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CHAPTER NINE – Mommy and Daddy Dearest
Nadia was sure she had dated the most annoying married man on earth. The sex and financial benefits had been amazing. In addition, he had scored high on the scale of brains and wit. There had never been a boring moment with him. The only problem was his craziness. She suspected that it had to do with the rush of engaging in something illicit. Somehow, he had wanted to get caught by his wife, and Nadia hadnβt signed up for that type of drama. This had come after he did everything to get her pregnant. When she didnβt budge, he dumped and ghosted her.
Today, he reached out to her after a month. He apologized for breaking up with her and asked her to return to his life. Nadia laughed, recalling how callously he had ended things with her, under the excuse that she no longer inspired excitement in him, as she had become as boring as his wife. The breakup came at a wrong time, just shortly after her fatherβs death. She had been so shaken that she wasnβt sure if she was grieving for her father or for the relationship she lost.
Now, he was back, promising to act better and give her the world. Nadia didnβt think she was interested. She had a list of men on her case, married and single. She was going to take her time to sift through the chaff to find the substance. But again, men were not her top priority; making money was.
But she wasnβt bothered. She had a plan that would set her feet back on the grind and open doors for her siblings as well.
This evening, she invited Lanumi, and Nehi, who now lived with Lanumi, over to Xavierβs for grilled fish and drinks. They sat out at the backyard, listening to music from Xavierβs Bluetooth speaker. The stars and an almost full moon were out tonight, giving light to their small gathering. Xavierβs compound was bordered by a fence that created a vortex between it and the house. He used to sit out here with Bamitale on hot nights, to feel the cool breeze and listen to it howl.
Right now, they were talking about what Nadia had just told them of Sunny and the contract Ituah signed with Kofo years ago.
βSo, what are we going to do?β Nehi asked.
βIβ¦β Nadia began to speak but Lanumi interrupted her. She frowned.
βSorry, sorry. Before you answer, I just want to state that the picture is beginning to look clearer now. Mommy wasnβt the villain you all thought she was.β
βAnd Daddy was what?β Nadia asked.
βI didnβt mention Daddy.β
βHe was the parent that stayed.β
βI agree, but was Mommy given a chance to stay?β
βLanu, she left.β
βItβs fine that you want to hold on to that lieββ
βLie?β
βYes, lie. Nadiakhe, I was old enough to witness their fights. They were many and intense. I also witnessed Uncle Sunny and Aunty Atiti being absolute assholes to her. And after every fight, Mommy always cried like a baby. She would hide somewhere, cry it all out, clean her tears, and come out to act like they werenβt breaking her will. Yes, she wasnβt mother of the year and she had issues connecting with us, but she was a broken woman, Nadia.β
βNo.β
βDaddy and Uncle Sunny, as you already told us, treated her like shit. And weβre talking about the eighties and nineties here, Nad. Women hardly had the rights they have today.β
βStill, it was no reason for her to abandon us!β
Xavier raised his hands, stopping them. βLetβs end this talk about who was bad or good. What we need to know now is the way forward. Uncle Sunny is trying to double-cross usββ
βAs he did with Mommy,β Lanumi said.
βPlease, let me finish talking. Uncle Sunny is still trying to control everything. We have options.β
Nehi lit a cigarette. βLike?β
βWe go to him and let him know that we now all know. Then, we ask for whatever we want from him.β
βOr?β
βWe go straight to her and ask for what rightly belongs to us.β
βXavier, you can call her βMomβ, you know?β
βShut up, Lanumi.β
Lanumi got up. Nadia could tell she was drunk. βMe, I am not into blackmailing the woman who gave life to us. There must be some sort of karma for that.β
βWeβre not blackmailing her,β Xavier corrected. βThe clause we all read in that contract puts her and Dad as partners for life. Now that he has handed everything to me, it means I can claim my stake in all her businesses.β
βIt doesnβt work like that o, Xavier. It doesnβt. Mommy can challenge you to court and win, thatβs if that contract is even legally binding on her in the first place, because it was signed under dubious circumstances. She has the money, she has the power, and youβre going to be seen as an ungrateful son who is out to ruin his mother.β
βBut she wonβt take me to court.β Xavier said with a sure smile. βYou know why? As you said, I am her son. She would want this in-house and will settle me, all of us, the way she settled Uncle Sunny. Fighting me publicly would ruin her rep. She doesnβt want that.β
βWow.β Lanumi rested her hands on her waist and stared down at Xavier. βYouβre worse than Daddy and Uncle Sunny put together, you know that?β
βLetβs not get sentimental about things here, Lanu.β
βThatβs why you couldnβt keep your marriage.β
βThere we go.β
βBamitale was a good wife, just like Mommy wasββ
βCan you not bring my marriage into this discussion? And please, fucking sit down! Youβre drunk!β
βOh, the truth is bitter, isnβt it?β
βThereβs no bitter truth here, Lanu,β Nadia responded, βexcept the fact that our mother is out there, living and swimming in billions while weβre in the trenches. She could have come for us a long time ago, but she didnβt.β
βShe did, and they didnβt let her!β
βShe didnβt fight hard enough!β
βNadiakhe, weβre adults, for fuckβs sake! Why didnβt any of us reach out to her? Instead, we judged and hated her, based on lies we were told. Despite everything, she kept reaching out to us. Did you know that she used to send clothes for us in bags and Aunty Atiti used to take them home to those her ugly children?β
Nadia frowned and looked at Xavier.
