HAPPY MEN'S MONTH AND A SPECIAL SHOUTOUT TO ALL THE FATHERS IN THE HOUSE!
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CHAPTER SIXTEEN – The bun in the oven is not bunning
When Tari got a call from Didi at sunrise the following morning, Rain was still asleep. He stepped out of the bedroom to take the call, careful not to make a sound. Didi sounded distressed on the phone. Her aunt, who was living with her, suffered a stroke last night. Didi took her to the hospital and deposited her bill, but she needed Tariβs help.
βJust a week, and I will get someone to take her off your hands.β
She was referring to Ariella.
βDidi, you know Iβd be happy to step in, but Iβm mad busy right now.β
βI know, but I canβt get anyone on short notice. Our neighbor upstairs traveled and wonβt be back until next month. Please, Tari.β
Tari couldnβt say no. He had a male housekeeper who lived in, and a cook who came thrice a week. Since the cook was elderly with grown children who were away, Tari figured he could ask her to move in and take care of Ariella until Didi sorted herself out.
βFine.β
βThank you, Tari.β Didi exhaled. βWould I be asking too much to tell you to come and take her now?β
βWhere are you guys?β
Didi and Ariella were in a hospital that was more than a half-hour drive without traffic. But Tari didnβt complain. He journeyed there, picked Ariella up, took her to Didiβs to pack a bag, and returned to Rainβs house.
When they got in, he left Ariella with Oscar and headed toward Rainβs bedroom, from where the sound of classical music played. Rain was not in bed and was about to call out her name when he spotted her throwing up in the bathroom.
βRain?β He started toward her, but a call from Sunny interrupted him. He frowned as he picked up the call.
βGood morning, sir.β
βGood morning, Son. Sleep well?β
βYeah.β
Tariβs eyes were on Rain, but she didnβt notice his presence. He moved away from the door, out of sight, and listened to Sunnyβs instructions regarding a trip he wanted him to make. Tari argued that his boss was better positioned to go on the trip, but Sunny reminded him of their objective in the company.
βItβs tiring going down this road with you, Atari. Keep your head in the game.β
βYes, sir.β
The call lasted a little longer, and after Sunny hung up, Tari returned to the bedroom. This time, he saw a familiar object in Rainβs hand. On a second look, he recognized the object as a home pregnancy test device.
βRain?β he called, walking in. She spotted him and quickly tossed the device into the trashcan.
βHey,β she responded, smiling. βWhere did you go?β
βI went to get Ariella.β Then, he explained Didiβs present situation to her. βI hope youβre not mad?β
βAre you fucking Didi?β
βWhat? No. How?β
βThen, Iβm not mad. Naturally, I have trust issues, but I canβt kill myself over a man anymore.β
βRain?β Tari scolded. βHey, youβre talking to me.β
βYeah, as if youβre not all alike.β
βBehave before I bite you.β He smacked her bum, chuckling, despite being thrown off by her logic. He understood her, though.
βAriella can stay as long as you donβt make me babysit her.β Rain slipped her arms around him and pecked his cheek.
βSo, are you feeling okay?β he asked.
βMe? Why would I feel otherwise? Iβm good.β
Her breath was minty, with no scent of vomit.
βYouβre sure?β
βA hundred. Letβs go to your house and have that badass cook of yours make us pepper soup or isi ewu.β
βThis early morning?β
βTari, itβs ten.β
βOkay. Anything my baby wants.β
βCall your cook so she can start cooking before we arrive.β
βAll righty.β Tari dialed his cookβs number. An hour later, they were set to leave the houseβhe and Rain in front, Ariella and Oscar in the backseat. But before they left, Tari told Rain he had forgotten something. He ran back in and searched for the pregnancy test stick but didnβt find it. Rain had cleared out the trashcan, and he wasnβt sure what to make of her action of disposing the evidence. If she was pregnant, why was she hiding it? Did she want an abortion? And this would make sense, considering her financial and social status right now. A baby will slow her down, especially a baby for a man who was below her financially. That he could travel the world as he pleased and afford everything he wanted didnβt put him in the same position as her. An heir wouldnβt be the leveler their relationship needed. Tari had to devise something of his own to catch up with her.
So, yeah, what if she wanted an abortion because he wasnβt worthy enough?
Or did the test turn out negative? But why was she throwing up earlier?
He checked the period app she had installed on his phone to help him track her cycle. There was a missing entry for last monthβs period, which wouldnβt be odd, considering she had been in the hospital for some time. But should he ask her about it? Would it be too intrusive? Was he overthinking things?
A baby will turn his entire life on its head. What would become of their relationship? Would they be single parents or end up walking down the aisle?
WAS HE READY TO BECOME A FATHER?
Tari silenced the screaming voice in his head and left the bathroom. He returned to the car, where Rain was showing Ariella something on her phone. Ariella snatched the phone, and Rain let her be.
βYou should get her a tab,β she told Tari.
