“Complicated”
Episode 7
Since arriving home, Darasimi had been confined to her room, while Tobi was taken to an undisclosed location. Dara hadn’t seen her father, but her mother was at home when she arrived. Her mother expressed her disappointment before Darasimi was escorted to her room and the door was locked behind her. Without any idea of where Tobi had been taken, she worried about what her father might do to him. They had also taken her phone, so she couldn’t even call him.
It wasn’t until the evening that she heard the key turn in the lock and her father entered the room, with Ope following behind him. He threw a document at her, and what Darasimi saw inside shocked her to the core.
“You know, Dara, I thought you and your brother had it in you to make me proud, but I was wrong. You are selfish, and I think I have spoiled you. You dare to defy and embarrass me. I promise you will pay dearly for going against me. As for that foolish boy, I offered him money and he took it. You will never see him again,” her father declared. With that, he turned and left with Ope, and as she heard the key turn in the lock, Darasimi crumpled to the floor, overwhelmed by despair.
It was Ore’s last day in Dubai, and she chose to stay in her room. Throughout the day, she found herself repeatedly recalling the events of the previous night. Each time, guilt would prick her conscience, and she would kneel to pray, asking God for forgiveness. Despite trying not to admit it, she missed Farouk and couldn’t understand how just a few days with someone could so completely occupy her mind.
The next morning, Ore left the hotel, unsure of what to expect at the airport and whether Adetola would be there. When she checked in and entered the VIP lounge, she found Adetola there alone, wondering what had happened to his companion. He barely glanced at her, and when their flight was called, they boarded and sat in separate seats, much like their flight from Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Darasimi awoke from her troubled sleep and stared at the document her father had presented the day before. Lying there, she pondered her dire situation; her father wanted her to sign papers that would annul her marriage to Tobi. Tobi’s signature was already on the document, indicating his consent to the annulment. She wondered whether her father had threatened him or if the money was simply too tempting to resist.
Feeling weak from being locked up without food or water, Darasimi realized her mother would not dare enter her room, as she would not defy her husband. Dara had always believed her father treated her as his princess, and she had gotten away with many things in the past. She had hoped that, as in other times, she could persuade him to change his mind. However, she was not prepared for this severe outcome.
Darasimi managed to drag herself to the bathroom to at least brush her teeth, and after that, she returned to bed. Then she heard the key turn and her father entered the room with Ope.
“Have you signed the document?” he demanded.
“Dad—”
“Don’t call me that; you’ve lost the right to call me dad. How dare you embarrass me like that? I raised the three of you to understand duty and put family first, but what did you do? You betrayed us for a gold digger.”
“Tobi is not a gold digger.”
“Then why did he accept the money I offered him?”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Believe whatever you want. I still have Tobi, and as soon as you sign this, I will let him go. I’ll be back in two hours. If this isn’t signed, Tobi will be swimming with the fishes in the depths of the ocean.”
Dara was astounded by her father’s threat.
At the door, he turned back, “I could easily get someone to forge your signature, but you will sign it yourself, and you will never defy me again.”
As her father and his aide walked out, Darasimi sank into the bed. It appeared she never truly knew who her father was. This man, who spoke of paying someone off or resorting to murder, was not the father she remembered.
“Mother, I told you I’m fine.”
“How can you be fine? You jetted off alone; anything could have happened to you.”
“What? Death? But that wouldn’t have made any difference.”
“Son, please don’t give up, at least for my sake. I know that the God we serve won’t forsake us. You will beat this disease.”
“I have nothing to fear. When I die, I go home to be with my heavenly Father. It’s a better place to be.”
“Please don’t say that. I have faith that you will be healed.” He was quiet.
“So, how was Dubai? It has always been your favorite vacation spot. What did you do?”
“I met someone.”
“You did? Who is she?”
“Forget it, Mum. There was no point in finding out anything about her. It was just a one-night stand.”
“You went to Dubai to sleep with a woman?”
“No, not really, Mum. But when I saw her, I knew I had to have her. I broke my many years of celibacy.”
“That’s a sin, Farouk.”
“I know, Mum, and I have made my peace with God over it. She reminded me so much of you; I think that’s what drew me to her.” He turned to his mother. “Don’t worry, Mother. When I’m gone, at least you will still have my sister, Titilopemi.”
“Did you at least use protection?” He avoided his mother’s eyes.
“Haba, Farouk!”
Thanks for reading,
Tbc
Jumie Naths
