Smiles of the heart( Obianuju II)

Conflicted mind

Ademilade

I slowly opened my eyes and blinked at the sunlight streaming through the window of an unfamiliar room.

Where am I? I looked around and noticed a slim n***d brown skinned girl sleeping peacefully beside me.

My heart skipped a beat, and then began to pound in my ears

Isn't she the daughter of Lily? What is she .........my thoughts trailed off when the memories of last night flashed through my head.

"F**k!"I ran my hands through my hair, slightly brushing the thick bandage around my head. "What have I done?"I cried out in frustration, startling the girl awake in the process.

"Troy."she sat up and rubbed her eyes. "What is wrong with you?"

"It is you." I eyed her savagely. "What the hell did you do to me?How did I end up being on the same bed with you?"I half yelled.

"Oh that." She shrugged, gave a small laugh,and got out of the bed. "We made hot love through the night."she reached out for the gown which was on the floor and began to wear it. "Or didn't you remember the way you drilled me so hard."she said, with laughter in her voice.

I bit the inside of my upper lips and looked away.

She just confirmed my worst fears, I cheated on Obianuju with her.

"it shouldn't have happened." My voice turned to a whisper and I looked at her,conflicted.

"What shouldn't have happened?"She appeared to be confused and visibly shaken.

"The sex." I replied calmly. "I have a fiancee whom I love so much".I explained —-A cheating fiancee. I mentally corrected myself.

"Obianuju right?"she snickered, pronouncing the name in a very funny way.

My eyes went huge in surprise. How did she know about her?

"You know her?" I was forced to ask.

"Why wouldn't I?"She retorted. "When it is her name you were mentioning whilst asleep."

Oh! That explains everything.

"I am sorry." I muttered ,not knowing what else to say.

After all,it wasn't my fault, or was it??

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes and started toward the door.

"I hope you are on pills?"I called out to her.

She stopped in her tracks, hesitated, then turned around and faced me.

"Yes."her face held no emotions as she marched out of the room.

I stared after her and a feeling of guilt overwhelmed me.

How did it get to this? I managed to drag myself out of bed and walked through a door into the well ventilated bathroom.

I washed my face with plain water and looked into the mirror to see a pale boy with a bandaged head staring back at me,

I was a mere ghost of my former self.

Taking off my clothes, I placed it on the sink and stepped into the bathtub and had a quick bath;then I reached for the clothes and changed into them.

I returned to the room feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.Then out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed my phone on a small stool; I simply picked it up, slid my feet into my slippers and walked out of the room, cautiously climbing down the stairs into the sitting room and met the brown skinned girl on the sofa, her eyes glued to the television.

Oh no! Not again!

"Where is your mum?" I questioned

"Out." She drawled, without looking at me. "Do you want to see her?"

"Not really". I shrugged. "I just wanted to thank her."

"You should wait for breakfast then." She suggested.

"That won't be necessary." I politely declined. " I will call her later in the day.

She looked up from the television and smiled at me. "You acting tough hun?"

"How?"I muttered, clearly confused.

"Never mind." She picked up a key and tossed it to me. "Mum said I should give that to you."

I looked down at the key and then back at her. "What should I do with it?"

"Drive with it."she rolled her eyes at me. "Or do you have any other means of getting home?"

"Sure." I reached in my back pocket, searching for my wallet. "I can make use of the public trans......." I trailed off when I couldn't find the wallet. "I will just make use of this.Thanks."I nodded toward her and walked out of the house.

"The car is in the garage." She called after me.

"Alright." I passed through a small garden to the garage and found the beautiful red sport car. It stood out from the others.

Wow! I stared at it in admiration, I bet it cost a fortune.

Pulling the door open, I made to climb in when something caught my attention,

It was the car plate number.

"MacAdams." I spelt it out, Does this mean it belongs to me?

Gosh! What am I even saying? I am not a MacAdams and will never be one.

I climbed into the driver seat and started the car, driving slowly through the huge gate, up the tarred road to my house.

*

By the time I arrived home, it was a little past eleven in the morning and I drove into the compound and parked out in front of my apartment, right beside a white Benz—- Tobi's car.

