit write 1- 40 make person see very well! I no where them born these children from? Na una Mama I blame oh!" She snapped looking at Chinaza.

"Una forget Una brain inside womb? I no understand! Come here dey ask me for pen, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Only you pencil.  Pencil Professor, well done. Abeg.. Let me go and get the herbs oh?" She threw the shoe away carelessly. 

"That's my Christmas shoe"

"Did I break it?"

"Mummy bought It for me"

"So it's me that have not bought shoe for you before."

"Everything has spoil"

Mama Ebuka hissed, "Let me get it. The herbs will flush out whatever is wrong with you" "I don't want" "Argue with your foolish head" She snapped zooming out of the room while Chinaza folded her hands watching him, "The ossy that I know will go to school even if it means entering into the rain. You must be really sick" She assumed and he busted into laughter to her surprise.

She opened her mouth in surprise while he sat up with a grin on his face,  "Except you're not sick!" "I'm not" "You lied" "Technically I didn't. I told Grandma that I don't know how it's doing me"

"Why?"

"If I tell you, I might have to kill you"

"When did you turn into a killer?"

"I was just joking. It's a common phrase"

"Ogini bu phrase? (What is phrase)"

"What are you using the dictionary on your phone for?"

Chinaza pulled out her phone from her pocket, "Spell the phrase..F-r-a-y-c? Abi is it s?" She asked and he placed his palm against his face in awe, "I'm going to become sick for real this time"

"It's S shey? I knew it in my mind"

"P-H-R-A-S-E"

"How is it P? What concerns 'P' in phrase?" "Why is Friday not spelt with P H R I DAY?" "Why is Philomena not spelt with a F?" "Eweh, It's not?" She asked and he chuckled shaking his head.

Mama Ebuka walked in with a herbal drink then he quickly fell on the bed playing sick.

"Come and drink, osiso osiso! I don't have the whole day"

Bimbo bowed her head towards Deja's mother who was already seated, "Mummy, should i get you anything, water, tea" "I'm fine Bimbo. All I want to see is Deja, where is she? I called my cousin yesterday to receive the shock of my life that she hasn't been to work for through out the week. They said she called in sick, I wasn't aware"

Bimbo gasped, "I hope you didn't tell him that" "Of course I didn't. I called her by six in the evening" "She was in church" "And afterwards? What stopped her from answering her mother's call? Where is she? Adejare!" She screamed and Bimbo exhaled.

"Mummy"

"Adejare"

"Mummy please, ti e ba pariwo (If you shout) from now till tomorrow, even gan I give you microphone to call Deja, she not hear you as it is now"

"Why? Didn't she sleep home last night?" She asked, her mind drifting off and thinking all manner of thoughts.

Has her daughter returned to her old ways??

She shook her head then she placed her hand on her chest, "Has she resumed partying? Is that it?"

Bimbo scratched her hair, "Ah! Mummy this one you're touching your chest as if you want to have heart attack. Hei God!" She exclaimed kneeling before her, "She didn't go for any party. If there's any all night party that Deja will want to go for, it will be definitely be vigil in church"

"Vigil? I thought you both attend the same church"

"Mummy, don't get me wrong, I said If"

"Then where is she?"

"She was angry last night, we ... We had an altercation. You know how she always get angry anyhow, so she ... She ... went out. Even Gan, she slammed the door, o ku die, If not for the mercies of God, she would have removed the door from the hinges. I've been thinking of how I'll even call the carpenter to check If there's something wrong with the door gan"

"What is always wrong with this girl?"

"Ah Mummy! Deja is problematic. If not that, if not that I know you, I would have said boya she did not have training but you Ma are an epitome of goodness and you are well behaved"

"The bible says train up your child. I failed to do that. Bimbo, when you finally get married and give birth, even if it's the only child God gives to you, don't hesitate to discipline her once in a while. Cause we definitely spoilt her" She busted in tears.

"Mummy... Consider your health Ma, Deja doesn't deserve your tears"

"She's my daughter. What am I supposed to do?"

"Your blood pressure should not get higher than usual. Mi o sise nurse ri! (Ive never worked as a nurse) Mummy calm down" She grabbed on her hands. "So where is she? Where is Deja?" "She just went out to chill, let the steam off, she'll be back"

"I'll be here till she comes back"

"Mummy, you don't look okay"

"I'll wait here, don't worry about me. If anything happens to me, Adejare will take the blame for it"

Bimbo exhaled, "Excuse me Ma, let me get you water to drink" She whispered taking her phone out of her bag then she scurried off into the kitchen dialing Deja's number. This time it was switched off.

She clenched her fist then she took a deep breath. "Calm down down Bimbo. She's alright, she's alright" She exhaled calling her boss' number. "Good morning Sir" She greeted the moment the man answered the call.

"Good morning Miss Bimbo, are you on your way?"

"No Sir. Actually I was on my way before... How can I put it Sir, I know this isn't your business but a friend of mine, more like a sister is missing and I just want to get to the police Station to file a missing report. If you don't mind letting ....me off for the day.." She trailed off crossing her free finger.

