I couldnât bring myself to imagine just for a little bit what Mrs. Coker was probably talking about. For a second, my mind wondered into the possibilities of sexual abuse and molestation but I really didnât wanna believe it. I thought that was me allowing all the craziness going on in the world right now about sexual abuse to seep through my thoughts. Still, it was still difficult erasing the 75% chance that Amaka could be a victim of sexual violence. I held Mrs. Folake Coker by the arm; I could see tears trying to take formation in her pupils. She didnât wanna talk no more but I needed more than Amakaâs dad was doing bad things to her.
âWas Amaka sexually violated by her father?â I eventually found the courage to ask.
She looked away. Her face spoke guilt, shame and regret. I wished I had Carl Lightmanâs number from Lie to me. I swear that I could have called him right there to thank him for the face reading technique I got from the series.
âYou can always tell me anything Mrs. Coker. Ainât gonna betray you.â I said again with my hands firmly tied in hers.
âHe was doing really bad things to my little baby.â She said again with tears in her voice and eyes.
âYou said it before. . . but what do you mean bad things? Like he was having carnal knowledge of her?â
I was hoping my questions would help give her courage enough to find her words.
âNot at first. . .â
âWhat do you mean not at first?â
She sat up, wiped her face with the back of her hand and she was playing with her fingers as she started talking.
âCollins used to make Amaka watch him have sex with me.â She said.
âI donât understand.â
âWhenever he comes home, he drags me to the bed, drags Amaka in with his hands on her ear, then he yanks off my clothes, slaps me and starts having sex with me.â
âOh! My God.â
I couldnât believe my ears. It was like hearing someone talk about a similitude of the scenes from 12 Years a Slave. I could feel a tear drop from my eyes.
âSo what happened after?â I finally asked her, getting out of my emotions.
âHe started sleeping with her. I would hear my baby scream for me but I couldnât help her.â
âYou blame yourself.â I muttered.
âYes I do. She was my baby. My little baby.â
There was a deafening silence. I didnât know what else to say to a woman who had enough emotions on her plate to deal with. What more could I say to a woman who already condemned herself for what happened to her daughter.
âMy parents died when I was in University. It was a ghastly motor accident. I was the only child with an Uncle and an Aunt from both sides of my parents. They donât live here in Nigeria; so, all the properties were mine.â
âSo, you were willed all your parentsâ properties and then you willed it to him?â
âYes. I trusted him with it but. . .â
âYou wish you hadnât.â
âI have to go now.â She said as she detached her hands from mine.
I held her hands firmly again.
âWhy did she leave home?â I asked looking straight into her eyes like I was trying to get the truth off her.
âI canât tell you.â She detached her hands again.
I stood up.
âYou have to tell me, please. Something made her leave home right?â
âShe found out he wasnât her father.â
âThat was her stressor!â I muttered.
She picked up her clutch, scribbled a number on a piece of paper.
âI have to go. If you have anything for me, just call me strictly on this line.
I couldnât say a word as I watched her walk away from the premises.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The drive to Aunty Kayinsolaâs office was quicker than normal. I had gone from 80 to 120 in a twinkle of an eye. Only God knew how I had managed to escape the troubling sanctions of the Road Safety Agents. I could feel a rush of adrenaline so strong that my feelings had become blurred by it. That wasnât my first time at Aunty Kayinsolaâs office. I have been there one time with Jide, but he went in while I waited for him in the car.
For a minute, I tried asking myself why I came down to her place of work. I pulled myself out of the car and walked into the premises of the radio station. Luckily for me, she was standing right there inside a well-furnished office. Â
âWhy did you make me go through that?â I yelled
âWhat are you talking about? And keep your voice down, you are in my office and someoneâs on air!â
âIâm sorry but why would you do that to me? Why make me go through that highly emotional situation when you can just tell me.â I busted.
âWill you calm down!â
I sat my butts into one of the chairs in her office. I was close to tears with different emotions running through me.
âI didnât have the authority to tell. I know how overwhelming what she told you was, still, it wasnât my place to tell you what she shared with me in confidence. You have to understand my position here and get out of this emotion.â
âShe went through all of that and I didnât know! How could I not know? How could I?â I couldnât hold the tears any longer.
She walked away to her desk undoubtedly making a phone call. Her voice wasnât audible enough for me to hear what she was saying. Not that I did really care that much but I was wishing sheâd understand me as much as she was trying to make me understand her. She dropped her phone on the table, sat beside me with her hands on my back trying to calm me down.