βYes, Xave knows! Ask him!β
βI donβt know shit.β
Lanumi shook her head. βI hate you right now, Xave. Youβre the meanest of all of us because you knew her more than we did andββ
βENOUGH!β Xavier jumped to his feet and faced her. βThis is the last time we will have this conversation! Now, go inside and get your stuff, Iβm taking you home!β
Lanumi held Xavierβs stare.
βNow.β
She rubbed her eyes. βNehi, letβs go.β
βIβll sleep here tonight, sis.β
Lanumi took a step forward but she staggered a little. Xavier grabbed her before she stumbled over his seat.
βEasy.β
βI hate you.β
βI know.β
He gently guided her into the house.
βYou know weβre all messed up, right?β Nehi told Nadia. βHer, him, me, you. Weβre into some deep trauma shit that has affected us individually. Itβs why Lanumi has two husbands and Xave couldnβt even keep one wife. Same reason you were fucking a married man.β
Nadia gave him a sharp stare.
βSame reason I did badly in school.β
βDonβt bring that Gen Z self-diagnosis shit to me.β
βOur parents fucked us up.β
βNo, Mom didββ
βStop living in denial, Nad.β
βShe could have fought harder,β Nadia said, feeling a lump in her throat as her emotions tried to take over. βShe should have. Do you know how many times I watched her on TV or read a newspaper and imagined her fabulous life out there while ours kept going down the drain? I put this woman in a freaking hero cape and waited and waited for her to show up and rescue us. But she never did. She just acted like we werenβt there.β
βAnd thatβs why you attach yourself to men you can never have. Your attachment style isββ
βJust shut up, abeg.β
But Nehi was right. They were all a mess. Lanumi and her second husband now regularly attended orgies, organized by a Lekki swinger group. Xavier hadnβt been able to get a job since he was fired. He saw less of his daughter these days, and it was because he was pushing her away. Nadia herself now lived with him, having moved out of her apartment, as her rent had expired. She lost the job in Port Harcourt because she hadnβt shown up for it. Her dadβs death screwed her up so much that she couldnβt function for a while.
βBut you know Lanumi is not lying sha,β Xavier stated. βMom is not the villain, and I think we donβt have to wait for Bahamas to connect with her.β
βYouβre saying this just because of her money.β
βYes. Iβm tired of how I live. I need to ball. Have you seen your motherβs house? Gaddem!β
Nadia wasnβt sure she made the right decision to share the details of the contract with her siblings. She would have gotten a better deal with Sunny. The last thing she wanted was to be in direct communication with her mother. Her resentment of her was deep, and she wanted it to remain that way.
βMore beer?β Nehi asked.
βIβm good.β
He walked into the house and Nadia checked the numerous messages on her phone from her married ex. It was weird that she needed him nowβso badly, she could cry.
She texted him to come get her.
xoxoxo
Tari must have looked at his outfit a thousand times before deciding to jump on a video call with Rain for fashion advice. She spent the first minute adoring his looks before telling him to change into something that would make a statement.
βYouβre going to be a boss, and your first day has to show that. A black suit is too basic.β
βYouβre right. So, I was thinkingβ¦ Since weβre a thing now and work in the same company, do you think we need to let HR know about our relationship.β
Rain laughed, clipping on an earring. βYouβre still thinking like lay staff, Tari. Hara is yours for the taking. You donβt owe anyone any explanation. At the same time, letβs keep our thing private.β
βI like private.β
βGreat.β
βSo, see you at work later today.β
Rain blew him a kiss and hung up. He went to his closet and picked something more befitting for the day. There were moments in which he stopped to look around him, still trying to take in the fact that everything around him belonged to him and he was living a life that was bigger than his dreams.
