[

5/8,
5:29PM]+2348092274044:
*TOLANI
*

EPI
SODE1

Onmybi rt
hday,Chi
maobihadboughtanewphone,l
aptop,
andmicrophoneforme,
forcreat
ingmyYouTubechannel
cont
ents.

Hewant
edmet
ogetser
iouswi
thmyYouTubechannel
.

“
Youdon'
tpostonyourchannel
,Tol
ani
.Idon'
tl
ikei
t.
”He
woul
dal
wayssay.

“Idon'
thaveal
lthegadget
sIneed,
Maobi
m.Myv
ideos
areblur
ry.
”Ial
wayshadanexcuse.

Icouldn'
tcontai
nthejoywi
thi
ntohavehim getmeallthe
gadgetsIneededtotakemychannel
tothenextlev
el.

Ihadtojumponhi
m ont
hecouch,
huggi
nghi
m sot
ight
ly
t
omy sel
f.
“Ahhhhhh!Thankyousomuch, Maobi!
”Iexclai
med, and
withdr
ewt hehugwhenInot i
cedIhadcoldfeetbecause
thehugwaspr et
tylengt
hierandmoreint
imatethant he
bri
efhugsweusual l
yhad.

ChimaobiandIhadbeeni
narelat
ionshi
pfor2year
s.I
wasroundingof
fmysecondy
earinschool.Wemetwhen
Icameformypostut
meexaminati
oninNsukka;
Univer
sit
y
ofNiger
ia.

Chimaobiwoul
dnotagreetot
ouchmei nt
imat
ely
.Hewas
thatt
ypeofmanthatbeli
evei
nsexual
purit
y.

I
, ontheot herhand,Igrewupf r
om af amil
yof5boy sand
agi rl
.Iwast heonlygir
l.Myparentswerenev erinsupport
ofme, st
udyingintheeasternpartofNigeri
abecauset hey
feltIwast ooyoungat20.Mybr other
sweresopr ot
ecti
ve
thatIcouldn'tkeepaboy fr
iendi
nhi ghschool,so,
Chi maobiwasmyf ir
st.

“Please,
keepyour
selfandgetmarri
edforme,mychi
ld.
Youar etheonl
ygi
rlchil
dIhave.Behav
ewell
.”Mom woul
d
alwaysadviseme.
So,Ist
oodup,excusi
ngmy sel
fasIwal
kedint
othe
ki
tchentogetsomejui
ce,j
usttoeaset
hetensi
onthathad
buil
tasaresul
tofthehug.

Hewasunusual
l
yqui
et,
andf
oll
owedmet
otheki
tchen.
Ipi
ckedupapackofjuicef
rom t
hef
ri
dge,
andagl
asscup
fr
om thecupshel
ves.
Ikeptt
heglasscupontheki
tchencount
erandf
il
ledthe
j
uicetothebri
m asIf
iddl
edwiththet
ipoft
hecup,and
tookasip.
“
Youar
ener
vous.
”Chi
maobi
sai
dtome.
“
No,
Iam not
.”Il
i
ed.
“Youknowwecan'tconti
nuel
i
kethis,
Maobi.Iam t
ir
ed.I
needyou,
Iwantt
of eel
you.Whyareyoupunishi
ngme.”I
l
amented.
“ForGod’ ssake, Tolani
,youthinkIdon'twantyou?Doy ou
knowhowmuchIwanty ouinmyar ms, i
nmydr eams, i
n
realit
yandi nfantasy ?Doyouknowhowmuchy oumake
mef eel
?Doy ouknowhowIcan' ttakeof fmyey esfr
om
you?Your unonmymi ndallday.Iwishmyhear twasa
prison,soy oucoul dbesentencedf orl
ife.Mylov ef
oryou
i
sl ikediarr
hea, Ij
ustcan'tholdit
.”Hesai dhel
plessl
ywith
somanyemot ionsi nvoi
ce.
“
Then,
doi
t.Touchme,
Maobi
.”

Chimaobiwai
tedf
oramomentbef orehewalkeduptome,
tookadri
nkfr
om myglass,kepti
tbackont hecount
er,
gentl
ypul
ledmyhairf
rom myshoul der
s,pl
acedhisbot
h
handsonmyshoulder
sandpl ant
edaki ssonmyneck.

“Ij
ustwantt
hebestf
ory
ou.
”Hewhi
sper
edandmybody
shi
vered.

Ij
ustwant
edhi
m,andIf
eltIwasr
eadyt
ohav
esexat22.

Iwassocur
ioust
oknowwhati
tfel
ttohav
esex.
Mycuri
osit
ygotthebestofme,
Iwantedhi
m,badl
y.Bot
h
ofusseemedhighwit
houremotions.

“
Nowshoul
dbet
ime”Iponder
edasIt
urnedt
owar
dshi
m,
“Ineedy
oubadly,Maobim.JustaFr
enchkiss.Iwon'
t
dist
urbyouagai
n.”Isai
d,maki
ngababyface.

Alt
houghIaskedfori
t,Idi
dn'
texpecthi
mtobecause
Chimaobi
hadr ef
usedtodothat,heonl
yki
ssesmy
for
eheadwhenwear epathi
ng.Hi Hi
m onWhat
sAppvia
+2349133660306f
ormorestor
ies.
.Hef el
tIwast
oo
youngandwouldbedi
str
actedfrom school
.Al
so,
hewas
chast
e.

“Pl
ease”Ibeggedagai
n, ashepull
edmet ohi
schest,
quickl
yli
ft
edmeupont ot heki
tchencount
er,
knocki
ng
overtheglasscupofj
uice.

“Kpakal
a!”thegl
assshat
ter
edont
heki
tchenf
loor
,yeti
t
didn'
tmattertous.

Hest
oodbet
weenmyl
egswi
thmyl
egswr
appedar
ound
hi
swaist
.

Hi
smanlyarmswrappedar
oundmyt i
nywai
st,
andhe
r
estedhi
sheadagai
nstmybreast
s.
“
Tolani
, youarebr
eakingme.Ifeelitwoul
dbebett
ernot
t
odot his.”Hesai
d,helpl
essl
y.Icouldseehowweakhe
wasalready.

Ihadlongedf
orChi
maobi'
stouch,
Ihadf
ant
asi
zedt
he
bothofusmakingl
oveonthebed.
“Ki
ssme, Maobi.I'
m abi
ggir
l.I
'
m 22today.
”Ibeggedhim,
andgav ehim asear
ingl
ook,
andthen,ourl
i
pslockedfor
thefi
rstti
me.

I
tfel
tnew.I
tfel
tref
reshi
ng,
tast
inghi
sli
ps.

Inseconds,
Mar
kandIt
uggedcl
umsi
l
yateachot
her
's
clot
hes.

Hepul
l
edmybl
ouse,
andIpul
l
edhi
sPol
oshi
rt
.
“
Ilov
eyousomuch”hemumbl
edwi
themot
ions.
“
Ilov
eyoumuchmor
e,babi
e.”Ir
esponded.

Atthatt
ime,t
heuniversedi
dn'
tmat
tert
ousagai
n.The
br
okenglassdidn'
tei
ther.

“Ti
ck!Ti
ck!Tock!Tock!
”Theki
tchenclockt
ickedas
Chimaobicar
ri
edmeupst ai
rst
ohi sr
oom andonhissof
t
l
argebed.

Thewhit
eblanketwentoffandon,
aswethr
ewandrol
l
ed
oneachotheri
nsessions,asweat
eeachot
her
'sl
i
psli
ke
hungr
yvam.pir
es.
There,
Icoul
dfeelt
heper
spi
rat
ioninmyar
mpi
ts.Icoul
d
feel
somewar mthbet
weenmylegs.

“Thisfeel
ssogood.”Ir
esonatedasChi
maobikissedmy
ears,myneck,mynarvel
,sl
owl y
,st
eadi
l
y,expl
ori
nghis
handsi nmyhai
r,st
roki
ngitl
ikeamaestro.

Tobecont
inued…

HiHi
m onWhat
sAppv
ia+2349133660306f
ormor
e
st
ori
es.
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
*TOLANI
*

EPI
SODE2

Wesl
eptof
font
hebedaf
terwemadeout
.

Iwokeupbef
orehi
m,looki
ngathi
mforaf
ewmi nut
es
bef
oreIdr
aggedhi
snose,r
est
ri
cti
nghi
mfrom br
eat
hing.
Chi
maobi
jol
tedf
rom sl
eep,
rol
l
edov
eront
hebedand
str
etchedhisar
mshighabov
ehi
shead,
brushi
nghi
s
handsagainstmybr
east
s.

Her
eachedouttomeandhadmesi
tonhi
sbel
l
ywhi
l
ehe
r
est
edhisbackagai
nstt
hebed.

“
Youhav
efi
nal
lygot
tenwhaty
ouwant
,abi
?”Hesai
d,
l
i
cki
nghi
sli
ps.
“
Commotjoor
!Youaretal
ki
ngast houghy
oudi
dmea
f
avour
,ory
oudidn'
tenj
oyit
.”If
ir
edathim.
“Oy
a!Confess,
didyouenj
oyi
tornot
?”Iquer
iedhi
m,whi
l
e
helaughedsohar
d.

“
Younodefearo.Namey
oudeaskquest
ion?
”Hesai
d,
t
ickl
i
ngme.
“
Obi
!St
op,
please,
I'
mloosi
ngmybr
eat
h.”Ibegged.
Hedr
aggedmet
ohi
msel
fandki
ssedmyl
i
ps.

“Youaresuchasweetgi r
l,Tol
ani.Youreyesareas
beaut
if
ulasthefinestpieceofart.Il
oveev er
ybitofy
ou.
”
Hewhisper
ed,lookingintomyey espassionatel
y.
“Oh!Andy ouwer
epr
etendi
ngl
i
key
oudi
dnotwantt
o.”I
snapped.
“Notatall,
Ijustwantedust odot her i
ghtthing.Ialsofeel
youar eyoungforthat.Didn'twantittobelikeIam t aki
ng
advantageofy ou.NotlikeIdon'tdesir
etogeti ntimate
withyou.See,Ihavewi shedIwasy ourbl
anket ,yourbed,
yourpill
ow,underneathy ourhead,Tolani
.Ican'tlive
withoutyou.”Chimaobi sai
d.
“Myloveforyouisli
keafar
tbecauseeveryt
hingabouti
tis
poweredbymysy st
em.Theflamesofyourl
ov el
ight
ens
meup.Yourwor dsaresweeterthant
heHONEYCOMB. ”
Hecontinued,asIbl
ushed.

“
So,whenar
ey oucr
eat
ingaYouTubev
ideo?Ev
ery
thi
ngi
s
r
eady.
”Heaskedme.

“Commonbabe, youjustboughtt
histoday
.Canyou
pleasej
ustchi
l
l?"Isaid,
rol
li
ngmyey esgir
li
shl
yasIst
ood
upf r
om t
hebed.

“Cl
oseyoureyes!
”Isai
dtohi
m,dr
aggi
ngt
hebedsheett
o
covermynakedness.
“Somethi
ngIhaveseen?
”Hesaid,l
aughi
ngsohar
dthat
hereachedoutt
othebedsheet
,andbegant
ostr
uggl
eit
withme.
“St
op!”Icr
iedout
,butheov
erpower
edmeandt
ookt
he
bedsheetf
rom me.

Iquickl
yhadmylef
tarmtocovermybr eastsandtheri
ght
handbetweenmylegs,
asItrodbackwar doutoft
heroom
tothekit
chen,
whereweli
tt
eredourclothes.

“NaughtyTol
ani!
”Isaidtomy sel
f,picki
ngourcl
othes,
kept
them onthecounter
,pickedupabr oom andadustpanto
sweepthebrokenglass.
“No!Don'
ti
njur
eyoursel
f.Thesear
eglasses.ItShoul
dn'
t
pier
ceyou.
”Chimaobisaid,
taki
ngthebroom anddustpan
fr
om me.

Istoodther
ewatchi
nghim ashepackedtheglass
shatter
edontheki
tchenf
loorandthr
ewitint
ot hedustbi
n.

“
Taaa!
”Hespankedmybut
tockandt
eased.
“Inevermarryyou,
youdondebreakmycup.I
fImar
ryy
ou
nko,youwill
breakmyTV.”Hejoked,
asIl
aughed
hysteri
cal
l
y.

“Ogbeni
,st
opmakingitl
ookl
i
keIknockedt
hegl
ass.You
did.
”Iar
gued,
laughi
ng.
“
Butyoubeggedmet oki
ssyou.JustaFrenchkiss,
Maobi
!”Hemimickedme,changi
nghisvoiceli
keagirl
'
s,
wi
thhishandsi
ntheair
.

Icouldn'
tst
oplaughi
ng.Chimaobiwast
hatt
ypeofguy
thatwouldmakeyoulaughallday
.Hewasgent
letothe
core,andhi
ghl
ydramatic.

Itwasgett
ingl
ateal
ready.AllIwant
edatt
hatpoi
ntwast
o
sleepov
erandhavehim aroundme.

Ii
ntenti
onal
l
ydelay
eddressi
ngup,soIcoul
dfi
ndan
excusetosl
eepoveri
nhispl
ace.
“Babe,
canIsl
eepov
er?
”Iaskedhi
m whenwegoti
ntot
he
room.

“
No!
”Heanswer
edqui
ckl
ywi
thev
eryf
iberi
nhi
m.
“
Please!
”Ibeggedhi
m.

“Don'
tevenstar
t.Don'
tevengiv
emet hatfacebecauseI
am notbuyi
ngthisi
dea.Youhavelect
urestomorrow.Hi
Him onWhatsAppv i
a+2349133660306formorestori
es.
.
Youshoul
dnotbeher e.Iknowy ou,t
omor r
ownow, I
wouldbebeggingyout ogot oschool,andyouwoul dfi
nd
excusesf
ornotattendinglectur
es.Weary ourcl
othes,I
wil
ldropyouatyourlodge.”Hesai d,
almostfrowning.
“OnceChimaobispeaksi
nthi
stone,Iknowheisseri
ous.
”
Iponder
ed,dressi
ngupangri
l
ywithoutargui
ngfur
ther
.

Iwal
keddownst
air
s,pickedupmybi
rt
hdaygi
ft
s,mybag
andwal
kedoutt
ot hecar.

Hewasnotev
enl
ooki
ngatmyf
ace.
Hegoti
ntot
hecarandhor
ned.

“Babegeti ntothecarnah…Weshouldnotbedr aggi

ng
this.Youhav elect
urestomorr
ow.”Hepleaded,
asI
stampedmyf eetl
i
keachi l
d,murmur
ingandgetti
ngint
o
thecar ,
facingtheothersi
deofthewindow.

“Bae,Idonotwantt
hisrel
ati
onshi
pt odi
str
actyour
studi
es.YouknowIloveyou.
”Hetriedtoconvi
nceme,
but
Iwasn'tbuy
ingi
t.

Hedrov
et omyhostel
.Whi
l
ehedrov
e,hi
sphonekept
r
ingi
ng,buthewoul
dnotpi
cki
t.
“
Whoi
sthat
?”Iaskedhi
m.
“
Soyoucantal
k?I
'v
ebeental
kingtoyousi
nce,youj
ust
i
gnor
edme,abi
?”Hesai
d,butIref
usedtoanswerhi
m.

“
Tol
ani,
I'
mt al
ki
ngt
oyou.
”Hesai
dangr
il
y,aswegott
o
myhost
elgate.

“Leavemealone.Youdon'
twantmetostayinyourpl
ace
becausesheiscomingtosl
eepover
.”Isai
d,pi
cki
ngupmy
thi
ngstoleav
e.
“
Howcoul dyousaythat?Haveyouseenmewithany
womanbef or
e?Youaremyf i
rstandIam y
ourfi
rst
.We
j
ustbrokeourvi
rgi
nit
ytoday,
forGod’
ssake.Howcould
yousaysuchtome.”

“
Justleav
emealone,
leav
emealone”Isai
d,cr
yingasIsat
t
here,
waiti
ngf
orhimtoapol
ogi
ze?

Iwasatf
aul
t,andIwast
heoneseeki
ngf
orapol
ogy
.

Thi
spartofmewasn'
tnewt
oChi
maobi
.Ibehav
echi
l
dish
whenev
erIam wi
thhi
m.
Idonotblamemysel
ffort
hatbecausehetr
eat
smeashi
s
l
itt
lesi
ster
.Iwas22t
hen,whi
lehewas29.Hewoul
d
al
way st
akethebl
ameswheneverwef i
ght
.

Chi
maobi
draggedmet
ohi
msel
fandconsol
edme.
“Okay
,Ipromisetocomeandpi
ck…”Hesai
d,whenhi
s
phonerangedagain.

“
Pickt
hecal
l
.”Ior
der
edhi
m.
“I
t'
smymom call
ingwithhersecondl
i
ne,
Tol
ani
.Ah!
”He
sai
d,i
rr
it
ated,
ashepickedthecall
.
“Mommie,Goodevening.I'
m ontransi
t.WhenIgethome,
wetal
k.You'
vebeencalli
ngme, doy ouwanttorunmy
bat
ter
y?”Hesai
dt oher,andIcouldhearheraski
nghim
whyhewasont heroadatt hatt
ime.
“Mommi e,
abeg…Hapum akadoo.Iwil
lcal
lyouwhenI'm
home.Stoptr
oubl
i
ngme,thiswoman.”Hesaid,hangi
ng
thecal
l
.

“
Womensel
f!Ar
eyousat
isf
ied?
”Heasked,
looki
ngatme.
“Whatdoyoumeanbythat
?So,I
'
m apest
?Pest
eri
ngy
ou.
”
Isai
d,l
ooki
ngathi
m qui
zzi
cal
l
y.
Wi
thshockwr
it
tenal
lov
erhi
sface,hel
aughed.
“Babe,butIneversaidthat.Howdi dpestcomei ntothis?
Okay,I
'm sor
ry.Youjustsleepov eri
nyourhouseandIwi ll
comeandpi ckyoutomor rowaf t
erlect
ures.ThankGod, i
t
i
salmostFr i
day.So,please,att
endThursday '
slectur
esat
l
east.Youcanspendt heweekendatmypl ace,okay?”He
sai
d,str
okingmyhai rgently.
“
Answery
ourboona”hebeggedme,
tickl
i
ngmet
hatIhad
t
osmil
eandblush.

Chi
maobi
alway
shadhi
swayofmaki
ngmehappy
.

“
Ist
hatapr
omi
se,
Maobi
?”Iaskedhi
m.
“
Apromise!Cr
ossmyheart
.”Hesai
d,maki
ngacr
osssi
gn
wi
thhi
sarmsonhischest
.
“
Alr
ight
…”

Hewal kedmetomydoorandmadesur
eIgotint
omy
room asusual
,becauseoft
heboy
swhousual
l
ypart
ied
aroundourhot
elgate.

“
AFrenchki
ssfort
henight
,pl
ease?
”Ir
equest
ed,
whenwe
wav
edbyetoeachother
.
“Oy
a!Getint
oyourroom osi
so,naught
ygirl
.”Hesai
d,
whi
l
eIlaughedhar
d,int
otheroom andf
ell
onmybed.
Tbc
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
TOLANI

EPI
SODE3

Ilai
donthebedwi t
hasur rept
it
ioussmil
eforal
mostan
hour,r
ecal
li
ngagain,scenebyscene,actbyact
,ev
ery
thi
ng
thathadtr
anspi
redbetweenChi maobiandme.

Itwasli
keakal ei
doscope,ever
yli
tt
lethi
ngseemedto
tumbleoverinmybr ai
nbox,ini
ti
ati
ngnewev ermor
eviv
id
andcolourf
ullovepatt
ernsinmymi nd.

Myphoner
angedandi
twasChi
maobi
.
“
Bae,I
'
m homenow.Ihopey
ou'
vet
akeny
ourni
ghtbat
h?”
Hesai
d.
“
No,justt
hinki
ngabouty
ou.Can'
ttakeof
fmymi
nd.
”I
r
esponded.
“
Metoo.Please,
bat
handsleep,
soy
oucangoear
lyf
or
y
ourl
ectur
es.”Hesuggest
ed.
“
Alr
ight
,Il
ovey
ou.
”Isai
d.
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”Hesai
d,hangi
ngt
hecal
l
.

Il
ookedthr
oughmyphone,
cli
ckedonmygal
l
eryand
changedmyphonescr
eenwal
lpapert
ohi
spi
ctur
e.

Ij
umpedoutoft hebedi
mmediatel
yandwentint
othe
bathr
oom, si
ngingReubenSt
uddard'
sIneedanangel
song.
Isangitsoloudly.

Thenextday,Iwentf
orlect
uresi
nschoolandIcoul
dnot
concent
rat
e.Iwasjustt
hinki
ngaboutChi
maobi.

Iwasseat
edatHal
l14,
whenRut
h,myf
ri
end,
camei
n.
“
Whatisi
t?Youl
ooksodull
.Iknowiti
sTochi
agai
n.That
f
o.ol
hasbeat
enyouupagai
n?”Iaskedher
.
“
Yes,becauseIconfront
edhi
m ov
erhi
sWhat
sApp
messagetoalady.”Shesai
d.

“Ihavetol
dy outol
eavethatboy.Thatboyi
snot hi
ngbut
acheatandamonst er
.Hel i
vesinmylodge,Iseehowhe
bri
ngsdiff
erentwomentohisroom.Mor eov
er,he'sa
smallboyinthesamelev
el wit
hyouinschool.Gof or
seri
ousrel
ati
onshi
p,Rut
h.Whyshouldyouall
owaman
youarenotmarri
edto,t
olayafi
ngeronyou?Eveni
fyou
aremarr
iedtohim,hehasnori
ghttobeatyou.
”Ibl
amed
andconsol
edheratthesameti
me.

Aftert
wol ect
ures,Ibecamef
amishedandhadmi ssed
Chimaobi.IhadplanstogotoChi
maobi'
splace.Ihadn'
t
thepati
encetowai tforhi
mtocomepickmeuponFr i
day
mor ni
ngasplanned.
Ihadthr
eel
ect
urest
hatday
,butIcoul
dn'
twai
tfort
hel
ast
l
ectur
e.
“
Rut
h,makewegoabeg.Iam t
ir
ed.
”IbeggedRut
h.
“SayyouwanttogoseeChi ma,nodewhi neme.I
'm
stayi
ngbackforMr.Ernest
'sl
ectures,
Idonotwantto
haveatt
endanceissueswit
hhim. ”Shesai
d.
“Abeg,Inogett
hatpat
ience.Iwil
lcal
lyoulat
eratni
ght.
Nof or
geto,si
gnforme”ItoldherasIwalkedoutoft
he
hall
.

Igothome,changedi
ntoanot
herwearandlef
tfor
Chimaobi
'
sapar t
ment,
almosti
mmediatel
y.

“
TakeyourYouTubegadget
s,soy
oucanmakevideofor
y
ourchanneldur
ingt
heweekend,
nah.
”Ir
esonat
ed,but
r
efusedt
oadher
etot
headv
ice.

Ionl
yhadmyhandbag,
nocl
otheswhat
soev
er.
“
Chi
maobi
'
spol
oshi
rtandshor
tswoul
ddot
heweekend
f
orme.
”

BeforegoingtoChimaobi'
sapart
ment,IwenttoMama
Mmesoma' sroadsi
derest
aurant
,whereChimaobi
andI
usuall
ybuyi si
ewu.Ienj
oyedherisi
ewu,al
thoughi
twas
expensiv
e.Iwant edtosur
pri
seChimaobi.
“
Ican'
ttel
lwhol
i
kest
hei
siewumor
e.”Ir
esonat
ed.

Comingin,
MamaMmesomawasshout i
ngather
daught
ertogogetaspoonf
oracust
omer.

“Anuofia!Goandgethim aspoon.”Sheshoutedat
Mmesoma.Mmesomawasal soanonl ygir
lchi
ld,shehad
manyexpect at
ionsonher,j
ustli
keme.Thedi ff
erenceswe
shareis,myparentsareweal
thy,andIdidn'
thavet owork,
whileMmesomahadt ostayinhermom' sshopt osurv
ive.
Ioftentri
edtal
kingtoheranyt
imeChi maobiandmecome
around.

Icoul
dsensesheadmi
redev
ery
thi
ngaboutme.
“
Goodaf
ter
noonma”Igr
eet
edMamaMmesoma.
“EhheeNnem…Howar eyou?Youdi dn'
tcomewi t
hyour
boyfriendtoday?”Sheaskedmewi thabeautif
ulsmil
e,
revealingherwidediast
ema,thatIwonderedifshewas
reall
yt hesameper sonwhoshoutedasecondback.How
shecoul dswitchemot i
onswasquiteskil
lf
ulandworthyt
o
best udied.
“
Hei
sfi
ne,
ma.
”Ismi
l
edback.
“Hahaha…Iknowi sisiewuyouwant
.HowmanyIgoput?
”
Sheasked,asshet urnedtoMmesoma'
sdi
rect
ionand
shoutedatheragain.
“Whatareyousti
lldoi
ngther
e?Goandpoundt
hatfuf
u
befor
eitgetsl
ate.Youknowyouar
egoingtot
hemarket
today
.”Shesai
dt oMmesomaandt ur
nedtome,r
aisi
ng
hereyebr
ows.
“Three,ma,
Iwantt
hree.
”Ispoke,
asshepackagedmy
order.

Iwalkeddownt ot hepedestri
anbr i
dgetocrossov erto
theothersideoftheroad, whenIsawamancar ryi
ngfrui
t
i
nawheel bar
row.Hewor eanupanddownJal labiawitha
wovehat .Iwavedathim, butitseemedhedi dn'thearme,
Iwavedandcal ledhim again,heturnedandmov edtowar
d
mydi r
ection.
"Finepi
kin,
for
giveme,
thesuni
stoomuchwal
ahi
.Ino
hearyou”Hesaid
“Sor
ryaboutt
hat
.“Isai
dwi
thawar
mthsmi
l
eand
cont
inued.
“Putabal l
ofwat er
melon,
pineappleand5applesf
orme,
please.Thisyourbananai
snotf r
esho,butput2bunches
forme. ”Il
ist
ed.

“
Hhhmmn,finepi
ki
n,y
oufitf
ini
shal
lthese,
abinawit
h
y
ourboy
fri
endyouwanteatam?”heasked,l
aughi
ng.
“
Theboyf
ri
endweyyougi
vemena.
”Isai
d,gi
vi
nghi
m hi
s
money
,asIwal
kedaway.

Soon,Iwasi
nChimaobi'
sapart
mentandatt
hedoor
,I
tr
iedmysparekey
,,buti
twasn'
topeni
ng.
Ideci
dedt
ouset
hedoor
bel
l
.

Ist
oodforwhatl
ookedl
i
keanhourbef
oret
hedoor
opened.
Shocki
ngl
y,i
twasnotChi
maobi
thatopenedt
hedoor
.

I
twasal
ady
,dr
essedi
nChi
maobi
'
spol
o,apol
oIbought
forhim onl asty ear'
sv al
entineday.Herhai rwasmer cury-
red,andi ttumbl edov erhershoulders.Shehadahoney
fullsweetlips.Theywer eblossom sof tmer elooki
ngatit,
slenderey ebrows, andshehadagl ossyski n.Shewas
actuall
ybeaut i
fulthatIcouldnothelpbutt ocompar eand
cont r
astherbeaut ywi t
hmi neoutofj ealousy.Inseconds,
Isearchedf orwhatIwasbet t
eri
n,inor dertoconsole
my self.
Amischi
evoussmi
legr
acedmylipswhenInot
icedIhad
mor
ecurvyandful
l
erbutt
ockst
hanshehad.

“Whati
sawomanwithoutaf
ull
but
tocksl
i
kemine?
”I
quer
iedmy
sel
fandgotmadatthesameti
me.

“
Ist
histhereasonChimaobir
efusedtoletmestayback
y
est
erday?”IaskedherasIst
eppedintothesi
tt
ing-
room.
“
Hel
l
o!Whoar
eyou?
”Thegi
rlaskedme,
irr
it
ated.
“
Ishoul
dbet
heoneaski
ngy
out
hat
,ugl
y.
”Ibl
urt
ed.
“Areyoumad?”Sheaskedme, butIwalkedawayfrom her,
thr
ewmyhandbagandal lt
hegoodiesIhadboughtont he
fl
oorasIranupstai
rstoChimaobi
'sroom whi
lethegir
l
fol
lowedme,shoutingatmetogetback,butIdi
dn'tev
en
giv
eheranyattenti
on.
Ij
ustwantedt
oseeChimaobi
andshowhi
m howmada
Yor
ubaladycoul
dbe.

Get
ti
ngt
ohi
sdoor
,Ibangedathi
sdoorl
i
keamadwoman.
“Chimaobi!Chimaobi,comeouthere!
”Isaid,scr
eamingso
l
oudwi thmyey ebrowsscrunchedtogether
,myf or
ehead
creased,mylipsti
ghtened,
myj awstensed,andmy
nostri
lsfl
ared.

Iwasev
err
eadyt
otearChi
maobi
int
onot
hing.

Tobecont
inued…
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
TOLANI

EPI
SODE4

Chi
maobi
openedt
hedoorandIwal
kedi
ntot
her
oom.
“
Howdar
eyoucheatonme?
”Iscr
eamedathi
m.
“
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?”Heasked,
conf
used.
“
Whoisshe?Whoisthatt
hing?Howcouldyoudot
hist
o
me?
”Isai
d,hi
tt
inghi
sarmsandchest,cr
ying.
“
Bit
*Ch!Iam not
hing.I
'
m gonnahi
tyouhar
dify
our
epeat
t
hatagai
n.”shesai
dtome,
comi
ngi
ntot
her
oom.
“
Youcan'
tdoany
thi
ng.
”If
ir
edbackather
.

“Oh!MyGod,Tol
ani
,thi
sismycousi
nsi
ster
.”Hesai
d,and
Iwasstr
uckdumb.
“
Looser,
youshoul
dtrustyourmanandst
opbei
ng
i
nsecur
e,youugl
ythi
ng.”Shesai
dtome.
“I
'
m goingtosl
apyourmouthi
fyoucal
lmethatagai
n.”I
shoneherasChimaobi
keptsl
appi
nghi
sfor
eheadoutof
fr
ustr
ati
on.
“Tr
yit
!Letmeteach…”Shesai
d,andChi
maobi
int
err
upt
ed,
shout
ingatt
hebothofus.
“Couldy
outwoj
ustst
op?Whati
sthi
skwanu?Ony
i,
excuseus.
”
“
But
…”
“
Onyi,
please,excuseus.Iwanttospeaktomygi
rl
.”He
t
oldher,shel
ookedatmedi sdai
nful
l
y,maki
nga“
fu.ck”
y
ousignwi t
hheri ndexf
inger.
“Ony
i!I
'm notgoi
ngtotol
erat
ethat
.”Heshout
edatheras
sheshutthedooragai
nstus.

Hehi
vedasi
ghofrel
i
efandtur
nedtowhereIwasseat
ed
ont
hebed,
withmyheadlower
edinshame.
“Ihav
et ol
dy outolear
nhowt ocalmyoursel
fwheny ou
areangry.Youdon'thavetoshoutt
oexpressyoursel
f.
Stopmaki ngassumptionsandtr
ustme,Tolani
.Whatis
yourproblem?Howmanyt i
meswi l
lIt
ell
y outotr
ustme?”
Hecriedout.

“Youwilli
njureyour
selfoneday,o.Ev
eryti
me,yourblood
i
shotlikeMamaMmesoma' sNkwobi;isi
ewu.
”Hesai d
angri
l
y,butt hesimi
leheusedcrackedmeupt hatIhadto
l
augh.Tot hinkIboughtthespi
cyNkwobi mademel augh
themor e.
“
It
'snotalaughingmatter.I
tisnot
,lookatOnyi
Iwanted
t
ointr
oducey outoher,
y ouhavegivenheranawful
i
mpressi
on.”Hesaid,walkingoutonme.
“
Obi
m,I
'
m sor
ry.
”Ibeggedhi
m,hol
dinghi
m byt
hewai
st.
“
Abeg,
hapugodum aka.
”Hesai
d,r
emov
ingmyhands.
“
Iwi
l
lnothapugi
aka.
”Ir
esponded.
“
Comeher
e.”Isai
d,dr
aggi
nghi
mtomy
sel
f.
“
Nne,
I'
m nothappy
,pl
ease.
”Her
epeat
edwi
thdi
spl
easur
e.
“IknowIdidn'tdowel
l,
Obi
.I'
m genuinel
ysorr
y.Iwill
go
andapologizetoher
.Buty
ouhav etoforgi
vemef i
rst.
”I
pleaded.
“Oh?”Isai
d,t
ouchi
nghi
scheeksanddraggi
nghi
sbear
ds.
Ipressedmyfacet
ohisandresumed,
“
Kissmeandy
ourt
emperwi
l
lgol
ow.
”
Buthewoul
dnotr
espond.

“I
t'
salri
ght,nowahal
a.Letmeexcusey
ou.
”Isai
d,t
urni
ng
around,pr
etendi
ngIwasleav
ing.
“Mcheeww,comeher
e,j
oor
.”Hepul
l
edmebackt
ohi
s
chestandki
ssedme.
“
I'
vemissedy
ousomuch,
babi
e.”Hesai
d,car
ryi
ngmet
o
t
hebed.
“Notnow,
babe,
letmegoandapol
ogi
zet
oyoursi
ster
.”I
sai
d.

“Leav
ethatone,
lat
er,y
oudothat
.Takecar
eofy
ourbaby
boyfi
rst
.”Hesai
d,removi
nghi
sshir
t.
“
Younogolikecal
m downabi
?”Iaskedhi
m,asIwentt
o
t
heguestr
oom toapol
ogi
zetoOnyi.

Get
ti
ngt
othedoor
,Iknocked.
“
It
'sme,Tolani
.Pleaseletmei n.I
'm deepl
ysorr
yforbei
ng
t
hisway.Iwishi
tdidn'thappen.”Ipl
eaded,butshe
r
efusedtoopenthedoor .
“
F*ckoffb*
tch!
”Shekeptshout
ingonme.Igotf
edupand
l
eftt
othesit
ti
ngroom t
opickupthegoodi
esIbought
.
“
Nashesabi
,Idonapol
ogi
ze.Iam notdoi
ngt
hatagai
n.”

Ihadall
thefrui
tint
hefr
idgeandpouredthespi
cyNkwobi
i
siewuinaclassybowl
,tookapackofStr
awberr
yjui
ceto
Chimaobi'
sroom.
“LookwhatIgoty
ou!TheMamaMmesoma'
sspi
cy
Nkwobiy
oucompar edmeto”
.

Heimmediat
elydeepenhi
shandsint
othebowland
scoopedagoodchunkofmeatint
ohismouth.

“
Oh!Youbewif
emat er
ial
,o!
”Heshoutedi
nexci
tement
,
t
hrowi
ngmorechunksint
ohismouth.
“
Cal
m downna,
Maobi
.Ki
l
ode?
”
“Fimi l
eejoor”hespokeinYorubaandIhadtolaughhard.
Chimaobi wouldconstant
lyt
rytosaysomeYor ubawords
l
ikeIalwaysdi dinI
gbo.Wefoundoursel
vesdoingthat
often.I
tmadeuscomf ort
abl
ewi t
heachotherdespi
teour
tri
baldif
ferences.

“
Yourcousi
nsist
eristoorude,
shenogr
eeoo.Shesai
d,
“
Fu*CKoffb*t
ch”.Igi
stedhim.
Helaughedandspoke,“NaLondongi rl
na.Them noget
chil
l
stoo.Sheforbreakyournose.That'
showcra*zythey
are.
”Hesaid,eat
ingtheNkwobi sofast.

“Shenof
it.Am Ihandi
capped?
”Iaskedhi
m,chuckl
i
ngand
giggl
i
ng.
Hel
ookedatmef
orawhi
l
eandsai
d,
“Comehere,
”ashedraggedandtr
iedt
okissme,butI
pressedmykneest
omychest,rol
l
ingmyeyesi
nagi r
li
sh
manner.
“
No,
let
'sf
ini
sht
hisf
ir
st.
”
“
Kissmeosi
so.
”heor
der
ed,
play
ful
l
y.
“
Iwon'
t”
Heheldoutt
omyarmsanddraggedmet
ohimself
,ashe
t
ri
edtofor
cesomechewedmeatint
omymouth.
“Chi
maobi!I
t'
sdisgust
ing.STOP!”Ist
ruggl
edandattacked
him wi
thmyfull
-bodystr
engthl
ikeIwasstrongenoughto
fi
ghthi
m.

Hewascar eful
nottorespondtomewi t
hequal
vi
ciousness,
hegrabbedmebyt heneckwit
hhisfi
nger
s
al
mostmaki ngafull
circul
arcur
vearoundmythi
nneck.
“Ah!Openy ourmout
h.”Heorder
edagai
n,andsatonmy
bell
y.Ishookmyheadl ef
tandri
ghtt
ostophi
m, l
aughed
soloud.

Chimaobigrabbedmywai fi
sharms,butIstruggl
edand
shookhim off
,hismalepr otect
ivei
nsti
nctwouldn'tl
ethi
m
fi
ghtmewi thallhi
sstrength,butmyrelent
lessnesswas
demandingequal r
eaction,sohepurposelysqueezedmy
twowristt
ogether,ver
yhar dthatIhadtoscream.

“
Ah!Maobi
!You'
rehur
ti
ngme,
stop!
”
“
Ngwanu,
ah!Openy
ourmout
h”
“
No!
”

Hesqueezedi
thar
dert
oexpl
oremypai
nendur
ancel
i
mit
.

“Ah!
”Iscr
eamedsoloudinpai
n,openi
ngmymout
hasI
coul
dn'
tholdanymorepai
ns.

Helockedhi
sli
pswi
thmi
neandpr
essedt
hechewedmeat
i
ntomymout h.
“Chewandswal lowit.That'
syourpuni
shmentforshout
ing
anddist
urbingthepeaceoft hi
shouse.”Hesai
d,pressi
ng
mywr i
sttogetherthemor e.
“
Babe,
stopnah!
”
“Chewandswal
l
ow!
”Hepr
essedhar
dert
hatIhadt
odoas
hesaid.
“
Goodgi
rl
!”Hesai
d,st
andi
ngupf
rom me.
“
Youar
esuchabul
l
y.”Isai
d,f
rowni
ng.
“
Andyou?You'
resuchast ubbor
n,beaut
if
uldol
l
.”hesai
d,
t
uggi
ngmycheekstolaugh.
“
Leav
emeal
one”
“
Iwon'
t.
”
Hepest
eredmer
elent
lessl
y.

“
Iwil
lneedtocal
lmybrot
herstobeaty
ouuponeday
.”I
t
eased,f
rowni
ng,ashel
aughed.

“You'veforgot
tenI'm acompleteI
gboguy,Iwi
llbeatyour
brothersblue-
black.NaakpuIdeswall
owf orcl
oset o3
decades, NWA.”Hesai d,hol
dingmebythewaistand
kissi
ngmyneckr andomly .

Ihadmi
ssedhi
m andhadenj
oyedourpl
ayf
ight
s.I
coul
dn'
twai
ttof
eel
him agai
n.

“Oya,ndoo?Iwon'
tdothatagain.
”Hedraggedmet ol
ie
downont hebed,
ashecontinuedtoki
ssme, Ir
esponded,
hol
dinguntohimti
ght
ly.

Hetor
emei
nsecondsl
i
kehewasi
nhur
ry,
unl
i
keourf
ir
st
day
.

Thisti
me,hewasswif
tashef l
ungmybr
atot
hefl
oor,
l
ookedupintomyeyes,ki
ssedmychi
n,mymout
h,andour
tonguest
ouched,
“
oh,
toomuch!
”Icr
iedashesl
i
ppedhisl
ipsf
reei
ntomine,
mov
eduptoki
ssmynose,ononesi
de,t
hentheot
her
.

Tensi
onev
ery
wher
e

Hemovedbackdown,unt
ilhei
slev
elwi
thmybreast
s,
t
hen,
herai
sedmyskir
tupanddraggedmyundi
esdown
t
omyhips,
withhi
sfi
ngeri
nsideme.

I
naf ewmi
nutes,
Ibegant ohavesomei
tchyf
eel
i
ngs
bet
weenmylegs,butIconti
nued,
for
get
ti
ngal
lmyworr
ies.
Idi
dn' tevencar
ewhatmybr other
sormypr ot
ectiv
e
parentswouldfeell
ikei
ftheygottoknowthatthei
rli
tt
le
babygi rl
isunder
neathaman.Ijustwant
edChimaobi
for
ev er.

For
evert
omy
sel
f.

“Suchasweet,lov
ingman.
”Iwhinedmywaistandbodyin
pleasure,
butt
hepepper
ishi
tchyfeel
i
ngscameagainin
fulldi
scomfor
t.

“Bl
oodofJesus!Wai
tami
nut
e,babe.
”Ishout
ed,
pushi
ng
him awayf
rom me.
“
Whati
sit
?”
“Di
dyouwashy
ourhands?
”Icr
iedouti
npai
ns.
“
JesusChri
st!Idi
dn't,
itdi
dn'toccurtome.Oh,myGod.
Whatshoul
dwedo? ”Hesaid,helpl
essl
y,asIst
oodup
i
mmediatel
y,shout
ing,

“
Chi
maobi
,youhav
eki
l
ledmeo.
”

Jumpinganddanci
nginacr
obati
cnat
ure,r
unni
ngi
ntot
he
bat
hroom,asChimaobir
anaft
erme.
Wahalaf
orwhodeeatMamaMmesoma'
sisi
ewuwi
thout
washi
nghands.
.
Wi
l
lwashi
ngher
sel
fhel
pher
?

Abegadv
iseTol
ani
onwhatt
odot
oeaset
hispai
n.

Tobecont
inued.
..
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
*TOLANI
*

Epi
sode6

“Youdi
dn'
tcomewithyourYouTubegadgets,Tol
ani.I
needyout
ogetseri
ouswithcreati
ngcontentonYouTube.
Thisi
swhyIboughtt
hosethingsfory
ou.”Chimaobisaid
tomewhil
eIprepar
edbreakfastonFr
idaymor ni
ng.

“Icameforr
elaxat
ion,
forGod'ssake,
man.Letmebe.
”I
saidtohi
m,turni
ngtheplant
ainwhil
eitf
ri
ed.
“Idon'tgety
ou.Thisisthefour
thweeky ouhavenot
updatedont hatchannel
.Ihavetol
dyout olear
naskil
l,
no,
startYouTubechannel,wahal
a.Ishoul
dn'tbepushi
ngyou
todowhaty ouar esupposedtodo.Youar enotachi
ld.
”
Hebl urt
edangril
y.

“Don'tt
alkt
omel ikethat.Don'
tinsul
tme,Chimaobi
.What
doyoumeanbyt hat?So,Ihavenostandi
ngandbearing?I
am lazy,
abi?
”Iaskedhi m,droppingt
hefr
yingspoon
l
oudlyinthesink.

“Youcanint
erpr
etithoweveryouli
ke.It
'snotmybusiness.
Iwil
lnotsayanyt
hingtoyouconcerningski
llacqui
sit
ionor
yourYouTubechannelagai
n.Ishouldnotkeepbegging
youtohelpyour
self.
”Herepeated.

Ibecamemad, swi
tchedof
fthegas,l
eav
ingt
hepl
ant
aini
n
thefr
yingpan,
asIwalkedoutonhim.

“
Tol
ani
!Youarewal
kingoutonme?Tol
ani
,I
'mt
alki
ngt
o
y
ou.
”Hecall
edout,
butIignor
edhi
m.

Igott
ohi
sroom,
openedt
hewar
drobeandpi
ckedupmy
cl
othe.
“Tolani
,I
'mtal
ki
ngtoyou,andyouwal
kedoutonme?
”He
saidagain,
comingi
ntotheroom.

“I
sitabadthingt
otel
lyout
het
rut
h?”Heaskedme,
whi
l
eI
dressedup.
“
Wher
edoy
out
hinky
ouar
egoi
ngt
o?”Heasked.
“Tol
ani?”Hesai
d,t
ouchi
ngme,
butIsl
appedhi
shands
andhissed.

Hebecamehushed,
looki
ngatme.

“I
fyouwal
koutofthatdoor
,Tol
ani
,i
t'
sov
erbet
weeny
ou
andme.Don'
tcal
lme.”Hesaid.
“Doesitlookl
i
keIcar
e?”Iaskedhi
m,cl
appi
ngmyhands
asIpickedmybagandleft
.