The man exhaled, "I hope she hasn't been kidnapped?" "Olorun Maje! (God forbid). I'll drop in once I see her" "Okay. But don't fail to inform me when you find her" "Thank you so much Sir. God bless you Sir, I appreciate this so so much" She smiled ending the call.

"Deja will not give me hypertension lo ruko Jesu!" She paused waving her fingers in thought, "What did I even come into this kitchen to carry sef?"

A picture of Gbadamosi pops into Kilahi's DM and she laughed.

Warris this?

I just thought to bless your day with a picture of this handsome man😉

🤣😂

You and this your boss shades

Hey! I look good on dark shades. I'm sure you were eyeing me that day at the airport

I reserve my comment.

Are you prepared to leave for work?

Yes

Have you had breakfast?

I'm on fast, I had a leading to take a fast

Gbadamosi dropped a voice note, "God when? Oh my God. You must be seeing God face to face by now. When will I get to this point, you must lay hands on me let me catch anointing"

Kilahi laughed on listening to the voice note then she dropped hers, "You can be so modest for Africa. Is it me you're whining? It's your head you're whining"

God forbid... How can I whine you? A whole me? The love of your life. Well, it's good to fast. Actually, I'm on one as it is

No wonder I was feeling powerful electric current from this end

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Well done! I see what you just did, weldone you hear?

😂

How's the family?

They're great

And Sefa? I hope you're talking to her, this is a time she needs all the constructive criticisms and encouragements. I can't reach her because she doesn't have a Sim yet.

We'll retrieve her sim on Saturday.

There will be evangelism on Saturday. Let her come for it, just her, I'm not pressurizing you to come oh

You'll have to talk to Mom yourself, they don't trust her and I don't want to sandwich into that mess. I'm sorry

No. I get your point, I'll do that when I get back

Are you ready for Lautech

I think the question is, is LA u tech ready for what God is about to Unpack for them?

Another message pops in from Temi:

Brenda has travelled, are you aware of it?

No

I heard she left this morning. Babe has been refusing to pick my calls, she's angry with you. I spoke to her mother.

Maybe its for the best

True 🤷🏼.
She could have informed me at least.

Vincent stood by the company's photocopying machine along with a co worker, Adufe . "I was planning on visiting Deja this evening as per co-worker, not like she's special or anything. Since on Monday she has been AWOL because of this sickness. Must be really serious ehn"

Vincent smiled, "I guess so. Let's go together now" "Eh hen? Is that an excuse to see her?" "Maybe. Maybe after work, we'll go to the mall, buy something for her"

"Who's buying something for her? You're joking. My own is just visit oh. Who send you gift? Is it Valentine? A beg oh! For all I know, this is the month of March"

"For all I know, you're a very stingy person. The gum on your hand is powerful" He joked and she laughed waving at another worker. "How far?" She whispered to the person.

"Eweh oh" She laughed in understanding now gazing at Vincent who was taking out photocopies. "Just pray that she doesn't pepper spray you when you get to the house"

Vincent laughed, "True sha" "You and this your baby love ehn!" She teased watching him answer a call. "Hey Osasu, how far I dey office" "Me sef dey my office"

"Hope no problem?"

"You go no believe who I see today for compound." "Who? One of your.... "He trailed and he scoffed, "Na that one I go come waste credit for? You know that my neighbor that lives downstairs?" "Yes now... Our Edo guy" "Yes. I saw your Deja coming out of his house."

Vincent scoffed, "You're mistaken, it can't be her" "I'm not. Apparently she got drunk and they hit it off. I just want tell you make you just forget the babe. No force yourself on top person way no worth am. Your entire relationship life has been on hold for this girl, you've been trying to get her since last year, babe way no waste time to land for stranger bed. No be who you fit wait for be that oh, my guy move on"

Vincent ended the call, a pang of disappointment suddenly hits him. "Are you okay?" "Yes. Uh... Yes, I just received a bad news from the village." "Ehya. I go let you know when I wan go her place"

"Change of plans. I no think say I fit go again with this news way I receive"

"Wow... Must be serious to stop you from seeing your precious Deja. Should I come and collect cash for gifts?" "Sure thing, I'll send gifts of course!" He faked a smile acting as though everything was fine meanwhile he was feeling like crap. Almost as though someone who had a grip of his heart was squeezing the oxygen out of it!

Deja walked into the living room to find her mother seated along with Bimbo. Her eyes widened in shock, "Jesus!" "Where are you coming from?" She asked and her eyes met with Bimbo.

She didn't know the answer to give! Bimbo must have said something to her already.

"Can't you open your mouth and tell your mother you went to your friend's place?" Bimbo snapped, "Abi did you sell your tongue out to your village people. E ma ro go. You entered you did not greet, iwa kpala kpala (rubbish behavior) yii will not take you anywhere"

Deja exhaled, that was enough hint to make her know Bimbo had already done some major cover up for her. "Can't you answer?"  "I went to a friend's place" "Because of a little argument you had with your own friend. When will you stop living life like a fool?"

"Mom I won't permit"

"You won't permit what?" She asked rising up, "That i come into your house to insult you. Wasn't that what you were going to say? Come and beat me. Isn't that how you usually walk out on me and your father too especially when we're trying to make you see reasons! May God help you cause I'm tired, your Uncle said you called in sick, did you inform me as a mother? No!"

