Chapter 43

Unedited

Dele sat in the waiting room of another hospital. He sat waiting for the doctor who finally walked up to him. "How is she?" "She's out of danger." He announced and he sighed in relief.

"Thank God"

Funsho and Gbade stormed into the hospital seeing Thomas and Tiwa. Tiwa was seated with her head in her palm. Thomas met them on seeing the both of them.

"Hey guys" he called out, "Where's Dad?" They both asked and Thomas scratched his hair. "It's complicated guys, I don't even know how I'm going to break the news." He stalled and Funsho shook his head.

God let it not be what I think it is! He prayed within.

"We've lost him, we lost Chief"

"No!" Gbade cried out, "It can't...." He stalled, "It can't be. Let's see him"

"We can't see him"

"Why?"

"Chief Bamidele Duncan is here, your Uncle, he's here with his spiritual entourage and they're not letting anyone in and according to him, they're taking him away"

"For what reason?"

"It was your father's demand"

"Where was he when Dad was sick huh?" Gbade asked, "Now he comes in here and start ls to make decisions"

"I'm not just making decisions on my own will." He stretched out a letter to Funsho being the eldest one. "Your father demanded we bury him that way, he is a Chief after all and all traditions and protocols must be duly followed if you don't want to invoke what you shouldn't"

Gbade looked at Funsho to get a signal to confirm what his Uncle just said and he nodded his head. It had his father's signature on it.

"Dad is now a sworn Christian" Funsho answered folding the letter. 

"Remember you have to give to ceasar what belongs to him" he answered and Gbade scoffed, "Screw it! We need to see our father" "Gbade!" Funsho yelled, "Don't disrespect, whether we like it or not.... He's right" He added and some men dressed in white pushed Chief out with a stretcher.

A cloth was covered all over his face.  "Dad" Funsho muttered as tears poured down his eyes. Tiwa stood up too. "No!" She wailed, "Brother mi, you can't be dead, no!" She moved closer and Thomas pulled her back.

"Can I just see his face for the last time?" Funsho requested and his Uncle shook his head. He moved his hands behind his back following the people out.

Immediately Mrs Bimbo and Yewande got out of the same car, on seeing Chief Bamidele,  she ran towards the people in white. "Kilo se le? (What happened?)" "I'm sorry" he apologized and Yewande fainted.

"Ah! Mummy Gbade!" He exclaimed, "Mummy Gbade!"

Dunni, Timmy Dara, Boma walked towards them too, she glanced at  Yewande on the floor then she looked at the man being pulled into a car. "Is that..... " She pointed looking at Timmy then she fainted falling in his arms.

Funsho sobbed in one of the hospital bathroom while Dara, Ade, Pamilerin stood by the door. Pamilerin had Sewa in his arms.
"Funsho dear?" She called out in tears but he kept quiet then he knocked, "Hey!" She added and he finally opened up, he had already washed his face.

"I'm okay"

"I'm sorry" she apologized and he went back into the bathroom to continue crying. 

"Please come out, let's cry this out together"

Sewa muffled some complains and Pamilerin hissed, "Me I'll drop you down oh. Everyone is crying, you're just shaking anyhow. It's as if you want to crawl home today" he complained and Sewa broke in tears.

Dara grabbed her from him, "Don't use the anger on her. She doesn't know what's happening. She's just a baby" "Bad things are happening and I don't like it" he busted into tears.

"It's not fair!" He snapped and Dara hugged him, Ade wrapped his arms behind across her legs and Dara cried.

Yewande rolled on the floor tiredlessly, "Chief oh! Chief! You can't die yet! (O le ku sibẹsibẹ) rara (no!)"

Gbade stormed out of the hospital and Boma followed him. "Wait!" "For what? Dad isn't here, what's the essence. I'm going home!"  "How? You didn't come with your car"

Gbade raised a car key up, "You're not in any position to drive"  "And who's going to stop me?" "Me" she answered and he scoffed leaving.

"So I can't stop you? I know you're hurting and maybe you need some alone but I don't want you to do it alone! It hurts and I know. Just let us do it together"

Gbade walked away. "If you leave, forget about this relationship" she threatened making way back into the hospital and he turned back at her. "Wait!" He called out but she adamantly kept walking away. 