Sur
pri
singl
y,hedi
dn'
tst
opme.

Gett
ingtomylodge,Ithr
ewmybagont hefl
oor
,fel
lonthe
bedasIchokedwithtears.Icoul
dfeel
alumpinmyt hr
oat
asIbli
nkedawaythetears.
“Idon'
tblamehim,Ibl
amemy sel
fforsl
eepi
nginhi
s
place.
”Icri
edagai
n,wait
ingf
orhimtocallme.

Inev
erwant
edtoleave,It
houghthewasgoi
ngt
ostopme
asusual
orapol
ogize,
buthedidn'
twhi
chgotmeangr
ier
.

“
Iwi
ll
nevercal
lhi
m agai
n,t
ohel
lwi
thhi
m.”Isai
d,cr
ying
t
hemore.

Ataf
ter
noonandatni
ght,
Iwait
edpati
entl
yforhiscall
s,
gl
anci
ngatmyphoneinever
yminut
e,buthedidn'tcal
l
.

“
Callhi
m andapologize.
”Ir
esonated,
typi
ngat
ext
message,butIcl
earedit
,dr
oppingmyphone.
“
WhyshouldIreachouttohi
m.Whyshoul
dhet
alkt
ome
l
i
ket
hat?”Ithoughtagai
n.

Iwentonwi
tht
heset
hought
sunt
ilIsl
eptof
f.

Openi
ngmyey esonSaturday'
smor ni
ng,Ihadhopet
osee
hi
scall
sort
exts,butIdi
dn't
,unl
ikehim whowould
apol
ogi
zeevenwhenhe'snotatf aul
t.
“Whatchanged?”Iponder
edandcr
ied,
asIbl
ockedhi
m on
al
lhismobil
elinesandsocial
medi
ahandl
es.

Afewminut
eslat
er,Iunblockedhi
m agai
nandwai
tedf
or
hi
scal
l
s,butnonecamei n,andIbl
ockedagai
n.

OnSundaymor ni
ng,
Itoldmysel
fIwasnotgoingt
ocr
yfor
hi
m.Idressedupsofineandlef
tforchur
ch.

Comi ngoutfrom thechur

chatabout11:
24am,
IsawMr.
Ernest,
myl ectur
er,whohadbeenonmyneckforal
ong
ti
me.

Mr.Er
nestwasahandsomeguywhohashadey
esonme
si
ncemyf i
rsty
eari
nschool
.

“
Tol
ani
,howar
eyou?
”Hesai
dtomeasIgr
eet
edhi
m.
“
I'
mfi
ne,
sir
.”
“CanIofferyouar i
de?Don'tsayno,again,pl
ease.”He
pleaded,andIdidn'
thesit
ate.Al
though,Ihadsti
llwanted
Chimaobi back,
,butIcoul
dn'thel
pbuttof r
eemy selff
rom
thehurt.
“Pl
entyofmenar eaft
erme.Heshouldn'
tfeel
he'
sin
di
sposabl
e.”Isai
d,ent
eri
ngint
othecar.

Notqui
tealongt
imeontheri
de,aswediscussed,
Mr.
Er
nestbeganhi
slengt
hyl
ovespeechagai
n.

“Tolani,
justgi
vemeachance.Ev enify
ouhav esomeone,
j
ustt ryusbothfi
rst.Youcanchoosewhoy ouwanttobe
with.Anddon'tbotherabouty
ourresul
tthi
ssemester,
iti
s
safe.”Hebeggedme.

“
Iwi
l
lthi
nkabouti
t,si
r.
”Isai
d,ashedr
ovet
omygat
e.
BeforeIcoul
dknowwhatwashappeni
ng,
hepeckedmy
cheeksandsmiled.

Ifel
tli
kesl
appi
nghim butcoul
dn'
tforhi
m hur
ti
ngmeby
fai
li
ngmeinhiscour
se.
“Idon'tbl
amey ou,
Iblamemysel
fforenteri
ngyourcar
becauseIwanttohurtChi
maobi.
”Ithoughtwit
hinmeand
fakedasmi l
e.
Hebr
oughtoutabunchofmoneyandaskedmet
ousei
t
f
ormytr
ansport
ati
onfar
etoschool
.
Iwasshocked,
dumb.
“
No,
sir
.Pl
ease,
don'
tst
ress.
”Isai
d.
“Pl
ease,don'
tsayno.
”Hepleadedonandon,
unti
lI
col
lect
edthemoneyfrom hi
m andgotdownfr
om t
hecar
.

Tur
ningar
oundtogetint
othegate,
IsawChimaobi
,
st
andingi
nablacksenat
orwear,
looki
ngst
ernl
yatme.

Igotangr
ier
,andwal
kedpasthi
m.

“
Tol
ani
!”Hecal
l
ed,
fol
l
owi
ngme,
butIkeptwal
ki
ngf
ast
er.

Het
rodbehi
ndmeandhel
dmyl
eftar
ms.
“
I'
m sor
ry,
Idi
dn'
tmeant
ohur
tyou.
”
“
Gety
ourhandsof
fme.
”Let
ti
ngmy
sel
foutofhi
sgr
ip.
“
Babe,
ithasn'
tgot
tent
othi
s.”Hegr
ippedmeagai
n.
“I
fyout
ouchmeagain,
Iwil
lshoutformyl odgeboy
st o
comebeaty
ouup.Inogetchi
ll
.”If
iredhim,andwalked
i
ntomyroom,shut
ti
ngthedooragainsthi
m.
Foral
most20minutes,
Chi
maobi
cont
inuedt
oknockon
mydoor,
butIi
gnoredhim.

Hegott
ir
edandl
eft
.

Idi
dn'
twantt
othinkabouthim,so,
Ical
ledRut
h,andwe
wentoutt
ofi
ve-
starrest
aurant
stohaveourl
unch.

Asusual
,Igi
stedherofal
lthathadhappened.

Gett
inghome,myphoneconti
nuedt
ori
ng.I
twasanew
l
ine,
butIref
usedt
opickthecall
.

Mondayev
eni
ng,aft
erl
ect
ures,anothernewmobil
eli
ne
cal
l
edmeagain.Thi
sti
me,Idecidedtopickt
hecal
l.

“
Hel
l
o,goodev
eni
ng.I
t'
sOny
i,Chi
maobi
'
scousi
n.”Came
t
hevoi
ce.
“
HowcanIhel
pyou,
please.
"Isai
d,r
udel
y.
“
Please,
Tol
i
ni”sodi
dshepr
onouncemyname.
“
Tol
ini
,stoppunishi
ngChimaobi
thi
sway.Hehasrefused
t
oeatfoodsinceFri
day,
youbothhadaf
ight
.Please,
unbl
ockhi
sli
nes.
”Shepl
eaded.

“Thel
astti
meIchecked,y
ouwer
ekeepi
ngmal
i
cewi
thme.
Keepthesameenergy,
gir
l.
”
“Please,girl
.Let'
ssideourdi fferencesandtalkaboutmy
brother,
y ourman.Chi maobi hastalkedtoaboutyouwhile
Iwasi nLondon.Hehasnot imef orladi
es.Chimaobii
s
strongathear t,
butIseehowhe' ssoweakandsof twhen
i
tcomest oy ou.Pleasedon' ttakehi mforgrant
ed.You
knowhel ovesy ou.Youar etheonl ygirl
I'
veseenhim wit
h.
Chimaobi wouldnev erletanygirlintohi
shouse.Please
don'thurthimf orlovingy outhismuch.Hehasr ef
usedto
tal
kt oany one.Mom, hasbeencal l
inghim,
,buthehas
refusedtopi ck.
”Shesai d,melti
ngmyhear t
.

“Areyouseri
ous?Howishe?Ihopehe'sfi
ne?”Ibecame
alar
m, andsor
ryforl
ett
ingmygrudgesl
inger
.
“
Iwi
l
lcomepi
cky
ouupwi
thhi
scarnow.
”Sheof
fer
ed.
“No,don'
tworr
y.Iwi
l
lcomer
ightaway
.”Isai
d,andwe
hungthecal
l.

Ii
mmedi at
elypickedupmyYouTubegadget swhi
chwere
usual
lypackagedinthebag,
pickedupmyhandbagand
somef ewclot
hest oat
tendl
ecturesf
rom hi
shouseand
l
efttoChimaobi'
shouse.
Getti
ngt
othehouse,Ir
angthebellandOnyicameinand
openedt
hedoor,huggi
ngmet ight
ly,
andIcouldsni
fft
he
str
awber
ryscentfr
om hercl
othe.
“Thankyousomuchforcomi
ng,Tol
i
ni,
I'm gr
atef
ul.
”She
said,
taki
ngmyYouTubegadget
sbagfrom me.
“
Youdon'
thav
etobe,
please.Wher
eishe?
”
“
Inhi
sroom”
“
Alri
ght…”Isai
d,f
eeli
nghappyandsadf
orwi
nni
ngt
he
f
ightandalsomakingmymansad.
Ony
iknockedonhi
sdoorandcal
l
edoutt
ohi
m.
“
Chi
maobi
,pl
ease,
comeandeat
.”
“
Ony
i!Letmebe.
”Heshout
ed.
“Letmecal
lhi
m ont
hephone.
”Iof
fer
ed.Shenoddedher
headandsmil
ed.

Idi
aledhi
snumberandhepi
ckedi
nasecond.
“
Bae,
I'
m sor
ry.Iknow…”Hespoke,
apol
ogi
zi
ng.
“
It
'sok,
bae.Justcomeandopent
hedoor
.”
“
What
?”
“
Yeah.I
'
m aty
ourdoor
.”
Heopenedt
hedoorandhuggedmet
ight
ly.
“I
'v
emi ssedyousomuch.”Hecar
ri
edmeupwi th
excit
ement,asIwrappedmyl
egsroundhi
m andhel
dhi
s
headwithmybot hhands,
whi
leheheldmebefor
ehi
m,
ki
ssingmyneck.

“Tol
ini
,watchoutbef
orehei
njur
esy
ou.
”Ony
isai
daswe
alll
aughed.
Hecar
ri
edmeint
otheroom,shutthedoorwithhi
sri
ght
l
egandsatmeonthedesk,
looki
ngatmecl osel
y.
“I
'
v emissedy ou.I
'mlostinyourlov
e,Tolani
.You'v
e
brokenmymanl i
ness.Ican'
tevenform nottolov
ey ou.I
am sorryforspeaki
ngt oyouinthatmanner.Itwi
llnever
happenagai n.
”Hebegged.

“Iam sor r
ytoo, bae.Youwer eactual
lyri
ght
.Youhav emy
studiesandcar eeratheart.Menlikeyouarerare.I
'
m sor
ry
forwalkingoutony ou.Thatwasdi sr
espect
ful.
”Itr
ied
sayingmor e,buthepl acedhishandsonmyl ipsand
kissedmyf orehead.
Hepl
acedmyheadonhi
sshoul
der
,st
roki
ngmyhead.
“
Ilov
eyousomuch,Tolani.Somucht
hatIdon'
twantt
o
l
oseyou.
”Hesai
d,hel
pless.
“
Ilov
eyoumuchmor
e,Obi
m.”
“
Whowast
heguyIsawy
ouwi
th?
”Ref
err
ingt
oMr
.Er
nest
andIl
aughed.
“
Jeal
ousy!ThatwasMr
.Er
nest
,myl
ect
urer
.TheoneIt
old
y
ouof.”
“Hhhmm!Inearl
ydi
edwhenIsawy oust
eppedoutofhi
s
car.
”Hesai
d,andIl
aughedathi
m agai
n.
“
Yeyegi
rl
!Ial
mosthadahear
tat
tack.
”Hesai
d,dr
aggi
ng
myear
s.
“
So,
whatwer
eyoudoi
ngi
nhi
scar
?”Cur
ious.
“
Forgethim,
he'
snomatchforyou.Hej
ustof
fer
edmea
r
ide,gav
emeahundredthousand.
”
“What
?Youar
etaki
ngi
tbackt
ohi
m.Whatnonsense?
”He
sai
d.
“Nomi nd,am,hewantstoimpressme.ButIcan'
tbe
i
mpr essedbecauseChimaobihassett
hestandar
d”I
prai
sed,andhesmi l
ed.

“Guess?
”Hesai
d
“
What
?Justt
ell
me.
”
“
Wewoul
dbegoingtoAbuj
athi
sweekend.Iwantt
oshow
y
out
omyparent
s.”
“Man,chi
lax!Wearenoti
nahast
e.Andi
sthathowt
o
propose?
”Iasked,
laughi
ng.
“
Menay
ourguyna,
youcan'
tsaynot
ome.
”Heboast
ed
andbegant
ickl
i
ngme.
“Ican'
twaitt
omar r
yyou.Iam notcomfort
able, t
ouchi
ng
youandIcan'tcont
rol
my sel
fagain.Marr
yingy ounowis
thebestopti
on.So,wi
lly
ougoandseemypar ents?
Please?
”Hebegged.
“
Ononecondi
ti
on!
”Ir
oll
edmyey
es.
“
What
?”
“
Yout
akemeonanadv
ent
urousj
our
neyt
oni
ght
. ”
“Naughtygi
rl
.Youhavespoil
edme.Wheredoyoulear
nal
l
thesethi
ngssef?
”Hesaid,andIl
aughedhy
ster
ical
l
yashe
bitmyneckandt i
ckl
edmet hemore.

Tobecont
inued!
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
TOLANI

Epi
sode5

Get
ti
ngint
othebathr
oom,Ispreadmylegswi
deand
Chi
maobiswi
tchedontheshowertap.

Iwasl
i
teral
lyshouti
ngsoloud,
softl
ydabbi
ngmybet
ween
wit
habitofmildsoap.Idi
dthi
s,cr
ying.
Chi
maobi
becameconf
used.
“
Shoul
dIcal
lOny
i?”Heasked.
“
Don'
tyouev
endar
e!”Icr
ied.

Afewminuteslat
er,
Ist
oodup,
walki
ngoutoft
he
bat
hroom,cry
ingmoreandwal
ki
ngli
keanoldwoman.

“
Babe,I
'
m sosorr
y.”Heli
ft
edmeupwit
hbot
hhandsand
myarmswrappedroundhisneck.

Helai
dmeonthebedandhadmylegsspr
eadwideashe
begantof
ani
twit
hali
ghtbookhepi
ckedfr
om hi
sdesk.

“
Babe,
I'
m hav
ingani
rr
it
ati
onal
ready
.”Icr
ied.
“
Shoul
dwegot
othehospi
tal
?”Heasked,
concer
ned.
“
Youandwhoi
sdoi
ngt
hat
?”Iaskedhi
m,ey
einghi
m.

Hebegant
ost
rokemyl
egs.

“
I'
m sor
ry.
”Hecont
inuedpl
eadi
ng,
andmyphoner
ang.
Hest
oodupandbr
oughtmyphone,
itwasmydad.
“Tol
ani
,wher
ehaveyoukepty
ourphone?Don'
tgi
veme
hear
tatt
acko.Wher
eareyou?”Camemydad'svoi
ce.
“Daddy,Goodeveningsir.
”Igreet
edhim,bendingmy
shoulder
sinrespect,ev
ent houghhewasn'tpresentwi
th
me.AsaYor ubagirl,
Iwast rai
nedtokneeltogreetmy
elder
s.

“
I'
minmyr
oom,
Dad.
”Icont
inued.
“
So,
whywer
en'
tyoupi
cki
ngy
ourcal
l
s?”
“
I…Waspr
ayi
ng.
”Ist
utt
eredandChi
maobi
chuckl
ed.
“Waka!
”Imadethesi
gn,andhepul
ledmylegsand
sl
appedme.Icoul
dn'
tdoanythi
ngbecauseIwasonacal
l
wit
hmydad.
“Doyousti
l
lhavesomemoneywi
thy
ou?Whatdoy
ou
need?”Heasked.
“Yes,Dad.Ist
il
lhav
esomemoney
.Idonotneed
anythi
ng.”
“
Hopey
ouf
eedwel
l
?”
“
Daddy,I
'mfine.Ij
ustneedsomemoneyt
ochangemy
war
drobe.Notanecessit
y,t
hou.
”
“Eeeh!Maami wouldpayinsomemoneyint
oy ouraccount
tomorrow.Iwil
lgiv
ehersomemoneyt osendtoy ou.
Tolani
,emabinu,nofol
lowboysoo.I…”Heconti
nuedto
i
nst
ructme.Ibecameexhaust
ed.
“
Ah!Daddy
,I'
vehear
dyou.
”Isai
daswer
oundedt
hecal
l
.
Chi
maobihadgonedownstai
rst
omaketeaforme.He
camei
ntotheroom andpl
acedt
het
rayonthebed.
“
Akwanwa,
ngwanu,
comeandt
ake.
”
“
Idon'
twantt
o.”Ishookar
oundl
i
keat
oddl
er.
“
Pleaseoh?
”Hesai
d.

Aft
erwar
ds,
hewentdownstai
rswhil
eIwasonacall
wit
h
Ruth,
Ihadt
ogi
stheraboutwhathadhappened.

Shel
aughedsohar
d.

Aft
ermycal
ls,IhadjustwornChimaobi'
sboxers,
which
hel
dmybuttockssot i
ghtl
yli
keOkpainsi
deal eat
her
.I
worehi
sashsinglet
,tyi
ngitedgesunder
neathmychest.
Itdi
splayedmyt i
nywaist,br
oadhi psandf
ull
chest.I
couldeasil
ypassasamodel ,notformyhei
ght.Iwas
average,
darkskinned.Ablackbeaut yt
obehold.Iwas
verybeauti
ful
.Inreason,
menr ushedme.

Chi
maobi
couldn'
ttakeoffhi
seyesonmethever
ydayhe
sawmeatthepostutmeunit
.Hehadcometoschool
to
meetal
ect
urerf
ri
end.Hef
oll
owedmear
oundunt
ilhegot
mycont
act
.

Iwal
keddownst
air
saftermycal
lwit
hRut
handfound
Chi
maobiandOnyigi
sti
ngandwatchi
ngt
heTV.

Onyihadwor
nashortpi
nkdressandsatdownont
he
couchwit
hherl
egswideopen.

“Hasshenoshamet ositl
iket
hatbef
oreherbr
other
?”I
askedmysel
f,asIsatnexttoChi
maobi.

“
Hey
,Ony
i”Igr
eet
edher
,butshei
gnor
edme.

Chi
maobihel
dmylefthandandsmoochedi
tjustt
omake
mefeel
comfort
abl
e.

Si
l
enceembr
acedt
hesi
tt
ingr
oom.

Istoodup,wenttotheki t
chen,openedthefr
idgeand
broughtoutsomeappl es,pl
acedthem onthetrayand
camei nt
othesit
ti
ng-room.
Ret
urni
ngtothesit
ti
ngroom,shewasbusytal
ki
ngto
Chi
maobiandlaughi
nghard.Iknewshewasdoingt
hatt
o
makemefeeljeal
ousanduncomf or
tabl
e.

“
Notme,Tol
ani
.Trustme,Iwasr
eadytopepperher
i
nst
ead.Hei
smine.”Ir
esonat
ed,
placi
ngthetr
ayonthe
t
abl
e.

“Her
e,ev
ery
one.Someapples!”Pi
cki
nganappl
eas,
I
cameandsatonChimaobi
'
sl egs.
Chi
maobicoul
dn'tunder
standwhatwasonwi
tht
hel
adi
es.
Hewasbusywithhismov i
e.

Heinnocent
lywrappedhi
sar
msar
oundmywai
stand
cont
inuedwatchi
ngtheTV.

Isur
rept
it
iousl
ylookedar
oundandcaughtherl
ooki
ngat
me.
Itookabi
tef
rom t
heappl
eandf
edChi
maobi
wit
hthe
applei
nmymouth.

Ourl
i
psl
ockedashet
ooksomebi
te.
Asi
fthatwasn'
tenough,
Ibegant
oli
ckhi
sear
s.
“Baestop.
”Hesai
d,concent
rat
ingont
hemov
ie,
butI
cont
inued.
Hegotangryandbegant
oti
ckleme.Ibegantolaughso
muchloudert
hanthenor
maljustt
opepperher.

Shegotangr
yandl
eftt
hesi
tt
ing-
room.

Il
aughedoutl
ouderagai
n.

Chi
maobi
sti
l
lcoul
dn'
tgr
abwhatwashappeni
ng.

Wewer ei
nthesi
tt
ing-
room,
wat
chi
ngt
heTV,
whenI
dozedoff
.

Islowlyopenedmyey esinthemor ning,If

oundmy sel
fon
thebed, l
yi
ngonmyman' schest
.Thel ightofthebrand-
newdaywasobst ructedfrom t
her oom ast hecur
tains
wer esti
l
lclosed.ItwasFr iday
,andi twasagoodf eeli
ng
knowingIdonothav etogetupf orschool andwakingup
besideChimaobi .Thatwasmyf irstti
meofsl eepi
ngi nhi
s
house.Ifeltl
ikeamar ri
edwoman.
Ist
ret
chedandyawned,
andr
eachedf
ormyphonet
olook
att
hetime,
itwas5:
46am.

Iturnedtomysideandwat chedmyChimaobi,
sti
ll
deeply
asleep.Hedoesn’
tsnore.Oneofthemanythi
ngsIlove
abouthim.Hewasl yi
ngonhi sback,
wit
houtanyshir
t,
onlyhisshor
ts.

Il
ookedathim agai
nandki
ssedhi
scheeks,str
oki
nghis
headandpressi
ngmynosetohisnose,
breathi
nginand
outofhi
m.

Hesl
owl
yopenedhi
sey
es,
“bae”hewhisperedwithsl
eepyeyes,wr
appi
nghisar
ms
aroundme,whileIrubbedhishead,r
ubbedhi
snoseand
face,admi
ri
nghim.
“
Goodmor
ning,
Obi
m.Howwasy
ourni
ghtr
est
?”Iasked.
“I
twassweetestwi
thy
ouonmysi
de.
”Hewhi
sper
edand
cont
inued.
“I
t'
sli
keIwil
lgoanddoasmall
thi
ngony
ourhead,
o.”He
sai
d,sof
tl
y,andIchuckl
ed.
“No,I'
m ser
ious.Mom hasbeendi
stur
bingme,youknow.
Beingthefi
rstson.Shecal
l
edyest
erdaywhil
eyouslept
.
Shewascryi
ng.
”Wespokequi
etl
y,whi
sper
ingt
o
our
sel
ves.

Wecuddledour
sel
ves,
looki
ngi
ntoeachot
her
'sey
es,
l
ust
ful
ly
.
“
Why
?”Iasked,
sur
pri
sed.
“
Thatsheneedsmet
ogetmar
ri
edbef
oreshedi
es.
”
“
Mot
her
ssef
!It
houghtshehasst
oppedt
his?
”
“Owuya,Icoul dn'tsl
eepl astnight.Iwasj ustt hi
nking.I
havemyf ears.Bae,Idonotknowi fy ouarer eadytogo
i
ntomar riagenow, y
ouj ustclocked22andst ill
inschool.
Yourparent swoul dnotgi vetheirlastchildandonl y
daughterouti nmar ri
agel ikethat.Noneofy oursibli
ngs
aremar r
ied.Ifyouwer emydaught er,Iwon'
taccept
eit
her.
”Hesai d,sadly,
scr atchi
nghi shead.
“Commonbabe,thisshoul
dn'tbotheryouatall.,okay?My
mom hasalwayswantedmet ogetmar ri
edear l
y.So,you
don'
thavetoworryaboutmypar ents.Ionl
ywi shIam
donewit
hschool.That'
sit
,butthat'
snotani ssuet oo,
okay?
”Iencour
agedhim.

Henoddedhisheadandmademerestmybackagainst
thebedasheplacedhi
sheadonmychest
.Il
oveditwhen
hebehavedl
ikeachil
d.
Ibegant
orubhi
shead,
pat
ti
nghi
m.
“
Ever
ythi
ngwi
l
lbef
ine,
bae.
”
“
Idon'
twantt
olosey
ou.
”Hewhi
sper
ed.
“Wearenotl
osi
ngeachother
.Let
'sbeposi
ti
ve.
”I
encour
agedhi
m,agai
n,sl
i
ppingmyhandsintohi
sshor
ts.
“Doy
oucar
eforamor
ningbr
eakf
ast
?”Iaskedhi
m.
“Naughtygir
l,y
ounodet i
re?Pl
ease,healf
irst
.Inowant
makeChi efSegunAreol
aputmef orpri
son.Yousti
l
lhave
somei r
ri
tati
on,ri
ght
?”Hesaid,
ref
erri
ngtomyDad.
.
”Thewayy oufearmyDadeee.”Il
aughedasIusedmy
ri
ghthandt
omoi stenandhi
sthi
ghs,pi
cki
ngthehai
rs
betweenhi
slegs.

Hest
ir
redatmel
ust
ful
l
yandt
hen,
grabbedmyneckt
o
ki
ssme.

Quest
ions
Doy ouf
eell
i
keyouar
ewat
chi
ngamov
ieeacht
imey
ou
readmystor
y?
Whoi
syourbestchar
act
eri
nthi
sst
oryandwhy
?
Whoi
scr
ushi
ngonChi
maobi
,l
adi
es?
Tobecont
inued…
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
TOLANI

Epi
sode7

Ihadt
ogot
oschool
from Chi
maobi
'
shouse.

OnThursdayev
eni
ng,Iret
urnedhomefrom school
tof
ind
afl
i
msybl uedr
essonthebed,wit
hbrand-
newheelsto
match.
“
Obi
m!”Ical
l
edhi
m,heanswer
edmef
rom t
hebat
hroom.
“
I'
m bat
hing!
”
“Bat
hingnow?Whathavey
oubeendoi
ngsi
ncemorning?
Play
inggames?
”Iaskedhi
m,openi
ngt
hebathr
oom door
.
“Abeg,closedoor
,makeIbath.Youdon'
thaverespectfor
meagai n.”Hesai
d,scr
ubbi
nghisfacethor
oughlywithhis
eyesshut .
Iundressedmy sel
fimmediat
elyandti
ptoedi
ntothe
bathr
oom stackednaked,asIspankedandhuggedhim at
thesamet i
me, hejol
ted.
“
Youarevi
olat
ingme.”Hecr
iedout
,washi
ngof
fthe
l
eat
heronhisface.
Ispankedhi
m agai
nandbi
thi
sni
ppl
e.
“
Tol
ani
!”
Iswitchedont
heshower
,cuppi
ngt
hewat
erandsl
appi
ng
him withi
t.
“Youknowyouar
enotstr
ong,butyouwil
lnev
erst
ayi
na
place.
”Ony
ihadt
rav
eledbackalr
eady.
“
Yougotmet
hedr
essont
hebed?
”Iaskedhi
m.
“Yes,
Idid.Iwantyout
olookt
err
ibl
ygoodtomor
row.My
mom isgoingtol
oveyou.
”Hesai
d,assur
ed,
“
Ipr
ayso,
Obi
m.Al
though,
I'
vebeenanxi
ous.
”
“Youdon'thav
etobe.
”Aswecoul
dn’
tst
opgi
ggl
i
ngat
eachother'
sbody
.

Wef
eltl
i
keki
dsoutonabi
gadv
ent
ure.

“Ican'
tgetovery
ourbody.
”Hesai
d,t
ouchi
ngmef
rom my
shoulder
s,t
omyneck, t
omytummy ,
thent
omyhi
psin
admi r
ati
on.

“CanIwashy
ourhai
r?”Heasked,
andIt
urnedont
he
shower.
“Iwil
ll
oveit
,bae.
”Iwasqui
teexci
tedatt
het
houghtof
him washi
ngmyhair.
Hepickedupt
heshampoo,shampooedmyhair
,gentl
y
massagingmyscal
pashekissedmyneckandears.
Ifeltpl
easur
ebui
l
dingupi
nsi
deme.Inev
erf
eltt
hatway
before.
“
Thi
sfeel
sgood.
”Isai
d,l
ett
ingmy
sel
fgowi
tht
her
ide.

Hewashedmyhairf
orabout8mi
nut
esandaskedmet
o
washhi
shai
rtoo.

Ipouredshampooi
ntomypal
ms,
tur
nedar
oundandr
an
myfinger
sthr
oughhi
shai
r.
Chimaobilookedsoador
abl
e,wi
ththewaterpour
ingdown
hi
sf ace,
thatIhadtor
eachupandkisshi
m witht
he
showertaponus.
Hecar
ri
edmeupandpushedmeupt oohi
ght
hatIbanged
myheadagai
nstt
heshowerhead.
“
Owwsh,
Chi
maobi
!”
“
Sor
ry,
bae.
”
“
Mustyouinj
uremeev
eryday
?”Iaskedhi
m andhe
l
aughedoutl
oud.
“
Bat
hme”It ol
dhim,andhepi
ckeduptheli
quidsoapand
t
hesponge,
scrubbi
ngmyback,myarmpit
s,andthenmy
t
highs.

Wefinal
l
ygotoutoft
heshowerandcurl
edupi
nbed
af
ter
wards,
nibbl
i
ngonthepizzaIgot
.
“
Howar eyourparent
s,mom especi
all
y?”Iasked,
andhe
l
aughedoutsoloud,munchi
ngthepizza.

“Theyareaccommodat i
ng.Youwil
llovethem.”Hesaidas
helect
uredmemor eabouthi
sparents.Chimaobi'
s
parent
swer eseni
orlect
urer
s,bot
hwer eprofessor
s.

Thenextday
,Fri
daymorni
ng,
wedressedup,
andDr
ake,
Chi
maobi'sf
ri
end,t
ookustot
heai
rport.

Wegott
oAbuj
ainanhourandbookedanUber
.
“
Nna,any
iafubeghi
unu?(
We'
venotseeny
ou.
”Camehi
s
mot
her'
svoi
ce.
“
Any
inonsoo(
wear
ecl
oser
)”her
esponded.

WegottoChimaobi'
sest
ateandIcouldn'
tagr
eemoreon
whyChimaobi
'sapar
tmentwasthatf
ineoverther
ein
Awka.
Hisparent
swer
erichandfamousint
heEducat
ional
sect
or.Mypar
entswereri
chbutnotf
amous.

Chi
maobi'
shousewasaluxur
ioushouse,
ahugemansion,
pl
ainbr
ownbri
ckcozyhousewithwhit
epaint
eddoor
s.
Thefr
ontyardwasdecorat
edwi thbeaut
if
ulf
lowers;
r
oses,
li
li
es,v
iol
ets,
dahl
ias,dai
siesandmuchmor e.

“Mymom usual
lypl
antt
hesef
lower
s.”Hetoldme,hol
ding
myhandswhil
ethemanhecall
edAbdull
ahicar
ri
edour
bag.

“Shebelieves“ Fl
ower sareapleasureandper fect
ionof
natur
e,andt heygivemanyt hingst opeople,
andi tdoes
notmatterifyouar erichorpoor,theygiveyoua
wonderfulwor l
dwhi chmakesy ouf eelhappy”.Hesaid,
andIsaidnot hingbecauseIwasner vous.If
elthismother
mustbeaper fecti
onist.

Gett
ingi
ntot
hesi
tt
ing-
room,
heaskedmet
osi
tdown,
ki
ssi
ngmycheeks.
“
Wel
comet
oyourhouse.
”Hecl
appedhi
shands.
Theliv
ingr
oom wasprobabl
ythecozi
estplaceI'
vebeen
to.Thewal
lswerepar
ti
all
ydecorat
edwithpiecesoft
il
es.
I
tresembl
edt
hei
nter
iorofagl
assyhouse.

Therewereabout9bl
ackleat
hercouchesandagl
ass
tabl
ethatsati
nthemiddl
eofthesit
ti
ng-r
oom.

Thesi
tt
ingr
oom wast
ool
arge.

“
Relax,boo.
”Hesai
d,hi
tt
ingmyl
eftbr
eastt
wice,
and
l
aughing.
“
BloodofJesus!Chi
maobi
,wouldyoust
opt
hat
?Whati
f
y
ourmom comesi n.
”Isai
d,angr
il
y.

“
Oh!Youaresuddenlyagoodgir
lnowbecausey ouar
ein
myparent
s'house.
”Heteasedandwentupstai
rs.

Asusual ofpar
ent
stotaketi
meattendingtoyounger
vi
sit
ors, hismom t
ookherti
mebef or
ecomi ngintot
he
si
tti
ng-room, fr
om t
heupperdupl
ex.Icouldfeelmyhear
t
pounding.

Shewasaver
ytal
lwoman,
ver
yfai
randf
ull
.Shewas
wear
ingay
ell
owAnkar
agown.
“Goodaf
ter
noonma.”Ibentl
owandgreet
edher.HiHim
onWhatsAppvi
a+2349133660306f
ormorestori
es.
.
“
Sweethear
t,comegiv
emeahug.”Shesai
d,If
eltabi
t
r
elaxbutst
il
lanxi
ousnott
ofumbl
e.
“Yousmell
real
l
yni
ce.
”Shecompl
i
ment
edwhenwe
hugged.
“
Thanky
ou,
ma.
”Il
ower
edmyf
ace.
“Oh!Nna,
youdidn'
ttel
lmeshe'
sthi
squi
etandshy
.”
Turni
ngtoChi
maobi.
“
Shei
snoto.
”Hel
aughed.
“Comesitdownnexttomommy .Chimaobi
hasgi
venme
thebabygi
rlInev
erhad.
”Shesaid,
resti
ngmyheadonher
shoul
ders.

“Chi
maobi!Gethert
hefruitjui
ceImadeforher.I
tisgood
fort
heskin.She'
sst
il
lyoung, sheneedsi
t.I
twil
lmakethi
s
yoursweetski
nglowmor e.”TouchingmycheeksandI
smil
ed.

“
EsheJesu!
”It
hankedGodwi
thi
nme.

Chimaobiwasjusthy
peract
ive.Hewasj
usthappy
.He
broughtoutt
hejui
ce,gotagl
asscupandpouredthej
uice,
tast
ingit
.
“
Chi
maobi!Idi
dn'tasky
outotakethi
s.Gi
vemet
hat
.”She
t
ooki
tfr
om him andhandedi
tovertome.
“Bi
anwanya,youhavebeengushi
ngoverherandhavenot
car
edaboutme.It'
sbeenawhileyousawme, mom.”He
cameandplacehisheadonhershoul
der.

“Nwokem si
ebabuo.
”Shepushedhi
m away
,andIsmi
l
ed
andtookasi
p.

“Suchani
nnocent
,cut
ethi
ng.Howol
dar
eyou?
”She
askedme.
“I
'
m 22y ear
sol
d,ma.
”Ir
espondedasshet
ouchedmy
cheeks.
“Soli
tt
leathing.Sevenyear
sdiff
erence.That'
sokay ,
Chimaobi
'sfatheris13year
solderthanIam.Wemar r
ied
ataveryyoungage.ThisiswhyIam st i
l
lyoung.”She
l
ift
edherbothbr eastwhi
leIsmil
edandsi ppedmyj ui
ce.
“BiaChi
maobi
!Ihopeyouguyshavenothadsex?
”She
blurt
ed,
andIchokedf
rom t
hedri
nk,coughi
nghard.
“Sosorr
ysweet
heart
.Sipgentl
yokay?
”Shesai
d,andI
nodded,wi
thmyheartbeat
ingfast
.
“
Pleasel
ie,
Chimaobi
,l
ie,
soIdon'
tst
ainmy
sel
finher
r
ecordbook.
”Ipr
ayed.
“Mom!Canyourel
axalr
eady
?It
'sourbusi
ness,
noty
our
s.”
Chi
maobisai
dtoher.

“
Ify
outwohavehadsex,
it'
sil
l
egal
.Chi
maobi
,Idi
dn'
ttr
ain
y
outhatway
.”

“
Mom,Idi
dn'
tsaywe'
vehadsex.Ij
ustsai
diti
ssomehow
f
ory
outoask.
”Heresponded.

Iwascompl
etel
yspeechl
ess!Ifel
titwast
oowei
rdand
for
wardf
orhert
oask.Iwasn'texpecti
ngt
hat
.

Chimaobi'
sDadcameinalmostimmediat
ely
,weari
nga
shortni
kkaandashi
rt
.Hislegsweref
il
ledwithhai
rs.
Chimaobiwashi
sdad'sexactcopy
.

Hi
sdadwal
kedi
ntot
hesi
tt
ing-
room,
“Myboy,
youarewr
ong.
”Hebl
urt
ed,
tur
ningt
ome,
andmy
hear
tski
pped.

“
Wrongabout
?”Andev
ery
onel
ookedathi
m qui
zzi
cal
l
y.
“Youwerewrongtosayshe'
sbeaut
if
ul.She'
sagoddess.
She'
sbeyondbeauti
ful
.Comeandhere,li
tt
leone.
”Hesai
d,
andever
yonelaughed.

“Youdef
ini
tel
yhav
egoodey
es,
justl
i
keme.Thatwashow
Iwooedyourmom.”
“Letmehearsomet
hing.Iwasi
rr
esi
sti
blef
ory
out
ojust
pass.
”Hismom sai
d.
“
Yes,
buti
ttakesamanwhoisski
ll
edwit
hwordstowooa
womanasyouare.
”Hedef
endedasev
eryonel
aughed.
Ist
oodupt
ogr
eett
hef
atherwher
ehewasseat
ed.
“Whati
syourname,
mychi
l
d?”Andmyhear
tski
pped
agai
n.
“
Tol
ani
,si
r.
”Isai
d.
“
Whattr
ibei
sthat
?”Hisf
atherasked,l
ooki
ngsur
pri
sedas
myhear
tski
ppedthr
oughmymout h
“
She'
sYor
uba,
dad.
”Chi
maobi
bai
l
edmeout
.

.
Tobecont
inued!
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
*TOLANI
*
Epi
sode8

“
Yor
uba?”Chi
maobi
'
sfat
heraskedsur
pri
singl
yandt
urned
t
oChimaobi
.

"
Oonyeofemmanuki chor
o?(
Isi
taYor
ubal
adyt
haty
ou
wantf
ory
oursel
f?Odi
kwaegwu.”
“Asfarasy oulov
eherandf eely
oubothcanspendt
he
restofyourli
vestoget
her
,itisgood.I
sn'
ti
tNkem”his
dadaskedt hemom.

“Sure,t
ribaldi
ff
erencesshouldn'tstandasabar r
iert
oyour
union.Whatmat ter
siscompat ibil
it
yandl ove.
”She
supported,andIfeltmyheartdropi nrel
ief.

“Thankssomuch,
sir
,thankssomuch,
ma,
fort
he
acceptance.
”
“Iwoul
dpref
ery
oucal
lme'
mom'
,sweet
hear
t.
”Hi
smom
begged.
“I
'
vealwayswant
edaf
emal
echi
l
d,her
eyouar
e.”She
cont
inued.
“
Mysel
fincl
usi
ve!
”Hi
sdadsai
d,andweal
ll
aughed.
Chimaobi
'
smotherwasevery
thi
ngofl
ove.Thewayshe
tr
eatedmeli
keIwasherbaby.

“
Becareful,
chi
ld.Don'tgi
veyour
selfacut.
”Shebegged
whenIhelpedherinthekit
chen,
sli
cingsomevegetabl
es.
Chi
maobi'
ssibl
i
ngswer
en'
thome,
theyal
lwer
einschool
out
sideofAbuj
a.

Hismom showedmear oundaft

erwehadeaten.Thei
r
backyar
dwasf ai
rl
ybi
g.Therewasali
tt
lesl
idedoorint
he
di
ningroom t
hatledt
oadarkbrowndeck.

Wegotbackt
othesi
tt
ingr
oom,
andsheshowedmet
o
myr
oom.

“
Thi
siswher
eyouwoul
dst
ay,
okay
?”

Lat
erintheev
ening,
Chi
maobi
andhisdadgottal
ki
ngf
or
whatseemedli
ke5hour
s.Webar
elytal
kedsi
ncewe
vi
sit
ed.

Ihadgonet
otheki
tchent
ogetabot
tl
eofwat
er,
Ibecame
ner
v ousandwhenIcamebacki
n,It
ri
ppedov
erandbr
oke
aglasscup.

Myey
espoppedouti
mmedi
atel
y.

“Oh!SweetLor
d,comeher
e.”Hi
smom,
lookedand
examinedmybody.
Chi
maobi
wasal
readybesi
deme,
looki
ngatme.
“
Anyi
njur
y?”Heasked,
alar
med.
“
No,
please.Sosor
ry…”It
ri
edt
oapol
ogi
ze.
“No,don'
tyouworry
.ThankGody
ouar
egood.
”Shesai
d,
aski
ngmet ositdown.
“
Sor
ryaboutt
his,
Adam”camehi
sfat
her
'sv
oice.

Thel
ovewassogoodt
ober
eal
.
“NowonderChi
maobii
ssolov
ingbecauseev
ery
thi
ng
aboutt
hei
rhomeisl
ovel
y.
”

Aboutaft
er9atnight
,hi
smom askedmet
ogoi
ntomy
room whenI
'mready.

“
I'
mreadyt
osl
eep”shesai
d,asshewal
kedt
oher
husband,ki
ssedhi
sli
psandt
ouchedhi
shead,
excusi
ng
hersel
f.

Chi
maobiandhi
sdadwerebusypl
ayi
nggamesinthe
si
tt
ingr
oom.Igott
ir
edt
ooandwentintomyroom t
o
bat
he.

Aft
erbathi
ng,Ihadmynightwearon.Itwasat ranspar
ent
pi
nknightwearChimaobigotforme.Ijustshutthedoor
wit
houtusingthekey
,hopingChimaobiwouldcomei nfor
ustogist
.

Iwai
tedforChimaobi t
ocome,sowecoul dt
alkbecause
webarel
ytalkedalonesincewev
isi
ted.Iwasbyhis
mother
'ssi
deal l
through.

Ipi
ckedupmyphoneandsentmymom amessage.

“Wouldyoul
ovemetobemarr
iedany
timesoon?”Sendi
ng
themessageonWhat
sApp,
butshewasn'
tonli
ne.I
twas
passed10pm.

Ineededsomeonetotal
ktoatthatpoi
nt.Someonet
o
confi
dein.Ij
ustwant
edtobeinChimaobi'
sarmstorel
ax
myanxiousner v
es.Ihadalwaysfearedhi
sparent
swon'
t
acceptme,Iwassur pri
sedtost
il
lfindsometr
acesof
fear
safteracceptance.

Ibecamebored,
andlonely,l
ooki
ngatt
hecei
l
ing,
and
dial
edRut
h'snumber
, butshewasn'
tpi
cki
ngup.
Icl
unkedtomypill
owwishi
ngIwasi
nMaobi
'shouse,not
i
nhisparent
'shouse,
sowecoul
dmakeout
.Ijustneeded
himtorel
axme.

Isli
dmyhandbet weenmyl egs,andf
eltsomewar mth.I
clunkedt
omypi l
l
owagai n,pushedmyf aceint
othesoft
fabri
cofthepil
low,breathi
nginandpausi ngbet
ween
eachexhalat
ionandhi t
ti
ngmyl egsonthebed.

Ibecamesl
eepy
,lonel
y,andcol
dunt
ilIsl
eptof
f.

Icrashedont
hebedsl
eepi
ng,
whenIf
eltahandsl
i
pped
thr
oughmydr ess.

Ist
il
lhadsl
eepyey
es.It
urnedar
oundandi
twasChi
maobi
.
Hewhi
sper
edi
ntomyear
sandcuddl
edmef
rom behi
nd.
“
I'
vemi
ssedy
ousomuch,
Iyawomi
.”
“
Jeez!Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
"
“Shhh!Iknowy ouhavemi ssedme.I
t'
sbeen4day ssince
wemadeout .You'vebeenbusywit
hschool.Justaquicky
.
Mypar entsarefastasl
eep.Ihadt
owaitforthem t
o
sleep.
”Hewhi spered.
“Don'
tbeajerk,Obi.Iam inyourpar
ent
s'house.That
's
disr
espect
ful
.”Icautioned.

“
Bae,pl
ease.Nothingdi
srespect
fulher
e.Mom anddadar
e
f
astasl
eep.Please…”Hesaidagain.

Notl
i
keIdidn'
twantt
o,butIwasscaredofhi sparent
s.
Hi
smom'sf r
ownsatpremari
talsex,
doingitinherhouse
wasanoforme,butChimaobiwouldnotli
sten.

