Eid Mubarak to all our Muslim sisters and brothers!
Two minutes later, his head came up. “That’s such a joke.”
He stared at her for a few seconds, then went back to the will. The room was so quiet, that the sound made by the second hand of the clock, as it moved, suddenly seemed noisy.
Kunle’s eyes were angry when he looked up finally. “No way am I doing this.”
Bunmi started to speak, but he raised a hand and she fell silent. “It’s one thing to step into the role of a father, to children whose existence was hidden from you, and another to marry a woman, just because her dead grandma said so.”
He shook his head. “I understand the bind this puts your family in, but I can’t…” His head moved again. “I can’t do this, Bunmi.”
She bit her upper lip before speaking, “Grandma left me some cash too, as well as other stuff. Erm…”
He raised his eyebrows. “Ehen?”
She spoke hurriedly, “It’s only for a year. I intend to pay you.”
He started laughing. “Only for a year, you say? You’re offering to pay me to become a divorcee in a year, do you know that?” He shook his head. “That’s not part of my plan for me, so I’ll pass.”
He raised an eyebrow again. “I’m curious, though. Exactly how much am I worth?”
Without breaking eye contact, she said slowly, “I’ll pay you ten million naira, Kunle. I’ll give you half of that now and the other half at the end of the year.”
He smiled. “I have a great job, thanks to your father. I’ll pass.”
He stopped smiling. “Speaking about your father, I assume he doesn’t know his grandchildren are mine or he would have …” He stopped and shook his head. “What a mess.”
“He doesn’t know. I refused to say who the father was.”
“And he has to find out now, right?”
She shrugged. “It’s up to you, really.”
He shifted from the edge of the chair, leaned back and put his right hand over his eyes. “Bunmi, this is a lot to take. You’ve had five years to get used to the idea of being a parent. I don’t even know your… my… our children!”
He removed his hand and looked at her again. “I need some time to process all this. Right now, I have a major headache.”
She stood. “That’s alright. Can you call me, when you decide on what to do?”
He blew out air from his mouth and walked over to the wall, where a fifty-inch LED display television was mounted. When he bent at the waist, the fabric on the seat of his shorts stretched and she found herself staring.
That’s what got you into trouble the first time.
He picked up a phone from a short, rectangular display unit under the television and slowly, disconnected it from a charger. When he straightened up and turned to her, he stopped short when he noticed her staring. They stood looking at each other for a few seconds, till the doorbell suddenly rang.
She picked her bag from the stool and walked to the door with him. He opened the door and his guest looked from him to Bunmi and back to him, before walking in.
He turned to her and smiled. “I’m sorry about the other night.” When she nodded, he extended a hand to her. “I’m Tijani, by the way.”
They shook hands and as he went to sit, she turned to leave.
“Your phone number?” Kunle asked, leaning on the open door.
“Oh,” she said and reeled off a series of numbers to him. As he typed them in, she noticed his phone was a Blackberry model. “I can give you my pin too.”
She rummaged in her bag for her phone. “I’m sorry. I don’t know it by heart.”
He smiled. “That’s alright. A lot of people don’t.”
When she left about a minute later, he shut the door and leaned, with his back, on it.
“No history, abi?”
“TJ, wahala dey.”
Lying on his bed three nights later, Kunle found that he couldn’t sleep. He shifted on his bed, trying to get comfortable, as he replayed the conversation he had with Tijani.
“You don’t have to marry her, you know. You can still have a relationship with your kids.”
He crossed his left ankle over his right knee and responded, “The thing is… Otunba is the closest I’ve had to a father figure. I was five when my mother got the job at their house. When we moved there, he paid close attention to me, when he could have easily ignored me. The man try for me, upon say na only housekeeper my mama be to them.”
He raised right hand and brought his index finger up. “He made sure I went to good schools and…” The middle finger joined the other. “…he provided for me, opportunity for travel.” His ring finger joined them. “My job…the kind of life I have now is, to a large extent, because of him.”
He put his hand down and shook his head. “Of course, I don’t want to get married to Bunmi, with the knowledge that we would be getting divorced in a year, but I just can’t sit back and watch her family lose their business.”
“How does your decision affect the business?
“E dey too complicated, jare.”
He picked up his phone now. He hadn’t spoken to Bunmi since he took her number, but he enjoyed looking at the pictures she put up on her blackberry messenger profile. So far, she had put up only pictures of the kids and he saved all of them on his photo gallery.
He looked at her profile now. A grinning Joanna was there this time, in a pink long-sleeved tunic that had a white, ribbon-wearing, kitten on the front.
She looks so much like Bunmi.