He ran quickly wrapping his arms around her waist. "Please wait. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" "I thought you were leaving" "I already lost my Dad, I can't lose you too. I mean how else am I supposed to get Kunu?" he begged in tears and she turned to him laughing.

A small laughter escaped his mouth and Boma rubbed his cheeks. "We'll overcome this soon okay? It hurts, but it's going to be fine" "It really hurts"  he leaned his head on her shoulder crying and she slowly patted his back.

Saturday morning

5:30 am

Dara knocked on the door and Funsho opened up.  "Good morning" she greeted and he sniffled. "It's a bad morning" "Okay then, Bad morning" she greeted and he chuckled.

"I said good morning, you complain, now I'm saying Bad morning, you're not answering. Which one do want?" She asked and he exhaled looking at her.  "Where are the children?"

"In a hospital room." She raised the key up. "I locked it before leaving, I didn't want to take chances. Hopefully Pamilerin doesn't use Sewa as pillow. We better go"

"You haven't slept"

"I couldn't. Sewa woke up quite early and Ade and Pamilerin had to go to the bathroom for bathroom breaks, it's not a room they're familiar with. I had to follow them"

"Pamilerin didn't complain"

"No."

"I'm sorry for the stress. I wasn't supposed to stress you this way"

"Shhhh" she placed her hands across his lips then she shook her head. "I'm not complaining, they're my children too" she answered and tears poured down his eyes.

"He was supposed to see us get married. He was supposed to plan the wedding"

Dara hugged him patting his back. "Let's go home" she withdrew now looking at him. "I'm not going back, I want to go back to my house" "That's fine. We'll go, but you're in no position to drive so I'll drive" she suggested and he shrugged.

6:45 am

Dara drove slowly on the road and Funsho who was asleep opened his eyes. "Are we home yet?" He asked, "No!" Pamilerin answered.  "It's the traffic" Dara blamed but Fusho knew it wasn't but he just wasn't in the mood to make any comments about her driving.

Ade and Pamilerin on the hand had a lot to say.

Funsho walked up the stairs with Sewa and Dara knelt down in the sitting room before Ade, "Listen up guys, I can't do this alone, your father is devastated" "Devasted?" Ade asked looking at Pamilerin.

"No devastated" she answered, "It means something bad right? What does it mean?" Pamilerin asked and Ade laughed.

"He said it's bad, he does not know the meaning"

His infectious laughter made Dara laugh too. "It means, that your dad is deeply sad over this so you two should help him through this. Okay"

"Yes Ma'am"

Tiwa entered into the room holding on to a bottle of champagne and two wine glasses. Thomas who was in bed watched her placed it on the dresser table top the she popped the bottle open laughing.

"Hurray!!!!" She screamed.

"Today has got to be the best day of my life. I've been waiting for this day"  she raised the two glasses climbing in bed and Thomas picked his drink. "We're celebrating, to victory" she raised the drink up and they both clinked their glasses.

"To victory" he answered and they both drank and she kissed him on the lips.

"A tragedy just hit the Duncan's family. Chief Duncan was rushed to the hospital at the hour of 7 pm there about and he later confirmed dead" Omolade announced and Mrs Bimbo turned off the television.

Regina knocked and opened up at once, "Mummy good morning" she greeted, "How did it get to this?" She asked in tears, she expected to see her in tears instead she just sat still like a zombie.
"How did it get to what?" She asked and Regina shrugged.

"Chief's health"

"Who told you Chief is dead?" She asked and Regina creased her brow in confusion. "Ma, everyone is saying...." "He is not dead, he can't be dead. I refuse to cry over a man that isn't dead"

"Ma"

"I know what I'm saying. My husband is not dead, if he is, I would have felt it.)" She pinched her skin then she shook her head.

"Without seeing my husband's body with my two eyes, I refuse to believe he's dead"

Helen along with other maid in the house cried over Chief's death. "Chief wey I see with my two eyes. Na so death take wicked? E no dey see other people carry?" She asked, she already had he candidate in mind; Eugene.

"Other people dey wey this death fit carry! I dey suspect say this thing pass wetin eyes fit see"

"You don start" Eugene raised her nose cleaning her tears.

"I'm serious. Chief never use him time yet, at all! The enemies are against this and I get one word for the enemies. God go punish anybody wey partake to kill Chief!" She prayed.

"Amen!" They all sounded except Eugene. "Anywhere wey them go, e no go better for them!"

