It felt like time had frozen as Nimi sat waiting and wondering how Mrs Kitan would look at her now that she seemed to have caused a strife between brother and sister. She could tell the woman did not like her on first sight and she obviously didn’t measure up to her boyfriend’s ex.
But she kept praying and hoping that she wasn’t going to get intimidated more than what Lara had tried to do before her brother dragged her outside. She was certain the girl was about to crack her hand across her face or do something to embarrass her further. She watched the door where they had both gone through and couldn’t hear anything they said but her heart beat every single time as the room remained quiet and Toke seemed to be watching her too, rather curiously.
She really hoped the girl wouldn’t strike a conversation with her. She doubted she could handle anything the girl was going to say about how she’d been her boyfriend’s ex. She would just stare and hope the floor perhaps would swallow her. She looked like a competition but she wasn’t going to see her as such. She was Dapo’s past. He’d made it clear to her and everybody else in the room.
That should be enough for her.
It was like Mrs Kitan read her mind.
“Uh Toke darling, can I talk with you for a minute? I hope you don’t mind?”
“Oh, of course not.” She threw her a smile and rose gracefully from the couch and disappeared with Mrs Kitan.
Soon she returned and went to pick her bag. “It was nice meeting you Nimi. I do hope we get to see again, perhaps in a more conducive environment and under better circumstances.”
She nodded unable to say anything. When she was gone, she looked up at Mrs Kitan wondering what she had said or done and pondered if she was going to sit down and interrogate her or go and look to her children outside.
The woman sat beside her suddenly planting a friendly smile on her face.
Wow, what just happened?
“I really apologize on my daughter’s behalf. She’s the baby of the house so she can be naughty sometimes.” Her eyes danced around her face and settled on her dress. “That is a beautiful dress by the way.”
“Thank you ma.” She obviously wasn’t going to tell her her son had paid for it. “And that’s a lovely print you have on.”
“Oh this is just one of those old things I throw on once in a while.” Her hands reached for hers and she smiled again. “You look so young, how old are you if you don’t mind my asking?”
“25, I’ll be 26 in November.”
“Oh, wow, that’s interesting. You and my daughter are age-mates then.”
She remained quiet.
“My husband will be coming downstairs any minute from now but I would like you to know that you’re welcome in my home anytime and please just call me Mum instead of the formal Mrs Kitan every other person keeps calling me okay?”
Nimi gulped. Something wasn’t right about this woman but she couldn’t place it. The way she had suddenly turned friendly over a few minutes. Could Dapo’s actions have influenced her?
“How long have you two been seeing each other?”
“About 3 months now.”
“I see.” Her eyes skipped to her hips and her abdomen and settled there for a while. Nimi felt uncomfortable under the woman’s gaze. Maybe she thought there must be something physical happening between herself and her son that had robbed him off his senses to take a stand in places where she was concerned.
“Would you like a glass of wine?”
“No thank you.”
The woman looked at her waiting for some form of explanation like she owed her one for rejecting her offer.
“I-I—, I don’t drink. Alcohol and I are not friends.”
“It’s only a harmless glass darling, except there’s something you are willing to share with me for not indulging?”
“I’m a Christian.” She said so as to prevent the woman from thinking further.
“Oh, I get it now.” There was a slight frown on her face which disappeared immediately.
Just then, Lara strolled in sulkily with eyes turned red while Dapo came behind her.
Nimi wanted to feel relieved but felt something sink at the bottom of her stomach. The love between them seemed fractured and Lara folded her arms across her chest.
“Well?” Dapo urged not backing down.
“Sorry.”
“I didn’t ask you to rehearse or spit out words. I asked you to apologize to my girlfriend for whatever trash you and your stupid friends spewed at her.”
“Dapo…, please.” Nimi pleaded and she could sense Dapo’s mum staring at her, probably wondering what kind of power she had over her son.
“I’m waiting madam.”
“I’m sorry for everything I ever said to you…”
“And?”
She rolled her eyes at her brother. Turning to face Nimi, she mumbled. “And I assure you it would never repeat itself.”
Dapo ignored her and went to join Nimi on the couch. “Are you alright Baby?”
She nodded unable to look into his eyes. “She won’t make you cry again okay? As long as I’m here, you’re safe with me and we’re going to have a nice dinner and if you choose not to eat, I’ll feed you till you beg me to stop.”
She smiled and he touched her cheeks tenderly. “Now that’s my girl.”
He reached for her hands and asked his mum. “I hope you two have been carrying on well without me?”
“I love her already.” Mrs Kitan praised and Nimi could see Dapo smiling at his mum.
It was then she understood what had transpired between Mrs Kitan and herself. Lara got angry and stormed out of the living room running upstairs. Her brother did not glance her way.
