Smiles of the heart( Obianuju II)

Pains of the heart 2

Ademilade

Alone and sleepless, I stared miserably up at the ceiling as I pondered over my dad words.

"Your step mother will be executed tomorrow evening!She wants to see you!please grant her final wish."

But why? I have never been so confused in her life.

Is this another of her scheme to get rid of me? If yes, she must be a delusional sociopath and deserves the most painful death ever.

The mere thought of her filled me with anger and I stayed rigid on the bed for one long moment, blood throbbing in my temples.

I felt a surge of hatred pass through me, black vicious hatred that I had never felt before and I clenched my fingers tightly into a fist.

She wants to see me right? Fine! I will grant her stupid wish and watch her breathe her last.

Satisfied, I turned my full body sideways,proceeding to rest my head when the alarm clock sounded.

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

What the heck! I opened my eyes and reached for it,turning it off and then placed it back on the surface.

It was already dawn, and I could hear a c**k crowing from distance

So fast! I got out of the bed and walked to the window. The sun was just coming up, it's bright light covered by big heavy clouds.

My admiring gaze sent a smile to my lips and I relaxedly enjoyed the beautiful scenery of nature.

The sudden sound of my cell phone ringing startled me,shattering my concentration. I ambled to the bed side and reached for

the phone which was on the drawer to check out the caller and noticed it was Obianuju.

I smiled faintly, receiving it.

"Good morning baby." She greeted first.

"Morning sweetheart." I responded. "How was your night?"

"It was fine. And yours?"

I exhaled deeply and ran my hands through my hair. "I barely slept."

"But why?"She questioned. "Is this still about your stepmoth.....erm I mean Moremi."she quickly corrected herself.

"Yes." I answered truthfully. "I spent hours mulling over it and finally decided to go.

There was a long pause, and then she sighed

"I wish I could go with you but you know,my sister would be around today, and I'll need to put her through."

"I understand."I quickly assured her.

I never wanted her to go with me in the first place as I wanted to sort it out all by myself. "You having lectures today?"

"No, just a moot court rehearsal."

"Alright then, I will talk to you later." I said and made to end the call, but she stopped me with her voice.

"Wait."

"What is it babe?" I asked calmly.

"Erm .....I just want to thank you for looking out for me." She spoke in a rush. "Thanks for loving me unconditionally, my love."She ended the phone call before I could respond.

I burst into a wide smile and tossed the phone on the bed,dragging my feet as I walked into the bathroom.

I pulled off my pyjamas and dropped it inside the cloth basket, then brushed my teeth, stepped into the bathtub and had a quick bath.

When done, I returned to the room and found Kewe ransacking my wardrobe, a small pile of my clothes on the chair beside him."

"Yo man." I greeted and only then did he notice me

"Awfar." he glanced at me . "Do you have a red tie?

Like seriously! All this mess because of red tie.

"I want to dress in corporate today." he grinned.

"The ties are over there." I nodded towards the cloth drawer. "You should have ask before scattering my stuffs." I ambled to the wardrobe, took out a casual jean outfit and proceeded to wear it.

"Don't tell me you are going to the office in this ."He seized me up and down. "Ripped Jean is against the dressing code."

"I am not going to the office."I drawled. "I am travelling to Abuja." I successfully slid into the jean trouser

Mehn! It looked so skinny!

"Abuja?" He shot me a look, as if to say what the hell is wrong with you?

I chuckled lightly. "Yes. I am curious, I want to know why the witch wants to see me." I picked up a golden wristwatch and strapped it around my wrist . "I just pray she doesn't try to seek for my forgiveness."

"And what if she does, will you forgive her?"he stared at me intently

Will I forgive her? I searched my heart, but found no answer.

"I don't know." I simply told him

He smiled lightly and patted my shoulder. "I support whatever decision you make."

"Thanks."

"So....... he continued. "Will you inform Lily about it?"

"Sure." I nodded. "I will call at her house first, I also need to return the car."