"I wasn't feeling well emotionally and I needed a break"

Her mother rolled her eyes, "You're just being theatrical right now and you know it! So if it was your own work, you'll stay away because you need a break or if it was a job you got by own sweat." "Mom"

"Will you quit being a spoilt brat!" She screamed and Deja scoffed shutting her eyes, "Mom..." She paused opening them up, "Right now I'm head is pounding and I really can't think straight"

Bimbo nods, "Yes Ma, that's the new catch phrase. She doesn't know how to think straight,she has been thinking curvely" "Oh Shut the fuck up Bimbo, this isn't your business! Leave your raging lips out of this family matter!" "No. You shut up Deja! What's your problem?" Her mother snapped at her.

"What is really your problem? Look at how smelly the whole place is, did you drink the whole bottle in the bar?"

"My problem right now you two! I'm having a terrible headache and you two are preventing me from having my rest in my own house"

"Deja emi? (Me?) Your problem?" She moved closer, "Yes Mommy! Or am I not entitled to find rest in my own house again?"

Her mother slapped her on her cheeks, "Yei!" Bimbo exclaimed touching her own cheeks, It felt as though she was the one that was given the slap.  "Lenu e Deja! From your lips"

Bimbo quickly walked in between the both of them, "Mummy please forgive her, omode nse (She's being childish)"

"Deja move away.. What am i saying? Bimbo move away, my daughter and I have some scores to settle"

"Ah Mummy, it's 1-0 already"

Deja wept, "Mummy you slapped me" "Oh,are you just realizing it? Well, i've not even started" "Ah Mummy, after that slap to dun bi thunder. At a point I was like, shey rain is falling somewhere, I just had to shake myself to the reality that the rain  was falling in this house. Mummy,  if you say you've started if you score another slap on Deja's face, she can go deaf"

"Isn't she deaf already?"

"Mummy please" Bimbo begged giving all the pitiful face she could.

"Bimbo leave me before i rain slaps on you too"

"Mummy, more than anybody, I want to see Deja slapped till the point of sanity but truthfully I don't think the slap will reset her brain. For your health and for all sakes, let's just be calm about this"

"Calm? Bimbo did you just say calm?" She asked moving backwards then she pointed at Deja, "I've been calm for how many years now. I know we had our own share of fault cause we spoilt her. That was because you're our only child but you're an adult. Are you not supposed to start thinking? Start getting wisdom? How many years have you wasted making wrong decisions"

"Mum I'll get married at the right time, I won't let you impose it on me"

"Oh Shut up! Do you think its about marriage no! I believe in God's time. This is about you waiting for this man that I've never seen in my life when I've had two suitors come to the house to beg me! Deja how many more have you said no to and how many more will you continue to say no to because of this man? Does he know you like him? Does he even know? If he's not ready to be serious with you, move on! You're not a baby! You're already thirty!"

"Must you always publicize my age?"

"From here, I'm going directly to that your church to talk to your Pastor so he can speak sense into your head"

Bimbo scoffed, if only she knew that the man her daughter was hung up on was no other than the Pastor. "Mummy, you won't dare" "I'll take that as a challenge then" "Mummy, I'll be so mad at you if you dare speak to mg Pastor about this"

"All the times you haven't been mad at me, where has it taken us to? I am this close to having a heart attack or a stroke because of you."

Bimbo snapped her fingers, "God forbid, you will not have stroke" She rebuffed. "Bimbo, I'm taking drugs to control my BP. High blood pressure that I didn't give my own mother, my own daughter, my own daughter gave it to me." She snapped busting into tears.

"Mummy, please calm down. Personally, I don't think it will be necessary speaking to Papa cause he's not in town. He has a ministration at Lautech. He's not in Lagos as we speak"

"Okay. Can i get his comtact?"

"Mummy no. We will sort this out"

"See why I can't calm down! Look at the way she's talking to me bii pe mo je ẹgbẹ re! (As though imI'm her mate). She said that i'm stopping her from having rest in her house."

"Because you are! Mummy, I am angry now, can you just leave. I'll call you or visit you when I'm in the right frame of mind" 

Bimbo gasped, "This girl, are you normal bayii? Even if your thinking pattern is curvical, how can you say that? Mummy please, I know that it's me that stopped you from raining thunderclaps on her face, ejo ema binu si mi, (don't be angry with me), feel free to storm her face"

Deja's mother wiped her tears using her fingers, "I should leave bah? You're thirty but i still pay your rent! I still feed you! You're not independent, from whose money did you get your car! A car that was unnecessary! Deja, no more. You won't get a dime from me and your father anymore"

"Ah!" Bimbo gasped placing her hands on her head, the only thing she could think of that moment was her house rent. How in the world is Deja going to get her own quota. She doesn't have savings, neither can she save!

"Good bye Bimbo" She embraced Bimbo, picked her hand bag then went out of the house.

Bimbo scoffed, "Deja" She called out but Deja speedily made her way into her room.