βWhat for?β
βA phone is not age-appropriate.β
βI should get this small child a tab so that she can become addicted?β
βLots of kids have them.β
βIrresponsible parenting. Have you seen the research on how this thing is addictive to kids their age?β
βYou best believe Iβm buying our child an iPad once they can use one.β
βWhat child?β
Rain shrugged. βJust hypothetically speaking.β
Tari fastened his seatbelt.
xoxoxo
The home pregnancy test turned out positive. Rain wasnβt settled on how she felt about it, so she still had to dash out to see her doctor for a second lab test. Only after confirming that one would she accept her parental status.
At Tariβs, she showered and had isi ewu. She told him she was going to see Jaya and would be back in a bit. On her way out, she asked if she could take Ariella along.
βBreak a leg.β
Rain put a cute outfit on Ariella and parted her soft afro curls into two buns. As she did this, she felt Tariβs curious eyes on her. At her house, he had almost caught her with the test stick. Finding out that she was pregnant in that manner would have been a boring way to break the news to him. If the second test at the hospital were positive, she would look for an unforgettable way to let him know.
On her way to see Ayo, she let Ariella play with her phone. When they arrived at the hospital, Ayo invited her into his office.
βRain Kareem, my dear, you are pregnant o,β he said.
βAyo, I really need to be sure.β
βMe, I know you are. But to satisfy you, letβs have the lab rerun the test.β
She revisited the lab, redid the test, and waited for the result. Once it came in, Ayo presented it to her on paper.
βI told you,β he said.
Rain felt her chest constrict, making her miss a breath. She breathed loudly, and the tight feeling spread over her body, bringing tears to her eyes. She remembered the baby she almost had with Nzamo. Then, there was the abortion she went through because a particular ex had gotten another girl pregnant. Rain never told anyone this story, but it left a scar in her and guilt that refused to go away for years.
βWe will run a scan in a bit to be sure that things are okay with your baby, Rain. I need you to be positive.β
βI am positive, Ayo.β She helped herself to sheets of tissue paper from a box on the desk. βIβm just so overwhelmed.β
βWhy? You had unprotected sex. What did you think you were going to get out of it?β
βIβm excited.β
βYou should be. However, you must be careful not to overexert yourself. Youβre thirty-six. This is officially a high-risk pregnancy.β
βI understand.β
βDonβt overwork, Rain. I know you. I will follow you closely. You canβt afford to miss any antenatal appointment. This baby is special.β
βI know.β
βWhoβs the father, though? Your new boyfriend?β
βIβm not telling.β
βAs long as itβs not that Noah person, thatβs fine.β Ayo stood. βI want to do this scan myself. So, letβs get to it.β
Rain helped Didi out of her chair, and they followed Ayo out.
xoxoxo
Tari found the test stick in her handbag, one of those corny ones that spelt out the word, βPREGNANTβ. He hadnβt gone searching for it. Silly Oscar had toppled the handbag, spilling its contents. Tari picked up the device and sat on the floor, staring at it for a long time.
He went through different thoughts and emotions, but nothing beat the feeling of utter excitement that started slowly and left him in a lighthearted mood. When he went into the kitchen to warm his lunch, he was watching Instagram reels. In one of them, a Rema song played, and he broke into dance. He didnβt realize what he was doing until Oscar barked at him. He stopped and laughed to himself.
After lunch, he went up to his study to handle some office work. He worked for four hours before taking a break. He itched to call his friends and break the news, but he knew he couldnβt without Rainβspermission. Firstly, he would wait for her to tell him because he felt she would use an unconventional route. If there was one thing he loved about her, it was her superfluousness. She had a PhD in being extra, but it wasnβt in your face kind of extra. It was subtle and bougie. She might not admit it, but she was like Kofo in that department.
xoxoxo
Rain returned home later than she planned. She had taken Ariella shopping, getting her a tablet and new clothes. She had also taken her to a salon, where they both had a mani-pedi. They came home wearing matching outfits. When Tari saw them, he burst into a laugh.
βWhatβs this?β
βIβm playing Mommy for the weekend.β
βWhy?β
βJust to see what it feels like. I think we should have a girl. Girls are cuter, and I can always twin with ours, like thisβ¦β She waved a hand in Ariellaβs direction, and Ariella smiled.
βUncle Tari?β
βYeah?β
She showed him the tab Rain bought for her. He eyed Rain.
βIs Didi going to be mad at me?β she asked.
