Chapter 26

Unedited

Thomas shook his head as he stared at his daughter who was coiled in the couch. He was utterly disappointment in her! "Winner Thomas Balogun, I am highly disappointed in you! The heights of my disappointment cannot be compared to even Kilimanjaro itself. This is a disgraceful! You have managed to kill the little trust I should have had on you. O tie ti pa tan! (You've killed it all)"

"Thomas, I don't think shouting at her is best now."

"Oh support her now, is it not this kind of thing you always support"

"Oh please Thomas! How convenient for you to push the blame back to me when it's all your fault. If you had been sensitive enough you would have done the needful that would have prevented pregnancy! You didn't even take her to see a damn gynaecologist!" She snapped and he kept quiet.

"I had a lot in mind, I've been running the affairs of the hospital"

"What affair? Compared to neglecting your own daughter"

"You first of all neglected your post as a mother or do we still need to remind you who filed for divorce?" He asked and she gritted her teeth, "You....." She stalled now looking at her daughter, "It's the place of a mother to take care of her female children but what did you do Dunni, you left your own daughter for what reason?"

"Stop it!" Winny yelled, she hated it when they argue! "Can you two not fight? This is a serious situation"

"Our daughter is right, what's done is done already, let's think of a solution as parents." "Solution? You do know the only solution as medical practioners is abortion!"

"Abortion is not a choice!"

"What does a seventeen years old girl know about Parenthood? Winner, what do you know about Parenthood?" He asked and she pulled him aside, "Thomas stop being insensitive?"

"Insensitive? Your seventeen years old daughter is pregnant and you tell me I'm being insensitive" "My seventeen years old daughter, oh he's no longer your daughter right?"

"I didn't say so. My point is, she can't raise a child at this tender age"

"We'll help her"

"Like raising her was a success too!" He snapped then he scoffed. "You failed Adunni Duncan, you failed to raise a good child, even Funsho who's a single father is doing better than you are! How's a drunk like you going to raise a grand child?" He asked and she tightened her fist.

"Stop calling me that"

"You've failed Adunni, you've failed as a mother" he snapped while he watched tears roll down her cheeks. He moved away from her back to Winny.

"Get your school bag, we're going back home"

January party

Don't shout at me, I'll be with you shortly. Where are you?" Gbade asked walking past Boma who hissed afterwards.

The hiss caused him to hiss back. Who's supposed to be more angry? His cloth just got stained!

"I'm not shouting at you Gbade, it's the way I'm feeling. I'm worried Gbade, you know that feeling like Iike you're going to die very soon. I'm having it and I don't think I can keep this thing to myself any longer. At least if I die, someone should put their asses out there!" She snapped and Gbade sighed.

"Wow I'm shocked Rosie, remember I've been asking you to tell me this same secret for months now"

"Oh please Gbade! This isn't the time to start getting sarcastic!" She snapped and he scoffed. "I wasn't being sarcastic, I'm being real. Where are you?"

"At the garden"

"What are you doing there?" He asked and she kept quiet. "Wow Rosie, you're secretive for someone who's about to leak a big secret"

"Hello Baby" Iretiola called out holding a glass of wine and he groaned. "I'll call you back" he hung up and she ran her finger across his chest and he rolled his eyes.

Now

Gbade knocked on the door in the evening and Boma opened up clad in an orange singlet and a black bum short. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw him. "Jesus! What are you... What are you doing here?"

"I heard there's a market place for phones and gadget here so I came to place an order for one" he replied sarcastically and Boma rolled her eyes. "In order words, I just asked a stupid question"

"No, it's a very stupid question" he replied laughing.

"He's laughing to his own joke. Look at him!" Boma faked a laughter then she hissed and he chuckled. "You have admit, it's a very stupid question. I obviously came to see you"

"I get your point, do you have to..." She trailed off, "Have to what?" "Be so damn annoying?" She asked and he folded his hands staring at him.

"I've heard that a lot times"

"And you've not decided to adjust yet"

"Boma who be that?" She heard her mom ask, "Mumcy na one annoying person wey I sabi"  she replied now folding her arms and he chuckled.

"I don't think I'm that annoying"

"What? Have you been with yourself for a minute?" She asked and he chuckled, "I think people make assumptions they know nothing of, which just happens to be your field of study"

Boma rolled her eyes, "Jeez! It was one stupid assumption and I already apologized for it" "Two stupid assumptions, the first was that were ritualist and the second was when you accused me of killing Rosie"

Boma scoffed, "Why are you using style to insult me?" She snapped and he raised his hands up. "I'm sorry if you're offended, I just came here to talk"

"I thought you were traveling"

"I was. I'm supposed to be in Abuja but I had a change of mind after I met a lady at the airport. We were talking, flirting and luckily we we're supposed to lounge in the same hotel but the story changed the moment she realized I was Gbade Duncan and then I realized people are still going to think of me as a murderer if you don't erase what you've written on your blog, it's not even about erasing it, it's more about rewriting everything"

"How did you get my address?"