Bella stepped into her office with an eye glass on while her PA ran a quick summary on how her schedule will be looking like. "Is that all I have for today?" "Yes and oh, Mrs CoKer called" "What does she want?" "An audience with you, she wants to talk about her plans for her own magazine"

"Get me a cup of coffee first.  Tell her I'm busy with an event and I won't be chanced till next. They can't be beckoning on me! I'm a busy woman"

Bella noticed a packaged box the on table, "What's that?" "Yes. You had a package from your rival, Tito Banks" "And you brought it to my office, what if it's bomb or drugs to set me up?" She moved to her desk.

"It looked attractive"

She opened the box up taking out a bottle of wine and a note. "This is an invitation to the Sam Thompson's Art Exhibition on the 4th of March. So its tomorrow and the idiot is inviting me today" "Don't go then"

"I'll go, so I'll have something bad to say about him after the party"

"Should I still bring the coffee?"

A motorcycle pulled over and Hilary hopped out along with her handbag and big bag that should contain at least four clothes. She took out a small purse from her bag into to pay the motorcyclist. 

Ossy who was inside the house climbed the wooden chair and then pulled down the louvers to see if his mother had arrived. He had been on look out ever since his grandmother left the house for a women's meeting.

"Mummy!" He screamed and quickly jumped out of the house running to hug her. Some neighbors got out of their houses to take a peep at them.

"Hey Baby" She cooed as he wrapped his arms around her tightly. Her excitement had already overwhelm the surprise of seeing him at home.

She actually expected to see him grandmother so they can discuss before he comes back from school. "Welcome back Mummy" He muttered, "Thank you. I miss you too Baby, Mummy misses you so much" She bent down before Ossy who was in tears.

She didn't know what to make out of it, was everything okay? Was he hurt somewhere, is that why he missed school. Her eyes swept across his entire body in worry, "Are you okay? Are you sick or hurt? Why are you crying?"

"Because I miss you Mummy"

"Awn" Tears ran down her eyes, "Baby I miss you too, I miss you so much it hurts every day." She confessed wiping his tears off.

"Why aren't you in school?" 

"When Uncle Manny told me you traveled last night, I knew I had to do something so I can get to see you in person so I faked an illness"

Hilary frowned, "You lied, when did you start lying?" She snapped and her son gave her a look then she groaned and rolled her eyes, "Fine... The calls lately have been a lie but this isn't how I want you to be trained. You're a child of God, a child of God doesn't lie"

"I know but when you have someone like Grandma, she makes it hard to tell the truth"

Chinaza stepped out, "Good morning Mama Ossy" "Good morning Chinaza. How are you?" "I'm fine" "How's your father?" "Fine" "What about your mother? I hope you're hearing from her?"

She shrugged, "Not every time" "Mummy let's do and go" Ossy dragged his mother's towards the house, "Go?" "Yes! Grandma is not around, she went for Thursday meeting. Definitely, someone has died again so she might take long so we have time to go. I already packed my bags"

Hilary blinked, "Ossy, no!" She snapped and tears filled his eyes, "You didn't come to get me did you?" "Baby I did. That's why  hear, I'm here to get what they stole from me. Not this way, I want to fight for you the right way not like a coward"

"Grandma will not agree. She won't agree!"

"Listen to me dear. She won't have any choice but to, I'm taking this court and I'm certain that we will win"

"Court? Like they do in television?"

"Yes. I'll make you understand more"

"Mummy come in, let me get you water to drink. Grandma is not around so we can seat and talk till she comes okay?"

Hilary nods placing her palm against his cheeks then she hissed him on the forehead, "Sure baby"

Deja heard her phone jamming in her sleep, she groaned tiredly before answering the call. "Hey baby" Bella's voice resounded and she hissed. "Bella can you call back? I was sleeping"

"Hm, that means you're wasted. The guy must have done a number on you"

"How could you let me leave with a stranger"

"How many strangers have you slept with?"

"I am not that person again. Bella I feel horrible"

"Oh please! The guilt will fade before evening. Just don't think too much on it, so... Was the sex at least good?" She asked but Deja ended the call instead then she placed her mouth over her pillow screaming into it.

Thirty minutes after, Mama Ebuka jumped off the bike running towards the direction of the house, she got a phone call informing her about the Hilary's arrival so she quickly rushed out of the meeting before Hilary runs away with her grandson.

"Madam you never pay me!" The motorcyclist scoffed then she ran back to him looking into her bag, "Ndoo, my body and spirit is not here at the moment"

Hilary stared at the flying dirt in a glass filled with water. "Is this what you guys drink?" "Yes. It's from the well" "I give your grandmother allowance every month to get you your own water. This can give anyone cholera!"

"Thank God for strong immune system. This water can give somebody HIV AIDS if possible"

Hilary laughed, "This is not healthy. I can't drink it" She dropped the glass cup on the side stool. "Mummy thanks for the snacks, I haven't eaten biscuits since..." he trailed off, on realizing how bad it will make his grandmother look. "Since when?"