"Amen!"

"Their children children go suffer oh, caused na person Papa Chief be"

"Amen!"

"Na accident go kill them one by one!" She continued and Eugene clapped her hands, "For on top one enemy head" "Fire don dey burn you shey? Your body don dey hot, e be like say na you be the enemy"

"Na your Mama be the enemy" she hissed leaving the kitchen.

Funsho laid in bed with his head on Dara's laps while she used Sewa's fancy hair packer to pick his hair. "What are you doing with my hair?" He sniffled touching it and she chuckled.

"I'm trying to make my fiancee look pretty" she whispered into his ears and he chuckled softly.

"Should I bring your breakfast?"

"I don't have the appetite" he answered and she rolled her eyes. "You haven't eaten anything since yesterday morning"

"I'm not hungry" he answered then he remembered Sewa.

Sewa crawled up to the drawer touching the handle of the last drawer and Funsho glared at her. "Leave that place!" He yelled and she crawled away from there.

Pamilerin and Ade entered into the room. "Daddy?" He called out and Funsho raised his head. "I was thinking, if someone is as slow as Mummy Dara is driving, does that make the person traffic?" Pamilerin asked and Ade laughed. "You did not see when that dog passed by us, abi is it pass us by?" He asked and Funsho busted into laughter.

It made Dara happy to see him laugh, "So now I'm the point of comic relief now shey?"

"You took two hours to drive us home. I thought we won't get home today" he commented and she poked his hair with the comb. "Ouch"

"Dad can we watch movies?" Ade asked, "No! I'm not in the mood"

"Okay" he answered and they both walked out.

Funsho shut his eyes in guilt, "Don't be harsh with them. They're just trying to help out" "I know. How come they're not crying over this, I expected them to cry" he answered, "I actually realize how that sounded but.... Children cry when stuffs like this happen. How come they're not crying?"  "I spoke to them" "What did you say to them?"

"I told them.... I told them, God has taken Chief to a better place, to heaven and it was his time to go"  she answered and Funsho shook his head.

"Thank you but It wasn't his time. Dad...." He trailed off, "Dad isn't supposed to die yet, it's suspicious" "What's suspicious" "His death, let me say it as it is on my mind"

"What's your suspect" she asked, "my therapist said something to me and i waved it off. Maybe Dr. Sommy is right and someone is responsible for this."

So it's now you're suspecting? Dara gave him a look, "Maybe it's Uncle Bamidele"

There he missed it! Far from it Funsho! She said within then she blinked her eyes. "Why would it be your Uncle?"

"Did you see the way he was to quick to grab Dad's body? I wonder what they're doing to him now. Dad is supposed to be buried the Christian way that's my opinion. Gbade was already getting angry, I was angry too but I just had to control my feelings"

"Sorry"

"Don't tell me sorry. I'll cry again" he complained and she rubbed his head, "Feel free to cry on my laps" she ran his hands through his hair then she felt her lap go wet.

He was already crying on it. "I've never seen a man cry so much" she commented and he sniffled. "I'm going to miss him" "We all will"  "I've learned the best from him" he continued then he raised his head in search of Sewa.

They both glanced at Sewa who was now standing holding on the handle of the drawer. She immediately sat down when she noticed they had seen her.

She sat down clapping her hands and Funsho smiled. "I just wish I can be like her, be without worries"  she smiled and he looked up at her, "I don't know what I would have done without you"

They both kissed and his belly growled. Dara laughed, "Should I bring your food?" "Please do before someone faints here"  "I thought you didn't have the appetite" she replied and he chuckled.

"Please get me something." He answered and Dara laughed.

"Come Sewa" Funsho called out, "Come princess" he added and she gestured telling him to come and he laughed. " Are you seriously telling me to come? No, I don't have the strength, you come closer first" he gestured back and she crawled towards the bed.

Dara entered into Shade's room to find her mopping her tears off with an handkerchief then she blew her nose. "Your Dad is finally about to have breakfast. Should I make yours?" She asked and Shade shrugged.

"I can't do this Ma, it's too much, waec starts on Monday and I can't even read.  I don't know how Pamilerin and Ade are doing it. I'm just practically torn, what did you tell me to call them down?" 

Dara sat in bed hugging her, "I started by saying, God's the owner of life, in his house there are many mansions, Chief should be somewhere in one of those mansion" she paused and she smiled.

