Smiles of the heart( Obianuju II)

The beauty of love

Ademilade

A cold, tingling kind of numbness spread across my forehead, into my mouth, and into my cheeks.

I couldn't speak because the muscle in my mouth were paralysed. Even if I could speak, I wouldn't know what to say.

I just stared and stared with my eyes wide open at the gruesome sight before me,

Moremi's lifeless body hanging on the gallows!

Tears spilled down my cheeks and my heart ached with pity for her.

Gosh! What is wrong with me? Why can't I seem to get a hold of myself? She is a murderer, for crying out loud!

"I did not kill your mother."Her words replayed in head. "Some one else must have been feeding her with poison."

"Bullshit." I balled my hand into fists and clenched my jaw in anger. "That is all bullshit." I turned around and started toward the gate when I heard someone call my name.

I froze in my steps. Who could it be? I looked in the direction and saw my step sister ———

"Aunty Ranti." I called out in surprise as I had not expected to see her here.

Did she come witness her mother's death?

"Ademilade." She rushed to me, hugged me and began to cry.

"Mum.... Is .....dead."she spoke slowly and with great difficulty.

I was indifferent to her.I just stood there, my whole body stiff, staring down at her coldly.

To begin with, we were never close. How dare she touch me?

I wanted so badly to push her away,but couldn't bring myself to do it. She had just lost her mother.

She pulled out of the hug to stare at me. "I know you are upset with mum............"

"She is not my mum." I cut in angrily. "She tried to kill me." My heart hammered as I choked out my words. "Your mum wanted me dead, she didn't consider me her child."

The tears began to flow freely and sobs shook me.

I was so confused about the bottled up emotions inside of me, I wanted to scream and let it all out. But how?

"Oh dear." She drew me to her bosom in a motherly hug, and this time around I welcomed it wholeheartedly.

I wrapped my hand around her tightly and cried out in pain.

"Mum."I whimpered as an image of my mum smiling flashed through my mind.Why did she have to die a pathetic way??

The pain in me turned into anger,making my heart stronger and I broke away from the hug.

"Thanks." I simply said,walked past her to the gate.

"Where are you going?" She called after me.

"Home." I stepped out of the gate. "To go see dad."I immediately flagged down a taxi and got in

"Senator Adams mansion." I told the driver.

"Which of the mansions?"he looked at me in the car rear mirror.

Oh right! I completely forgot about the other mansions.

"The one at Maitama."I leaned back in the seat and closed my tired eyes.

"Alright sir." he started the car and drove off.

*

Eventually, the car came to a screeching halt and I forced my eyes open.

I was already home.

Alighting, I paid the driver and walked up to the huge gate.I knocked on it twice and the gate yanked open to reveal the old looking gate man.

"Welcome small Oga."he greeted, a wide smile plastered on his face as he opened the gate wider.

I nodded in response and walked into the compound, and straight to the sitting room where I met my dad smoking his pipe, nodding his head to the music playing out from the speaker,

He didn't seem at all bothered by his wife death.

"Dad." I called out softly and only then did he notice me.

"Ade." he smiled lightly. "I knew you would come."

"Of course you knew."I forced a smile. "But I never expected to meet you this way.

"What do you mean by that?"his eyebrows knitted together in a little frown.

"Are you really asking me that?"I snickered. "Your wife got executed today,and all you think of is smoking. Do you have a conscience at all?"

Surprise, then disbelief, crossed his feature. "You taking sides with a woman who attempted to murder you."

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! As if I knew he was gonna say that.

"No, I am only stating the fact." I told him. "She is a murderer,no dispute about that. But she is still your wife". A dead wife. I mentally corrected myself.

For a moment he stared at me,his expression unreadable, and then looked away, sighing deeply. "Go to your room."

Without a word, I turned toward the stairs and proceeded to climb it when a question popped into my head.

"Do you have another wife?" I directed the question to him.

"What?" he shrieked. "Is that how lowly you think of me?"

"Just answer the question." I snapped at him as I still couldn't get Moremi's word out of my head.

What if he has another wife who poisoned my mum out of jealousy?

"No."he finally answered. "I married only two women, your mum and............." I ran lightly up the stairs before he could complete his c**k and bull story.

Look at him acting all righteous.What then of Adesewa mum? Did he screw her through the mouth?