“Toke has gone by the way, I’m sorry once again that it happened that way. You bringing Nimi over should have made me stand my ground but I listened to Lara and I just think she was jealous that you have someone new in your life. Do take it easy on your sister for my sake okay?”
Dapo nodded. “Thank you Mum, I knew I could always count on you to take my side and understand.”
“Why won’t I? You’re my son and your happiness is my happiness.” She reached to hold Nimi’s hands again. “I was just telling your sweetheart here that she is welcome to come into our home anytime. I have so many things I would like to share with her and give her. I’ve always wanted a daughter asides Lara if you know what I mean.”
Dapo laughed and Nimi tried to join in.
“Mum you don’t know Nimi. She’s so shy I doubt she’s going to collect anything from you.”
“Ah iro o. We don’t do that one here o, especially now that you’ve been introduced into our family…”
“And why is the party happening without me?”
They all glanced up to see Chief Olakitan finding his way downstairs like the royal that he was though dressed in laced buba and shokoto and had matching beads on his neck and wrist. He was handsome and she could tell Dapo took a few traits from Him. His hair had turned gray but she could tell he still turned the heads of women who were interested.
Dapo stood to postrate for his father. “Good evening Dad.”
“Good evening young man.” His eyes drifted to Nimi and she went on her knees.
“And you must be the woman Lara won’t stop talking about.” He smiled. “Do get up and let me look at you.”
“I’ve never seen a woman that makes my daughter sound like a jealous lover. It makes me wonder if you have something that she doesn’t.” He teased and they laughed though she sensed a sinister truth in His words.
“I told Dapo as well. She will come around. She’s just upset that Dapo has finally found someone who can press his ‘mumu’ button asides her.” Mrs Kitan said.
The man looked into her eyes then and glanced at his son. “She’s beautiful. I have to say that if there’s one thing the Kitans are good at, it’s picking their women. Come and let’s have dinner.” He glanced around. “Where’s your sister?”
“She’s still sulky. When she gets tired, she’ll come downstairs.”
“Samira!” Chief bellowed.
“Sir..” The maid ran to attend to her Boss.
“Go and tell Lara I want her to join us for dinner. I won’t permit her to sulk in her room when she should be here celebrating and enjoying herself. If she refuses, tell her I’ll come drag her myself.”
“Yes sir.”
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“So what next after your master’s program Nimi?” Mrs Kitan asked as she helped herself to the dessert after they were done with the main meal.
“I was thinking of sending my CV out to places and as God leads I believe.”
“Hmmn, so you don’t have your eyes anywhere for now?” Chief chiped in.
“No, I don’t.”
“My husband usually has openings in his office and I was thinking…”
“Nimi is independent Mum and I’m sure she would be able to figure out a way on her own. Besides, it’s two of us and when we get to that river, we will cross it together. Right baby?” Dapo helped himself to the ginger and treacle cake with icecream and scooped a spoon to feed her.
“I think you should try this, just once, indulge in guilty pleasures like this.”
Not wanting to let him down and wondering if he was going far to show his sister he didn’t care about what she felt, she obliged and he smiled.
And then the comment he made about her being independent. Had he said that intentionally because his sister’s fiance had been given a chance by his father?
“This love between you two is envious.” Mrs Kitan mumbled watching them and shaking her head. “You make me want to fall in love again.”
“It’s not too late y’know.” Dapo teased looking at his father.
“Your mum thinks I’m boring because I don’t buy her flowers or sit with her at the shopping mall. She doesn’t understand that if I’m not out there making the money, there would be nothing to spend.”
Dapo laughed. “Dad, are you serious. After all of this, what other money are you trying to make? This is the time you should enjoy the wife of your youth. Take a break, take mum out and have fun. Wear those beach shorts you wore that time when I was still young and you looked young and free. Life is short. Spend it with those you love. If you don’t take my mum for a treat, I’ll be taking her and Nimi for a treat but imagine if she has to look when Nimi and I get all lovey dovey.”
His mum laughed and he was glad he could make her laugh. He knew there was a strain in their marriage but there was room for second chances right?
“Don’t worry, your father will come and get tips from you. I’ll make sure.”
“Your mother is a very special woman and she’s the reason I worked for all of this. She’s my pinnacle of strength and I can’t even imagine life without her.” He looked at Sumbo then. “She knows this which is beautiful and keeps me going.”
His wife looked at him then and patted his shoulder. “Maybe someday we will go for a get away with these two and have fun.”
“Lara can come with Soji as well.” Dapo decided to be fair to her finally.
Lara raised an eyebrow and frowned. “Like I cared about your measly get together.”
“Lara!” Mrs Kitan scolded.
“If you know you’re going to be a nuisance on the table, then eat your food and find your way back to your room. Stop acting like we forced you to join us.” Her brother retorted.