βNo, butβ¦ This is a bit too much, donβt you think?β
βImagine if it were our daughter.β
βImagine if we planned not to spoil our future kid.β
Rain moved closer to him, forcing herself into a snuggle. βImagine if we had one on the way.β
βDo we?β
βUncle Tari!β Ariella thrust the tab at him. βIz not doing!β
As Tari addressed Ariellaβs concern, Rain took her shopping bags upstairs. One of the bags had a book she had bought in a bookstore titled: Dude, Youβre Gonna Be a Dad. Rain kept it on the nightstand, but she didnβt want it to be noticeable. So, she placed it underneath Barrack Obamaβs A Promised Land. Because A Promised Land was a bigger book, Rain knew Tari would notice something about the arrangement. In trying to fix the disorder, he would find the book, open it, and see the love note she left in it for him. Smiling in satisfaction, she went off to some other business.
xoxoxo
Tari saw the book by John Pfeiffer the moment he lay down to sleep. The positioning of the books on the nightstand looked out of place, and as he tried to rearrange them, he noticed the odd book in his collection. Rain was sleeping beside him, Ariella clutched to her side. They both slept with their mouths open, and Tari took a quick photo before picking up the new book. He opened it and saw a note from Rain.
To Tari,
whose baby I carry
whom Iβm going to marry
add this book to your library
not as an accessory
but as a necessary guide to being a daddy.
Love, Rain
Tari stopped himself from laughing out loud. He read the note a second time and returned the book to where she had placed it, deciding he would pretend not to have happened upon it. He was curious to see what she would do next. If he read her well, she would try to announce the news in some other wayβand he looked forward to it.
xoxoxo
It was Monday, and having been delayed in rush-hour traffic, coupled with a nasty case of morning sickness, Rain felt run over. She didnβt know if other pregnant women suffered from morning sickness in the early stages. Frustratingly, it was just past ten.
But the traffic and nauseousness werenβt responsible for her annoyance. Tari was.
So far, he had missed the three baby announcements she made during the weekend. He neither saw the book nor spotted an inscription in the new coffee mug he used yesterday morning before church. Rain had to check the mug to ensure hot coffee hadnβt washed off the inscribed message. But there it was, written boldly that he would be a dad!
The third announcement had been the most obvious, but he also didnβt get it. Last night, she had put a burger bun in the oven for no reason and told him to watch it for her while she had a shower. While walking away, her exact words to him were, βI have a bun in the oven!β
When she returned, he told her that her bun was burnt because he had been distracted by a phone call. But he also blamed it on her attempt to bake what was already baked. βWhy, though?β he asked. βAnd whatβs it for?β
At that point, Rain was ready to scream that she was pregnant. But it was going to spoil her special moment. Instead, she grunted in anger and went upstairs. Tari joined her later, but she pretended to be asleep. This morning, she awoke to find his space empty. He left her a note explaining why he had to leave early.
Very important meeting.
Letβs have lunch. Iβll get you at the office.
AA
Rain squeezed the note and tossed it to the floor. Then, she got ready for work. The last thing she needed was to get stuck in traffic, but here she was, an hour later, cussing at the principalities responsible for frustrating Lagosians.
She arrived at Hara Telecoms minutes after ten and stopped at the main wing. She hadnβt planned to look good today or make a bold statement with a red pantsuit, but when she caught her reflection on the glass doors, Rain allowed herself to be wowed by her beauty. She didnβt know if the pregnancy made her glow because her skincare routine had been off lately, but she looked goodβand the eyes that adored her as she walked into the massive reception confirmed her slay. Her bodyguard followed her, whose imposing presence made her appear even more impressive.
Rain rode the elevator to Tariβs floor and walked to his office. There was a lady behind a desk who got on her feet once she recognized her.
βGood morning, maβam.β
βGood morning. Is your boss in?β
βNo, maβam. Heβs in Abeokuta.β
Rain frowned. βAbeokuta?β
βHe left early with his team for a meeting with the governor.β
βAre they coming back today?β
βYes. Before twelve. Do you want to leave a message?β
βNo. Donβt tell him I came.β
βYes, maβamβ¦ Excuse me, maβam?β
Rain, already turning to leave, paused.
βCan I take a selfie with you? Iβm in this feminist group. They wonβt believe their eyes!β
βThatβs fine.β
Rain paused for a selfie with her and smiled as she watched her giggle like a schoolgirl.
βCan I post on Instagram and tag you?β
βSure. Donβt just be weird about it.β
βThank you!β
Rain left Tariβs office and drove to the tech wing where her office was situated. It was a smaller building but with more modern architecture. At the reception, she spotted Yuri and tried to escape him, but he caught her.
βRain Kareem!β he called, waving at her.
βNot the full name,β she muttered and forced out a grin as he hurried toward her. βHi, gorgeous! This short hair suits you!β He hugged her without asking and pecked her lips.
βWhatβs wrong with you?β
βItβs a brotherly kiss, considering Iβm boinking your sister.β
βAnd you kissed me with those lips?β
βSo, I have a question to askβ¦β Yuri rubbed his hands together. βItβs two, actually, but letβs start with one.β
βI donβt have time, Yuri.β Rain picked up her pace. His perfume was getting to her.