Ossy paused then he chuckled to wave the discussion off.  "How was the journey? Uncle Manny was worried but I told him that's how you always do" "Nice try! Since when? Ossy!" "Since they shared biscuit in church. On Chi... amaka's birthday during the first week of Feb... February"

Hilary exhaled, "What's fifty naira biscuit that your grandmother cannot buy" "You are very very stupid for asking that stupid question!" Mama Ebuka's voice resounded till she appeared in front of them. "In fact stupid doesn't even describe your personality"

"Mama good afternoon"

"Good afternoon bust your head there! And who's your mother? Do I look like your mother? Hilary do I look like your mother? The nerves you have to say, what's biscuit that your grandmother cannot buy. It's God that will punish your mouth"

"Mama!"

"So if you see your real mother, won't you recognize her? Don't let me warn you again."

So what if she call her Mama? She should be honored cause one would rather be motherless than have one like you.

"When I got the call that one cockroach has crawled into my house I almost didn't believe" She turned towards Chinaza who just got out and Ossy turned towards her too, he seemed rather disappointed.

"It wasn't me that called her, I swear to God!"

"So you Chinaza will see this happen in this house and you could not call me"

"Its not my business what you two have against each other. Will I be carrying it on my head like scarf?"

Mama Ebuka snapped her fingers at her, "You see that phone you were supposed to use, I'll seize it from you!" "Will you leave her out of this! This is between the two of us" Hilary snapped.

"Leave my house Hilary"

"I'm not leaving yet! How can you deprive a child of snacks? Ossy," She glanced at her son, "Have you eaten?" "Yes" "What did you eat?" She asked but Ossy hesitated, "Ossy"

"Oo.o.. Okro and E...ba" He hasn't stammered since, he was really nervous.

"For breakfast?" Her gaze turned towards Mama then it flicked quickly back at Ossy. "What about yesterday morning?" "Mummy" "Answer the question please"

"Okro soup.. Grandma usually cooks plenty soup to last the week, "Really Mama? Ossy, when was the last time you ate bread and tea?" She asked and Ossy hesitated, "Mummy.." "Baby, she won't do anything to you, Mommy is here, when last did you eat bread?"

Ossy shrugged, "I  k... K..can't remember" "Mama, is this how you treat my son?" "You're very stupid! What are you doing here? What point are you trying to prove?

Hilary wrapped her arms across her son's neck, "Hapu nwa ahu aka now...I bu onye Ara? Onye nyere gi Ike i bia ebe a meth ya aka (Will you let go of that boy this instance? Have you gone mad? What gave you the audacity to come here and touch him without seeking for my permission.)"

"Should i remind you he is my son and I'm here to get him back!"

"O dika i puola ara. After ka i ogbuchara nna ya okwaya? I choro ikporo nwa gi after ka igbuchara nwa gi....chukwu aju! O gaghi eme n' anya ndu m (It's like you've gone mad After killing his father right? You want to take back your son after killing my own son. God forbid! Over my dead body!)"

Hilary exhaled, "I know you won't agree in the first place. I'll be coming back with my lawyer later on, if you have a lawyer Mama, you had better fetch him or her, if you don't,  this is me giving you an headstart to get one cause we'll be seeing you in court tomorrow"

Mama Ebuka laughed, "You're taking me to court?" "Yes" "I hope you know that what goes around comes around. You're taking a mature aged woman to court" "A woman that has wrongfully taken my child away from me! Mama what did I ever do wrong? I've begged you, right from the first year, I begged, Mama I begged you but the more I beg the more you prove adamant! Not once have I ever been disrespectful to you but where has it gotten me to? Seven years without my son"

"I hope you know that you'll be going to prison cause I'll tell everyone you killed your husband!" She screamed looking at Ossy, "She killed your father! This witch killed your father and you're smiling, opening y9ur teeth with her" She sucked her teeth while jiggling to the incoming tune of trouble.

"Well I guess you'll have to prove it in court then"

"Will you two stop arguing?" Ossy cried. This hurt his mother's feeling, this was what he was avoiding that was why he suggested they escape before she comes back.

"Hilary, get out of my house before i lose my temper. Get out!" She screamed but Hilary paused looking down at her son, "Mummy will be back Baby okay? I'll be back" She carried her bag from the chair then she walked out of the house.

Mama Ebuka gave her Grandson an angry stare, "So you have mind to tell your mother that you haven't eaten bread. You could not lie for me" "I am not a liar" "Come on shut up!" She snapped pressing and squeezing his lips together.

"So I will buy bread that will not go far, bread that will not be enough for even small Isioma. Chinaza that can eat more than ten slices of bread. This your mother is testing my patience. Shebi now that you've seen your mother you're now well because of..." She trailed off on seeing the packs of biscuits and bread on the table.

Ossy trailed her gaze, "Mummy bought biscuit for us"

Mama Ebuka carried it all, "You will go an eat it in the dust bin" "No!" Os9sy cried, "If you have tears, start crying cause as it is, we're going to Onitsha" "For what?" "For what?" She imitated, "Let's see how she will carry me to court"

Ossy fumed, "I'm not going" "Are you mad?" "No Grandma! I want to follow my Mom" "This woman has used charms on you, that's how she used charms on your father too! Ossy, just be a good boy, go into your room, get your bag and we'll go to Onitsha to stay with your Uncle"

"I'm not going! The only place I'll be going from here is Lagos"

Mama Ebuka tightened her fist, "You go allow me beat you oh. I just dey respect the fact say you no well. If I beat you, concoction go enter"  "Grandma beat me all you want, I'm not following you. If you force me, I'll shout kidnap at the park and they will arrest"

"Jesus Christ!"