“I’m here because Dad technically threatened to break down my door if I didn’t join you.” She spat.
“Lara!” Chief was the one cautioning her this time. “What has gotten over you? Is this how you choose to behave before all of us? Is this how you choose to shame me?”
Her eyes pooled again. “Daddy, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do that…”
“I’m sorry I have to say this but I need you to leave us now.”
“Daddy…”
“Go to your room Lara.” He said without looking at her.
And she obeyed, her body racking with heavy sobs as she found her way upstairs.
“I’m sorry about my daughter’s actions my dear.” He faced Nimi a look of worry on his face. “I’m convinced she must be going through stress and she’s just taking it out on everyone. Please pardon her.”
Nimi nodded. “Of course.”
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Lara buried her face into her pillow her body racking with sobs. Nimi had made everyone hate her, inclusive of her father who loved her and would even go miles for her.
Her father had been cold to her.
Daddy was never cold to her. He loved her, he’d shown her the way of love ever since she was a child, when she didn’t even know what love is. She was only 8 years old when her father showed her what love meant.
And because Nimi seemed pure, everybody just forgot about her.
Even her brother.
All at once.
Nobody loved her anymore.
She was going to make them love her again, especially her father. Maybe he needed to remember how much he loved her. Maybe she would have to remind him.
She began to miss Soji. She hadn’t even heard from him and realized she had been the one not having time the way she used to. Ever since she took that selfie with herself and IK and posted it on Instagram, he had gotten jealous and accused her of spending time with some other guy and she had retorted that he was just insecure.
It had been 2 days and he hadn’t been the first to call this time. She tried calling him but his phone was switched off. She tried IK and it rang though he didn’t pick. She hoped her brother or Nimi had not poisoned her mind too.
She sent him a text asking him to buzz when he was free.
IK called her 10 minutes after she sent the text and she was glad she found someone who was willing to talk to her and hear everything she wanted to say.
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It was Saturday evening and Soji was sitting in the bar consoling himself with a bottle of wine when he noticed the girl in the skimpy red dress looking at him from the other end of the counter. He noticed she would often glance his way and look away when he caught her looking and that intruiged him.
But he doubted he was in the mood to catch fun tonight. Not after the incident with Aisha.
His mind strolled to Aisha and he wondered what must have happened to her. She had not called him after the ordeal since she must have known how he betrayed her. He hadn’t even heard from her and at first he grew scared but he later shrugged it off.
She had no claims to make. She had lost the battle just like Lara had predicted.
Lara had hurt him and he was sure she was cheating on him someway somehow. They hadn’t been together in a week and she hardly came to sleep over at his place. She’d been acting weird lately and then she chooses to despise him by posting a picture of one leaning close to some guy he did not even know and tagging him bestfriend.
When did Lara have a bestfriend that he was unaware of?
And when did that best friend become a guy who looked like some rugged hunk?
How could she even do such a thing? And to call him insecure when he questioned her? Was this the silly thing she was going to keep doing when they got married? Allow her money dictate to him? Push him around and feel she owned him? She was the domineering type, he’d always known from the start but thinking about it now, he wondered if he would have to keep up with this for the rest of his life. At first it had been pretty exciting but if she felt she could leave him high and dry, not caring about his needs, and be giving it to some other guy then she didn’t know who she was dealing with.
He took a gulp of his drink and headed towards the girl that had been eyeing him surreptiously. He had rights didn’t he? He had rights to do whatever he wanted if she chose to do the same.
Besides, she was not a familiar face. He was only going to flirt and that was it. He needed a boost to his ego once more.
When he got to her side, he suddenly lost all reasoning as his eyes beheld the temptation before him. She was even more voluoptous than he thought and everything screamed at him.
“Can I buy you a drink?”
She glanced at him and smiled shyly. “I don’t want to get drunk.”
“C’mon baby, do I look like a guy whose plan is to get you drunk?”
She chuckled. Goodness, she was hot.
“Well, it’s not written on the face y’know.”
“Okay, I promise to just buy you one drink and I do hope you tell me your name. I’m Soj by the way.”
He ordered a drink and she told him her name. Melinda. Her name was beautiful too, like her curves. Soon one glass turned to two and three till they were laughing and talking at the same time. She pulled him to the dance floor so she could dance with him and he lost control when he realized she was all over him leading him on.
When he landed into her arms, all thoughts of reasoning was completely gone.
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It was like every other Monday when Lara resumed after a hellish weekend save for IK who had tried to cheer her up and ensured it wasn’t so bad afterall. Soji had still not called and she wondered if he was even alright as it was unusual for him to just stay away. Even if she had to apologize first, she would. She missed him already and she needed to spend time with him and allow him love her. She knew she must have annoyed him but did he have to take it that far?
She’d cried during the weekend. He didn’t have to contribute to it.
