Written by Dunsin Olaniyan (@shizzy_chase)
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Chapter 28;
Kelvin walked out of the office, which made us even..we both walked out on each other twice and this seemed to be the last..The fairytale between myself and Kelvin has ended,no doubt about it..the first time I didn't blame the universe for my the calamity that befell me..its just my ignorance.. Or stupidity.. Or procrastinations..that brought about my downfall..I had to take responsibilities for my actions or inactions.."if only I just came out plain from day one"..."if only I was at least less about myself and more about reality"..the doctor knew I was in a state of shock and didn't even bother me..he left the office, came back with a glass of chilled water and condensed milk to go along with it.... I was in between the state of life and death...
Kelvin is gone...and for what it is worth ...my life is ruined here...I'm pregnant!!!!for my supposed father!!! The intrigue behind my story is like that of "Russian roulette"...All through all these mishaps,I never ever thought of suicide.. It was the last thing on my mind..my sanity eluded me..I was ghost!!!...
The doctor gave me time and space to console my self and gain my composure..." Thank you very much sir"as I strolled out of his office heading for the exit..
I got outside and realized that the car that brought me here WS no more there...where am I headed??want am I gonna do??what do I tell the Airuoyos??..I have finally lost Kelvin and proven Laban right..I felt dirty, like a whore even though it was only a man that had slipped his genitals into me...but whoever thinks she could live my life should fill in my shoes and see how it goes..its easier said than done when you judging from the outside...
Chapter 29,
I stood fixed,motionless and speechless..I was thinking I was done with my trials buh didn't know the ones I had faced was just a tip of the iceberg..I took the next cab"crown estate,....... #3500ma.."I waved of validation and he drove off..different thoughts running in my brains down to my nervous veins.."we don reach madame".."ooh,OK thanks"..I stammered, as I paid him and left..
Arriving the house,I became nervous and sad...I strolled in and fortunately bumped into nobody.. I dashed straight to my room...tried kelvins number but no response.. Oh God!!help me..what do I do at this juncture... How would people I told swallow the truth..they l cough out my words with hiccups of rage,...I tried to rehearse how I would act and tell but my mood was not in a stable feeling..
I didn't want to believe I was pregnant.."this is a misunderstanding, it could be a mistake,they might have mistook my blood for a pregnant woman's..I dressed and applied light make up to go with it,as I strolled to the nearest phamarcy..
"What can I help you with ma'am".. The attendant asked.." I need a manual pregnancy test"I replied..she went for the shelf and typed in my purchase on the cash machine, we exchanged money for goods and I left..
I came back to the house and headed straight to my room..I was sneaking all around like a ninja turtle getting in noticed..I peed inside a bowl and put the pregnancy liner into the urine..it had two red lines which meant positive..
"Ha!!!!I cried rolling on the ground.. Tears started pouring like Alice in wonderland..I must have made so much noise with my tears..*knocks*.." Yea,I'm coming "/...as I made way for my hand towel to wipe my tears and white powder to go with it...it was Laban" sorry for the disturbances but I came to apologise for my comments earlier on,I was overwhelmed by the situation at hand but it will never repeat itself "..He turned back and headed for the diner..I could guess,he was gonna pour himself a glass of wine...
Chapter 30;
How do I come out with the truth..I need to make a decision before my stomach starts protruding.. I felt sad in the coming days and it starting becoming noticeable.... Mrs Airuoyo quizzed me numerous counts and I deviated from the topic intelligently.. Kel was not calling, Laban was no more hospitable and sweet to me..the house became not as happy as it used to be..
Laban was going to the airport to pick Mr Airuoyo..he has finally come back from Austria and the house was busy with cleaning and cooking in wait for his arrival..Mrs Airuoyo WS in her lightest mood..everything today seemed to amuse her,she laughed and played with the staffs like today was a holiday..I was battling with morning sickness all this while and was able to do it successfully..
As his the car horned..everybody was curious for his presence because I heard he always came home with goodies for everyone..he gave his wife a homely hug.." I missed you dear".he kept whispering.. "Freda how are you??,my condolences".. He pat me on the back" your eyes are white and you look chubby"..Mrs Airuoyo added in which Mr Airuoyo gave an approval..we all went inside to savour the amazing welcome home meal when I unconsciously threw up at the dinner.."we must go to the hospital "Mrs Airuoyo said
Chapter 31,
"its not necessary maam"..i said.."you damn right it is",as she clenched her fist to the dinning table..Mrs Airuoyo has never for once lost her temper,as a matter of fact,Laban shared a story with during the good old days that her husby always called her "smiley"because she was always smiling,and besides,she was extra ordinarily happy..
"il take her"..Laban suggested..and shockingly every body became mute..
