*EPISODE 10*
((CHANGE OF RULES))
“What will Bayo find out?.” Ahmed asked completely confused.
“Never mind. You can go now.” Chief Afolabi said waving him off.
When Abeni heard Ahmed’s footsteps approaching the door, she quickly ran back to her office.
“No. This isn’t happening,” Chief Afolabi said leaning back in his seat.
He quickly pulled out his phone and dialed the number of Kunle, known as Killer K.
Kunle (Killer K) was a young man of 32 whom Chief Afolabi usually contacts to do dirty and shady things for him. Especially when it had to do with bloodshed.
“Hello, boss. Longest time,” Kunle who was enjoying his vacation abroad, said as soon as he answered the call.
“Long time Kunle. How are you?” Chief Afolabi asked, rubbing his forehead.
“I’ve been good. The weather in this country has been treating me well. I hope all is well over there?” Kunle asked.
“Yes, kind of,” Chief Afolabi said standing to his feet. He walked to his office window scratching his bald hair.
“I’m quite surprised you decided to call me after abandoning me all these years,” Kunle said.
“Look Kunle, can we skip that part?” Chief Afolabi said.
“Okay, someone doesn’t seem to be in the mood for jokes. So tell me, what do you want?” Kunle asked.
“There’s a problem I need you to fix for me,” Chief Afolabi said.
“And what could that be?” Kunle asked.
“I want you to terminate someone for me,” Chief Afolabi said.
“A man or a woman?” Kunle asked.
“A girl. And her grandmother,” Chief Afolabi said.
“Okay. I’ll be returning to the country in two days. Let’s talk more when I get back.” Kunle said.
“Can’t you speed it up to a day? Why must it take you two days to return to this country?” Chief Afolabi asked anxiously.
“Relax, chief. I have my reasons. And besides, there’s never a time that is too late for a person to die,” Kunle said.
“Okay then. See you when you get back.” Chief Afolabi reluctantly said.
Back at Abeni’s office.
Abeni was restless as she kept replaying her father’s words in her head. Walking from one end of her office to the other, with different thoughts running through her mind.
“Why was dad like that earlier? What’s going on?” she asked totally confused. “This won’t do. I have to go meet Bayo.” She said.
And without hesitation, she quickly grabbed her handbag and stormed out of the office.
At Bayo’s house.
Bayo, who had been discharged from the hospital, returned home with Oye by his side. He handed the keys to Oye, who helped him open his door.
As they both entered the house, Bayo held back Oye’s hand and pulled her to himself.
“You are healthier than I thought,” Oye said smiling at him.
“Didn’t you hear when the doctor said there was nothing wrong with me other than these few scratches, bruises and body ache?.” Bayo asked, wrapping his hands around her waist.
“I’m sorry,” Oye said, staring deep into his eyes.
“For?.” Bayo asked.
“For talking to you the way I did the other day. I’m really sorry for everything. Actually, Abeni told me everything. And honestly, I feel so stupid for not trusting you or giving you a listening ear before jumping to conclusions. Bayo, you’re a good man. And such dirty business and such hideous rules do not suit your personality. And just like my grandma said, I will like to help you find a new path. So let’s start doing things the right way from now on.” Oye said, wrapping her hands around his neck.
“I’m also sorry for not being able to tell you the truth myself. I was afraid of how you would see me if you found out the truth. And believe me, I’ve never been proud of doing such despicable and dirty business. This is not my dream. I never wanted a life like this. I was only ten when I lost both of my parents. And my uncles weren’t willing to take on my responsibilities. Two days after my parents were buried, I heard them already arguing about who would take me in. It broke my heart to find that none of them were willing to take care of me. They were all scared and worried about the cost of raising an extra child, and the worst of it all, my mother people thought I was evil or that I might have been the cause of my parents’ death because they just couldn’t explain how I survived such a horrific car accident that killed my parents. One day, Chief Afolabi drove into my father’s compound and introduced himself as my late father’s closest friend and business partner. He was warmly welcomed by my uncles who didn’t think twice before giving me up for adoption. But he insisted that I keep my last name. I saw my uncles collect a huge sum of money from him the day he finally picked me up in the living room. It was painful, but I was only a kid. I followed Chief Afolabi to his home and there I met Abeni who was just a quiet and lovely girl of 7 years. And thanks to her, my stay at Chief Afolabi’s house wasn’t as boring as I thought it would be. She was always there to share her toys and treats with me. And I remembered having my first fight because of her,” Bayo said with a chuckle.
“Abeni loves you very much. She is willing to do anything to make you happy and keep you from harm. It’s strange what kind of bond and friendship you were able to develop with her when you’re not of the same blood.” Oye said.
