*EPISODE 9*
((CHANGE OF RULES))
Chief Afolabi, who was still at home, was about to leave for work when his private investigator called.
“Hello Ahmed,” Chief Afolabi said as soon he answered the call.
“Good morning, boss.” Ahmed greeted.
“Good morning Ahmed. I hope everything is fine?” Chief Afolabi asked.
“Yes sir. I just called to give you a few reports,” Ahmed said.
“Okay, go ahead. I’m listening,” Chief Afolabi said.
He placed his suitcase on his center table, then gradually relaxed on his couch.
“Last evening I got a call from Abeni asking me to send her Oye’s home address,” Ahmed revealed.
“Wow,” Chief Afolabi said sitting upright in surprise. “What did she say she needed it for?” He asked.
“I don’t know, Chief. But I suspect with certainty that something is going on between the three of them,” Ahmed said.
“Hmmm…” Chief Afolabi sighed rubbing his chin. “I already know they’re trying so hard to hide something from me. I suspected something was wrong when you confirmed that she had night blindness and Bayo actually Yizef stories sponsored her eye surgery. This clearly shows that she couldn’t have seen Bayo that night, because obviously, she couldn’t see clearly at night. But what puzzles me is why Bayo decided to stay with her despite confirming that she didn’t recognize him. And it’s surprising how Abeni came to vouch for him when I confronted him. It shows that something is definitely going on between him and that nurse. But they are both trying so hard to hide it from me.” Chief Afolabi said.
“Well, by all indications, sir, it’s obvious that Bayo has fallen in love with the girl,” Ahmed said.
“But why? I mean, she’s just an unfortunate poor girl with nothing to offer or add to his life. Why choose her over thousands of rich and influential ladies?. What exactly does Bayo want to gain from having her in his life?.” Chief Afolabi asked curiously and confused.
“On a second Thought Chief, what if it turns out that he is just exhibiting his youthful exuberance and nothing more?” Ahmed asked.
“No Ahmed. Bayo has never behaved this way towards any woman. And it’s weird because she totally changed him. And I don’t know why my mind doesn’t agree with this girl. I just feel like there’s this negative energy surrounding her. Ahmed, you know what?” Chief Afolabi asked.
“No chief,” Ahmed replied.
“I want you to do a detailed background check on this girl. Make sure you leave no stone unturned. I want to know who her parents are and what her family is like. Because I don’t know why I feel so uncomfortable about her,” Chief Afolabi said.
“Consider it done, sir. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can,” Ahmed said.
“Thank you, Ahmed,” Chief Afolabi said.
As he ended the call and was about to leave the living room, a call came from Abeni.
“Yes, Abeni. What is it?” he asked stepping out of the door.
“Daddy…” Abeni cried on the phone.
“What is? Why are you crying?” He asked with curiosity written all over his face.
“Daddy, it’s Bayo.” Abeni sobbed.
“What about him?. Huh?” He asked looking worried.
“Daddy, Bayo was involved in a car accident and was taken to the hospital,” Abeni tearfully revealed.
“Whaaaat?” Chief Afolabi exclaimed in shock. “How did it happen? You know what?. Just text me the location of the hospital he was admitted to. I will be right there.” He said.
In the hospital.
One of Oye’s co-nurse, who was not on the morning shift, had gone to check on her cousin, who had been admitted to a different hospital. There she happened to see Bayo being rushed into the hospital. She recognized him as the guy who always stopped by at the hospital where she worked to check on Oye. And sometimes he comes to pick her up after work. And without hesitation, she pulled out her cell phone and dialed Oye’s number.
At Oye’s shop.
Oye, who had told her grandmother everything that had happened between her and Bayo, was still trying to recover from the shock.
“My child, I completely understand how you feel. But shouldn’t you have given him a chance to explain himself to you?” Her grandmother said.
