Death knocks on our doors by surprise, it can be the loss of a loved one, something, or someone who's very important to us, it leaves us an unfathomable pain and grief.

"Why is this place so stuffy?" Aderonke asked, as they stepped into the Lekki District Police Station.

"Ask the government." Ada responded with a dramatic smile.

Aderonke rolled her eyes and scoffed. Wale chuckled and wrapped a arm around his wife's slender waist pushing her into his comforting body.

Ada strode along, greeting her busy colleagues that filled the hallways, her heels making beautiful clicking noises on the tiled floor. Ada stopped abruptly in front of a wooden door and swung it open.

Aderonke hesitated before entering the room, producing a white handkerchief from her purple purse and placed it on her nose stylishly while Wale entered swiftly, lowering his large frame into a wooden chair. Ada gently pushed Aderonke into the room with a smug look on her face before closing the door shut.

"Your office is so dusty, look at the dust your table is emitting and your book shelf is a complete mess." Aderonke pressured further, dusting her palms on her lap.

"Thank you." Ada replied, reaching out for a paper and a pen in her wooden drawer before flopping back on her chair. The table was the only obstacle that prevented Ada from placing a gag on Aderonke's mouth. She wondered why such a woman who just lost her child to the cold hands of death could be so talkative.

"Now before we proceed, do you know that your daughter was stabbed to death? At the scene yesterday evening, dark red blood was oozing rapidly out of her chest which has two meaning, Either it was an accident or a planned murder." Ada began, intertwining her fingers on the desk.

"So can you mention the names of the suspects?" Ada inquired, casting a glare at Aderonke.

"Their names are Sade, Bola and Mercy. They attend the same institution as my daughter." Aderonke replied, dabbing the dirty handkerchief on her wet eyelids.

"Then we would need to do a thorough investigation on them. They are the only ones who can provide adequate information since they are the closest to her." Ada responded, tapping the tip of the pen lightly on the desk.

"Thank you so much. We are grateful." Wale muttered, his lips curving into a small smile.

"Also we need to undergo an autopsy on your daughter." Ada whispered, scratching her hair with the pen.

"I won't agree with that. I would allow my daughter to be cut up and glued together." Aderonke replied, holding out her hand in obstinacy.

"It's just an autopsy for Christ's sake." Wale muttered, folding his hand under his chin.

"I know it's so hard but an autopsy would tell the life your daughter lived few minutes before she was murdered. What if she was poisoned or drugged? We have to clarify and tie up the loosened ropes." Ada persuaded, biting her bottom lips in anticipation.

"I am not interested in an autopsy and that's final." Aderonke retorted, batting her dreadfully long eyelashes.

"Darling, please reconsider.We owe it to Bimbo." Wale pleaded, as he traced circles on his wife's back.

"It's not that easy." Aderonke replied, as tears ran down her cheeks.

"I know my dear." Wale muttered, holding his wife's hands.

Ada watched the couple with a blank and pitiful expression waiting patiently for their joint agreement on the autopsy.

"Yes, I'll agree to the autopsy, anything to help the investigation." Aderonke concluded, gripping her husband's hands tightly.

"Then it's settled." Ada replied, wearing a pregnant smile.

"Here, have my business card, my number is at the back if you need any assistance from me." Aderonke stated, dropping the card flatly on the desk before rising steadily on her feet.

"And where are you going?" Wale inquired, raising a brow.

"I am uncomfortable and isn't she done with her irrelevant questions?" Aderonke replied, holding the chair.

"You can go home. I'll call if I have any questions." Ada chuckled, fiddling with the pen.

"When you are ready, meet me outside." Aderonke stated, bolting the door without sparing a glance at the perplexed detective.

"Thank you for everything once more." Wale muttered running out through the door and yelling his wife's name repeatedly.

Ada sighed and opened her notebook. She yawned, flexing her muscles into movement and placed her head on the table and mumbled.

"What a delusional woman!"

********

"Why were you so rude? You didn't have to say that." Wale stated as he kicked the car engine into a start.