The layers at the bottom of the tunic fell over the top of a dark blue pair of leggings, with pink threads at the seam. Her feet were encased in a pair of pink and white sneakers and the tips were almost touching. He found the knee that was jutting out and the hand she placed on her waist amusing.
The girl sabi pose, sha.
Immediately, a picture of Bunmi replaced that and he opened it, to zoom in. She was reclining on a black chaise longue, in a shiny red strapless dress. He assumed it was a dress, even though the lower part of her body was not visible.
She was smiling, her face turned slightly to the camera. Unlike the hairstyle she wore when she came to his house, the curls on her head were slightly frizzy and stopped on her shoulders. His fingers itched to touch them.
Her arms were folded on her belly and he noticed immediately that, but for the watch with a slim gold strap, on her left wrist, she wore no other accessories.
He closed the picture and typed a message to her, “Still up?”
Seconds after she read the message, her reply came, “I can’t sleep.”
“Me too.”
“Ok.”
He scratched his head then typed, “Can you come over tomorrow morning?”
“Time?”
“Is nine too early?”
“Is ten too late?”
“Ten is fine.”
She sent a happy smiley.
He smiled and typed, “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
They sat in the same chairs as they had, the last time. She accepted his offer of a drink of apple juice and as soon as he brought it, he didn’t waste time on small talk.
“I want to be in my children’s life.”
She set down the carton of juice she had been trying to open. When he noticed that, he said, “Go ahead.”
“No, you go ahead.”
He shrugged. “Besides wanting to be a part of my children’s lives, your parents have treated me like a son too. So, I have to do right by your family.”
“In plain terms, please.”
He smiled. “I’ll marry you.”
She rolled her eyes and muttered, “How romantic.”
He laughed for a while, before sobering up. “Your grandma is not the only one who can come up with clauses, though.” She looked at him, puzzled.
“I’ll marry you, only on one condition.”
“That I pay all the money in advance? Deal.”
He frowned. “I’m not for sale, Bunmi and neither is my honour. Ten million naira is not money to sneeze at, really. I might even need it, since your father would, most likely, sack me, after we tell him our plans.”
He shrugged. “However, I can easily get another great job; because, thanks to him, I have the right qualifications. So, I won’t collect a kobo from you.”
Frowning, she asked, “What’s in it for you, then?”
He smiled. “It’s right there in the will. I want a proper marriage.”
“Proper marriage?”
“Yes, Bunmi. We are required to share a house, right?” She nodded and he continued, “I don’t want separate bedrooms or beds, for that matter.”
She frowned some more and slowly shook her head. “That’s totally out of the question, Kunle. It’s a marriage of convenience, really. No strings attached.”
He shook his head and stared intently at her. “I want all strings attached for the entire year. That is my condition. You can take it or leave it.”
Feeling cornered, she looked away from him. After a while, she sighed and looked at him. “Don’t you have a girl friend or something?”
He raised both eyebrows, amused. “No, There’s no girlfriend… or something. If we get married, it will be an exclusive relationship. Those are my terms.”
He can’t be serious. We can’t be having a discussion about that sort of relationship, with so much unresolved issues between us.
“What if I get pregnant?”
He raised an eyebrow, then shrugged. “It won’t be the first time, would it? Moreover, that’s part of a proper marriage, right?”
He’s crazy, alright.
She sighed deeply and asked, “When do we tell everyone?”
He stood and picked up his car key from the top of the center table. “How about now?”
She let out a breath and stood as well. “I think you should tell your mum first.”
He shook his head. “No, I want her out of it, till I talk to your parents. I owe them that much.”
Sade’s heart jumped in her throat when Bunmi walked into the living room with Kunle. The chickens have come home to roost.
She forced a smile on her face, as she stood to hug Bunmi. Niyi, on a chair beside her, put down the newspaper he had been reading and smiled at them.
Bunmi and the kids had been staying in her parent’s house since the day before the burial and a truce of sorts had been established between them.
Kunle prostrated, his knees slightly bent and the fingertips, of his right hand, touching the floor. “Good morning, sir.”
“Good morning, Kunle. You may have a seat.”
Coming to an upright position, he slowly walked across the large room, to a chair opposite Niyi, who had turned his attention on Bunmi.
She smiled cautiously from the seat beside her mother. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Bunmi. You left quite early. Your mum said you told her you had an errand to run,” he said cheerfully.
She glanced at Kunle. “Yes, I had something to take care of.”
He followed her eyes. “I haven’t seen you since the thanksgiving reception, Kunle.”
“I’m sorry about that sir. I’ve had a lot on my mind.”
I bet you have, Sade thought.
“A lot on your mind? Even with the week-long break from work? I hope everything is fine.”
