Smiles of the heart( Obianuju II)

Love hurts

ADEMILADE

A heaviness, a cloud of depression and weariness, seemed to draw all of my features downward.

I sat there on the floor,a cigarette in my hand, dragging, inhaling and puffing out small clouds of smoke into the air.

This had been my way of living ever since Obianuju left—Smoking, drinking and wallowing in sorrow.

I couldn't even think straight. It was like she took a part of me with her, a huge part that can never be replaced.

I was no longer the same. Like a shadow, I was and was not.

All I wanted was to wake up from this so-called night mare,I wanted my baby to come back and make me whole again,

But it seemed almost impossible as Emma was still in my house and I had not the slightest courage to kick her out.

The sudden sound of my cell phone ringing should have startled me, but it didn't as I was not in the right state of mind.

I ignored it and let it ring to an end,but it began ringing again.

"What the heck!"I groaned out in frustration and reached for the phone which was at the head of the bed to check out the caller and noticed it was a foreign number.

Who is this? I wondered, receiving it.

"Good morning." A female voice rang out through. "Am I speaking to Mr Ademilade Troy Adeoye?" she pronounced my names in a funny way.

"Who is this?" I slurred my words and crushed under my foot the cigarette that I had been smoking, breathing deeply.

"Anastasia Morgans." She replied. "Your mum,s lawyer."

My heart skipped a beat. "My m-mum."I muttered, disbelief coursing through me. I couldn't believe my ears.

"Yes, your mum." She affirmed. "I know this is kind of sudden, but you are the new owner of the MacAdams hospital..........

Oh right! So this is about the hospital again.

"Your mum willed it to you before she died."

"I am not interested." I bluntly refused.

"But why?" She sounded surprised. "Do you realise we are talking about your mum's sweat and blood here?"

"Sweat and blood?" I repeated, clearly confused. What does she mean by that??

"Yes. your mum worked so diligently, protecting the hospital interest to make it what it is today."she explained. "She did it because of you Troy.She never grew tired of telling anyone who wishes to listen about her baby's dream, your dream of being a doctor."

A great pang gripped my chest and my eyes were prickled with tears.

So MacAdams is about me, my mum's parting gift to me. Gosh!Why didn't I think of it that way??

"We need you Troy." She implored. "MacAdams needs you."

"But I am not qualified for the position."I rasped, my voice thick with tears. "I mean I am yet to have a medical license."

"That isn't a problem."She assured. "I will take care of that aspect until you are ready. All I need you to do is to assume full responsibility over the hospital."

"Alright ma." I readily agreed. "I will put in my best........."I paused, trailing off when a question suddenly popped into my head.

"Did my mum know she was gonna die?" I threw the question to her.

"Hell no."She screamed over the phone.

"Why then did she write a will?" I wasn't buying that answer from her.

"That is....."she hesitated a moment, as though she was taken back by the question, and then sighed. "She had a damaged lungs."

Damaged lung! My curiosity got the better of me and I found myself asking. "What was the cause?"

"Can we Please stop talking about .........."

"I want to know." I screamed at her.

"Fine! Fine." She exhaled deeply. "It was poison."

"What?" I hard a loud bang in my head. Poison!

"I didn't kill your mother." Moremi words replayed in my head. "Some one else must have been feeding her with poison, but I took the blame because there was no escape for me."

Argh! Does this mean she is right???

"I know you are pained child." The woman voice sounded so distant. "But it is the truth. You mum discovered it late and was contemplating on a surgery, but not until your call came in. She travelled to Nigeria on an impulse and never returned.

Tears flowed freely down my cheeks, cutting a wet patch down my charred skin. I couldn't control my emotions, I was drowning in my pains.

"Who... poisoned... her?" I struggled out my words.

"How I wish I knew." She sighed very softly. "But I have a hunch that someone very close to your mum did it."

"Like who?"

"Have you met with Lily Hampton?" She asked suddenly.

"Yes."I replied. "Why did you ask?"

"Nothing." She chuckled nervously. "I will transfer the hospital files to you right now."she spoke in a rush. "Inbox me your email address and let's get down to business." she ended the phone call.

I stared at the phone blankly, too dumbstruck to move an inch.

Why do I have this horrible feeling of emptiness? Why do ........."

"You still thinking about her?" Kewe's voice startled me, interrupting my thoughts.

I looked in the direction of his voice and saw him standing at the entrance to the room,holding a small travelling bag in his hand.