Thegli
ntIgotinhi
seyeswasi
rr
esi
sti
ble.Mymi
ndst
ray
ed
toev
erythi
nginvol
vi
ngsex.

Witht
hosefewst
rokesandaf
ewwi
l
dthought
sofsex,
my
bodygotf
ir
ed.
“Idon'
twantt
odothi
shere.Wecangooutt
omor
rowand
catchsomefuni
nahotel
.”
Buthest
rokedmychestandmycol
l
arbonesr
eact
ed.
“Babe,pl
ease.Don'
tdot
his,
nother
e.”Buti
twasl
i
keIwas
cheeri
nghim more.

Hetrav
eledt
heti
psofhisfi
nger
supthesideofmyneck,
andmybodydidn'
tfeel
thesameagai
n,butitst
il
lfel
t
good.

“Canyoustopthi
s?”Ibeggedhim more,
buther
anhis
handsthroughmyhair,
brushi
ngmyt humbover
,taki
ngmy
fi
nger
si nt
ohis.

“Ican'
twaittomakeyoumywife,
soIcoul
dstophav
ing
theguil
toftouchi
ngy
ou.”Hespokesof
tl
ythatmywhol
e
bodyshook.

Ir
eal
izedmyhi
pswer
emov
ing,
thewet
nessbet
weenme
mademymouthsour
.

“Babe,canyoust
opt hi
s?Youareget
ti
ngmeweak. ”I
rol
ledacrosst
hepill
owasmyt oescur
led.Ini
pped,rol
led
andsqueezedmy sel
f,t
ryi
ngtomakemy sel
ffeelal
lthose
thi
ngshemademef eel.

Ir
est
edmypal
msagai
nstt
hewal
l
,andhel
ethi
sfi
nger
s
r
esumedt
hei
rtr
ail
upt
omyl
egs.
Iwasshaki
ngwi
thant
ici
pat
ion,
buthekeptt
easi
ngme.

Whenhi
sfingerspushedupagai
nstmyt
ranspar
entdr
ess,
Chi
maobisaid,
“Ican'
twaitt
ogi
veyouamini
us.Ican'
twaitt
oseeher
grow.”If
eltt
hewet
nessofmydesi
resoakedi
ntot
he
bedsheet.

Het uckedhisf
ingersunderthewetbedsheetand
betweenmyt hr
obbingself
.Igaspedloudl
yandsquir
med,
butsti
llkeptmyhandsont hewall
.

“
Ithoughtmaybey
oudon'
twantt
his.Justpr
etendi
ng?
”he
whisper
edint
omyear
.

“No,don'
tst
opanymore,
”Iechoedashi
sfi
nger
sfoundmy
navelandmassagedar
oundit.

Hewor kedhi
sotherhanddownmychest.findi
ngmy
breast
s,heni
ppedwitheaseandpul
singhi
sf i
ngerashe
spedtherhyt
hm ofhisfi
nger
sbet
weenmyl egs.
Atthatpoint
,Ihadl
ostcont
rol
ofwher
eIwasorwhoIwas
thatIscr
eamedsoloud.

Hei
mmedi
atel
ycov
eredmyl
i
ps.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?Whyar
eyoushout
ing?
”
“
Please,
don'
tst
op.
”Ibeggedhi
m.
“
Buty
ouar
eshout
ing.
”
“
Ican'
thelpit
.Iwon'
tagai
n.Justgoon.
”Isai
d,pant
ingas
t
hepressurebui
lt
.

“
Ther
eissomuchdangerofbei
ngcaught
,doi
ngthi
sin
t
hemiddl
eoftheni
ght
.Contr
olyour
sel
f.
”Hesaidand
r
esumedagai
n.

“
Please,
goi
n.”Ibeggedhi
m.

Aft
erawhi
le,
hesl
owl
ygoti
nsi
demeandIcr
iedoutso
l
oudagai
n.

ThatwasChi maobi secondt

imeofpenet
rat
ingme.I
twas
sti
ll
painf
ul.Iwasn'tusedtothat
.Wecoul
dmakeloveal
l
theti
me,butwedi dn'tpenet
rat
e.
“
Cany
oust
opshout
ing?
”Hesai
d,pi
ssed.
“
It
'spai
nful
.”Isai
d.
“
Then,
let
'sst
op,
then.
”Hesai
dangr
il
y,get
ti
ngdownf
rom
me.
“Whatdoy oumean?Youst ar
tedit
.Didn'tyouknowIwas
goingtoshoutbefor
ecomingint
othisroom?Di dInottel
l
youtoleaveitunt
ilt
omor
row?Oh!Pl ease,getout
.”Isai
d,
annoyed.
“
Howdar
eyousayt
hatt
ome?
”Hel
ookedatme.
It
urnedt
otheot
hersi
deoft
hebed,
giv
inghi
m myback.
“
Iam t
alki
ngt
oyou,
Tol
ani
.”Hepul
l
edmeback.
“
Leav
emeal
one!
”Isl
appedhi
shands.
“If
eell
ikeslappi
ngyou,butthethi
ngi
sIdon'
tknowwhat
wouldr
emai nofyoui
fIdot hat
.Watcht
hewayy out
alkt
o
me.”Hesaid,pi
cki
nghisPajamas.
“
Youputmeonandl
eav
emeont
her
oadandexpectme
t
obefi
ne?"
“Youcan'
tcontr
oly
oursel
f.Youmustshout
.Ev
ery
thi
ngis
aboutyou.Howaboutme”Hesaid,showi
nghi
sboner
,
complai
ning.

Ibecamef
uri
ous,
angr
yathi
mfornotl
i
steni
ngt
omef
rom
t
hestar
t,angr
yathi
mforexpect
ingmenott
oshoutand
f
orswit
chingmeonandleav
ingmewhenIneededhi
m.

If
eltt
hel
umpofwr
athi
nmyt
hroatandIbegant
ocr
y.

“
Now,whyar
ey oucryi
ng?Al
wayssheddi
ngtear
seven
wheny
ouareatfaul
t”Hesai
dagai
n,andIcr
iedthemore.

“
Idon'
thav
eyourt
ime.
”Hehi
ssedandangr
il
ylef
t.

Tobecont
inued!
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
TOLANI

EPI
SODE9

WhenChi
maobihadl
eft
,itgott
omehar
dert
hatIbegant
o
sobt
hemore.

Myey
esgotswol
l
eni
mmedi
atel
y.

I
nnotl
esst
han2mi
nut
esasIcr
ied,
Chi
maobi
cracked
openthedoorandst
eppedi
ntot
heroom,l
ooki
ngatme
forsomesecondsashewal
kedtowar
dswhereIwas
seatedont
hebed,

“Stopna,stopcryi
ng.Ididn'
tmeanit
.Ijustwantedy
outo
l
owery ourvoicebecauseofmyparent.I
twas
di
srespectf
ul f
oryoutotellmet
ogetout ,okay
?”Hesai
d,
gentl
y,st
rokingmyheadasInoddedmyhead.

“
Stopcry
ing,youknowIhatetoseey oucry.Ishoul
dhave
l
ist
enedtoyou.I'
m sosor
ry.Heapologizedasheplaced
myheadonhislaps,pat
ti
ngme, si
nginggently
.

Sat
urdaymor
ning,
Iwokeupnextt
oChi
maobi
,sur
pri
singl
y.
Wehadsl
eptof
ffr
om t
her
e.

Il
ookedatt
hetime,
itwasal
most9i
nthemor
ning.We
hadsl
eptl
ate.

It
appedi
mmedi
atel
y.

“Yousl
epther
e?Comeandgobef
orey
ourpar
entwake
up.”
Hejol
tedandst
oodupi
mmedi
atel
y,wi
pinghi
ssl
eepy
ey
es.

Whi
l
ehewor
ehi
sfoot
wear
,hi
smot
her
'sv
oicecame.
“
Chi
maobi
,wher
ear
eyou?
”

Oureyesmet
,andherushedi
ntot
hebat
hroom,
came
backagai
nandpi
ckedhisshi
rt
.
Hi
smom cameknocki
ngatmydoor
.
“Tolani,
mychild.
”Sheknockedatt
hedoor,If
ir
st,l
ooked
aroundt ocl
earanytr
aceofChimaobi
,bef
oreIjumpedout
from thebed.
“
I'
m her
e,mom.
”Isai
d,wal
ki
ngupt
othedoor
.
“
Goodmor
ning,
mom,
”Igr
eet
edherasshehuggedme.
“
Howwasy
ourni
ghtr
est
,chi
l
d?”
“
Itwasf
ine…”
“Where'
sChi
maobi?Heisnoti
nhi
sroom.
”Sheasked,
and
Icoul
dhearmysel
fstut
ter
.
“
Heshouldbeatthebacky
ard.Ihav
enotseenhi
mthi
s
mor
ning.
”Il
ied.
“I
t'
salri
ght
.Youshoul
dcomedownandt
akey
our
breakf
ast.
”
“Okay
,ma.
”Ir
espondedasshet
urnedar
oundandwal
ked
away.

Ishutt
hedoorimmediat
ely,
gaspi
ngf
orbr
eat
hasIr
ushed
tothebat
hroom,whi
speri
ng.
“Oya,
begoi
ng.Shehasl
eft
.”Isai
dtohi
m,sl
appi
nghi
s
head.
“Aewsh!
”Hehel
dhishead,
lookedatmeandgr
abbedmy
arms,t
urni
ngi
taround,
asIcri
edout.
“
No,
no,
no…Babe,
myhand,
myhand.
”
“Nextt
ime,
don'thi
tanol
dmanonthehead.
”Hel
etgomy
handsandtouchedmycheeks.
“Youwil
llookf ort
roubl
eandstil
lfr
ownt heface.Letme
go,o?”Het i
ptoedtothedoor
,lookingaroundli
keat hi
ef
ashisbuttocksshookli
kepapinsidehispyjamasthatI
hadtolaugh.

“Ogbeni
,wat
choutwel
l.It
oldheryoushouldbeatthe
backyar
d.Ar
rangey
ourli
etotal
lywit
hmi ne.Isai
dtohi
m
andhechuckl
ed.
“
Badgi
rl
!Yousabi
all
thebadt
hings.
”Hesai
dbef
orehe
l
eft
.

Af
ter
war
ds,
Ibr
ushedmyt
eet
handwentdownt
ohel
pmy
supposedmot
her
-i
n-l
awi
ntheki
tchen.
Mom wasprepari
ngnoodl
es.Ihel
pedherint
heki
tchen
andhadbr
eakfastser
vedonthedinni
ngtabl
e.

Chimaobiandhisdadwerealreadyseated,
Iledt
hepray
er,
reachedoutandclaspedmyhandsi nthebowlofwat
er
afterev
eryonehadwashedtheirhands.

Dippingmyf orkintotheplat
e,Iscoopedupan
unreasonableamountofnoodl es.Iat
esil
ent
ly,
feel
i
ng
wistful
.HiHim onWhat sAppvia+2349133660306for
mor estor
ies..Iwasn'tusedtot hem.Idi
dn'
tknowwhat
wouldbeat urn-
offtohisparent.
“
Ican'
twai
ttol
eaveher
e.Ifeelsoshy
.“Ir
esonat
edwi
thi
n
whenChi
maobi
'sdadcal
louttome
“
Tol
ani
,tel
lusmor
eabouty
ouandy
ourf
ami
l
y.”
“
Whatdoesyourf
atherdo?
”Hecont
inuedasIr
esponded
t
oeachofhi
squesti
ons.

Icoul
dseeanimpressi
vel
ookwr
it
tenal
lov
erhi
sface
aft
ereachanswer
.

Ist
oodatmyr
oom wi
ndow,star
ingatt
heMangotr
ee
cl
osetomywi
ndowatthebackyar
d,gl
ari
ngatt
heseeds
t
hathungl
azi
lyonthetr
ee.Ipressedmyf
oreheadagai
nst
t
hewindowandclosedmyey es.

“
Howwoul ddadfeelaboutal
lthi
s?”It
houghtaboutthi
s,
t
hinki
ngofmybrotherstoo.Mom wasn'
tmuchani ssue
f
ormeatthatpoi
nt.

Deepint
houghts,
Chimaobicameintot
heroom,hel
dme
bythewai
stfr
om theback,
andkissedmyneck.

“Wear el
eavi
ngtomorr
ow'smor ningbecauseofy our
l
ecturesonMonday.ButIf
eelIshouldshowy ouaround
Abujatoday
.Whatdoy out
hink.”Hesaid,tur
ningme
around,movi
ngawaythehairthattuggedatmyf ace.
“
Per
fect
!Ican'
twai
t.
”Isai
dtohi
m.
“Youlookbeaut
if
ult
hisafter
noon.
”Hekissedmyfor
ehead,
heldmyhandsashewal kedtothebed,
satdownand
tappedhisl
aps,i
ndi
cati
ngIshouldsi
tdown.

Isatdown,
andhewrappedhi
sar
msar
oundmeandI
wrappedminear
oundhi
m.
“Whati
sonyourmi
nd?Akobofory
ourt
hought
?”He
askedme,
looki
ngi
ntomyeyes.
“
Arey
oubot
her
edaboutany
thi
ng?
”
“
No,
babe.Iam j
ustner
vousandexci
tedatt
hesamet
ime.
“Youdon'thavetobe.Mypar entsaregoodwithyou.I'
ve
beendiscussi
ngwi t
hDad.Hesuggest sImeety our
parent
sassoonaspossi bl
e.Iam happyyouwi l
lbegi
n
examsi nthenextonemont h.So,Iwil
lvi
sity
ourparents
wheny ougof orhol
iday
s.Arey ouokaywiththat
?”He
asked.
“
It
'salr
ight
.Iam goodwiththear
rangement.Iaskedmy
mom yester
dayifshewouldn'
tmindifIchoosetoget
marr
iedanytimesoon.”
“
Whatwasherr
esponse?
”Heasked,
qui
zzi
cal
l
y.
“Nothing,shesai
d,i
nasmuchasshewoul dwantmet
o
getmar ri
edont i
me.Shei
salsonotinahastetogi
veme
out.Ishouldtakemyti
me.”Iresponded.
“
Tol
ani
”hehel
dmet
ight
ly,
rest
inghi
sheadonmychest
.
“
But,doyout
hinky
ouar
ereadyf
ort
hismar
ri
agest
uff
?”
Heasked.
“Obi
,canwej ustenj
oythismoment ?You'veaskedmet hi
s
ahundredti
mes.Ihav ebeenwithyoubef or
eIgot
admissi
on.Thisisour3rdyeartogether
.Iwouldnotsti
ll
bewithyouifIdonotintendtohavey ouinmyf ut
ure.
”
“
Ist
hataf
ull
yesf
rom y
ou?
”Hesmi
l
ed.
“No,Obi
.Youwi
llof
fici
all
yhavetopropose.
”Isai
d,
displ
ayi
ngmyfi
ngers,whichgothi
ml aughi
ng.
“YouknowIcanover
domy sel
f.Justwat
chout
.”Hesai
d,
kissi
ngmyfor
eheadagai
n.
“Comehere”hehel
dmeasheremov
edhisfoot
wear,lai
d
onthebedandaskedmet
orestmyheadonhischestand
mylegsonhisbody.
“Il
ovei
twheny
ouli
eonmychest
.”Hesai
d,gent
ly
str
oki
ngmyhai
rinasmoot
hmoti
on.
West
ayedt
hisway
,tal
ki
ngaboutt
hemat
ter
soft
hehear
t.

About2:
36pm,Chi
maobi
andIl
eftf
orBl
ucabanal
oungei
n
Abuj
a,Ni
geri
a.

Thesightofthispl
acewasmagni fi
cent.TheBl ucabana
l
oungei soneofthemostbeaut i
ful
andpopul arr
elaxati
on
spotsinAbuja.Wit
harestaurant
,aspa, gym, swimmi ng
poolandclub,thel
oungeoffersi
tsmulti-hospit
ali
tyrange
ofservi
cesinav er
ysafeandsecurelocat i
onawayf rom
al
lthehustleoftheci
ty.

Wewalkedel
egant
lypassedagar
den,
tot
hev
erandah
t
hatl
edtothemainbuil
ding.
Wewal
kedi
ntot
hebui
l
dingt
alki
ngandwer
elaughi
ng.
I
mmediat
elywesatdown,
Awai
tr
esscamef
orwar
dto
t
akeor
ders.
Chi
maobi
tur
nedt
ome,
aski
ng,
“Babe,whatwil
l y
out ake?“Hesaidsmili
ng"“
Agl assof
milk(y
ughort)
,isi
ewu, ”Isai
d,andhebegantolaughso
hard,t
hatthewaitressbecameconfused.
“
Babe,
wouldyoustopl
aughi
ng.Yeyeboy
.Youwanr
un
memadthatday.
”Webothlaughed.

Afewminut
esl
ater
,ouror
der
swer
eneat
lypl
acedont
he
t
able.

Aft
erwehadfini
shedeating,
wegoti
ntot
hecarand
Chi
maobitookmef orshoppi
ng.

Chi
maobi
woul
dn'
tpassadr
esswi
thoutaski
ngmet
opi
ck
i
t.
“I
twil
lsui
tyou.I
t'
syourcol
our
,let
'spi
cki
t.
”Thi
she
cont
inuedt
osay.

After
wards,
myshoppi
ngbagdoubl
edmymai nwardr
obe.
Ihadtodraghi
mtothecount
ert
opbecausehewasn'
t
readytol
eave.

Whi
l
eChi
maobi
madepay
ment
s,av
oicecal
l
edoutt
hri
ce
t
ome,soloudl
y.Hehadremovedhi
sdebi
tcar
d,sl
ott
ingi
t
i
ntoapay
mentdevice,
whenthevoi
cecameagai
n.
“
Tol
ani
!”Andmyhear
tski
pped,
“Whoknowsmei nAbuj
a.IhaveneverbeentoAbuj
a.”My
hear
tpoundedhardasIt
urnedaroundtoseewhowas
cal
li
ngme.
“
Who'
sthat
?”Chi
maobi
askedme,
looki
ngatme.
“
TOLANI!
”Thevoi
cecameagai
n,comi
ngcl
osert
owher
e
wewer
estandi
ng.

Atthatpoi
nt,myfeetl
ostit
sstrengt
h.Mylegsbecame
ext
remelyfeebl
ethatIcoul
dfeelali
neofsweatrunni
ng
thr
oughmyspi nes.
Al
lIwant
edwasf
ort
hegr
oundt
oopen,
soIcoul
dfal
li
n.

Tobecont
inued…
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
TOLANI

EPI
SODE10

“Whoi
sthat?
”Chi
maobiaskedhi
m ast
heper
sonwal
ked
uptowher
eIwasstandi
ng.
Ij
usthadt
oletmy
sel
fst
ayf
ree.
“
Linda!
”If
akedexci
tementandhuggedher
.
“Oh,myGod.You'
veal
lgr
own.”Shesai
d,huggi
ngme,
and
Icoul
dhavemybodysyst
em changi
ngalr
eady.

“Babe,t
hisi
smyschoolmotheri
nhighschool
,Li
nda.
Linda,
thi
sismyf
iancé,
Chimaobi.
”
“Hel
lo,
handsome.
”Shesai
d,st
ret
chi
ngherhandst
o
Chimaobi
.
“
Hel
l
o,beaut
if
ul.
”Heshookher
.
“
Youdoreal
lyhavegoodey
est
opi
ckt
hisone.
”Shesai
d,
r
efer
ri
ngtoChimaobi
.

“So,Tolani
,Ihavebeenl ookingforyouev ersince.Il
ost
yourcontactafteryourschool matr
iculat
ion.Letmehav e
yourcontact,y
oursoci almediahandles,please.Iam ina
haste.Ihaveaf l
ighttocatch.”Shesaid,remov i
nghercard
andgivingitt
ome.

Iwantedtoavoidgiv
inghermycont
act.Idi
dn'
twantany
connect
ionwithLi
nda.ButIcoul
dn'
tref
usebecause
Chimaobiwasthere.
Iknowy
ouwi
l
lsay
,
“Whatiswrongi
ngi
vi
ngy
ourschool
mot
hery
ourcont
act
aft
eryear
s.”

Ihadmyr
easons.Iwi
l
ltel
lyout
her
easons.

Li
ndawasmyschool motheri
nschool.Ineverwantedone,
butIhadtoacceptherpr
oposalofschooldaughter
becauseIwasbull
ied.

Alotofjuni
orstudent
sweretreacher
ouslybull
ied,t
hata
part
icul
argi
rlcommi t
tedsui
cideoutofdepression.

I
tdi
dn'
tstopt
hehear
tl
essact
ivi
ti
esoft
heseni
orst
othe
j
uni
orst
udent
s.

Thesaf esthavenf orajuniorst

udentatthetimewast o
wr i
tealett
erofr equesttoaseni orst
udentwhoiseither
from arichhome, extravagant,
beauti
fulorpopul
ar.Anyof
thesequaliti
eswoul dhelpy ounottobebulli
edor
mal t
reatedinschool,asy ourschoolmotherwhois
respectedbyhermat esandofcour seherjuni
orst
udent
woul dprotectyou.
Ididn'
thavetogof ormorningprayersat4:
00pm,when
thesleepissweetest.Idi
dn'thav
et obeinaqueuetoget
myf ood,Idi
dn'thavetofetchwaterorgoonanerrandfor
seniorst
udents.

Noonebull
iedmeagai
nev
ersi
nceIaccept
edt
obeher
school
daughter
.

Li
ndawasablessi
ngtomei
nhi
ghschool
unt
ilt
hev
ery
dayshesentf
orme.

“Tel
lLi
ndatogot omyl ockerr
oom, getmykey swhereI
keepit
.Tell
hertogetmemysoapandsponge.She
shoul
dbringitt
ot hepatr
on'sbat
hroom, Idonothave
str
engtht
ogett here.
”ShesentChidera,
agi r
linJSS1,I
wasinJSS3att het i
me.

Lindawouldusuall
ydressbefor
emeandwhenIt ri
edto
excusemy sel
f,shewouldaskmet ostayback.Ifel
tshe
wasj ustl
i
beralwit
hherbodysinceitwasagirls'
school.

IwentandgotLi
ndathethi
ngssheaskedmet
ogetf
or
her
,aft
erwhichIwentt
othepatr
on'
sapart
ment
.
Thepatr
onwasMi
ss.Gbemi
,Li
nda,
frequent
lyst
ayedi
n
herpl
ace.

IhadsuspectedLi
ndagavehermoneyof
tent
ocov
erup
foranyofhermisdeed.

Gett
ingt
othepatr
on'sapartment,
Iknockedatt
hedoor
butnoonewasthere,Ionl
yheardLinda'
svoi
ce,
tel
l
ingme
tocometothebat
hroom, she'
sthere.

Ii
nnocent
lywal
kedi
ntot
hebat
hroom.
Iwassoembar
rassedwhenIsawLi
ndanaked,
butt
his
ti
meshewasbehavingi
nastr
angeway.

Myeyeshelpl
essl
ystaredatherl
argebr
easts.Theywer
e
sof
ullanddari
ng,unl
ikemineatt
hatpoint
.
Herti
nywaistwasasf
lexi
bleasany
thi
ngflexi
blecoul
dbe.
Herbroadhi
psandthi
ckthi
ghswereoutofwhatIhaveto
see.

Somet
hingwasunusual
aboutherbodyatt
hatpoi
nt.
“
Come”shesai
dtomeasIhandedhert
hesoapand
sponge.

“Iwantt
obathewithyou.Ihat
ebat
hingal
one.
”Shesai
d,
andIcouldn'
tsayno.

Shewat
chedmeasIundr
essedbef
oreher
.
Whil
eIkeptmycl
othesonthehanger
,Li
ndacameandso
sof
tl
ycuppedmybreast
s.
“Shh!Nowordsfr
om you.Youdonotwantt
odiel
i
ket
he
suici
degi
rl
.”Shesai
dtomeandIclosedmyeyes.

Ionl
ycl
osedmyey
est
oletherhav
emybody
.

Shecuppedmybr
east
sandsl
owl
yfi
ddl
edwi
tht
het
ips.
“
Kissme”shesai
d,andIbegant
ocr
y.

Shedidn'
tcare.Shekissedme, shebr oughtherl
ipst o
mine.Ourmout hsopenedasweki ssed.Ihadnev erkissed
amanbef ore,t
alkmor eofanotherwomanbef or
e.Inev er
evenimaginedsuchaki sscoul
dexi st.Ourlegswer estill
dangl
inginthewaterasshet onguedki ssedmef ort he
l
ongestti
me.
Thespl
ashandspr
ayf
rom t
heshoweronl
yaddedt
omy
tear
s.
Mybr
east
sbecameher
sassheki
ssedmeagai
n.

Mymouthf
eltl
ikei
twasnol
ongermi
neassheexpl
ored
myent
ir
emouth.

Bot
hherhandswer
eonmybr
east
swhenshest
aredi
nto
myeyes.

“
Hol
dmi
ne”shesai
dasIobey
ed.

Ourmout
hssl
oppedagai
nstoneanot
her
.
Shehadmeabov eher,mybreastl
oweredintohermouth.
Shetookmybreasteversonatur
all
yint
ohery oungand
hungrymout
h,Ireci
procat
edasinstr
uctedandtookhers
i
ntomymout h.
“
Mov et
otheotherandintomypants…”Shesai
d,,andI
movedtoherot
herbreastandshedidthesame.Imoved
myhandslowl
ydownandi nt
oherpant
s.

Idi
dn'
tknowwhatt
obel
i
eveorf
eel
.Ienj
oyedi
t,butI
hat
edit
.
Mybodyshook.Suchel
ect
ri
cit
yIhadnev
erexper
ienced
bef
orenorev
endreamedof.

Thisconti
nuedunt
ilLi
ndal
eftmyschool
tot
heUni
ted
Statesi
nSS2.

Iwassohappy
.Iwasj
oyed.

Idi
dn'
ttel
lany
oneaboutt
his.Ineverdi
d.Ikepti
ttomy
sel
f.
Idi
dn'
ttel
lmypar
entsnoranyteacher.

YouseewhyIwasuncomf
ort
abl
eseei
ngheragai
n?
Bef
oreLindalef
tourschool
,shehadt
oldmeherpar
ent
s
wer
erelocat
ingtothestat
es.
Shegav
emeabangl
eandaskedmet
oswearwi
thi
t.
“
Sweary
ouwi
l
lnev
ert
ell
any
oneaboutt
his.
”AndIdi
d.

Ididn'
ttel
lChi
maobiIhadsexualencount
erswi
thagir
l.
Sinceitwasn'
taboy
,myv i
rgi
nit
yandhy menwasint
act.

Ther
ewasnoneedoft
ell
i
nghi
m,Idi
dn'
thav
eany
thi
ngf
or
gi
rl
s.I
twasj
ustt
hesi
tuat
iont
hatl
edmei
ntot
heact
.

Li
ndaandImadeoutforahundredt
imesi
fIshoul
dsay
.It
wasamemoryIdi
dn'twanttohave.

Idi
dn'twantChimaobit
osuspectanyt
hing,Idi
dn'
twantto
tel
lhim ort
ellhi
m.Idi
dn'
twanttolosehim.Notatthat
pointi
nourliv
es.

“Her
e,”Igavehermycontactandshesmi
l
ed,
huggi
ngme
andbrushingmybreast
s.

Tobecont
inued…
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
~TOLANI
~

Epi
sode11

Li
ndalef
timmedi
atel
yandChi
maobi
didn'
tnot
icewhen
shebr
ushedmybreast.

“Ar
ey ouokay
?”Heasked,
hol
dingmypal
msashe
squeezedi
t.
“Youseem ner
vous.
”Hel
ookedatme,
thent
ouchedmy
hair
,smoothi
ngit
.
“
I'
mfi
ne,
justshockedt
oseeher
.”Isai
dtohi
m.
“
She'
ssuchani
ceper
sont
ohav
ereachedoutt
oyou.
”
“
Yeah,
shei
s.”
“Wecoul
dhaveheraroundduringourweddi
ng,youknow.
Youknowyoudonotkeepf r
iends,asi
deRut
h,none.
”He
smil
edaswegotint
ot hecar.

“
Idonotr
eal
l
ywantherar
ound.
”
“
Why
?”
“
Not
hing,
justdon'
twanthi
ghschool
Buhahaar
oundme.
”
“
Alr
ight
,ify
ousayso.
”Hesai
dandbegandr
ivi
ng.

OnSundaymor
ning,
bef
orewel ef
t,Chi
maobi
'
spar
ent
s
cal
l
edusasear
lyaspossi
ble.

IandChi
maobiwereseat
edont
hechai
r,hol
dingunt
o
eachot
her'
shands.

“
Yourmarr
iagewi
ll
bebl essed.Godwil
lbl
essyoubot
h.Do
y
ourbestt
osupporteachother.Chi
maobi
,Tol
anii
sav er
y
youngandabeautif
ullady,
Iwanty outotr
eatherwi t
h
care.It
reat
edyourmum thus;hence,she'
ssti
l
l glowi
ngat
thi
sage.Ifyouwantpeace,j
ustloveher.
”Hisfather
admonished.
“Tolani
,he'
syourhusband,
respecthi
m,maket
hehouse
comf or
tabl
eforhi
mt ocomehome.Yout wowoul
dmake
greatcoupl
es.
Tothebothofyou,Iwanty out
obeaspl ai
naspossibl
e.
Beverytr
ansparentwi
theachot her.Youdon'
thavetohide
bot
hthetini
estandbiggestofthings.”Hi
sfat
herspoke,
andIfel
tthewordsdirect
lytome.

I
twasl
i
keheknewaboutt
hesi
tuat
ionIwasi
nto.

Af
tert
hel
engt
hyadmoni
ti
onf
rom bot
hpar
ent
s,hi
smom
gi
ft
edmeagoldj
ewel
ry.
“Havet
his,mychil
d,Ihadalwayswant
edagi
rlchi
l
dt o
shar
ewomenv ani
ti
eswith.Ihav
eonenow.
”Shesaid,and
ever
yonelaughed.

Icoul
dseethegenuinenessi
nherv
oiceandherey
es.She
wasn'
tfaki
ngitatal
l
.

Icoul
dn'
thel
pbutt
ohughert
ight
ly.
“
Thanky
ousomuch,
mom.Il
ovey
ou.
”
“
Ilov
eyout
oo.
”Shesai
dandwel
eft
.

Byaf
ter
noon,
wewer
einChi
maobi
'
shousei
nAwka.

Wehadgonet
oar
est
aur
antt
oeatbef
orer
etur
ning.

Ir
efusedt
ogobackt
omyhouset
hroughoutt
henext
week.

“
Iwi
l
lgobackaweek,
closet
oexami
nat
ion.
”Isai
dtohi
m.

Theweekbef or
eexams, Ilef
ttomyplace.Wewr otethe
3rdyearsecondsemesterexaminat
ionandIr et
urnedto
Chimaobi'
shouse,Ideci
dedt ost
aybackf or4daysbefore
goingtoOgunstate,wheremyparentsl
ive.

Reachi
ngt
oOgunst
ate,
Ihadmypar
ent
sar
ound.

Befor
etravel
i
ng,Ihadint
endedt
ospeakt
omypar
ent
s
aboutChimaobi
beforehecame.
Although,Ihadn'
tint
enti
onsoft el
li
ngthem ofhi
stri
be.
ButIcouldn'
ttel
lthem abouthim.Thejoyinthehouse
wassogr eat,t
hatIwasn'treadytospoi
lthefun.

Li
nda,ontheot
herhand,
hadbeencal
l
ingme,
butI
i
gnoredhercal
l
s.

Fast-
for
wardt
ot heendofmyv
acati
oni
nOgun,Chimaobi
tol
dmehewascomi ngt
oOguntoseemypar
ents.We
madeallpl
ansready.

Ideci
dedtotalktoSegun,
myol destbr
other
,abouti
tfi
rst
.
Segunhadav erysof
tspotforme.Allmybrother
sdi
d,but
hi
swasextra.Hecouldgoanylengthtohavemehappy .

“Yahy
aSegun,
Iwanttoconfi
deinyou.
”Isai
dtohi
m whi
l
e
hewasinhi
sroom,l
ist
eningtomusic.
HiHi
m onWhat
sAppv
ia+2349133660306f
ormor
e
st
ori
es.
.
“
Comeher
e,”hedr
aggedmet
ohi
slapsandhel
dme.
“Whati
sbother
ingy
ou?Talktome.Ki
l
ode?
”Heasked
agai
n,andIhi
vedasighofr
eli
ef.
“
Iam i
nlovewi
thanI
gboguy.Wearesoi
ntoeachother
.
Hehasshownmetohispar
ent
s,andt
heyaresoi
ntome,
t
oo.
”

“
Ah!TOLANI
!Ist
hatwhaty
ouwer
esentt
oschool
todo?
”
“YayhaSegun,i
t'
snotwhatyouthi
nk.Iam st
il
lthegood
gir
l,youknow.Heisser
iouswi
thme.”Isai
dandhesi ghed.
“
Whatdoy
ouwantnow?
”
“Iwanttohaveyoursuppor
tfir
st.Iknowy
ousupport
ing
mewillgoalongwayinconvinci
ngmom anddad.”
“Ah!Tolani,youknowhowdadi sall
aboutyou.ThatmanI
knowwi llneverl
etyoumarryatthi
sage,t
alkmoretoOmo
Igbo.Youar esti
lli
nschool
,forGod'
ssake.
”
“
Isi
tnotbet
tert
oset
tl
enowwi
thmysoul
mat
e?”
“
CanIseet
heboy?”Heasked,
andIst
oodupfrom his
l
aps,
gotmyphoneandshowedhi
m Chimaobi
'
spictures.

“Nafi
neboyo.Naughtyli
tt
legi
rl
.Howdi
dyoumeetthis
one?Youarenotagoodgirl
.ComeTol
ani
,hav
ey ouhad
sexbefor
e?”Heasked,andIst
oodupi
mmediatel
y.

“
YahyaSegun,
whatt
ypeofquest
ioni
sthatna?
”Iasked,
l
aughi
ng.
“
Tol
ani
,comeher
e.Hav
eyouev
erki
ssedbef
ore?
”
“St
opnah,Ididn'
tcometoyourr
oom f
ort
hisbutf
or
suppor
t.
”Ilaughedagai
n.
Hehel
dmyear
sandhuggedmewhi
l
est
andi
ng.
“Please,Idon'twantanyt
hingtohappentoyou.Iam not
stoppingy oufrom doi
ngwhaty ouwant,
butpleasebe
extremelycareful
.Youarelikeouronl
yegg.Iwill
only
suppor tyouifIspeakwit
ht heguy.What
'shi
sname? ”
“
Chi
maobi
.”
“
Okay
,gi
vemehi
scont
act
.Ineedt
ospeakwi
thhi
m.”

Igavehim Chimaobi'
scontact
,andthebothofthem
spoke.Iwassosur pr
isedonhowt heyconnect
edwith
eachother
, andIwasextremelyexci
tedabouti
t.

I
nashortt
ime,
Chi
maobi
camet
oOgunst
ateandl
odged
i
nahotel
.
.
Ihadt
oldmypar
ent
sIhadav
isi
torIwoul
dlov
ethem t
o
meet.

Prepar
ati
onswer
emade,
butIr
efusedt
odi
scl
osehi
str
ibe
andwhathewascomi
ngfor
.
“Whydoyouwantustomeetayoungmanwi
thoutt
ell
i
ng
usthepur
pose.
”Theysai
dtome.
“
Dad,
youwi
l
lgett
oknowsoonest
.”It
oldt
hem.

Chimaobiar
ri
vedi
nmypar
ent
'shousei
nOgunst
ate,
Niger
ia.

Mom andDadhadr
efusedl
unch,
andchoset
ohav
elunch
wi
thChimaobi
.

Alunchmymom andIhadpai nst

akingl
yprepared.Ri
ght
aswewer eset
tl
ingi
ntoeat,
mydadt ur
nedtoChi maobi
andstar
tedgri
l
li
nghim wi
thquesti
onafterquesti
on:

“Whoareyouyoung,andwhyar
eyouhere?Yourfr
iend
hasref
usedtotel
lusyourai
m”dadsai
d,scoopi
ngr i
ce
fr
om hi
splat
es.

“
I'
m Chi
maobiObior
a.Iam ar
eal
est
atemanager
,andal
so
abusi
nessman.I
…”

“
Whatt
ypeofbusi
nessdoy
oudo?Youknow,
youy
oung
menlit
erar
ydoall
sortoft
hingsandt
agi
tbusi
ness.So,
be
speci
fi
c.”Mydadi
nter
rupt
edhim.

I
ncaseyoucaretoknowwher eIgotmyout spokenness
badmout
hednessandfier
ceness,Igoti
tfr
om myDad.My
mom bar
elyt
alked.Shewasawomanoff ewwor ds.

“What'
sy ourf
ive-
yearpl
an?
”DadaskedandChi
maobi
answered.

“What
'sy
our10-y
earplan?
”Dadaskedagai
n,and
Chi
maobianswered.

“
IfImetyourbestf
riend,
howwoul
dhedescr
ibeyoui
n
f
ivewords?”DadaskedandChi
maobi
answered.

Thiswentonli
keforever
,andpoorChi
maobi wasadeep
shadeofcri
msonwheni twasover.Weendedupfini
shi
ng
thelunchi
ntot
alsil
ence.Itwasmort
if
ying.

Aft
erlunch,
wecamet ot
hesit
ti
ngroom anddad
cont
inuedfr
om wher
ehestopped.
“Howcanwehel
pyou?
”MyDadsai
dar
rogant
ly,
picki
ng
hist
eet
h.

Ifel
tsobad,
andIwant
edtoi
nter
vene,
butChi
maobi
showedhewasmanenough,
hedidn'
twast
eti
me.
“
Iwanttomarryy
ourdaughter
.”Chimaobi
sai
d,sobol
dly
t
hatIcoul
dn'
thel
pbutfeeli
mpr essed.

Het
ookmydadunawar
es.

Dadl
ookedathi
m andaskedhi
mthesamequest
ion.

“Iwantt
omarryyourdaughter
,Tol
ani
.Thi
siswhyI
'
m her
e.
Icametoseekyourconsentandappr
oval
.”

“Ah!Igboy
a!OmoObi nr
im miKansosof eOmoI gbo.Shey
Ogbadun?Odami l
ojupe,ol
anlani.I
yawoni,lej
adesita
kuroninuil
emi.
”MyDadsai d,
dragginghisbear
dsashe
l
eftthesit
tingr
oom.

Tobecont
inued.
..
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
*TOLANI
*
Epi
sode12

“Ej
oorBabaSegun,l
ist
entot
hey
oungman.
”Mymom
cal
l
ed,buthei
gnoredher.

Whenhegott
othest
air
case,
hest
oppedandsai
d,

“Me,l
etmydaughtermarr
yOmoI gbo,thoseri
tual
i
sts.
Howoldisshe?Idonotwanttocomeoutandhav eyou
sti
l
linmyhouse.Andyou,geti
ntoyourroom
i
mmedi at
ely
.”

Icoul
dseet
heembar
rassmenti
nChi
maobi
'
sface.

Icouldn'
tevenl
ookathi
mint
hef
acebecauseIf
eltI
causedit.
SegunshookChi
maobi
'
shand,
tel
l
inghi
mtor
elax.

“Cal
m down,don'
ttaket
hist
ohear
t.Heisj
ustapr
otect
ive
Dad.
”Mybr ot
herencour
agedChi
maobi.
Mymom di
dn'
tdomuch.

“Youngman, Tolani
isouronlyfemaledaughterwhoisjust
22andstilli
nschool.Herfatherwouldnotwanttogive
heroutatthisageinschool.Respectusandletherbe.
”
Shesaid,excusi
ngherself
.

Chi
maobi
didn'
tl
eav
eOgunst
atet
hatday
.
I
nfact
,her
efusedt
ogo.
“Bae,Iam notoffendedorsur
pri
sed.Iwasreadyforthat,
andI '
m st
il
lready.Iti
snormalf
oreveryf
athertoprotect
hisonlydaughterandat22toamanoutofhi stri
be.You
don'thavetobemadathi m.Let'
sfoll
owhim gentl
y.”He
saidtomeont hephone.

“
Didy
ouhearme?
”Heasked
“
Yes,I
'vehear
dyou.
”Ianswer
edhi
m,cl
eani
ngawaymy
t
ears.

“
Mynwa!Ngwanust
opcr
yingoh?
”
“
Oh,
howaboutmom anddad,
didy
out
ell
them abouti
t?”
“Yes,Idi
d.Theyar
esay
ingt
hesamet
hing.TheysuggestI
givehimtime.
”
“I
t'
salri
ght
.Iwil
lcometothehot
eltomor
rowi
nthe
aft
ernoonwhenhe'soutoft
hehouse.
”Wetal
kedandwe
hungthecall
.

Thenextday'
saf
ter
noon,Ivi
sit
edChi
maobi
att
hehot
el
andspentsometi
metogether
.

Wecouldn'
tevengeti
nti
mat ewit
heachot
herbecausewe
werebothsadandquiet
,looki
ngatapl
aceofdespai
rand
f
airofwhatthef
utur
ehadf orus.

Webot
hhadf
ear
sofl
osi
ngeachot
her
.

Wewereatt
hepeakofourr
elat
ionshi
pandev
ery
thi
ng
seemedt
ogetsor
e.

Dayslat
er,
Chimaobil
eftf
orAwka,Iwast
oret
urnf
ormy
fi
naly
earinschool
thenextweek.

“
Wher
edoest
hey
oungmanl
i
ve?
”Mydadaskedme.
“
Awka.
”
“Idonotwanttoseeyounearhi
m.Ifyouknowwhatis
goodforyou,
cutever
ytiewit
hthatyoungman.Youwil
l
hat
emei
fyoudoot
her
wise.
”Mydadi
nst
ruct
edme.
“Dad,pl
ease,
justl
etmemar
ryhi
m.I
t'
sbet
tert
hangoi
ng
wit
hthewrongperson.
”
“Willyoushutupy ourmouth?Howol darey ou?Di dIever
tell
youIam poort otakecareofy ou?Ihavelandsi nOgun
here,Ihaveinvest
ment sall
overthecount r
y.Ah!Tolani
, I
am notpoor ,Iam notchasi
ngmyonl ydaught eraway.No!
Youcan' tmarryhi
m.Ther eareyoungYor ubaboy syoucan
pickfrom,notanIgboboywhohasnor espect.
.
”Dad!
”
“Yes!Didhegreetmewell?Hedi dn'
tl
iedowntogreatme,
theyarearr
ogantsetofpersons.Hedidn'
tev
enpretendto
greetme.”
“
Dad,hewasn'tbr
oughtupt
hatway
.Respectdoesn'
t
meanonehast ol
ief
latont
hefl
oor
.Il
ovehim.That'
s
whatIwant
.”
“
Thenber
eadyf
orme,
Tol
ani
.”Hesai
dasIcr
ied.
“Myfri
end,car
ryyourl
uggaget
othecar
,letmet
akey
out
o
LagosStat
eairpor
t.
”
“Begun!
”
“
Yes,
sir
.”
“
Gett
hecarkey
s,l
et'
sdr
ivet
oLagos.
”
“Baba,
ist
hereneed,Iusual
l
ydri
vehert
ot heai
rpor
tev
ery
endofhervacat
ion.Whystr
essyour
sel
ftoday?
”Segun
asked.Hi
Him onWhat
sAppv
ia+2349133660306f
or
morestor
ies.
.
“Ogbeni
!Gogetthekeys,don'
ttel
lmewhatt odo.Iam
goingwi
thyoutwo.Idon'
ttrustyoubecauseIsawhow
youwereshi
ningyourshovelteet
hfortheyoungboy.Yey
e!
Gogetthekeys.
”

Segunbroughtt
hekeys,andwedr
ovetoLagosSt
ate
ai
rpor
t.Iwasmut eal
lthr
ought
hejour
ney
.

Byev
eni
ng,
Iwasi
nAwka.Chi
maobi
hadt
opi
ckmeup.

Iwant
edt
ost
aywi
thhi
m,buther
efused.
“Iwi
llt
akeyoutoy
ourhouse.Iwoul
dwantt
orespecty
our
Dad.Fornow,y
oushoul
dnotbesleepi
ngi
nmyhouse.”

“
Howcoul
dyousayt
hat
?”
“Bae,
don'
tmi sunder
standme.Wearetr
yingtomake
thi
ngswork.Letusnotcompli
cat
eit
.”Het ol
dme,hal
ti
ng
atmyhostelgate.

