Smiles of the heart( Obianuju II)

Forgiveness

Ademilade

The sound of the alarm clock ringing jolted me out of a deep sleep.

Jeez!I opened my eyes slowly allowing them time to adjust to the blinding light coming in through the window, it was already morning.

I yawned and stretched my full body sideways,only to see Obianuju sleeping peacefully beside me.

But why? I thought I told her I needed space,that she should join her friend and sleep in the sitting room,

She is just too stubborn.

Sighing, I sat up and reached for my phone which was on the head of the bed and began scrolling through when an headline at the bottom of the screen caught my attention.

"POPULAR SINGER LANDON CAUGHT IN THE ACT WITH GIRL WHO HAPPENS TO BE THE FIANCÉE OF SENATOR ADAMS SON"

My whole body trembled with rage and I bit at my lips to stop myself from crying out, afraid of what the outcome would result to,

An intense argument with Obianuju.

Almost immediately, my phone started to ring and I looked at it and noticed it was my Dad.

Perfect timing! I received it right away.

"Hello Da..........."

"Ade." he cut in angrily. "What is the meaning of all the nonsense online? Who is this so-called fiancee of yours that has decided to tarnish my family name, it can't be Obianuju right??"

"No, she isn't the one."I spoke through clenched teeth. "I believe there is some kind of mix up somewhere. Can you help fix it up please?"

"Of course son." he easily agreed. "I am equally affected by it. I will fish out the media house responsible for this conspiracy . It is either the riffraffs pull down the story or face a lawsuit from me."

I sighed in relief, just what I wanted to hear. "Thanks Dad."

"This is not about thanking me." he brushed it aside. "You should be more discreet about your personal life so you don't get me into trouble."he advised. "Please don't ruin my chances in the upcoming senate election."

Oh right! he is only concerned about maintaining his political seat.

"And lest I forget."he continued. "Your step mother would be executed on........... I hung up the phone on him.

How dare he address that witch as my step mother,why did he even have to remind me of her?

Argh! I tossed the phone on the stool and got out of bed, dragging my feet into the cold bathroom; I took off my clothes, brushed my teeth and stepped into the bathtub and had a long refreshing bath.

When done, I reached for my towel and wrapped it around my waist and when I returned to the room, Obianuju was already awake.

"Good morning." She yawned.

"Morning." I responded, walked over to the wardrobe and pulled out a red long sleeve and black slack which I hurriedly wore.

"You going to work?" She asked after some seconds

"Isn't it obvious." I snickered and looked in the mirror, meeting her gaze.

"Oh." She looked away, scratching her cheek. "I am worried about the injury on your forehead."

Which I got because of you. my subconsciousness completed

"I will be fine." I simply told her, "You leaving today right?"

"No."

"Why?"I turned my face to her, and slowly looked her up and down. "But you have a lecture by noon."

"I want to stay with you." She cupped her cheeks and made a puppy dog face. "Let me stay for today please."

I scoffed silently. "Whatever."

I quickly put on a black sneakers, combed my hair till it was right and picked up my phone. "See you in the evening." I called out to her and walked out of the room, climbing down the short stairs into the sitting room and saw Kewe kissing...........

"Kewe." I called out in shock and he jumped to his feet,startled.

"Erm ....yes...." he wiped his face. "Are you all set?"

I slowly shifted my gaze to the hijabite girl and then back to him. "What about Susanna?"

"She left early this morning." he replied. "Said she got a morning lecture to catch up with." he explained.

I nodded slowly and seriously.

No wonder he has the time to fool around with naive girls.

"Are you set to leave?" he asked again

"Sure."

"Alright." he leaned over and whispered to the girl, then he picked up his car key and faced me. "Are we going in my car or yours?"

"My car is damaged remember?" I reminded

He smirked. "I meant the sport car."

"It isn't mine." I stated. " I will return it to Lily later today."

"So......"he smiled mischievously. "Does that mean you will be driving mine?"

I forced a laugh. "Lazy man." I snatched the car key out of his hand and led the way out of the house and to the car.

Pulling the door open, I slid into the driver seat and faced Kewe who was already settled into the passenger seat.