"I stopped by at the studio from the airport but you weren't there. I pulled a strings and I got an address. Can I come in? I promise I'm not going to murder you"

Boma rolled her eyes then she chuckled letting him into her home. Gbade looked around the sitting room. "Nice home" he commented and she rolled her eyes in disbelief, "What's that?" "You're Gbade Duncan, you guys live in castles and tou dare to mock my home with that stupid compliment"

"Wow, you really have issues you know. It's a compliment you make in entering into any home. It's one of the humble grounding I learnt from my father. It's a compliment you're supposed to say thank you"

"I can't say thank you, when I feel mocked"

"It's a nice decent house" he commented and she pointed at the multi-coloured one seater couch, "Have your seat" she demanded and he chuckled.

"Apart from making assumptions, I think you have a problem with believing people and saying thank you too" he commented and she chuckled to herself opening the fridge which was also in the living room then she brought out a bottle of 'Kunu' in Pepsi bottle then she stretched it to him.

"What's that?"

"Hausa Milk shake, Kunu" she replied and he smiled receiving it from her. "There's zobo if you like it"

"It's okay. Thank you, you make Kunu?"

"Mom does." she replied taking a seat on another two seater couch opposite him. "Thanks for the compliment" she added and he smiled. "You're welcome" he opened the chilled Kunu then he sipped from it.

"I hope my belly doesn't react to it"

"What do you want from me really?"

"A rewrite"

"I'm still working on the article, there's still that question of who killed Rosemary and I don't have an answer to it. Whatever you know, we can work together and find out who these people are?"

"I've seen people get hurt because of this thing, it's gets dangerous and I don't want to lose any other person because of this" he answered sincerely. Boma could denote the concern in her voice, he instantly bowed his head in guilt.

"Are you referring the other deaths?"

Gbade nodded, "Rosie's death is partly on me and I don't think I'll be able to bear it if someone else dies on this case again. Maybe I should give up" he suggested and Boma rose up from her seat sitting on the arm of the chair and he looked up at her.

"Why don't we work together? I have mass media which is my blog, just tell me the right spot to dig rather than my blind research and I'll do it. Fetch out a proof and have the culprit behind bars. No else has to die" she replied and he smiled.

"Sorry to cut your speech short but I've got a very important question to ask, did you eat vegetable soup?" He asked and she gasped. "No.... I .... Is it that obvious, I rinsed my mouth"

"You didn't rinse it well, besides i believe this chair is called a one seater chair for a reason. You're inconveniencing me Ma'am" He complained and she playfully pushed his head backwards making her way back to where she sat then she hissed.

He found her anger amusing!

"Do you have any suspects?" "Yes" "Let your father knows then, I mean he's your father, you have that edge over all other people" "He'll never believe me"

Mood fm

"This is Heart to heart evening on 95.5 mood fm, you're listening to Larry and my lovely partner this evening Dara Igwe. We just listened to a woman give account of a double dating experience in which she ended up losing the two men in her life. She's deeply hurt, and we've heard commentaries from all parts of Lagos, some which are encouraging and others.... But I have a question for the newly engaged Dara Igwe cause, before you step into these shoes, you know, you must gathered experience. So, Dara, do you think it's advisable to double date?"

"Personally, I have never ever done that and will never do that but I think girls do it to protect themselves. There are times you let go of another guy and date a guy who's not serious about getting married to you when you could have been married to the other, even with kids" she answered and Larry laughed.

"So.... That's why it's almost practical to keep them and when the right one asks you out, you go for it if you truly want him"

"So you're saying it's legit right?" He asked and She laughed. "Larry, you're just trying to ruin my gospel career" she commented and they both laughed. "That will be it for this evening, keep it logged in, same time, same day. It was lovely having you around Dara"

"Thank you" she replied, "Leaving you with Ed Sheeran's bibia be ye ye." He said going off air and the song played.

He hugged Dara smiling, "Thank you again" "You're welcome" she replied and a call came in from a strange number. "Excuse me" she raised her index finger leaving the studio to pick the call.

"Hello"

"Miss Marcaroni" Andy said and she scoffed, "You even had the nerves to call me after what you did"
Andy laughed, "What did I do now?" He asked and she hissed, "It's God that will judge you; I hope you know."

"Whatever! Are you free?"

"Do you think I'll be stupid to see you?"