âItâs gonna be alright.â She muttered.
I nodded my head in affirmation of what I didnât really believe in. I kept asking myself silently, how is it ever gonna be okay. It wasnât up to ten minutes that Jide walked in. It didnât take me time to figure out how and why he had come.
âYou called him?â I asked rising up with an unbelievable kinda look on my face.
âIâm sorry I had to. I didnât know what else to do with you and I thought he was the best person to call.â She said with a very steady eye contact.
âI see.â I muttered.
âBabe! Itâs gonna be alright.â Jide said.
âThatâs all everyone is saying. Iâm sure itâs gonna be.â I said without trying to hide my sarcasm.
âI know you donât believe it but letâs go home.â
We rose to leave. He collected my bunch of keys as Aunty Kayinsola walked us to the car. I got into the car, watching him have a side talk with his sister. I knew she was probably telling him to watch over me like someone who had been placed on a suicide watch with all the seriousness written over her face.
âTake care of yourself!â She said as she walked to my side of the car.
I couldnât even give her a nod. I simply looked away for no reason.
âSheâs gonna get over it.â Jide muttered as he started the car.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
âYou should move in with me.â
Jide said finally breaking the awkward silence that trailed the drive from his sisterâs office to my humble No. 5 apartment.
âIâm fine.â I said looking at him with his hands still on the wheel like he was driving.
âI know youâre fine. I just wanna keep my eyes on you, thatâs all.â He said, finally taking his hands off the wheel.
âBecause your sister thinks Iâm gonna go mad or what?â
âNo, she didnât think youâll do anything crazy, this isnât about my sister. I just think you need company.â
âI know how to ask when I need one.â I replied trying to be stubborn.
âYou donât have to be alone right now. I could help you pack and when Amaka comes back, you both can decide what to do with the room. By the way, your office is closer to my apartment than it is here.â
âJide, let it go.â I said trying to get myself off the car seat into the house.
âWhy are you being unnecessarily stubborn about my offer? Is this your way of proving independence or there is something more?â
It was obvious he couldnât take it anymore.
âFine. I canât just pack and follow you; I have Eliza to worry about. Her discharge papers have been signed since yesterday evening. She just had to pass the night there because I promised to come for her today.â
He was silent for a while.
âOkay. Now I understand better. Nonetheless, we can still make that work.â
âAnd how is that?â I managed to ask with a little smile
âDonât worry. Just get down from the car already. You need a warm bath, good meal and good sleep.â
âI know right. . . but what about Eliza?â
âYou worry about taking care of yourself and getting a better sleep. Let me worry about Eliza huh?â
âAlright. Just keep me informed.â
He walked me to the door, gave me a warm hug and watched me enter the house.
I managed to find my way into the room after which I tried distracting myself with a little arrangement and rearrangements here and there hoping the thought would leave my head but it became intense. I walked into the bathroom, sat in the Jacuzzi with my head firmly resting by the edge and the rest of my body immersed in lavender filled water. It undoubtedly was calming; enough to make me want to stay there forever.
I didnât know I had dozed off in that Jacuzzi until an intense knock on the door woke me up jeering me back to reality of what had happened. I had spent a solid one hour in that water. I stepped out of the Jacuzzi with my towel firmly wrapped around my body afterwards.
âWhoâs there please?â
âMrs. Jones.â
I was surprised. Her voice was still very firm even from the outside. I opened the door quickly; she wasnât the only one.
âPlease come in ma. . . Hi, Sade!â I said.
I walked in after them. It was as if my spirit had knew she would be coming around, making me do the arrangement even when it was like the last thing on my mind.
âNice place.â Sade said.
âThank you.â I replied.
âYou should go change dear, I wonât mind.â Mrs. Jones said.
âYea. . . right! Just got out of the showers.â I responded.
âObviously.â She muttered with a smile.
I didnât know what else to say to her. Her presence has a way of leaving someone very startled not to talk of having her in my own house. I hurriedly changed into my pajama.
âWhat can I offer you ma?â
âWater would be just fine.â
âIâd love juice.â Sade added all smiling, not even waiting for me to ask her.
âAlright. Iâd go get them.â
I placed the tray having the requested and cups in front of them as I helped Mrs. Jonesâ pour her water and Sade, her juice.
âThe big goons of the house told me you needed company.â Mrs. Jones said.