I stared on in wonder. Why is he here so early? I stepped down from the car, locking the door behind me and walked straight to the front porch.

Just as I was about to knock, the door flew open and Susanna jumped on me.

"Oh my God! Demi, where have you been?" She whimpered in my arms

"I am fine." I simply told her and pushed her slightly, walked into the sitting room and came face to face with Tobi's angry gaze.

"Where in the world have you been?" he thundered. "Do you want to run us crazy with worry?"

"But I told you I was at Lily's." I defended myself.

"Lily?"he sniggered. "Who is she?"

"Didn't you tell him about her?"I directed my question to Kewe who was seated on the tilted floor, a blank expression on his face.

"I did."he grunted. "but that doesn't mean you should shut us out of your world, it doesn't explain the bandage wrapped around your head. And to think he got hurt because of a mere girl is what makes it more annoying."he mumbled the latter part,but I heard him clearly.

"Watch your word man." I warned him

"And what if I don't?" he got off the floor and faced me. "You almost lost your life and you here defending a girl who doesn't care a f**k about you."

"Kewe." I screamed, giving him a warning glare.

"Get your act together bro." he pushed me against my chest. "You almost died. Do you know what would have become of me if that had happened? I would be dead to this world."Tears filled his eyes and he paused to wipe it away . "You .... are...more ... than ... a friend... to ... me." he choked on his words. "You ... are ... my ... brother."

I stood there on the spot, staring at him, too gobsmacked to utter a word.

I didn't realise how much my actions had hurt others until now.

"I am sorry." I merely said and walked past him to the refrigerator.

Did I even know what I was doing? I don't think so.

"What about Obianuju?"Tobi's question made me stopped short.

Jeez! why must he make mention of that name ?

"She is fine". I opened the refrigerator and took out a canned food and a bottled water.

I was completely famished!

He continued. "Have you settled things with her?"

"No." I grunted my response and literally flew up the short stairs to my room.

Entering, I kicked off my slippers and collapsed on the bed; then I opened up the can and took a bite out of the snacks.

It left a sour taste in my mouth and I hurl the remaining content against the wall in anger.

I was going crazy and I knew it.

*

Obianuju

"Are you sure this is the right street?" Shakirat asked for the umpteenth time.

"Yes nau." I stared down at my phone. "Tade Thomas street."I read it out. "Or is this not the place?" I looked at the driver in the rear mirror.

"It is the right street ma'am." he replied politely. "Can I please know the house number?"

"Number 5."

"Alright ma'am." he made a u-turn and drove right into an estate, skidding to a halt in front of a huge white gate.

"We are here ma'am". he announced.

"Thank God." I sighed in relief.

We had been on the road since morning.

Shakirat and I alighted from the car and I began dusting my clothes.

"Nawa ooo!"Look at how someone's daughter looks like a Christmas goat.

"Ha! Juliet." Shakirat gave me a playful cuff on the shoulder and then faced the driver.

"How much is your money jare?"

"It is twenty thousand naira ma'am."

"Kilode( What happen)!"she hissed loudly."From Ago iwoye to Lagos, twenty thousand. Brother why now?"

"This is an Uber driver , a private service." I explained to her.

"And so?" she retorted . "Is that why he should bill his passengers? It is so demeaning and.......

"Shakirat please don't start." I cut in and smiled at the driver. "Don't mind my friend words. How much did you say the money is again?" I reached into my hand bag for my purse.

"Twenty thousand naira." he returned the smile.

"Alright." I opened the purse and counted out twenty pieces of one thousand note and handed it to him.

"Thank you ma'am."

"Thank you too." I faced Shakirat . "Let us go."

With that, we walked through the gate into the compound, looking around in confusion

The building was so big and spacious.

"Where is his apartment oooo?" Shakirat asked

"I don't know." I replied. "Perhaps we should ask ........"

"Isn't that Susanna?" She cut me off.

"Where?"

"Over there." She nodded towards an opposite direction.

I followed her gaze and my head exploded fire.

Susanna was right there, beside a beautiful red sport car, giggling as she clicked her phone camera.

She got to be kidding me!

I marched up to her, my face all red with anger.