"What exactly is going on?" I blasted him.

"Like what?"he looked at me, a confused look on his face.

"Don't try to act smart."I sniggered. "What is going on between you and Shakirat?"

"Oh that." he exhaled deeply. "I only expressed the way I felt to her."he whispered in a sepulchral tone."

"What is that suppose to mean?" I arched my eyebrow,amused by his words. "You love her?"

He heaved a deep sigh and threw his hand into the air. "I don't know."

"You are crazy." I scoffed at him and started the car,slowly driving out of the compound.

"How about you?"he questioned. "Have you settled with Obianuju?"

"Nope."

"You wanna break up with her?" he shot me a puzzled look.

"Never". I stepped on the brake and increased the speed, driving up the tarred road to the hospital—Top most hospital.

*

We arrived at the hospital just in time to see two junior medics wheel a dead body out of the main building.

"What the fuck." Kewe swore silently. "Do you know the dead man?"

I nodded and stepped out of the car. "He was in a coma for months, too bad his family lost all hope in his recovery."

"Eyaaaaaa." he stared on at the man pitifully. "His family needs to be flogged."

I chuckled lightly. "C,mon let's go."I nudged his arm with my elbow and we walked straight into the reception and met the ever smiling Chike.

"Oh my God Demi." he gasped in shock "What happened to you?"

"I had a minor accident." I told him . "But I am fine now." I quickly added

"You sure about that?"he stared at me in somewhat disbelief.

"Yes." I managed a smile

"Thanks goodness." he muttered. "And.....oh."his eyes popped open, as if he remembered something . "Miss Hampton wants you in her office."

"Alright."I sighed very softly and faced Kewe. "Please help me ** for duty." I begged and with that,passed through the long passage to her office.

Knocking twice, I pushed the door open and walked in to see her seated behind the desk, her face buried in a book.

"You asked to see me ma." I announced my presence.

She raised her head and looked at me, smiling.

"I wanted to know how you are feeling now."

Like seriously! Is this the reason why she called me in here?

"I am better ma."I plainly told her . "And about the car,I will return it this evening."

"You don't need to, it is yours from the beginning."

Oh please! "Is this still about MacAdams?"I snickered

A slow smile spread over her mouth and spilled into her eyes . "you did notice."

"I don't need the car." I bluntly pointed out. "I am not interested in MacAdams,or anything that has to do with............."

"you don't have a choice."She cut me off. "You are the only one who's got full access to the hospital,well unless you've got a wife or a kid of your own of which I strong doubt is possible. Or have you?" She stared intently at me.

"No." I sighed in defeat and slowly left the office, confused.

*

Obianuju.

Small bead of sweats formed on my face,slowly streaking down as I made the bed, laying out a new cover sheet.

Phew! I mopped off the sweat and looked around the room, satisfied with the neatness.

I had been cleaning since morning.

Glancing at the huge wall clock, the big hand was on the 10 while the small one on the 12.

"11:50 am." I spelt it out. It is time to bath.

I walked into the bathroom and pulled my nighty over my head, removed it and stepped into the bathtub, taking a quick bath. When done, I returned to the room and ambled over to my bag,reaching into it for a white gown along with matching undies and hurriedly changed into it. Then I took my phone from the drawer and walked out of the room and climbed down the short stairs into the sitting room,where Shakirat was curled up on the sofa, an open book on her lap

"What book is that?" I joined her on the sofa.

She glanced at me, meeting my gaze for a split second. "Just some comic book Kewe gave to me."

"Kewe hun?" I smiled mischievously. "What is going on between both ............."

"Are you ....erm....done cleaning ...your boyfriend's room?" She avoided my gaze. "There is food in the kitchen in case you are hungry."

I smirked. "Don't try to change the topic young lady,We are talking about you and Kewe here. What is your relationship with him?"

She heaved a sigh and looked at me squarely in the eyes. "Would you believe me if I tell you I don't know."

"You don't know?"my gaze travelled over her face . What is she saying? I couldn't understand her.

"He told me he likes me,but doesn't want a relationship."