“
Doy
ouunder
standme?
”
“
Chi
maobi
,j
ustdr
opme.I
'
m st
ressed.
”It
oldhi
m.
Het
ri
edt
oki
ssmyf
orehead,
butIpushedhi
m asi
de.
“
I'
m noti
nthemood.Opent
hedoor
,letmego.
”

Heal
l
owedme,
ashet
ookmyl
uggagei
ntomyr
oom.

“
Ther
oom i
sdust
y,bae.
”
“
Abegl
eav
eme,
Iwi
l
lsor
tmy
sel
f.
”
“
Canyoujustl
eav
eme."
?Isaid,
asIbegant
obr
ingoutal
l
t
hethi
ngsIcamebackwi
th.

“YouknowIcan'
tleav
eyoutodoal
lthese.
”Hesai
d,ashe
broughtoutmybr
oom st
ickandmopashebegantoclean
upmyr oom.

Ist
il
ldi
dn'
twantt
ogi
vehi
mface,
alt
houghIwasso
i
mpressedwi
thhi
sact
.

Iwoul
dsitandadmir
ehim butwhenhet
ri
edt
alki
ngt
ome,
Iwoul
dlookaway,f
rowni
ngmyf ace.

“Wher
earey
ougoi
ngt
o?”Heaskedme,
whenIst
oodt
o
goout.
“
I'
m comi
ng.
”
"
Tol
ani
,st
opt
his,
wher
ear
eyougoi
ngt
o?”
“
Isai
dI'
m comi
ng,
na.
”

Heconti
nuedmoppingtheroom,Iwentoutt
odesti
ny
spotr
est
aurantcl
osetomyhostel,
gotfoodfort
hebot
h
ofus,
butIhadthem i
nseparat
epacks.

Ij
ustwantedt
okeepv
exi
ng,
sohewoul
dagr
eet
oletme
st
aywithhim.

Get
tinghome,
hewast hr
oughwit
hcleani
ngandwas
put
ti
ngmyclothesi
nthewardr
obe.

Ikepthi
sfoodonmyr
eadi
ngdesk,
satont
hebedand
openedmypack.

“So,
youhadtoseparat
eourf
ood?Whyar eyoul
ikethi
s?
Mustyouli
ngerever
yfi
ght
?”Heasked,
,butIi
gnoredhi
m
andcont
inuedtoscoopmyspaghet
ti
.

Whenhetri
edtojokewit
hme, Iwi
l
lfr
own.Het
ri
edal
lbest
t
ogist
,butIst
il
li
gnoredhim.
Hecont
inuedeat
ing,
pressi
nghi
sphoneandsmi
l
ing.

“Whyishesmili
ngathi
sphone?Heshouldbelooki
ngat
myface,nott
oignor
eme.”Isai
d,asIkeptmyfoodasi
de,
gotdownfrom t
hebedandlayonthefl
oor,
rest
ingmy
l
egsagainstt
hewall
.

Surpr
isi
ngl
y,heignoredmeandcontinuedeati
nghisfood.
Ibecamerestl
ess,Iwoul
dstandup,got othebat
hroom,
comebackandl iedownagai
nont hefloor
.

Whil
eIwasont hefloor
,If
eltati
cklebeneat
hmycalves,
I
shooki
toff,
butitcameagain,Ideci
dedtolook,
behol
d,i
t
wasarat.

“Bl
oodofJesus!Mommy
!”Ishout
ed,
jumpi
ngont
hebed
andonhim.

“
Whati
sit
?”
“
Rat
!”
“
Wher
edi
ditent
er?
”Heasked,
ashebr
oughtt
hebr
oom.
“
Showmet
hesi
dei
nwentt
o.”
Ishowedhi
m,andhebegant
olookf
ort
her
at.

Ij
umpcont
inual
l
yont
hebedashebat
tl
edwi
tht
her
at.

Att
heend,
heki
l
ledi
tanddi
sposedi
t.
Whenhecamebackt
other
oom,
Iwasst
il
lont
hebed.

Henowsai
dwi
thaser
iousf
ace,
“Please,
leav
ethebedf
orme,
ther
athasbeenki
l
led.You
cangobackt ot
hefl
oor
.”

Il
ookedathi
m.
“
Iam ser
ious.I
fyoudon'
t,
Iwi
l
lfor
cey
ou.
”
“Leavemeal
one.
”Isaidashebegant
odr
agmyf
eet
,
draggi
ngmetothefl
oor.

“
Nopl
ease!St
op!
”Ibeggedhi
m.

Hecarr
iedhi
sfoodandsatont
hef
loor
,leav
ingmeont
he
bed.
Iwasnowt
heonebeggi
ngf
orhi
sface.
“
Stopna,
”Isai
dtohi
m.

“
Oh.So,
iti
spai
nful
abi
?”

Icameandhuggedhi
mfr
om t
heback,
bit
inghi
sear
s.
“
Abeg,
shi
ftf
orme.
”
“Iwil
lnot
.”Isai
d,andhebegant
ot i
ckl
eme,
Iwaswearing
ay el
l
owdr ess,
heconti
nuedtot
ickl
emeunt
ilmycl
othes
gottomywai st.

Hestoppedt
ickl
ingme,
looki
ngati
tforawhi
l
eashe
ki
ssedmywai st
.

“I
'
vemi
ssedyou,Tolani
.”Hesaid,
ashedr
aggedmet
o
hi
msel
f,dor
oughly
.Iloveditwhenher
ushesme.

“Comehere,
”hehadmeonhislaps,
hishandsonmy
cheeksandhi
sheadasi
de,
locki
ngmyl i
pswithhi
s.
Tbc
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
*TOLANI
*

Epi
sode13

Atev
eni
ng,
Chi
maobi
lef
tmyhouset
ohi
s.

Mydadhadcal
ledmewhi
l
ewemadeout
,butIcoul
dn'
t
pi
ckhi
scal
ls.

Hebecameext
remel
ymadatmef
ornotpi
cki
nghi
scal
l
s.

“
I'
m sor
ry,
Dad.Iwasar
rangi
ngmyr
oom.
”Il
i
edt
ohi
m.

Monthsl
ater
,myDadcal
l
edmeont hephone,
tel
l
ingme
aboutay
oungmanhewouldwantmetomeet.
“Hei
smychil
dhoodfri
end'sson.Isawhim gr
owt
othe
manhei
stoday.Ver
yrespectf
ulchil
d.”

“Dad!Idonotwantt
omeetanyone.Please,
don'tf
orce
anyonedownmyt hr
oat
.Idon'
tneedthisnow.”
“Ah!So,i
thascomet
othi
s?Youdi
srespectmebecause
ofanIgboboy?”

“
Dad, don'
tmisunderst
andme.YouknowIcannev erdo
t
hat.Iam j
ustnotreadyforanyfor
m ofr
elat
ionshi
pwit
h
men.IhavegottenthepersonIwant.
”

“Tol
ani,ah!Icannotbedraggi
ngwithyou.YouknowIcan
doandundo.Tol ani,
theyoungmani scomingtoAwka
nextweek, y
oumustseehi m andbegood.Iam not
negoti
atingwithyou.Iam i
nst
ruct
ingyou.“Hesaidand
hungthecal l
.

Ibegant
ocr
yaf
resh.

Icouldnotj
ustst
andl
osi
ngChi
maobi
,IknewIwoul
dn'
t
survi
veit
.

Thef
oll
owingweek,
they
oungmancamear
oundasdad
hadi
nst
ructedme.

Icoul
dn'
tvi
bewi
thhi
m,Ihadt
oldChi
maobi
abouti
tbef
ore
goi
ng.

Meeti
ngTobi wasani
ghtmar eformebecauseever
y t
hing
abouthei
rr
itatedme,
hislaughter
,hi
swalki
ngstep,his
mode,andfacewashorri
ficforme.

Het
ri
edal
lhecoul
dtoconnectwi
thme,
butIdi
dn'
topen
t
ohi
m.Therewasnospaceforhi
m.

Iknewhehadtol
dmyDadabouthi
sexper
ienceswit
hme,
andIwasreadyf
orany
thi
ngmyDadhadtosayt ome.

Aspredi
cted,mymom cal
l
ed,shout
ingonme, t
hatI
shoul
dber eadyf
ort
henextt
hingmyf at
herhasinst
ore
forme.
“
Youwi
l
lnotki
l
lme,
thi
schi
l
d.”Shecr
iedsol
oud.

Notqui
tel
ong,
mydadcal
l
edme.

“
Ifyoudon' twantmet odisowny ou,
sti
cktomy
i
nstructi
onsTOLANI .Ishalldisownifyoueverst
epout
wit
ht hatIgboboy.
”Heshout ed.
Icoul
dn'
thol
dmy
sel
f,Ihadt
ocal
lRut
htomyl
odge.

Shehadheardmecr
iedovert
hephone,
shebecame
concer
nedandcametocomfortme.

Ikeptcr
yingunt
ilshecamear
oundt
oseeme.

Ruthhadtocall
Chi
maobi
becauseIbegant
orunhot
temperat
ure.

Chi
maobi
hadt
oleav
ehi
smeet
ingt
ocomet
othehouse.

“Gi
rl,
youneedtoactfastoo.I
fyoudon't
,yourpar
ent
swi
l
l
tamperwit
hyourfut
ur e,
yourhappi
ness.
”Ruthsai
dtome
befor
eChimaobiarr
ived.

“Whatdoyouwantmet odo?Ihavefoughtmydadf or
monthsnow,weareli
kecatandrat
.Hesay soverhisdead
bodyformetomarryChimaobi
.Howhav eInotacted?”I
cri
ed.

“
Don'tbedumb,getpregnantf
orChimaobi
andev
ery
one
wi
ll
rest.
”Shesaid,
stampingherfoot
.
“
What
?Whatdi
dyouj
ustsay
?”
“Youhear dmeright
.Don'teventel
lChimaobi.Markyour
ovulat
ionandhitChimaobi,hedoesn'thavetoknowy our
plansbecausehewi l
lki
ckagainstit
.”Shesaid,agai
nasI
l
ooked, gazi
ngi
nt oaspace,ponderi
ngov erhersuggesti
on.

Tobecont
inued!

TOLANI

Epi
sode14

Iwasst
il
lponderi
ngov
erRuth'
sadv
icet
omewhen
Chi
maobireachedmyhouse.

Hepickedupsomeofmycl
othesandhel
dme,
thanki
ng
Rut
hf orcomi
ngar
oundt
ostaywithme.

Whenwegotdownstair
s,hehadmycl
othesatt
heback
seatandIsatatt
hef
ront.
Her
equest
edRut
htoj
oinus,
sohecoul
dtakeherhome.

Onget
tingt
oRuth'
slodge,
sheal
i
ght
edandwhi
sper
edt
o
mebeforel
eav
ing.

“
Wheni
syourov
ulat
ioncomi
ng?
”
“
Thi
sweek.
”Iwhi
sper
ed
“Tr
ytodothatt
hisweek.
”Shesai
dandbadet
hebot
hof
usgoodby
e.

Whenwegottot
hehouse,Ikeptont
hinki
ngonwhatt
odo.
Iwassowor
ri
edandscared.

“
Ist
hist
her
ightt
hingt
odo?
”Iaskedmy
sel
f.

Chi
maobi
hadgonetoprepar
enoodl
esforust
oeatwhen
Li
nda'
smessagedr
oppedonWhatsApp.

“
Youhav eref
usedtopickmycall
s.You'
vebeenignor
ing
me,andit'
snotfai
ratall
.Idor
eal
lywanttojustbea
f
ri
end.”ShetypedtomeandIimmedi at
elybl
ockedherl
ine.
“Ihavereal
l
ytr
iedt
oreachouttoy
ourDad,
butheseems
stri
ctandfi
rminhi
sdecisi
on.
”

“
Bae,don'twor
ryaboutmyDad,
hewi
l
lbef
ine.
”I
r
eassuredhim.

“Youseem di
ff
erentt
oday
.Youwer ecry
ingsomehours
agoandhereareyousosureaboutever
ythi
ng.Whatar
e
youupto?”

“
Not
hingatal
l
.Iam j
usthav
ingf
ait
h.”

“Il
ovey
ourf
ait
h.Not
hing,
absol
utel
ynot
hing,
wil
lsepar
ate
us.
”Hesai
dashefedmewi t
hthenoodl
es…

Twoday slat
er,IhadgonetoEkeAwkatosel
ectav
ery
ter
ribl
eoutfi
tIusual
lyr
efert
oaskil
landdi
e.Iwasr
eady
forall
thesuggesti
onsRuthgaveme.

Theonl
yfearIhadwas, Chi
maobi
Lit
eral
lycount
smy
cycl
ewi
thme, infact
,hecount
smycyclebett
er,
Ihonest
ly
mademistakessometimes.
Chi
maobi
wasmeti
cul
ous,
hewoul
dcountmycy
cleand
nev
ergoi
nti
mat
ewit
hmeduri
ngovul
ati
on.

So,Iwasleftwit
htheassi
gnmenttoconvi
ncehimint
o
get
tingint
imatewit
hmedur i
ngthatmyovulat
ionper
iod.
Hence,Iwenttogetmykil
landdieout
fi
t.

I
twasar
edbr
aandpantov
eral
l
.

Hehadnev
erseenmei
nthat
.

Thankf
ull
y,hehadgoneoutwi
thf
ri
endsandi
ntended
ret
urni
nglate.

Icookedhisbestmeal
,Oha,
sur
pri
sed?Het
aughtmehow
tocookit
.

Iser
vedi
tint
her
oom andcov
eredmy
sel
fwi
thni
ght
ies.

Ret
urni
ng,
Ihadhi
mtakehi
sbat
handeat
.
Hewasqui
tei
mpr
essedandhappy
.

Af
terhehadeaten,
Ist
art
edki
ssi
nghi
m,hegr
abbedmy
wai
standcuppedmyface.

“
Youseem t
oosweetl
i
keabr
idet
oday
?”
“Shhh…justgowi t
hthefl
ow”Isai
d,andIcoul
dfeel
the
l
ov ewithj
ustthesoftt
ouchofmylipsandthewayhe
caressedmywai st.

Icuppedhisface,t
henf
elthi
schest
.Webot
hletouta
l
ongsatisf
iedsigh.

Helookedatmewi
thl
ovei
nhi
sar
msandt
ouchedme
l
ongingl
y.
Ist
art
edtotakeof
fhisshir
t,hishandsst
il
lonmywai
st;
car
essi
ng,memori
zingeveryfeel
ing.

Thenmynight
ieswasof
f,hesawmybar
ebody
.Hesmi
l
ed
andst
art
edkissi
ngmyneck.
“
Isomuchl
ovet
his.
”Exci
ted…
Ibitmyl
i
pandkissedhi
m har
derunt
ilhi
sbackwent
downonthebed.

“
Letmebei
ncont
rol
today
”Isai
d.

Heki
ssedmylips,
Iki
ssedhi
m back.Hest
art
edt
aki
ngof
f
t
heoveral
l
,andyouundr
essme.

Ther
ewebegant
omakel
ove,
butnotqui
tel
ongi
ntot
he
act
,hej
olt
ed.

“
Yousawy
ourper
iodl
astt
woweeks,
right
?Heasked.
“
Cany
ounotcutt
hisf
lowandst
ickont
hebed?
”
“
Bae,
wai
t.
”Hepi
ckedhi
sphone.
“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"

“
Checki
ngt
hecal
endar
.”
“
Whati
swrongwi
thy
ou?Howcanyoubet
hisi
nsensi
ti
ve
t
ocutt
hegoodmomentwear
ehav
ing?
”
“Bae,cal
m down,Iam j
usttr
yingt
omakesureyouare
ovulat
ingthi
sweek.That'
sit
!See,i
t'
syourwi
ndowti
me.
Weshoul dnotdothi
snow.”Hesaid.
“Whati
swrongwit
hyou?
”It
hrewt
hepi
l
low,
ver
ymadat
hi
ssharpi
nsti
nct
.
“Bae,butwe'
veal
waysdonotmeetduri
ngyourwindow
ti
me.It'
snotnew,whyar
eyousopissedwitht
hisin
part
icul
ar?”Het
ri
edtohol
dme,butIhithi
shands.

“
Okayfi
ne,
Iunder
standyouneedmenow,letmegodown
t
othephar
maceuti
calshopandgetsomeprot
ect
ion.
”
“
No!Doyouwantt
ocutmeoutf
rom t
hemood?Goi
ngt
o
t
heshopi
stoomuchti
me.
”
“
Whatdoy
ouwantt
hen?YouknowIhat
eseei
ngy
out
his
way
.”

“
Letusgoon.
”
“
No,
Tol
ani
.”Hebackedof
f.
“
Iwi
l
ltakepi
l
lsaf
ter
.”
“
No,
wehav
enev
erusedpi
l
ls.Ihat
eit
.”
“
Bae,t
hiswoul
dbemyf ir
standlastt
ime.I
nf act
,we
woul
dgetthepi
ll
stoget
her.
”Ibeggedhim,usingmy
womanstr
engthtogeti
ntohishead.

Isatonhi
slapsagai
n,andt
ouchedhi
stempl
e.
“
Let
'sj
ustdoi
t”Isai
d,andhef
ail
edy
akat
ataf
orme.

Tobecont
inued…
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
TOLANI

Epi
sode15

Ir
oll
edov
erandlayChimaobi
'
sheadonmychest
,pl
aci
ng
mynosetohi
s,t
hatIfel
thi
sbreat
hing.
“
Ican'
twai
ttomar
ryyou.
”Hi
svoi
cewassof
t,deep,
Icoul
d
f
eeli
trumbl
einmychest
.

Ever
ypartofmewant
edhimf
ortworeasons,thel
oveI
hadforhi
m,andmymissi
onf
orget
ti
ngpr egnantf
orhi
m.

Chi
maobi'
sli
psandtonguecuppedmybr
east
,andhi
s
movest
urnedtofi
reonmybody .

Hetuggedatmydarkhai
r,pl
aci
ngi
ttoonesi
deashe
begantorubmyshoul
der
s.

AndIl
etoutacr
yofpl
easur
ewi
thev
erynewpar
tofmy
backandshoul
der
sthatChi
maobi
touched.

Mysoftgroansofr
elaxat
iononl
yaddedt
oChimaobi
'
s
ar
ousalasheconti
nuedtocaressmyshoul
der
s.

“Thi
sfeeli
ngist
ooamazi
ng.
”Ireachedt
ohi
shandsonmy
shoul
ders,pl
aci
ngi
tonmybreasts.

It
easedhi
m wi
thherhandswhi
l
eher
anhi
shandt
hrough
myhair
.

Thesexwasf
ulf
il
li
ng,
wehadf
orgot
tenaboutchast
it
yand
pur
it
y.

Wewer
elosti
nourwor
ld.

Wehungunt
oeachother
,sweat
ingpr
ofusel
yandhighi
n
cl
i
maxaswedroppeddeadonthebead,br
eathi
ngsohi
gh.

Wehadsl
eptof
fandwokeupt
henextmor
ning.

I
nthemor
ning,
aft
erwehadbr
eakf
ast
,Chi
maobi
wentout
t
ogett
hepi
l
ls.

Ret
urni
ng,heplacedMamaMmesoma'
sisi
ewuont
he
si
tt
ing-
room t
able,whi
l
eIwat
chedamovi
e.

“
Her
e,t
aket
hepi
l
ls.
”Hesai
d.
“
Iwi
llt
akei
taf
terdev
our
ingt
his,
Itr
iedt
ochanget
he
t
opi
c.”

Hekeptqui
et,
andwebegant
oeatt
hemeat
.

Af
terwehadf
ini
shedeat
ing,
her
emi
ndedmet
otaket
he
pi
l
lsagai
n.

“Bae,Iwi
ll
.”Isai
dbutChimaobiwasasmartone,
he
pickedupthetabl
et,
openedthepackandpl
acedthet
wo
pil
lstoonmyhands.

Igul
pabot
tl
eofwat
er,
wat
chedatt
het
elev
isi
on.
“
Didyouseewhatshedi
d?”Idi
str
act
edhi
m,andhe
l
ookedawayfr
om me,l
ookingatt
heTV.
Ithrewthepi
l
lscl
osetomyleg,
pressi
ngmylegsonitand
threwandemptyhandint
omymout h,
pret
endi
ngIt
ooki t
.

“
Argh!
”Iact
edup.
“
Isi
tbi
tt
er?
”
“
Yes,
iti
s.”
“
Sosor
ry,
”hesai
d,pat
ti
ngmyshoul
der
s.
“
Thi
sgi
rldoesn'
tl
ovehi
m.”Hesai
d,r
efer
ri
ngt
othemov
ie.

Tof
ini
shupmypl
ans.
“
Bae,canyoupleasegetmeanappl efr
om thef
ri
dge,
thi
s
i
sreal
lybi
tt
er?
”Imadeav er
yinnocentface.

Hestoodupi nnocent
lyandwalkedint
ot heki
tchen,
asI
i
mmedi atelypi
ckedupthepi
llsandthrewthem undert
he
chai
r,hopingtosweepthem outtomorrow.

Iwantedtothr
owi tint
het i
ghtcroptopIwore,butIwade
offt
heideabecauseIdidn'twanttotakechances,i
ncase
Chimaobideci
dedt ohavemeagai n,
r emovi
ngmycl ot
hes
wouldbeahugef all
outforme.
So,
undert
hechai
rwast
hebestatt
hatmoment
.

Hecamebackwi
thtwoapples,
aski
ngmetositonhi
s
l
apsashefedmetheappl
es,ki
ssi
ngmycheeks.

“
Sor
ry,
youwi
l
lbef
ine,
ok?
"
“Okay
.”Inodded,
andhepl
ayf
ull
ycar
essedmychestand
stomach.

Icoul
dn'
tbet
hankf
ulenoughf
ornotput
ti
ngt
hem t
her
e.

Tobecont
inued

TOLANI

Epi
sode16

Icoul
dn'
thel
pbuttocont
inuet
ot hankGodfornot
all
owi
ngmet ot
hrowthepil
lsi
ntomycl ot
hes.
Notquit
elongaft
erwehadt
akentheapples,
Chimaobi
's
mothercal
led,
tel
l
ingChi
maobiofhowhisfat
herist
err
ibl
y
si
ck.

“I
t'
sli
keyouwi ll
needt oexcuseyourselffr
om allt
hese
backandforthdramaofTol ani'
sparents.Thisi
s6mont hs
now,we'vebeent r
yingtoreachhim andhav eadult
communication,buthedoesn'twanttogi v
ein.Nna,it
makesnosensewhat soevertokeepwai ti
ngfornothi
ng.I
am notgett
ingyounger,weneedagr andchil
d.”Shesaid
tohi
m.

“
Yourdadhasbeensi
ck,
andIam di
str
essed.
”

Aftert
hecal
l,
Chi maobihadaworr
iedl
ookall
thr
oughthe
ti
me.Hiscountenancewaslowandhebarel
ytal
ked.

Icoul
dseet
hesadnessi
nhi
sey
es.

Thesadnessofl
osi
ngt
heonehel
oves.

“
Babe,
youdon'
tneedtoworryaboutt
hiswhol
ethi
ng.We
wi
ll
getmar
ri
ed.”Iencour
agedhim.
“What?Getmarr
ied?How?Myparentsaret
ir
ed,
Iam ti
red.
Ican'
tbewait
ingfor
ever
.”Hehi
tthepil
l
owandstepped
outofthepar
lor
.

“
Chi
maobi,wearetalki
ng.Youshoul
dnotwal
koutonme,
t
hat
'sdi
srespect
ful
.”Isai
dtohi
m.

“Iam notinf orwhatisrightorwrong.I

'mjustfedup.
Whatisi t
?I sitacri
met omar ryyou?Whatisthediff
icul
t
thi
ngf oryourDadt oagr ee?Youareinyourfi
nalsand
havefewmont hst
ogr aduate,what'
syourdad'
sproblem?”
HeaskedmeandIcoul dnotutterawordbecauseIcould
feelhi
spai ns.

“
Aremyparentsdumbtoletmemar ryaYORUBAGI
RL?
”
Hesai
d,st
ressi
ngit
,andIlookedathi
m.

“Yes,aretheydumb?Aretheylesserhumantol
etme
mar r
yy ou?Idon'
tunderst
and.Heshoulddowhatev
erhe
l
ikeswi thhi
sdaughter
,Idon'
tdeserveyou,
andIthi
nkI
don'tcareanymore.
”

“Chi
maobi
!Di
dyouj
ustsayt
heset
ome?
”
“
Tol
ani,
Ithi
nkI
'
m notconcer
nedwi
tht
hiswhol
ethi
ng.Let
y
ourfat
her'
swi
ll
bedone.”

“Youwantt
oleav
eme?Chimaobi?Youi
ntendtowal
k
awayfr
om al
lwetoi
l
edandworkedfort
ogether
?”

“Pl
ease,donotplaythevict
im'scardher
e.Iam notthe
cause.Yourfat
heristhecourse,andIbl
oodydon'tcar
e
abouthim.”

“Donoti
nsul
tmyfather
,Iwi
l
lnott
aket
hatf
rom y
ou.
”I
shout
edbackathi
m.

“Tolani,Ihav
enost rengt
hforal
lthese.Anditisver
y
unfortunatethatyoudonotseemyst ruggl
esandhow
muchIhav efoughttobewithyou,howmuchIhav ebeen
pati
entt ohav eyou,
andhowmuchmypar entshavebeen
pati
ent .Ever
ythi
ngisaboutyou.Iwanttobeaboutmy sel
f
now. ”

“
Yout
hinkgoi
ngawayf
rom mewi
l
lgi
vey
ouhappi
ness?
”

“Atleast
,Idonothav
etokeepf
ighti
ngtobehappy.”He
saidashepickedupagl
assofwine,gul
pingi
tinspeed.
“
Idon'tbl
ameyou,Ibl
amemy sel
fforbeli
evi
ngal
lyour
l
ies.
”Icri
edout
,asIbecameextr
emelymadwi t
hhim asI
wentundert
hecouch,pi
ckedupthepil
ls.

“
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
”Hesai
d,comi
ngt
owar
dsme.

“
Youdi
dnott
aket
hepi
l
ls?
”

“
It
'snoneofy
ourbusi
nessnow.
”

“
TOLANI
!Youdecei
vedme?Oh!Jesus…”Hehi
thi
shands
i
ndi
sbel
i
ef.

“
Iam di
sappoi
nted!
”

“
Bae,
it'
snotwhaty
ouar
ethi
nki
ng.
”

“Letmego.
”Hepushedmeasi
de,
pickeduphi
scarkey
s
andlef
tme.
Ibecamedisappoi
ntedwi
thmy sel
f,Ijustwantedtoshow
hi
m howIwast ryi
ngtobewit
hhi mt oo.Ididn'
tmeant o
hurthi
m.IwantedhimtoseeIplannedt obepr egnantjust
becauseIl
ovedhim.Ihadnoideahewoul dmisinter
pret
me.

Ibegant
ocal
lhi
m,,
buthewasn'
tpi
cki
ngmycal
l
s.

“Rut
h,youhav
eputmei
ntr
oubl
e.”Ical
l
edRut
hont
he
phone.

“
Hegott
oknowaboutmypl
answhi
l
ewehadaf
ight
.”

“
How?It
oldhi
m.”

“Whyarey
outhi
sdumb,Tol
ani?Whati
swrongwi t
hyou?
Whichmanwoul
dtaket
hisl
ightl
ywi
thhisf
iancée.
”She
asked.

“
Buty
ouaskedmet
o”
“
Dummy!Iaskedyout
o,butIdi
dn'
taskyout
odi
scl
osei
t
t
ohi
m.Ithoughty
ouarewisert
hanthi
s.”
“
Rut
h,enoughoft
hei
nsul
t.
”

“Myfri
end,keepquietandcal
lhi
m.Apologizeasyoucan
andalsotrytogethisappr
ovalt
ogetpregnant,
sincey
ou
havediscl
osedit.
”Sheaswehungt hecall
.

Icoul
dhel
pbuttoshedami
l
li
ont
ear
sashecont
inuedt
o
busymycal
ls.

I
twasnear11:
00pm,
Chimaobiwasn'
thome,
wit
h
gr
iev
ancei
nmyheart
,Idi
aledatextt
omyDad.

“
Whatev
erthathappenstome, getr
eadytotel
lthewor
ld
t
haty
ouareresponsibl
e.”Isai
d,asIfel
lont
hebed,cry
ing.

Tobecont
inued!
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
TOLANI

Epi
sode17

Mydadbegantocal
lme,butIr
efusedt
opi
ckt
hecal
l
becauseIwassomadathi
m.Mymom call
edmeandmy
br
otherSeguncal
l
edt
oo,
butIi
gnor
edt
hem al
l
.

All
Iwantedwastobeleftal
onebecauseIcoul
dn'
teven
i
maginemysel
flosi
ngChimaobi
,Iknewitwasgoingt
obe
t
heworstti
mesofmylifetol
osehim.

Hewasev
ery
thi
ngIwant
ed.

So,
whil
eev ery
onecall
edme, Iwasbusycall
ingChi
maobi
tor
etur
n,looki
ngatthewatchineachsecond.If
oundout
i
twasalready20minutesaft
er12am atni
ght.

Chi
maobihadnev
erbeent
hatangr
ywi
thme.I
twast
otal
l
y
newforme.

Ihadsl
eptof
faround2:
00am i
nt hemorni
ng,
Iwokeup
wit
hswoll
eneyesandhadcoercedvoi
ce.

Ihadmessedupmy
sel
fwi
tht
ear
sthr
oughoutt
heni
ght
.
“
Youjusthavetogi
veuponal
lthese.Youj
usthav
eto
moveon”Itol
dmy sel
f.
Thi
ngswer
enotact
ual
lyworki
ng.Mydadwasn'tr
eadyto
l
etmemarryChi
maobi
,andIcoul
dn'
tj
ustcont
inuethi
s
way,

“
Ican'
tholdt
hisy
oungman, hehastri
ed.Justmoveon.”I
t
ri
edtotal
ktomysel
f,butt
hereali
tyofal
lthesacr
if
ices,
t
hereal
it
yof
al
ltheti
mewehadtogether
,thel
oveweshared,
the
under
standi
ng,
thef
ight
sweretot
all
ywhatIcoul
dn'
tletgo.

Iunderst
oodIhadmessedup, yeah,
IknewIdi dn'
tdowell
,
butIwasonlytryi
ngtomaket hingswor k,
itwasnotl
ikeI
wantedtohurthim.Ifel
thehadbeenf ighti
ngtobewith
meal l
theti
me, If
eltIneededtoshowmysuppor t
.The
onlyi
deaformewast ogetpregnantforhim.

Ibegant
opackupmycl
othesi
ntot
hebag.

Ihadpi
ckedupev er
ythi
ngandwal
kedt
othesi
tt
ingr
oom,
l
ooki
ngsodeject
ed.

Out
sidet
hehouse,
Chi
maobi
drov
ein.
Hecamedownandwal
kedt
owar
dsmewi
thr
edey
es.

“Wherear
eyougoingto?”Heasked,
,butIkeptqui
et,
standi
ngbef
orehi
m, ashamedofmyself.

“Look,Ihav et houghtaboutal l t
hesethings.Ihav ethought
aboutal lt
hesacr ifi
ces, t
hemanyy earswe'vespentwi th
eachot her.Ijustcan' tletyougo.Iam sor ryforwhatI
madey ougot hrough.Iapol ogizeformywor dslastnight
,I
wasj ustsopusht ot heextremeandhadl ostmysani ty.I
apologizef orwal kingoutony ouandsl eepi
ngel sewhere.
Itwasdi srespect ful,andwehadpr omisedt orespecteach
other,regardlessofhowhur twef eel.
”Hemov edt owards
meandhel dmywai st.

“Idi
dn'tmeant odisr
espectyourdad.Youmi sunderst
ood
me.For giv
eme.Iknowy ouhadt odowhaty oudid
becausey ouwantedtofightforus,andhonestly
,Iam
heretot el
lyouthetr
uththatIam actual
l
yimpr essed.
Although, Iwoul dnev erwishy outogetpregnantbef ore
mar ri
age.Youdi dn'tcareaboutt hedangers,theridiculeit
willbri
ngt oy ourpar ents,youasawoman, y ouwer e
selfl
essabouti t.Bae, i
tdoesn'tmatterwhethery out ri
ed
totaket hewr ongwayorr i
ghtway ,whatmat t
ersis,you
tr
iedt ofighttosecur eourf ut
ure.Iwil
lbeahear tlessguy
nott ounder standwhaty out r
iedto.
”Hesai d,andat ear
dr
oppedi
nmyey
es.

“I
'
m sorr
yforputt
ingy
outhr
oughal
lthat
.”Hesai
dashe
huggedandtr
iedtoki
ssmyli
ps.
“
No!
”Ishi
ft
edmymout
htot
heot
hersi
de.
“
What
,nah?
”
“
Goandbr
ush,y
ourmout
hissmel
l
ing.
”Isai
d,andhet
ri
ed
t
ofor
cei
t,Ir
anaway
.

Hebegant
olaughashecar
ri
edmyst
uffbackt
othe
house.

Lat
eri
ntheaft
ernoon,
weweremakingohasouptoget
her
i
ntheki
tchenwhenmybrot
herSeguncal
ledChi
maobi.

Af
tersomet
imes,heexcusedhi
msel
fout
sidet
ospeak
wi
thmybrother
.

7minutesormor
e,hecamei
ntot
heki
tchenwi
thav
ery
t
ightf
ace.

“
What
?”
“
Hesai
dyou'
venotbeenpi
cki
ngy
ourcal
l
s”
“
Yeah,
Iwantt
ogai
nmysani
ty.
”Isai
d,t
urni
ngt
hesoup.
“Yourbr
othersai
dIshouldbegyoutopickyourcall
.He
doesn'
tknowy ouareher
e.So,cal
lhi
m.LetitbelikeI
call
edyoutocallhi
m.”HesaidandInodded.

Aft
erourmeal
thataf
ter
noon,Ical
ledmybr
other
.HiHim
onWhatsAppvi
a+2349133660306formor
estor
ies.
.
“Tol
ani
,youreal
l
ydidnothav etosendsuchmessaget o
Dad.Heissi
ck.Hehasbeeni nthehospit
al.Wer ushed
himtothehospi
tall
astnight.Tolani
,don'
tkillt
hatman
ooo.Wooh!Nokill
yourfatherbecauseofst upidl
ove.”
“
Yahy
aSegun.
”

“Idon'
twanttohearany
thi
ng,j
ustbookthefi
rstf
li
ght
tomorrow'smorni
ngandcometoOgunt oseehim bef
ore
anythi
nghappens.
”HehungthecallandIf
ell
onthebed,
cryi
ngafresh.

Iwasdi
sappoi
ntedwi
thmy sel
f.TwomenIl ov
ed,mydad
andmyfi
ancé,whoshoul
dIgof or?Icr
iedmore.

Chimaobi
consoledmeandadvi
sedIsemydad.He
bookedafl
ightf
ormeimmediat
ely
.
Asusual
,hehelpedmepackedmycl
othesandassur
ed
methatever
ythi
ngwoul
dbef i
ne.

Thenextmorning,
Chimaobidr
ovemet
otheai
rpor
t.Hi
s
fr
iendDrakecamealongwit
hus.

Af
terIhadgot
teni
ntot
hepl
ane,
theyl
eft
.

Igott
oLagosSt
ateandboar
dedacommer
cial
transi
tto
Ogun.
Get
ti
ngt
oOgun,
Ical
l
edy
ahy
aSegunt
oknowwher
ethey
wer
e.

Ineededt
ohav
etheaddr
esst
othehospi
tal
.

Hesenti
ttomeandIt
ookacabt
othehospi
tal
.
Attherecept
ion,
Igav
eoutmydad'
sdet
ail
stot
hem,
,but
theysai
dnosuchpersonwasadmi
tt
ed.

Ifel
titwasoneofmydad' swayofbei
ngsecur
it
y
conscious.Hedoesn'
tl
ikedi
scl
osi
ngwherehewas,
he
al
way
sfel
tther
ewer
eenemi
escomi
ngaf
terhi
sli
fe.

So,Ical
ledYahyaSegunt
oknowiftheyhi
ddad'
snameto
hi
sbutYahy aSegunwasnotpi
cki
ng,mom wasn'
tpi
cki
ng
ei
ther.

Ical
ledChimaobit
olethim knowthesit
uati
onoft
hings,
buthisphonewasn'
tgoingthroughatal
l.

Ibecameal
arm.

“DoIgotot
hehouse?”Iaskedmysel
f,butYahy
aSegun
hadtol
dmetheywereinthehospi
tal
andnoonei shome.

Ideci
dedt
ost
aybackandwai
tunt
ilt
heypi
ckt
hei
rcal
l
s.

Ihadspentthr
eehour
sormoreatthehospi
tal
int
he
recept
ion,
whenYahyaSeguncal
l
edme,

“
Wher
edi
dyoukeepy
ourphone?
”Ial
mostshout
edathi
m.
“Girl
,calmyourner
ves,
wehavebeenhome.Wewer e
dischargedbef
oreyougott
othehospi
tal
.Ihadt
orunan
err
andfordad,
Ilef
tmyphoneathome.Pl
ease,
come
home.”

“
Idon'
tgety
ouandmom coul
dnotpi
ckmycal
l
sei
ther
?”
“
Tol
ani
,comebackhome.Ah!
”Hehungt
hecal
l
.

Iwassoannoy
ed.
It
ookacabagai
nanddr
ovet
omyhouse.
Get
ti
ngi
ntot
hecompound,
ever
ywher
ewasqui
et.

If
ear
edi
fany
thi
ngbadhadhappenedt
omydad.

Ther
ewasanunusual
feel
i
ngIwashav
ing.

Igoti
ntot
hesi
tt
ing-
room i
mmedi
atel
y,andr
ushi
ntohug
mymom.
“
Wher
e'sDaddy
?”Ishout
ed,
cry
ingal
ready
.

“
Nothi
nghappened,
he'
sfine.Heisj
usti
nhisroom,
r
est
ing.
”Sheheldmyhands,butIl
ostf
rom hergr
ipsand
r
anupstai
rst
omydad'sroom.
Unli
kemewhoknocksbeforeenter
inghi
sroom,
Ifl
ungt
he
dooropenandwasshockedwit
hmysi ght
.

“
Dad!Whati
shappeni
ng?
”Ishout
ed,
rushi
ngi
ntot
he
r
oom.

Tobecont
inued…
TOLANI

Epi
sode18
Rushi
ngintotheroom,myf at
herwasseat
edwi
th
Chimaobi
,discussi
ngatease.

Icoul
dn'
tunder
standwhatChi
maobi
wasdoi
ngi
nmy
houseandinmyfather
'sr
oom.

I
twasav
eryhugeonef
orme.
“Dad,what'
shappeni
ng?
”It
urnedt
oYahy
aSegunwho
star
tedlaughi
ng.
“
Youal
lpr
ankedme?
”
“
Doy
ounotenj
oyt
hisf
orm ofpr
ank”mydadaskedme
andIf
ell
int
ohi
sar
ms,
cry
ing.

Heheldmecl
osel
yandbegantopatmyback.Thebot
hof
usbecamedoemoti
onal
witheachot
her
.

Ithadbeenawhi
l
esi
nceIgotcl
oset
omyDad.Idi
dn'
t
knowhowmuchIhadmissedhi
m,unt
ilnow.

Weweremor
eli
keenemiesf
ormont
hsjustbecausehe
won'
tl
etmemarr
yChimaobi
andhi
mf or
cingaYorubaguy
onme.
“Youdon'thavetocryagain,everythi
ngissettl
ed.Iam at
peacewithyourmarri
agepr eparati
on,andIshall gi
vemy
bl
essings.
”Hesaidandhuggedmeagai n.Ikneltdown
befor
ehim, wr
appingmyar msar oundhiswaist,andhi
s
handspattedmyshoulders.
“Youhav
enotspokent
oyourhusbandtobe,
got
ohi
m,I
'
m
good.
”Hesai
dtomeandev er
yonelaughed.

Ist
oodandwalkedtoChi
maobi,
whohuggedmebef
ore
myparent
sandkissedmyfor
ehead.
“
Ejooo,
li
tt
lebyl
i
ttl
e.”Mymom sai
d,andweal
ll
aughed.
Af
ter
war
ds,
weal
lhadameal
att
hedi
nni
ngt
abl
e.

Onlythen,
didIgett
oknowaboutt hei
rplans.Mydadhad
al
readygivenuponstruggl
i
ngwithmebef orehesawthe
messageIsenttohim.TheYorubaboymydadhad
wantedmet omarrybeatupagirl
inanightclubandwas
ar
rested.
ThemessageIsentmydadthatni
ghtwasahi
t,al
though,
hehadi
ntent
ionsofcal
li
ngme,mymessagethatnight
onl
yser
vedasapr opel
l
er.
DadandYahy aSegunreachedoutt oChimaobiandtol
d
him oftheirpl
ans.Sol
ereason,theyaskedmet ogotothe
hospit
al soChimaobicoul
dt akethe9:00am f
li
ghtand
reachthehousebef or
eme.

Thethr
eehour
sIspenti
dlyi
nthehospi
tal
wasj
ustpar
tof
thei
rpl
ans.

Icoul
dnotstopthanki
ngGodforthef
ightwehadwi th
Chimaobi
thatledtometaki
ngthepil
l
s.Mypr egnancy
wouldhavegenerat
edanot
heri
ssueforourunion.
Mydadhadgiv
enhi
sapprov
alfort
hemar ri
ageandIhad
j
ust2monthst
ofi
nishupmyexaminat
ions.
Icoul
dn'
tj
ustwai
ttobemar
ri
edt
oChi
maobi
.

Wehadhadt oomanyobstacl
es,
fightsand
misunder
standi
ngs,
buti
nall,
west ay
edt r
uet
oeachot
her
,
f
oughttobewi t
heachot
herandtolerat
eeachot
her
.

Wereturnedt
oAwkathefol
lowi
ngdayandmydad
r
equestedtomeetwi
thChimaobi
'spar
ent
s.

Chi
maobihadcal
l
edhi
spar
ent
sandt
oldt
hem oft
henew
dev
elopment
.
Arr
angementsweremade,andthetr
adi
ti
onal
marr
iage
wast ohol
datOgunst
ate,
whiletheweddi
ngwast
obeat
Abuja.

OnaThursday
,whenIfi
nishedmyf i
nalexaminati
on,Igot
home,
try
ingChimaobi
'
sline,buthewasn'tpi
cking.

Rut
hcal
l
edme,
soundi
ngsohi
ghandr
est
ive.
“Tol
ani
,youdonent
eronechance.GuesswhoIj
ustsaw
nowgoinghome,Ij
ustsawChimaobiwit
hagir
lnow.”
“
What?Like,
whattypeofgir
l?Wher
ewhen?How?
”Isai
d
wi
thshakyhandsandvoice.
Mybiggestf
earwasbeingji
l
tedbyChimaobi
.Mostt
imes
whenhedidgreatt
hingsf
orme,Ifel
titwast
oogoodto
betr
ue.
Now, pri
ortothatinformat
ion,Chi
maobist
art
edgivi
ngme
coldatti
tudeeverynowandagai n,hewoul
dalway
sgive
excuses,hewouldt ell
mehe' soutoft
owneachti
meI
requesttocomear ound.
Now,
Icoul
dseei
tcomi
ngt
oreal
i
ty.
“
Butwhywil
lhetakemetothi
slengt
ht ohurtme.
"Ibegan
t
ocryasIdr
esseduptomeetRuth.Shesaidshesawhim
wi
thaladyi
nfi
ve-st
arr
est
aurant
shavingPDA.

ImetRuthatRegi
naj
unct
ion,
andwewal
kedi
ntot
he
rest
aur
ant.
Ihadt
oldmy
sel
fIwasn'
tgoi
ngt
ocr
eat
eanysceneatal
l
.

Andyes,IsawChimaobi
wit
hal
ady
.Iwal
kedupt
ohi
m,
andhejolt
ed,l
ooki
ngatme.
“
Tol
ani
,whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?”
“Whatam Idoi
ng?Yout hi
nkIwon'
tknow.Chi
maobi
!My
Godwill
judgeyou.Forhurt
ingme…”
“
Hey,y
ouar ecreat
ingasceneher
e.”Thel
adysaid,andI
mov
edt owardshertosl
apherwhenChimaobiheldme
f
rom behi
nd.