"What are you doing here?" I yelled.

She slowly shifted her gaze to me. "Obianuju."She called out in shock. "What are you doing here?"

"You have no right to ask me that, this is my fiancé place." I stated.

"Fiancé." A slow smile work its way across her face and into her eyes. "Shouldn't it be your ex- fiancé."

It was at that moment I knew she played a role in Demi's and I misunderstanding, but why? I thought she was all over him.

"You crazy bitch." I raised my hand to slap her, but Shakirat was quick to stop me.

"Don't. She isn't worth the stress."

And yes she was right, the lady in front wasn't worth my time.

"You are pathetic." I plainly brushed her aside and walked past her to the front porch.

Knocking twice, the door creaked open to reveal a puffy face Kewe.

"Hi." I smiled lightly

"Wow! Wow! Wow! It is the betrayal herself." he looked me up and down. "What are you doing here? Are you here to finish off ......"His eyes softened,as his stared behind me, as if looking at someone. "S-Shakirat."his face split into a smile

I quickly turned around and saw Shakirat smiling at him

What is with them? I walked into the sitting room and met ——

"Tobi." I rushed to hug him.

Of all of Demi's friend, he is the one I am free with.

"Uju." he patted my back lightly. "How are you?"

"I am not fine." I began to cry. "Demi... is..." I choked on my tears. "he ....is .....angry ....with me."

"I know." he pulled out of the hug to stare at my face. "Demi isn't fine either, he had an accident and.........

"An accident."my heart stopped for a second. "Where is he?" I screamed hoarsely.

"In his room."

"Thanks."I climbed up the short stairs and found a short passage with two rooms.

I was walking into the first room when I heard grunting sounds coming out of the second one . I ran into it and found Demi sprawled up on the bed, a bandage around his head, his eyes closed as he groaned out softly in pain.

"Ade mi". I rushed to him and sat down beside him. "Baby."I touched his face, and withdrew my hand instantly,

he was burning up.

Oh God! what will I do now? I began to stand up when a hot hand brushed against mine — Ademilade.

I looked at him and saw his eyes slightly open.

"Baby." he called out weakly

"Yes." I nodded vigorously. "It is me,your baby."

He smiled then and closed his eyes, clasping my finger with his.

I wrapped my arms around him, threading my fingers through his hair as I cuddled him to sleep.

*

Ademilade

My sound sleep was disturbed by the sound of my phone ringing

What the heck! I allowed it to ring to an end, but it began ringing again and I groaned out of sleep and reached for the phone which was on a low stool.

I opened my blurry eyes to check out the number and noticed it was an unsaved number.

I received it

"Who is this?" I grunted

"Like seriously Troy! Don't tell me you didn't save my number." An American accented voice rang out through.

"Oh my God! Lily, I am so sorry." I apologised. "I didn't save it last night, but I will do that now."

"Alright child." She laughed lightly. "I just called to check on you."

"Thank you ma."

"It is nothing." she brushed it aside. "Emma sends her regards."

Hearing the name Emma brought back all of my guilt, I cheated on my girlfriend who cheated on me.

Damn! Is that the reason she appeared in my dream?Have her mermaid family alerted her........:

"You there?" Lily's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Erm.... Yes ma." I quickly composed myself. "Send her my regards as well." I said and ended the phone call.

I placed the phone back on the stool and sat up in the bed, my eyes travelling around the room, it smelt so different.

And that was when I noticed the white hand bag seated at a corner in the room—Obianuju's bag.

The exact one I gifted her on her twentieth birthday last year.

It isn't dream, Obianuju is here.

The door suddenly flew open and she walked in, looking beautiful as usual, holding a large tray.

As much as I was excited, my heart still hurt.Not from pain, but from guilt.

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

"Demi please." She placed the tray on the stool and fell to her knees. "I am sorry for lying to you, I am sorry for not keeping to my promise and I am sorry for taking your love for granted. But believe me, I never cheated on you, Landon is a friend and nothing more. "Ademilade." She looked me deep into the eyes. "I love you so much."

I love you too. I so much wanted to respond, but didn't have the mind to do so.

I cheated on her, for crying out loud!

TBC

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