"I'm serious grandma, you know  that I'm not playing"  "For a woman that killed your own father. Ossy, she killed your father!" "Everyone said Daddy died in an accident how did she kill him? Grandma I'm not going to Onitsha or else I'll tell everyone you kidnapped me" He threatened moving backwards while his grandmother looked around in search of an object to throw at him.

"Get out from my face before I slap you!" She snapped. Ossy ran away in tears. Mama Ebuka exhaled then she glared at Chinaza, "Have you seen what she has caused? She has bewitched my grandson, I'm sure she carried touch and follow charm"

Chinaza gasped in awe at the accusation, after all she saw the way her cousin ran with so much joy to embrace his mother. "She did not use anything" "Tah! What do you know? I don't know why God decided to bless me with daughter in laws that are witches like your mother!" She snapped taking out her phone from her bag. Afterwards she dialed her first son's phone number.

"Grandma, remind me again? What crime did my mother commit?" Chinaza asked and Mama Ebuka hissed, "What kind of useless question is that? Is like you all have decided to run mad today"

"Who has gone mad?" Ebuka's voice resounded, "I didn't know you have answered. Is it not your daughter and Ositadinma?" "What has happened again? I don't have the power for complain"

"Hilary is back"

"School never finish, abi e don finish?"

"No."

"Wetin she dey find?"

"She wan come collect her pikin by fire by force. Hilary say she go carry me go court tomorrow? Imagine the fool, unless I don die naim I go gree make she carry my own grand pikin. Wetin I don carry my eyes see to raise that boy"

"No be she send you nau, Na you send yourself, shey we say make you leave pikin, na you carry am"

"God go punish you for that thing way you talk. You want make I leave my Odefa seed, the only thing way I get to remind me of Odefa, my future doctor! Over my dead body! Unless say Hilary kill me oh! Unless say she kill me"

"Carry Ossy run nau!  Carry am come Onitsha or Aba to go stay with Rose"

"Ossy way just threaten me say him go shout say I wan kidnap am"

"Na lie!"

Mama Ebuka scoffed, "E be like say you no know Ossy. Wetin dey him mind naim him go do!" "That one na Odefa junior. Wetin you go come do?" "I no know, she sound serious. She say she go still come back today with her lawyer. She dey carry me go court, where I go see lawyer way go represent me?"

Ebuka exhaled, "Why you no kuku leave her to carry the boy. One less headache, abi no be you dey always complain every time say Ossy dey give you headache?" "I no complain on top your head? I pursue you commot for house? Even as you dey, you be disappointment to me, I still dey manage you but shey I no still dey call you my pikin?" She snapped and he hissed loudly.

"I no fit lose my pikin again.." Tears ran down her eyes, "I no fit"

"I go call Emmanuel if him go fit free to come see you for house"  "Daalu (Thank you)"

Sam got out of his gallery sweeping his eyes across the parking lot. the parking lot. He had just been informed that someone was outside waiting with a personal delivery. Even when he requested that the person be brought in, the receptionist became hesitant. According to her the person had important things to get back to.

His eyes searched the whole perimeters but found no one. "Seriously? Is this some prank?" He asked only to notice a feminine palm blindfolding him.

"Hmm.... I wonder who this is, my God"

Sewuese witheld her laughter, "How many women will be bold enough to blindfold me here in Lagos. This is... This is going to be quite difficult. Is this Mom?" He asked and she took her hands off busting into laughter.

"Really? Mom?" She asked watching his face her direction, "It's either Mom or Tolani" "You just murdered that name and who is Tolani? Should I be worried?"

Sam laughed, "I just called random names" "Tolani is not your most random name" "It's one of the clients name. It just popped up" "Should i  be worried?" "Is that you being jealous?" He asked looking down at her and she nods.

"What do you think?"

"I think that's the hottest look I've ever seen. Heck, I want you to be jealous everyday!" He teased and she giggled biting on her lower lips. She wanted to kiss him but she had to respect herself in public.. "What are you doing here?" He asked, "Shouldn't you be at work?"

"I had lunch break, it's a long distance but I had to surprise you. You did say you'll be having a busy evening so I'm here to do my afternoon rounds. It's a limited time but... I'm willing to spare every second" Her eyes watered and he groaned.

"The event is tomorrow, i wish we could have time for each other this evening but it's beyond my control. Are you free to have lunch? I'm free for now" He asked with an affected sigh.

She groaned in disappointment, "Ugh!" Then she shook her head afterwards, "My break is over, I even have some explaining to do. Sorry... I would have said raincheck but... There's no rain check for us till..." She blinked her tears.

"You know what? Screw the meeting I have! Screw it all, there's only one person that's important to me, even more important than this exhibition and that's you. You're right, we have limited time to spend together and we can't afford to let some unimportant meetings prevent us from spending time together. Wanna have dinner with me? Somewhere away from the gallery, a real date between us"

Sewuese looked at the casual turtle necked body con gown she had on. "I'm not dressed for a date and I can't even go back home to change up because by the time I'll beat traffic and go"  "You look perfect" He confessed leaning his face closer to her for a kiss then she laughed looking the vicinity.