âOh!â I said laughing.
âSo I brought Sade to keep you company after Iâm gone and moreover, itâs about time you guys do the real catch up.â
âOf course.â I muttered.
âThatâs a great idea right?â Sade asked enthusiastically looking at me expecting an answer.
âAwesome!â I replied, not so sure about how I feel.
âOkay then. I would love to take my leave now. Iâm a married woman and my husband needs me.â
We all laughed as Sade and I saw her off to the car.
âThanks for coming around ma.â
âDonât mention. That reminds me, Eliza is with Kayinsola and she said sheâll keep in touch.â
âOkay ma. Iâll call her too when I get back inside.â
âAlright. . . If Sade is giving you trouble, just call her brother to come pick her up.â
âIâm sure there wonât be any need for that.â I replied after Iâve had a good laugh.
She gave me a warm hug after which she gave Sade a look that said behave yourself and then we watched her leave.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sade had been much of a great help than I could ever imagined. I felt nostalgia having to drop her off at home the next morning on my way to work.
âMake sure you call me.â I said to her.
âDefinitely!â She said.
âSay hello to Mum for me. Iâm too late to come in.â I said with my hands on the wheel very steady and ready to zoom off.
âYou know her, sheâll understand. Be safe.â
âYou too!â I replied as I zoomed off.
Getting back to work was so relieving as I drove into the car park of my workplace. Toluâs voice halted my walk into the office.â
âBarrister says you should see him as soon as you arrive.â
âOkay Tolu, thanks.â I said as I walked into my office, dropped my bag and went to his.
âGood morning Sir.â I said tapping his door.
âCome in Barrister.â He said.
I walked into his office, sat on the next available seat as he discharged his visitor.
âHow have you been?â
âGreat Sir.â
âWell done with the bail approval. You are really more than the eyes could meet.â
âThank you sir.â
âI want you to meet with the client again. I think there is so much heâs not saying and we canât help him if heâs hiding from us.â
âVery true sir.â
âOr am I the only one who feels heâs hiding something?â
âNot at all sir. In fact, I got the vibe he was hiding something at the station when I went for his bail but I really canât tell what it was exactly.â
âWell, itâs still your job to find out. You canât force him to tell but you sure can make him see reasons why telling you whatever heâs hiding is the best decision he could ever make.â
âRight!â
âOkay then. Get to it already.â He said, discharging me from his office.
âI love my job.â I muttered as I walked away from his office.
âYour phone has been ringing.â Tolu said.
âThank you Tolu.â
It was Jide.
âHey! Good morning.â I said.
âGood morning. Iâm sorry I couldnât call again throughout yesterday.â
âI understand. Thanks for everything. Including the fact that you didnât tell me you were taking Eliza to Aunt Kayinsolaâs house. At least you should have told me.â I fired at him.
âI was only trying to help. Iâm sorry.â
âFair enough!â I replied smiling.
âSo where are you?â He asked.
âIâm at work but on my way to carry out an official assignment.â
âYou went to work? I was about calling your boss to take excuse on your behalf.â
âCall my boss? Where did you get his number?â
âI sneaked it off your phone.â He said.
âAre you for real?â
âIâm just kidding.â He laughed so hard.
âBetter. I need to work, it keeps me sane.â
âAlright. Tomorrow is Dadâs birthday and Mum is holding a little dinner for him, not like he deserved it though but I want you to come with me.â
âOkay. Iâll think about it.â
âThink about it?â
âJust kidding too. Talk to you later.â
âAlright.â
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The drive to the Jones was fun. Jide had upgraded his playlist unlike the junkies he used to have and we found ourselves singing and smiling to Omotayomusicâs We Found Love. It was undoubting that Jide was it; my very soul mate.
The confidence with which I walked into the Jones home was much better than the one I walked in and out with the first time I came. I was no longer afraid of seeing Chief Jones; Jideâs family loved me and his antagonism was inconsequential as far as I was concerned. I could perceive the aroma of Mrs. Jonesâ cooking from the outside of the house as I stepped down from the car; the woman was just good in all aspects.
Jide looked as if he had seen no one as we stepped into the Jonesâ house. Chief Jide Jones (Snr.) was sitting right beside Chief Coker at the general sitting room with a glass of wine in both of their hands and hysterical laughs to accompany it. We walked right past them so quickly as if Jide was preventing me from saying a word to them and a quick look into Chief Jonesâ eyes made me feel as if he wanted to call his son so bad the same way something was making him hesitant about it.