He had moved in a couple of days after returning from Dominica with Rain. Sunny asked him to postpone coming to the office, as management was moving people around and restructuring departments and positions. While he waited, Tari registered for courses online that would help him do his job better. He also researched on Ms. Adelabu who was currently occupying the position he was being groomed for. He still didnβt think he deserved to take over from her, but he was determined to do the job.
Once the clock struck 8:30 am, he stepped out of his bedroom with Oscar whom he left in the care of his housekeeper. The young man was in his late twenties who spoke well and always smelled of aftershave.
βYour driver is here, sir.β
βDriver?β Tari asked and remembered that Sunny had told him that a chauffeur was assigned to him. βDonβt overfeed my dog. Just give him the portion I asked you to.β
βYes, sir.β
Tari stepped out of the house. An older man was standing beside Tariβs new car, dressed casually but looking neat.
βGood morning, Mr. Atari,β he greeted cheerfully.
βGood morning.β
βIβm Nelson, sir.β
βNelson. Howβs it going?β
βGood, sir.β
βGood, So, you know the way to the office?β
βYes, sir. If we leave now, weβll be there in twenty minutes.β
βLetβs go.β
A couple of minutes into their journey, Tari noticed that Nelson was chatty. The man told him that he had worked as a driver at Hara Telecoms for seven years. He had no plans to get another job, as this one paid well. It could take care of his family and pay the bills.
βJust out of curiosity, how much are you being paid?β Tari asked.
βTwo-hundred-and-fifty-thousand, sir.β
βFor just driving me around?β
βPlus, other things. Iβll handle your very special needs and fix things that need fixing. I am not just a driver. So, if you have any problem, Iβm your man.β
βI will remember that.β
Nelson continued chatting until they arrived at Hara Telecoms. He gave Tari his number and told him that he would be waiting in the driverβs lounge.
βI do food runs too. If you donβt want to eat from the restaurant, donβt stress yourself ordering for something online. Call me and Iβll get you what you want.β
βThanks.β
The moment Tari stepped out of the car, he felt his insides churn. He didnβt know what to expect once he got into the building. His phone rang and he answered the call.
βGood morning, Mr. Atari,β a male voice greeted. βItβs your assistant calling, sir. My name is Tosin.β
βGood morning, Tosin. Iβm in the building. Just entering the reception.β
βIβm on my way down, sir. Please, wait for me.β
Tari sat on a waiting couch, as he had no ID to access the elevator. This was his first visit to Hara Telecoms Headquarters. The reception looked unassuming, but everything about it, from the high ceiling to the floors and walls, spelled classiness.
Tari kept his eyes on the elevator until Tosin appeared. He was darkskin and of a small stature.
βGood morning, Mr. Atari.β He bowed his head a little. βPlease, follow me.β
He walked through a security barrier by swiping his ID. He did it a second time for Tari. They entered one of three elevators and rode up to the fifth floor. Tosin explained what his duties would be, in his service of Tari.
When they got to the executive floor of the marketing department, he led Tari down a hallway and into an office that had an outer room.
βAnd this is yours, sir.β
Tari entered the inner office and forced down whatever excitement wanted to bubble out of him. The space was large and impersonal, but it was made for a boss.
βNice.β He pushed his hands into his pockets and looked around.
βYou got one of the best offices in this entire building.β
βReally?β
βYeah. Let me take you to HR. Theyβre expecting you.β
Tari braced himself for a long day. The assistant VP of human resources was a pleasant woman, who seemed to have an instant crush on him at first sight. She ensured that his details and file were processed speedily. Then, she took him on a tour, explaining that someone high up wanted him to be treated like VIP. Hence, she had to show him around herself.
βI suspect youβre related to one of our new CEOs?β she asked. Tari smiled without responding. βSo, Hara Telecoms consists of Hara Internet, Hara Labs, Hara Mobility, Hara Phone, Hara Digital and Hara Cybersecurity. Marketing covers the fourth to eighth floors,β she explained. βWe also share the building with legal, strategy and development, compliance, external affairs, etc. Tech and innovation is in our other building, down the road. We call that place Blue. Itβs a campus, sort of, but also a hotel, which has 75 rooms, asides the office spaces that are quite different from this. The hotel is exclusive to Hara employees and their partners. You can pop in there anytime you like and check it out.β
βIβll definitely do that,β Tari said, thinking of Rain, who had begun her job at Blue a week ago. She had been so swamped that they had seen each other only once. He wondered if she would like to spend the night at his.
The tour went on for another forty-something minutes, in which Tari was introduced to the directors and managers in his department, all of whom where under him but each boasting of years of experience he didnβt have. Every time he shook a hand and was called βbossβ, he felt like a fraud. Now, more than ever, he wanted to earn his position.