βItβs about Demi.β
βDemi?β
βNadia. I call her Demi. Itβs sexy and sultry, andβ¦ Okay, so, the thing is I really like her.β
βGood for you.β
βAnd Iβm thinking Iβd like her to take your place.β
βWhat place?β
βThe place where you would have fit in nicely as my wife.β
Rain stopped, eyeing him. βYou want to marry my sister you just met the other day?β
βItβs been a month plus…β
βAre you out of your mind, Yuri?β
βNo. Nadia is the one for me. We donβt love each other, and we really donβt care. Sheβs likeβ¦ Sheβs cold, and I like that.β
βWell, good luck telling that to your mom.β
βThank you. I need your blessing first, though. Then, I can go ahead and propose to Demi.β
βYou donβt need my blessing.β Rain continued walking.
βThatβs fine. Second thingβ¦ I would need you to speak to your mom for me.β
βKofo?β
βYes. Whatever I was supposed to gain from marrying you, kindly ask her to pass it down to Demi. So that we keep everything in-house, you know?β
Rain stopped again but covered her mouth in laughter.
βLaugh all you want, but I can find companionship, great sex, and generational wealth in one person.β
βLet me ask you something, Yuri.β
βGo ahead.β
βHow broke is your family?β
He sucked in his breath noisily and flinched. βYou got me. No, you got us. Weβre broke with a βQβ, like broque?β He laughed hard. Rain got the joke, but she showed no reaction. He cleared his throat.
βWeβre in between success.β
βIn between success?β
βYes. Just having a downtime. You know, like, when Haraβs network goes down for hours, and nobody can read even a simple tweet? Now that youβre the boss, I think you should look into that.β
βYuri, I canβt promise anything. Kofo and I are not exactly speaking right now. But Iβll squeeze in a word for you.β
βThank you, sweetheart.β He tried to kiss her again, but she stopped him with a hand over his lips before continuing to her office.
βIβll make the best brother-in-law!β
βGood God,β Rain muttered.
Yuriβs intrusion had given her intermission from thoughts of Tari. But once she entered her office, the thoughts returned. She pondered on the big announcement and decided to give it one last try before snatching him by the collar and yelling into his face that they were expecting.
She logged into her computer and hacked Tariβs system. Leaving a message for him, she revoked his access to the main network. Then, she faced her day, which saw her meeting with her management team for a boring thirty-three minutes. After they left, her assistant stayed back to tell her about her other activities for the day. Meanwhile, her phone hadnβt stopped ringing.
βDid you bathe yourself in a vat of cheap perfume?β she asked, cutting off her assistant.
βMe?β The plus-size woman sniffed her blouse. βNo, Rain. Itβs my normal perfume.β
βItβs oil, right?β
βYes.β
βAnd has notes of vanilla and honey?β
βYou can smell the honey?β
βGirl, I can smell the men walking down the corridor right now.β
βOh-kay?β She got closer to Rain. βDid a spider bite you last night and give you super-smelling powers?β
Rain frowned at her. βGo and change your clothes.β
βNow? How?β
βGo home and change.β
βBut I live in Palmgrove.β
βDidnβt I tell you to move out of there?β
βIβm sorry.β
βGo and change, Ogo. In short, no. Go home, take the day off.β
Ogo looked worried. βYou want to replace me with your other assistant?β
βWhat? No. Your perfume is just soβ¦irritating.β
βBut itβs what Iβve been using. You once told me you liked it. What changed?β
βStop arguing with me, Ogo.β
βI donβt have another one.β
βI will buy you another one, just please, go home.β
Ogo was upset. βOkay, Rain. But if thereβs anything else I did to upset youββ
βNo.β
βAlright, maβam.β
Ogo took slow steps to the door, turning to stare at Rain, whose mind had drifted off to something else. Seconds later, Ogo returned.
βMs. Rain?β
βWhy are you still here?β
βThereβs a Mr. Noah here to see you.β
Rain sat up. βNoah?β
There was a knowing look on Ogoβs face. Rain hated how the internet made it easy for people to know her business.
βLet him in.β
Ogo left, and Noah walked in. He dressed stylishly, as usual, strutting in like walking down a fashion runway.
βHere to finish what your sister started?β
βHello, Rain.β
βWhat do you want, Noah.β
βMay I sit?β
βYou have five minutes.β
Noah sat. His handsome face bore a sad look. She recalled how she would sit and stare at him dreamily in the early days of their relationship. He was such a fine man to stare at.
βIβm here on Naomiβs behalf to plead with you to do something about her condition. Sheβs sick and not getting the best careββ
βShe should die.β
βRain?β he said in shock. βThis is not you.β
βThere might not have been a βmeβ if she had succeeded in killing me.β
βI know, and we are sorry.β
βSorry? Noah, thereβs a scar on my head from surgery when they drilled a hole in to save me. Iβll forever carry that scar and the trauma from what your sister did.β
βI know. But please, Naomi canβt languish in jail. Rain, do something, please. I know you can. You have the meansββ
βNoah, get out of my office.β
βRain, please. Iβm begging you.β He went on his knees. βPlease.β
βNoah, get up.β
βRainββ
βGet up, abeg. Stop the theatrics.β
βThis isnβt theatrics.β There were tears in his eyes. βSheβs all I got.β
βGet up!β
Noah returned to his seat.