“I know right?. She has been avoiding me thinking that I hate her now. But the truth is, I don’t think I can hate Abeni as long as I live. Cause we have both shared numerous pains and joys together. And several times she has been a shoulder to cry on. So she will always be my sister no matter what.” Bayo said.
“Enough about Abeni and her father. Can we talk about ourselves now?” Oye said smiling.
“Oye, I love you,” Bayo said.
Hearing this, Oye blushed helplessly.
“I love you too,” Oye said.
“In that case, can you officially be my girlfriend?” Bayo said.
“Always,” Oye replied without hesitation.
Her answer gladdened Bayo’s heart so much. He leaned forward quickly and pressed his lips to hers, kissing her passionately for the first time.
Oye didn’t hold back either. She returned his kiss diligently. As they were about to get carried away by the pleasure of their kiss, they suddenly heard the doorbell ring.
Bayo quickly pulled away from Oye, who quickly freed herself from his embrace.
Bayo opened the door and saw Abeni standing in front of him.
“Abeni.” He called.
“Bayo.” Abeni waved.
“Come in,” Bayo said, letting her in.
“Thank you,” Abeni said as walking in.
She walked in and saw Oye waving at her.
“Hi,” Oye said waving.
“Hi Oye. Thank you so much for looking after Bayo,” Abeni said.
“By the way, why didn’t you come to see me again in the hospital? Do you hate me that much?” Bayo asked.
“I’m sorry Bayo. I just couldn’t bring myself to look at you after what I did to you both,” Abeni said.
“All that is in the past, Abeni. And I think I would have done the same if I were in your shoes because I would not be able to stand watching you get hurt. That’s how much you mean to me,” Bayo said.
“Thank you Bayo,” Abeni said, fighting back tears.
“It’s okay,” Bayo said embracing her.
“This is so sweet,” Oye said, smiling helplessly at their lovely reunion.
“Bayo, Oye, there’s something you both should know about,” Abeni said freeing herself from Bayo’s embrace.
“What’s happened?.” Bayo asked.
“I overheard my father saying that he has to make sure that you two do not end up together,” Abeni said.
“Why?.” Bayo asked as he and Oye looked at each other in surprise.
A few moments later.
They were all sitting on the couch in Bayo’s living room as Abeni continued.
“It was strange how he freaked out after realizing who Oye’s parents were. And what’s more strange is the fact that her parents also died in a car accident 18 years ago. I wonder if that was just a coincidence or a connection to your parent’s death. In other words, it seems like both of your parents were murdered,” Abeni said, staring at Bayo who sighed deeply.
“I won’t be surprised to find out that my parents were murdered,” Oye said.
“Why?.” Abeni said.
“Because I’ve seen my mother get into trouble because of her writings on several occasions. She was the nightmare of most dirty politicians back then” Oye said.
“But my question is, how did they end up dying on the same day as Bayo’s parents?” Abeni asked.
“In that case, we need to find out if our deceased parents knew each other. Or if their deaths have something in common.” Bayo said.
“So how do we do that?” Oye asked.
“There’s only one way to find out,” Bayo said, standing up.
“And what kind could that be?” Abeni asked.
“We need to go to Oye’s house and take a look at the pictures of her late parents. Maybe I might be able to recognize them if at all they knew my parents. And if possible we can still dig up the last politician her mother wrote about before she died,” Bayo said.
At Oye’s home.
They all arrived and sat down in the living room while Oye went in and brought out a photo album containing the pictures of her and her late parents.
As Bayo flipped through the photo album, he saw a photo of a little girl.
“This girl,” he said pointing to the picture.
“What about her?.” Abeni asked looking at the picture.
“I think I have seen her when I was little. Probably before my parents died.” Bayo said.
Hearing this, Oye looked quickly at the picture and burst out laughing.
“What’s wrong with you?.” Oye asked. “That’s me in this picture. I was about 7 when I took the picture.” She said.
“You mean you’ve both met before?” Abeni asked, pointing at them.
“Exactly. I could remember making jest of her because she lost her middle teeth.” Bayo said.
“Wait a minute,” Oye who couldn’t believe her ears said.
“Are you Bayo, the son of Doctor, Mrs. Bisola Akinwale?” She asked.
“Yes,” Bayo said, nodding affirmatively.
“So it’s been you all along?. Oh my God!. You were that annoying son of hers that made me cry over my missing teeth.” Oye said in disbelief.
Hearing this, Abeni took the photo album from Bayo and turned it to the next page, where she saw a picture of two families.
“Who are these?.” She asked showing the picture to Oye.
“These are my late parents on the right and Bayo’s parents on the left. While the boy and girl in the middle are me and Bayo.” She said.
“Then this confirms one thing,” Abeni said.
“Which is?.” Oye asked, looking confused.
“This clearly confirms that our parents knew each other. Which means their deaths might be related somehow.” Bayo said.