"How is that possible?"I was even more confused. "When did he start liking you?"

"At his convocation party." her voice sank to a whisper. "I was in front of the faculty waiting for you when his car pulled up in front of me. He told me that you wouldn't be returning to school, and that Demi wanted to propose to you,he then asked me to ride with him which I readily agreed. To cut the story short, we got drunk and ......................"

"Had s*x". I completed, looking at her aghast.

She nodded slowly and averted her gaze, staring down at her fingers

Unbelievable! "Meaning you cheated on Usman?"

"No." She screamed. "He cheated on me first,he has never being faithful to me. I have merely been enduring the relationship, I was never happy. He treats me harshly and ............." she paused and began to cry. "I am...scared .....Juliet". She spoke with difficulty. "I ....am.....scared .... of ... being hurt."

My heart completely melted when I heard the pain in her voice.

Who would have thought she had all of this hidden behind her smile.

"Oh dear."I pulled her into a loose hug. "But why didn't you tell me, I would have torn the dog into pieces."

"I don't want you worrying about me." she spoke softly. "An elder sister shouldn't burden her younger sister." She still tried to Joke despite her pain.

I smiled lightly. "It will be alright." I patted her back.

Suddenly,a knock sounded on the door and we pulled apart in an instant.

We exchanged puzzled looks. "Are you expecting someone?" She asked me

"Ode." I stuck out my tongue to her. "Is this my house?" I got off the sofa and made for the door.

Opening it,A pregnant Funmi jumped into the house

"Funmi." I screamed loudly and literally flew on her.

She chuckled lightly and pushed me away from her gently.

"I am loaded." she grinned and cupped my chin. "Looks like someone is finally adding weight."

"Who? Me?" I frowned. "I am not fat."

She rolled her eyes. "I never said you are fat." She walked past me to the sofa. "Tobi told me you were both here so I rushed over to come see you guys. "How are you Shakirat?" She collapsed on the sofa and placed her legs on the centre table.

"I am fine."Shakirat replied grinning from here.

"Good." Funmi clapped her hands slightly. "Any gist? How about Faith, when last did you see her?"

Amebo! As if I knew she would ask.

I opened my mouth to reply, but Shakirat beat me to it.

"That one." She hissed loudly. "She is now into runs."

"What?" Funmi shrieked . "Tell me more about it please."

I smiled lightly and looked away from them, shutting my ears to the sound of their laughters and stared down at my phone.

I so much wanted to hear Demi's voice, check on him and ask about his welfare, but I was too scared of how he would respond,

knowing he was still angry with me.

*

Ademilade.

I could barely concentrate in office and kept on glancing at the wall clock at intervals.

I desperately wanted to go home, so I used my head injury as an excuse,telling Lily I had an headache and needed to rest.

Did she grant me the permission? Yes she did.

Was I having an headache? well! maybe a slight one,but not one enough to weigh me down.

I quickly arranged my desk and bade Kewe who was clearly too busy to notice the excitement in my voice.

"You can make use of the car." he merely told me.

Bingo! I danced to his table and picked up his car key.

"See you later."I dashed out of the room through the passage and outside to the car,not bothering to sign out of duty,

Kewe will do that for me.

I pulled the door open and climbed into the driver seat, starting the car as I speed off to the house.

I wasted no time in getting home and drove through the gate, parking out in front of my apartment.

I alighted from the car and walked up to the front porch, attempting to knock when I noticed the door was not locked so I pushed it open and walked in to see Obianuju talking and laughing with her two friends——Shakirat and Funmi.

Seeing her bright smile warmed my heart and left me dazzled with it. I could never stay mad at her for long.

Right at the moment, I made a decision to let go of all the pains and guilt,as our love for each other was all that matters. It is sharpened by the stone of our challenges and strengthened by the struggle of our growth.........."

"Ha Ha! Demi." Funmi voice snapped me back to reality . "It has been really long."

"Hi Funmi." I smiled lightly and raced over to hug my baby.

"Demi". She fell into my arms, holding onto me tightly. "I love you so much."

"I love you too." I finally found the courage to respond.

TBC

Happy Sunday

Enjoy ?