Smiles of the heart( Obianuju II)

Confused

OBIANUJU

It has been over three weeks since I last saw Ademilade. Despite that, our love life was waxing stronger with every passing moment.

The bond forged between us was not one that could be broken by absence, distance, or time. And no matter how much special or beautiful or brilliant than me he might be, he was as irreversibly altered as I was. As I would always belong to him, so would he always be mine.This was my strong belief!!

*

The late evening sun poured through the window, it's rays cast darting shadows over the room.

I sat there on the bed, crossed legged, my laptop in front of me as I stared blankly at the screen.

I titled my head a little,trying to imagine a ghost scene, but it was all to no avail. I couldn't even think straight, I developed an headache instead.

Oh God! I sighed in frustration. "How am I going to do this?" I thought and said aloud.

"Do what?"Shakirat who was beside me,eating, asked.

"This." I turned the laptop so that she could see it."

"Oh." She screwed up her eyes as she scanned the page. "You want to write a story on ghosts?"

"A article ."I corrected. "And It must submitted on......."My gaze fell on the table calendar and I blinked twice. "3rd of June, Is today June 3rd?" I shook my head slightly in disbelief.

"Yes."She nodded,staring at me intensely. "Why are you asking?"

"It is Demi." I spoke in whispers. "His birthday is tomorrow."

"What?" She shrieked and leapt from the bed . "Don't tell me you forgot your fiancé birthdate?"she looked at me accusingly.

"I didn't forget." I looked away from her and stared down at my hands. "It slipped out of my mind." I bit my lips to keep them from quivering. How could I have forgotten that? I mentally scolded myself.

"It slipped out of my mind." She micmiced, making me blush in embarrassment.

Can she please stop making me feel worst than I already am?

"So what are you going to do now?"She finally asked and my face lit up with a broad smile. "Are you gonna call him?"

"Call him kwa." I looked up at her. "I doubt if he will even remember his special day."I mumbled that under my breathe. "I will probably make him a picture frame or......"I stopped mid sentence when an idea popped into my head. "What if I throw him a surprise party?"

"Hmmmh! Interesting."She sounded unconvinced. "How are you gonna do that?"

"Simple."I snapped my fingers. " I will be needing the help of his friends,most especially your boyfriend." I laughed lightly when she blushed.

Reaching for my phone, I dialled Kewe's number and he picked on the second ring.

"Hi Juliet." his masculine voice rang out through. "Demi is not here at the moment........"

"No oooo." I cut in. " I want to speak with you."

"Go on, I am listening."

"So you see...." I coughed and cleared my throat. "Tomorrow is Demi's birthday and I want ..........."

"Holy s**t! I completely forgot about it."He swore and mumbled a few other words. "You wanna throw him a surprise party right?"

Bingo! He must be reading my minding!

"Yes." I replied. "Can you help me with it?"

"Sure."He easily agreed. "I will also contact Tobi and tell him about it."

I smiled inwardly at his words. "Thank you so much."

"It is nothing." he brushed my greeting aside. "When will you be coming?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"With my girlfriend right?"

"Yes." I glanced at Shakirat and met her gaze for a split second.

"Good! I will be expecting you both."he ended the phone call.

"Yippee!" I cried excitedly and tossed the phone on the bed

"What did he say?" Shakirat asked, a curious look on her face. "Did he agree to it?"

"Isn't it obvious." I stood up and ambled to the reading table, reaching into the drawer for my money. "What should I get for Demi?" I faced Shakirat.

She shrugged lightly. "A picture frame."

"No." I sighed deeply. "I gifted him that on his last birthday."

"Hmmmmh." She tilted her head, as if thinking. "How about a perfume?"

"Hello!" I waved my hand in her face. "He is a billionaire remember?"

"Oh!"she scratched her hair, a sure sign of thought. "Then get him a neck chain."

"A neck chain?"

She nodded. "A unique one."

Her suggestion sounded good and I happily agreed to it.

I am going to gift him a necklace made specially for him.

*

Landon.

The car skidded to a halt in front of my family home. With mixed feelings, I stepped out of the car.

I was excited about seeing my mother and was at the same time scared of seeing her worsened condition.

"Wait here." I plainly told my manager and walked through the open gate , straight to the sitting room and met her crying like her child.

"Mum." I raced over and hugged her,

she felt so small and skinny in my arms .

"Akorede."She went limp in my arms and held me tightly. "Thanks for coming, thanks for checking on your poor mother."

I stroked her back lightly. "How are you feeling?"

"Worst."She blew out a breathe. "I am not fine." She pulled out of the hug and looked at me through blurry eyes. "I ....want ...to ...see my....son, I ....want .....to ....see....Ayomi." she choked out her words.

D**n! I swore silently. This is the exact reason why I hate returning home?

Ayomi! Can't they do without mentioning his name!!!

"Alright." I straightened up and adjusted my clothes. "I need to be on my way ma."