“What chance, mama?. He has nothing more to say to me. I’ve been with him for months and he couldn’t bring himself to tell me the truth. I’m not really hurt by what I found out about him. What really hurts me the most is that I learned the truth from another person. Why didn’t Bayo tell me the truth about himself?. And until when did he plan to keep me in the dark?” Oye complained bitterly.
“I’m sure he had his reasons. Or maybe he was just afraid of losing you. It actually takes a lot of preparation and courage for a man to open up to his woman about something like this. Because not every woman will be able to withstand such truth.” Her grandmother said.
“But he should have given me a benefit of doubt. Why couldn’t he trust me? Why does he have to lie to me?. Honestly speaking mama it really hurts.” Oye sobbed.
“Come on my child, I’m old enough to know who has bad intentions towards you. And from what I’ve seen so far, Bayo really loves you. I don’t want you to believe that he did everything out of pity. Because I know, that deep in your heart you know that that’s not true. You know he has true feelings for you. And who knows, maybe you’re the change he needs.” Her grandmother said.
Hearing this, Oye gave her a quick look.
“Yes, my child. Maybe that child needs you to help him find his way again. Have you forgotten that he grew up without his parents by his side?” Her grandmother asked.
“Didn’t I grow up without my parents too? But here I am living right and doing a legitimate job to raise legitimate funds for myself. Why can’t he do the same?” Oye asked.
“No, Oye. Your case is different. You grew up under my care, guidance, and teaching. But Bayo grew up under the care, guidance, and teaching of a drug lord. What do you expect of him as a kid that had no one else to lean on in this crazy and evil world? I believe if Bayo had received the right teachings and guidance while growing up then he wouldn’t have gotten himself into such a mess. And if there is anyone to blame, then it should be his adoptive father who led him down the wrong path. If he really loved him, he would have done better as a father. Likewise you Oye. If you truly love Bayo as you claim, then you should have given him a listening ear before jumping into judgment and condemnation. You should have been the only person that understands and sees his good heart. You should have helped him find the right path again. Who knows, maybe that’s why fate brought you two together.” Her grandmother said.
After hearing her speak, Oye suddenly felt guilt in her heart. She felt remorse and wished she had never reacted the way she did that morning with Bayo.
Just as she was still regretting her actions in her heart, a call came from her co-nurse named Bimbo.
“Hello, Bimbo. What’s up?” Oye asked as soon as she had answered the call.
“Hello, Oye. Guess who I just saw in the hospital,” Bimbo said.
“Please, bimbo. I’m not in the right frame of mind to guess anything right now. So please go straight to the point.” Oye said.
“Okay, joy killer. Actually, I saw that your friend.” She said.
“What friend are you talking about?” Oye asked completely uninterested in the conversation.
“You know that guy who usually visits you at work. That guy that comes to pick you up from work sometimes. That handsome guy who drives a black expensive car.” Bimbo continued.
At that moment, Oye understood who she was referring to.
“Wait a minute,” Oye said, jumping to her feet. “Do you mean Bayo?” She asked.
“Ehen… it’s Bayo. I can’t believe I forgot his name.” Bimbo said.
“Cut the crap and tell me what happened to him. Why was he in the hospital?” Oye asked, with her heart beating faster.
“I guess he was involved in an accident,” Bimbo said.
“Oh my god…..Please Bimbo, which hospital was he admitted to? Is it at our place of work?” Oye asked feeling anxious and disturbed.
“No. I actually came to visit my cousin who was hospitalized at Victory Hospital when I…” Bimbo was still talking when Oye ended the call.
She didn’t need to hear the rest as long as she knew the name of the hospital.
“Mom, what should I do? I think Bayo is currently in danger because of me.” Oye cried.
“What happened?.” Her grandmother asked standing up.
“Bimbo my co-nurse just called to tell me that she saw Bayo being rushed to the hospital. Mama, he was involved in a car accident. And I believe this has everything to do with me. And the way I spoke to him this morning.” Oye cried.
“Shhhh…” Her grandmother said crossing her finger on Oye’s lips to silence her. “Do not say something like that. It must have been a coincidence.” She said.