"We're outside?" She replied. Her mouth fell open.

Would he have really kissed her in public?

"Oyinbo, come back to planet Africa, this isn't your usual planet where kissing is public isn't prohibited."

Sam held her tightly by the arms then he pushed the door opened and they both made their way in. Then he placed his palms against her cheeks,  planting a kiss on his lips and she reciprocated the kiss then she pulled away lifted a hand and laid it over his chest, then she paused slightly to steal a bit of time to organize her thoughts.

Sam smiled. Broadly.

Quickly she turned towards the receptionist at the the left side of the lobby. "Jeez!" She sucked her lips now feeling embarrassed but the lady looked away pretending to look into a log book.

"What? I'm kissing my girlfriend, not like I'm kissing a stranger" He replied running his fingers across her hair.

Sewuese wiped a red colored lipstick off his lips. "I'm not done" He replied and she gasped, "I have work to get back to" "Why? Remind me to send your parents an invite, all these troubles keep getting in the way, I would gave done it on Monday.. I hope Sefa will be coming too"

Sewuese shrugged,  "I don't know." "How is she?"

She shrugged carelessly again, "I don't know" "Come on! Don't tell me you're still mad at her. Have you even spoken to her since she got back?" "Not since I slapped her" "Sewuese" "I haven't even taken the whole thing off my chest yet"

"She's your sister and not a stranger. Don't treat her like one. Be the bigger one" He lifted her hand to his lips, brushing a light kiss across her knuckles. "I'm just angry at her, Dad is angry too"

"You guys should be working towards lessening the tension rather than worsening it. Is Kilahi also being overly strict?"

"Really? Its not as if I'm flogging her with a 9 inch cane"

"I think that will hurt less"

Sewuese groaned leaning against him, "Don't make me feel horrible about this, Sefa is at fault here, if we don't act strict concerning this. There's that tendency she might just jump into it, we need to make her feel taunted till she realizes her wrong"

"She got kidnapped, she only scaled through by God's mercy. You think she hasn't learned her lesson? You know, sometimes the rod doesn't always correct children. I also spoke about it the other time"

"Sparing the rod isn't the best option"

"Pushing her away isn't best either"

In the evning at about 5 pm, Aunty Abebi got out of the Taxi carrying an envelope in her hand; Hilary got out too. She exhaled scared of the uncertainties and Mama Ebuka's reaction to seeing the both of them. She sucked in a breath. Mama wasn’t going to make this easy on her. But truly, that didn’t matter anymore!

That battle line had been drawn! There was absolutely no chance to start get soft, disengage, retreat or surrender!

She's seeing this to the end.

She would not be deffident!

Not a chance!

She led the way leading her to the compound. She knocked and Chinaza opened up, she was rather disappointed to see her. She expected that her son will open up for her.

Not like Mama will allow her anyways! A mother can dream.

"Good afternoon Ma" She greeted and Aunty Abebi widened her eyes at how odd she looked with so much color on her face She made no comment, they both made her way in. Aunty Abebi cringed at the smell in the room, the smell of homeliness mixed with spoiled food, something in between.  It reminded her of a whole lot about her past.

It also reminded her of the fact she forgot to come along with a nose mask too!

It amazed her the way how comfortable Hilary was with the smell. She was sitting on a arm chair that had stitches and the only thing she could think of that moment was bed bugs! She had to readjust.

For Hilary, that smell has been there even before time so she enters into the house expecting the smell and when she does, she has no option but to adapt to it!

Chinaza sat on the arm of the chair where her grandmother sat with the lawyer.

Aunty Abebi sat down, hoping that after a while, one will start to adapt to it. She looked at the kids sitting on the floor while watching a movie on television. They didn't even have the decency to greet!  "Who are these?" She whispered and Hilary rolled her eyes.

"The other grand children"

"Mummy!" Ossy ran out to hug her mother. "Hey Baby" Hilary cooed pressing his cheek, "How many times will i ask you to stop calling my grandson that"

"What's wrong with calling him my Baby?"

"Good evening Ma" Issy greeted Aunty Abebi.

"Ossy come here!" Mama Ebuka screamed but he hesitated, "I believe my client has every right to hold her son. If you've deprived her of seven years, a simple embrace will suffice"

"Come on Mechie ọnụ there! (Shut your mouth). You come to my house to be claiming right, who do you think you are?"

"The woman that will be serving you a hot bowl of justice. Abebi Salami, Hilary's lawyer"

"Even if you're the Chief Justice of Nigeria, this is my house. You have"

"I have every right to say what I want to since I'm defending a client. I didn't actually come in to say much, I'm actually struggling to say anything from the smell in the house. You could actually channel your anger to getting an air freshner for the house"

Ossy laughed, "I told her before" He whispered and Aunty Abebi shrugged, "Even the boy agrees" She added.  Mama Ebuka scoffed, "Did you come into my client's home to insult her" Emmanuel, a fourty years old lawyer asked and Aunty Abebi rolled her eyes.

"Calling this an insult is rather too outrageous, a suggestion should do"

It managed to humble Mama Ebuka as she found no words to say.