“Calmyourner
ves,
it'
saprank.Don'thi
tanyone,Drakei
s
here.
”Hepoint
edatDrakeandIt ur
nedtolookinthe
dir
ecti
onwhenChimaobikneltdownandsaid,

“Wil
lyoumarr
yme? ”Hesaid,
kneel
i
ngdownand
str
etchi
ngabeaut
if
ulengagementri
ngt
ome.

“
Chimaobi!
"Ishout
ed,
ashamedofmyact
ionsbutcar
ed
l
esseraspeopl
echeer
edatmetosayabi
gYES.

Il
ookedaround,
didmyal
l
-ti
mewomendr
amabef
oreI
sai
dyestohim.

"Yes!Baby,forev
erwi
thyou."Isai
dasheputt
heri
ngt
o
myf inger
s,stoodupandli
ft
edmeupandev er
yone
clapped.

“Ihavelovedyou,Iwil
ll
oveyou,andIwil
lnev
erev
erl
eav
e
you.”ChimaobisaidasItear
edup.Itwasso
overwhelming…
Thi
swaswhatIwant
ed.Tobewi
tht
hel
oveofmyl
i
fe,
Chi
maobi
.

Tobecont
inued…
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
TOLANI

Epi
sode19

Chi
maobiandIhadsometi
metogetherf
orust
ospend
andpi
ckupsomeweddingchoi
ces.

Asusual
,Ipi
ckedroy
albl
ueandsi
l
verast
hecol
ourf
ort
he
day
,buthechosenavybl
ue.

Whi
lei
ntheroom,wewentbackandf
ort
h,t
ryi
ngt
opi
ck
upapar
ti
cul
arone.

Fi
nal
l
y ,
wechoser
oyal
blue.Chi
maobi
gav
eupt
henav
y
bl
ueforme.

I
nvi
tat
ioncardswereal
lpri
nted,
theweddi
ngwast
ocome
i
mmedi at
elyaf
termyacademicproj
ect
.
Now, Iv
isi
tedMr.Er
nest
,whowasmysuper
visor
.Hehad
askedmet ocometohisoff
icef
orhi
mtosi
gnonmy
proj
ectbefor
eIsubmiti
t.

Ourweddi
ngdatewasschedul
edonAugust19,
whi
l
eI
wassupposedt
odefend29thJul
y.

Get
ti
ngt
oMr
.Er
nest
,If
oundhi
m aboutt
oleav
ehi
sof
fi
ce.

“Goodev
eningsi
r”Igr
eet
edhi
m,buthel
ookedatmewi
th
somuchdisgust
,pi
ckeduphi
sbagtol
eave.

“Si
r,pl
ease,
your
eal
l
yneedt
osi
gnonmywor
k.”Ibegged
him.

“
Ist
hist
het
imeIaskedy
out
ocome?
”
“
Butsi
r,Ihavebeeni
nschool
,Ihav
ebeencal
l
ingy
ou,
but
y
oudidn'tpi
ck.
”

“
Youar
enotreadyt
odefendon29t
hwi
thy
ourmat
es.I
t'
s
l
i
keyouwantanext
ray
ear.”
“Si
r,pl
ease,
justsi
gni
n,andIwi
l
lsubmi
t.Pl
easesi
r.
”I
beggedhim,buthewal
kedmeoutofhi
soff
ice.

Youal
lrememberMeErnest,
myl ect
urerwhohadhiseyes
onme.Ihadtur
nedhi
m several
times,buthehadr
efused
tol
etmebe.

IthoughtIwasdonewithhi
sdramasince8hadasmoot h
sailwi
thhim ev
ersi
ncehebegant osuper
viseme.He
stoppedmakingadvanceatme,becamenat ur
all
yfr
iendl
y.

Thi
snewdev
elopmentandsuddenhat
redf
ormeshocked
me.
“
Getoutofmyclass.”Heorder
edasIwalkedout
i
mmediatel
ybutstoodatthedoor
,beggi
nghim.

Now, mydefensewasscheduledon29t hJulyandthatday

was20t hJul
y.Ourtr
aditi
onalmarri
agewast oholdon
17th,andwehadintenti
onsofgoingforhoneymoonat
Kenya.Ihadalwayswantedtogot otheGir
affemanorfor
yearsnow.WhenChi maobiaskedmet omakeachoi ceof
whereIwanttobeatf orourhoneymoon,IchoseKenya.
Alt
hough,
hechoseMauri
ti
us.So,weopt
edt
ogof
ort
he
both,
Kenyaf
ir
st,
then,
Maurit
ius.

Now,Ididn'
twantanyt
hingt
odelaymyplans.Havingan
ext
rayearwouldbetheworstt
hingt
hatcouldeverhappen
tome.

Everyonewoul
dbedi
sappoi
ntedwi
thmef
orcausi
nga
delay
.

Iknel
tdownandbeggedhi
mfurt
her,buthelockedhi
s
doorandwal
kedoutonme.Ihadjust8daystosignand
submitmywork.

Ihadf
ini
shedmyproj
ectwor
kawhi
l
eback,
buthekept
del
ayi
ngtosign.

Ii
mmediat
elycall
edChimaobionthephone.Hear
tbr
oken,
Ibr
okei
ntears,nar
rat
ingwhathadhappenedtohim.

Chi
maobi
gotsomadandcamet
oschool
tomeetme.

“
Wher
e'st
heFO.
OL?
”Chi
maobi
sai
dwi
thhotsweat
cov
eri
nghi
sfacewhi
l
eIcr
ied.

“I
st hatwhyy ouarecryi
ng?Wi l
lyoustopthat?Hehasno
ri
ghtnott osignyourproject
.Aft
erall
,hedelayedyou,
you
fi
nishedy ourproj
ectsi
nce.Wher e'
syourHOD' sof
fi
ce.
”He
asked, huggi
ngme, tostopcryi
ng.
“Lookathowstudent
sar
el ooki
ngatyoucr
ying.St
op
please.
”Hesai
daswewal kedintohi
scar
.

“Wher
e'sy
ourHOD'
sof
fi
ce?
”Her
epeat
edbutIdi
ssuaded
hi
mf r
om that
.
“Bae,no,please.Idon'
twanttr
oubl
es.Ij
ustwantto
graduate,Ijusthave8days.Whenarewegoingtomeet
myHOD, av erybusyman.”
“
So,
whatdoy
ouwantust
odo?
”
“
Let'
sfol
l
owhi
m gent
ly,
youcancal
lhi
m andt
alkmant
o
man.
”

“Oh!Tolani,y
ouhav etoldhimyouarenoti nt
erested, and
youhavesomeoney ouar eengagedto.Heshoul dr espect
thatandnotusehi spositi
ontoplayyou.Iseenor easonI
shouldreachouttohim.Forwhat ?Invol
vinghissuper i
ors
i
st hebestopt i
onhere.Wear enotbeggi
nghi m.”
Chimaobi sai
d,ashest art
edthecarandzoomedof ff r
om
of
fi
cespace.
“
Bar,pl
ease,f
ormysake,
don'
ti
nvol
veany
one.Let
'sset
tl
e
t
hisamicabl
y.
”

“Canyoust optel
l
ingmet hi
s?Whatbestwayshouldt
his
besettl
ed.Ishouldpamperhim,
isthatwhatyouwant?
Mbo?Unl essyouarehidi
ngsomethingfr
om me,asi
dethi
s,
Iseenor easonyouwantmenottot akeupthi
scasethi
s
way.”
“Chi
maobi!Whatdoyoumeanbyt
hat?ThatIhadorhav
e
somethi
nggoingonwit
hhi
m orwhat
?”

“
Idon'
tknow.
”
“
Chi
maobi
!Youdon'
tev
ent
rustme?
”Ibegant
ocr
yagai
n.
“Youar
esuchaj
erkt
othi
nkIhav
esomet
hingwi
tht
hat
usel
essman.
”
“
Then,
letmehandl
eit
.Whyhi
nderme?
”
“BecauseIhaveli
mitedti
meleft
,8daysChimaobi
.Goi
ng
backandforthtomeethissuper
ior
swi l
lbeawast
eof
ti
me.ThisisNigeri
a,IknowwhatI'
m sayi
ng.
”
“
Thi
sisnot
hing.
”Hef
rowned…

Tobecont
inued…
TOLANI

Epi
sode20

ChimaobidrovetotheAdminblock, aski
ngar oundfort
he
HODsof f
ice.Hewasext r
emelydisturbed,andI
under
stoodev er
ythi
ng,al
lIwasagai nstwast heli
tt
leorno
ti
mewehadathandt ofi
ghtMr.Ernestthev eryway
Chimaobiwouldwantust o.

Aft
ermanyef
for
tsoft
ryi
ngt
omakehi
m seet
hedanger
s,I
gavei
n.

“
Bae,Iabsol
utel
yfeelt
hisi
snott
heappr
opr
iat
ewaybut
,
l
et'
sdoityourway.”

Hedidn'
ttal
ktome.Wegott
otheHODsof
fi
ce,
andwe
wer
et ol
dhewasnotar
ound.

"He'
sbeenoutoft
heof
fi
cesi
ncey
est
erday
."
Gett
inghome,heaskedmef
orMr
.Er
nestcont
act
,andmy
chat
swithhi
m.

“
Doy
ouhav
eyourconv
ersat
ionswi
tht
heFO.
OL?
”

“
Yes,
Ido.
”Handi
ngmyphonet
ohi
m.

Hewentt
hroughmychatswit
hMr .Er
nest
,scr
eenshot
ti
ng
ev
eryoft
headvanceshehadpassedatme.

“
Thi
sguyisplayi
ngwit
hme.I'
m goi
ngt
opeel
offhi
s.sk.
in.
Heshoul
dgetreadyf
orme.
”

“
Bae,
please,
cal
myourner
ves.
”
“No,babygi
rl
,I
'm notchil
li
nghere.Wearet
alki
ngabout
mywomanher e,Ili
teral
l
ydonothav eanymomentfor
negoti
ati
onwit
hhi m.”Hesaid,
typingamessaget
hatread,

“
Incaseyouhav
enotheard,youaregoingaft
erfi
re.You
woul
dnotwantyourhandstogetburnt.St
ayoffmy
woman,weareget
ti
ngmar ri
edon19t hAugust
.Doy our
j
obandsignonherwork.Youwouldn'
twantmet otake
t
hisup.
”Hesentt
oMr
.Er
nestandmyhear
tski
pped.

Il
it
eral
l
ywasshaki ngandscar
ed,butIcoul
dn'
ttalk,
Chi
maobi woul
dn'twantt
oentert
ainmysuggestions.Ij
ust
hadtolethi
m handlet
hewholethi
ngashewi shed.

Morel
i
keanhourl
ater,Iwasi
nthebat
hroom t
aki
ngmy
bat
hwhenChi
maobi shout
edmyname.

“
Tol
ani
!”Hecal
l
edmeashi
sbodyshook.
“
What
'si
t?Whyar
eyoushout
ing?
”
“Readthi
s…”Heshout
edatmel
i
kenev
er.Icoul
dseehow
enragedhewas.

Nakedwi
thl
ather
edbody
,It
ookt
hephonef
rom hi
mto
r
eadwhatwasthere.

“Di
dyourda.
mnwomant el
lyoushef
u.cki
nggavemeher
b**
t.Getof
floser
.”Ir
eadthi
sandmymout htur
nedsour
.

Ist
ret
chedmyhandst
ohol
dhi
m,buthehi
tmyhands.
“
Whatwast
hemeani
ngoft
hatmessage?
”Heaskedme.
“
Bae,
thi
sisnott
rue.Ihav
ehadnot
hingwi
thhi
m.Iswear
t
oGod.”
“
Youknow,
youar
esuchal
i
ttl
edev
il
.”
“
Chi
maobi
!”
“Shutup!Youaresuchasnakeandal iar
.Oh!Hegav eyou
ahundredthousandanddroppedy ouhomeadaywehad
alit
tl
eissue.Oh,st
upi
dme, Ishouldhaveknown.Ishould
haveseent hr
oughyou.
”Hehi thi
shandsont hewall
.
“Bae,Iswear
,he'
sly
ing.Bae,
please,
bel
i
eveme.
”Ihel
d
him,cryi
ngsohard.

Icoul
dfeelmyhear tbur
ning,thepaini
nmyhear twasso
unbear
able,
itfel
tli
keIwillnevergetov
eri
t,butIjusthad
tobestr
ongt oexpl
ainmy self
.

“
Iregretf
ight
ingtobewit
hyou.
”Hesai
d,andIhel
dhi
slef
t
l
eg,holdi
ngittomysel
f.

“
Chi
maobi,l
ookatmei
ntheeyes.Iwi
llneverdot
hist
o
y
ou.Nev
er!Bel
iev
eme.
”Ibeggedhim more.

“Canyouheary
our
self?Hegav eyoumoney
,droppedyou
homewhenwehadi ssues,
y oubeggedmenottomeet
yourHOD?Why?Because,youknowwhatyoudidwith
hi
m.”

“
Chi
maobi
!Idi
dnothi
ng.Tr
ustme,
Idi
dn'
tdoany
thi
ng.
Whywi
l
lyoubel
iev
ehim more?
”

“
Becauseyougavemet her eason.I
'
m sodonewi thyou.
I
'm notgoi
ngonwiththi
sweddi ng.Getyourhandsoff
me.”HepushedmeasIf el
lonthefloor
.Hedidn'tev
en
l
ookbacktoseeifIinj
ured.

“I
t'
slat
e,fi
rstt
hingt
omor row'
smor ni
ng,
youshoul
dgo
awayplease,y
ourpresenceir
ri
tat
esme.”Hesaidt
ome.

“Chi
maobi,Ididn'tdoany
thi
ngwi
ththi
sman.Ther
e'sno
evi
dence,
not hing.Howcoul
dyouj
ustactl
i
keacoward?"

“
Me,
acowar
d?”
“
Yes,
youar
e.”
“Donotevercal
lmethatagai
n.”Hesai
dtome,
butI
cont
inuedtocal
lhi
mt hat
.
“
Chi
maobi
,youar
eacowar
d.Youar
e.”
“
TOLANI
!”
“
Youar
eacowar
d,Chi
maobi
.”Icr
iedout
.

Hewalkedtome, hel
dmyneckandpushedmet
othebed
asIf
ell
helpl
essl
y,shout
ing.

“
Shhhhh!Shutt
hatmout
h.”Hehel
dmyf
aceandsl
apped
me.
“I
sitbecauseI'
m sof
twithyou?”Hesl
appedtheot
herside
ofthecheek.Iwassoshocked.Ihadnev
erforaday
i
magi nedChimaobil
ayi
nghandsonme.Chimaobi was
neverthatt
ypeofman.
“Chi
maobi.Youarei
njuri
ngme.”Icri
edout
,str
uggli
ngto
getl
oosefrom hi
sgri
p,buthewon'tl
etme.Hewas
outr
ageousasheslappedmeagainandagain,shout
ing.

Ibecamesti
l
lasheslappedmeseveral
l
y,all
Ihadwas
si
lentt
ear
s.Icoul
dn'
tmov e.I
twasl
ikeadream Iwoul
d
wanttowakeupfrom.

“Iam ol
derthanyouare.Ideser
veyourrespect.
”He
shoutedashejumpedoutf rom me,movingaway ,
grumbli
ng,shout
ingandhitti
nghishandsont hewall
.

Il
ayst
il
lont
hebed,
cry
ingf
orquat
ernar
yofanhour
.
Atthatpoint,hewascal m,hewalkedt
owhereIwas,hel
d
me, examiningmyf ace.Hebroughtat
owel
,wetinthe
shower ,
cleaningupmyf ace.

Islowl
ywalkedawayfrom hi
mt ot
hemir
ror,
looki
ngatmy
face.I
twasswoll
en.Ihadav er
yfr
agi
l
eskin.
Hekneltdownandheldmebythewai
st.Ir
emov
edhi
s
hands,
wal kedt
othecl
oset
,pi
cki
ngev
eryofmy
bel
ongings.
HiHi
m onWhat
sAppv
ia+2349133660306f
ormor
e
st
ori
es.
.
“Tol
ani,IsweartoGod,Iam notl
ikethi
s.Iam sor
ry.Ihave
neverbeli
evedIcouldl
aymyhandsonawoman.Tol ani,
l
ookatme. ”Heheldmet ight
ly,
cryi
ngwithtearsi
nhis
eyes,butIdi
dn'tut
terawordtohim.

Atthatpoint,
Iwassodone.Idon'
tevencar
eifmy
weddingcardswerepri
nted.IWASJUSTNEVERGoingt
o
BEWITHANYMANWHOHASLAI DAFINGERONA
WOMAN, MI STAKENLYORHE' SACCUSTOMEDTOTHAT.
Myheartwasv er
ybit
tered.

Tobecont
inued…
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
TOLANI
Epi
sode21

TearscametoChimaobi
'
sey
esashebeggedmenott
o
packmyt hi
ngs.

Brushi
ngthetearsfr
om hi
seyes,hemumbl
edand
conti
nuedtostruggl
ewi
thhistears.

“Tol
ani
,j
ustonechance,
ifIdoitagai
n,goaway.Pl
ease,
don'
twalkawayfr
om me, Iwi
ll
bemi ser
abl
e.”Hebegged
me,butIref
usedt
otalktohim.

“MyGod,Tol
ani,
justt
alkt
omeplease.Sayaword.Your
si
lencei
skil
l
ingme.”Heknel
tagai
n,draggi
ngmyclothes
withme.

Hehel
dmyhandsandsqueezedi
tasi
fnot
hinghappened.

“TOLANi,
lookintomyey esandseei
twasn'
tmewho
actedt
hat.Babie,pl
ease.
”
Att
hatpoi
nt,
Icoul
dn'
tlookathim.Ididn'
twantanyt
hing
tot
amperwit
hmydecision.Iwasactuall
ydonewit
hhim.

“Fi
ne,itisl
atenow.Ipromi setomorr
ow'smor ning,Iwil
l
dropy ouhome.ButIjustneedy ourfor
giveness.Hi Him
onWhat sAppv ia+2349133660306formor est ories.
.Even
i
fy oudon'tgiv
emeasecondchance, j
ustforgiveme.Iam
alr
eadygoi ngtoli
vewiththisgui
lt
,yourforgi
veness
mat t
erstome. ”Hebegged.

Isteppedoutofhispresencewit
houtawordt
otheguest
room, l
ockedthedoorbehind,
andcri
edmyeyebal
lsout
.
Hest oodatthedoor,
knockingandbeggi
ngme.

Atabout6:48am i
nthemorni
ng,Icameoutoft
heroom
wit
hswolleneyes,asIf
oundhimlyingont
hefl
oor
.

Icr
ossedhim,wal
kedt
ohi
sroom,andpackedmythi
ngs.
Whil
eIwaspicki
ngupmypant
iesi
nthetoi
let
,hewal
ked
i
ntotheroom.

“Bae,
goodmorni
ng.Pl
ease,j
ustt
alkt
ome.I'
m dy
ing.You
havenotsai
dawordtome.”Heheldmyar
ms.
Ist
ruggledoutf
rom hi
sgr
ip,
pickedmybagandwal
ked
awayfrom hi
m.

Heconti
nuedtofol
l
owme,
request
ingt
otakemehome
butIi
gnoredhi
m.

Iwassodone.Ihadneverenvi
sionedhi
mt osl
apmeonce,
tal
kmoreoffourti
mes.Itwasdraini
ngandscar
yforme
toevent
hinkabouti
t.

Iwasleftwit
hthepai
nsofl
osi
ngmymanoff
ivey
ear
s,my
bestf
riend.

Iwasl
eftwi
tht
hepai
nofhav
ingascat
ter
edweddi
ng
pl
ans.

Iwasl
eftwit
hthepai
nofl
i
vingwi
thoutChi
maobi
,Iso
muchl
ov edhi
m.

Iwasleftwi
tht
hepai
noft
hememor
iesofdomest
ic
vi
olence.

Iwasl
eftwi
tht
hepai
nsofMr
.Er
nestt
ryi
ngt
ofr
ust
rat
e
me.Al
otcausedmepai
ns.

Idi
dn'twanttoexcuseChimaobiorgi
vehim benef
itof
doubt.Ihadal
way shear
dpeoplesay,
"oncehehitsyou,he
wouldrepeati
t.
"

Igothomeandcall
edRut
h,shecamear
ound,
andI
narr
atedev
ery
thi
ngtoher
.

“Youshouldn'thav ecall
edhi mt hat ,TOLANI .Ihav etol d
youtocheckony ourtemperandat tit
ude.I t
'snotev en
aboutChimaobi .IdonotknowChi maobi ,
Ican' tv
ouchf or
him orsayhe'slikethat.So, l
et'
sl eav eChi maobi asideand
tal
kabouty ou.Iam t heclosestf ri
endy ouhav easide
Chimaobi.Iknowy ou,andIam goi ngt otellyouthet ruth.
EvenifyouleaveChi maobi andcal l offtheweddi ng, meet
anotherman, andy oudon' ttacklet hemai nissue,thenext
many oumeetwi llsl
apy ouoneday .Yes, didy ounott ell
mehowy ourbrot herbeaty ouupf ort al
kingbackathi m
andshoutingathi m? ”Sheasked, andIbecamemadather .

“Rut
h, ar
eyouki
ddi
ngme?Like,
areyouroot
ingf
or
Chimaobi?Hesl
appedme.YahyaSeguni
smybrother
.”I
shoutedher.
“Yousee,your eall
yneedtochill
.Youareshoutingnow.I
am notshouting.Wear ehavingaconversat
ion.Learnto
haveconversationswithouthavi
ngtorai
sey ourvoice.
Calmyourner ves,gir
l.
”Shesaidcalml
y.

Ist
art
edcry
ingagai
n.Shehuggedmecl
osel
yandst
roked
myhair.

“Si
s,youareli
kemysi st
er.Wecandot his.Wecanwor k
onthissideofyou.I
tisaflawthatwoul
dhaunty ouevenif
yougetanotherman.Iam notgoingtotelly
outogoon
wit
hChi maobiorwalkawayf r
om hi
m.Justf ol
l
owy our
heart
,okay?”
“
Okay
…”Inodded,
cry
ingagai
n.
“St
opcry
ing,okay
.Ij
ustneedy
out
oputy
our
sel
ftoget
her
anddef
end."
“
That
'si
t!Themani
sonmyneck.
”
“Howdoy
oui
ntendt
ohandl
eit
?"
“
Idon'
tknow.
”
“It
hinkyouwil
lhav
etoinvol
veyourpar
entsnowthat
Chimaobiwhowouldhavehandl
edthati
snotavai
labl
e.”
Sheadvisedasmyphonerang.

Il
ookedatt
hescr
een,
andi
twasChi
maobi
'
smom.
“
Picki
t"Rut
hadv
isedasIpi
ckedt
hephonecal
l
.

“Mybaby ,Iam sorry

.Nowomandeser v
esthi
s.I
underst
andf ull
ywellifyoudon'
twanttocont
inue,
but
honestl
y,Ididn'
ttrai
nhimt hatway
.Iwouldwantyout
o
for
givehim.Ihav ereachedouttoyourpar
ent
s.”

“
What
?”Iexcl
aimed.

“Shhh…Letushandl ethis.Yourdadwoul dreachoutt o

you.ForMr .Ernest,Iam madatChi maobi fornott ell
ing
usabouthi m.Icouldeasi lyr eachoutt oseni orlecturer
colleaguesi nyourschool tohandl eit.Nott owor ry,Ihave
cont actedtheDeanofy ourdepar t
ment .Theypr omi sedt o
reachoutt ome.Youknow, Ilovey ouandIwoul dnotwant
youandChi maobitogoapar t.AllIseeiny oubot hi slove,
youbot hjustneedtogetv i
rtuest hatwoul dcar r
yy ou
throughmar ri
age.Ihavet al
kedt oChimaobi ,okay ?He
calledmeandnar r
atedev erythingtome, hecal l
edy our
parent sandy ourbrothert oo.”Shesai dandhandedt he
phonet oherhusbandwhosai dIshouldcomeov ert o
Abuj aaf t
ermydef ense,r eassur ingmet heywer egoi ngto
handl emysuper vi
sor.Bef orehehungt hecall,hesai dhe
hadagi ftformewhenIcomet oAbuja.
“
Suchasweetwoman.
”Rut
hsai
dasIsi
ghed.

Notupt o5minutes,myDadcal l
edmeandIspokewi t
h
him,mymom andmybi gbrother
,Segun.It
houghtmy
usualdadwouldsay,"Itol
dy ou",
butheaskedmet o
fol
lowmyhear t
,neverthel
ess,headvisedmetogoonwi t
h
thewedding,
alt
houghheandChi maobi'
sDaddiscussed
andaresuggesti
ngifwecoul dshiftt
heweddingdat e.
“Theyoungmanisagoodman.Heisjustnotmanenough,
heneedstol
earntosubduehi
msel
feachtimeyoubegi
n
toactl
ikeawi
tch.
”

“
Dad!
”Ical
l
edout
.
“Yes,y
ouwomenareli
kewit
ches.Youpushust
othe
extr
eme.I
ttakesav
erysel
f-
cont
roll
i
ngmant oi
gnor
e.”

Af
tert
alki
ngtomydadandfami
l
y,If
eltabi
trel
i
evedbut
wasst
il
l madatChi
maobi
.

Ii
gnoredhiscall
sforsev
eralt
imes.Ij
ustwantedt
ogetof
f
anddefendfi
rstbefor
eItel
lal
lofthem mymind.

Twodaysl
ater
,Mr
.Er
nestsentmeamessage,
aski
ngme
tov
isi
thi
m.
“Comet oTaur
ushoroscopeHotel
,Room 306 as
usuali
fyouwanttodefendnextweek.Comewit
hyour
proj
ectformetosi
gn.”

Tobecont
inued…

TOLANI

Epi
sode22

WhenIsawt hemessagefrom Mr.Ernest

,Ifor
wardedthe
messaget omyf at
herandChimaobi'
spar ent
s.Idi
dn't
bothersendi
ngittoChimaobibecausewewer esti
llnoti
n
speakingter
ms.

Alt
hough,
hekeptcal
l
ingmeunt
ilIbl
ockedhi
smobi
l
e
l
ines.

Chi
maobi
'
smom cal
l
edi
mmedi
atel
y.
“
Didy
ouhav
eany
thi
ngwi
thhi
m?”Sheaskedme.
“
Noma,
whywi
l
lIdosuch?ForGod'
ssake,
Chi
maobi
was
ev
ery
thi
ngIhad.
”Ir
esponded.

“I
t'
salr
ight
.Iwasj
ustnotcl
ear
edwitht
heusageof“
as
usual
”li
keyoubot
husuall
ymeeteachother
."
“
That
'st
het
hing.Hehasbeenpai
nti
ngmet
hus,
it'
snot
f
unny
.”

“It
'salr
ight
,mychild,
weshal
lgettotherootofthi
s.You
arenott omeethiminanyway.Don'
tvisi
tthehotelr
oom
too.”sheinst
ruct
ed.

ThatwashowIdi
dn'
tvi
sitMr
.Er
nest
.

Now,
thenextmor
ning,
Iwokeupt
ohi
stextwhi
chr
ead,

“Youreal
lyar
ejoki
ngwi
thme.Seemsy
ourf
utur
eisnot
enti
rel
yimport
antt
oyou.
”

Ihadwant
edt
orespond,
butIdi
dn'
t.

Thatsamedayat9:33am,Ir
ecei
vedacall
from aman,
whointr
oducedhi
mselfasthesecr
etar
yoftheHOD,he
askedmetocomet
oschool
immedi
atel
yforameet
ing
witht
heHOD.

Ii
mmediat
elygoti
ntothebathroom,
tookahast
yshower
,
dr
essedupandlef
tforschool.

Iwasatmylodgegat
e,whenIsawChimaobi
,whohad
got
tenoutoft
hecarandwasaboutget
ti
ngint
othel
odge.

“
Bae,y
oucan'
tcont
inuet
opuni
shme.
”Het
ri
edt
otouch
me.
“Chi
maobi,donottouchme.Ihavenothi
ngtodowi
thy
ou.
Absol
utel
y,not
hing.
”Itookastepfor
ward.

“Bae,wecanalwaysworkthi
ngstoget
her.YouknowIlov
e
you.IknowIactedli
keafool
,butIam r
eall
ynotthi
sway.
Please,f
orgi
veme.”HebeggedmebutIr efusedt
otal
kto
him.

“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngt
o?”heasked.

“
Noneofy
ourbusi
ness.
”Isai
d,ashehel
dmyhands.
“
Please,
letmet
akey
ou.
"
“Thanksf
ort
heki
ndgest
ure,
butIwi
l
lhav
etot
urni
t
down.”
“
Please”hecont
inuedt
obegmeunt
ilIagr
eedt
ojoi
nhi
m
i
nthecar.

Gett
ingt
oschool
,wegott
otheHOD'
sof
fi
ce,
webar
ely
t
alkedwhil
ewedrov
etoschool
.
Iwasnotr
eadyf
oranyconv
ersat
ionwi
thhi
m.

TheHODr equestedwebothcomeintohisoff
ice.There
wereabout4seat s,
andChi
maobiposit
ionedaseatf or
metosit,butIi
gnoredhi
m andsatdownonanot herchair
.

Aft
er15minutesormor e,
theHODmadeacal l
witht
he
DeanofFacul
ty,t
hereaf
ter,hecal
l
edMr .Ernest,
i
nstr
uct
ingMr.Ernesttocomet ohisof
fice.

Notl
essthan29minut
es,
Mr .Er
nestst
eppedint
othe
HOD'sof
fi
ce,st
ri
ckeni
nshock,hesawChimaobiandI
.
Chi
maobiwasbusywit
hhisphoneatthatt
ime.

Hel
ookedatmeagai
n,asChi
maobi
rai
sedhi
shead,
onl
y
t
oseeMr
.Er
nest
.

Shockingl
y,Chi
maobist
oodupimmedi
atel
yandgav
eMr
.
Ernestahardpunchonhisj
aw.

“Let
'sdoitfacetoface,
man.Ipr
omisedyout
his.
”He
gavehim anotherasweall
becamealer
t.

Putt
ingourfi
ghtsasi
de,
IranandheldChi
maobiwhil
ethe
HOD'ssecret
aryhel
dMr.Ernest
.Mr.Er
nestcoul
dn'
t
ret
ali
ate.Heknewwhathedid.

“Youngman,thi
sisnotawrest
li
ngf
iel
d.Youshoul
dletme
handlet
his.
”theHODcauti
onedChi
maobi.

“
I'
m sor
rysi
r”hebenthi
sheadandcont
inued,
“Ij
usthadt
ogivehi
mthesepunchesIpromisedhim.”He
sai
dwi t
haser
iousf
ace,
whichgotmel aughi
ng,butIhad
todothatl
ow.

TheHODhadever
yoneofusseat
edashebegant
o
quest
ionme.
Inar
ratedal
lofmyencounter
swit
hMr.Er
nest
,incl
udi
ng
themoneyhegaveme, showi
ngourWhat
sApp
conver
sati
ons.
"Whydi
dn'
tyour
eachoutt
ome?
”TheHODaskedme.

“Sir
,Ihadli
mit
edt
ime…I
”It
ri
edt
otal
kbutChi
maobi
i
nterr
upted.

“Thesequest i
onsarenotnecessar ysir
,afterall
,weboth
camet othisoff
ice,
wai t
edf orhours,
buty ouwer e
unavai
lable.Weweret ol
dy ou'dbeenabsentf orthepast
twoday s.
”Chimaobi sai
d,andt heHODl ookedathi m,
scrat
chedhi sheadandt ur
nedt owardsMr .Ernest.

“Whathappened, Mr.Er
nest?”Heaskedhi
m,andMr
.
Ernestcl
earedhisthr
oat,
lookingatt
heHODinawayI
couldnotunderst
and.

Chimaobil
ookedatme,Il
ookedathi
m,andt
hen,
agr
ave
si
lenceembracedusal
l
.

Turni
ngt
ous,
theHODaskedChi
maobi
andIt
oexcuse
them.
"
Wit
hal
lduer
espect
,si
r,t
hisi
sagener
ali
ssue.Why
shoul
dweexcusey
oubot
h.Why
?”Chi
maobi
spoke.

“
Youngman,
cany
oul
etmehandl
ethi
s?”

“No,Iam notcomfort
ablewit
ht hewayyouwanttohandl
e
i
t.Everyt
hingshoul
dbedonet ranspar
ent
ly.
”Chi
maobi
sai
d,looki
ngintohi
sey es.

Iwasgl
adIactual
lycamewi
thChi
maobi
.Atl
east
,hewas
mymouthpiece.

“Iwon'
tmindcall
ingthesecurit
yony ou.Wasi
tbecauseI
l
etyouinhereinthefir
stplace?Icouldhav
eeasil
yasked
hertocomeinalonewhi l
ey ouwaitf
orherout
side.
”The
HODal mostshouted.
“Cal
lthesecuri
tyonme?Forwhat?She'smyward,
Iam
herewit
hher.”Chimaobi
insi
stedandIhel
dhi
m bythe
arms.

“
Chi
maobi
,l
et'
sexcuset
hem.
”Iwhi
sper
ed.
“Nobabe,
rel
ax,l
etmehandl
ethi
s.”Het
appedmyl
aps
andtur
nedtotheHOD.
“Iwouldnotmi ndtaki
ngthiscaseupbywr i
tingtot
heVice
Chancell
or.Ifyoul
ov eyouroff
ice,
thenbetranspar
ent
.”
Chimaobi sai
d,andtheHODbecamesi l
entashis
countenancechanged.

“
Youngman,
youmustbev
eryar
rogant
…”

“Andy oumustbeav er
ycrookedandcreepymant oask
ustost epout
.”Chimaobisaid,astheyl
ookedateach
other,
ey et
oey e,whi
leMr.Ernesthadhisheadbentall
the
whilewithhi
slipsbrokenfr
om Chimaobi'spunches.

“
Whattypeofmani st
hisChi
maobi
?”Ithought
,and
l
aughedwit
hin,
forhowhewashandli
ngthesit
uati
on.

"Notf
orakindofper
sonasChimaobi
,theHODwoul
d
havel
ookeddownonus."Ir
esonat
ed.

“Cometothi
nkofit
,AREYOUHI
DINGANYTHI
NG,SI
R.”
Chi
maobiaskedt
heHODandIopenedmymout
hinshock.

“Ar
eyououtofy
ourmi
nd?
”theHODshout
ed,
hit
ti
nghi
s
desk.
“
Then,
let
'spr
oceed”Chi
maobi
hitt
hedeskt
oo.

Tobecont
inued…
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
TOLANI

Epi
sode23

TheHODlookedatChi
maobif
orsomeseconds,
then,
st
oodup,
askingChimaobi
andIt
owalkoutofhi
soffi
ce.

Real
isi
nghisact
ionscoul
dcosthi
m,hesatbackont
he
chai
ragai
n,al
mostpanicki
ng.

"Youngman, wecoul
dactual
lysett
lethi
swit
houtt
his
wholedrama.Iunder
standMr.Ernesther
eisnoti
nnocent
oftheaccusati
onsbutpl
ease.
..
"

Chi
maobist
oodup,
pickeduphi
sphonef
rom t
hedesk,
andtur
nedt
ome.
"
Let
'sgo,
please.
"
"
Chi
m..
."
"
Tol
ani,
let
'sgo."Hesai
d,asIpi
ckedupmyhandbagand
wal
kedoutoftheoff
icewhil
eChimaobi
fol
l
owed.

Iwassad.Ij
ustwant
edustoset
tlethewholet
hingsoI
coul
ddefendbutChi
maobi
wasn'ttaki
ngit
.

Westeppedoutsideandwalkedtowar
dshi
scar.Idi
dn'
t
wanttotal
k,Icouldfeel
thel
umpofannoyanceri
ghti
nmy
t
hroatwhenIswal l
owedsali
va.

Wegoti ntothecar,
andhecal ledhi
sdad, narr
ati
ng
ev
er y
t hi
ngthathadtranspi
red.Hisdadinstr
uctedusto
waitforsomemi nutessohecoul dreachthei
rfri
endwho
wast heDeanofmyf acul
ty.

After
wards,
Chimaobi'
sfat
hercal
l
ed,aski
ngust
ogot
o
thedean'
soffi
cewhichwassit
uatedar
oundmy
depart
ment.

Wecamedownagai
n,aski
ngar
ound.

Gett
ingtot
hedean'soff
ice,
Mr.Er
nestbegant
ocal
lme,
andsentdi
ff
erentapol
ogymessageswhenIdi
dnotpi
ck.
"
He'
ssendi
ngmessages.Shoul
d..
"It
ri
edt
oaskhi
m.
"
No,Tolani
,no.
"Het
ookawayt
hephonef
rom me,
put
ti
ng
i
tinhi
spocket.
"
Letmehandl
ethi
s."

TheDeanwasawoman, whowasaboutherlat
eearl
y
fi
ft
ies.shewasdef
ini
tel
yastr
ictonef
rom herl
ooks.

"
Chimaobi,y
ou'vegr
ownintoaver
yhandsomey
oung
man."Shesaid,
patt
inghi
sshoul
der.
"
Howt
imef
li
es.Howar
eyoudoi
ng?
"
"
I'
m doi
ngwel
l
,ma.
"Hebenthi
sheadi
nrespect
.

Sheof
fer
edusaseataswest
art
edwi
tht
heconv
ersat
ion.

There,wenar
ratedever
yofourencount
ersandmy
personal
encounter
switht
heHODandMr .Er
nest
.

Shehadputacal lacrosstotheHODbef orethe

conv
ersat
ionbegan, askinghimtocomewi thMr .Er
nest
.
Notonl
ythat,shecalledtwootherseniorl
ectur
ersshe
woul
dwantt owitnesst hesett
lementofthecase.
Aft
erwar
ds,
Mr.Ernestandt
heHODcamei ntot
heof f
ice.
Theseni
orl
ect
urerswereal
readyseat
edi
ntheoff
ice.
Theycamebef
orethem.

Icoul
dbetMr.Ernesthear
twaspoundi
ng,hehadsweat
y
handsandti
ngli
ngfeetall
thr
oughtheti
me.Hekept
wipi
nghissweatyhandsonhistr
ouser
s.

TheDeanr
equest
edmychatconv
ersat
ionswi
thMr
.
Ernest
.
.
Af
tergoi
ngt
hrought
hechatconv
ersat
ions,
shest
art
ed
wi
thapol
ogi
es.

"I
'mv erysorryyouhadtogot hroughallofthisnasty
thi
ngsf rom yoursuperv
isorwhoshoul dprotectyou.We
apologizefortheinconveni
ences,emotionalstressesit
musthav ecostyou.Chimaobi,t
hisapologygoest oy ou
too,Ilearntf
rom yourdadthatshe'syourfiancé."
"
Yes,
ma.
"
"Good,Iunder
standverywellhowmucht r
oublet
hismust
havecostyourunion.Wesincerel
yapol
ogizeandpromi
se
tosett
lethi
sri
ghtlyhere.
"
"Youngman, youhavejustnowt oacceptyourmisdeeds,
andsayt hetruth.I
t'
sunfortunatethatajuniorl
ectureras
youar ewhohasnotev enstartedwithyourcareerjourney
i
st aki
ngadv antageofstudents.Ifyoudon'ttake
responsi
bil
ityforyouracti
ons, youwouldn'tknowwhat
nexttocomet oyoufrom mydesk. "Shesai dasMr .Ernest
cleanedalineofsweatpav ingitwayonhi sf or
ehead.

Seeinghiminthatsit
uati
onwasrefreshi
ngandsat
isf
ying.
Icouldn'
thavewishedforanybet
terwaystobesati
sfi
ed.

"
Ma,
please,
Ican'
tgodownal
oneont
his.Pl
ease,
ma.
"
"Whatdoyouhav
etosay
?"Sheaskedhi
mthr
iceashe
stut
ter
ed.

TheHODt
ri
edt
oint
err
uptbutt
heDeanwoul
dn'
tl
ethi
m.
"Mr.AnyanwuGodf r
ey,youshoul
dnotbet aughtonhowto
behaveright
ly.Youareaneducat
or,Ibel
ieveyouknow
howbestt obehave.
"Shesaidtohim,askingMrErnestt
o
conti
nue.
"
I'
m sor
ry,
ma.
"TheHODpl
eadedasMrEr
nestspoke.

"
Idi
dn'
tdoal
ltheseundermybi
ddi
ngs.Yes,
Ili
kedher
,yes,
Imadepassesatherduringhersecondandthirdyear
,but
Ibackedoutaf
tersever
alrej
ecti
ons.Ionl
yresumedmy
advancesatwhentheHODaskedmet o."Hecleanedhis
sweatandIspreadedwidemymout hinshock.

"
Oh!Reall
y?Isaidthi
s.Thi
sm.
..
"Chi
maobi
spokebuthe
wascutshortbytheDean.
"Letmehandl
ethi
s,son.St
ayi
nchar
geofy
ouremot
ions,
okay?"
"
Okay
,ma.
"
"
Goon"sheur
gedMr
.Er
nest
.

"
Idi
dn'
taskhi
m..
."TheHODi
nter
rupt
ed.
"
Mr.Any
anwu,
donotpushme.
'
"
Sor
ry,
ma.
"

"Heaskedmet ov isi
thisoffi
ce,gi
vi
ngmehername
wri
tteninapieceofpaper .Hesaidhelearntshewasone
ofmysuper vi
sees.Heur gedmet ofr
ustrateherandhav e
hercomet oapar ti
cularhot
elroom.I
niti
all
y, Ir
efusedto
dothatbecauseIhadmyey esonherandwoul dnotwant
himtohav eher,butseeingthegoodofferhepl aced,
I
coul
dn'tbutagreed."Hespokewi t
heyesal lpaleandmy
bodybecameex tr
emel yhot
.Mybodyt emper aturewasso
hi
ghasIwonder
edonwhatanol
dmanl
i
kemyHODwoul
d
wanti
nmetosleepwi
thhi
m.
"
Howdi
dhegett
oknowme?
"Imumbl
ed.
"
Nointer
fer
ence,youngl
ady
."TheDeancaut
ionedme,
t
urni
ngtoMr .Er
nest.
"
Whatwast
heof
fer
?"
"
1.2mi
l
li
on,
ma.
"
"
Jesus!
"Iexcl
aimed.
"Hedeposi ted50%oft hemoneyimmedi at
ely.Icoul
dn't
resisttheof f
erbecauseIwant edtouseast onetokil
ltwo
birds,whichwashav ingt hemoneytomy selfandhaving
sexual int
ercoursewi thherbeforepassi
nghert othe
HOD. "Mr .ErnestsaidandChi maobi st
oodupwi thi
n
seconds, beforeany onecouldknowwhatwashappeni ng,
hegav eMr .Ernestav eryhef
typunchonhi sjawagain.

"PasshertotheHODaspershei sabal
lri
ght
? "Hesai
d
whenhepunchedhim atfi
rstandwasreadyt
ogi vehi
m
thesecondpunchwhenoneoft heseni
orl
ecturer
s
present
,hel
dhisfi
st,
hiswaist
,taki
nghi
m outoftheoff
ice.
"
Jesus!
"TheHODshout
edasMr
.Er
nestmout
hbl
ed.

Tobecont
inued!
TOLANI

Epi
sode24

TheDeanwasal
readyal
ert
.

“Idonotblametheyoungman, hi
ssuchajealous-
prot
ect
ivetype.
”Shegi
ggledsurpr
isi
nglywhenoneoft
he
seni
orl
ecturert
ookChimaobioutoftheoff
ice.

Iexcusedmysel
fandwentoutt
oo.Iwal
kedt
owher ethe
l
ecturerst
ood,t
alki
ngtoChi
maobi
,whi
lehef
oldedhis
armsandbenthishead.

Istoodst
il
ll
ooki
ngatChi
maobi
ast
hel
ect
urercal
med
him.

Ihadtounder
standwhyChimaobiwasext
remel
ymad
wit
hthewholescenar
io.I
thadcosthimt
oomuchtr
oubl
e.
Hewouldn'
thavebeeninthi
sifnotf
orme.
Chimaobi hadstoodupformewithoutevenchecki
ng
whetheritwashar mf
ult
ohim ornot.Iwouldbeahorri
ble
personifIhadjudgedhi
spersonbasedonal l
thathad
happened.
“Hejustcannotfor
giv
ehimsel
fforhit
ti
ngme.”It
hought
wit
hin.Theonlywayforhi
mt ol
etlooseoft
heguil
twas,
att
ackingthecause.