βWhy wasnβt I enough for you.β
βIt wasnβt about you, Rain. I donβt want to start explaining why I did what I did because it canβt undo or change things, but it had nothing to do with you.β
βAnd you wanted to marry me while continuing with your incest?β
βWe were never going to get married.β
Rain squinted at him in anger. βOur wedding was in two months when I caught you.β
βYour mom offered to pay me to leave you.β
βMy mom?β
βDora.β
βShe offered you money?β
βBut I declined, even though I knew Iβd take it. The day she offered me the money, your other mom was there.β
βKofo?β
βIt didnβt make sense then, but now it all adds up. They said I wasnβt good enough for you and offered a certain amount of money for me to disappear from your life until you had moved on from me. The plan was to get my Schengen visa and disappear. But I didnβt give them an answer immediately.β
βWhy?β
Noah looked guilty.
βWhy, Noah? I know it wasnβt love that made you stall.β
βI wanted more. Naomi said if I asked for more, theyβd give me. But you caught us andββ
βTwo of you should burn in hell!β
βRainββ
βDo you know what you did to me? How you spoiled my name online when I wasnβt the one caught cheating and doing an unspeakable thing? I canβt live down what you did!β
βIβm sorryββ
βNoah, leave my office!β
βRain, pleaseβ¦β
βIf you wonβt go, stay here.β Rain picked up her handbag and phone, but before she stood, she pressed a panic button underneath her desk.
As she started toward the door, Noah stopped her. He went on his knees again, his eyes full of tears.
βIβm begging you with God, Ray. PLEASE!β
Rain didnβt move. She also didnβt say a word. She looked away as he sobbed and continued his plea until two security men barged in.
βCome on, Rain. Youβre going to have me thrown out?β
βYes, go and do a thread about it on Twitter,β she said, moving away from him.
As the security men pulled Noah up, he yelled out her name. Rain dashed out of her office, clutching her handbag. She hated herself for her softness, knowing she would eventually move to see Naomi serve a lighter sentence.
xoxoxo
When Tari descended from the helicopter and walked off with the ear protection, it was deliberate. He hated these impromptu meetings that had him traveling interstate via helicopters. His ears always got a beating afterwards, even with ear protection gear.
Someone ran after him and tapped him. Tari stopped and took off the protective gear. The helicopter rotors were still spinning, but he was a considerable distance away from them. His team of two men and one woman tailed him, and they found their way from the helipad to the main wing of Hara Telecoms. He was hungry and tired. The time was 4pm, and he missed lunch with Rain, who hadnβt sounded excited when he called her to cancel.
βYou were supposed to call me before the set time, not two hours after.β
βIβm sorry, nau. We werenβt allowed in with our phones when the long ass meeting started. We just finished now.β
βOkay.β
βHow about dinner? Wear something pretty. I might slap on a suit tooββ
βNo.β
βIβll see you at home, then?
βOkay.β
She hung up without saying goodbye. She was still mad at him, and though it amused him, it was time to stop pulling her legs.
He entered his office, and his assistant got up to welcome him. She asked how the meeting went, and he told her it was with success.
βMrs. Adelabu came looking for you,β she informed him. βShe said you werenβt taking her calls. I didnβt tell her where you went, though.β
βGood.β
βComms sent someoneββ
Tari stopped her, turning his door handle. βLetβs do this tomorrow, shall we?β
βYes, sir.β
βAbout the thing I told you to do?β
βItβs done!β she grinned.
βGood.β
βEmβ¦ Mr. Olumese is in your office. Heβs been there for more than an hour.β
Tari frowned and entered his office. Sunny was seated on his chair, staring at his computer screen.
βGood evening, sir.β
βAtari, Atari, Atari!β Sunny looked up and began a slow clap. βYouβve outdone yourself, boy! I am truly impressed! A proud father, I am!β
βThank you? The meeting went well, and the governorββ
Sunny stopped him with a dismissive wave. βForget about the governor.β He gestured toward the computer screen. βThis right here is what Iβm talking about!β
Tari looked lost. βWhatβs that?β
Sunny turned the screen toward him.
βCongratulations, Son!β
Rainβs face was on the screen in a video recording.
βBun in the oven,β she said, βa book with a title that literally spells out youβre going to be a father and a message in a mug! And you still didnβt get it?β
Tari maintained a straight face.
βOkay, let me spell it out, Captain Hookββ
βThatβs the funniest part,β Sunny laughed. βCaptain Hook.β
βIβm pregnant with your baby. We are going to be parents. Thank you for spoiling the big announcement!β
The screen went black.
βDo you want me to play it again?β Sunny asked.