Ossy smiled, "It's not Grandma's fault too, it's Isioma that keeps wetting the chair whenever she sleeps on it. If you're adding all the generational urine soaked into this chair from everyone including my father cause I'm sure this chair has been around for a long time"

Hilary laughed, "Your father said he came into this world to see the chair" "See! I'm sure my great great grandfather also peed on it! So what we are smelling is generational smell and we should respect it" He teased and everyone laughed except Mama Ebuka and Aunty Abebi.

Mama Ebuka shot a look at her lawyer who was still laughing, "He said generational smell" He noticed her look so he cleared his throat, "You are right, it's not funny." "Grandma smile, life is not that hard"

Aunty Abebi almost laughed at that statement. Ossy turned towards a scary looking Aunty Abebi. "You too smile, life is not that hard" "Well, I'm sure I'll smile well when I breathe in fresh air"

Ossy laughed, he found her dry humour funny. "It's not bad. Just imagine you're in the toilet and you just pooed a very smelly poo, you can't leave the toilet without cleaning your bum bum will you?" He asked and she arced her brow at his analogy.

"Will you?" He asked so she cleared her throat, "That's a awful question to ask" "Everyone poops, even Grandma poos. Will you leave the toilet?" "No"

"See! Until you come out from this toilet, endure It"

"My house is not a toilet"

"Grandma it's an example"

"Everyone has pooed and wee weed inside so its still a toilet" Chinaza added and Mama Ebuka shoved her off the arm of the chair till she landed on the floor. "Ouch! Grandma that was painful" "Its your mother's house that's a toilet, ekwensu! You will not go and wipe that make up off your face!"

She rose up pouting in anger.

Hilary ran her fingers across his son's hair, "Your hair is bushy. You look like a village boy" "I am a village boy" He replied and they both laughed.

Aunty Abebi exhaled staring at Mama Ebuka and then at Emmanuel, "Is this what your client is trying to separate? Pure love between a mother and son?" "Objection!" "Really? Are we in court already?" "I'm only objecting to what you just said, I'm just saying that word is .... indictable"

"Oh really? Such a big word, do you know the meaning?"

"Yes I do"

"Where did you get your law degrees from? Your mother's womb?"

Emmanuel scoffed, "What i'm trying to say is that my client has a good reason why she doesn't want her grandson out of her sight" "Can you list one? I'm not asking for much. Pray tell" "So you can use it against me in the court of law"

"Oh please don't flatter yourself. This is a win situation for I and my client already" She said dropping  the envelope on the center table.  He picked it up and pulled out two print outs going through it then he exhaled. 

"I don't understand, how long have you been in Ebonyi?"

"How is this important to this case?"

"How are you able to pull this off within such short notice? Usually this will take about a week or two. Are you sure you've not paid the judge to rule in your favor?"

"That's a presumptuous thing to say. I'll like to see the face of the judge when she hears she's been accused of Judicial misconduct? That's defamation of a character like hers"

Fear sparked in his eyes, "It was just an assumption" "Assumption is not fact unless its proven. What did you learn in law school?" "Madam, don't insult me, we all went to this same law school and obtained this same degree."

"Same degree? I doubt that but I certainly didn't come to gloat about my degree. I came for my client and like I said earlier on, we won't be wasting time" She said with a straight look.

"See you all in court"

"I am not going to court" Mama Ebuka disagreed.

Aunty Abebi rose up with a smirk, "Why don't you explain things to your clients. Ossy can I have a word with you" "You can't do that" "Why?" "It's unethical and you know it! You might try to dissuade him or intimidate him to say something that might make us lose"

"Don't give yourself much hope. What about for you? Won't you try to talk the boy into saying something bad against his mother?"

"Have you met the boy? Does he look like someone whose opinion can be influenced?" "Very well then, let me talk to him"

"No. He obviously wants to be with his mother. You have the upper hand here"

Aunty Abebi grinned, "I'm glad you know" She paused looking down at Ossy, "Hey Little Man, your mother wants you back and good thing I'm a lawyer who doesn't back down until she gets what she wants.  I'll be seeing you in court"

"Yes Ma"

She grinned at everyone, "See you all in court. Hilary" She called out to Hilary who kissed her son on the forehead. "I'll see you tomorrow, do you want anything so I can quickly get it for you?"

"Yes but grandma will just throw it away" He whispered.

"See you tomorrow then"

"Okay Mummy"

Hilary rose up, "See you tomorrow Mama" "Get out!" She snapped and Hilary made her way out. Mama Ebuka hissed, "I'm not going for that thing oh" "You have to oh. This is a summon already, almost as though it's a criminal case in dire need of attention. I don't know how they got this but you need to tell me relevant things you feel you have against your daughter in law"

"If you call her my daughter in law again, I'll slap you"

Emmanuel gasped, "What do you have against your dead son's wife?" "Are you okay?" "You have to work with me here okay? What should I call her?"

"Hilary! Just Hilary!"

What do you guys think of this update????

A battle is coming soon

Who wants a sneak peak? No need for that!  The next Chapter is coming soon!😉

Is it just me or did you guys feel something between....

Let me just keep this to myself😈😂

Is Aunty Deja losing Vincent already?😩