Smiles of the heart( Obianuju II)

Pains in the heart

OBIANUJU

My heart raced to the point of pain, and I felt sick enough to puke. I couldn't stand it any longer.

Fresh tears streamed down my face,blurring my vision as I ran into the sitting room,shutting everyone out of my life.

I just wanted to be alone, I wanted to get out of here as fast as possible.

"Hey, Uju. What is wrong?" Funmi voice sounded like an echo in my ear.

I completely ignored her and reached for my backpack which was on the sofa. I slung it over my shoulder, hesitated for a moment before picking up the car key, then stormed out of the house and to my car.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Demi watching me silently with tears filled eyes.My heart ached to see him in such pain.

For a moment, I was tempted to run to him and assure him that it would be alright.

But who am I kidding here? It would only get worse.

Pulling the car door open,I climbed into the driver seat and started the car,slowly driving out of the compound.

I started across the street and down the road, my eyes wandering around for a quiet spot,

I desperately wanted to forget all of my pain.

I soon found one,a local bar at a corner of the road.

I slowed down the car and pulled out in front of the green building, then I alighted and went in the building.

"Can I get a bottle of alcohol please." I called out to the attendant— a lady in a red dress and sat down on the window seat.

"Which of the alcohol ma'am?" The lady politely asked.

"Any one". I replied.

"Are you trying to get drunk?" The sudden sound of Tobi's voice startled me.

Like seriously! So he followed me down here!!

I looked in the direction and saw him standing close to the entrance.

"What are you doing here?" I snapped at him.

He smiled lightly and moved closer to me. "I want to talk to you."

"About what?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

"You and Ademilade."he adjusted the seat opposite me and sat down. "Do you seriously want to break off the engagement with him?"

"Yes." I replied, not entirely sure of myself.

"You sure about that?" he stared intensely at me.

I gulped down a tensed, hard knot. Do I really want to break up with him? I searched my heart for an answer but found none.

"Well! You see....." he continued. "Kewe told me how it all happened and I got to know it wasn't his fault."

"What?"I shrieked. "How can you say that?"I stared at him in utter disbelief. "Didn't you see the lady he impregnated?" I bang my fist angrily on the table. "He f**king cheated on me with her."

"Demi never cheated on you." he retorted calmly. "He was drunk and the lady took advantage of his drunken state."

I scoffed silently. What is he even saying?

"So the lady dragged him into her home and forcefully laid with him." I drawled, in a sweet but sarcastic tone.

"No, the lady laid with him on the day he caught you fooling around with another man." he replied with the same sarcastic tone.

Another man! I groaned inwardly and my spirit dampened as the realisation dawned on me.

I caused it all, everything was my fault.

"Oh no."I clamped a hand over my mouth to stop the cry of pain. How could I have been so selfish!

Demi looked past all of my mistakes and forgave me, but look at me, so self centred and foolish.

Hot tears burned in my eyes and my breathe caught in my throat, making me cough loudly and violently.

Oh no!I was having an attack!!

I tried to yawn to get more air in, but my chest literally stopped the yawn from happening because it was so tight and inflamed.

"Are you alright?" Tobi leaned forward to hold me.

"My.... inhaler." I spoke with difficulty. "I ....need ....my ....inhaler"

His eyes widened in fear and panic and he sprang up to his feet. "Where is it?"

"Inside my ba......" I fell off the chair before I could complete the word, my hands on my chest as I coughed and retched loudly."Help.... me .... please." I begged as I slowly began to lose consciousness. "Somebody ....please ....help ....me."

"Please uncle be fast oooooo, she is dying."I heard faint voices in my head and the shuffling of feet as they hovered around me.

Air! I need Air. My subconsciousness screamed.

Right at that moment, the air started to flow in. Slowly at first, and then at a normal pace.

"Don't leave me Demi." I gradually drifted off to sleep.

*

Emma

I laid limp on the bed, exhausted and tired of crying out my pains.

My eyes were already puffy,my head pounding really bad and my throat blazed with a sharp pain.

I really needed to make use of an aspirin.

I lazily dragged myself out of the bed and staggered to the door.

Opening it, I came face to face with my mum.

"What are you doing here?" I blurted out foolishly.

"Like seriously." She snickered. "In my own house." She walked past me to the bed. "Isn't that a dumb question to ask?"

"Oh yes." I chucked nervously. "I meant to say that I wasn't expecting you,shouldn't you be at work?"

She gave me a long, contemplating look, before her face cracked into a smirk. "Come sit with me."She sat on the bed and crossed her legs.

Without a word, I moved closer and sat down on the edge of the bed.