"But why?"She looked surprised. "I thought you are here to spend the weekend with your family?"

"I will do that at my personal residence." I told her point blank. "I need to cool off my head."

"School stress ba?" Her smile was dry, but her eyes twinkled with mirth. "How is school treating you?"

Oh yeah! I thought she would never ask.

"Fine." I responded dryly and started toward the door.

"When last have you heard from your brother?" her question brought me to a standstill.

"What?" I spun around to face her.

"Erm.... Ayomi.." she swallowed hard. "I really want to see him, but your dad wouldn't hear of it". A big tear rolled down her cheeks."He thinks I am crazy."

"Obviously." I mumbled under my breathe.

"Can you please check on him to see how is he doing?"

"But mum, that won't be possible......"I began to protest but stopped when she dropped to her knees.

"Mum." I called out in shock.

"Do it for my sake." she begged. "I don't want him feeling like we don't love him."

"He brought it upon himself." I had wanted to say, but decided against it as I didn't want to upset her feelings.

"Fine." I reluctantly agreed. "I will check on him."I promised.

With that, I marched out of the house and to my car.

I opened the door. "Kuje prisons." I told my manager as I climbed into the passenger seat,buckling the seat belt.

"You want to go see your brother?" he stared at me in disbelief.

"Just drive." I snapped at him.

He smirked at me and started the car, zooming off.

*

In what seems like forever to me, we got to the prison and my manager pulled up in front of the gate.

"You want me to come with you?" He questioned.

"No." I pulled my hoodie over my head and stepped out of the car. "Wait here for me." I walked through the gate into the large compound and saw a female warden standing close by.

"Good evening ma'am." I greeted her politely

"Evening." She responded somewhat harshly. "How can I help you?"

"I am here to ..........."

"Let me see your face". she snarled at me.

I sighed deeply and half raised my head

"Oh my God". Her eyes grew wide and she clamped her hands over her mouth. "It is Landon."

I scoffed silently. "Will you attend to me now?"

"Of course."She nodded vigorously. "How can I help you? Are you here to see someone?" She rushed her questions, looking at me with dreamy eyes.

"Yes." I replied. "Ayomi............."

"David Michaels." She completed. "That murderer." Her voice was filled with disgust.

"He isn't a murderer." I half yelled, looking daggers at her.

"Yes."She quickly agreed and smiled sheepishly. "Come with me." She led me through a door to the rear of the building.

"Sit here." She pointed to a bench. "Let me get him for you."

"Thanks." I merely said and sat down,my gaze wandering around.

The whole place looked dirty and unkempt.How have my brother being surviving in a place like this??

"Akorede." Hearing the familiar voice startled me and I looked in the direction and saw a skinny looking young man with scattered hair and long beards leaning against the wall, the female warden behind him.

"Ayomi." my voice cracked as I spoke.

A light smirk played on his lips and he moved closer to me. "How are you?" He sat down on the bench opposite me. "Mum sent you here right?"

I nodded slowly, too dumbstruck to utter a word.

Is this unkempt man my brother?

His smirk turned into a light smile. "I knew you wouldn't come on your own. How is school?"he stared intently at me. "The last time Dad was here, he told me you got a transfer to my former school.

I nodded again.

"How are you coping?" he continued. "I hope no one is giving you trouble."

"Just a random guy." I found myself telling him. "He spread a rumour about me making out with the fiancée of a senator's son."

"Which of the Senators?"he arched his eyebrow.

"Senator Adeoye or whatever he calls himself."I drawled.

His face turned pale in an instant and he looked as if he might faint.

"And the girl?" his voice dropped to a whisper. "What is her name?"

"Obianuju." I replied puzzled, Why is he acting so strangely?

"You have finally met her." his said through clenched teeth.

Finally met who!! "Do you know her?" I was forced to ask. "Was it Senator Adeoye who locked you down here? Is the half cast kid his son who you tried to kill?" These were the questions I wanted to ask as I wasn't properly informed.

He took my hand in his and leaned forward, looking deep into my eyes.

"Do you love me?" He asked

"Yes." I nodded slowly, wondering the reason for his sudden question.

"Then get me out of this damn prison." he whispered into my ears.

"What?" I retorted in surprise. "Is that even possible?"

"Very possible." he clicked his tongue . "With your fame and money."

My fame! I searched his face but found no clue.

What the hell is he saying???

*

OBIANUJU

The light of dawn seeped into the room and I squinted at it, forcing my eye lid open.The blinding light seared my retina and I winced and slammed them shut.

"It is better you get up from there." Shakirat voice rang like a bell, sending deja vu swirling in my head . "Unless you want us to be late for your fiancé's surprise party."

Fiancé! Surprise! birthday party! Oh no! It suddenly clicked in my brain and I jolted out of the bed.

"Why didn't you wake me up?"I yelled at her.

She rolled her eyes at me. "You never told me I was your personal alarm clock."