"But why?"his voice fell to a whisper and he looked at me, conflicted. "She said it is yours right."

"Say something else please ." I waived off the discussion.

"Alright oooo." he clamped his lips together and promptly left the room.

Better!

I hastily wore a black leather sneakers, picked up my phone, the car key and walked out of my room.

"I am leaving already."I called out to Kewe as I passed by his room,climbing down the short stairs

"Safe Journey bro, I will call you." his voice rang into the sitting room.

"Alright." I opened the main door and stopped short.

Emma was standing right on the front porch with her hand made to knock

What is she doing here??

"Hi Troy." She smiled lightly

"What are you doing here?" I fired at her.

"I came to check on you."

"By this time." I glanced at my wristwatch. "7:40am." I raised my eyebrow in mock disbelief.

"Yes." She flipped a few strand of her black back in place and that was when I noticed the deep blue bruises on her left cheek.

"Who slapped you?" I reached out and touched the affected part gently with my finger tip.

"No one ."she caught my hand into hers and squeezed it gently. "I slipped on the floor."

Liar!my subconsciousness screamed at her and I snatched my hand away,walked past her to the car. Who is she trying to fool??

"You going to work?" She asked behind me.

"No, your house." I bluntly told her. "I want to return the car.

An idea suddenly popped into my head and I spun around. "Can you drive?" I met her confused gaze.

She nodded slowly

"Good." I squeezed the car key into her hand"Return the car to your mum." I forced a smile. "Tell her I won't be in office for a couple of days ."

"But why?"

"I am travelling."

"Then I will drive you to the airport." She offered. "I mean you wouldn't want to start jumping public buses."

She got me there!!

"Fine!" I reluctantly agreed and pulled the car door open. "And make sure you drive carefully." I slid into the passenger seat and buckle up my seat belt; then sank into the seat and sighed tiredly

"Are you alright ?" She asked softly

"Just drive."I snapped at her.

Without a word, she started the car and slowly drove out of the compound, down the street, heading to the airport.

*

By the time we got to the airport, the morning sun was all out and Emma drove over the side walk and pulled into a car park.

"Thanks." I opened the door and began to climb out when she held me back, squeezing my cloth in the process.

"What?" I looked down at her hand and then back at her face.

"Sorry." She let go of me in an instant. "Erm......I am just curious as to why you don't want MacAdams?"

So this is the reason why she stopped me,to ask about MacAdams!

She continued. "Other people would have jumped at the opportunity,but you are so different."

I chuckled lightly. "And who told you I don't want it?" I smirked when I saw the confusion on her face . "I am not just ready for the stress, I have a hospital under construction and want to complete that first"

"You building a hospital?" She stared at me somewhat in disbelief.

"I just told you that right?" I got out of the car and slammed the door shut.

"I want to open that with you."she stuck her head out of the window.

"Nope, my fiancee will". I pointed out to her and with that, walked into the building, straight to the ticket terminal.

"Good morning ma'am." I greeted the lady behind the desk

She raised her head and look at me

"Morning." She smiled lightly. "How can I help you?"

"I need to be in Abuja in the next two hours, will that be possible?"

She opened a big book and looked into it, nodded slowly. "What is your name?"

My name!

"Aren't you suppose to ask for my ID first?"

She chuckled lightly. "I know. But a senator called the airport earlier to book a flight for his son........."

Unbelievable!

"Senator Adeoye right?" I asked and she nodded.

"I am his son." I took out my ID and placed it on the desk.

"Ademilade Troy Adeoye." She read out my name. "Here." She handed me a ticket. "Your flight is in five minutes."

"Thanks." I retrieved the ID and slowly walked to the waiting area.

How did my dad know I would be coming? When it's not like I told him about it.

Jeez! That old man knows me too well!!

*

Obianuju

"Hurry up! Or do you want to sleep in there?" Shakirat called out from the room.

"I am coming." I poured the last bowl of water on my body and rushed out of the bathroom,shivering

The water was so damn cold.