Who am I to refuse?

"Good girl."She smiled at me. "Now it is time to execute the next plan."

"Alright mother." I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "What do you want me to do?"

"To go live with Troy."she replied.

Live with him! My eyes widened in disbelief. Did I just hear right??

"No way." I retorted in a huff . "I can never do ..........." She slapped me hard across the face and I choked back the words, forcing the urge not to cry.

"How dare you talk back at me!"She gave me this glare, like a death ray.

"I am sorry ma." I looked away from her and stared down at my feet, my whole body trembling.

There was a long pause, and then she sighed.

"I am sorry baby."She rubbed the affected cheek lightly and I winced in the process. "I shouldn't have done that, but you seriously pissed me off.

"It is alright." I muttered under my breathe.

"We are one step closer to our dream." She continued. "I need to own MacAdam, our family needs to own that hospital and I need you to help me."

"I will help you."I readily agreed and she smiled broadly.

"That is the way to go child, you are truly my daughter.

I managed a smile, but frowned inwardly at her words

No I don't want to be a monster like her.

She stood up from the bed then. "Arrange your stuffs, you will be leaving for Troy's place tomorrow morning."

"But am I really pregnant?" I found myself asking as I still confused about it.

"Why did you ask?"she looked straight at me with her piercing blue eyes.

"Nothing." I scratched my hair. "It is just that...erm ......I was on the pills when I slept with him."

"You were on the pills?"Her stare became so cold.

"No... erm .... I meant to say safe period." I lied.

"Then it is obvious you didn't calculate it well."She smiled at me. It was wonderful what a difference the smile made in her face. To me she seemed at that moment like an Angel.

"Hurry up and come downstairs for dinner." She opened the door and walked out of the room.

I listened closely to be sure she's gone, and then reached into my drawer for my diary and a pen.

"Dear diary." I wrote into it. "Mum seems to be crazy and I can't possibly let her harm anyone again. I have to stay with Troy and protect him.

*

OBIANUJU

The voices in my head became more consistent as I slowly opened my eyes to see Shakirat staring down at me.

"Thanks God." Her chest heaved, and she took a deep breathe. "How are you feeling now?"

"Better."I looked around the beautiful, but unfamiliar room. "Where am I?"

"Funmi's room." She replied.

"Funmi's room?" I muttered . "But how?"I scratched my hair in confusion.The last thing I remembered was falling asleep in Tobi's arm.

"Did Tobi bring me here?"

She nodded slowly. "He came to pick Funmi and I up after that."

Oh! That explains why she is here!!

"And Demi?" My voice fell to a whisper. "Does he know I am here?"

"Yes." She nodded again. "He has been calling ever since."

"Really?" I sat up in the bed and reached for my phone which was on a low stool and saw that I have missed twenty calls. Eighteen alone from Demi.

Good gracious! I quickly dialled his number and he picked up on the second ring.

"Hello Uju." He slurred. "How are you?" He asked.

From the way his voice sounded, I could tell he was drunk.

"Tobi called to tell me about the attack, I hope you feel better now?"

"Yes." I blinked rapidly trying to hold back the tears threatening to fall. He still cared for me despite the way I hurt him. "I am sorry Demi."The tears rolled down freely on my face as I couldn't hold them any longer. "I am s-sorry for all I said to you, so sorry for ruining your birthday party. I love you so much to let you go."

"Does this mean you have forgiven me?" he sounded so excited.

"Yes."I breathe in quickly. "With all of my heart."

"Thank you very much baby." he kissed me through the phone. "I promise to make it up to you, I promise not to hurt you again."

I smiled lightly. Just what I needed to hear.

"Can I come over to your place?"

"Sure." He readily agreed .

"Alright." I ended the phone call and jumped out of the bed.

"Chill babe." Shakirat chuckled . "Won't you at least take a shower?"

"I will do that at Demi's place."I plainly replied,my eyes wandering around the room for my car key. "Where is this key sef?"I thought and said aloud.

"In the sitting room." she replied.

"Oh!"I slid my feet into my sandals and adjusted my clothes. "Aren't you coming with me?" I asked her.

"I will come around later." She replied . "I want to assist Funmi with the house chores.

"Alright oooooo." I walked out of the room and climbed down the stairs into the sitting room and met the lovebirds— Tobi and Funmi curled up in each other arms, talking in whispers,laughing out loud.

"Hum! Hum!" I cleared my throat and only then did they notice me.

"Uju." Funmi got off the sofa and rushed over to hug me."How are you?" She rocked me in her arms like a baby.

"I am fine." I released myself from the hug and looked at Tobi. "Thank you so much for everything."