"Street number, 43 Obakoya close" he called out and Dara raised a brow in surprise. That was Efe's address, "What business do you have with Efe?" She asked and Andy laughed.

"Why don't you find out for yourself?" He asked hanging up so she called Stella afterwards. "Andy just called me now" "What? How? I've been trying the idiot' number all day!"

"He said I should meet him?"

"Can you believe that idiot called Dara?" She heard her ask Brenda, "Where are they meeting? Dara send the address, we're going to show that idiot he messed with the wrong bank account, mumu!" 

Timmy entered into Dunni's sitting room to find her smoking cigarettes. On the small stool was a bottle and a glass of whiskey. She pressed the cigarette on the ash tray on seeing him.  "I thought you were giving up the habit"

"Forgive me if I needed to have a smoke to get rid of this guilt I feel! My daughter is pregnant for crying out loud and she's seventeen! And it's all my fault! Thomas is right, it's all my fault"  she snapped in tears and Timmy knelt down before her.

"Did he tell you that?" he asked and she nodded. "He's right, I'm a bad mother and I've failed to be one" 

"It wasn't your fault, it's the stupid jerk she slept with , he's the one at fault. Winny made a mistake and she has to owe up to it"

"Or Maybe it's the one who rejected her"

"What if he did he out of personal choice? Maybe the age difference was too wide and he didn't want to make that mistake" 

Dunni shut her eyes feeling bad trying to blame a guy he knew nothing about!  "I'm sorry, I'm just trying to shift blame here. It's a devastating news. How's Winny going to raise a child. Now her father is suggesting abortion"  "That's quick, you cant put her through that"

"Is it better she becomes a mother when she hasn't even began life. She's yet to write her senior waec, I'm just angry at myself"

Timmy wrapped his palm over hers, "I don't know what to say but I know you can beat this. I really don't like seeing you so defeated" "That's what Thomas does the best" she sobbed then he leaned in for a hug.

"Shh... It's going to be fine dear, it'll be fine"

Efe walked out to meet Andy who had a smirk on his face. "What re you doing at my place? If you're in need of where to squat, my house is not available to you"

Andy sniggered, "You actually think I'll be that desperate? Wow...." He continued. "See oh, con dey commot"  "I'm not leaving" "Why?" "You'll see" he glanced at his wrist watch and wondered what must be keeping Dara.

A taxi stopped by and Stella got out with Brenda. "There he is!" Brenda pointed and Stella stood still in shock on seeing him with Efe. Andy moved backwards surprised to see her, he thought Dara would be discreet.

"You son of a bitch" he charged towards Andy, "Was that why you .... It's Efe's address and you damn well knew was why you? Dara is going to be mad at me. What kind of person are you?" Stella held him by his shirt.

"You're going to give me every penny you've stolen from me"  "I didn't steal shit from you"

"Dara is on her way?" Efe asked after processing his thoughts, then he placed his hands on his head and Andy smirked.  "Jesus! Andy, not cool mehn! Not cool!"

"Will you wipe that smirk off your face, you're wrong here, why don't you start acting like it" Brenda snapped and Andy laughed. "See who's talking? The Igwe's family only headache, the fucking black sheep in the family, a fucking world class liar"

"Call me a liar once again and I promise i'll add manslaughter to it cause I won't spare your stupid head!" She snapped and Andy laughed. "Ooh... I'm scared"

"At least I'm not a thief!" Brenda snapped then Andy pushed Stella angrily till she fell on her ass. "Andy, how far now?" Efe pushed him and he pushed him back.

Stella gasped looking at Brenda. "Did he just push me?" She asked and Brenda charged towards him. "Did you just push my sister?" "Don't even try me Brenda" Andy moved away but she kept on following him.

"No, come and push me, I want you to push me." She looked around in search of something to use in defending herself. "It's today you'll know that I'm not normal, spirit always possess me"

A taxi stopped by and everyone paused. Dara got out trying to observe everyone while the taxi driver off.  "What's going on?" She asked and Andy grinned. "I can explain Dara" Stella rose up dusting her buttocks.

"I think I'm in the better position to explain" Andy replied, "Shut up!" Brenda and Stella screamed at the same time and he sniggered. "In summary, I paid Efe to date you with your dear sister's money, so your beloved relationship is a hoax"  he confessed then she turned towards Efe.

"Is it true?"

"It's not a hoax!" Efe began, "Okay, maybe it started as one but.... I've never been more in love with you"  "How is is possible? I mean, we met coincidentally"

"I told him what to do to get your attention. Piece of cake!"

"Shut up Andy!"  He yelled and Odion got out. "What's the noise about?" He asked observing the situation then he turned towards Efe. "Yawa Don gas shey?" He asked turning back and Dara scoffed.