"tell me the truth before i find out"Laban demanded as we were on our way to the hospital..."Laban im preg...".."pregnant!.."for that scum?for that douche bag?for that thing?..."calm down Laban,lemme explain"..i was raped by my dad.."mr Balogun?arrant nonsense!because the dead cant talk,you utilise the opportunity to crest a lie on the dead?...i was speechless,he refused to believe and he stopped the car..we both did not utter a word..i knew he wouldnt believe me.."so what next"i demanded..."save your shame and dint come back to our house..you are an object of shame and reproach..I was confused and didnt even make an attempt to convince him..i stepped down from the car and zoomed off..
Everytime i go through trial,i always have the grace to pass through it..but is the tribulation not enough?was i brought to this world to suffer?my little moment of glory in the Airuoyos was cut short like a lepricon..am i really to be blamed for all this?i never lived a normal girls life..the devil kept playing cards on my emotions..should i kill this bastard of a child?should i keep it?where would i go from here?...i sat in the thick sun thinking hard..lo and behold,i got a ring on my phone..i checked up the caller and it was Kel..
Chapter 32,
"Freda hi?where are you at?"..."what do you care?"..i replied..."i need to see you and its better you dont make the situation worse than it was..so where are you?Admiralty way..i replied,he hung up as usual and i knew he was coming to get me...what kinda guy is this?what does he really want from me?regardless in how things have gone down,he still stuck by me like a shadow to its being...within 15minutes,he was right where i was,"get in"he said..i didnt even contest,afterall a beggar is poor in choices and opportunities...we were both silent through out the journey to his house..He drove into the house and i was like"wow"..this dude is super rich..what does he do for a living?there were different antigues,artworks and collections fucking around in every wall,shelf,tables of his house..he ws staying in a duplex and he doesnt have a woman?
"feel athome he said"..as i sat lonely on his sofa,he walked back in with fruit juice and coconut rice...this guy is super nice!.."so wassup,you coukd stay as long as you can,only if you tell me the full truth,cuz i know when your peeps realise about the pregnancy,they might kick you out"..."they already have"..i interrupted...."Freddy,take your time to rest because of your condition,il be out overnight for work,there is everything you need"..."thanks,i replied..he took his car keys and left..i tried calling mrs Airuoyo but she wasnt picking..i knew in my heart that Laban must have given them the break down of the whole story..you know those loyal to you when you are going through trials..look at the Laban that was sweet talking me into being comfy,that he always got my back..Humans!!..i thanked God for my life for sending me an angel like Kel..he is a life saver,a saviour,a prince charming....come to think of it,i need a job in order to stop depending on people..i need to hustle and be a woman of my own...as i was thinking about the next line of action,a call came in..."its me,Amanda"..
Chapter 33,
"Mandy,how are you doing"..."im fine maam,hope you are good dear"..i replied and we exchanged pleasantries..we caught up on good times in the bus..wonderful,the lady i thought i wouldnt see again...wow..."was wondering if you could come over for dinner"?..well..im not hungry but..."please dear,i just want to host you,im just alone all by myself"..."ok,where do u stay?"..."Ajose Adeogun in Victoria island",she replied.."alright then,il be there in a gify"..i hung up,since i was alone too for the night,i obliged..headed straight on a tour within the house before i left Kels place...i didnt bother to call and inform Kel i was leaving for dinner..i dropped the keys with the security and left...
"hey,how are you?mandy met me with a hug and warm embrace..
I met her husband and kids...very beautiful home,not just the house but the entirety of the family..a very peaceful abode...Mandy begged me to sleep over and i obliged...
Around 2a.m,i heard a loud noise downstairs..as i rushed to see what was going on..i met my waterloo..."madame,lie down there"..there was a robbery going on in the house..they were all masked up...they checked every nuke and cranny of the house..took jewelries,lump sum of cash and other valuables..as they were talking and mapping out plan on their exit,one of them saw me,turned me around trying to rape me..he hit me so hard that i was crying in pain..before he had his way,one of them pushed him off"guy,thats not what we came for"..he said..the guy on top of me resisted and it became an argument..From the argument,it became a confrontation,due to that,one of thems mask mistakenly fell off,and guess who?it was mr perfect"Kelvin"...Freda!,he said in a shocked state of mind..