βNo. How did you get that video?β
βI came here to wait for you and get firsthand information about the meeting with His Excellency. Then, I remembered I had a meeting of my own to attend. I tried to show my face small by logging in and saw this. Apparently, sheβs blocked your access to the system. She sounds angry. How did you miss all the signs?β
βIβve known since Saturday. Just pulling her legs.β
Sunny shook his head. βChildish. Go and make it up to her. But firstly, congratulations, Son! Youβre doing just what we planned.β
βAm I?β
βNext step, you have to propose.β
Tari pulled out a chair, facing the desk. βI want to brief you on the meeting.β
βYou have to secure her hand, Atari. A baby is no guarantee. Youβve only just walked through the door. Now, you must take your place in the house.β
βIββ
βOh, and by the way, her parents know.β
βHer parents?β
βYes. Her father, at least. Iβm sure he would have told Kofo by now.β
Tari slowly lowered into his seat. βYou told him?β
βJust a simple message on WhatsApp, father-to-father. Or grandfather-to-grandfather. He and I will be first-time grandfathers, seeing as your sisters are yet to help me out in that areaββ
βIt was not in your place to break the news to him,β Tari said, controlling his annoyance.
βI know, but Iβm a meddlesome dad. Donβt worry, youβll relate to what I mean in the future. But kudos, Son!β
Tari was silent. Sunnyβs face turned serious.
βJust before we talk about your meeting with the governor, thereβs something more important to discuss. When you began this job, you told me of an idea you came up with about a movie streaming platform.β
βThe one you didnβt think was such a brilliant idea then?β
βWell, I was wrong.β Sunny pushed forward, his face getting even more severe. βI received a proposal quite like yours from a film industry giant who already has that sort of platform. But he needs the numbers, so heβs come to us for a partnership. Now, Hara, as you already know, is looking to diversify business to explore new revenue streams. And one such way is to work with media, which is presently struggling because over-the-top media platforms have taken their clients. Now, if we can collaborate and monopolize the television and film entertainment market, itβs a home run for Hara.β
βIt took you so long to see that.β
βSon, you were right. Now, what we must do is come up with a plan to create our own OTT, video-on-demand streaming device. If we must buy up and swallow existing TV production companies for their content, weβll do so. All we need is the boardβs approval. But,β he pointed a finger at Tari, βyou must captain that ship. That is why I expect a proposal from you one week from today. A tight proposal, Atari. When it kicks off, youβre going to own major shares in that company.β
Tari felt his annoyance at Sunny dissipate.
βBut I donβt want you to keep this to yourself. You canβt tell anyone else. But Rain must know. She will be the major tool to seeing your proposal hit the ground running. It also levels you up in her parentsβ eyes.β
βHow so?β
βYou want to marry their daughter with nothing on your portfolio but just assistant CMO?β
βNobody said anything about marriage.β
βYou knocked her up, Atari. You will marry her. Neither they nor I are too woke that we would let you and Rain play single parents to our grandkid. So, yes, marriage. But you have to be more in their eyes. So much more! In fact, you will be the face of that streaming device when the time comes. Rain will be proud of you, as will her parents. That way, the tag of sleeping your way to the top or being a gold-digger ends.β
βMy intention was never to use that idea to level up to Rain.β
βWell, you will.β
Tari pondered on his words.
βI have to be on my way.β Sunny picked up his phone as he stood. βYou can brief me on your meeting over lunch tomorrow.β
βIβll have someone on the team send you notes.β
βGreat, then. But lunch tomorrow, still.β
Sunny tapped Tari on the shoulder as he left the office. Tari dialed Rainβs number.
xoxoxo
Rain stared at her phone, which was in silent mode. Tari was calling, but she couldnβt take his call. She was in Habibβs house, honoring an out-of-the-blue invitation from Habib. He had just returned from Kano with Dora but needed to speak with her. Because of the urgency in his tone, she made a detour on her way home and headed to his house, expecting to meet him alone. But she walked in to find her mothers waiting as well. Habib was sandwiched between both women.
βIs everything okay?β Rain asked.
βHave a seat, Raindrop,β Habib said with a smile.
βHow was your trip?β she inquired.
βAlhamdulillah.β
βHow are you, Rain?β Kofo asked.
βNever felt better.β Rain did not look at her as she sat. βSo, whatβs up? Is this an intervention? Are you guys going to try to unsuccessfully save me from Tari?β
βNo, Watermelon.β
βThen, whatβs going on?β
βI got a rather unusual message from Sunny a short while ago,β Habib said. βHe congratulated me on my daughter getting pregnant.β
Rainβs brows furrowed.
βI didnβt believe him, of course. So, I called him to confirm, but he wouldnβt tell me how he found out. Iβ¦still donβt know what to make of it, sweetheartββ
βAre you pregnant, Rain?β Kofo probed.
Rain took a few seconds to collect her thoughts. She was wondering how Sunny got the news.
βRain?β
βAm I what? Pregnant?β
βYeah. Please, tell me Sunny is lying.β
Rain was silent. Doraβs eyes were in hers. βSo, itβs true then?β Dora muttered.