"You are impossible."I hissed loudly and rushed into the bathroom.

Taking off my clothes, I brushed my teeth and stepped into the bathroom and had a quick bath.

When done, I returned to the room and sauntered over to the wardrobe,reaching into it for a short red gown.

"I have already packed up your bag."Shakirat told me

"Thanks."I managed to smile,but inwardly I was furious, so furious at myself for waking up late.

I hastily put on a matching undies and hurriedly changed into the gown; then I slid my feet into a white sandal and began brushing my hair.

"Did you put the gift inside the bag?" I looked in the mirror at Shakirat just in time to see her wear a white hijab over her head,neck and shoulders.

"Yes."

"Good." I tossed the brush on the drawer and picked up my phone and car key. "Can we go now?" I grabbed my white back pack and slung it over my shoulder.

"Sure." She nodded and we both stepped out of the room.

I looked the door behind me and walked ahead of her through the passage, down the short stairs,and to my car.

"Are you sure we didn't forget anything?"

Shakirat asked behind me.

"Did you?" I threw the question back at her as I slid into the driver seat, closing the door behind me.

"No." she got into the seat beside me.

"Alright ." I flung my backpack to the rear seat and made to start the car when my phone began ringing.

I stared down at it and noticed it was ———

"Who is that?" Shakirat asked

"Funmi." I replied, receiving it.

"Where are you girlfriend?" She squealed over the phone.

"We are on our way?" I replied. "Are the arrangements all set?"

"Except the both of you." She drawled. "Just make it snappy." She ended the phone call.

I smiled lightly. Funmi and parties!!

Starting the car, I drove out of the bumpy compound, up the tarred road, as I began the long journey to Lagos.

*

Ademilade

The room was covered with darkness and I stood there like a statue, confused,my heart filled with fear.

Where am I?

Out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed a slim figure approaching me.I screwed my eyes to get a close look at the person and noticed it was my mum.

"Mum." I called out excitedly.

"Troy."she smiled lightly and opened her arms wide,motioning me to come closer.

I returned the smile and began walking toward her when a bright light flashed and she disappeared into thin air.

"Be courageous my child ."her voice echoed in my ears as I jolted awake.

A Cold sweat broke out on my forehead and I mopped it away with my palm.

"Thank goodness!" I sat up in the bed and looked around, my heart beating erratically."It is only a dream." I assured myself.

I hopped out of bed, too aware of how scared I felt and right at the moment,my stomach rumbled loudly, as if reminding me that I had not taken anything since yesterday evening.

Glancing at the wall clock, I noticed it was 12:00pm on the dot.

Jeez! How come no one woke me up? I staggered out of the room and through the passage,only to hear hush whisperings coming from the sitting room.

"Kewe! Tobi! Is that you?" I stepped out of the passage.

"Atlast! He is awake." I heard the soft whisper of a voice

That voice! I could recognise it from anywhere——Obianuju. My baby is here, unbelievable!!!

I ran lightly down the stairs and stopped short.

"Happy birthday." The screams of a thousand voices almost ran me deaf.

What the heck! I glanced through the familiar faces and found my baby standing close to the television, grinning from ear to ear.

"Uju." I stepped forward and hugged her tightly.

She was the one I needed at the moment as everything seemed strange and confusing to me.

You can imagine. I didn't even remember my birthday.

"Happy birthday baby." She spoke in whispers . "More fruitful years ahead."

"Thanks."I pulled out of the hug to stare at her face . "When did you guys plan all this?"My eyes wandered to the beautiful decorations,the large cake on the table,and to the brown skinned girl seated at a corner in the room, staring at me intently——Emma!!

"Who invited her here?" I forced back the urge not to ask her to leave.

"Who?" Obianuju asked.

"Never mind." I bit my lips in anger and forced a smile.

I am sure it is that block headed Kewe!

Speaking of which, I looked around the room and saw him fooling around with his hijabite girlfriend.

I will make sure I deal with him later!!

"Let us go to the room." I told Obianuju ."I need to bath." I turned toward the stairs and proceeded to climb it when a voice called my name.

"Troy."

"Oh God!" I spun around and came face to face with Emma.

"What do you want?" I barked at her.

"We need to talk."She replied

"Say whatever you want to say here."I retorted harshly

"Like seriously."she studied my face with mocking eyes, and her mouth twisted into a smile. "Is that what you want?"

I shifted my gaze to Obianuju and met her puzzled gaze.

"It is alright."I mouthed at her.

She gave me a long stare, then nodded and walked away to meet her friend.

"She is beautiful."Emma stared after her.

"I know." I gritted my teeth to stop myself from screaming at her. "What exactly do you want?"

She looked at me and smiled. "You."

I scoffed at her. "You are clearly sick in the head."

"No I am not." her smile widened, and she took a step closer. "I am pregnant with your Child." She dropped the bombshell.

*

TBC

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*

Any advice for Ademilade????