Oye quickly held her hand and said:
“No mama. You needed to have seen the look on his face when he left here this morning. I think it happened because of me.” She cried.
Her grandmother had no choice but to hug her. She continued to pat her on the back while Oye continued to cry on her shoulder.
Back at the hospital.
Chief Afolabi rushed in to meet Abeni, who was sitting next to Bayo’s hospital bed.
“How is he?.” Chief Afolabi asked tensely and worriedly.
“He’s fine. Luckily nothing serious happened to him. He just sustained a few scratches and bruises here and there. But the doctor said he will be fine after receiving his prescribed medications.” Abeni told Chief Afolabi, who let out a deep sigh of great relief as he placed his hand on his chest.
A while after Chief Afolabi left, Bayo finally opened his eyes and discovered himself in the hospital. While Abeni jubilated at his regained consciousness, Bayo burst into tears as he remembered hurting Oye.
When Abeni saw him crying, she immediately knew why he was crying. She sat back and patted his hand while tears ran down her cheeks.
“I’m really sorry, Bayo. I did what I did because I thought it was the right thing to do to protect you from Dad’s wrath. But now I realize that Oye has become a part of you. And the source of your happiness. And so I will go back to her and fix what I broke,” she said amidst tears.
Just as she stepped outside, she saw Oye wandering impatiently around the hospital looking for Bayo.
“She’s even here,” Abeni said with a sad smile on her lips.
She quietly approached Oye, who was startled to see her.
“Relax. I don’t bite,” Abeni said with a sad smile.
“Where’s Bayo?” Oye asked, looking around.
“He’s in there,” Abeni said, pointing to his ward. “But before you go, can I have a word with you, please?” Abeni said.
“Sure.” Oye agreed.
They both went to a corner where they sat. After a long while of awkward silence, Abeni began.
“I’m really sorry for being the first to tell you all those things about Bayo. Now I realize it was never my place to tell you those things. Bayo was going to tell you someday at the right time. He was just holding back because he was scared of breaking the rules of the organization,” Abeni said.
“What rules?.” Oye asked looking lost.
“There are so many rules guiding our organization. And one of them states that any outsider who discovers our secret must be silenced forever,” Abeni said staring at Oye who was shocked beyond words.
“What?. What sort of horrible rule is that?” Oye asked not believing her ears.
“That’s just how it has been in the organization. We run a very dirty and deadly business. But Believe me, that hasn’t affected or changed Bayo’s conscience. And I must tell you that he really do love you a lot. And in all my years of being with him, I must say, he has never been in love with a woman like he is with you. And I was kind of jealous about this new side of him. Bayo was a kid who rarely smiled. But with you in his life, he has become so happy and cheerful. He’s been through a lot in the past few years. And I have to tell you, he’s not a bad person. He’s the sweetest person I’ve ever met in my entire life. He actually got involved in my father’s business against his will. This has never been his dream. He was a child who, like his late father, wanted to become a lawyer. But here he is, doing all sorts of dirty business against his will. I just hope that one day he gets to live the life of his dreams. Because my father is a monster in human form. He has no conscience. And won’t easily let him off.” She said.
She kept explaining things to Oye who finally understood and felt sorry for Bayo’s situation.
After that, Abeni led her to Bayo’s ward, where they both tearfully embraced. Seeing Bayo smile again filled Abeni with satisfaction. She quietly left the two to sort things out.
The next day at work, Abeni was about to enter her father’s office when she overheard him talking to his private investigator.
“What?. She’s the daughter of who again?” he asked in astonishment.
“She is Oye Adesola. The daughter of the late doctor Shegun Adesola and his wife, the late journalist Funke Adesola. Both died in a car accident 18 years ago,” Ahmed said handing their pictures to him.
“Unbelievable. No this isn’t happening. How did those two end up together?. What hideous game is fate trying to play with me? Look, Ahmed. We have to make sure that those two do not end up together… Otherwise, Bayo will find out everything” He said fearfully.