Rain smiled a little. Kofo couldnβt hide her disappointment. When Rain looked at Habib, it was difficult to read his expression.
βPlease, tell me itβs a lie,β Kofo whispered.
βItβs not a lie. I am pregnant.β
βFor Atari?β
βYes.β
βAh!β Kofo slammed her palms on her thighs and took off her wig. She dumped it on Habibβs lap, speaking to herself in Yoruba as she got up. βThis wasnβt the plan, Rain. It wasnβt the plan.β
She walked to the kitchen.
βYouβre breaking her heart,β Habib stated.
βIβm living my life, Dad.β
βWas the baby planned?β Dora asked.
βNo. But itβs here now, and Iβm happy.β
βIβm happy for you, too, Watermelon. Iβm justβ¦a little overwhelmed by the news. We all didnβt see this coming.β
βRaindrop, you just walked into a crucial moment in your life and career. You have the world for the takingββ
βDad, I am old enough to know what this means. I wonβt be made to feel bad for my actions.β
βI donβt think you have any idea what it means to be a mother and pursue a career in tech.β Kofo returned, bearing a glass of wine.
βIβll find out.β
βYouβll find out?β she scoffed. βYou think you can just wing it?β
βNo, but I know I wonβt abandon my baby to pursue my dreams. Youβre in no place to judge me, especially for having a baby with the man I love.β
βYouβre right. I donβt have the moral yardstick to judge you. But I speak out of experience and love. You donβt want to make the mistake I made.β
βYou donβt have to remind me I was a mistake!β Rain yelled, surprised at her outburst. But she didnβt stop. βAbandoning me all my life was already a clear message!β
βRain,β Dora intreated.
βI wonβt do that to my child!β
βIβm not fighting with you, Rain,β Kofo said, toning down her voice. βIβm just disappointed.β
βYou have no right to be! None of you do! And I donβt have to point out your sins to support my argument! I should be getting smiles and hugs from you, but here I am, thirty-six years old with a high-risk pregnancy and being treated like shit by the ones who should love me more than anything.β
βWatermelon, noββ
βPlease, I have to go.β She looked at Kofo as she stood. βYou have eight months to come to accept that this Olumese baby will become part of your life, whether you like it or not. Have a nice evening.β
βRaindrop?β Habib called, but Rain walked out and shut the door. She stopped to breathe and to banish negative energy. The door opened, and Habib stepped out.
βYou and your mom didnβt let me finish,β he said.
βPlease, donβt scold me.β
βI wonβt. I wasnβt going to. I was simply concerned.β
Rain lowered her head; Habib picked her chin up. βNobody is going to make you feel bad about this baby, not even your mom. I wonβt let her.β
Rain saw sincerity in his eyes.
βIf Atari makes you happy and this baby brings all three families together, then itβs a good thing, isnβt it?β
Rainβs eyes fogged with tears.
βKofo will come around, but we wonβt wait for her. We will build a life for you that makes up for all the years you went without the love of a father and of the partner of your dreams. I pray Atari is real, or so help me God, I will strangle him with these hands if he hurts you or my grandchild.β
Rain giggled, tears spilling down her cheeks.
βSo, no worries. You have a clan that will be there for you from now until the baby is born and for as long as Dora and I live. You wonβt do it alone. Okay?β
Rain nodded. He drew her into a warm hug, rubbing her back as she sobbed.
βThese better be tears of happiness.β
βThey are,β she laughed.
βI love you so much, Raindrop.β
βMe too.β
He walked her downstairs to her car; and, as always, waited until she had driven off before returning to his apartment.
On her way, Rain stopped at a supermarket to buy fat-free ice-cream, which she suddenly craved for. Then she drove to Tariβs house. She didnβt remember being upset with him until she got to the door. She wore a frown before opening the door.
As she stepped in, a motorized toy car appeared from behind a sofa, startling her. Strapped on it was the book she had bought for Tari. She watched the car pull up in front of her. Her eyes scoured the living room for Tari but she didnβt see him. She picked up the book and opened it.
Underneath her poem were three dancing emoji stickers that made her laugh.
βTari?β Rain called, following the aroma of pastry to the kitchen. She walked in but saw no one. But on the table, there was a tray with a fresh burger bun and an empty coffee mug beside it that was identical to the one she gave Tari. A handwritten note was pinned to the bun with a toothpick. But first, she peeped into the mug. Inscribed in it were the words, I know.
Rain laughed again and read the note on the bun.
I didnβt burn this one. A sign that Iβll make a great father.
Rain picked a spoon for her ice-cream and left the kitchen for the bedroom, now excited to see what else Tari planned. But as she got to the staircase, she saw him seated somewhere at the top.
βHey, Mama.β
Rain tried to frown at him but failed. She climbed up the stairs, stopping at a step below him. He put his arms around her so that his face was pressed against her tummy.
βThank you for making me a happy man.β He kissed her tummy. Rain bent and kissed his head, then sat beside him. In the seconds that followed, she forgot he was there as she got lost in her ice-cream.