Speaking of which, where is Adesewa? Is she in school? I started for her room to check on her, but stopped abruptly when I heard a slight noise behind me.

I spun around just in time to see her sneak into my room.

Tsk... Tsk... Tsk......Does she still see herself as a child?

"Adesewa." I sauntered into my room and there she was, literally flying at me.

"Brother Demi."she gave me a thousand kisses. "I have missed you."

"Hey." I chuckled lightly and pulled away. "Only my fiancee is permitted to do that."I pecked her forehead lightly. "That is for you."

"Oh yeah." she rolled her eyes. "I can see how much Juliet has taken over your brain."she mumbled her words, but I heard her clearly.

Whatever!I chose to overlook her scorn and collapsed on the bed. "Get me something to eat."

"Alright." She drawled and dragged herself out of the room.

What a lazy brat! I kicked off my shoes and fished out my phone from my pocket, only to see that I have missed 20 calls. 10 alone from my baby.

Jeez! I quickly dialled her number and she picked up on the first ring.

"Thank goodness." I heard her sigh. "I almost got an heart attack worrying about you."

"I am sorry ba..........."

"Where are you?" her voice drowned mine. "Have you gotten to Abuja? Have you seen Moremi? What did she say?" she spoke in a rush.

"Chill." I smiled lightly hearing the concern in her voice. "Which should I answer first?"

"Everything." She replied

"Fine." I laughed lightly. "I have seen her,and I am presently at home."

"What did she say?"

"Nothing much." I shrugged slightly. "She merely apologised to me."

"And did you forgive her?" she probed on.

"See babe." I yawned . "Can we Please talk about this tomorrow, I really need to sleep. Pleeease."

"Alright."She easily agreed. "Talk to you later."

"Demi! Demi." I heard Chichi's voice in the background as she ended the phone call.

I smiled lightly and placed the phone on the drawer; then I removed my wristwatch and placed it on the surface.

I was so damn tired!

I collapsed on the bed and quickly fell asleep.

*

The sun pouring directly in through the large front window was on me, and I felt the warm covering my skin.

I squinted at it ,and slowly opened my eyes. It was morning already.

Stretching, I began to sit up when I noticed the tray of food on the stool beside me.

Jeez! I barely ate yesterday,no wonder I felt so empty.I got out of the bed and staggered into the bathroom.

I planned on paying my girlfriend a surprise visit. To achieve that, I must leave Abuja very early.

Taking off my clothes, I brushed my teeth and stepped into the bathtub and had a long refreshing bath.

When done, I returned to the room and strolled to the wardrobe,reaching into it for a sweat pant and shirt and hurriedly changed into it.

Then I put on my sneakers,picked up my phone and walked out the room, and through the passage to Adesewa's room.

"Adesewa." I knocked on the door and waited, but there was no response.

I guess she is still asleep! I stepped out of the passage and climbed down the spiral stairs into the sitting room and met my father the same way, seated on the sofa, a pipe in his hand as he puffed out smoke.

Did he sleep at all?I don't think so.

"Good morning sir." I greeted.

He slowly turned in my direction. "Ade." his eyes raked me up and down. "Where are you going this early morning?"

"Lagos." I replied

"Lagos?" his eyes popped out of its socket. "But I thought you would be spending some few days with your family."

Family!I doubt he even knows the meaning of that.

"No." I bluntly replied. "I have important things to do." I picked one of the two car keys on the centre table. "And I will be needing this."

He nodded slowly. "That is the key to the black range over sport."

"Thanks." I nodded towards him, and with that, scurried out of the house, through the garden, and to the garage.

I easily found the car. It stood out from the rest with its black rims and ceramic tinted windows.

Pulling the car door open, I slid into the driver seat and started the car, driving out of the compound as I began the long journey.

I should get to Ago lwoye hopefully before sunset.

*

OBIANUJU

It was late afternoon, and the sun shone harshly into the room,making us all sweat like Christmas goat. Worst still, there was no light.

"Nawa ooooo!" Chichi hissed loudly and took off her singlet, exposing her perky breast as fanned her self with a paper.

"Please let it reach me small." Shakirat who was laying beside her begged.

"Do I look like your slave?" Chichi snapped at her and Shakirat sat up in a huff.