"Hopefully a beautiful one"

"Yes definitely........" She trailed off pulling away.

Dunni sniffled blowing her nose into a tissue paper when Timmy entered with a nicely prepared meal.  "What's that smell?" She asked and he looked at the food.

"So it's for real. We're slashing onions out of the .... " He trailed off then he laughed. "You gotta be shitting me. There's no food you cook without onions"

He dropped the food sitting on the bed. "Does it run for the entire 9 months?" "I don't know" she answered. "I'm definitely not eating the same food as you" he muttered and she chuckled.

"Please don't make me laugh"

"That's what you need. You gave me quite the scare yesterday when you fainted. Don't ever faint again, don't ever!" He warned and she chuckled, "I was this close to fainting, who would have revived me?" He asked and she continued chuckling.

"I'm sorry. I was just overwhelmed. I woke up this morning, hoping it'll be a dream but I won't up to the reality that my father is dead, for real and....." She trailed, "The news is already going national" "I'm sorry, I don't have anything to say, I don't know how it feels but sure it's the worst feeling ever. All I can do is show up for support, I'm here Dunni if you need to talk"

"Shouldn't you be in the diner? I don't want you losing customers because of me. They're important"  "You're more important. Be strong Dunni, if not for anyone, be strong for the baby, Winny, your mother and the rest of the family. Winny's all locked up in her room, you should talk to her"

Dunni sniffled wiping her tears off, "You're right. I insist Timmy, go" "Will you be okay all by yourself?" "I'll be fine"

Timmy kissed her on the lips and she kissed him back smiling. "Thank you for being there" "Where else would I be?" He asked kissing her on the lips again.

"I love you"

"I love you too"

How do you feel?

Kadri's  message popped on Winny's phone.

Hawrible! 😭😭😭

You meant horrible, shouldn't there be like an autocorrect option or something? I mean Hawrible? How did you come up with that? 🤣

You are the one that knows oh, it's short form

🤣😂 Short form my ass! How do you feel?

🎙️ "I feel horrible." She dropped a voicenote, "My voice is gone from crying loudly. I don't know why God had to take Grandpa away, he said he wasn't going to leave without seeing his great grand child. He broke his promise" she sobbed sending the message.

I can't listen to the voicenote now. I'm working and the music is loud in here, I'll listen to it later. What's the summary?

"I'm tired of crying but the tears keeps on puoing

Sorry I meant *Puoring 

She corrected 

😂🤣 Sweetheart, it's 'pouring' but I get it, short form shey?

Winny laughed out loud for the first time that day.

😂🤣  My first laughter. Thank you

Do you want to come over? Or you want me to come over? I can leave work

I'll be fine. Thanks

You're welcome. Be strong for the baby dear

Sure

Dunni walked in and Winny sighed. "My baby" she called out and Winny ran to her crying. 

Mrs Bimbo knocked on Yewande's house and her maid opened up. "Where's she?" She asked and the maid let her in then she pointed at Yewande who was asleep on the floor of her sitting room.

Mrs Bimbo bent down tapping her and she slowly opened her eyes. She hissed on seeing her, disappointed it wasn't Chief. "Rise up and go to bed" "I don't want to"

"You'll suffer from cold, is that what you want?"

"Maybe I want to die"

"Ṣe o n gbo ararẹ bayii? (Are you listening to yourself?)"

"Ki lo nṣe nibi? Ki lo fe? (What are you doing here? What do you want?)"  She hissed looking away and Mrs Bimbo exhaled. "I'm checking up on everyone to make sure they're not doing anything stupid. How are you?" She asked and Yewande busted into tears. "Chief is dead. How am I supposed to feel?"

"Chief is not dead for me until I see his body"

Yewande hissed, "Didn't you see Bamidele and his men push his body out?" "I don't know what you believe but I believe my husband isn't dead. I know you loved our husband but aren't we supposed to remain strong for our children?"

"He wasn't supposed to die yet" she cried and Mrs Bimbo hugged her, "He wasn't"

Dele called Tise on hearing the news on television. "Good morning to you Tise" he said after she picked the call. "Good morning" Tise gave a low response, "I just heard something on the news.... I don't know how true it is. Is it.... Is it true? Is Chief really ..."