βAnd this concludes our tour. Next on the list is a proper onboarding, which will kick off tomorrow. For a position as yours, it might take up to two months. The idea is not to allow the process interrupt your job. We want you to ease into it.β
Tari responded to her smile with a polite nod. βLooking forward to it. Thank you.β
He made sure to take a separate elevator from hers and made a mental note to stay away from her. When he returned to his office, Tosin informed him of a management meeting at ten. Tari had barely sat in when he got an official email from HR, welcoming him onboard and granting him access to all the systems. Thirty minutes later, he received an email from his boss, whose office was opposite his. She wanted to see him.
Ms. Adelabu was her name. A tall and fierce woman who had held down the job for four years. She gave Tari a thorough stare when he entered her office.
βIβll make this quick, Abashi. I know when I see bullshit, and you are a pile of it. Your position as junior chief marketing officer is ridiculous, but weβre not going to talk about that because it could cost me my job. Youβre here to understudy me, not for me to babysit you. To catch up with what I do, youβll have to work like an ass. Iβm not going to make it easy for you. Are you ready for me?β
βYes, maβam.β
βSee you at ten for management meeting. I just sent you an email. Check it out and respond ASAP.β
Tari left her office with a plan, already forming in his head. Once he got into his office, he called Tosin in.
βMake friends with Ms. Adelabuβs assistant. Infiltrate that office.β
βYes, sir.β
Tari checked out the fresh email Ms. Adelabu sent. He got lost in it until the clock struck ten. He attended the management meeting, which lasted an hour. Afterward, he returned to his office to find more work from Ms. Adelabu. It was clear what she was up to. She wanted him lost in unimportant paperwork.
When lunch hour came, he got a call from Sunny.
βSo, howβs your first day at work?β
βGood, so far.β
βAdelabu giving you stress already?β
βNo.β
βGood for now, but watch out for her. Anyways, I have in my possession some detailed documents and videos that will help you with your job. Asides that, if you have any difficulties, reach out to me. Youβll commence training by Wednesday. Do you have any questions?β
βNo, sir.β
βGreat. Howβs Rain, by the way?β
βSheβs well.β
βRemember our plan, Atari. Stay focused. Keep your mind on the prize. Donβt screw things up with her.β
βSure, sir.β
Sunny hung up. Tari mulled on his words. This so-called grand design to use Rain as a backup plan if pushing him to the top failed was a joke to him. Rain was the sweetest, most open person he had ever been with. He would be a cursed man to hurt her.
He recalled how, a week ago, Sunny walked into his house and re-introduced himself to him as his father. He opened up about his relationship with his late mom and how Ituah had slipped into her life at his absence. When Tari didnβt believe him, he showed him the result of the DNA test he had taken before he left for Dominica with Rain. Tari had never wished for a truth to become a lie so much in his life. Having a dead father who hadnβt cared about him was better than having a living one that was dubious and greedy. He asked for a second DNA test in a lab of his own choosing. Two days later, the result came out the same. Tari was upset, but he moved past it and looked forward to building his own legacy without relying on Sunny. Rain would never be the ladder he would step on to get to the top.
Tosin popped in to tell him that Habib Kareem asked to see him.
βMe?β
βYes, sir. Heβs at the executive restaurant. Second floor.β
Tosin left and Tari breathed in and out. He didnβt see this coming; at least, not now.
He picked his phone and made his way to the restaurant for senior management. Habib was seated by a window, eating a sandwich. He eyed Tari as he approached him, taking in everything about him.
βGood afternoon, sir.β
βAfternoon.β
βYou asked to see me?β
βPlease, sit.β
Tari took the seat facing his.
βYou want some sandwich?β Habib asked.
βNo, thanks.β
He pushed a sandwich wedge toward Tari. βItβs homemade. Rain likes it.β
βI just had lunch.β
βThen, let this be your dinner.β
Habibβs eyes arrested his. Eyes that looked like Rainβs.
βThank you, sir.β
Tari took the sandwich, bowing to the manβs powerplay.
βSo, youβre fucking my daughter.β
Tari was caught off-guard.
βHm?β
βIβ¦β
βIt wasnβt a question.β Habib wiped his mouth with a napkin. βI donβt trust you, considering whose son you are. I donβt know how Rain got entangled with you, but it has to stop. You must end it before you get her heartbroken.β
βSirβ¦β
βShe is the heir to all of this. Everything you see here, itβs all hers. A woman like that needs a man on her level, and son, youβre not there. You can never be. Youβre just gold-digging. So, end this nonsense.β
βIβ¦β
βYou may leave.β
Tari didnβt stand immediately. βCan I say something?β
βNo.β
βI like her a lot. Itβs not love yet, but I really like Rain. And I know she feels the same way about me. Maybe you should talk to her about us and let her tell you how she feels.β
βI will.β
Tari picked his sandwich. βThanks for this.β He took it out of the wedge and had a bite. βItβs nice.β
Habibβs brow jerked up slightly.