"She was asking baseless questions. It won't get us anywhere." Aderonke grumbled as she rolled the car windows.

"I really don't understand why-" Wale began, gesticulating with his hands.

"Wale, please keep your eyes on the road. Stop talking, your voice is really annoying." Aderonke interrupted as she leaned deeper into her seat to gain comfort.

"Are you hungry?" Wale inquired, shooting a concerned look at his wife.

"I am not hungry." Aderonke replied as she folded her arms around her body.

"Baby, you didn't eat yesterday night. You didn't eat this morning either. You need to eat." Wale pressed on, gripping the steering lightly.

Wale almost failed to notice the incoming truck that swerved towards his car but reflex took over which prevented a tragic accident and caused a dramatic utterance from his angry wife.

"Can you see? I told you to keep your eyes on the road but you refused. What exactly is your problem? I said I wasn't hungry. If you intend to continue asking me questions, just kindly drop me. I would find my way home." Aderonke screamed, as she unbuckled her seat belts.

"Darling, I am so sorry. I was just worried. You know I love you." Wale pleaded, stretching his hands to pinch his wife's nose.

"If you truly love me, please stop talking." Aderonke begged as she dragged her husband's cold hand away from her throbbing nose.

"Alright." Wale concluded. The rest of the journey was filled with an uncomfortable silence as Aderonke looked at the streets. She saw young children hawking plantain and shifted her face instantly. Wake noticed his wife's discomfort and rolled up the glass window facing his wife. The loss of a child was so prominent on Aderonke that it shook her entire soul into oblivion.

Wale horned repeatedly which jerked Aderonke back to life. they were home. The loud horn went on for several minutes without stopping.

"Why does Uche behave like this? Why is he such a useless gatekeeper? This was one of the reasons why I asked you to place an electric gate but you simply refused to reason with me. You are still living in the age of illiterates and you don't want to move forward with the trend." Aderonke muttered as she placed a tired hand on her left cheek.

"Be patient. He might have been sleeping." Wale sighed as he grabbed on to his wife's headrest.

"You are always saying--" Aderonke began, but was stopped by the clanking sound of the gate opening.

Wale drove into the lavish compound and removed the keys from it's hole, giving his wife a slight smile.

"Good afternoon sir. Good afternoon ma." Uche screamed, as he held on to the passenger door where Aderonke was seated.

"And where on earth were you?" Aderonke inquired, as she was disgusted at the sight of the skinny gatekeeper dressed in a food stained shirt and a faded shorts.

"I was sleeping ma." Uche responded as he slightly bent his knees in apology.

"Are you supposed to be sleeping? Even the dog at the back of the house is awake. Do you want to drag your family members into poverty? Do your job." Aderonke retorted as she squeezed her brows in annoyance.

"I am sorry ma. It won't happen again." Uche stuttered as he still grabbed on to the passenger door.

"Better leave the door this instant before I send you to your early grave." Aderonke sneered as he slightly opened the door. The gatekeeper jerked back in fear and raced towards his little abode beside the gate.

"That's enough. Let's go inside." Wale stated, as he reached for his wife's hand and interlocked it with his.

A young maid dressed in a blue dress rushed outside at that instant and knelt before Aderonke.

"Good afternoon ma. Good afternoon sir." Sewa greeted as her knees grazed the tiled ground.

Aderonke simply nodded which pushed the young maid to speak more words.

"Your friend is inside ma." Sewa continued, as she remained on the ground.

"Take my purse to my room. Thank you Sewa." Aderonke replied as she felt a glimpse of triumph in the young maid's eyes.

Aderonke walked faster as she opened the door widely.

"I'll be in the shower." Wale muttered as he mounted the stairs.

Aderonke smiled and adjusted her dress. She strode towards the large living room and noticed her friend comfortably seated in the largest leather couch with a big smile on her face.

"Abike!" Aderonke chanted happily as they gave each other a hug and quick kisses.

Aderonke flopped into the couch with a tired moan.