When Kunle looked at Bunmi, Niyi turned to her, his brow knitted in a small frown. “It’s about grandma’s will.”
Confused, he asked, “What about it?”
She let out a breath and gazing at her father, said, “Kunle is Jake’s and Joanna’s father.”
Sade gasped, while Niyi sprang up from his chair, “You must be kidding!” Taking long strides, he went over to Kunle, who had his right hand over his eyes.
“Is this some prank, young man?”
Kunle removed his hand and shook his head twice. Niyi’s face crumpled, as though he wanted to cry and he turned to his wife. Speaking in a hoarse whisper, he asked, “How could we have missed this?”
Without waiting for an answer, he walked slowly to his chair, rested his head on the back of it and closed his eyes. There was silence in the room for a long time and no one made eye contact with the other.
Suddenly, he raised his head and said out loud, “This is such a mess!” All eyes turned on him. “I’ve made such a mess!”
“Niyi…”
He ignored his wife and looked at Bunmi, “You cannot marry him.”
“Daddy…”
He shook his head, continuously. “You cannot marry, Kunle.”
“Why is that, daddy? We’ll lose everything.”
He turned to Kunle and spoke slowly. “He’s your brother.”
“What!” three of them chorused.
He looked at Sade and his eyes turned pleading. “He is my son.”
Uhnnnn, ghen ghen……Bi iro ba lo logun odun, ojo kan soso lotito a ba.
Lol. I understand only ‘ghen ghen’ o.
It’s a Yoruba proverb meaning, no matter how far gone a lie is, truth will catch up with it someday.
What secrets can do eh. In the beginning many expressed they hoped Niyi hadn’t raped his daughter. This is far deeper. Granny has sure nuff put she offsping in a noose. However, i’m sure there’s a silver lining like Kunle was switched @ birth and really isn’t Bunmi’s brother. I know i’m reaching. I’ll be patient.. Carry on.
Hmmm….Switched at birth… why didn’t I think of that, lol. Thanks, Z 🙂
Yeah!!!!!!!this is some deep shit
What!!!!!!!!!!!! #faints#
PourswateronEbi
SECRETS….this is a real ghen ghen lyk Dupe said. I’v got my eyes on this story, won’t miss a single episode.
Salz, sorry I’v not commented in a while. Lost a friend on monday n have been trying to come to terms wit his death.
Thanks, Kany. Sorry about your loss.
Uwc Olaedo. Waiting for taboo
Lol. Taboos 3 should be up soon… been extremely busy.
Okies
Ewooo…Omo see gobe!!!…hmmmmm..Secrets!!!
Lol
Can’t stop screaming
I hear you oo
Like seriously ?…. Otunba got to be kidding me,they need to feed his scrotum to the dogs….. secret upon secret na wah ooo
Lol. Niyi must be thrilled you’re not his wife, then.
I was afraid this might happen…..such a mess
Yep, it’s a mess, alright.
I am loving this series.
Thanks, Bomi
I guessed as much #lol … I suspect there’s another secret though. Bunmi may not be his biological daughter … Thanks for Sally for #EidMubarak wishes much appreciated
That would just break Niyi’s heart o
Wow!!I was suspicious d oda day when he almost blurted it out while she was reminiscing,,how are they going to solve this,,,tanxx olaedo,,secrets indeed
Oh, you picked up on that? Nice! You’re welcome, Gift 🙂
Loads nd loads of secrets. Since Kunle is Otunba’s Son, I will strongly hold dat Sade had Bunmi for another man probably as a result of infidelity, she may not be Otunba’s biological daughter
Niyi and Sade both playing away matches, abi?
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!!!!! Bro wetin.kai na serious secrets oooooo.
SLAM!
I didn’t expect this at all… Brother??? I see another secret being revealed in the next episode. Either bunmi isn’t niyi’s biological daughter or kunle isn’t niyi’s son… Also, I think this episode is short oh
You just want them to end up together, abi? Lol.
Wonderful……dat was an unpleasant surprise……shoot! What will happen now?
Secrets 7 😉
itz a bad man tin!
E be like
kasala haff burst!!! I
wanted them to be together. Olaedo why have u done this *sobs uncontrollably*
Sorry naa. Oya,take hanky.
Secrets getting unraveled. *fingersCrossed* anticipating the next episode.
Nice one Olaedo *LoveTheName*
Thank you, V.DaJose 🙂 🙂
finally the secret. I guess there are more secrets
Maybe…
This secret is too much to bear,it ws a great read.
Thanks, Ibk
na wa o.. Sade should just balance this out and reveal her own secrets. I’m almost sure she knew about otunba’s infidelity and went on a revenge mission.. Or something like that.