βHave a good day, sir.β
Walking back to his office, Tari ate the sandwich. The rest of his day was spent watching videos from Sunny. At exactly 4pm, he informed Nelson that he was leaving.
βClosing time is 5pm, sir,β Tosin informed him.
βFor you, not me,β he answered, entering the elevator.
xoxoxo
Rain was starving when she arrived at the family house. Asides a sandwich from Habib and a cup of hot chocolate in the morning, she hadnβt eaten all day. She longed for a hot meal, a cold bath, and to sleep uninterrupted for six hours, at least. But she wanted badly to see Tari. Taking out her phone from her handbag, she texted him, asking if he was home.
βOh, hell no,β she muttered as she drove into the compound. Habib and Kofoβs cars were parked in the driveway. She should have known that Doraβs insistence on her coming over for dinner was a ploy to get her into a family meeting. She had invited her to spend the weekend, but Rain had had to dash into Dubai to handle some real estate issues.
She parked her car close to the gate with the intention to leave once she was done with her parents. She knew the topic was Tari. Dora had tried to wheedle out gist from her, concerning the man she was presently seeing.
Rain turned off the engine and checked to see if the message that just dropped was from Tari. But it came from Naomi, a third threat to destroy her life as she had done to hers. Rain blocked the number, which was the fourth now. Jaya didnβt think the threats were supposed to be taken lightly, but Rain knew that all Naomi wanted was money.
She shoved her phone into her handbag and walked into the house, drawn in by her fatherβs laughter over Kofoβs. Her mind had created versions of their history, based on the love stories they shared with her. In each version, they were a beautiful couple. Something about their love made her smile every time she thought about them.
She entered the living room and found Kofoβs leg on Habibβs thighs. He was massaging her calf. She tried to pull away at the sight of Rain, but Habib wouldnβt let her.
βThere goes my favorite girl!β His eyes were warm and bright behind his glasses.
βGood evening, Dad. Good evening, Aunty Kofo.β
βEvening, Rain,β Kofo responded with a grin. βHow are you, girl?β
βGood.β
βWork?β
βFantastic.β
βCome for a hug,β Habib said.
Rain went over and hugged him. Dora walked in just then.
βWatermelon?β
βHey, Mom.β
βYou look exhausted. Work stressing you?β
βNo.β
βThatβs a lie.β She rubbed Rainβs back. βPele, my baby.β
Rain was soothed by her touch and fragrance.
βSit down and gist us about what youβve been up to.β
Rain sat, cross-legged. βItβs all technical jargon. Nothing serious. So, why are you two here?β she asked Habib and Kofo.
βWe?β Kofo pointed a finger at herself.
βYes, you two. Is this an intervention or what?β
βWellβ¦β
Dora sat beside Rain.
βWe know youβre seeing Atari Abashi,β Habib said, βwho is incidentally an Olumese.β
βYeah, I know.β
βOh.β
βSo, whatβs the problem here?β
βRainβ¦β Kofo drew her leg of Habibβs body and let her feet down. βYou know what that family can do for power and money.β
βTari is not one of them. He was raised by his mom.β
βWe know, but heβs still an Olumese.β
βMy siblings are Olumeses too. Iβd like to meet them, by the way.β
Kofo gave Habib an uneasy stare.
βThatβs not the reason for this discussion, watermelon,β Dora said.
βYou donβt want me to be with Tari, I get it. But itβs not your decision to make.β
βHasnβt it occurred to you that he came into your life at a strategic moment?β
βOh, his uncle planned out meetingβsort of. It wasnβt by coincidence.β
βHis uncle?β
βYes, Sunny Olumese, your co-CEO, Dad.β
βHeβs not his uncle,β Habib stated. βHeβs Atariβs father.β
Rain scowled. βNo.β
βYes, darling. You should ask Tari.β
βHe calls him his uncle.β
βJust like you call me Aunty Kofo?β
Rain was confused. βJust chill. Iβm sure thereβs a mix-up.β
βIβm sure Tari is lying to you, and we would understand because he doesnβt want you to feel threatened by his presence at Hara.β
βI donβt understand.β
βLet me break it down for you.β
Kofo unraveled the part of her past with Sunny that had her at his mercy. She further explained that his plan was to hold down the CEO position for Tari in due time, which was why Tari was given one of the highest positions in the company without any experience for it.