"He is" she replied with an heavy tone and Dele shut his eyes.  "I'm so sorry. Do you wanna talk, maybe we could have lunch together. If it's fine by you"

Tise exhaled, "I could use some distraction" she replied and he smiled, "Sounds great" he hung and a doctor walked up to him. "She's awake Sir"

Magda opened her eyes slowly to see Dele seated on a white chair. "Are you okay?" He asked and she nodded. "I survived, I can't believe I survived" she cried.

"You lost a lot of blood, thank God you're okay"

"Thank you for helping me, despite the fact i....." She trailed off, "It's probably my fault you were shot. How do you feel?"

"I feel like crap" Magda replied, "They're going to kill me if I go back to work" "You're not going out yet, that was why I didn't take you to the Duncan hospital. For your protection"

"How is this place safe?"

"Yes. I'll have the doctor declare you dead to anyone who comes looking for you. Will that make you safe?" He asked and she shrugged. "I don't know. It's obvious I'm already a threat, what will you do now that you know so much?"

"I intended going to check out the store, maybe I could get a lead on where Derin might be and then let Chief know about everything you told me"

"But...?"

"Chief is dead" he announced to her shock. "How?" "Heart attack"  he answered then his phone rang.  He removed it from his pocket taking a close look at the strange number before picking up, "Hello"

Thomas and Tiwa sat in Bosco's office waiting for him. "Why is he keeping us waiting?" She asked and he hissed. "He is a busy man" "We are busy people too" "Technically, I'm the busy one here, you are jobless"

Tiwa glared at him ,"Why does that sound like an insult?"  "It's not my dear, I'm just being..." He trailed off then the door pushed open and Bosco Bishop walked in.

Thomas turned back with a smile, "The almighty Bosco" he chanted then he watched him take his seat.

"Good afternoon Barrister, I've heard a whole lot about you" Tiwa greeted, "Good afternoon" he replied. "This is Tiwalade Duncan" "His fiance" she chipped in stretching her hands and he laughed nervously.

Bosco winced in irritation as he received her hands. He quickly withdrew, opening up his laptop. "I hope you two haven't been waiting for too long"

"Yes"

"No" Thomas answered, "No we haven't. How's the family?" He added and he exhaled, "Let's just drop the formalities and get down to business, please" he begged. "I totally agree" Tiwa grinned.

"What do you want this time?"

"The reading of the will, I need your legal advice based on the fact you're now a partner, what do you suggest? Should we wait till they bury Chief? I don't even know when they'll fix such date. I'm less concerned, I want to have everything in my name. The Duncan's hospital name changed to my preference" he said with a proud smile.

"Our preference"  She noted and Thomas faked a chuckle.

Bosco gritted his teeth angrily, if only he could slap the smile off their faces. Within him, he shook his head at how despicable they both were! He couldn't believe he was tucked into this crazy scheme!   "The reading of the will traditionally comes after the burial. Are you sure that's what you want.... Maybe you should wait, what will the family think?"

Tiwa rolled her eyes, "They can argue with the will if they like! Who gives a fuck?"  "Monday it is then" 

Funsho dialed Gbade's number all to no avail. For some reason, he wasn't picking up and it made him worried. Gbade finally picked the fifth time and Funsho let out a loud sigh of relief.

"Why didn't you pick up? I thought you committed suicide"

"Why will I do that? I love Dad and I'm hurt but really Funsho, do I look that suicidal?" He asked then he shook his head knowing what his brother's response will be. "Don't answer that" he added. This forced a chuckle out of Funsho

"I was sleeping, that's why I didn't pick" 

"You probably think it's all a bad dream and maybe when you wake up, you'll find out Dad's not....." He trailed off,  "Yes"

"I've been doing that the whole day. I wake up each time to realize it's as real as ...." He trailed off and sighed. "How are you holding up?"

"Why are you asking?"

"Just being a big brother, making calls, I know this is a really tough time for everyone." He paused and Gbade kept quiet.

"Don't be scared to cry. I've been crying all day too and I'm the big brother." He answered and Gbade chuckled softly. "Worst they didn't even let us see him!"   He continued.

"Don't you think it's strange?" Gbade asked, "Same thing I told Dara. What if Dad's sickness isn't natural as we think? Sounds crazy right?"

"Boma once said I should run a test on him for poison?"

"Why will she say that?"