"Han Han now." She hissed loudly. "but you know I just mopped the floor, see the way you are now splashing water around.

"I ...am ....sorry." My voice quavered as I spoke and I ambled to the wardrobe, reaching into it for a black jumpsuit and hurriedly changed into it.

"Wow! I love your cloth." Shakirat commented. "Come and dash me."

"To wear on which body." I teased her.

"Shut up." She eyed me coldly

Chai! If eyes could kill, I would have died on the spot

I looked away from her and picked up my brush,making to comb my hair when my phone suddenly beeped

"Who is that flasher?" I thought and said aloud

"It is Chichi ." Shakirat replied . "I guess she is already around."

"Yes oooo."I quickly put on my shoe and picked up my phone and car key; then I grabbed a white hand bag and faced Shakirat . "Let us go." I walked ahead of her out of the room, along the passage, and outside to the car.

I couldn't afford my sister running late for her exams because of me.

Pulling the car door open, I climbed into the driver seat and Shakirat did the same at her own end.

"Aren't you gonna call her to know where she is?" She questioned.

"I told her to wait at the junction." I simply answered and started the car, driving out of the bumpy compound,taking a short route to the Junction.

*

I got to the Junction and was surprised to see my little sister standing all alone,well not really alone as there were some three guys hovering over her.

Did she travel by herself?

"What the f**k!" Shakirat gasped with astonishment . "Is that Chichi?"

I nodded in response

"Mehn!I never knew she was this beautiful, she is even more beautiful than you."

I rolled my eyes. "I know." I began hitting the car horn to get Chichi's attention.

That did the trick! She looked in the direction and hurried to the car.

"Uju."She screamed excitedly as she hopped into the rear seat. "I have missed you."she hugged me from behind.

I chuckled lightly. "I missed you too darling. How are you? I hope you well-prepared for the exams."I stared at her in the car mirror.

She nodded sharply. "I am more than prepared."She shifted her gaze to Shakirat. "Hi."She greeted . "You must be Shakirat right?"

"Yes baby."Shakirat leaned back and cupped her cheeks,almost kissing her.

Tsk ... Tsk... Tsk.... what a crazy friend!

"Who were those boys with you?"

"I don't know them." Chichi fell back into the seat . "They were just saying rubbish since morning."

Shakirat and I exchanged a quick smile

"Don't mind them, they are bunch of idiots."she told her

"But how did you get here?" I asked out of curiosity. " Did you come alone?"

"No." She sighed softly. "The driver brought me here."

"Where then is he?"

"I sent him back." She replied nonchalantly. "He will return to pick me up on weekend,I want to spend some time with you."

"Alright." I happily agreed as I also wanted to spend time with her.

Starting the car, I drove speeding off to school.

*

We wasted no time in getting to the school as the road was nearly devoid of traffic.

I drove through the huge gate, and down the tarred road to the crowded ICT centre.

"Jeez! Are all this people here for the exams?"Chichi exclaimed.

I chuckled . "This is just the first batch". I opened the door and stepped down . "Some others would write their exams tomorrow." I closed the door behind me.

Then we began walking towards the building when I heard a familiar voice call my name ——-

"Landon." Chichi screamed and rushed to hug him,leaving Shakirat and I speechless.

Is this not the same girl who is here for her exams?

"I am a huge fan of yours, I love all your music, I even know all the tracks." She praised Landon who had a look of admiration on his face.

"Your sister?" he looked at me

I nodded smiling. "She is here for the post UTME"

"What?" He shifted his attention back to Chichi

"How old are you?"

"I will be sixteen years old next month." She replied proudly

"She is still in SSS3." I added.

"Wow!" he ruffled her hair and pecked her lightly on her forehead. "I wish you success in your examination."he said softly, and then moved closer to me,closing the gap between us. "I've caught the i***t responsible for the false story,so you need not worry."

Was I worried before?

"Oh! you weren't worried about it, were you?" he stared intently at me

I shifted uneasily under his steady gaze. Why do I feel like he is mocking me??