βYou think Tari knows nothing about this?β Habib asked.
βYes, he knows that his uncleββ
βHis dad.β
βHe knows that Sunny Olumese wants him to use me to climb to the top, but heβs not supporting it.β
βDid he tell Sunny that he isnβt?β
βNoββ
βWhy?β
βBecauseββ
βBecause heβs really doing what Sunny asked him to do.β
Rain sighed.
βDonβt be gullible, baby,β Dora advised.
βButβ¦β
βHeyβ¦β Dora moved closer to her. βI know that Tari is a rebound boyfriend, a place where you seek succor after what Noah did, but you donβt need another man in your life who would lie to you and hurt you while you give him a hundred percent.β
βHeβs not lying to me.β
βWhat if he is?β Kofo asked. βSweetheart, you deserve better.β
βOkay. Iβve heard everyone. Can we just eat? Iβm starving.β
βRainβ¦β
βPlease, no more talk about Tari.β
xoxoxo
Kofo had plans to spend the night with Habib before she hopped on a flight to Cairo tomorrow morning, but Lanumi had asked to see her. So, she sent her chauffeur to pick her up and bring her to the house. It was strange to Kofo that she was nervous to see her own daughter. Of the few things she had done in her life that she wasnβt proud of, abandoning her children with Ituah was the worst.
She asked her chef to make dinner for Lanumi and her kids and place the food in take-home packs. Then she sat in the living room in restlessness, waiting for her.
When Lanumi arrived, she walked in with a nervous smile. Kofo could recognize that smile, as it mirrored hers whenever she was in the same state of nervousness. Her daughter was gorgeous, but more than that, she oozed of sex appeal. Even as her mother, Kofo could see it. Donning an adire boubou couldnβt hide her curves. She reminded Kofo of her staunch enemy, the late Atiti.
βGood evening, Mom.β
Kofo got on her feet and called her over for a hug.
βHow are you, darling?β
βIβm good.β
βSit and letβs have some wine.β
βSounds good.β
At the mention of wine, a steward, standing by approached them with wine in a pail. He served them and left the room.
βSo, how are my grandsons doing?β
βGood. Each with his father.β Lanumi clung to her wine glass, a sign that she was still nervous.
βLanu?β
βYes, Mom.β
βRelax. This is your home, okay? Be at ease.β
Lanu smiled and exhaled.
βThatβs better. Iβll give you a tour around before you leave.β
βOkay.β
βSo, Iβve always been curious about this husbands situation youβre in right now. How did it happen?β
βPlease, donβt ask me.β
βIβm not going to judge you, dear. Iβm just so curious.β
βIβll talk about it another time. I just want to get off my chest what brought me here.β
βOkay.β
She gulped down her wine and put the glass away.
βYou want more?β
βNo.β She breathed out, and in one long sentence without breaks, she told Kofo all that had been discussed in Xavierβs house.
βI feel like a snitch,β she whined. Kofo refilled her glass with more wine. She finished it a second time and rubbed off the tears gathering in her eyes.
βYouβre not a snitch.β Kofo took her hands. βYouβre a loving daughter who is doing the right thing. Thank you for telling me.β
βBut you canβt tell them you know.β
βI wonβt.β
βSo, whatβs going to happen now?β
βI donβt know. I havenβt heard their demands, yet, which to me would be so myopic and stupid. I had grand plans for all of you that I wanted to announce in the Bahamas. But I guess thatβs eons away. Nadia and Xavier are both jobless and Nehi basically lives like a drifter. I think I should move things forward and do right by them. What do you think?β
Lanumi nodded.
βYou too. You need a better house in a better environment, an A-class school for the boys, and a real job for you.β
Lanumi nodded again. This time, tears spilled to her cheeks.
βWe must upgrade you.β Kofo wiped her tears. βWhy are you crying?β
βWhy did you wait so long?β
βBecause I didnβt think you and your siblings wanted me in your lives. I felt like a stranger, an intruder. But trust me, youβre all in my will. My death would have made every one of you a billionaire. I kid you not.β
βItβs not just about the money.β
βI know, but I felt it was too late to make a connection, as I had lost out all these years.β
βSo, what changed your mind?β
βI couldnβt anymore. I justβ¦β Kofo felt strength leaving her. βI am sorry, Lanumi. I have no excuse for what I did.β
βMommy, I understand. I donβt think the others do, but I do. And I have a lot to tell you about all weβve been through. Itβs been so hard, and I canβtβ¦β
Kofo drew her into a hug before she betrayed herself with tears. But Lanumi clung to her and cried.