"Are you travelling?" I looked him up and down. He was fully dressed, including shoes.

"No." he averted his eyes from me and stared into space. "I want to spend a couple of days with Tobi."

"You leaving me?" I stared at him in disbelief.

"I can't stand that bitch."he bit his upper lips. "I can't deal with the way she talks to me." he looked at me. "She is so rude and stupid, you really need to do away with her."

I nodded slowly and smiled at him,my heart pounding harder and harder.

"I will do that."

"Alright bro." He clutched the handle of the bag. "I will come check on you tomorrow. "he turned around, hesitated, and then faced me again.

"I understand you are acting all dumb because of the unborn child, it could be yours anyway....."

Bingo!how did he know?

"I understand you don't believe in abortion and I understand you don't want to make a terrible father just as your father, but don't you think you need to cut some airs?"

"Do you have a solution?" I stared intently at him.

"Well!" He shrugged lightly. "Just an advice.Don't let go of Obianuju. If you do, you are gonna regret it forever."

"I know." I exhaled deeply. "But how do I get her to understand me? Will she ever forgive me?"

"Of course she will." I was reassured by the positiveness of his words. "Go to her, explain things to her and see the magic happen. My elder brother isn't my mother child, you know that right?"

I nodded, understanding him better, knowing fully well what to do.

I needed to make peace with my baby. I sprang up to my feet, tossed my phone on the bed and dashed into the bathroom.

"I want to be on my way oooo."Kewe laughter filled the room.

"Alright."I simply replied.

Brushing my teeth, I took off the only clothing on me—my brief and stepped into the cold bathtub and had a quick bath.

I returned to the room feeling refreshed and ambled to the wardrobe, reaching into it for a simple native attire and hurriedly changed into it.

I looked into the mirror to see a complete different person staring back at me.

My high cheek bone was sunken.My eyes were dark circles staring out with bewilderment and fear, the bright brown colour terrifying dim.

Jeez! Is this really me?? I Combed my curly hair till it felt right, slid my feet into a palm slippers and reached for my phone and car key.

I tucked my wallet into my pocket and walked out of the room, climbing down the stairs into the sitting room, only to see Emma dancing like a stripper.

I raised my eyebrow, shook my head in disbelief , and made my way to the door.

"Are you going to work?" her question brought me to a halt.

"No." I faced her. "I am going over to my fiancée."

"Fiancee?" I smiled inwardly when I saw the confused look in her eyes. "What then about me?"

"Go home." I told her. "There is no room for you here."

"And the baby?"she looked at me pleadingly. "Are you gonna abandon it?"

"Is that how you see me?" I snickered . "Hell no! You are gonna have it, and I am gonna carry out a DNA paternity test to confirm if it is really mine."

"Alright." She swallowed hard and gave me a strained smile

I scoffed silently and walked out of the house.

"Make sure you lock the door when leaving." I called out to her and climbed down the balcony, and to my car.

Opening the door, I climbed into the driver seat and started the car, slowing driving out of the compound, up the road to the barber shop.

I needed to have an hair cut first.

*

OBIANUJU

I flung myself on the bed again, restless and scared.

This had been the third time in a roll.

I glanced at my phone screen for the umpteenth time but still, there was no call from Ademilade.

"Argh."I cried out in frustration.

Two days. Good two days and he hasn't bother to reach out to me,

Does this mean he has forgotten about me?

No it can't be." I Jolted out of the bed,paced up and down the room, and flung myself on the bed again.

"Juliet." Shakirat screamed out from the Kitchen. "Do you want to hurt your self??

I completely ignored her and began kicking my legs about, hurting myself in the process, but I didn't care.

I just wanted to get rid of this weird feelings inside of me, I wanted to scream it all out.

"Ade mi."My sob rose in my throat and I cried in a low moan.

"Han Han! Juliet." Shakirat hissed loudly as she stepped out of the Kitchen. "Don't tell me you are still crying." She stood with arms akimbo. "Demi will come for you,I am very sure about that."

"Then... why ... hasn't ...he... called." I choked out my words.

"He is probably still brooding."she replied. "Or perhaps looking for a solution. I Hope you haven't called him sha?" She watched my face keenly.

"No." I shook my head slightly.

"Good girl." She moved closer and reached her hand out to me. "Stand up, let's take a stroll."

"To where?" my voice was raspy, rough and cracked.