"But seriously it is nice to have a boyfriend who has lot of connections." he patted my shoulders and turned in the opposite direction,hesitated for a moment, and then faced me again.

"Do you by chance know who my elder brother is?"

"Your brother?" I gaped at him. "Who is he?"

"Never mind." his smile widened, and he walked away to the opposite direction.

What is wrong with him?

*

Ademilade

A loud banging sound jolted me out of sleep and I opened my eyes just in time to see the plane land.

Thanks goodness! I stepped off the plane and walked through the immigration, and out of the airport. Then I flagged down a taxi and got in.

"Asokoro police station." I told the driver.

"Alright." He glanced at me in the car rear mirror . "Your trip fare is.............."

"Just drive." I cut in harshly.

He nodded sharply and started the car, driving off.

*

The car skidded to a halt in front of an old yellow building with a huge green gate.

"Is this the prison?" I asked to be sure.

"Yes." he nodded . "This is Kuje prison."

I stepped out of the car and handed him two pieces of one thousand note . "Is that enough?"

"It is more than enough." he grinned . "Thank you so much."

I nodded in response and walked through the gate into the compound and met a warden seated in front of a small building.

"Good morning sir." I greeted politely

"Who are you?" he barked at me.

Like seriously! A warden officer with with a bad attitude,unbelievable!

"I am Ademilade Adeoye , the son of senator.........."

"Adams Adeoye". he completed. "And you are here to see your step mother."

I nodded slowly

He sprang up to his feet. "please come this way."he led me into the building. We walked through a long passage to a room, and I saw her.

Moremi! She looked so tattered and unkempt. I couldn't believe the skinny woman before me was the same woman I once call step mother.

"Ademilade." She smiled lightly. "You finally came."

"Why do you want to see me?" I fired at her

"Don't be too harsh on me, my child." She sounded like an old woman.

"I am not your child." I screamed at her. "Don't ever call me that."

"Please Demi." A large tear drop ran down her cheek and she dropped to her knees. "I am so sorry for everything I did to you, I did it all out of ignorance. I was just a broken woman who needed comfort, a damaged soul who was in pain."

"And then you decided to kill me to get rid of the pain?" I asked sarcastically."No Moremi."I eyes her coldly."You are a devil incarnate, the monster who killed my mother." I yelled

"Your father turned me that way." She broke into sobs. "Do .....you understand how it feels to ...live with a greedy man? Do .....you understand ....how it feels to live with a man who doesn't regard you?"

"I don't care." I screamed . "I really don't care. "Whatever grudges you have against my father is none of my business."

She sniffed and wiped her eyes with her palm. "I can see how much your hatred toward me has grown, but I want you to know........." she trailed off when a fat warden officer barged in.

"Madam it is time."

Time, as in time to die!

My heart started to pound and my whole body trembled from emotion.

"But I thought she would be executed in the evening." I found myself saying.

Gosh! What is wrong with me?

"Change of plan." the warden simply replied as he marched to Moremi, dragging her up to her feet. "Let us go."

"Sure." She readily followed behind the man,only to stop in front of me.

"I didn't kill your mother." she said in whispers. "It was true I bought a poison to kill her,but I administered only a little." She took a step backward. "Do you think that was enough to kill her instantly? No child, someone else must have been feeding her with poison but I took all the blame because there was no escape for me."

Opening my mouth,I wanted to say something, but no sound came out,

I was gobsmacked. What the hell is she saying?

"Be a good son to your father, take care of your sisters, and don't ever let go of the girl who took a bullet for you."

With that she left the room,the warden officer following closely behind her.

For a long moment, I stood transfixed on the same spot, my legs refusing to move.

If she did not kill my mother,then who did? I

finally regained my composure and rushed out of the building to the large field, but it was too late.

Moremi was hung on a gallow with a rope around her neck, her face covered , trashing out her legs all about.

Sobs welled up in my throat, forcing streams of tears from my eyes as I watched her breathe her last.

TBC

*

Enjoy ?