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, eh?
exactly! And their secrets are usually monumental. Nice storyline so far, well done.
Thanks, Anthony 🙂
like seriously this is serious ooooo….secrets indeed! *seriously waiting for the next episode*
Plenty seriousness 😉
Secrets #7. Hahahahhahahha. Good work. Kunle, Bunmi’s brother. Kunle, Otunba’s son. Hmmmm. More secrets please. More strength to your writing skills. Keep it up.
Thanks a lot, Henry 🙂 More coming soon.
This is suspence in d making. Secret indeed. Tell us abt dere luv life, wen dere were young. Just want 2 knw bunmi a bit. Kunle na correct guy oo. Don’t let any1 dictate 2 u, bcos of dere selfishness. Ponderin. Nice 1 bro.
Thanks, Wasma 🙂 You’ll get more soon. Yeah, Kunle certainly has a mind of his own.
This aren’t funny at all,more secrets would be unfolded……..More ink too your pen
Thanks, Topsy 🙂
Ahhhh! Jesu! Ghen ghen ghen ghen!!! Ahhh! *I forgot to eat the popcorn because of tension*!! Ewoooo! Sigh. Let me keep quiet before they will ask me what is doing me.
Did you drink the Fanta, at least? 🙂
oh you just ve to bring in that…………..one secret leads to another…………….am sure there nre more to come. fingers crossed.
🙂
Wow!!! Bunmi isn’t his daughter cos he blurted out “I’m not having another bastard child”. *this is superstory*
Wow!! Bunmi isn’t his daughter cos he blurted out “I’m not having another bastard child”. *this is superstory*
I bet the child he was referring to was Kunle.
Now is the tym for that nollywood soundtrack for suspense…. Now I dint see that coming tho it was expected… It keeps getting better n better…
FingersOnPianoKeysMakingADrawnOutSound
Thanks, Consyspark 🙂
Hmmnnnn. Secret embeded in a secret. Ok oh let me read the next episode cos I’m sure there will be another bombshell. Good job Olaedo…
Thanks, Mariam 🙂
Pekele pekele arugbo jé gbese taniosan.wow!secrets indeed dis is just d beginning watch out 4 part 2.,lol.dats ow m feeling nw
Lol. Watch out for part 7, you mean 🙂
WHAT?!?! Thumbs up to you, Olaedo.
Thanks, Nike 🙂 🙂
Waoooooh,this is truly secret,so niyi is the father of kunle…..**in yemi alade voice** this one na gobe,original gobe,see dem,see wahala
Lol. No be small wahala.
This is why some secrets ought not to be secrets.
Gram!
Gbam!
Wow,what a secret,commotion in the family,like the story
I’m glad you do, Ustyn 🙂
Eish! Oh the issues of this family. I just knew another gbege would come up. Hmmm… still choosing to reserve my comment. I’ll just keep sipping my iced tea n watching the Bruce Lee film tricks. Hehe.
*applause* for Olaedo.
Thanks a lot, Tizzy 🙂 🙂
Lawd!!! Is dis d point Sade confesses that Bunmi isn’t Niyi’s dota so dat poor Kunle can have his exclusive proper marriage wit ha? I wanna read d 1 year affair mbok. Lol. Nice 1 dear.
All you romantics, lol. Thanks 🙂
OMG! I dinno experrit!!! Na wa o
I’m glad you didn’t see that coming 🙂
Wow!!! This is a secret too big to take in, wow!!!
🙂 🙂
Iz a lie….. I sincerely didn’t expect this. Olaedo sharp sharp I don like you. *thumbs up*
I don like you too oooo. Chop knuckle, jare.
Secrets upon secrets, na wa o. Sure there must be a way out, like a misunderstanding or something. Not now when Kunle and Bunmi wants to experiment their being together again o. Nice work dear.
No be only experimenting, lol. Thank you, Toyenlon.
WOW……..real ghen ghen …….jezz they’ve really made a mess of things …hmmm ogaooo… am so hooked
Enjoy, jare 🙂
Omg!!! This is really Secrets. Huge one for dat matter!!
Yes o, who woulda thought it?
Hmmmmm. Kunle is Bunmi’s brother? What da F. So it’s not only bunmi that had secrets after all.
Yep, not only Bunmi o.
Ori iyami ohhhh! hit me like a wrecking ball.infact in a coma sef.whew! U too much.*big smile
Thanks, Tutu 🙂 Enjoy the rest of the story.
Ah such a mess….
……..men
Lol @ men… women too o!
oh my God this is secrets indeed, what other secrets are we to unravel?
Patience 😉 😉