"How are you?" Abike asked, as she scooted closer.

"I honestly don't know." Aderonke whispered as she covered her face with her hands.

"Look at your eyes, your eye circles are so big and dark. Your pores are open. What am I staring at? When did you start having black spots? Your wrinkles are too much. You need to go to a spa." Abike exclaimed as she took hold of her friend's hands.

"I am really not in the mood for all that." Aderonke replied as she crossed her slender legs.

"Anyways, I came to give you good news. I am pregnant." Abike chuckled as she rubbed her belly.

Aderonke hesitated before giving off a smile. Her mood changed completely as she struggled to keep up with the act.

"I am so excited. This is my fourth pregnancy, I really hope it's a boy. I am tired of seeing my baby girls." Abike laughed as she patted her friend's hands happily.

"Are you done gloating?" Aderonke asked as her eyes began to turn red with rage.

"Excuse me? Gloating? I was only telling you the good news. I thought you'll be happy for me." Abike replied as her face transformed into a shocking look.

"Happy for you? Is that what you tell someone who just lost their only child? You came to my house to mock me." Aderonke retorted, as she raised her voice in anguish.

"Cam down, I said it so that you would feel better. I don't know how to approach or console you. Do you expect me to bring a couple of gifts and say sorry for your loss?" Abike barked as she shifted her gaze away.

"And you call yourself my friend? To hell with your pregnancy. Go to hell, Abike." Aderonke screamed as she banged the table brashly.

"Don't you dare insult my pregnancy. Are you the first woman to lose a child? You aren't the first and you won't be the last." Abike stated as she snickered in irritation.

The height of frustration merged with anger was begging to be erupted as Aderonke stamped her feet angrily.

"Uche!" Aderonke yelled as she panted heavily.

"Better be calm and don't get hypertension." Abike laughed as she adjusted the creases on her dress.

Uche stumbled into the living room breathing heavily as if he were being chased.

"Madam, I am here." Uche said as he placed his hands on his chest to steady his irregular breathing.

"Let it be the last time that you allow this fat pig to enter my house. If you violate my rule, I will make sure you lose your job that same day. are we clear?" Aderonke yelled as she pointed her fingers towards Abike.

"Yes ma." Uche responded as he shook with fear.

"Don't worry, I will leave, at least I am pregnant. What do you have?" Abike chuckled as she rised up on her feet and clutched her handbag stylishly.

"Get out of my house." Aderonke retorted as she dragged Abike by the hands.

"Please go easy on me. I am pregnant for God's sake." Abike teased as she removed her friend's firm grip on her hand.

"You are a worthless friend." Aderonke spat as her eyes were stung with brimming tears, she watched her friend walk happily towards the gate while Uche urged her to walk faster. Aderonke bolted the door and wiped her face.

"What happened? What was all the commotion and screaming all about?" Wale asked as he descended the stairs wearing a singlet and a shorts.

"Nothing." Aderonke simply said as she walked on.

"You insulted Abike, didn't you? Why can't you keep your anger in check? Must you blow up at everyone?" Wale muttered as he scratched his bald head.

"Why didn't you ask what she did? You are so quick to blame me without even listening to me. Is it because she was your ex-girlfriend? Is it?" Aderonke inquired as she advanced towards her husband.

"I told you to never bring that up. Enough is enough. What's your problem? Must everything revolve around you? I am warning you now. Don't let me discipline you." Wale warned as he held out his right hand.

"You want to beat me. Go ahead, beat me. Just remember that a man who beats or raises his hand at his woman is a mad man." Aderonke retorted as she made irritable gestures with her hand.

Aderonke felt a sudden smack on her cheeks. Wale had slapped her. Her face melted into shock as she tried to recount how and why he did it.

"I am sorry, I didn't mean to. It's the stress. It's getting to me." Wale pleaded as he rubbed his palms together.

"Leave me alone!" Aderonke cried as she ascended the stairs leading to their bedroom, holding the agonized cheek.

~One death changed everything ~