"Something she saw in a Mexican soap opera but who will want Dad dead?" he asked, "Perhaps the same people siphoning money from the hospital"

"What?" 

"Newsflash egbon, it's even old news. I found out someone was siphoning money and i wanted to investigate on the issue that was how I got to be associated with Rosemary Ignatius, the dead lady. She found out the truth but she was killed before she could reveal it to me”

"I had Uncle Bamidele as a suspect but what business will he have siphoning money from the company when he's also rich?" "Thomas hasn't given us the test  result yet. Is he waiting till we grow grey hairs?"

"Maybe we should carry out own test"

"True but let's not forget our number one and important specimen, Dad's body"

"Shit" Funsho cussed. "Something seriously as this happened and you didn't let anyone know" "I thought I could play detective but it didn't work out so well. Dad had Derin investigate into the matter and currently she has been kidnapped"

Funsho rubbed his forehead, "Egbon say something" "Like what? I don't even know if I'm even in this planet any longer. When did all this happen? Is Derin okay?"

"Wait.... I think I have the kidnappers number, I'll call them to find out if she's okay or not"

Funsho laughed sarcastically, "It's good to know you still have some humor left with everything happening" he answered and Gbade chuckled.

"His cousin doesn't even know if she's dead or not. He's worried" "Someone definitely kidnapped her" "What else will it be, a ghost?" He asked and Funsho exhaled, "Dad died of heart attack, maybe cardiac arrest, what do we really know about his death except that his brother had to take this body. I wonder what spiritual exercise they're performing now. Poor Dad" 

"What do you think we should do?" Gbade asked and Funsho shrugged, "I don't know, I seriously don't know. You're the detective, what do you think? Any suspects?"

"My initial thoughts were Dr. Ayeni but I can be wrong too."

"I think we should see face to face and analyse this. If someone is responsible for Dad's death.... He or she needs to be brought to book for this"

Dele sighted Tise seated on one of the chairs in a fast food restaurant close to the window so he walked up to her. She took her eyes off the window glancing at him.

"Why do you look like you've just seen a ghost?" She asked and he chuckled softly. "I look like a ghost right?" She looked at her reflection from the screen of her phone.  "I should have done a little make up"

"You're as pretty as you were the first two times I met you. Just sadder" he said to her, taking notice of her swollen eyes and instantly felt sorry for her.

"I'm sorry" he apologized, "I said I needed the distraction not something to make me cry again. Please?" She begged wiping her tears off, "Derin has been missing for days now, I actually thought, as actually thought it was just her normal routine of going AWOL but three days ago, I got a call from her. She has been kidnapped somewhere, only God knows where!"

"Oh my God!" Tise gasped, "The last I heard while she was trying to pass an information was a gunshot, I have no idea who the gun shot was fired at." He paused now lifting his head up to look at her. 

"My point is, no matter how sad somethings or experience may be, sometimes it hurts less by speaking more about it. Don't keep it all it, you're a psychologist, you should know these things" he answered and she chuckled.

"How are you feeling?" he asked and she sniffled, "Are you willing to risk me crying in public?"  "As long it makes you feel okay, I really don't mind" 

Just as Mrs Bimbo walked in Pamilerin, Ade jumped on her. "Grandma!!!" They both yelled, "Daddy, Grandma is here!" Ade yelled running up the stairs.

"Careful before you fall off the stairs!" She warned then she saw Funsho walk down the stairs. It wasn't so hard to see he has been crying.

Dara and Shade got out of the kitchen,  they bent her knees to greet her. "Dara dear, Folashade mi" she called out and Shade hugged her then she pulled away.

"I've been visiting people to know how they're fairing. With this situation, one can go crazy" 

"Thank God you're here Ma, I'm making lunch" "Thank you but I won't be staying for too long. I can see you're taking care of the children well. What about Funsho? How is he taking the situation?"

"He's here" he exclaimed raising his hands.

"Daddy has been crying like a baby since morning" Ade answered in a way that made it hard to tell whether he meant it as an insult or not.

"What about you guys? You don't seem affected. Or do you also hold the opinion that your grandpa isn't dead"

"Mom" Funsho called out in a warning tone, "Unless I see my husband's dead body, I refuse to believe he's dead" she whispered to her son then she exhaled loudly now looking at her grandchildren then she asked "How are they coping? I expected to see them sad"

Pamilerin turned towards Dara "Mummy Dara said Grandpa has gone to heaven to become angels to watch over us" he answered and Mrs Bimbo flashed a proud smile.