IK had opted to take her out on Sunday and though she wanted to tell him everything that happened, she thought against it. What if Dapo heard from him, would he hate her more?
Someone knocked on her door disrupting her thoughts. Her mind flashed to Nimi and she realized that she had already begun to miss her though she shook such a thought away from her head immediately.
She couldn’t miss her enemy. How could she miss the girl that wanted to take away her family from her?
“Yes, come in…”
“The package arrived this morning for you. It had urgent on it as well.”
Lara frowned. “I don’t remember making an order that small. Drop it on the center table.”
The girl obeyed and stepped out. She reached for the brown box and searched for a paper or a note but found none.
Tearing it open, she gasped in shock when she took in the explicit pictures and everything went flying up in the air.
Screaming, her secretary ran inside worried. “Is everything alright?”
“Who delivered this!” She screamed at her.
“I don’t know ma, the package just got her this morning.”
“Get out!” She yelled angrily. The last thing she wanted her secretary to see were pictures of her fiance having sex with some other woman.
The girl ran out terrified and Lara trembled not even knowing what to do.
This was a nightmare. She couldn’t believe it. How many copies did they have? Was this even recent? She couldn’t imagine someone doing this to her.
Who could have done this to her?
Her phone rang and she ignored it trying to pick up each picture and throw it back into the box. There were some she couldn’t even look at afraid that she might vomit.
Her phone rang again. If it was Soji calling to apologize she was going to hang up. This was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
She snatched the phone from the table trying to calm her breathing. It was an unknown number.
“Hello…”
“Hello bestie. It’s been a while hasn’t it?” a female voice greeted sweetly from the other end
“Aisha…” She swallowed. She should have known she could be the one to do such to her.
“Who else would be calling you on a beautiful Monday morning boo? Soji? Naa, I think he’s still trying to cover up his tracks the way you two tried to do with my baby.” She chuckled with satisfaction. “Oh and by the way those pictures are recent. Saturday evening to be precise. I have them in soft copies and a short video just in case you’re wondering about that. And don’t try to play smart because it’s too late to do that now.”
“You’re dead Aisha. You’re a dead woman!”
She laughed harder. “Not if I kill you first.”
“You think you have the upper hand in this?”
“Of course I do sweetheart. Do you think it took me just a day to do all of this? Your so much cherished reputation is going down the drain today and I’ll just watch you cry, the way you made me cry. Someone has to show you that you can’t always eat your cake and have it, Daddy’s girl.”
“So this is about Soji?”
“Oh please, you can keep the trash if you want him. Afterall, you killed my child because of him and your stupid reputation. This is payback time and I won’t stop till you bleed like I did. I’m sure the internet and the gossip trolls are hungry for something like this. Oh, and guess what is going to be the icing on the cake? What I can’t wait to share with the world?”
Lara was quiet, her heart was racing this time. Out of anger or fear, she couldn’t place it.
What other sinister plan did Aisha have up her sleeve?
“Do you remember all those dirty little secrets you told me when we shared jammies?”
Lara swallowed closing her eyes.
“Aww, Daddy’s girl. You thought I forgot didn’t you. All those mails you sent me about your Daddy coming into the room and touching you when you were a child? You told me it’s been years but you remember sometimes and he did it because he loved you right? He did it and made you promise not to tell anyone and he would give you everything you needed. He was messing with you and you allowed him because you felt it was love and he used his money to shut you up. You allowed him hurt you while you pushed your face into the pillow wishing it was over.
“Well sorry love, that’s incest! And no wonder you’re a messed up girl who would do anything to get what she wants.”
“You know what, I used to feel for you. You sent me those mails and I thought aww, this girl needs to be loved, this girl needs a friend and I babysat you for years. Not till you started sending me all those other mails about how you were also cheating on Soji with men old enough to be your father, even your family doctor and I felt for your fiance. I felt he needed someone better than some slut who could have sex with anything that showed her affection. You sure know how to give but you don’t know how to take it. And so when your fiance and I were pleasuring ourselves, baby Lara took it personal. And you have enough money to make him marry you into your sham of your marriage. Go figure. Like father like daughter.
I kept telling myself that Lara needs me and I watched you rip me apart to the point of my child. It’s my turn to rip you apart. Starting from everything you hold dear. Let people see Lara Kitan for who she really is. Oh and I’m just trying to imagine Soji’s face in all of this. He would suddenly wish he picked me. Have fun shedding tears. Daddy’s girl.”
And she hung up.
Lara stared blankly into space as the line went dead. When the phone fell from her hands she didn’t realize it. She stood up struggling to gain composure. It wasn’t long before she found herself on the floor as her legs felt wobbly.
She blacked out.
Much love. Xo!
Original story by ITUNU TAIWO owner of http://myglowingscenes.com
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