Iwal
kedupt
ohi
m,huggedhi
m cl
osel
y.

Hewasshocked.Forhim,huggi
nghim meantIhad
for
giv
en.Hest
retchedhisarmsaroundme,andburi
edhi
s
headonmyshoulders.

“Youar
esuchabigbaby.
”Istr
okedhisheadingentl
e,
smoothmoti
on,sosor
ryforhi
m goi
ngthroughal
lthe
emoti
onal
str
essesandguil
t.

“I
t'
sal
ri
ght
,babi
e.Iunderst
andyouper
fect
lywell
.
”Isai
dto
hi
m ashehuggedmet i
ghtl
yandref
usedtoletmego.

Hi
sbodywashot
.
“Comeher e.
”Iheldhishands,wenttotheschool ki
osk,
boughtacoldbot t
leofwater,
andachewi nggum.We
walkedtowher ehepackedhiscar,broughtoutmy
handkerchi
ef,soakingi
twithwater
,squeezedoutt he
waterandplacedt hehandker
chi
efonhi sforehead.
“
Yourbodytemper
atur
ei shi
gh.Pl
ease,
takei
teasyon
y
oursel
f.
”Isai
dtohim andhenodded.

Aft
erwards,
hisbodytemper
atur
ewentl
ow,
andwewer
e
cal
ledbackbytheDean.

Get
ti
ngint
oheroff
ice,
ever
ywherewasmoreinabet
ter
pl
aceandthet
ensi
onwhichspreadpr
evi
ousl
ywasgone.

Shest
art
edwi
threpr
imandi
ngChi
maobi
forr
eact
ingt
he
wayhedi
dandsoughtf
orapol
ogy
.

Chi
maobiapol
ogi
zedt
oev
ery
onei
ntheof
fi
ce,
Mr.Er
nest
i
ncl
usi
ve.

Mr.Ernesthadbeengivenfi
rstai
dtr
eat
mentri
ghtinthe
depart
ment ,
so,therewasnoneedofadj
our
ningthe
sett
lementoftheissueathand.
TheDeanobl
i
gedMr
.Er
nestt
ocont
inue.
He,fi
rstofall
,st
oodupfrom wherehewasseat ednextt
o
Chimaobiandwentt ot
heseniorl
ecturer
s'si
deinorder
nottobehitagain.I
twashil
ari
ous,anditgotever
yone
l
aughingasideChimaobiandMr.Ernesthimsel
f.

“Ist
art
edmypassesatheragai nbutshewasnotr eadyto
comply,andIhadalreadyusedav erygoodpartofthe
moneyIwaspai d.Ineededtoexecutemyj ob,soIused
herdefensetosubdueherintosleepingwi
thmeand
ther
eafter
,theHODbutIf ai
led.
”Hekeptqui et
.

“
So,youar
etell
i
ngust
haty
ouar
enott
hear
chi
tectoft
his
whol
ethi
ng.”

“
Yes,
ma.Iwaspai
dfort
hej
ob.
”
“
Ver
ywel
lthen,
Mr.Any
anwu,
wewoul
dwantt
ohearf
rom
y
ou.
”
“Ma,please,
forgi
veme.Ihav echi
ldr
en'
sschool
feesto
pay.Ihave7kids,Ihonest
lydonotwanttol
osemy …”The
HODbeggedast heDeanhitthedesk.

“Mr
.Anyanwu,
Iwoul
dnotent
ert
aint
his.Tel
lusy
ourpar
t
oft
hedeal.
”
Hebenthi
sheadandkeptqui
et.

“
Howdi
dyougett
oknowaboutt
hisy
oungwoman?
”

“Iwaspai
d.”

“
Pai
d?”Ev
ery
onechor
used.

“
Yes,
Iwaspai
d.”

“
Bywhom?
”Ishout
ed.

“
MissLi
nda,
ayoungwomanwhopai
dme5mi
l
li
onNai
ra
t
ohaveyoui
nthehot
elr
oom.
”

“
Idon'
tunder
stand.Li
nda,
why
?How?
”Chi
maobi
asked.

“Idon'
tknowherreasons.Iwaspaidi
nful
l
.So, Idi
dn'
tdo
allIdi
dbecauseIwantedtosleepwit
hTol
ani.Iwaspaid
handsomelytohaveherinahotelr
oom.Thatwasmypar t
oft
hebusi
ness.
”hesai
d.

“WhoisLi
nda?I'
m conf
used.
”TheDeanhi
therheadas
ever
yonet
urnedtome.

“WhoisLi
nda,Tol
ani
?”Chi
maobiaskedmeandmyhear
t
droppedt
odeath,
mymouthtur
nedsour.

“NotLi
ndabackt
ohuntme.
”Ir
esonat
ed,
placi
ngmy
handsonmyhead.

“
Youngwoman,
whati
sthepr
obl
em?
”TheDeanasked.
“
Who'sLi
nda?”Chi
maobi
askedagai
n,r
emov
ingmyhands
f
rom myhead.

“
Myhi
ghschool
mot
her
.”
“
Wai
tami
nut
e,t
heonewemeti
nAbuj
a?”
“
Yes”
“Whywoul
dshedothat
?Like,
whatdi
dyoudotoherfor
hert
opaythi
samountofmoney?
”Chimaobi
asked,
butI
coul
dn'
tut
terawor
d.
“Icanseether
e'sal
oti
nthi
sscenar
io.
”TheDeansi
ghed
andconti
nued.
“ButIthi
nkwehav edoneourpart
.It
'sl
eftf
oryouto
handlethecaseincaseofpr
ivacy
.Ihopeyouarewit
hyour
proj
ectwork?”Sheaskedme,butIwasoblivi
ousofmy
surr
ounding.

“
Bae!
”Chi
maobi
tappedmeasIr
aisedmyey
eli
ds.
“
Wher
eisy
ourpr
ojectwor
k?”
“
Int
hecar
.”Isai
d,f
aint
ly.
Hel
ookedaround,pi
ckedupmybag,openeditand
r
emovedthethreecopi
esofmypr
ojectwork.
“
Her
e,ma.
”Hehandedt
hecopi
est
oher
.
SheaskedMr
.Er
nestandt
heHODt
osi
gnonmycopi
es.

Aftert
heywer
edone,t
heDeanrequest
edChi
maobito
takeovert
hecasef
rom t
her
einknowingwhoMi
ss.Linda
was.

“Iwi
l
lupdat
eyourf
ather
.”Shesai
d,excusi
ngus.

Chi
maobi
car
ri
edmyhandbagaswewal
kedt
ohi
scar
.
Hedidn'
ttal
kaboutt
hat
.Hedroveustoaneat
ery,bought
somefoodandaskedmeifIwouldgethomewit
hhi m and
sl
eepover.

“Youhavestressedsomuch,Ithi
nkyoushouldnotbel
eft
aloneinthehouse,andyouneedtobeintheri
ghtfr
ameof
mi nd,
yourdefenseisi
n3day sti
me,okay
? ”Hesai
dtome
andInodded.

Myheartpicturedall
thenastysi
tuat
ionsIhadwi
thLi
nda
i
nhighschool .Icoul
dn'
tunderst
andwhyshecouldgothi
s
l
engtht
or uinme.

Tobecont
inued!
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
TOLANI

Epi
sode25

Get
ti
ngtoChimaobi
'
shouse,
hebr
oughtouthi
sshor
tsand
apol
oshir
tformetowear
.
“Youshoul
dtakeyourbath.
”Hehadsaid,
befor
egoi
ng
i
ntothekit
chen,t
ogetglasscupsandachil
l
edMango
dri
nkforustoeat.
Hewasseatedonthebed,
whenIsteppedoutoft
he
bat
hroom wi
thhi
stowelwrappedar
oundme.

“Youf
eel
bet
ter
?”Heaskedme.
“
Yes,
thanky
ou.
”Isai
d.

Atthatpoint
,wef el
tsooffi
cialandawkwar dwitheach
other.Webothfeltanew.Hewaswal ki
ngonbr oken
bottl
es,t
hat'
sbeingextremelycarefulwit
hhiswor dsand
acti
ons.Hewoul dn'
twanttof al
teragainaft
erhit
ti
ngme.

“
Youshoul
dtakey
ourbat
htoo.
”Isai
dtohi
m.
“
Sure,Iwi
ll
.”Hesai
d,ashewal
kedt
othebat
hroom door
,
r
etur
ningagain.
“
CanIhav
ethet
owel
?”Heasked.
“Sure,
”Ihadthet
owelar
oundmyneck,
wor
ethePol
oshi
rt
beforehandi
ngovert
hetowel
tohi
m.

“
Thanky
ou.
”Hesai
d,ent
eri
ngt
hebat
hroom.

Onnor
mal
grounds,
Iwoul
dwal
koutoft
hebat
hroom
stacknaked,orwebat htoget
her
,andhewoul dnothave
saidthankyou,butther
ehasbeenav acuum creat
ed.No
oneknewhowt ofil
lit
.

Af
terhebat
hed,
weat
esi
l
ent
ly.

I
twasv
eryunusual
ofust
oeatwi
thoutpl
ayi
ngar
ound.

“Nonewantstomakethef i
rstmove.”Ithought
.Ihad
missedever
ythi
ngIsharedwithhim,Iwouldhavejumped
onhim andl
ockedmyl i
pstohis,notforthesurr
oundi
ng
tr
oubles.

“Nowisnott
hetimetodosuch.Youhavenotev
en
answer
edhisquest
ion.
”Ir
esonated,
scoopi
ngaspoonf
ul
ofri
ceint
omymout h.

Aft
erwef i
nishedeat
ing,Icl
earedt
hebedbecauseweate
i
nthebedroom.WhenIr eturnedfr
om t
hekit
chen,If
ound
hi
m speaki
ngt ohisf
atheronaphonecall
.

Isatdown,br
oughtoutmyprojectworkandbegantofli
p
throught
hepages.Ihadbeensotroubl
edandstressedto
preparef
ormydefense.
Aft
erhiscal
l
, hespokewi
thDr
ake,
Drakecal
l
edhi
m,andi
t
fel
tli
keanurgentcal
l.

“
Drakeneedsmenow.
”Hesai
dtomeaf
terhewasdone.
“
Whathappened?
”
“YouknowGr
ace,
hisgi
rl
?Theonehe'
sbeensponsor
ingi
n
school
?”
“
Yes,
yes.
”
“
Shedumpedhi
m.”
“
Arey
ouser
ious?
”
“
Honestl
y,somewomenar eter
ri
fi
c.Howcany oudothat
t
osomeonewhopai dyourhouserent,
yourschoolf
ees,
l
i
ter
all
ypay sf
oral
lyourbi
ll
s?”Hesaid,dr
essi
ngup.
“
Thi
sisawf
ul.Ihopehe'
snott
oowor
ri
ed?
”
“
Mani
sdown,
he'
scr
ying.
”
“
Please,
gobewi
thhi
m.”
“
Yeah,
seey
ou.
”Hesai
dasher
ushedout
.

Forthefi
rstti
meev er
,Chi
maobi wentoutwithoutki
ssi
ng
myf or
ehead.Itshowedalothadgonewr onginour
rel
ati
onship.
Atabout10:00pm, Iwasint
hesit
ti
ngr
oom goi
ngt
hrough
myprojectwork,whenapr i
vat
enumbercal
l
edme,I
pi
ckedthephone, anditwasLi
nda.

“Igott
heinf
ormati
onthatyoual
readyknowIam the
personbehi
ndyourtr
oubl
esinschool.
”Shechuckl
edand
conti
nued.

“
Howdi
dyouknow?
”

“Youshouldhav eknownmebynow, IgetwhatIwant.

Common, Tolani.Youweremyschool daught
er,Il
i
ter
all
y
hadmywayar oundallt
heschoolst
affinhighschool
.You
canneverbeanexcept i
on.Ihav
ealway swantedyouandI
wil
lal
way shavey ou.
”

“Li
nda,Icur
sethedayImetyou.Youar
esuchahor
ri
ble
person.
”Ishout
ed,st
andi
ngupinrage.
Shechuckl
ed,“
Youdonothav
etoremi
ndmeoft
hat
,
sweet
heart
.Iknow,
I'
veal
waysknown.
”
“
Linda,
whatdoyouwantf
rom me?Whatdi
dIev
erdot
o
y
ou?Whatdoy ouwant
?”
“
Tol
ani
,Iwanty
ou”shecal
medherv
oice,
hel
plessl
y.
“Tolani,Ihavethoughtofyoufory ear
s.Ihav
ehadsexual
encount erswithdiver
segir
lssinceIleftf
ort
heStates,
but
noot herf eel
i
ngast heoneyougav emeinhighschool
.
Tolani,please,Ibegyou,j
ustthisonce.”
“
Wil
lyoust
opthi
s?Can'ty
ouseethatIam notqueer
ed,
I
'
m st
rai
ght
?Ican'
thaveanyt
hingt
odowi t
hy ou.
”
“
Buty
oudi
din…”
“Youforcedme!Youfr
eaki
ngt
ookadv
ant
ageofme,
b*tch.
”Ishout
edather
.
“
YouknowIcandoandundo.Iam beggi
ngyoubecauseI
l
oveyou,
please,
don'
tl
etmeforceyou.
”Shechangedher
v
oice.
“Ar
eyoumad?I
sitbecausey
ouhav
enotbeenar
rest
ed?
”
“
Tolani
!Don'
tbedumb.Hav
eyouf
orgot
tenwhomyf
ather
i
s?”Shechuckl
edagai
n.

“That'
swhyyoushouldt
rendcaref
ull
y,t
hat'
swhyy ou
shouldbescar
ed.I
fIcouldgett
oy ourHODi nschool
,I
coulddothedeadl
i
est.I
fyoudonotwantany thi
ngto
happentoyourman,andyourmarri
age,Ineedyouto
comel i
ckme.”
“
JesusChri
st!Youar
edi
sgust
ing.Whot
oldy
ouI
'
m get
ti
ng
marr
ied?
”
“
It
'sLi
nday
ouar
etal
ki
ngt
o.Mybodyhasl
ongedf
ory
ou.
Justcomeandt
ouchmeagai
n,andIwi
l
lnev
erdi
stur
byou
agai
n.”
“
Linda,
whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
hist
ome?
”Ibeggedher
.
“Tol
ani,Ican'
thelpit.IwishIcouldletyougo,butIcan't.
I
'm obsessedwi thyou.Ihav el
ostyoutoaman, Iknow
youlovehim, r
easonIhav enothurthi
m, Iwoul
dnotwant
youtogot hroughtorture.Justcomeandsoot hmet hi
s
once,andIwi l
llety
oube. ”

“Whatifhefi
ndsout
?ForGod'
ssake,
Linda,
thi
sis
cheat
ing.”
“
No,
youar
esav
ingy
ourmar
ri
ageandy
ourman'
sli
fe.
”
“Heknowsabouty
ou.Heknowsy oupai
dthemoney.He
knowsyouweremyschoolmother,
whatshoul
dIt
ellhi
m
i
sy ourr
easonf
orpay
ingsuchamounttohuntmedown.”
“Ah!Thisgi
rl
,youaresodumb.Besmar
t,getany
thi
ng,
anythi
ng.Tel
lhim Iwant
edhi
m.”
“
JesusChr
ist
!”Iexcl
aimed.
“Yes, tel
lhi
m.I ti
sbelievabl
e.Af t
eral
l,
youblockedme.
Youcoul dtel
lhimy oublockedmebecauseIof feredyou
moneyt ohavehi m.Igav e5mi l
li
ontohaveyou,he'd
believeIofferedyousomemoneyandwheny our ef
used,
I
deci dedtohunty outhroughy ourHOD.Mindyou, i
fIwere
bisexual,Iwouldhav eknackedy ourmansince,butdon'
t
forcemet odot hat
.May bey ourman,Chi
maobi ,wouldbe
t
hef i
rstmanIwil
lhavesexualencounterswi
th,andguess
what?Hisli
fei
satstaketoo.
”Shel aughedsoloudthatI
f
eltsohelpl
ess.

Myhat
redf
orheri
ncr
eased.

“I
'
m givingy
outodayt
oSatur
daytogetbackt
ome.Happy
defensedayonFri
day
,sweet
hear
t.
”Shehungthecal
l
.

“
Hel
l
o,hel
l
o!Li
nda!Oh,
myGod.
”If
ell
ont
hecouch,
cry
ing.

Chimaobiwouldbev er
ymadatmef orhi
dingthispastt
o
hi
m.It ol
dhim Ihav
ehadnosex ual
encounter
s,hehad
tr
ustedmef oral
most5y ears.Hewouldbeextremelyhurt
,
coupledwit
hhisDrake'
ssituati
onnow.

“HowdoItel
lhimthi
s?”Icr
iedmore,
picki
ngupmyphone,
anddi
ali
ngRuth'
sphonenumber.

“
Hel
l
o,babe,
I'
mint
roubl
e.”Icr
ied.
“
Oh,Tolani
,I
'm wi
thTochi
now.Youj
ustcutourf
unnow
wi
thyourmanycalls.
”
“
Rut
h,Li
ndai
scal
l
ingme.
”
“
Who'
sLi
nda?
”
“
Ohm!Thegirl
It al
kedt
oyouaboutt
hisaf
ter
noon.
”Isai
d,
t
ell
i
ngherofLinda'
scondi
ti
ons.
“Thisisbadoo, youknowsayt hi
sy ourguy,Chimaobi get
badtemper ,
yout ol
dmehowheact edinschooltoday.
Withtheway ,Iam seei
ngthatguy,he'dstr
angleyout o
deathifyoutellhi
m ofthi
sdir
typast .Noguywoul dtake
that
.”
“
Whatshoul
dIdonow?
”
“I'
m notaskingyout obeal esbiano.Butsinceshesai d
thisonce,Iwouldasky out odoi tthi
sonce,andhavey our
Chimaobi toyoursel
f.Youl ovehim somuchandhi sI i
feis
atstake.Takethebul letfory outwot osavewhatyou've
shared.ThisiswhatIf eelIwoulddoi fIwereinyourshoe.
So, mydear…Hel lo,
Tol ani,Tochi i
scall
ingme.Iwillcal
l
youl at
er.
”Shehungt hecal l.

Icouldnotevenpr
ocessanythi
ng.Mybr
ainboxwas
l
iter
all
yheati
ng.MyemotionswerenumbwhenmyDad
call
ed.

Whil
ehav i
ngaconver
sati
onwi t
hmydadconcerni
ngthe
wholethi
ng,Chi
maobiret
urned.Iexcusedmy
sel
ffr
om t
he
cal
l
,promisingt
ocall
back.
“
Back?
”
“
Yes,
back.
”
“
Howi
she?
”
“He'sbett
er.He'sbetterooo.Nnaee,women,t
rust
inga
womani srisky
.I'm exhausted,Iwoul
dbei
nthebedroom,
please.
”Hewal kedt i
redl
ytot hebedr
oom.

Chi
maobihadbeenrunni
ngupanddownsi ncemor ni
ng,
so,
I,aki
ndofunder
stoodhim,,
butIcoul
dn'tf
igur
eout
whyhewasn'
tcomingclosetometoatleasthug.

Atabout11:
30pm, Iwenti
ntothebedr
oom,andhewas
al
readyasl
eep.Igotint
othebed,l
aydownandtur
ningmy
backagai
nsthim.

It
ri
edt
osl
eepbutIcoul
dn'
tst
opt
hinki
ng.
“Youhav
enowt
oSat
urday
”Ikeptt
hinki
ngofwhatLi
nda
said.
“WhyhasthisboynotaskedmeofLi
ndaagai
n?Whati
s
heupto?”Ibecameresti
ve.

“ShouldIt
ell
him aboutt
hisorhaveLi
ndaonceandsav
e
him andmymar r
iage.Oh!God!
”Isqueezedmysel
f.
Theconf
li
ctoft
hemi
ndwasbey
ondme.
“Tellhimthetr
uth.I
fhebr
eaksupwithy
ou,then,
iti
sfi
ne.
Sleepingwit
hLindameanscheat
ingonhim.Itwi
l
lbe
deadlieri
fhefi
ndsout.
”Ir
esonat
edagain.

“Maobi
,Maobi.
”It
appedhi
m ashet
urnedar
oundwi
th
sl
eepyeyes.
“
I'
m soti
red.Mywhol
ebodyseemst
obeanot
her
's.
”He
mumbled.
“
Please,
wakeup,Ihav
esomethingt
otel
lyou.”Iwant
edto
t
ellhi
mt het
rut
hri
ghtther
ebef
oreIgetachangeofmind.

“Youdon'thavetowaitforhimtoasky ouagain.Youhav e
keptt
hissof ar
,thi
swoul dn'
thav
ebeenani ssuei fyou
hadconfidedinhim ear
li
er.Wakehim upagain.”Ithought
agai
n,tappinghi
m.

“
Tol
ani
!Whati
sit
?”
“
I…”
“
Tal
know…”
“
Iwant
edt
otal
ktoy
ouaboutLi
nda.
”
“Okay
,canyouleav
ethi
sdi
scussi
ont
omor
row?Pl
ease,
I
begyou.Okay
?”
“
Okay
”Inoddedmyhead.
“
Good,nowcomehere.”Hesqueezedmyhands, ki
ssed
myfor
eheadandaskedmet ocomeclosertohim,kissed
myfor
eheadagai
nashecuddledmet osleep.

Tobecont
inued!

TOLANI

Epi
sode26

Sleepingresti
vel
yinthebed,Icradledapi l
l
owtomychest .
Themor ni
ngsunwasbeami ngthroughmyey es,causing
met oblink.Usual
ly,waki
ngupwasasi mplet
askforme; I
enjoyedwakingupbef oreChimaobi .Igr
oanedwhent he
fi
rstbeam ofsunlighthi
tmyf ace.

“Youshoul
dchangey
ourmind.Don'
ttel
lhi
m aboutthi
s.”I
satup,put
ti
ngmyhandst
omyheadwhi chwast hr
obbing.
ICrawledoutoft
hewar m bed,walkedtothebat
hroom,on
thetaptowashmyf ace.Pouri
ngt apwateri
ntomyhands,
Chimaobiopenedthebathroom door.
“Whatisi
tyouwantt
otel
lme.
”Camehi
svoi
ceandI
choked.
“
Chimaobi,
Idon'tknowhowyouaregoi
ngtofeelabout
t
his.
”It
urnedaround,r
est
ingmybackagai
nstthewall.
“AboutLi
nda?
”Heasked,
looki
ngatmei
ntent
ional
l
y.

“
Yes…”
“
Come,
let
'st
alk.
”Hesai
d,asIwal
kedoutoft
hebat
hroom.

Chimaobisatdownont
hebed,
tappi
ngt
hebed,
aski
ngme
tositdown.

“
Chi
maobi
,i
t'
saboutLi
nda.
”
“
Okay
,howabouther
?”
“Ihadasexualr
elat
ionshi
pwi
thheri
nhi
ghschool
.”Isai
d
ashiseyespoppedout.
“
Whatdoy
oumeanbyt
hat
?Youar
eal
esbi
an?
”
“No, Chimaobi,IswearIam not .Shewasmyschool
mot herinhighschool .Shehadi nf
luenceandhadherway
aroundbot hthestaf fandstudents.Shecoercedmei nt
o
doingt hatwit
hher .Shewoul dthreatenmeeacht i
meI
refusedt ohaveher .She'
sbackt oblackmail
mei nto
sl
eepi
ngwit
hheragai
n.”Ibr
okedowni
ntear
sbecauset
he
memoryal
onewasdir
tyandawfulf
orme.
“
Howmanyt
imesdi
dyoudoi
t?”
“Chi
maobi,Ican'tcounti
t.I
t'sasmanyt
imesasherst
ay
thr
oughherseniorclasses,sheonl
yhadatr
ansf
erwhen
herpar
entsrelocatedtotheUK.”
“
Youenj
oyedt
heact
?”
“
Chi
maobi
!Howcoul
dyousayt
hist
ome?
”Icr
iedagai
n.

“
Comeher
e,youdonothav etomisunderst
andme.Iwant
t
oknowwhotrul
yy ouare.I
fyousti
l
l hav
ethetendency
.”
Hehel
dmyshoulderst
ight,
looki
ngintomyeyes.

“
Tel
lme,
didy
ouenj
oyi
t?”

Iwassof
ear
ful
inanswer
inghi
squest
ion.
“
Chi
maobi
,Ihatedev
ery
thi
ngaboutthi
sact
.Ifoughtf
or
y
ear
stocl
earthesememori
es.
”Icri
edmore.
“
Please,
for
giv
eme.
”
“St
opi tal
ready,y
ouwer etakenadvantageof.Youwere
for
cedt o.Ican'
tbemadaty ouoveryourpast.Youdi
dn'
t
dothisinourwor l
drel
ati
onship,y
oudi dbeforeyoumet
me.Itwasn'tyou.Youthatacted,
butpowerpr edominat
ed.
Tol
ani
…”Hecal
l
ed.
“
Yes,
Chi
maobi
.”
“Way neL.Mi sneroncesai d, “Keepi ngbaggagef r om the
pastwi l
lleavenor oom forhappi nessi nt hef uture. ”Even
thoughy oumaywantt omov ef orwar diny ourl ife, you
mayhav eonef ootont hebr akes.I nor dert obef ree, you
mustl earnhowt ol etgo.Releaset hehur t
.Rel easet he
fear.Refuset oent ertai
nyourol dpai n.Theener gyi ttakes
tohangont othepasti sholdingy oubackf rom anewl if
e.
Youshoul dhav etoldmeaboutt hisear l
ier.Youhur t
yourselfsomuchhol dingont ot hisbur denf orhal fa
decade.Iam y ourhusbandsoon, weshoul dnev erhi det he
past,thepr esent,andt hefut uret oeachot her .
”

“
I'
m sosor
ry.
”Ibegant
ocr
yagai
nashehuggedme,
wi
pingt
hetears.
“Tomakeapeacefulhome,wemustbet r
ansparentto
eachother
.Li
ndawouldn'
thaveblackmailedyouifyou
hadtol
dmeaboutt hi
s.I
t'
sokay,don'tcr
y.”Hepattedmy
back.

“Shecall
edmelastni
ght
,request
ingIcomeonorbef
ore
Sunday.So,
Ihavethi
sThursdayt
oSat ur
day
.”

“
It
'sheraudaci
tyf
orme.Shef
eel
sshecannev
erbe
appr
ehended.Let
'swat
chandsee.
”

Chimaobii
mmediatel
yupdat
edhi
sdadoft
helat
est
i
nformati
onathand,whi
l
eIupdat
edmydadandbrot
her
.

“Gi
v emet hatphone,Segun,
whoisthatOponu?Whois
herfather
?”Ioverheardmydadsayingint
hebackgr
ound
beforeYahyaSegunhandedt hephonetohi
m.
“Tol
ani,whoist hewr et
chedfoolthathasbeenhidinghi
s
daughter'
satrocit
ies?Odaa…Woo…Gi vemet hename
andletthem seet hatIhavel
egsint hi
scount r
y.Woo…
Youdidn'ttel
lme.Obi nri
nsiobinr
in?Iri
ra!okanminjo.
”

“SheisthedaughterofChiefAdewal
eOlor
ufol
orunso
Adebayo.Heoncecampai gnedfort
hesenat
epositi
onin
LagosState.
”Isai
dt ohi
m.

“Wooo,Iknowhi
m.Ihavehi
ssecr
etsonmybalms.Iknow
someonewhoknowssomeonewhoknowshi m.Segun,
col
lectt
hephone,l
etmemakecal
ls.
”Hehandedoverthe
phonetoYayhaSegun.
“
Abur
o,I'
m sor
ryy
ouwentt
hroughal
lthese.Sosurpri
sed
y
ounevershar
edthi
swi
thme.”Hesai
ddi sappoi
nted.
“
It
'sal
lfi
ne.Ihopey
ouar
epr
epar
ingf
ory
ourdef
ense
t
omor
row?
”
“
Yes.Yes,
Yahy
a.”
“
Goodl
uck,
okay
?"
“
Okay
.”
“Pl
ease,
giveChi
maobit
hephone.
”Her
equest
edasIgav
e
Chi
maobi t
hephone.

Aft
erwar
ds,Chi
maobi askedmet
obatheandpresent
bef
orehi
m.Icouldn'
tknowwhyIfel
tabsol
utel
yoffi
cial
andshywit
hhim.
“
Here”hepl
acedt
wopar
acet
amol
capsul
ewi
thagl
assof
wat
er.
“
Youhav
ebeendr
ainedl
atel
y.Thi
swoul
dhel
p.”
“
Thanky
ou.
”Ismi
l
ed,
groppi
ngi
nthecapsul
e.

After
wards,
Ijumpedi ntoawarm shower,washi
ngaway
everyoft
hepains,thetear
s,t
hetoxici
ty,
theuncert
aint
ies
thathadbui
ltupinsideofme.

Thatbat
hwassy
nony
moust
oLI
BERATI
ON.

Tobecont
inued!
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
TOLANI

Epi
sode27

Af
terhavi
ngmyli
ber
ati
onbat
h,Iat
eandChi
maobi
hadme
pr
esentbefor
ehi
m.

“NextTolani
,
”het
ri
edt
orepr
esentmysuper
visor
sfort
he
defense.

Iwal
kedst
eadi
l
ytowher
ewesett
hechai
randIsatdown.
“
Nono,
bae.Thi
sisnotent
ir
elygood.WewantanAr
ight
?”
“
Yes”Inodded,
“Good,youwill
havetogi
veanalmostperfectpr
esent
ati
on.
Sowalki nagai
n.”Hesai
dtomeasIwal kedbacktothe
doorst
epandwal kedi
nagain,
sit
ti
ngont hechai
r.

“Babygi
rl
,comeher
e”het
appedhi
slaps,
asIcameand
satonhi
slaps.

“
Nowsee,r
emembery ouar
emaki
nguseofaski
rt
,and
y
ouwouldnotwantt
oshowmyasset
stoyour
super
visor
s”hej
okedasIchuckl
ed,
noddi
ngmyhead.

“Sobae, wheny ouarecal

led,
wal ktoyourchai
r,st
andin
frontofyourseatascloseasy oucan.Bystart
ingout
closetothechai r
,youwil
lhavelessworktodoandar e
muchl essli
kelytoexposemyasset s.
”

“
Bae”Il
aughed.
“
Yes,
I'
m ser
ious,
okay
?”
“
Okay
”
“Afterstandingnexttot hechair
,puty ourkneest ogether,
makesur ebot hyourkneesandmostofy ourlegsar elined
upandsqueezednextt oeachother .HiHim onWhat sApp
via+2349133660306f ormorest ories.
.Onel egshoul dnot
beinf r
ontoft heother.Easedowngent ly
.Donotbend
forward;makesur etokeepy ourt orsostraight.Keeping
yourkneest ogether,
sitdownsmoot hl
ybybendi ngyour
knees.Decidehowt oplaceyourf eet.Youhav et womai n
optionsforyourfeet:fl
atont hefloororcr ossedatt he
ankles.Okay? ”

“
Okay
.”
“
Situpst
rai
ght
.Donotleanbacki
ntoyourchairbecause
t
hisisaf
ormaloccasi
on,i
t'
smostappr
opriat
et ositi
nthe
cent
eroftheseatwit
hyourbacknoti
ncontactwi
ththe
chai
r,pl
aceyourhandsonyourl
apsandthenthedeski
f
youbegintopr
esent.
”

“
Wow!Bae,youexpl
ainedt
hissoper
fect
.”Isai
d,
i
mpr
essed.

“
Yes!Now,
tryi
t.
”
“Alr
ight
”Isai
d,asIwal
kedt
othedooragai
n,tur
ned
aroundandwalked,
doi
ngexact
lywhatheaskedmetodo.
“I
mpr essi
ve!”Hehai
l
edmeasheur
gedmet
ost
artmy
presentat
ion.

Aftermypresent
ati
on,hebegant
ot hr
owsomev it
al
questi
onstome, madesomecorrecti
onsandaskedmet
o
repeati
t.

Aft
ersever
alti
mesofpr
esent
ing.Heaskedmet orestmy
headwhil
ehegetst
othepoli
cestat
ionconcer
ningthe
Li
ndasit
uati
on.

Mydadhadaskedhi
mt or epor
ttothepol
icestat
ion,
gi
vi
nghimthedeput
yInspectorgener
alofPoli
cephone
number
,whowasmyf ather'
schil
dhoodfr
iend.
Iwasl
efthomeal
one.

Bor
ed,Ical
l
edRut
htoknowhowshewaspr
epar
ingf
ort
he
def
ense.

“
Hel
l
o,babe?Howf
ar?
”
“
Tochi
brokeupwi
thmeagai
n.”
“Youandt
hesesmallsmall
boys.Ihav
et ol
dyouTochii
s
uptonogood.Thatguydechopgir
lsformylodge,
you…”
“Abegi
!Ididn'
taskf
orinsult
.Howf
ar,
arey
oust
il
lgoi
ngt
o
seetheLindagir
lonSaturday?
”
“
No,
Iam not
.”
“
Theny
ouhav
enoopt
iont
hant
otel
lChi
maobi
.”
“
Sur
e,Ihav
etol
dhi
m.”
“
Jesu!Ihopehedi
dn'
thi
tyou.
”
“
Stopthat.Chi
maobiisnotabeast.Heonl
ymi
sbehav
ed
t
hatday,anditwon'
trepeati
tsel
f.
”
“
Okayoo,
sot
heweddi
ngi
sst
il
lhol
ding?
”
“
Absol
utel
y!
”
“
Yassss!Weshoul
dgoandseethatlady
,thetai
l
orI
i
ntr
oducedyouto,
let
'sknowt
hestyl
eswear egoingwi
th.
”
“Let
'sdef
endf
ir
st.Nat
hisdef
ensebemypr
obl
em.Idon'
t
knowwhyIhavebeenhavi
ngthi
sfear
.”
“I
t'
snothi
ng,wewil
lperf
orm well
.”Shesaid,
aswetalked
forhour
sbefor
eIexcusedmy sel
f,cookedandwai
tedfor
Chimaobi.

Thatev
eni
ng,whenChi
maobir
eturnedwi
thanewoutfi
t
formydef
ense.I
twasawhi
teshir
tandafit
tedbl
ackski
rt
.
“
Thi
swouldmakey
oul
ookbeaut
if
ul.
”Hehandedt
he
l
eat
hert
ome.
“
Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul.
”Ihuggedhi
m andwor
etheout
fi
t.

Af
ter
war
ds,
wehadourmeal
asweconv
ersed.

“
HesaidIshoul
dret
urnonMonday
.Hehassenthi
smen
t
olooki
ntothematt
er.
"Hesai
dtome.
“
Hav
eyout
oldmyDad?
”
“Yes,Ical
l
edhim onmywayhome.Wear eadv
isedtost
ay
i
ndoor sonSat
urdayandSunday.Li
ndai
saser
ialKi
l
ler
!
She'sbeeninj
ail
for6monthsintheUK.
”
“
JesusChr
ist
!”
“ThankGodshegav
eyouSat
urday
'seveni
ngtovi
sither.
Aftery
ourdef
enset
omorr
ow,wearegetti
ngsomev i
tal
f
oodit
emsfr
om t
hegr
ocer
y.YouandIar
eadv
isedt
ost
ay
i
ndoors.
”
“
Youaregett
ingmescar
ed!I
sitsaf
etogof
ormydef
ense
t
omorr
ow? ”
“Sur
e,shewon'tcomef ory
outomor rowbecauset hedate
schedul
edisSaturday
.Thedeput yI
nspectorgeneralof
Poli
cewouldbesendingsomeofhi smenf orsecuri
ty
servi
cesonSaturdaytoSunday.Yourdadrequestedf or
that
.”Hesai
dashemol dedthefluf
fypoundoy am fufu
andscoopi
ngachunkofmeatf rom thesoup.

OnFr
idaymor
ning,
Chi
maobi
drov
emet
otheschool
.

Get
ti
ngdownfr
om thecar,
Chimaobihel
dmyhandsaswe
wal
kedt
othehall
wherethedefensewastohol
d.

Gett
ingt
othebal
cony,abouttost
epint
othehal
l,al
ady
whowasonacallandwalki
ngoutofthehal
lwit
ha
st
rawber
rydr
inkbr
ushedagainstmyshoul
der
s.

“
Ouch!Sosorr
y.”Sheshout
ed,
looki
ngatmeasIl
ookedat
mycl
othes.
“OhmyGod!Iam defendi
ng!Ishout
edatherasChi
maobi
hel
dmyhandsandt ookmeoutoft hehal
l
.
“
Weneedtorushandgety
ouanot
hershi
rt,t
hisi
sbad.
”
Het
ri
edcl
eaningt
hehugestai
nwi
thhishandker
chi
ef.
“
Whati
ftheyst
art
?”Ibegant
ocr
ywhenRut
hwal
ked
t
owar
dsus.
“
Whati
sitagai
n?Whyar
eyoucr
ying?
"Sheasked.
“
Naoney
eyegi
rlst
ainmywhi
te.
”
“
Hey
!Wahala,howfar
,youshoul
dgetonef
orher
i
mmedi
atel
y.”Sher
efer
redtoChi
maobi.

“Sur
e,Iwi
ll
.Pleasestayi
nsi
det
hehal
l.Don'
tgoanywhere.
Iwil
lberi
ghtback.”Heki
ssedmyf
orehead,
andrushed
out.

“
Don'
tworr
y,ever
ythi
ngwoul
dbef i
ne.Let'
sgoandwashi
t
i
nTessy
'shost
el,
incasehedoesn'
tret
urn.
”
“
No,
please.
”
“Seeyou,youthi
nkthi
sAwkat r
aff
icisyourmate?Let
'sgo
washi ti
nTessy'
shostel
,she'
sinschoolhost
el.
”She
persuadedme.

“
Buty
ouhear
dhi
m,hei
nst
ruct
edmenott
ost
epout
.”
“
Leav
ehi
m,l
et'
ssor
tot
heropt
ionsi
ncasehedoesn'
t
ret
urnont
ime.
”Shehel
dmyhands,
draggi
ngmet
ofol
l
ow
her.

Tobecont
inued!

*
TOLANI
*

Epi
sode28

“
No,
stop.
”Il
etgoof
fRut
h.
“Thi
sisav er
ydeli
catemoment .Iwoul
dnotwantto
complicat
ethi
ngsformy sel
f,Chi
maobiormyfamil
y.
Anythi
ngcouldhappen.HesaidIshoul
dstaybacki
nthe
hall
.”
“Hhmm…Idonotev enunderst
andyou,
youworshipthi
s
guy.Ev
eryday,Chi
maobisaid,Chi
maobisai
d.Abegi
!”She
shr
ugged,hi
ssedandbeganwal ki
ngaway.

“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngt
onow?Rut
h!”Ir
anaf
terher
.
“
Rut
h!”Ical
l
edagai
n.
“
Whati
sit
?Yousai
dyouar
enotgoi
ngna,
oya,
stayback
i
nthehal
l
.”
“That'
sit
,wearegoingoutbecauseofmyshir
tri
ght
?So,
sinceIhavedeci
dedtostayback,weshoul
dgoin.
”
“Idonotevenknowwhyy
ouar
ethi
sdumb.Seey
our
defense,
and…”
“Rut
h!Whyarey out
hismad!I
'
m notdumb,pl
ease.Abeg,
enoughofthi
s,nospoil
mymood.”Ihi
ssedandwalked
towardst
hehall
.

Atthebal
cony,Il
ookedbackt
oseei
fshewascomingbut
foundoutshewaswalki
ngtowar
dst
headminbl
ock.

Get
ti
ngint
othehal
l
,Isatdown,l
ookedaroundmeand
sawaboyseat
edattheedgeofthechai
r.
“
Please,
whatl
ett
ernamear
etheyf
ort
hispanel
?”
"
Let
terT"heanswer
ed,
andmymout
htur
nedsour
.

Therewere3personsbef
oremewhosei
nit
ial
namebegan
wit
ht hel
ett
er“
T”.

Idi
aledChi
maobi
'
sphoneandt
hankf
ull
y,hepi
cked.
“
Bae,
wher
ear
eyou?
”Isai
dtohi
m.
“Bae,I
'
vegot
tenashi
rtal
ready
,I'
m aboutt
ogeti
ntot
he
cart
oschool
.”
“Okay
,pl
ease,
bef
ast
er.Justt
hreeper
sonst
omyt
ime.
”I
saidt
ohi
m.
“
It
'sal
ri
ght
,Iam comi
ng.
”

Seat
edinthehal
l
,myphonebeeped,
Ipi
ckedupt
hephone,
andfoundamessagef
rom Li
nda.

“Wasthestai
nt hatbad?Sosorryhoney
,happydef
ense.
Wait
ingforyout omorrow.Ij
ustcan'
twai
ttohaveyou
bet
weenmyl egsagain.”

“
JesusChr
ist
!”Il
ament
ed,
per
tur
bedandshocked.

“Howdi dshegetastudentt
odothi
s.I
sshethat
desperatet
ohuntmet hismuch?
”Ir
esonat
edwithi
n,
grabbedinutmostf
ear.

“
Hel
l
o,wher
ear
eyou?
”Ical
l
edChi
maobi
agai
n.
“
Bae,
I'
m dr
ivi
ng.I
'
m near
.”Hehungt
hecal
l
.
Thankf
ull
y,af
terf
ewmi nut
es,
hecall
edmet
ocomeout
whenitwasjustaper
sontogobefor
eme.

Ir
usheddownt
owher
ehepar
kedhi
scar
,goti
ntot
hecar
.
“Here,shesentmet hi
smessage.”Ihandedmyphoneto
him asIquickl
ytoretheshi
rtl
eat
herpackage,
unbutt
oned
thestainedshi
rtandworethenewshi r
t.

“
Arey
ouser
ious?
”
“
Yes”
“
Ineedtoforwardthi
simmediat
elyt
otheI
G.”Hesai
d,
t
ryi
ngtoforwardthemessage.
“
Bae,
Ineedt
ogeti
nnow.
”Ipi
ckedmybag.
“Comehere.Calmyourner
ves,Iknowyouarestr
essed
witht
hiswholethi
ngbutpl
ease,gother
e,pr
esentli
keyou
arenotcur
rentl
yinbi
gsh*t
.”
“
Yes,
bae”Ismi
l
ed.
“
Let
'sgoi
ntoget
her
.”
“
Wil
ltheyal
l
owy
out
ost
ayi
nsi
de?
”
“
It
'sahugehal
l
.Theywi
l
l.
”
Wewalkedint
othehal
landt
hel
adywasal
ready
pr
esent
ing.

Chimaobisqueezedmyhandsbef
oreIwal
kedf
urt
hert
o
thefr
ontchair
s.

Af
terabout15mi
nut
es,
Iwascal
l
ed.

Myhear
tski
pped,
andmyl
egswentnumb.

Iqui
ckl
ytur
nedar
ound,
lookedatwher
eChi
maobi
was
seat
ed.
Hewi
nkedatmeandgav
emeat
humbsup.

Ifel
trel
ieved,
wal
kedmajest
ical
l
yasrehear
sedathome,
satexactl
ythewayhet
aughtmet oandbeganmy
present
ati
on.

Atapoint
,Icoul
dn'
tbeli
eveifIwasactual
l
ytheonet
alki
ng.
Iwasthatt
ypeofgir
lthatl
it
eral
lydi
sli
kedanyfor
mal
act
ivi
ti
es.
Ihatedgoi
ngtot
hebank, orgoi
ngtooffi
ces.ButI
present
edinawaythathadthesuper
visorsshaki
ngt
hei
r
headsinaf
fir
mati
on.

Af
termypresentati
on,di
ver
sequesti
onswerethr
ownat
me.Aboutthreequesti
onsChimaobihadaskedmewhi
le
werehear
sedwer easkedbytwosupervi
sor
s.

WhenIwasdoneansweri
ng,
appl
ausewer
egi
ven,
andI
coul
dn'
thel
pbutt
osmile.

Aft
ermypr esent
ati
on,t
henextpersonwascall
ed.I
i
mmedi atel
ywalkedtowhereIsat
,pickedmybagand
walkedtowhereChimaobiwasseated.