Chief definitely made the right decision choosing her! A test of a true soup mate is the ability to make good out of a bad situation and also calm the situation.

"She has been helpful trying to contain the whole thing" Funsho whispered and his mother gave a nod, "Thank you" she mouthed and Dara bowed her head.

Ruby laid on Dozie's bed in thought.  Dozie who just finished having his bath laid beside he with a singlet and boxers. "Stop don't tell you've been doing this all day?" He asked and she shrugged.

"Stop this, open your mouth and ssy something"

"I have sore throat" she managed to say. "It might be early signs of Malaria, don't feel guilty over this. You were threatened, any man would have thought that way. You did the right thing Ruby" he said to her and her phone vibrated in bed.

She raised it up showing him the caller ID which had Dr. Thomas on it. "What does that bastard want?"  He asked and Ruby hissed.

"I'll resign from work on Monday"

"Why? You don't have to do it"

"Anything to avoid seeing his ugly face!"

Stella went over to Lanre's house based on his demand. They sat on the chair staring into each other eyes, "Why are you staring?" She asked, "You're also staring" "Because you're staring too"

"Well..... It's amazing how you manage to steal my breath every time. I'm just staring at you and wondering how did I get so lucky" "I'm the lucky one, not you"

"I guess we're both lucky.  Some people are calling today Sad Saturday, I had the Duncan's restaurant in mind but with the whole news about Chief Duncan. To think the man just dedicated himself to the service of God"

Stella exhaled, "It's Dara I feel bad for. She loves that man like a father,
"I hate that I haven't taken you out on the date you deserve. I'll find a day to avoid church duties, fix a date, make you feel special"

Stella shook her head, "I don't want people saying you've changed because you're dating me" 

Lanre laughed. "Maybe it's time I also shift my concentration to my relationship too. I love God and I prioritize him above all other things but I don't want to screw what we have up"

Stella held his shirt pulling him close then she kissed him on the lips, "I understand" she whispered and her eyes lit up for the next agenda in her mind, "Now where's my suya?" She requested and he laughed giving picking two black customer bag then he handed one to her.
She removed the usual paper wrap, she unwrapped hers and began eating the onions first. Lanre had put in a ring in one of the paper wraps, on realizing there was no surprise expression whatsoever on her face, he unwrapped his to see a ring in it then he shut his eyes in shame.

"Uh.... Stel, that's not yours, this is your own" she answered and she laughed. "How do you know mine? Now I'm scared, are you sure it's not  poisoned?"

"I specifically told the aboki to pour all the whole onion in the world inside yours. That's how I'm able to differentiate" he wrapped it back and they both exchanged it.

Stella opened it up seeing the ring when she chuckled, "You fix a ring in the midst of Suya?" "I was thinking of doing a unique proposal. I don't think anyone has ever done. Suya proposal before. Do you hate it?"

"Hate? I love it" she whispered, "Kill me with Onion breath" he answered and she chuckled kissing him on the lips. "I haven't proposed yet" "You don't have to, I will , I do, I must marry you" she replied and they both kissed deeply.

Sunday

Amazing Grace Ministry

Brenda watched Dara and Ruby speak to their parents for a long while after the close of service then she finally walked up to them along with Kevin. "Funsho didn't come today, I was hoping to give my condolence"

"So you don't have phone again?" Dara snapped playfully and she chuckled. "How is Pamilerin and Ade?" Kelvin asked, he missed his friends greatly.

"They're fine. Do you want to come with me?"

"You're not going home?"

"No. I still have to go back, I can't leave Funsho, he's broken"

"You've been scarce since this thing happened." Brenda complained, "I have a lot of gist for you"

"At the right time, I'll listen to it. I'm happy you're back with Chris, if you screw this up this time. I swear to God, I'll exercise my rights as your eldest sister and beat you silly and there's nothing you'll do!" She threatened and Brenda laughed.

"I'll try my best not to screw up."

"Where's Stella?"

"She's having counselling in the Pastor's office." Ruby managed to say despite her sore throat. "Dara do and get married so we can follow in that trend. Will it be after the burial?" She asked and Dar shrugged,  "Let this whole thing settle down first? I promise it won't take long"

Dara hugged her then she held Kelvin's left hand leaving.