"Odion you knew! You knew and...."

He turned back at her letting out a loud sigh, "I'm sorry... I'm really sorry"

"You all knew!"

Brenda raised her finger, "I didn't know until yesterday"  "I'm sorry, it was because I wanted you to get married quickly and he arranged the meeting without my consent" "You could have disagreed" Dara cried, "You could have disagreed as my sister"

"I'm sorry" Stella cried, "I'm really sorry"

"I can't believe I've been living a lie all these while."

"Dara I love you" Efe confessed and Andy laughed, "What's funny?" He asked, "How pathetic you all look, how pathetic you look right now" he pointed at Dara, "Did you really think you could find real love?"

"But you liked her, is that what this has always been about?" Efe asked and Dara scoffed, "You've probably liked her for how long now and you're unable to accept it because of what? Her shape?" Efe asked then he scoffed, "Andy has always hated Dara"
"He doesn't know what he's saying"

Efe laughed, licking his upper lip, "Now it makes more sense. You know I was wondering how you managed to know about her. It wasn't Stella who told you her preference right? You knew what book she loved reading, you knew because your sick mind knows all there is to know about her."

Stella shook her head, "It's impossible," she looked at Andy and the truth became transparent. "Oh God!" She covered her palm over her mouth.

"The only reason you wanted me to break her heart is because she didn't like you right?  Ouch, it must hurt right? The one girl you liked, hated your guts, why did you even bother dating Stella? As a replacement? Did it work? No!  It only made you more bitter!" He snapped and Andy punched him on the nose and Efe punched him back.
Soon they were on each other's throat while Odion tried separating them.
Dara only shook her head watching the both of them in awe. "This is all too much for me to take in one night, i can't believe this"

Efe moved close to her, "Babe I can..." before he completed his sentence, he felt a loud slap against his cheek. Dara had slapped him, "Don't even say another word!" She cried, "Urgh! I'm so angry right now! I can't believe I've been stupid!"

"I'm sorry Dara, I'm really sorry, I didn't mean for it to happen this way."

Dara walked towards Andy then she scoffed, "You know for years I've endured your excesses! Right from secondary school, you've sworn to make my life miserable. I endured through it but you're still determined to make me suffer, what kind of person are you?" She snapped and he moved back in fear.

He has never seen Dara so angry! "All I was just trying to do is live a normal life! Live a life and feel loved by a man" she punched his chest and he moved a step backwards. 

"How does it make you feel to see me happy?" She pushed him backwards, "You can't be happy when I'm not! I've always hated your happy spirit, you act like everything's okay when they're not. You're the perfect woman, yet there are so many things wrong about you and it hurts okay? It's damn annoying!"

"Woulf it have killed you to say  something? Instead you made my life miserable? You know what? You're the last person I would have ever thought of falling in love with. Andy, you're irritating, you're a proud idiot! I wouldn't be with you if you were the last person on Earth! You're insensitive, you're lazy, you're extravagant and you've just added thief to it"  she snapped and He raised his hands at her and Efe walked into their midst.

"Heys, respect yourself oh"

"Was he going to hit me? Oh Andy, please hit me. Please I'm waiting for it, hit me. Nothing you do surprises me anymore! I mean you had to send someone to act like he loves me for who I am"

"Baby, I love you for who you are"

"Oh shut up Efe!" She pushed him away, "I don't even want to hear you speak!I don't want to hear your voice, just keep quiet!" She screamed looking at him.  "You're not different from Andy, you're both birds of same feathers. I was the stupid one for trusting the both of you but God will judge you two! God will!" She snapped walking away and Efe followed her.

"Dara!"

"If you follow me Efe, I swear you won't like what I'll do" she threatened walking away but he still followed her. "Efe, you're trying me, you're trying me. I swear you won't like what I'll do. You really won't do!"

Brenda slammed a iron rod she picked from the ground against the front windshield of Andy's car. He gasped placing his hands on his head. "Brenda are you mad?" "It's my sister's money that has been invested in this stupid car and it's still her money you're going to use in repairing it so shut your mother fucking trap?"

Andy tightened his fist and Odion moved to his front. "Oga respect yourself, don't even try shit or else e go end here, warri style" he threatened and Andy walked towards the car to check the damage.

"Fuck you Brenda!"

"Fuck you too, fuck your generation!" She snapped walking back to meet Stella who felt weak to her bones. She sat on the floor staring at the monster she's been dating for years. Wasted years! She touched her forehead, she was coming up with a headache.

It has finally happened oooooh

😂🤣😫😊😭😢😨

I'm having mixed feelings ooo

I feel bad for Dara yet I'm still happy about the break up😂

How about you?

Air your views, I'll be waiting to see them ☺️