"Am I your mate?"She glared at her. "Where are your manners?"

"Inside my pocket." Chichi rolled her eyes.

"Juliet." Shakirat face me, fuming in anger. "Warn your sister or else I will beat the hell out of her."

I merely nodded and rested my back on the wall.

They were not my problem, Demi was.

Why was he not picking my calls? I was seriously worried . Is he still sleeping? no nau. I glanced at the huge clock on the wall, it was 4:00pm sharp.

Or did his step mother say something bad to him? If not, why hasn't he called since morning? why has he refused to pick up my cal..............

"Juliet." Shakirat interrupted my thoughts.

"Yes." I slowly shifted my gaze to her. I had expected to see her "eating Chichi up", but no,they were laying side by side like they were best of friends.

Impossible!

"Which brother was Landon talking about?"

"Are you asking me?" I clapped my hands lightly . "Me I don't know oooooo."

"Hmmmh." She exhaled deeply. "I don't think he is alright"

"My Landon is alright ooooo." Chichi butted in,frowning at Shakirat.

"How many times have I warned you not to interfere when adults are talking?" Shakirat scolded at her

"And who is the Adult?" Chichi sniggered. "Is it you?"

I found it hilarious, but kept a straight face,

My sister and her bad mouth!

Suddenly a knock sounded on the door, startling me.

"Who is that?" Chichi glanced between us and the door, uncertainty in her eyes.

Gosh!Why does she freak out at everything?

"Put on your singlet."I simply instructed her, got out of the bed and made for the door.

Opening it, my Jaw dropped.

Ademilade was standing right in front of me.

"Ademilade." I jumped on him excitedly.

"Hi baby." he gave a small laugh, trailing hot kisses down my neck as he stepped into the room.

I threw my head backward and laughed heartily,enjoying the warmth of his lips on my skin,only to be disturbed by my little sister piecing scream.

"Oh no oooooooooooooo"

The room went silent in an instant and we all looked in her direction, waiting for an explanation.

"You both are doing rubbish." She finally spoke and soft laughter filled the room.

She is just too funny.

"Hi Shakirat."Demi placed me gently on the floor. "Hi Chichi."he moved closer and hugged her loosely. Then he faced me. "Let's go somewhere quiet." he said in whispers.

"I will go with you." Chichi volunteered herself.

How she managed to hear, I can't say.

" That won't be possible." I pointed out to her.

"But I will be lonely." She squeezed her face as she frowned.

"No, you won't." Shakirat assured her. "I will be with you."

"I don't want....." She began to protest,but seeing my stern face she fell silent.

Better! I slid my feet into a red slipper and faced Demi . "Let us go."

With that,we hurried out the room, through the passage, and outside to his ———-

"Is this yours?" I stared at the range over sport in admiration.

"No." he held the door open for me. "It belongs to my dad."

"What is the difference?"I rolled my eyes and climbed into the passenger seat with my shoulders held up high.

He closed the door behind me, turned around, slid into the driver seat ,started the car and zoomed off.

*

Ademilade

After driving aimlessly up and down the street for close to an hour ,I decided to call at the Popular Time-square hotel to catch some fun with my baby.

I drove through an untarred road,down a narrow path and parked out in front of the huge gate.

"You didn't tell me we are coming here." Obianuju smirked.

"Should we return to your room?" I asked sarcastically.

"Hell no." She clamped her hands over her mouth and giggled excitedly. "Tonight is gonna be fun."

"Sure." I allowed myself a small smile of satisfaction,glad that she loved it.

We alighted from the car and walked into the building.

Jeez! It was so crowded. "Are they throwing a carnival here?" I thought aloud and drew obianuju close to me, contemplating my next move when I noticed a tall guy approaching us.

"Landon." Obianuju gasped.

Landon! A dull anger welled up in me. The i***t who kissed my Fiancée.

"Hi Obianuju." he stopped in front of me,looking at me "How are you?"he asked her, his gaze still on me.

"I am fine." She replied. "This is my Fiance.........."

"We have met before."he cut in, "though in an unpleasant situation." his smile widened . "I am Akorede." he introduced and stretched forth his hand

"Ademilade." I ignored his handshake and walked past him, dragging Obianuju along beside me.

There was something about him that I couldn't pinpoint, His face. He looked familiar, very familiar.

TBC

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