Sister Grace cornered Dara when she was leaving church. She had her usual fake smile plastered on her face. "Madam" she called out and Dara wondered why she'll start that way.

"Happy Sunday oh, abi is it sad Sunday?" She asked and her fiancee who was behind her that moment raised his brow in surprise at how inconsiderate she could be atimes.

Dara folded her hands, all she prayed for that moment was the patience to endure whatever may spill out of her mouth. "So it's until we hear that you're engaged from another source, Instagram and the others before we'll know that you're engaged shebi?" She asked and Dara raised her brow, completely astonished!

Wasn't she aware of what has been happening since she got engaged?

"Sister Grace, ever since my engagement, my father in law has been sick" "Late father in law..... So even though, igbayen ko? (So what?) Is it not phone that they always used to announce something? Shebi you saw how I announced my own, I didn't even keep it for long. Your own, since Tuesday night, you kept till Sunday? Are you.... Are you even a Christian?" She asked and Dara exhaled.

"Grace!" Gbolahan called out in a warning tone and she rolled her eyes. "Weren't you the one that was gisting me about all that has been happening? She definitely won't have the time, come on dear, be considerate, she just lost her father-in-law"

"He was not her father-in-law, they haven't crossed that bridge. It's not everyone that crosses the bridge, I have already educated her. Marriage is for the mature mind, for those that knows the worth"

"Oshe, marriage counselor" He answered and she glared at him. "I'm sorry I didn't announce my engagement but I'll definitely compensate for it. I definitely won't forget to announce my wedding date"

"Your...." Sister Grace cleared her throat, "Did you say wedding date?" She asked and Dara smiled, "Won't you guys wait till the burial and maybe wait some months later. It'll be inconsiderate to just rush the wedding and Dara, like I always advise you, marriage is not something you jump into. Just saying oh"

"I'm very well aware of that fact Sister Grace, thank you for the advice but if I need more advice on marriage, I'll meet someone that has been married before or a marriage counselor. Just saying oh" she replied and Gbolahan almost gave her accolades for the reply.

"Congratulations on your engagement and forth coming wedding then" he wished and she thanked him before leaving with Kelvin.

"Congratulations on your engagement and forth coming wedding?" Sister Grace mimicked her fiancee and he laughed. "What did I do?" "What did you do? Why are you so thougtless like this?"

"Whoa, I think that should be my line. The girl is going through a lot and you're pushing blames at her" "Was that why you had to tell her that I gave you gist? Why will you do that? What kind of mouth do you have?"

Gbolahan shrugged, "Was I lying? No." Sister Grace hissed. "I don't have your time all I just want to say if that if Dara gets married before me, I won't be happy with you"

"Why? I don't have that kind of plans for wedding. Have you forgotten who she's dating? Funsho Duncan, do you want to compare?" "Ah, look at his mouth, Funsho Duncan, shebi Funsho came to this world with ten heads"

Gbolahan rolled his eyes, "We're not having this discussion" "Oh we are having this discussion!" She whispered looking around then she faked smiles at some church members that just passed by.

"Daddy Weldon Sir" she slightly knelt down, waiting for them to leave. 

"I don't have plans for weddings yet" "Why did you propose then?" She snapped and he scoffed, "What? You wanted me a ring on your fingers badly, you wanted me to propose that you in front of your parents and I did"

"Shhhh" she looked around, "Don't shout, dont shout."

"I didn't plan to do it yet! Don't make it look like I did"

"Shebi I said don't shout" she whispered, "But still, we need to get married before her" "Let's plan well, Funsho Duncan can spend money in that wedding and still have more to spare but I'm not him. Marriage is not all about the wedding, I can't bankrupt myself to please you"

"Oshe motivational speaker. Me I want you to bankrupt yourself, we'll start afresh with church offering. Abi if we're inside our house soaking garri, who will know?"

"Couple of the moment!" Lanre's sister, Yetunde called out and they both flashed fake smiles at her.

"Gbolagrace 2020. I can't wait for the party" she commented walking by and Sister Grace hissed now batting her eyes at him.

"Is it Brother Lanre that just proposed that will get married before me. Ma je ki oju ti mi (Don't put me to shame)" she begged almost in tears but he hissed walking away.

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