βLet it all out, Lanumi. Your mom is here. Let it all out.β
Kofo had struggled with letting go of Hara Telecoms, not only because she couldnβt let Sunny get a hold of it, but also because it had been her safe space for almost two decades. She didnβt think she could find purpose in anything else, even though she had other ventures. Now, she was starting to see that everything happened for a reason. If retiring at this age meant that she got to reconnect with her children, then she was going to make the most of it. But first, she had to fight for Rain to take over from her, even if it were the last thing she did. Clearly, the Tari boy was already working his way into her system.
xoxoxo
When Rain rang Tariβs doorbell, she didnβt expect to see him answer the door with Ariella in his arm.
βHey, gorgeous.β
He spied the small suitcase she came with. She followed his eyes, and asked, βToo much?β
βNo, no.β
βI wanted to do just a night, then I thought why not three days. Is that okay?β
βAre you seriously asking your boyfriend if you can bunk at his? Are you crazy?β
Rain entered the house and received a peck on her lips from Tari and a disapproving frown from Ariella.
βItβs official. She hates me.β
βAri, is that true?β Tari asked and Ari buried her face in his neck. βHer mom is ill. My former neighbor called me to help take Didi to the hospital. So, Ari gets to spend some time with me here until Didi gets discharged.β
βOh.β
βItβs past her bedtime. Give me a minute to tuck her in.β
Tari took Rainβs suitcase along with him. She went into the kitchen to find something alcoholic to drink. She ended up with a bottle of whiskey and some juice. The mix tasted awful but she endured it in sips as she lay on a couch and watched a reality show on TV until Tari returned.
He lay on the couch with her, facing her.
βDid you miss me?β he asked. He smelled like something she wanted to snuggle up to all night.
βYes. A lot.β
βWhy didnβt you just show up at my door, wearing nothing underneath a sheer dress?β
Rain giggled. βIs that one of your fantasies?β
βI have many o.β
She slipped her hand underneath his t-shirt. She caressed his back as his lips sought hers for a kiss.
βHow serious are we?β she asked.
βSerious?β
βWe started this thing in a crazy way. I mean, it happened just like that. One minute, we meet in a wedding. The next, weβre jetting off to some country to spend three weeks together. Then, we have all these threads connecting us from our parentsβ past. My head is still reeling from everything and I canβt seem to get my feet on the ground to really process what we have.β
βO-kay?β
Rain sat up and he gave her space to be comfortable as he sat beside her.
βWhatβs going on, Rain? Are you having doubts about us?β
βIs Sunday Olumese your dad or uncle?β
βOh, that!β He laughed. βHmmmβ¦β
βWhat is he to you?β
βApparently, my biological dad.β
βBut you said he was your uncle.β
βYes. I found out who he really was to me just last week.β
βOkay. Why didnβt you tell me?β
βBecause I didnβt think it was important. Who told you?β
βMy parents.β
βOf course, they donβt like me.β
βItβs not that. They think youβre sort of sleeping your way to the top.β
βWith you?β Tari laughed again.
βYes. Just like your uncleβI mean, your dadβwanted you to.β
βYou told them what I told you?β
βNo. They just figured it out themselves because Sunny Olumese is who he is.β
βI am not Sunny Olumese. I donβt even know the guy. Besides, I told you all he told me, Rain.β
βExcept that heβs your dad.β
βI was going to tell you. Why are you acting like Iβm not being honest with you?β
βI just want to know that Iβm not being used.β
βRain, youβre not.β
βAre you sure?β
βAm I sure? Goodness. Rain, itβs me o. The guy that traveled out with you on a whim and just threw himself into you without thinking twice. Iβm also still trying to process this thing we have. Plus, I went from low income to having tens of millions in my account and this house and the job from my so-called dad. I still canβt believe Iβm living this life right now. I fear that I may wake up one day and it would be gone. The only thing that makes it real for me is you. Why would you think Iβd want to destroy what we have by lying to you?β
βIβ¦β
βHaba, Rain?β
She felt bad for questioning him, but the voices of uncertainty in her head were louder than her feelings. Nobody that mattered to her trusted him. She wanted to throw off their doubts and dive right in, but she was scared. Asides the Sunny thing, what if he broke her heart like Nzamo and Noah did?
βIβm sorry. Iβm just scared. Maybe we shouldnβt have rushed.β
βAre you serious?β
βYes, we rushed into it. We just followed our genitals andβ¦β She couldnβt look at him. βIβm sorry, Tari.β She stood.
