“Complicated”
Episode 13
“Dara, what are you doing here?” the man asked, somewhat sternly.
“I’m meeting someone,” Dara replied coolly.
“Meaning?”
“I have a date.”
“A date with whom? Where is your husband, Toluwani?”
“As you well know, Chief Ayegbajeje, my marriage to Toluwani is one of convenience. My husband has gone out to have his fun, and I’m here to have mine,” she retorted.
“Something must be wrong with you, Darasimi. Get up now and go home, and I don’t want to ever see you here again.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. Moreover, you are not my father, so you can’t tell me what to do.”
“Well, in that case, I will put a call through to your father to come get you,” he threatened.
“Yeah, do that, and I’m very sure your wife would love to hear the news that you’ve been sleeping with her sister,” Dara countered sharply.
Chief Ayegbajeje glanced at her, his expression hardening as he realized she had seen him with his companion, who had quickly left the scene when they spotted Dara crossing the room.
“What do you want?” he asked, his tone edged with frustration.
“To be left alone in peace with my date,” Dara stated firmly. The chief glared at her, then turned and walked out of the room without looking back.
Dara smiled to herself, thinking, ‘The stage is set.’ She waited a couple more minutes and then left, satisfied with how she had handled the matter.
A few days after their conversation, still deeply conflicted and without a clear path forward, Ore decided to visit Temidayo and seek her advice.
“This decision has its downside, but when you think about the uproar your father will cause if he ever found out you slept with another man on your honeymoon… the fact that Adetola left you will pale in comparison to your situation,” Temidayo explained.
“So, you think I should agree to his plan?” Ore asked.
“Like I said, what choice do you have? We can’t trace Farouk, so even if he shows up tomorrow, there’s no way he’s going to know the child is his,” Temidayo reasoned.
“I know, but I have a very bad feeling about this,” Ore admitted.
“You’re just nervous, and that’s understandable. Give it more time; at least the pregnancy isn’t showing yet.” Temidayo tried to reassure her, suggesting patience as they navigated the uncertain future.
When Ore returned home, she was surprised to find her mother-in-law waiting for her.
“Good evening, ma. Adetola didn’t tell me you were coming.”
“He doesn’t know I’m here. I just decided to come and see how you two are doing,” her mother-in-law replied, eyeing Ore somewhat curiously.
“That’s very kind of you.”
“How are you doing?” she inquired.
“I’m fine, Aunty Abike. I see the chef has entertained you. Is there anything more you need?” Ore asked, her nerves apparent.
“No, come sit with me,” her mother-in-law requested. As Ore sat down, she could feel the intense scrutiny from her mother-in-law’s gaze. Then, without warning, she asked, “Are you pregnant?”
Ore was taken aback by the directness of the question. Realizing that denying it would be futile as the truth would soon come out anyway, she hesitantly replied, “Yes.” But instead of the joyful reaction she anticipated, her mother-in-law’s demeanor remained sober. “You have to take good care of yourself, and eat and rest well.”
“Yes, ma. Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“Why did you decide to choose me to marry Adetola? You know he can’t stand me.”
“I had my reasons for that decision. Something is going on, and I want to protect my son.”
“Protect your son? And you think I’m in a position to protect him?”
“Yes, you are.”
“How?”
“In the history of the Ayegbajeje and Akinola families, only two people have stepped out of idol worship into Christianity, of which you are one. Do you know who the second person is?”
“No.”
“I am that second person. I can’t tell you much now, but Ore, there is a war going on. If you care for Adetola, which I believe you do, pray and pray hard.” With those parting words, she added, “I have to leave now. Give Adetola my love,” and just like that, she was gone.
Ore, recalling her pastor’s revelation, wondered what was truly going on. She quickly retired to her room and began to pray, seeking guidance and protection for whatever lay ahead.
While driving home, Abike’s hands trembled as she fought to control her emotions. She had prayed and hoped that Ore wouldn’t get pregnant quickly, which would give her time to confront and perhaps avert the looming evil. But it seemed she wasn’t fast enough. Deep down, she knew that Ore must not give birth to the baby, or else the years of darkness they lived under would continue. With a heavy sigh, she began to pray earnestly for a solution.
Meanwhile, Ore phoned Adetola, asking him to come home as she had something important to discuss. Upon his arrival, Ore recounted the unexpected visit from his mother.
“Great, so this means you have agreed to my plan,” Adetola concluded, assuming the situation had swayed her.
“Well, I had no choice. Your mother could already tell I was pregnant,” Ore responded.
“Fine, we’ll keep this between us. No one else has to know, and as soon as the pregnancy is advanced, we’ll check the s*x of the baby.”
Ore sighed, reflecting on how dramatically her life had changed. Just a few months ago, she was leading a dull and quiet life, and now suddenly, she felt like the lead character in a soap opera, embroiled in complexity and intrigue she never asked for.
The next day, Ore received an email requesting her presence at the office by noon for a meeting with some clients, with the CEO also in attendance. Ore was thrilled; she had been eager to meet the brilliant mind behind Eclexia.
On the day of the meeting, Farouk arrived at the office early to sort out a few things, but a few minutes before noon, he suddenly felt overwhelmingly tired. “I don’t feel too well, Titilope. I have to leave,” he said.
“Oh, really? Do you want me to drive you to the hospital?” Titilope offered.
“No, I’ll be fine. You stay here and oversee the meeting.”
“We can postpone the meeting…” she suggested.
“No, they are already on their way here, so that’s not ethical,” Farouk insisted. “Don’t worry, I’ll just go home and rest.” He got up and prepared to leave.
Meanwhile, Ore alighted from her car downstairs and entered the building. She pressed the elevator button and waited. After a few seconds, one of the elevators arrived, and she entered, beginning her journey up.
Farouk was waiting for the elevator to take him down, and after a few minutes, the elevator arrived. As he stepped in, the second elevator arrived, and Ore stepped out. As she exited the elevator, the other elevator door closed. The two of them just missed each other by a few seconds, each unaware of the near encounter.
Thanks for reading,
Tbc