I walked into the warming hands of Folasade Coker as she ran to embrace me. Aunt Kayinsola was somewhere around the corner looking breathtaking in company of her husband with Eliza nowhere to be found. I walked to her side to say hello, greeting her husband too. She hugged me tightly.
âYou looked better than you were the other day.â She said.
âI know right! Whereâs your baby? Is she with Eliza?â I asked.
âKai! I know what youâre trying to do. Learn to take a break sometimes. Weâll talk about Eliza later. Enjoy the party Darling.â
I couldnât say anymore after that. I walked towards where Jide and Sade were sited. The other Jonesâ children couldnât make it for academic reasons; Jide said their schools were on session and it would be so irrelevant to leave the school for home just because their father is a year plus.
âHe doesnât deserve such sacrifice and love.â He said.
As I was still trying to get myself locked into the world of figuring out what the deal was with Jide and his father, Mrs. Jonesâ hands drew me by the side.
âI need your help setting the table.â She said.
âOf course ma. Good evening ma.â I replied.
I had walked into Mrs. Folake Coker in the kitchen. I was surprised seeing her considering the whole thing that was going on between her and Chief Coker, but there could be many reasons for why he had brought her. Maybe Mrs. Jonesâ insisted . . . maybe he was just trying to monitor her whereabouts.
After the table had been perfectly set by Sade and I, Mrs. Jonesâ hit the bell like the first time, everyone had come around except Eliza who I couldnât see still. Mrs. Jonesâ said a word of prayer for her husband, thanking God for another year he had added and saying all her other prayers concerning him will come to pass in Jesus name. As expected, Jide served my meal and his. It was a sumptuous meal of fried rice, salad and chicken. No one needs a hitting of the bell to tell them to start eating.
âHi. Weâve met.â
I wasnât ready to banter words with Chief Coker as I looked at his wife sitting beside him, trying so hard to enjoy the moment. I never thought I would even have to meet him or deal with him in any way at the event. It was true then, that life has a way of giving surprises.
âI said weâve met!â He repeated again.
I wasnât gonna let him get to me. I was using my fork to scoop some rice for my mouth as I took a good look at him.
âTwice, I must say.â I replied trying to be as courteous as possible.
âIâm sure the third time is gonna be remarkable.â He said with a grin and a wicked smile.
âI can bet you wonât forget it in a hurry.â I replied him not knowing where the confidence came from.
Everybody was silent and I could feel Jideâs hand rubbing against my trouser, trying to calm me down lest I might say words I could end up regretting to Chief Coker in front of his family.
Just when we thought it was over as everyone continued their meal, Chief Jones broke the silence.
âSon!â
âDad!â Jide looked at him like he wanted to give him a punch badly.
âYou guys should grow up already.â Chief Coker said.
âAfter youâre done doing the same with your family.â Jide fired back at him.
âOuch! Didnât know your son bites.â He muttered.
âNot until recently. He wouldnât stop seeing this whore!â Chief Jonesâ fired flashing his eyes at me that everyone knew he was obviously talking to me.
Jide stood up. I held his hands strongly, trying to shield him from doing whatever he intended to do.
âWalk away son!â Chief Jones said.
âNo, I wonât. Sheâs just doing whatâs right by you. Not that you deserve it, so Iâm gonna do whatâs right by her by sitting my ass at this table and enjoy this sumptuous meal âcos she deserved it.
Chief Jones raised his hands up like he was gonna slap the hell out of Jide.
âYou will do no such thing to my son, do you understand?â Mrs. Jones said, halting him in the process.
âFine!â He walked away from the table annoyingly in company of Chief Coker.
âA Happy Birthday to yâallâ He said.
Birds of the same feather @ Chief Jones and Chief Coker
Nice one ibukunwrites
wow! welcome back Ibukun…hope fixing your laptop outside lagos wasn’t overly expensive.
Eagerly waiting for the next episode, please let us read from Amaka.
I can feel the ghen ghen brewing up
Welcome back IBK!!! I feel for Amaka no one deserves all Dats haPpened 2her.
This is becoming more interesting, kudos.
?? I love this episode
o
Chief Coker and co, your days are numbered!
Hmmmmnn, this is getting interesting episode by episode. Thanks dearie.
birds of same feather how can a father be like this chief jones and coker