"The super market." She helped me to my feet. "We are out of provisions"

"Oh" I walked into the bathroom. "Do you have enough money?" I turned on the tap and washed my face, drying it with a towel.

"Yes."She replied. "Kewe gave me more than enough.Too bad I didn't spend much time with him." She mumbled the latter, but I heard her clearly.

Smiling lightly, I returned to the room and put on my slippers. "Can we go now?" I reached for my phone which was on the bed.

"Sure." She led the way out of the room. "And when we are back, I will tuck you into bed." She frowned slightly. "You haven't been getting enough sleep."

"Alright mum." I walked beside her through the passage and out of the house: then we took a short route, passing through bushes to the Junction—Itamerin Junction.

*

The supermarket was crowded as usual with people trouping in and out in twos and threes.....

"Nawa ooooo."Shakirat scoffed. "Can't this place be free for once? Now somebody's daughter will start sweating like Christmas goat."

I laughed lightly and hit her shoulder playfully. "Go in, I will wait here for you."

"Will you be okay with that?" She asked, looking puzzled.

"Yes." I leaned against a random car.

"Alright."She blew me a kiss and started toward the entrance, swaying her hips as she went.

I followed her with my eyes till she entered the building,and then I looked down at my phone.

For a moment, I was tempted to call Ademilade, but I quickly shook the thought off.

I will wait patiently till he calls.

But what if he don't? my subconsciousness asked.

Shut up. I frowned at it. Ademilade loves me too much to let me go. I assured myself. He can't do without..............

"Uju." A familiar voice called from behind me——-Faith.

I spun around and saw her walking in my direction,Landon beside her.

Oh right!so she is screwing a celebrity now.

"Faith."I forced out a smile. "How are you?"

"I am fine."she replied. "And you? you look kind of pale."

"I am fine." I retorted sharply.

"Okay oooo."She drawled . Anyways."she looked up at Landon who had been watching me silently. "This is Landon............."

"I know her." Landon cut in rudely. "Go inside and get whatever you want."

"Alright."She glared at me before walking into the building.

"Mumu."I mumbled under my breathe.

"So....."Landon cleared his throat. "How are you?" he asked and I slowly shifted my gaze to him.

"Fine."

"You sure about that?" he stared into my eyes and I felt embarrassed under his steady gaze.

"Yes."

He smirked. "Or is this still about your boyfriend?"his tone was coldly mocking. "Ademilade Troy Adeoye." he called out his name in full.

I looked at him in surprise. "How did you know that?"

"My brother told me."he plainly replied.

"Your brother." I retorted. "Do I know him?"

He smiled lightly. "Your friend is already here."he nodded his head at me and walked away in the opposite direction.

"isn't that Landon?" Shakirat asked from behind me.

"He is the one." I looked at her and noticed she was holding two nylon bags. "let me help you with one."

"Alright." She easily agreed and handed me the smaller one. We started down the road toward the hostel, but my mind was unsettled as Landon words was stuck in my head.

Who the hell is his brother?? I wondered

*

Ademilade

By the time I arrived at Ago-Iwoye, it was already sunset. I drove up the tarred road to Obianuju's hostel.

I slowed down the car in front of the pink building and parked out in front.

With mixed feelings, I stepped out of the car, closing the door behind me.

I was excited about seeing Obianuju and was at the same time scared of how she will react upon seeing me.

I climbed up the short stairs and saw Shakirat seated in a chair along the balcony.

"Demi." she called out in surprise. "When...How ... erm..... why are you here?" She questioned.

I smiled lightly, but scoffed inwardly at her stupid question. Is she this dumb?

"To see my fiancée." I merely replied.

She stared at me in silence for nearly twenty seconds and I could see the fear in her eyes.

"I don't want you hurting her anymore, she has been through a lot. This past few days was really tough for her,she almost ran crazy yearning for you."

I exhaled deeply. "I won't hurt her." I promised . "Where is she?"

"In the room sleeping."

"Alright." I walked past her to the room.

Entering, I found Obianuju on the bed. Her pale face calm, her eyes closed, her chest rising and falling as she breathes.

I took off my slippers and moved closer to her,careful not to make a sound; then I placed my car key and phone on the reading table and crawled onto the bed, laying down beside her.

She turned over and mumbled some inaudible words, hugging me in the process.

I chuckled lightly and wrapped my hands around her.

"I love you baby." I pecked her forehead lightly. "Just hold my hand and I promise I'll never let you go."

TBC

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