βYouβre eating like a wolf already?β
βYouβre so annoying.β She fed him a scoop of ice-cream. βYou knew I was pregnant this whole time?β
βYeah. I saw the home test result.β
βAnd you didnβt say anything? You werenβt excited?β
βNot initially, no. But the baby started to grow on me.β
βOur parents know, by the way.β
βAbout thatβ¦β
Rain looked at Tari.
βUncle Sunny saw the video you left on my system, and he immediately informed your dad.β
βOh.β
βHow did they take the news?β
βGood, actually. Well, except Aunty Kofo. And I donβt care anymore.β Rain passed him the bowl of ice-cream. βI have to pee.β
She continued up the stairs and toward Tariβs bedroom. She walked in and was welcomed by the sight of gift boxes on the bed, each in a shade of her favorite color, purple.
βAtari?β
βYes?β He was behind her, slipping his arms around her. Rain noted that the boxes were arranged according to sizes, all nine of them. She freed herself from him and hurried to the bed. Sitting, she opened the smallest box. It contained a doula card deck for pregnant moms, on which were written daily affirmations, exercises, and meditations to help Rain through her pregnancy journey. The second gift was a 14-Karat gold diamond anklet.
βAww, Tari.β She gaped at him. βI canβt even be mad at you for five minutes. This is sooooo beautiful. Everything here is.β
βBut you havenβt even opened the rest.β
Rain dashed into the bathroom to pee first. She returned and took her time with the other boxes, her heart swelling with emotion at Tariβs thoughtfulness. She used to pride in herself for always being the partner who was huge on gifts in her relationships, but Tari had consistently beaten her to it from the moment he started getting paid in Hara.
βThank you, Tari.β She rewarded him with a kiss. βHow did you put all these together in a short time?β
βI called a friend who deals in cool maternity stuff and paid her extra for an express job.β
βHow excited are you to become a dad?β
βThereβs a party going down inside me right now.β
Rain laughed.
βWhat song is the DJ playing?β
Tari didnβt respond but asked Alexa to play him Faveβs Mr Man.
βMy Jam!β Rain jumped to her feet and began dancing as the song started. Tari watched her a bit, smiling as she moved. He took her extended hand and fell in step with her. They danced through it and three more songs before Rain got tired.
βI think Iβm getting old,β she said, catching her breath. Tari ran her a bath, and he cleared the bed while she soaked in the tub. She came back to the room to dim lighting and soft bedding. She lay asleep, and Tari covered her with a blanket, spooning her underneath. He played with her belly button, making her fall asleep fasterβand as she began to drift off, she heard him whisper that he loved her.
βThank you for the gifts.β She rewarded him with a kiss and a hug. Then she walked back to the bed, asking how he sprung the surprise on her on short notice.
Β©Sally Kenneth Dadzie @moskedapages
Awwwn. God when?!
Tari is blowing my mind jooor! Thanks Sally for making me smile todayβ¦
And Rain thought she was the drama queen π, Tari brought a bazooka to a knife fight mhen!!!!!!loveeet
I have a love hate relationship for Sunny! I hate him for being meddlesome, but that idea of Tari leveling up via that streaming business makes sense!
And what is with Kofo being disappointed? Girl, please, π
Awwww… so happy for Atari and Rain
God when o…..
I need my own Atari Olumese and my baby bump.
Thank you Sal
Well done Sal ππ This episode is soooooooo sweet
No spoiler at all
I’m grinning and crying; tears of joy sha
So emosh! Wish love can be this real
Tari is a very thoughtful and extra mannnn!
Sally, nothing bad must happen to them oooooooo π€£
This episode had me blushing from ear to ear, almost gave Yuri and uncle sunny a mental slap.
Thank you Sal
This episode is sooo lit!!! Tari with the extra drama π. Kofo will accept this, she doesn’t have a choice. I’m really happy for Tari & Rain. Uncle Sunny the meddlesome old man π. Thanks Sally
Awwwwwwn, my faves β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
I love LOVE abeg, see me smiling like a mumu . Tari is perfect for Rain no doubt . Yuri never see madness , make him follow Nadia she go show am better craze.
Kofo should take a chill pill abeg. Thanks Sally this is a beautiful episode and I really enjoyed reading it.
Oh God , am just smiling like a fool reading this. I love love. Thanks Sally
Lovely, lovely episode.
Paranoid me was sha playing something will not come and scatter the bliss this episode served.
I wanted to delay gratification and binge but I just couldn’t stop reading. It just slipped past like draw soup sliding down the throat.
For all the lovey dovey and mushiness in this episode, I know there is still some drama coming up and of course possible heartbreak.
Blessings Sally.
Plenty loveπ
for this chapter. Thanks Sally π
Awwnnnn I’m so happy for Rain and Tari. Rooting their romance to remain steady without unplanned surprises.
This eposode made me all rounf mushy. Thanks Sally, much love