"It is nothing jare."Funmi brushed it aside. "Sit, Let me get you something to eat."

"There is no need for that." I politely declined . "I want to be on my way now."

"To Ademilade's place ba?"She smirked

"Yes." I blushed shyly. "I need to fix things up with him."

"You should do that."She nodded and smiled lightly.

"I will drop you off at his place."Tobi offered.

"That won't be ............."I began to protest, but stopped when he picked up my car key. "Alright." I finally gave in ."Thanks so much."

"You are welcome." He leaned forward to kiss Funmi before walking out of the house.

"Bye." I bade Funmi and with that, rushed out of the house and to my car.

Opening the door, I slid into the passenger seat beside Tobi and buckled up the seat belt.

"You sure you alright?" he stared at me concernedly

I nodded slowly

"Good!" He started the car and slowly drove out of the compound, up the road to Demi's apartment.

*

Ademilade.

My head was spinning around and my vision pinching inward.

I was so damn drunk.However,I picked my self up and began arranging the messy room,

I couldn't let obianuju see it this way.

I flung the clothes inside the wardrobe,hid the bottles of liquor and kicked the empty packets of cigarette underneath the bed.

I had been in a sober mood since yesterday.

The creaking sound of the door startled me and I looked up just in time to see Kewe walk in.

"What is it?" I asked him coldly.

"Don't tell me you are still angry with me."He sighed deeply.

I scoffed silently and looked away, completely ignoring him.

"C'mon man." he cooed. "I never knew inviting Emma was gonna be a disaster.Believe me, I did it out of a good will."

"I bet you did." I drawled.

"I am sorry now." he moved closer and punched my shoulder playfully. "Talk to me and stop acting like a sissy."

"A sissy."I huffed. "You must be crazy."

"Only for you."he gave me a wink and I was forced to laugh.

I just couldn't stay mad at him for long.

"So..... he continued. "Have you spoken with her?"

"Who?"I feigned ignorance.

"Obianuju."

I nodded slowly. "She is even on her way here."

"Why then don't you look happy?"

"That is because I am not happy."I retorted. "I am scared man, scared to hurt the girl I love. What if Emma tries to........."I paused, trailing off when I heard a knocking sound downstairs.

"That must be Uju." I quickly put on a shirt and ran out of the room, climbing down the stairs into the sitting room.

Opening the door, my head exploded.

It wasn't obianuju, it was Emma.

"What are you doing here?" I thundered.

"It is my mum." her voice quavered as she spoke. "She ....kicked ....me out of the ....house, she ....said I ....should .... come stay ....with.. you."

It was only then I noticed the big travelling box beside her

She got to be kidding me!!

"Can I Please stay here?"She cupped her chin and made a puppy dog eyes. "Say yes please."

"Never." Kewe thundered from behind me.

"And who are you to tell me that?"She fired at him. "Aren't you the odd one here?"

"What?" Kewe let out an audible gasp.

"Yes." She glared at him. "If anyone is to leave,then it is you."she made to walk past me, but I caught her arm and forced her to look at me.

"You can't stay here with me."

"But why?" She frowned slightly. "Is it because of your so called fiancée?"

"Don't test my patience." I gritted my teeth in anger.

"Cool down boy."she took a step forward and tried to kiss me, but I quickly turned my head.

"Crazy wench."I snapped and pushed her out of the door,only to see Tobi and Obianuju standing on the balcony.

Good heavens! When did they get here???

"Demi." Obianuju called, her voice barely audible. "Why is she here?"she looked at Emma and then back at me.

"Isn't it obvious." Emma sniggered. "I am here to stay with my .........."

"Shut up." I screamed at her and rushed to Obianuju.

"It is not what you think." I held her close to me. "Let's go somewhere quiet and talk."

"Seriously."her eyes grew wide in disbelief . "You sending me out of your house because of her?"

"Never." I replied sharply. "You know I will never do that. I just want us to talk in a very quiet........."Damn! I ran my hands through my hair. What am I even saying??

A ghost smile played on her lips. "It is obvious I am not welcome here." She took a step backward. "When you are done with your mistress, you know where to find me."she walked away from me silently.

"Uju."I made to run after her, but Tobi blocked my path.

"Fix the mess first bro." he patted my shoulders lightly. "I will make sure she returns to school safely." he smiled faintly and climbed down the balcony,walking in the same direction as Obianuju.

I followed him with my gaze till he was out of sight, and then collapsed on the floor, all dazed and bummed out.

How the heck will I handle this?

*

TBC

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Sorry for the late post, it is due to light issues.

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So enjoy ?