βRain?β
βI need to go home. Whereβs my stuff?β
He didnβt give a reply. She walked up to his bedroom and picked her suitcase. When she tried to step out, he blocked her from moving.
βI know whatβs happening here. You have trust issues.β
βMe? No.β
βYou do, and thatβs understandable. In one fell swoop, your man betrayed your trust, the person you thought was your mom betrayed your trust, and your real mom betrayed your trust too. Everybody lied to you. Then, I appeared and I was a breath of fresh air, until the doubts showed up. Now, you want to put me on the list.β
βNo.β
βYou already have. But thatβs fine. If you want to go and deal with your issues alone, I wonβt stop you. If you want us to deal with them together, then stay.β
She was silent.
βStaying helps you with your avoidance wahala.β He raised her chin and looked into her eyes. βIt needs to go.β
βIβ¦β
βRunning from me and telling yourself that what happened to us never did is not going to erase the fact that it did happen and it was the best thing that ever happened to your love life.β
He held her chin and her eyes until it came to her that her feelings for him were strong and not just an excuse for her to escape her pain. The recognition of this was so jarring that she let his hand down.
βIβm sorry, Tari. I just canβt.β
βFine.β
He moved away from the door and let her through. She walked off, praying that he neither called her nor went after her. She made her way to the parking lot and got into her car. She knew she was doing a stupid thing, but this was the best time to run away from what might end up consuming her.
Maybe if she stayed away from him long enough and took the memories they shared together and tossed them into a burning fire, she would forget about him and he wouldnβt have the power to mess her up as he was doing now. How could she have given him so much control over her emotions in such a short time. Was she insane?
She bolted out of his compound, recalling Jayaβs advice to her in a message yesterday.
-Whatever you think you want to do with him, donβt do it. Just fuck and go!
Rain nodded to herself as tears burned her eyes. She had done the βfuckβ part. Now, it was time to go.
Β©Sally Kenneth Dadzie @moskedapages
No naw…Sallyπ© Please don’t do this to Tari and Rain
No naw…Sallyπ© Please don’t do this to Tari and Rain
Sally oooo, thanks for this.
I just literally thought in my head that is it the elections that has distracted you from writing as it’s been 3 weeks. I refreshed my mail and saw the update. Thank you, a wonderful distraction from Nigeria politics….i wish it didn’t end.
Tari and Rain,bikonu don’t let your past and family dabaru your future together o.
Kofo, i want to like her but at the same time, she should have reached out to her kids.
Looking forward to the next episode like….
Thank you, Sally
Aaww… I understand how Rain must be feeling…. She has to be sure..only time will tell..
Thanks ,Sally
Sally did you study psychology? I noticed that you really go deep into your characters minds. How do you do it?
I enjoyed this episode, let Tari go after rain. She’s not serious, fvck and stay
Tari and Rain belongs together. I know this is a storm they have to face and that they will come out stronger than ever. Itβs a test of their love. Thanks Sally babe . As for Sunny his days of wickedness are numbered. Naomi sha na real craze .
Rain!!!!!
Thank you, Sally. Sure helped to remove my mind from today’s activities.
You just made my weekend .
Sally U don start ooo
No do bad to these tari and rain characters ooo
Wow
Thank you Sally β€οΈ
Rain and Tari are made for each other joor… They will deff come back.
Wow
Thank you Sal β€οΈ
Rain and Tari are made for each other joor… They will deff come back.
Thanks a bunch Sally,had a good read.
I feel sad for Raindrop and Tari,but I actually think it best they try to work things out separately and maybe reconnect later, because even if they both love each other,it’s actually a whole lot to handle right now.
At this point I feel love and hate towards Kofo even though she’s just trying to protect her daughter. The battle for Hara isn’t between Tari and Rain but her other children who will feel owed and entitled. Anyways I’m keeping my fingers crossed
Noooo!!! Rain come back! Don’t go!!! This is an aftermath of Noah, Kofo etc. Serious trust issues which she can’t be blamed for. I really hope she is able to work it all out. I love them (Rain & Tari) together. Thank God Lanumi gave her Mum heads-up concerning her siblings… I thoroughly enjoyed reading this episode, thanks Sally.
Thank You.
Tari win Rain her family’s trust and win the girl.
Tari and Rain must not separate o π₯²
This episode corroborates a part of my loooong comment during the previous one. These things happen and move at a very fast pace then doubt sets in and the protagonists start questioning themselves if what they have is right or can last. Rain is at that stage and I wouldn’t want to be in her shoes right now. Everyone is making her feel Tari is not her best option so much so her stubborn resistance to their opinions is starting to get weakened.
Just doing my own marathon with this serial and I’m enjoying it all the way.