“Youburstmybrai
n.”Het
ickl
edmeasIshookmybody
,
almostshout
ing.
“
Babe,
them gopur
sueusoutoft
hishal
l
.”Il
aughed.
“
Let
'sgoout
.”Hehel
dmyhandsanddr
aggedme.

Get
ti
ngout
,hehel
dmywai
standgav
emeaneckbi
te.
“
Imi
sst
his.
”Isai
dtohi
m.
“
Met
oo”hel
i
ckedhi
sli
ps.
“
Wear
eout
side,
man”Icaut
ionedhi
m.
“Yout
hinki
fImarr
yyou,Iwi
ll
bedoinghide-
and-
seek
game?Ibel
iev
einPDA.”HesaidasIl
aughed.
“
Til
lthen.
”

Af
terIsi
gned,
wewenthome.

"Doyouknowt
hatRut
hhasdef
endedbef
orewecamei
n?"
Iaskedhi
m.
“
Nona…”Hesai
d.

“
I'
mt el
l
ingyou,
she'
slet
ter"
R".Shegotangr
yandl
eft
whensheaskedmetogocleanupinTessy'
shost
el.
”

“
Shewasjustt
ryi
ngtohelp,i
twaslef
tforyoutodecl
i
ne,
t
hankGodyoudid.Ihopeyouhav
ecalledher
.”
“
Iwi
l
lwhenIgethome.
”

Get
ti
nghome,Chi
maobihadev
ery
wher
elockedwhi
l
eI
wasonacal
lwit
hRuth.
“
I'
m sor
ryna,
Iknowy
oumeantwel
l
.”
“
Leav
emeal
one.
”Shesai
d.
“
Buty
oudi
dn'
ttel
lmey
oudef
ended.
”
“
TOLANI
,l
eav
emeo.
”Shesai
dagai
n.
“Oya,whatshoul
dIdot
omakei
tupt
oyou?Tel
lmena”I
beggedmor e.
“
Comelet
'sgohangoutt
omorr
ow,l
et'
shavegirl
s'moment
.
Wear
eful
lygraduat
esnow.
”Shesai
d,exci
tedl
y.

“Ah!Rut
h,Iwishto,
buty
ouknowthisLi
ndaissue,
Iwas
askedtostaybackhomeonSat
urdayandSunday.
”
“
Arey
ouser
ious?
”
“
Yes”
“
Whosai
d?Chi
maobi
agai
n!”
“
Nona,
mypar
ent
s,t
heI
nspect
orgener
al.
”
“Whoisthat?Unadonecar
rydemattert
ot hepol
ice,
and
youcoul
dn'ttel
lme,Tol
ani
?Am Iev
eny ourfri
endoryou
arej
ustusingmetopassti
me?"Shesoundedsoangr y.
“I
t'
snotl
i
kethatna.Howcoul
dyousayathinglikethat
?
YouknowIhavebeenbusy
,andwebarel
ytalked.”
“
Spar
eme,
arey
oucomi
ngoutt
omor
rowornot
.”
“
No,
Iam not
,butwecanhang…”Iwasst
il
ltal
ki
ngwhen
shehungt
hecal
l
.

Tobecont
inued!
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
TOLANI

Epi
sode29

Ical
ledRuthagai
naf t
ershehadhungt
hecal
l
,butshe
rej
ectedt
hecall
,thr
ice.

Ihadt
oletherbebecauseIwasn'
treadyt
ori
skgoi
ngout
onSat
urdayandSunday.

Chimaobihadupdat
edhi
spar
ent
sandmi
neofev
ery
i
nformati
ongott
en.

TheInspect
orgener
alputacallt
oChimaobi,andassured
hi
m ofsendinghi
smenf orsecur
it
ypurposesonSaturday
andSunday.

Af
terwards,
ateveni
ngt
ime,IandChi
maobi
hadavery
maturedandexci
ti
ngdi
scussi
on.Wehad2day
slockdown.
Wehadnoopti
onthantout
il
izei
ttomakeupt
het
imewe
hadsev
eral
conf
li
cts..
Eversi
nceChimaobisl
appedme,wehadnotmadeout.
Wehav ebeenbusywit
hthechal
l
engesat
tacki
ngourl
ove
l
if
e.

“
Bae,It
hinkweshoul
dgot oMaur
it
iusf
orourhoney
moon.
I
'
m changingmymind.
”Isaid.
“Notagai
n,Tol
ani
.Thi
sisaboutt
he3rdtimey ouar
e
changi
ngourhoneymoonl
ocati
on.”Hesaid.
“
Wewouldhav
etopi
ckonef
rom y
ourchoi
ceandone
f
rom mi
ne.
”
“
Ican'
twai
ttohav
etwogi
rl
s.”
“
Bae,
Ihav
etol
dyou.Iwantaboyandgi
rl
.”
“Idon'
twantaboy
.”
“Thi
sismyfi
rstti
meofseei
ngamanwhodoesn'
twantt
o
haveamalechil
d.”
“
Yesnau,
yout
hinkIdon'
tknowy
ourpl
an.
”
“
Whatpl
ans?
”
“Femalechi
ldr
entakecar
eofthei
rfat
her
smor
einol
d
age.”WelaughedasIhi
thisl
egs.
“
So,
Iwi
l
lnowr
otabi
?”Iaskedhi
m andhel
aughedagai
n.
“
Nona,
Iwi
l
ltakecar
eofy
ou.
”
“Ihavenotaskedy
out
hisquest
ion.Whati
syourbestsex
styl
e?”.
..
.

Tbc

TOLANI30

Epi
sode30

Readi
ngt
henotewri
tt
enatt hebackofthepict
ure,
my
st
omachgott
ightf
rom angerandfrust
rat
ion.

Ihadnor
ightt
ofeel
frust
rat
ed,
Ifel
tso.

“Iti
smysinandIwil
lhavetocarr
yit.
”Ir
esonatedwi
thi
n,
teari
ngt
henudepict
uresint
opiecesasRuthand
Chimaobiwat
chedmesi l
entl
y.

Ist
oodup,walkedawayf
rom t
hebot
h,wal
ki
ngi
nto
Chi
maobi'
sroom.
I
nther
oom,
Ifel
lont
hef
loor
,sobbi
ng.
Thepainwasmuch.Thefrust
rat
ionwaschoki
ngmeby
thet
hroat
,thatIwi
shedIcoul
djustcoughi
toutandhav
e
mypeace.

“
Baem,Ut
om,
comeher
e”Chi
maobi
hadst
eppedi
ntot
he
r
oom.

Myshock,anger
,andf
rust
rat
ionwer
esqueezedoutofme
wi
ththeti
ghthughegaveme.

“Youdon'
thav
etocry
.Li
ndashoul
dn'
tmakey
oul
osey
our
happi
ness.Wewi
ll
alway
sfi
ndaway …”

“
Away
?Di
dyousayaway
?How…”
“
Shhh!
”Hei
nter
rupt
edme,
placi
nghi
shandsonmyl
i
ps.

“There'
snol ovewit
houtchall
engesandconf l
icts.The
mainf ocusforyouandIistokeepf i
ghti
ngunt i
lsuccess
i
swon. ”Hesatonthefloorwithme,placedmyheadon
hislaps,runni
nghishandsthroughmyhai randspoke
encouragingwordstomeunt ilIsl
eptoff.
Iwokeupar
ound8:
00pm andf
oundmy
sel
fal
oneont
he
bed.

Ist
oodup,wal
kedint
othebathr
oom,
washedmymout
h
andwal
kedint
othesit
ti
ng-
room.

If
oundRuthst
il
lint
hehouse.Shewasseatedwi t
h
Chi
maobiandthepol
iceman,di
scussi
ngtheissue.

“
Babygi
rl
”Rut
hcal
l
edoutt
ome,
huggi
ngmecl
osel
y.

“
Youdi
dn'
tgoback?
”Iaskedher
.
“Nonah…Whyshoul
dIgobackwheny
ouar
eunf
ine.
”She
sai
d.

Isatdownnextt
oChimaobi
,whohadhi
shandsonmy
neck,f
eel
ingmybodytemper
atur
e.

“
Yourbodyi
smadhot,babe.Pl
ease,
stopt
hinki
ng.
”He
l
aidmyheadonhi
sshoulder
.
“Ihavecal l
edyourdad,mine,
andtheI
nspectorgener
al.
TheI nspectorgeneral
sai
dhewill
getbacktous,”hesai
d
ast heydiscussedfurt
her
.Idi
dn'
tsayaword.Ihadlostmy
spices.

After
war
ds,t
hepoli
cemanexcusedhi
msel
fandChi
maobi
askedmetotakesomemedi
cati
ons.

“
Babe,
her
e,hav
esomedr
ugs.
”

Mymom, dad,andsi
bli
ngscal
l
edmel
aterwi
thal
loft
hem
gi
vi
ngencour
agingwords.

“
WhenIcal
l
ed,
Iwast ol
dyouwer
easleep.Thi
sisaf
ight
t
haty
oumustwin”Yahy
aSegun,
encouraged.

“Thunderwi
ll
f i
ret
hatgi
rli
fIgetmyhandsonher
.Woooh!
Theydidnottel
lherwhoIam?”Mydadstart
edwit
hhi
s
l
ongt al
k.

“Ej
oor,
BabaTol
ani
,l
etmer
estmyhead.Iam dr
ained.
”I
beggedofhi
m.
“
Giv
eChimaobi
thephone.
”Hesai
dasIhandedt
hephone
t
oChimaobi
.

Later,
Iwasseatedonthebedint
heroom,
racki
ngmy
brainonwhoLinda'
sinf
ormantwas.

“Nobody
,absol
utel
ynobody
,knewwewoul
dbehome
asi
deRuth.
”

“
Coul
ditbeRuth?”It
houghtwit
hinasIr
ushedout
i
mmediat
elyt
ot hesi
tt
ingroom.

“
Chi
maobi
,pl
ease,come.
”Isai
dtohi
m,goi
ngint
othe
r
oom i
mmedi
atel
y.Heexcusedhi
msel
fandst
eppedi
n.

“
What
'st
hat
?”
“
Whoi
sLi
nda'
sinf
ormant
?”
“Ar
eyouaskingme?Howam Isupposedtoknow?Ihave
beenthi
nki
ngaboutt
hisf
orday
s.”Hesaid,sl
appi
nghis
for
ehead.

“Can'tyousee.Wedon'tt
ell
anyoneanyt
hingaboutus
asidefamil
y.Lindaknewofourweddi
ngdate,mydefense,
ev
eryofmymov es.Idon'
tshar
ethi
ngswi
thany
oneasi
de
…”Ilookedar
oundandshouted.

“
Rut
h”
“
Whatdoy
oumeanbyRut
h?”
“Yes,Ruth.Sheisthecl
osestandpract
ical
l
yknowsabout
every
thingwear eupto.
”Ihitmylapsli
keonewhohad
foundami ssingtr
easur
e.

“Ar
eyoukiddingme?Youthinkyourf
ri
endRut
hwil
lst
ep
solowtoblackmai
lyou?Forwhat?Common,comeofi
t.
”
Hesaid.

“Butwhot hen,shesteppedinafewmi nut

esaft
erthe
stainedshi r
tissue,askedyoutogetashir
tformeandas
soonasy oul ef
t,shevolunt
eer
edtotakemet oTessy
's
placet ochange”Isai dtohi
m,givi
nghimreasonswhyI
feelit'
sRut h.
“I
nfact,l
ookatt
hemessageLi ndasenttome.
”Ishowed
him amessageIrecei
vedfr
om Lindaafewminut
esafterI
sentherahatemessage,whichread,

“Youaresuchahear
tl
esslady
.Youar
esuchanENEMY.I
h*tey
ou.”Iwrot
etohervi
aSMS,andsher
espondedt
hus,
“Lol
…YoushouldratherhaveanENEMYwhoadmi tsheor
sheisatwarwit
hy ouinst
eadofaclosefr
iendwho
secr
etl
yputsyoudown.Shineyoureyes,
Ode.”

“
Jesus!Chi
maobi
droppedt
hephoneont
hebed,
shaki
ng.
”
“
Iam t
ell
i
ngy ou.Iwasshaki
ngwhenIr
ecei
vedt
his.Ihad
t
ocal
lyou.”
“
What
?She'
sleav
ingt
hishouser
ightaway
.”
“
Babe,
no,
iti
slat
e.Tomor
row'
smor
ningshel
eav
es.
”
“
No,
wear
egoi
ngt
ocal
lthepol
i
ce.
”
“
Butyouhavenoev
idence.Theywi
l
ldonot
hingt
oherunt
il
t
her
e'saproof
.”
“
Whatdowedo?
"
“Letherbetonight.Tomor r
ow'smor ni
ng,sheleaves,
andI
willbl
ockheronal lcontact
s.Thisisbecausewehav eno
evidence,
,andweneedt obecar ef
ultoni
ght.ThankGod
thepolicearehere.Ithi
nksheonl ygiv
esLindaupdates.
OnceIcutf r
om her ,Li
ndawi l
lhavenoupdates.”
“
Wow!GodofMer
cy.
”Chi
maobi
excl
aimedi
nshock.

Tobecont
inued!
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
TOLANI31
Epi
sode31

Chi
maobi
steppedoutf
ir
st,
andIdi
daf
ewmi
nut
esl
ater
.

Wehaddi scussednottoshowwefigur
edouther
escapades.Ever
ydiscussi
onorpl
answereonhol
dunt
il
sheleavesthehouse.

Weallsati
nt hesi
tti
ngroom thatni
ghtwat
chingmovi
es,
butIwastossingandrest
ive.Mymindkeptchasi
ngaf
ter
thepossi
bil
i
tyofRuthwor ki
ngforLi
nda.

Ist
olehat
efulgazesatheratev
erysl
i
ght
estoppor
tuni
ty
andwasthankfulIf
igur
edherout.
Sundaymor
ning,
Ihadhopedt
hatRut
hwoul
dleave,butat
8:
10am,Rut
hwasst i
l
llai
dont
hebedint
heguestroom.

If
oundheronav
ideocal
lwi
thTochi
.

“
Younev
erdr
essup?
”Iaskedher
.
“
Dressup,
gowher
e?UnadegoChur
ch?It
houghty
ou
wer
einst
ruct
edt
ost
ayi
ndoor
s?”
“Yes,butIt
houghty
ouwoul
dbel
eav
ingt
odayt
oat
tend
churchserv
ice.
”
“
Abeg,Inoevengetst
rengt
h.Idesett
lethemat
terwi
th
t
hisboy.Wet
inyoudecook?I'
m hungry.
”
“Canyoui
magi
ne?Youdebedbythi
sti
meandy ouare
aski
ngmeweti
nIdecook,
Inoblameyou”Ihi
ssed.
“
Wedef i
ght
?Whichkindofbadener
gyy
oucarrywakeup
wi
tht
hismorni
ng?”Shesai
dtomeasIwalkedaway.

“Hmm!Gir
lnowantcommoto.Shesai
dshe'
sst
ayi
ng
behi
ndandtol
eaveonMonday.
”
“
No!No!Forwhatkwanu?Mbanu!Shemustl
eavethi
s
mor
ning.
”Chi
maobi r
osespont
aneousl
yfr
om thebed.
“
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngt
o?”
“
Toaskhert
oleav
e,of
cour
se.
”
“
Nona,
stop.
”Ihel
dhi
sar
ms,
pul
l
inghi
m back.
“
What
?”Heal
mostshout
ed.
“Nobeli
ket
hat,na.Remember,
wearepart
ingpeacef
ull
y,
soshecoul
dfeelwearesti
l
lingoodt
erms.
”
“
Sowhatdowedo?
”
“Youcanl
ietoher
.Tel
lhersomethi
ng.Tel
lhery
ourdador
cousi
niscomingt
oday.Youwil
lneedtohaveaplace
wher
etheywi
l
lst
ay.
”
“Butwehav
ethr
eer
oomsher
e.”
“Tel
lheryourdadandcousin.Yourdadwouldbecoming
foraseminarinschoolwhil
eyourcousi
niscomingwit
h
himforsomething.IknowRuth.Shenogoleaveify
ou
don'
tdoany t
hing.Sheissuchapest.
”
“
Oya,goandprepar
ebreakf
ast,l
etuseat
.Whi
l
eeat
ing,
I
wi
ll
tell
her,
let
'sseeherr
eacti
on.”

Ipreparedfri
edyam andpapf
orourbreakf
ast.Shewas
sti
llonv i
deocal
lwit
hTochiwhenIsteppedint
otheguest
room tocallher
.

“
Madam,breakf
asti
sready
,”Isai
dandl
eftal
most
i
mmediat
ely.

ChimaobiandIwereonthetabl
ewhenshecamei n.We
usual
lyl
oveeati
nginourroom,butwehadtoeatonthe
di
nningbecauseChimaobihadsomet
hingt
osay.

“Rut
hdear ,Ihonestl
yappreci
ateyouforstoppi
ngbyand
havi
ngy ourfri
end'sback.Notever
yonewillcomethi
sfar
tosupportaf r
iend,
”Hesaid,andshepickedup.
“
Noo!I
t'
snot
hingoo.Il
oveTol
ani
,she'
sjustl
i
keasi
sterI
neverhad.Ij
usthadtocomear oundt
oshowsuppor
t.I
t'
s
absolut
elynot
hing,
”Sheexpl
ainedher
sel
f.

“
Wow,
thankssomuch,
weappr
eci
ate.
”
“I
t'
snot
hingj
aar
e,”Shesai
d,t
hrowi
ngapi
eceofy
am i
nto
hermout
h.
“
So,Igotacal l
from mydad, whowouldbecomi ngaround
t
odaywithmycousi n.Hehasbookedaf l
i
ghtalreadyand
t
hebothoft hem arestayi
nginmyplace.Idon'tknow,
whendoy ouintendtoleave?Justl
ett
ingyouknow.Like
mydadandcousi nwil
lcomesoon.Yousl eepi
nghere
t
odaywillbe…”
“
Discomf
ort
ing!
”Shecompl
eted.
“I
t'
salri
ght,
it'
snothing.Iwil
ll
eaveonceI'
m donewi
th
breakf
ast.I
t'
snothing,Itot
all
yunder
stand,
”Shesmi
led.
“Thankssomuchfory
ourunder
standi
ng,
”Chi
maobi
sai
d
assheconti
nued.
“Whatcouldbetheemergencybr
ingi
ngy
ourdadt
oAwka?
I
sittheLindasi
tuat
ion?
”SheaskedasIl
ookedat
Chi
maobi.
“Notatal
l,
he'
sapr
ofessor
.He'
scomi
ngf
orasemi
nari
n
school
.”
“
It
'sal
ri
ght
.”
Thankfull
y,Rut
hleftt
hatmorni
ng;
althoughher
countenancewassour.Shehadalongfacewhenshewas
l
eavingandbar el
ybadeusgoodbye.

“Whyshedevex
?”IaskedChi
maobi
aswel
aughed
hyst
eri
cal
l
y.
“
Gir
lisf
rust
rat
ed.
”Headded.

Wehadt
hehouset
oour
sel
vesandhadaver
ylengt
hycal
l
wi
tht
heI
G,mydadandChi
maobi'
sdad.

Thankf
ull
y,apl
anwasagr
eedon.
“Tol
ani,
sincethesuspectwehav eastheinf
ormanti
sout
,
thi
splanwill
gowel l
.HiHim onWhat sAppvi
a
+2349133660306formor estor
ies.
.
Youaregoi ngtopayinthemoneysher equested,send
heranapologymessageandbeghernott orel
easet he
nudes,
thaty ouar
ewilli
ngt ocompl
ywithherdirecti
ves
j
ustthi
sonce.Oncey ouhav eanaff
airwit
hher ,sheshoul
d
pl
easekeept oherpartofthepromi
sewhi chisnotto
comeagain.”TheIGinstructed.
“Youshoul
ddothi
stoday
.MymenandIwi
l
lupdat
eyou
onthenextmov
e,”Hesai
d.
Aft
erwards,
IsentLi
ndat
hemoneyandt
hemessage,
agr
eeingtocomply.
Chimaobisenti
n500ki
ntomyaccount
,soIcoul
ddi
rect
ly
tr
ansfert
hemoney.

Sendingthemessageandt
hemoney
,shei
mmedi
atel
y
respondedwit
hamessage.

“Bestf
ory ou.Iwil
lfor
wardanot
herhotel
venuetoyouand
thatwouldbeont hatSatur
daywhenyouareoutofthe
house.Idon'ttr
ustyou.
”

Wei
mmedi
atel
yfor
war
dedt
hemessaget
otheI
G.
“
Thisisstil
lgood, alt
houghIt houghtshewouldsendt he
venueearli
er,sowecangett ot hehotelmanager,
inorder
t
oal l
owusaccesst otheroom shewoul dbebooking.She
i
ssuchasmar tgir
l.Thatnotwithst
anding,
weshall st
il
l
workwi t
hthisar r
angement ”shecan'tbesmarterthanmy
t
eam, theIGsai d.

“
Bae,
wil
lthi
swor
k?Whati
fthepol
i
cemendonotmeet
wi
tht
ime?”
“Thi
sist
heonl
yopt
iontohaveyournudessafe.Asy
ou
cansee,
herf
acewasn'
tshowing,
justyour
s.Youwil
lhav
e
tobesoconvinci
ngthatshedoesn'tsuspectanything.Sti
l
l
showhersomef eel
ingsoffearandanxiet
y,playalonglike
youwerefor
cedt odoit.Li
keyouaregoingoutofy ourwi l
l
tosat
isf
yher.
THISI
STHERI SKYOUHAVETOTAKETOSECUREYOUR
FUTURE.Okay
?”Hesai
d
“Okay
”Inoddedashewr
appedhi
shandsar
oundmyneck
andpeckedmyeyes.

“I
t'
sbeenmonthswemadeout .Troubl
esofli
feagai
nstus.
Iam surewewil
lcomeoutgreat
.ITHASALWAYSBEEN
USAGAI NSTTHEWORLD.Ican'twaitf
orallt
hesetobe
over
,formetomessyouup.”Hechuckled.

Tobecont
inued

TOLANI

Epi
sode32

Ihuggedhi
mti
ght
lyashepl
acedhi
sheadonmychest
.
“I
tshal
lal
lbelaught
erwhenthi
sispassed.
”Hewr
apped
hi
shandsaroundmywaist.

Fast-
for
wardtoSatur
day
,Li
ndai
nst
ruct
edmet ocometo
i
fit
ejunct
ionasshewoul
dtel
lmeonwhatnexttodo.

Ear
li
ert
hatFr
iday
,Rut
hhadcal
l
edmewi
thanewl
i
ne.

“
Tolani
!WhatdidIdotoy ou?Youblockedme?”Sheasked
me,butIr
efusedtot
alkasIwasext remelycar
eful
in
t
ell
i
ngheraboutourplans.Ifel
tshecall
edtoknowhow
f
ar.
Shehadbeent
ryi
ngmyphonenumberf
ordaysbutcoul
d
notgett
ome.Shehungt
hecal
lsi
nceIwasnotwil
li
ngto
tal
ktoher.

Sat
urday,
at5:09pm,
Ilef
thome.Chi
maobihadhuggedme
andpromisedmehewouldcomeandgetme,thatIshoul
d
j
ustupdatethem.

Hewasal
readydr
essedupt
oo.

Iboar
dedacabt
oIf
it
ejunct
ion,
andIsentLi
ndaa
message,
tel
l
ingherIwasal
readyatt
hej
unct
ion.

“
Don'tplaywit
hme.Donotcomewi t
hanyone.Someone
wi
ll
picky oufr
om if
it
e.”Igotaresponsefrom herandI
i
mmedi atel
ysentChimaobiherresponse.

Hecal
l
edmei
mmedi
atel
y.
“
Shedi
dn'
tgi
vey
out
headdr
ess?
”
“No!AndIfeelshei
sn'
tplanni
ngt
o.Nott
oworry,Iwi
llf
ind
awayt ot
ypemyaddr esstoyouwi
thmyphone.Justst
art
comingtoifi
te.
”

Droppi
ngthecal
l,ahef
tymanwal
kedt
owar
dsmei
nar
ed
andblackout
fi
t.
“
Linda”hesai
d,r
udel
y,handi
ngov
eraphonet
ome.
“Hell
o,youhavebeenonacal lsi
ncey oust oppedatif
it
e
j
unction,Ihav
emyey esony ou.Iam bef orethecomputer
wit
hy ournudes,j
ustacl i
ckwoul dgety ouv i
ral
.Donot
j
okewi thme!Actli
key ouknowhi m, don'tcreateascene,
fol
lowhi mint
othecarandhandov ery ourhandbagand
phonet ohim.
”Sheinstructedasmyhear tsankint
omy
bell
ythatmybellycr
ied.

Myl
egsbecamet
ooheav
ytol
i
ft.
“Ourpl
anisshatt
ered,howdoIr
eachmypeopleand
communicat
et hevenuetot
hem?”Icr
iedoutwi
thi
n.

Li
ndawasact
ual
l
yasmar
tlady
.Sei
zi
ngmyphonewasa
smar
tmove.

Theguyhuggedmeandwhi
sper
ed,
“Youwouldnotwanttohaveyournudesoutthere,
act
natur
all
y.
”HesaidandsmiledasIsmiledback,andhe
heldme,openedthedoorf
ormeaswedr oveoff.

Iwascar
eful
tosi
ghtwher
ewewer
egoi
ngt
o.

Aft
er20minut
esorther
eatdr
ive,
wear
ri
vedi
nahot
el
namedChocot
elhot
el.

Theguyaskedmet oactsi
mplyaswegoin,whi
leLi
nda
cal
ledati
nter
val
sremindi
ngmeofthedangersof
messingupandrai
singanalar
m.

Giv
enhowpr ecar
iouseveryt
hinghadt
urned,
Igav
eupon
bei
ngrescued.Heswitchedmyphoneoffwhenmany
cal
lswerecomingin.
TheguyandIwalkedint
otherecept
ionr
oom,andhehel
d
myhands,cl
eanedmyf or
eheadromanti
cal
l
yaswewalked
tot
herecept
ioni
stdesk.

Wef oundaver
yfai
rladywhowasseat
ednextt
othe
counter
.Sheworeanudeli
pst
ick.
"Goodevening,wel
cometoChocotelhotel
,howcanwe
helpyou?
'thisshesai
d,f
ixati
nghergazeonthecomput
er
befor
eher.Shewasn'tl
ookingatus.

“Room 406,wehaveanappoint
ment.
”Hesaid.Hi
svoi
ce
wasexactlyashi
sheightandsi
ze.Hewastoobigand
huge.

Sheaskedust
oholdontomakeacall
.Butwhi
leshewas
onthecal
l,
heexcusedhi
msel
ftogetmyphonefr
om t
he
car
.

Aft
erhercal
lwi
thLi
nda,
shet
urnedt
owar
dsme,
handeda
bookandapentome.
“Pl
ease,wr
it
ey ournamebef
orey
oucangoi
n.”She
cont
inuedwit
hherwor k.
“
Tolani
,youhavet ot
alktoherbefor
ehecomesi n.
”I
r
esonatedasIturnedaround,l
ookedifhewascomi ngin.
Hewasatt hedoorwhenIt ur
nedtoabl anksheet,
and
wrot
e,

“2mill
ionnai
raforyou.Plssavemyli
fe.Cal
l#########,
room 406andthishotelname.Youwon'tr
egreti
t.
”I
bli
nkedather.
“Ma, ma,pleaser
eadt
hispage.
”Isai
dasshel
ookedatme
disdainf
ull
y.
“
Whatist
hemeaningoft
hat
?Ist
hatwher
eIaskedy
out
o
wri
tey
ourname?
”

Sheclosedtheplaceimmediatel
yandaskedmet owr
it
e
mynamei nt hel
i
st .Icoul
dn'
tpersuadeherf
urt
her
becausetheguywast her
ealr
eady.

"
Whati
sit
?'heaskedt
her
ecept
ioni
st.
“Shewrotehernameel
sewhere,
messi
ngupourbook.
”
Theladysai
d,andmyheartbr
okeint
wo.

Hewrotehisnamet ooandwel
eft.Itur
nedar
oundt
olook
ather
,butshelookedatmeandturnedaway.
Att
hestair
caseasIwalkedbef
orehi
m,hesl
appedmy
but
tocksandpressedi
t.
“Theguyweydechopy
ou,
deenj
oy.
”It
urnedar
oundand
shout
edathim.

Hehel
dmyneckt i
ghtl
yasIfidget
ed,
buthehuggedme
i
mmediatel
y,ki
ssi
ngmyforeheadwhenhesawacoupl
e
comi
ngtowardsus.

Get
ti
ngtoRoom 406,heputacal
ltoLi
nda,
whoopened
t
hedoori
mmediately
.
“Myobsessi
on,
”shecri
edout,
draggi
ngmet
oher
sel
fas
sheki
ssedmepassionat
ely
.

“Ihavemissedy
ou”sheunlockedherl
i
psandaskedmet
o
sitdown.Li
ndawasactual
l
ynaked.

Att
hatpoi
nt,
Ifel
tli
ket
hrowi
ngup…

“
Kennedy,
pleasegetherf
oodandt
akey
ourbat
h.”She
i
nst
ruct
edhim.

Ir
eject
edt
hef
oodbef
oreme.
“Babygir
l,y
ouar
ewor ki
ngouty
our
sel
ftoni
ght
.Youneed
allt
hefoodtowork.
”Shesai
d.
"I
t'
st hreesome,baby.YouknowIam notintomenandI
knowy ouhateme, andyouarest
rai
ght.Iknowyouwon't
servemewel l
;hence,Ibr
oughtamanhef ti
ert
hanyour
manChi maobitomakey oufeell
i
kethewomany ouare
whileyoumakememoan. 'shebi
therl
ipsandfondl
edher
breasts.

“Kennedy,showherwhatyou'v
egot.”Sheinst
ruct
edhim
ashepul l
edhistr
ouser
s.Hismanhoodst oodouterectat
me.Itwasashugeasmyl aps,andIcoul
dn'tj
usti
magi ne
howt hatwil
lgeti
ntome.

Ihadgivenuponrescue.Therecepti
oni
stdidn'
t
underst
andwhatIwast r
yingt
ocommuni cat
e.IknewI
wouldhavetodoit,
butnotwiththisguy
.

Iknel
tdownandbeggedLi
nda.

“
Please,Ibegyou.Don'
tdothi
st ome.Pl
ease,
Icanputup
wi
thy oubutnothim,
”butsheslappedme.

“
Yout
hinkI
'
m her
eforwhaty
ouwantt
oputup?Myf
ri
end,
undr
essy
our
sel
f”shesai
dasIbegant
oundr
ess.

Att
hatpoi
nt,
bot
hoft
hem wer
enaked.

Icl
imbedt hebed,cover
edupwi
tht
hebedsheetand
undressedmy sel
fful
l
y .

Li
ndajumpedont hebedexci
tedl
y,spr
eadherl
egs
beneatht
hebedsheet,
tookmyhandsandplacedi
tonher
breast
s.
“Pl
aywit
hthem,t
heyhavey
earnedf
ory
ou.
”Shef
eignl
y
sai
d,t
ouchi
ngherwhol
ebody.

"Kennedy,goonwithher
.'shesai
dashecameont hebed,
placedhishandsonmyhai randwasaboutt
ofondl
eme
whent hedooropenedwide.

Icl
utchedt
hebedsheett
omy sel
f,cov
eringupast
he
pol
icemenandChimaobir
ushedintotheroom.
Chi
maobiqui
cklyjumpedonthebedandhi
tKennedy
,
whi
chhadhim shouti
nginpai
ns.

Kennedywasar
epl
i
caofunder
taker
.Chi
maobi
asusual
want
edt
opunchhi
m,butheendeduppunchi
nghi
msel
f.

Chimaobihuggedmet i
ght
ly,
andwasbl
owi
nghi
shur
ty
handswit
hai rf
rom hi
smouth.

Li
ndadr aggedther
emai ni
ngpor ti
onofthebedsheetto
coverhersel
fbutChi
maobi slappedherhandsandpushed
herasideasshetookthepill
ow, pl
acingitbef
oreher,
but
Chimaobi woul
dnotletherbe.Hedr aggedthepil
l
owf rom
her.

“
Youcanpostot
her
snudesr
ight
?Let
'sst
artf
rom y
our
s.”
“
Takethem out
!”Heor
der
edt
hepol
i
cemenast
heyasked
t
hem t
odressup.

Iwast
her
ejustcr
ying,
thankf
ulandhur
tful
.

Whiletheydressedup,Lindawoul
dnotwanttogiveup,
shesmar t
lyrushedtothecomputeronherdesk,but
Chimaobi wassmartenought owat
chhermov es.He
draggedthecomput erandthr
ewitangr
il
yont hefl
oor.
“Whatar
eyouher
efor?Gett
hesethi
ngsoutofher
e.”He
shout
edatt
hepoli
cemenastheyhandcuf
fedLi
ndaand
Kennedy
.
“
Didhet
ouchy
ou?
”Heaskedme.
“No,
”Ishookmyhead,cr
yingandhol
dingont
ohi
mti
ght
ly
asheplacedav
erylengt
hykissonmyhead.

“Comehere.”Hedressedmeupwhenever
yonewasoutof
theroom.Hepickedupmybagandphoneaswewalked
outofthehotel
room.

Tobecont
inued!
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
*TOLANI
*

EPI
SODE33

Thepol
i
cemen,KennedyandLindawer
edownst
air
swhen
wecameoutoftheHotelRoom.

Iwasbr
oken,andmyeyeswer
eal
lswol
l
enasChi
maobi
hel
dmebyt hearms.

“
Howdi
dyougether
e?”IaskedChi
maobi
.
“
Ther
ecept
ioni
st.Shecal
l
ed,
tel
l
ingmey
ouwer
ein
dangerandt
haty
ougav
ehert
hecont
act
.”
“It
houghtshedi
dn'
tunder
standwhatIwasset
ti
ngoutt
o
say?”

Gett
ingdownstai
rs,wewal
kedupt oherasIr
ushedand
huggedhercl
osely.Themanagerwasther
etoo.

“
It
'sal
ri
ght.Don'
twor
ry,
ever
ythi
ngi
sfi
nenow.
”Shepat
ted
myshoulder
s.

“Thanky
ousomuchsi
r,f
orgranti
ngusourrequestto
accesst
her
oom,
”Chimaobishookthemanager,t
urni
ng
tome.
“
Hegaveusthespar
ekeytotheroom andper
mit
tedust
o
i
ntr
udeont
hecli
ent'
spr
ivacy
,”Hesaidtome.
“
Thankssomuch,
sir
,”Ial
mostknel
tdown.

Thesesi
tuat
ionshadhumbl
edme.
“
Babe,
Ipr
omi
sedher2mi
l
li
onNai
ra.
”Isai
dtohi
m.
“Iknow”Chimaobir
espondedashewal keduptohert
o
getheraccountdet
ail
s,butsher
eject
edt heof
fer
.
“Notatall
.It
'shumanofmetohel
ptosaveafel
l
ow.Ido
notneedmoneyof fer
edt
ometobehuman.
”Shesai
d,
poli
tel
y,butIinsi
sted.

Therecept
ioni
stwoul
dnotagr
ee.Shest
oodf
ir
m,r
eject
ing
theoff
er.

Chi
maobirequest
edf
orhercont
actandpr
omi
sedt
oputa
cal
ltoher
.

Goi
ngoutoft
hehotelt
ogeti
ntothecar,
YahyaSegun
cal
l
edandChimaobipi
ckedt
hecall
,gi
vi
ngthephoneto
metospeakt
omydad.
“Omomi !
”Mydadcr
iedoutf
rom t
heot
herext
remeoft
he
phone.
"
Babami
”Ianswer
ed,
cry
ing.
“Oh!Jesu!kìyóòdár
afúnọl
áé,
Linda.
”Hel
ament
ed,
causi
ngLi nda.
“Canyougivethey
oungladythephone?”Refer
ri
ngtothe
recept
ioni
st.Wewentbackandgavetherecepti
oni
stt
he
phone.

“
Goodaf
ter
noon,
sir
”shegr
eet
edmyDad.
“Olor
unbukunfuno.Ah!Youshal lhav enotears.Ah!For
thi
s,youhavedonet osavemydaught er
,Iam getti
ngyou
achequeandnonono, don'tr
ejectit
.Iti
sfrom myhear t.
YoucangetashopandIam st ockingitwithwhatever
producty
ouwant .Leavethi
smont hlysalar
y ,
it'
snowor k.
“Dadsaidasshekeptsmi l
i
ng,thankinghim.

KennedyandLindaweretakent
othepol
i
cest
ati
on,
whi
l
e
ChimaobiandIheadedhome.
“Yousee?Aswedidn'ti
nform Rut
hofourpl
ans,
ever
ythi
ngwentwell
.”IsaidtoChimaobi
.
“
Honest
ly!Thi
sgi
rli
sjustadev
il
.”
“
Howcoul
dshedot
hist
ome?
”Isai
d,al
mosti
ntear
s.
“Donotworry,
okay?Thepoli
cewil
lgetacr
osstoher.Mr.
Ernestandt
heHODhav elostt
hei
rjobsandareserv
ing
punishment
.Shecan'
tbeanexcepti
on.”Heassur
edme,
huggingmecloser
.

“Now, t
hemountaini
soutofourway ,Icandefi
nit
elyhol
d
youclosetomyheartwithouthav
ingtoworryabout
anythi
ng.”Chi
maobitr
iedtokissme,butIshi
ft
ed
backwards.

“
What
?”
“Shekissedmeandt hefo.
olpr
essedmybut
tsatt
he
stai
rcase.If
eel
fil
thy
,”Isai
dtohim.

“Pl
ease,canyoustopt hi
s?YouareTolani
,mywoman.
Youarestrong,andI'
m proudofy
ouf orfi
ghti
ngso
smartl
yandst r
onglytobewithme.”Hekissedmyli
ps
bef
orelett
ingmebat h.

Thenextdaywewerecal
ledt
ocomet
othepol
i
cest
ati
on
asLi
ndapleadedgui
l
ty.

Gett
ingtothepol
i
cest
ati
on,
wef
oundherdad,
whowasa
ver
yt al
l
,fi
neman.

“
Areyoutheyoungwomanwhowasassaul
ted?
”Thedad
r
eachedoutt
ome, butChi
maobi
shi
ft
edmebehindhi
m,
l
ooki
ngattheman.
“
Hel
l
o?Whoar
eyou?
”HeaskedChi
maobi
.
“Youwill
gettoknowwhoIam whenIam donewi
thy
our
use.
lessdaught
er.
”
“
What?”Themanr
eact
edangr
il
yasapol
i
cemancame
i
nbet
weenthet
woofthem.
“CanIspeaktothegir
l?”Li
nda'
sDadspoketot
he
poli
ceman,butChimaobiwouldnotagr
ee.

ChimaobiandIwer
el at
eri
nvi
tedi
ntot
hequest
ioni
ng
room.Li
ndawasalreadyseat
edandwasbei
ngquesti
oned.

“Pl
ease,
forgi
veme, Iam noti
nthi
sal
one.Idon'
twantt
o
gotojai
lagai
n.”Shebegged.

“Whoisyouri
nfor
mant?”t
hei
nvest
igat
orasked,
butshe
keptbeggi
ngtobespar
ed.
“Youngwoman!Youhav
eref
usedtotal
ksinceyest
erday
's
night
.Whoupdatedy
ouonever
ythi
ngaboutthem?”He
shoutedagai
n.

“Sir
, pl
ease,t
hiswouldbemy4t htimeofbeingjai
l
ed.
Please…”Shedi dn'
tevenfi
nisht
alki
ngwhent he
i
nv esti
gatorgaveheraslaponherf aceasshescreamed
sol oudl
y.

Herdadkeptr
eact
ingatev
erysoundofherv
oice.

“
Iam goi
ngt
ouset
hispl
i
erony
ourf
inger
sify
oudon'
t
openup,
”Thei
nvest
igat
ort
hreat
enedhert
hemor
e.
“
Iwi
l
ltal
k.”
“
Goon!
”Heor
der
ed.
“Okay,
sir
,”shesai
d,br
eat
hingi
nandoutasourhear
ts
pounded.
“Whyi sshefindingi
tdiff
iculttocall
t heperson?”We
resonatedasLi ndai
mmedi atel
yhitthei nv
esti
gatorand
stret
chedherhandsi ntohispockett ot akehisgun,buthe
wasf astenought ot
akehol dofherhands, tur
nedit
around,hitherback,andhandcuf f
edheri mmediatel
y.

“She'sdangerous.
”Hesaid,
draggi
nghertothewal
land
slappinghersever
all
y,t
hatt
heotheri
nvest
igat
orhadto
i
nt er
vene.

Icouldn'
tlookagain,Ibentlowbecauseshewasbl eedi
ng
i
nt hemout h.Thi
swasbey ondherfat
her.Li
ndahasbeen
escapingcrimesandpuni shmentbecauseherfat
her
wouldalway sint
erfer
e,sett
lethebi
gmeni nthesector
andoppr essthepoor.

Thi
scasewasbey
ondhi
m asbot
hfami
l
iesar
eel
i
tes.

“
Whoi
syouri
nfor
mant
?”Thei
nvest
igat
orshout
edagai
n,
thi
sti
me,pressi
ngahotel
ect
ri
cal
dev
icei
nherar
mpi
tas
shecr
iedsoloudly
.
“
Iswor
enott
orev
eal
thei
dent
it
y.”
“Thengetreadyt
obetormented.
”Hepr
essedi
tagai
nas
sheshoutedherspi
ri
tout
,shouti
ngt
henameofthe
i
nformant.

“DRAKE!DRAKE!DRAKE!HEGAVEMEALLTHE
Inf
ormati
on.
”Shesaid,
tothedi
sappoi
ntmentofChi
maobi
andI.

“DRAKE?Chi
maobi'sbosom f
ri
end.Thatsi
l
entand
peacef
ulguy
,”Ihi
tthedesk.
“
How?Dr
ake?Myman?
”Chi
maobi
excl
aimed.

Tobecont
inued

TOLANI34
EPI
SODE34

Justi
mmedi atel
yafterLindacal
ledouttheinformant'
s
name,theinvest
igat
ordr oppedt
heel ect
ri
caldev i
ceonthe
desknexttous,inst
ructedthepoli
cemanst andingther
eto
handcuffLi
ndaasher equestedwef oll
owedhi m.

Getti
ngoutoftheinvest
igati
onroom,t
heinvest
igat
orhad
alengthyconv
ersati
onwi t
htheIG.Af
ter
wards,some
poli
cemenwer edraf
tedtogof ort
hearr
estofDrake.

Ifel
titwasadream;Ihadtopokemyselft
obecert
ainI
wasn'tdreami
ng.It
ri
edmybesttoresonat
eal
lthathad
tr
anspiredbet
weenRuthandI.
“
Wer
ethosej
ustmer
ecoi
nci
dence?
”
Alt
houghIknewhowcl oseDrakeandChi maobi wereand
howhar dl
ytheykeptt hingsfr
om eachot her ,butIhad
neverinmywei rdestdream envisagedDr akegi vi
nguphi s
bestf r
iend'
sfiancée.Whywoul dhedot hat, Ithoughtto
my self
?Hewasnev erintomeandwasi nar elati
onshi
pa
whilebackt othebestofmyknowl edge;althought he
rel
ationshipfail
ed,Chimaobi andIhav ebeenv ery
suppor ti
ve.Ir
attledmymi ndinvaintoplacehandsonwhy
hedeci dedtoplayt heJudasi nourtale.
RuthandDr akewereabsolut
elyt
heonlytwoIfel
tknew
ever
ythingaboutus,butt
osayDr akewasthesuspectwas
i
nadmi ssi
ble.
Ruthwasabsolut
elyi
ntheway
,li
keshewasnothappy
wit
hmyr el
ati
onship.

TheI
Ginstr
uct
edChimaobi
tocal
lDraket
oknowwher
ehe
was,
fort
hepoli
cementogowit
hhim.

I
mmedi
atel
y,Chi
maobi
putacal
ltoDr
ake.
“
Guy
,howf
arna?Howy
oude?
”Chi
maobi
askedhi
m.
“Ideo,howyourgi
rl
?Ihavebeencal
li
ngyoufor2days
now,butyou'
venotbeenpi
cki
ng.”Dr
akesai
dov ert
he
phone.
“
Yes,Ihav
ebeendespicabl
ycumberedwi
tht
hewhol
e
t
hing,
hencemyinabi
l
itytopickcal
l
s.”
“So,whatistheupdate?Doyoui nt
endlet
ti
nghergoto
meetLi nda?Whatareyourplans?Oh!Waitaminut
e,y
ou
saiditshouldbeonSaturday
, r
ight
?Howf ar
,howdidi
tgo?
WasLi ndacaught?
”Heaskedanxi ousl
y.
“Youknowthatgi
rl
,na,sheisj
ustaswiseasaser pent
andascruelasabrutebeast
.Shewasn'tcaught
,alt
hough
wewer eabl
etoapprehendheri
nfor
mant ,
”Chimaobili
ed.
“
Whoi
sthat
?”
"Rut
h,Tol
ani
'
sfr
iend.
"Chi
maobi
answer
ed.

“
Omo!Peoplear
edanger
ouso…Whywill
someonebet hi
s
wi
cked?
”Drakesai
dasChimaobi
shi
ft
edint
hediscussi
on.
“I
t'
swell
,I'
mjuststr
essedout ,
whereyoudemakewe
hangout?TheTolanigi
rlt
oodondebor eme.LasLas,
na
towashhandforthismatternahi
mr emai
n,”Chi
maobi
decei
vedhim.
“Myman,final
l
y ,
youtoodonet rygi
veher,
onanor mal,
me
nofi
tcar
rywomanmat terforheadli
kethi
s,saynashebe
QueenEl
izabeth?Ibededr ivehomebutmakeIr ever
se,so
wecanmeetatf ive-
starrestaur
ants,
”Hesaid.
“
Oyana,
whenIr
each,
Igohal
ayou.
”

Thatwasit
.ChimaobiandIdr
ovei
nhiscar
,whi
l
ethe
pol
icemendrov
eintheir
sbehi
ndus.

Appr
oachi
ngt
herest
aur
ant,
thepoli
cemenhal
tedt
hei
rcar
amil
eawaywhil
ewedrovei
ntotherest
aur
ant
.

Ir
emai
nedint
hecartojoi
nattheti
meoft
hear
rest
,whi
l
e
Chi
maobi
goti
ntotherest
aur
ant.
Fewminutesl
ater
,Chi
maobisentatextmessage,
aski
ng
metocall
onthepoli
ceandIdidimmediat
ely.

Whenthepol
icemengoti
ntot
herest
aur
ant
,Igotdown
f
rom t
hecarandfol
lowedt
hem.

Get
tingi
ntot
herestaur
antandt
othei
rseat
s,Dr
akest
ood
up,
looki
ngsoconfused.

Hesetouttorun,
butoneoft
hepol
i
cemendr
aggedhi
m
andhandcuf
fedhim.

“
Chi
maobi
!”Heshout
edatChi
maobi
.
“Youdidthistome?
"HequeriedChi
maobi
asChi
maobi
slappedhim byt
hefor
ehead.
“
Ishoul
dbeaski
ngy
out
hat
.”

Drakewast akentothepoli
cestat
ionandi
ntot
he
i
nv est
igat
ionroom wit
hLinda.

“Howmuchwerey
ougiven?
”Thei
nvest
igat
oraskedhi
m,
butDr
akewoul
dnott
alk.
Asexpect
ed,t
heinvesti
gatortormentedhi
m withthepli
er
andtheel
ect
ri
caldevicethatDrakethrewupprofusel
y,
l
ayi
nghisheadonthedesk, cryi
ngandsweating.

“
Howmuchwer
eyougi
ven?
”Thei
nvest
igat
oraskedagai
n.
“Not
hing!Shedidn'
tpayme.Ir
eject
edt
heof
fer
,”Dr
ake
sai
d,andmyj awdropped.

“Idon'
tneedmoneytogetmyr
evenge.Itwasjustan
opportuni
tyonapl
att
ert
opaythefoolback.
”Drakesai
d,
refer
ri
ngtoChimaobi
.

“
Whatdoyoumean?Whatr ev
enge?
”Chi
maobi
asked,
l
ooki
ngper
plexedandconf
used.
“Shutthef*
uckup,youfool!Wheny ouplay
edmeand
snatchedherf
rom me,didn'tyouknowitgotme?Answer
me!”HeshoutedatChimaobi asChimaobi hel
dhisbreat
h
i
nshock, l
ooki
ngli
keamanf r
ozenbytheAt l
anti
csnows.

Chi
maobihadt
ogi
veusal
laf
lashbackt
othev
erydayhe
metme.
Youallr
emembermypostutmeregi
str
ationwhere
Chimaobimetmefort
hefi
rstt
imeandr eachedoutt
ome,
Drakewasthef
ir
sttoseeme.

“Omo!Seet hi
sgirlstandingattheregi
str
ati
onpoi
nt,Ihave
beenlookingatherforawhi lenow,she'
ssobeauti
ful.I
donfallf
orheralready.”Chimaobinarr
atedwhatDr
ake
tol
dhim whenhesawme.

Looki
ngsidewaystoseethegi
rlDr
akewasr
efer
ri
ngt
o,I
sawherandfell
forhert
oo.
“Shefi
neo,seecutenessoverl
oad.Iwil
lgof
orherr
ight
away.
”Chimaobisaidtohim andmotionedi
nherdi
rect
ion
asDrakepull
edhim back.
“
Youdecr
aze?No,
bemef
ir
stseeher
?”
“Iti
ey ourleg?Gomeetherify
ouwanttoj
aree.
”Chi
maobi
hitDrake'shandandwalkeduptome.

Iwasnevert
oldoft
hisunt
ilt
hismomenti
nthepol
i
ce
st
ati
on.

“Hell
o”Chimaobit
ri
edtotalktome,
butIi
gnoredhi
m,he
didn'
tgiv
eup.Hekeptpesteri
ngmeunti
lIgav
ehim my
contactt
hatday.
Get
ti
ngbacktoDrake,
Drakewashur tandqui
et,
but
Chi
maobiaskedhi
mt ogotryhi
sluck.
“Li
fei
schoice,l
etherchoosewhoshewouldwanttorol
l
wit
h.Iam notst
oppingyou.”Hesai
d,asDr
akewalked
happi
lyt
owher eIwas.

Now, Ididn'
tev engi
veDr akealist
eni
ngear .Ibarel
y
l
ookedathi sf aceeven.Hence,Ihadnoideai twasDr ake
thatcame.Ihadhadnumer ousguysstoppingmeand
requesti
ngformycont act.Chi
maobiwasj ustlucky,cr
aft
y
andhy pnoti
zingwithhiswor dstohavegotmet ogivehim
mycont act.

“Iwaswat chi
ngatthebothofyouandsawhowev er
ythi
ng
transpi
redthatday
.Howy ousnubbedhi
m andgavehima
sternwarningwhenhetri
edtograbyoubythear
m,
Chimaobi sai
d.

“
Ican'
tremember
.”
“Hewasdeepl
yhur
t,butIdi
dn'
tknowhehelditthi
sdeep.
WhenhecamebacktowhereIwas,Ibegantolaughat
him,
andthr
owingj
absathim.”
Alt
hough,
wel
aughedov
eri
t,Idi
dn'
tknowi
tcuthi
mthi
s
bad.

“Whywer
en'
tyoumanenought
otel
lmehowy
ouf
elt
?”
Chi
maobiat
tackedDr
ake.
“YouandIwenttoher
,Idi
dn'
tst
opy
ou.Idi
dn'
tforceher
,
shegavehernumbert
ome.Whywouldyouchoosetobe
acoward?”
“Andyou?Atr
ait
orwhohasnorespectt
othe'
brot
her
code'
,
”Drakeat
tackedback.
“Whatuselessbrothercode?Aren'ty
ouaman?Don'tyou
haveball
s?DidIhi nderyoufr
om knowinghowtogeti
nto
awoman, yousimp. ”Chimaobifi
redathi
m ast
hepoli
ce
draggedhim outtheroom.

Tobecont
inued!
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5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
*TOLANI
*

EPI
SODE35

WhenChimaobihadlef
tthei
nvest
igati
onroom,
the
i
nvest
igat
orcont
inuedwit
hhisquesti
ons.
“
Howdi
dhegett
omeety
ou?
”Thei
nvest
igat
orasked.

“Hedidn'
treachouttome, Idid.IstalkedChi
maobi and
foundoutaboutDrake.Ireachedoutt ohim,
int
roduced
my sel
fandmadehi m off
ers.Her ejectedmyofferstohi
m,
nonethel
ess,hevolunt
eeredtogi vemeupdat es.Ionl
y,i
n
retur
n,sworenevertorev
eal hisidentit
y,nomatterwhat
happens,”Li
ndaexplai
ned,crying.

“Whydi
dn'
tyour
eachf
ory
ourv
ict
im'
sacquai
ntancesbut
Chi
maobi'
s?”
“Becauser eachingouttoTol ani
'
sacquai ntanceswoul d
havemademeascr uffygamerandanuni ntell
igenthunter
whoset strapsthatmakest hehunterthepr ey.“Howdo
youmean, theinvesti
gatorasked?”IfIhadgonef orher
acquai nt
ances, Iwouldhaveeasil
ybeencaughtal ong
ti
meago.Ihav ebeenint hi
sgamef ortool ongt oknow
thatthev i
ct i
m'sfri
endswi l
lbethekeysuspect s.Also,
Tolani'
sf r
iend,Ruth,wassomuchi ntoRut h.Shel ovesher
toaf aultandwi ll
notcompr omiseherst ancef or
anything.”

“
Youmether
?”Iasked.
“No,
Iwantedto.It
rail
edhertoabri
dal
stor
etoof
ferhera
deal
,butget
ti
ngthere,shewaspi
cki
ngsomewedding
gif
tsandIov er
heardhert ell
ingt hecashi ershewant sto
surpri
seherbosom f ri
endwhowoul dbeget ti
ngmar ri
ed
soon.Wi t
hmyexper i
encesi nf ishingpeopl e,Iknewusing
Ruthwoul dsimpl ymeanpul lingat r
iggeragainstmyf oot
;
hence,Idecidedagainstappr oachingherandwentf or
Drake,whoInot i
cedwasnur singagr udgeagai nsthi
s
fri
end.Fortunatel
yforme, heaccept ed.Althoughhewas
rel
uctantfrom thebeginning, butbecamewi ll
ingwhenI
assuredhim onoat hthathi sident i
tywi l
lbekept
sacrosanctandnev erdivulgedf oranyr eason.
“
JesusChri
st!Ruthhoney,Icr
ied.
”Ifel
tsoev
ilasIst
ood
i
ndisbel
i
eve,looki
ngatthebothofthem.

“Thi sisnotar easonf ory out ol osey ourempat hyand

becomecal l
ous, Drake.Chi maobi i
sy ourf r
iend.Youknow,
i
ti sact uall
yf unnyanddi sturbinghowy oubot hsayy ou
l
ov emebuthav emadel i
femi ser abl
eandunbear ablefor
me.I t
'
sl i
keki ll
ingsomeoney ouknowy ouwi llbeact i
vely
i
nv olvedi ntheper son'sfuner al processi ons.Dr ake,How
coul dy ourlov ebet hisbitter?Iwoul dnotev enhav e
agr eedt ogooutwi thyouwer eChi maobi nottobei nthe
framebecauseInev erfeltany thingf ory ou,notev enas
ti
nyasamust ardseed.Godwi l
l notletmebewi thadev i
l
i
nhumanski nl i
key ou.Howcoul dy oust oopsol owt o
wor kwi thyourr i
val?Lindawant edme, buty ouwer e
blindedbyy ourdel usions, andal l
owedy ourmal ev ol
ent
andmal i
gnanthear t,t
oal i
gnwi thanunr epentantand
per verseinfidel t
oundome, apoorgi rlwhohasnot hi
ng
butl i
kenessforherman' sbestfri
end.Doesitmeani fyou
can'thav eme, noonecan?Thebot hofyouwi l
lsurel
yrot
i
nj ailandtrustme, Iam goingtosendmyweddi ngphotos
toy outwo,justtoal waysremindyouthatnomani sGod
ov erhisfel
l
ow. ”“Theev i
lthatmendowi l
lsurel
yl i
vewit
h
them, ”Isai
dasIwal kedawayt owhereChimaobi was,
troubled.

“
Please,
takemetoRuth'
slodge,
”Isai
dtoChi
maobi
as
wedrovetoRut
h'sl
odge.

Gett
ingt
oherl
odge,
wewal kedtoherdoor
stepand
over
hear
dconver
sat
ionsf
rom theroom.

“
DidInott
ell
youtol
eavethatwi
tch,
buty
oui
gnor
edme?
”
Hesai
dtoherasshescr
eamed.
“
Please,
Tochi
,I
'mi
npai
nsal
ready
.”
“Areyoushout
ingatme?”Hesl
appedherandChi
maobi
hitt
hedooropenandranint
oherrescue.

“Don'
tlayy
ourhandsonher,
youidi
ot,
”Chi
maobidr
agged
Tochiawayfr
om RuthasRut
hstoodupimmedi
atel
yand
fi
redatChi
maobi.
“
Arey
oumad?Whatbusi
nessdoy
ouhav
eher
e?"Ican'
t
r
ememberi
nvi
ti
ngy
ou.
“Rut
hhoney,I'
m sor
ry,
itwasallassumpti
onswhichhav
e
prov
edfat
al andcost
ly.WethoughtyouwereLinda'
s
i
nformant
,”Iatt
emptedtohugher ,
butshepushedme
away.
“Youhav enoideawhatf ri
endshipis.Youar etooselfi
sh
formyl i
kingagain.Al
lthesey ear
s,it
'sbeenmet ryi
ngto
reachoutt oyou.Me,tr
y i
ngtobef ri
endswi t
hyou.IfIdon'
t
reachoutt oyou,youwon't.Lookatthi sungrat
efulfoolI
wentalloutforaccusi
ngmeofbet r
ay al.Youarethe
betray
er,
”Ruthsai damidsttearsasIbeggedhermor e.

“
Youal
lshoul
dgetoutofmyhouse,
Tochi
incl
usi
ve.
”
“
Me?
”Tochi
asked.
“Yes,youfir
st!Iam t
ir
edandf edupwi thli
vi
ngf orothers.
Yeah,I'
vebeeni nthi
srelati
onshipwithy ouforyears,and
i
t'sbeentearsandbeat i
ngs.Af t
err
ecei vi
nginsult
sf r
om
you,I
'dsti
llreachouttoy outoapologize.Ihavebeena
l
adywhot hrowshersel
fatot hersf
orv ali
dati
on.Iam done
withallt
hat.”
“
Rut
hpl
ease…”Wet
ri
edt
obeg.
“Getoutofmyhouse!”Shescr
eamedwi t
hmucuscomi ng
outofhernoseasChimaobihel
dherfist
,dr
aggedherto
himsel
f,pl
acedherheadonhischestandhuggedhert
o
cal
m her
.
“Youar
eselfl
ess.Pl
ease,cal
m down.”Hewhi
sper
edasI
kukumajoi
nedthem fort
hehugt oo. lol
…

“
Prot
ecty
ourmanatal
lcost
”. (
Asi
de)

Ilai
dmyheadonChimaobi
'
schesttoo,embr
acedRut
h
withonehandandwi
tht
heotherhand,
Iwaswipi
ngher
tears.
“
I'
m sor
ry,
babygi
rl
,”Isai
dtoherasshenodded.

Tochi
hissedandwalkedawayaswesatdownand
nar
rat
edev er
ythi
ngt
oher.

“I
'
dneverhavebetr
ayedyou.Iseey
oulikemyv
eryown.
Look…”Shestoodupandgotsomeitems.

“Ihavebeenbuy ingdi
fferentgi
ftsatdiversetimes,saving
i
tupt ogiftyou.Youbot hwerejustmaki ngassumpt ions
thatyoubegant oreadmeani ngtoev er
y thi
ngIdid
becausey ouwerealreadysuspectingme.Goi ngto
Tessy'shostelwasjustapl anBincaseChi maobi didn't
meet.Yes, Ienvi
edyourr el
ati
onshi
pwi thChi maobibutnot
theev ilenvy.Itellyouhowl uckyyouar etohav ehim and
wishIcoul dfi
ndsomeonel ikethat.Thiswasj ustme
wishingmy selfagoodt hi
ng.Mymi ndhasbeenpur e
towar dsy ou.Theonl ymomentIki ckedagainstyour
rel
ationshi pwithChi maobi andadv i
sedyout oprotectyour
nudewaswhenhesl appedy ou.IknowwhatIhav ebeen
throught hisdomest i
cv i
olencewi thTochi.Iwasj usttr
ying
toprot ectyoubecauseIhav ebeent r
apped.Icouldn't
comeoutoft het oxicrel
ationship.Ididn'
twant …”Shet r
ied
tocont inuetalking,butChi maobi askedhertot akeadeep
breath.

Thatwashowwer
eachedoutt
oRut
h.

Aft
erwar
ds,
wer
eachedoutt
omypar
ent
sandChi
maobi
'
s
par
ents.

Wehadt ot
rav
eltoAbujatoseehi
spar
ent
swhohadbeen
eagert
oseeus,Ispeci
fi
cal
ly
.

“
Mychi
l
d”Chi
maobi
'
smom r
eachedt
omeandembr
aced
me.

“Idonotev
enwantt
oimagi
net
hest
ressandanxi
ety
generat
edbythesechal
lenges.Idon'
t.
”Shehel
dmy
cheeksandki
ssedmyf orehead,al
mosttear
y.

“Ipromisedy oubothagif
twhenyoucomear ound.Ihav
e
paidforamont hsessi
onwit
hather
apistandrel
ati
onship
counselor.Youbothneedthi
sbefor
esay i
ngIdo,”His
fathersai
d.

Asplanned,
westayedoutf
rom sexual
act
ivi
ti
esand
at
tendedthecour
ses.

“Wehaven'tbeeni
nti
mateeversinceIsl
appedyou.Idon'
t
wantt
ount ilwear
ethroughwit
ht hi
scourse.
”Chi
maobi
sai
d,l
ookingintomyeyes.

“Mybodyi
syear
ningfory
ousincet
hen,butIt
hinki
twill
bebestwewai
tunti
lweddingni
ght
,”Ismi
ledandwinked.

“Jeez!Meanswest
ayedof
fsexf
orabout6mont
hs?
”He
shouted.
“Oh!Yeah…Andtheweddingni
ghtwoul
dbemaadhot
.
Steweverywher
e ”Iwi nkedagai
n.
“Youcanneverst
opbei
ngnaught
y,comeher
e,”Het
ri
edt
o
kissme,butIr
anaway.

“
Wear
ekeepi
ngt
otheweddi
ngni
ght
,”Il
aughed.

Ever
ythi
ngwasgoi ngi
npl
ace.Af
tert
herel
ati
onshi
p
cour
se,Ifel
tatpeacet
hemorewithChi
maobi.

Wehadbuiltconnecti
onwithi
nandwithoutoursel
ves.We
l
earnedhowtocont r
olouremoti
ons.Notlikewedidn'
t
hav
eclashes,butwemanagedourdi f
ferencesbet
ter.

Whenwef el
twewereready,
wef i
xedourweddi
ngdate
andanot
herthei
nvi
tat
ioncardswerepr
int
edintandem
wit
hthenewdate.

“
Omomi ,
Iam f
ull
yawareandhappytogi
veyououtt
othi
s
I
gboboy
,”MydadsaidwhenChimaobit
ookmetoOgun
f
ewweekstoourweddi
ng..
.

Tobecont
inued!
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
TOLANI
EPI
SODE36

Pr eparat
ionswereal
lmade,andwei
ntendedt
ohaveour
traditi
onalmarr
iageatmyhomestat
e,Ogunst
atewhi
le
theweddi ngholdsatAbuj
a.

Thehall
washired,
andourweddi
ngwastoholdatoneof
thebi
ggesthot
elandcer
emonyhall
sinAbuj
a.

Asthedaydr
ewni
gh,
myhear
tleapedandmychestgr
ew
br
oader.

“
Isthi
sme?Isthi
sact
ual
lyadr
eam?I
si tmywedding?
”I
r
esonatedwi
thi
n,mar
vel
l
edathowt
hingshadtur
nedout.

Justf
ewmonthsback,Ibat
tl
edwi
thmyr
elat
ionshi
pand
hadnumer
ousdist
ract
ions.

Ourpasspor
tvi
sawer
eallready
.Myt
radi
ti
onal
out
fi
tand
weddi
nggownwereallr
eady.
Thejoywasover
whel
mingt
hatIf
oundmy
sel
fgi
ggl
i
ngat
ever
yminute.
“
Doy
ouhav
eaweddi
nggi
ftf
orme?
”IaskedChi
maobi
.
“
Sure,
Ihav
eboughtt
hem al
ready
,andIam sur
eyouwi
l
l
l
oveit
.”
“
Ihav
egoty
our
stoo.
”
“
What
'st
hat
?”Chi
maobi
askedexci
ted.
“
Meetmei nourhoney
moonl
ocat
ion.
”It
easedashe
l
aughed.

Af
terChi
maobil
eftf
orAbuj
atocomelat
ert
opaymybride
pr
ice,
wecoul
dstayonphonecal
l,
chat
ti
ngandl
aughi
ng.

Onl
ythendidIt
rul
yunderst
andthesay
ing“
dist
ance
makesthehear
tgrowfonder.
”

Thefeel
ingofansweringMrs.Chi
maobiwasalit
tl
esurr
eal
,
changi
ngtomynewl astnamecamewithmixedfeel
i
ngs.I
hadsomeanxietyoverwaiti
ngfort
hetr
adi
ti
onalmarri
age
andthewhit
ewedding.

IandChimaobi keptl
ookingfor
wardt oseeingt he
weddingpict
ures,whichourphotographerwilldeli
vertous
viat
heflashdri
v eChimaobigavehim.Wewer et otrav
el
thenextdayafterourweddingforourhoney moonand
Chimaobisai
dwewoul dconsummat eourunionov er
t
her
e.

“Ican'
twai
ttof
eel
youagai
n,bae.
”Chi
maobi
sai
dov
ert
he
phone.
“Calm downbef
orey
ougetmepr egnant
.Rememberyou
saidwear et
aki
ngayearbef
orechil
dbi
rt
h.”It
oldhi
m as
hechuckled.
“
Iwil
lbreakyourwai
stthatday
.BecauseIhav
ebeen
l
i
censed.”Hesaidl
aughing.

Allt
hesegotmeexcit
edandner
vousatt
hesametime
eventhepr
ospectofget
ti
ngint
imat
ewit
hChimaobiand
gett
ingpr
egnant
.

Ifel
tanewsenseofr esponsi
bil
i
tyinhel
pingtomakehi s
l
ifeeasier.Ibeganchannel
li
ngmymi ndtowardsawi f
e
responsibil
it
yasIputdiver
secall
stohim ati
nterv
alsto
askhim howhewasdoi ngandhowpr eparat
ionswere
going.

Ial
sof
eltr
eli
evedt
hatmyi n-
lawswerenothost
il
e.They
l
ovedmeandsawmeast hei
rchil
d.Chi
maobi'
ssibl
ings
l
ovedmealso.I
twasful
fi
ll
ingtosee.
Hi
smot
herwoul
dcal
lmymom t
otal
katl
engt
h
concer
ningus.
Chimaobi
wouldcall
YahyaSegunt
ogi
sthi
m ast
hey
tur
nedouttobebestoff
ri
ends.

Afterwar
ds,Chimaobiandhispeopl
ecametoOgunst
ate
forthetr
adit
ional
marriage.Myhousewasf
il
ledupwi
th
dignit
ari
esandeli
teofthesociet
y.
"
Thewhi
teweddi
ngwoul
dbef
ir
e.'
mydadbr
agged.

Aftert
hetr
adi
tionalmar
ri
age,
Chimaobi
andIbarel
yhad
ti
met oour
selv
esaspeopleweremuch,andt
heywerei
na
hastetor
etur
nt oAbuj
a.

Ruthhadarr
ivedOgunstat
efr
om Jost
obewi
thmeunt
ilI
tr
avelf
orthehoneymoon.

Adaybeforeourweddi
ng,myf
amil
y,Rut
handItravel
edt
o
Abuj
aforthewedding,
andwel
odgedinthehot
el.

Chimaobihadbooked4hotelroom befor
eourarri
val
.A
room f
orRuthandI,aroom f
ormypar ents,
aroom formy
sibl
i
ngsandar oom f
ormyst y
list
,makeuparti
st,
and
hair
sty
li
st.
SegunandChi
maobilodgedi
nadi
ff
erenthot
el.Hedi
dn'
t
wanttodr
essfr
om home.

Ev
ery
thi
ngwasgoi
ngwel
lbutt
imef
orme,
wentsl
ow.

ChimaobiandYay
haSegundr
ovet
wocar
stopi
ckusf
rom
theai
rpor
t.

“Sugarpl
um,
”Chimaobisai
dandhuggedmet
ight
lywhen
hesawmeatt heai
rpor
t.
“Woah!OmoIgbo,hughereasi
l
y,Iknowyouhavepaidt
he
bri
depri
cebuteasy.
”Mydadsaidasev er
yonel
aughed.

Mom hadnev erbeenatalki

ngt
ype.Sheonlygaveme
l
ecturetalkfor20mi nut
esatOgunstatebeforewecame
i
ntoAbuj aunlikemyDadwhohadf ixedseveral
conversati
onst oteachmehowtobehav einmyhusband'
s
house.

Ont hemorningofmyweddi ngday ,

Icouldn'tsl
eep.I
rol
ledfrom oneendofthebedt otheother,thi
nki
ngof
howt heweddingwill
be.“Whatifsomet hi
ngbad
happens?”Iwouldthi
nk,castandbindthet houghts,
Iwas
sor
est
ive.

“
Canthemorni
ngcomealready.
”Iwoul
dwakeuptocheck
t
heti
me,di
sappoi
ntedatmyf i
ndi
ngsandf
all
i
ngbackon
t
hebed.

Ruthwasobli
vi
ousofmyr est
iveness.Shehadbeen
worki
ngall
dayfordays,runni
nger randsformyday,she
coul
dbarel
yli
ftherhands.Iwouldhav eengagedherina
di
scussi
on.

Iwokeup,
andi
twasst
il
l1:
23am.Ideci
dedt
ocal
l
Chi
maobi.
“Hhmm!Woul dhepick?Heshouldbeasleep.Thi
sis
1:23am.”It
houghtwit
hinbutchoset
otrymyl uckasIput
acalltoChi
maobi,andhepickedimmedi
at el
y.

“
Hahhahhahhhabbabababbbaha”Il
aughedgent
ly,
str
oki
ng
myl
apsinaweashel aughedtoo.
“
Soy
ouhav
ebeenawake?
”Iaskedhi
m.
“
Mydear,Ihavebeenthinking,Icoul
dn'tevensl
eep.Iwas
j
ustl
ooki
ngaty ourpi
cturesandourpi ctur
estoget
her,
t
henIsawy ourcal
l.
”Hel aughed.
“
IthoughtIwast
heonl
yoner
est
ive.
”
“
Ican'
tsl
eep.Theti
meist
oosl
ow,Iwi
shIcouldfast
en
t
hehandsofti
me,”Hesai
daswechat
tedunt
il4:
45am
whenRut
hwokeupandsawmeonacal l
.

“Tol
ani
!”Shecal
ledmeasshest
oodupf
rom t
hebedand
snat
chedthephonefr
om me.
“Chi
maobi !Leav
eTolanit
osleep.Youbot
hneedrestand
haveeternit
ytogist
.Bye.
”Shehungthecal
landi
nstruct
ed
met osleep.

“
Ohm!Idon'
twantt
osl
eep.Ican'
tev
ensl
eep.
”
“For
ceyour
sel
f.”Shedr
aggedmet
obedandf
orcedmet
o
shutmyeyes.

Iwokeupat7:
23am wi
thr
edey
eswhenmymom st
epped
i
ntomyroom.
“Tol
ani
,Omomi ,wakeupandtakey
ourbath.Wedding
star
tsby10am.”Shepull
edmeupasIrol
ledmyr edeyes
i
nwantofmor esleep.

“Yeyegi
rl
?”Rut
hsl
appedmyhead,
draggi
ngmet
othe
bathr
oom.
“Openyourey
esal
ready
”sheaskedmet
opoop,
butI
couldn'
t.
“
Omo!Rut
h,t
hisshi
tnowantcomeo”Ical
l
edRut
h.
“Youarej
ustanxiousandt
ooex
cit
ed.
”Shecamei
ntot
he
bathr
oom,looki
ngatme.
“
Comet
akesomeor
anges.
”Mom sai
d.

Ist
eppedout
,tooksomeorangesandhadt
heur
get
o
poopasIwentint
othebat
hroom t
oeaseof
f.
Af
ter
wards,
Itookmybathandst
eppedoutt
odr
essup.
Mystyl
i
stswereal
readywai
ti
ngf
orme.

DadandChimaobi
cal
l
edati
nter
val
stospeakt
omebut
mom ref
used.

Rut
htookherbat
hwhi
l
eIwasst
yled.

TheD-DayIhadwait
edf oryear
swasther
e.Iwasall
gamed,sweetandglamorousinmybeaut
iful
white
over
fl
owingdresswithabeauti
ful
makeupthatbeaut
if
ied
myfacemor ethani
thadalwaysbeen,
withanattr
act
ive
fl
owerbouquet.

“
Omomi
,
"mymom shedt
ear
sofj
oyaswehuggedand
cr
ied.

“Checkcheckcheck!
”Camethesoundsofthe
photogr
apher'
scamera,t
aki
ngshotsoft
hisAfri
canbeaut
y.

“
MamaTolani,
arey oupeoplenotthr
ough?”Mydadcal
l
ed
wor
ri
edaseveryoneiswait
inginthechurch.

“Tickti
ck,
toktok!
”Myheelsmadecl
assicsoundsasI
steppedoutofthehot
elr
oom inmygl
oryasev er
yone
l
ookedatmeandcompl i
mentedmydazzli
nglook.

“Awww!Awww!
”St
rangersandhotelst
affwi
shedmea
happymar
ri
edl
i
feasIsteppedi
ntothecar.

“Chimaobireal
l
ymeanbusiness.”Mymom saidwhenshe
sawt hecarChimaobi
senttopickhi
slong-
ter
mlover
,
Tolani.

Get
tingintothechurch,Icoul
dheardanceandshoutsof
j
oyasIst eppedint
ot hebigaudi
tor
ium,andmyfather
hol
dingmyar msgav emeoutt otheOmoI gboheonce
det
ested.
Myeyesgotreadyast
hehy
peManr
eadourl
ovest
oryt
o
t
hecongregat
ion.

“
Youlooksobeaut
if
ul t
hanev
er.
”Chi
maobi
stepped
f
orwardandwhi
spered.

“Rel
ax,
y oungman.It
'snotti
mey et
.Herfatheri
ssti
l
lthe
cust
odian.”Thepast
orjokedasevery
onelaughed.

Gett
ingt
osaythevows,ourpar
ent
sst
eppedt
othe
podi
um t
oblessouruni
on.

“
Chimaobirepeataf
termeandmakeav owt oyour
woman.”Thepastorinst
ruct
edashenodded.
“
I,Chi
maobi Okezi
e,t
akeyou,Tolani
Folorunsotobemy
wif
e.Ipromi
set obetr
uetoyouingoodt imesandinbad
t
imes,insi
cknessandinheal
th.Iwil
l l
oveyouandhonour
youal
l t
hedaysofmyl i
fe.
”Thepast orsai
dasChimaobi
r
epeatedaft
erhimlooki
ngint
omyey esinglit
zandlov
e.

“Tol
ani
,repeataft
erme.I
,Tolani Fol
orunso,
takeyou,
ChimaobiOkezie,
tobemylawf ullyweddedhusbandto
haveandtohold,fr
om t
hisdayf orward,f
orbett
er,
for
worse,f
orr
icher
,forpoor
er,
insicknessandi
nheal
th,
unt
il
deathdouspart
.”HesaidasIrepeated.

“Isanyonest
andi ngagai
nstthi
sunion?Speaknowor
remainsil
entforever
.”Thepastorsai
daspeoplemumbl
ed
andmyhear tbitsofast.
“Lor
d,pl
ease,l
etusscalethis.Oh!Past
or,
goon,st
op
emphasizi
ng.
”Ithoughtwithinasadefeat
ingsi
l
ence
embracedthewholeplace.

“Chimaobi
!”Thepastorsaid,
doy ouhaveanyt
hingt
osay
toheronthisspeci
alday,sayitasChimaobi
camenear,
heldmyhandsandbegan.

“Tol
ani,thef i
rstdayImety ou,Ihadbut terf
li
esinmybel ly
l
ikeawoman.I twasloveatf i
rstsightandInev erknewI
couldeverf al
l deepl
yinlove.Bae,Ipromi sethateachkiss
Igiv
et oy ouhencef or
th,wi
llbef i
l
ledwi t
hmor elov
et han
thelast
.”hesai dandevery
oneshout ed,l
aughing.

“
Soy ouhav
ebeenki
ssi
ng.
”Ourpar
ent
sgi
ggl
edand
l
aughed.

Ibegant
olaughsohar
dwi
tht
ear
srunni
ngdownmy
cheeks.
“Lethi
m expresshi
mself
…”Thepast orcal
medt
he
congregat
ionasChimaobicont
inued.

“Tolani,
mybaeofl i
fe,al
thoughi ti
sunt il
deat hdouspar t,
I'
m awar et hatwewi ll
nevert r
ulypartbecauseoursoul s
aremadef oreachot her.Ipromisethatourday stogether
will
gr owi nloveanddev otion.From todayonwar d,you
andIwi llbeonei nhear t
,body ,
andmi nd.Ivowt ocherish
you, devotemyl if
et oyouandal waysbet rue."Hesaidand
tookadeepbr eat
h.Hi Him onWhat sAppv ia
+2349133660306f ormor estori
es..
“Bae,pl
ease,letusbuil
dahome, ali
fe,andafami
lyf
rom
ourbondsoft rueloveandourvowstost i
ckt
oget
her
thr
oughallli
fe’schal
lenges.
”hesaidasInoddedi
n
affi
rmati
onashef i
xedtheweddingri
ngintomyfi
nger.I
t
wasagol dri
ng.

“
Tol
ani
,saywhaty
ouhav
eforhi
m.”

“Obim,youaremyper son,myi nspi

ration,mylove,
andmy
ever
ythi
ng.Icannotwaittospendal i
feti
mel ov
ingyou,
makingyoufeelli
keababy .Ivowt oexpr essmylovefor
youasoftenasIbreatheeachbr eath.Youar emyKING, I
wanttospendforeverwit
hy ou.I'
m givingy oumyheart,
mybody,andmysoul
,takecareofthem.”Isai
dasIfi
xed
theweddi
ngri
ngandeveryonecheeredusandthepast
or
bidChi
maobit
okisst
hebr i
de.
Likeahungryclassi
cv ampi
re,
Chimaobi
,pull
edawaymy
veil
,rubbedhi
spalmt oget
heraspeopl
elaughedand
cheeredhim.

“Namany oube! "Hewashai l

edbyt hecongregati
onashe
gotclosert ome, pl
acedhishandsonmywai st,asI
placedmyhandsonhi sshoul
ders, hegav emea
passionatef acegr abbedmewi ththeot herhand,l
ooked
i
nt omyey est hatIfel
tsomewar mt hbet weenmyl egs,as
webot hsl owl yapproacheachother ,makingthemoment
mor einti
mat eandbet t
erphotographed, aswelockedand
keptourt onguei neachot her
'smout hasChimaobi atemy
l
ipswi thar doranddesi r
e.

Wehadkissedamill
iont
imesbutmehn!Thatki
sswas
heav
enl
yanddrippi
nghot.

Tobecont
inued!
[
5/8,
5:31PM]+2348092274044:
TOLANI
Fi
nal

EPI
SODE37

Justri
ghtaft
erthewedding,wehadt ospendtimewi
th
famil
yandfri
endst hatev
ening,asmyf amil
yand
Chimaobi'
scongregatedinhisparent
s'house.

Lotofjokesandeat i
ngt ookpl aceinthehouseasoneof
thepopul arcomedi
ans, whowasasont oChi maobi'
s
fat
her'
sbosom f ri
end, gr
acedt heoccasion.Thet al
land
mightyint hesoci
ety,astherewer enotabl
ef ootbal
ler
s,
poli
ti
ciansandNol l
ywoodst arsinatt
endance.Famous
musicar tist
sweretheretoo, astheytookturnsin
perf
ormi ng.Itwasaspect acularandthri
ll
i
ngev ening,as
themer r
imentwasbey ond.

MyDadgi ft
edIandChi maobiseveralpl
otsofland
si
tuatedatAbuja.
”Ihadthoughtofget t
ingyouacar,but
onasecondt hought
,Ioptedforlands.I
tisthebestgif
tI
couldthi
nkofasev eryot
herthinghasahi ghli
abi
li
ty
probabi
li
tyr
ate."Mydadsaid,gi
v i
ngmeav erycl
osehug.

Mymom gi
ft
edmesomedi
amondsandgol
djewel
ri
esshe
hadi
nherit
edfrom hermom whenshemar r
iedDad.She
hadkeptthem sodeli
cat
ely,
asshewoul dalwayssayto
me,“Iwi
llnotbetheonet or
emovetheancientlandmar
k,
andtherooti
swhatcar r
iesthebr
anches.”
“Thi
sismor
eli
kegener
ati
onal
,hav
ethesemychi
l
d.”She
sobbed.

Chimaobi
'sdadgi
ft
edmeacarandhandedoveroneofhis
busi
nessestoChi
maobi
,say
ing,
“myboyisnowaman. ”
Itwasover
whel
mi ng,asnei
therChi
maobi
norIexpect
ed
suchgi
ft
sf r
om ourparent
s.

Duetothenumberofpersonsinthehouse,
wedidnot
haveti
metogetint
imate,al
so,weprefer
red
consummati
ngourmarriageatthehoneymoonv
enue.

Thankf
ull
y,ourf
li
ghtwasscheduledi
nsuchawayt
hatwe
shoul
dbeinKeny at
hedayafterourweddi
ng.

Justasplanned,weleftNigeri
aforKenya,Nai
robi
Giraf
fe
manorHot el.Thi
sisinNairobiandi
swi t
hineasyr
eachof
popularat
tracti
ons,t
hisuniqueKenyahotel
accommodat esasmallgr
oupofguest s.
Theest at
eishomet oaher dofRot hschil
dGiraf
fest hat
regular
lyvi
sitthemanorhousei nsearchoftreats.At rul
y
romant i
csetti
ngwhereguest sareboundt oenjoythe
overall
ambience,theexci
tingculi
naryexperi
ence, and
extr
emel yhospit
ableser
vices,Ioft
endr eamtof.

Iwassoexci
tedt
ogett
her
e,despi
tet
heobst
acl
es.

Gett
ingt
oKenyaandtothegi
raf
femanor
,myeyes
poppedoutasIl
ookedatt
hewonder
sofnat
ure.

Oneoft hemostf asci

nati
ngt hingsaboutGi r
affeManoris
i
tsresidentherdofRothschil
d’sgi r
affeswhov isi
ted
morningandev ening,
pokingt heirl
ongnecksi ntothe
windowsi nthehopeofat reat,beforeret
reati
ngt othei
r
for
estsanctuary.

ChimaobiandIwer ehavingaseamingti
me,cuddli
ngand
smoochingour sel
ves,whenthegi
raff
espokedthei
rhead
thr
oughthewi ndow; t
heyseemedtoknowwhent herear
e
personsvi
sit
ing.

I
twasf
asci
nat
ing.
“
Comeher e”Chi
maobidraggedmeimmediat
elywegot
i
ntoourr
oom, aswebothfellont
hebed.

“Thewaythist hi
ngdedoyou.”Isai
dt ohi
m, runni
nginto
thebathr
oom, "Itwasal
ongandhect i
cjourney,andwe
needtobatheman. ”AsIswi
tchedont hetapt ofi
ll
inthe
batht
ub,undressedandjumpedintothebathtubwithmy
magnifi
centbody .
HiHi
m onWhat
sAppv
ia+2349133660306f
ormor
e
st
ori
es.
Itwasawel l-
decoratedbathroom.Abi gmir
ror
,aneat
floor
,andabat ht
ubt otheend.Theweat herwassl
ight
ly
cold,so,Iopt
edtot urnonthegey ser
.Thewateri
nthe
bathtubwasaboutmycl eavagelevel
,whenChimaobigot
i
nt othebathr
oom.

“Come”st
uckoutmyf i
nger
s,romant
ical
l
ysi
gnali
nghi
mt o
j
oinmeinthebathasheundressedi
mmediat
ely
,exci
ted
ashegoti
ntothebatht
ub.
Thebathtubhadsomestai
rst
owalkint
oit
.Chi
maobigot
onthem andputhi
sfeeti
ntot
hewaterasImovedf
orwar
d
sothathecangetbel
owme.

Iwassi
tt
ingr
ightbef
orehi
s“ki
ng”
.
“
Ouch!
”Chi
maobimoaned,leani
nghi
sbackagai
nstt
he
t
ubasheputhi
shandsaroundmywaist
,huggi
ngme.

“
Howdoyouwantit
?”Hegav
emeaseduct
ivewi
nk,
r
unni
nghi
sfi
nger
sonmybarenav
el.

“
Asi
tpl
easesy
ou,
myl
ord.
”Isur
render
ed.

“
Thewateri
shot,
justl
i
keyou.
”Chi
maobi
sai
dast
her
oom
wasf
il
ledwi
thsomesteam.

Hestar
tedki
ssi
ngmyneckwhi
l
ehi
sfi
nger
swer
e
expl
ori
ngmybody.

“
Thi
sfeel
dif
fer
entandsweet
er.
”Icr
iedout
.
“That'
sbecauseyouaredoi
ngitl
egal
l
y,noguil
t.
”He
chuckled,
mov i
ngonehandovert
omyf i
rm br
eastsand
star
tedplayi
ngwitht
hem.

“I
fIdon'
tgetyoupregnanttoni
ght,
changemyname. ”
Chimaobisai
d,l
ookingdeeplyi
ntomyey esashi
sother
handwentdownt omyt hi
ghsandt hent
easingmeand
t
ickl
i
ngmesof
tl
y.

“
Chi
…Maobi
!”Igaspedf
orbr
eat
h.

"
Youl
ovei
t?"Hebr
eat
hedi
ntomyear
sasmybodyshook.

"Comehere,
"hegent
lydraggedmet
ohi
msel
fandl
ocked
hist
ongueint
omymout h.

"I
t'
shoney moon, wear eheretostar tanewl i
femyl ove."
Hewhi sper edagai nashet hr
ustedi nt
omegent l
yi nside
thetubf i
l
ledwi t
hwat erasIletoutasof tmoant aki nga
biggulpdownmyt hroat,l
ockingmyhandsonhi sf or
i
ntimacyandenj oy i
ngt hemoment .Ihadnev erknown
whatmaki ngouti npool wasunt il
t hefir
stnightofmy
honey moon." Chimaobi "youseemedt ohaveimpr ov eda
l
otasIcr iedouti npl easurablepains.Babypl easedon' t
stop...Ikeptmoani ngasChi maobi manfull
ymademe
knewwhati nt
imacyonhoney moonwasal labout.Il oved
everybi tofi t,
ast hejoyofknowi ngIwi l
lhaveChimaobi
foreverer asedal lmypai ns.

"
Aboyoragirl
?"Chi
maobisuckedmyear
,asIqui
ckl
y
t
urnedmyheadtofeel
hisl
ips.
"Ithoughty
ousaidwewillhol
donforayearbef
orehav
ing
kids."Ir
emindedhi
m,gaspingi
npl
easur
e.

Wel
ovet
alki
ngwhi
l
emaki
ngout
.

Heimmedi at
elygotmylowerli
pbetweenmyl
i
psand
st
artsucki
ngonitsoft
lybutf
ir
ml y
.

"I
'
vechangedmymi nd.
"Hei
ncr
easedhi
sspeedasI
shout
edinexci
tement,
"Fast
er!Faster,
Iwantababygirlt
onight
."Iscreamedas
Chimaobi i
ncreasedhi
spressur
ebetweenmyl egs.I
twas
suchabeaut if
ulmomentthatIfel
tli
keli
vingtherefor
ever
.

THEEND!

HiHi
m onWhat
sAppv
ia+2349133660306f
ormor
e
st
ori
es.