.....Life and times of Freda..will take a two days time out for the next episodes...sorry for the inconveniences..thanks
Show quoted text
Chapter 34,
In torments,I've learnt to endure..in strive,I've imitated life....in want,I've given need...This is the diary of a girl that has been dealt with the rigor of life...if only I was a lot smarter,if only I had more opportunities, if only I could seperate pain from my pleasure..I'm an episode of drama that always unfolds into different tragic series..I'm sure the devil must have named me "Legion"... Each time I try to find happiness;I end up meeting up with pains and affliction.. What was I staring at??????Kel;a robber???...we were both in a state of quagmire.. It took 3minutes before a member of his squad asked what was going on??" Guy,wetin dy sup??""he demanded.."you sabi am??"...Kel was lost for words and on that note,he left the key decision to the rest of his gang on what to do to me..before I could say anything, one of them pulled out a magnum 10 gun on me and cocked it,ready to pull the trigger...Kelvin could not take it,and reached for the gun..for minutes they both struggled for possession of the fire arm,there was rumbling and tumbling on the ground as both of em fought for supremacy..the other members were left in a state of shock and could hardly do nothing...my guess was,both men were their leaders..as the drama kept on going,we heard a gunshot...that made everybody pay more attention to the detail on who pulled the trigger and who was the trigger pulled on.. Within split seconds,I saw Kel in a pool of blood..what!!!he had been shot !!!the rest of the members made way for the exit and left him for dead...
Chapter 35;
It was horror mixed with nightmare..to see the man of my dreams dying while I could do nothing.. Mandy was confused on how to react..so was her husby..with few minutes left for Kel in this world,he grabbed my arm closer to him as he whispered "I'm sorry Freda,I'm so sorry dear..I was pushed to it..I am a product of a broken marriage,I was only 12 when I had to face the reality of my step father beating up my mum on a daily basis..I had to go and sleep in stores on weekends to take some time out from reality..." As he wanted to keep explaining, I kept interrupting in order to save his breathe and take him to the hospital but he didn't want to save himself,he wished death upon himself as he kept on bleeding by the side..I could see pallets of bullets in his flesh with his torn rib cage..his dying state brought out the innocence in him..the sorrow I felt was beyond tears.."I came to strive in Lagos by squatting with an old friend but was later forcefully introduced into this...I have done so many bad things with a good heart Freda..I've lived a life of sin with guilt in my conscience".."Freda, you can't save me buh you can save you,I want you to live a life of purity in dirty situations... Take good care of your son,I was thinking I'll be his godfather but..."*coughs*...he tried to talk buh words were not coming anymore,he barely could finish his last statement before he gave up the ghost..the statement was that I should take a safe in his room and leave his house in order not to attract the law to myself..
Chapter 36;
I looked at his lifeless body as I kept recollecting life and times I spent with him..before I could have some moments of peace with his dead body,the police swept into the house and asked if we all were okay..they told us that the other members of the gang had been caught a while ago and the neighborhood had been secured by security operatives.. I stared at kelvins body when an officer was telling his recruit"na government property,pack it'...he lived as my hero and died as an outcast..it all went down in my heart as a wound that will never heal in me..his lifeless state got me puzzled on my inability to unravel mysterious owing to the fact that the dead don't talk...I walked a walk of shame through Amanda's hallway;the amount of eyes that were gazed on my body could make one sink into the ground... I thought I was at the top of the world till I took this free fall..I hurried back to Kels house as forensics and detectives flooded Amanda's apartment..I answered a few questions and was free to leave..myself,Mandy and the hubby were the only trio with the exception of God that knew I had something to do with Kelvin,they covered me up like it was nothing..I got to Kelvins street with the vigilance of the sight of an eagle..I checked out for nosy people and tap mouths as i strolled unnoticed to the gate..it wasn't hard for me to get the attention of his gateman...I uttered nothing to him and made way for Kels room..he had asked me to get a safe out of his closet.. He told me the combinations of the safe in his whispers of death..I saw the gold plated safe easily without hesitation to type in the combo.. I saw huge stacks of cash with other valuables ranging from gold chains,to diamond watches to ruby bracelets..all what were in the safe were priceless,I almost forgot the last little lest thing,which was in a brown envelop,I had not the slightest idea of what I was searching with the purpose of findings.. I saw a document in which I looked through and found out it was a will!!...under it was a note that had a stamp of cherry in the shape of love but what caught my attention was who the letter was intended for..."To the priceless work of art"...FREDA BALOGUN..
Chapter 37;
My heart beat so fast,I gasped for breathe of life..was I so priceless??to him???...when was this written??..in line with those questions, I sought for answers by opening the note and it says thus
..."I was blessed from day one to have shared my heart for you. Even with the little moments I spent with you,they lasted like temporary forevers..I desired to be a slave to master your love,I never believed in love at first sight but at first sight,you birthed me with the affection that lasts an entire life..the thought of you brought so much peace that every part of my soul felt the bliss..I am ready to fall in love at first sight with you in my second coming..in death,I remain reminiscent of a life without you..keep being the most invaluable work of art in the most valuable museum of life..
P.S...Kel
I wept in a flood of my tears as I read the last words of his thoughts...the surge of love I felt for him in death was greater than love in totality of his lifetime ...it was above the definition of tragic,I was lifeless in my veins and without soul in my body..the whole universe was against my survival,the only reason to life was consumed by death..I came to realise that he must have done bad buh there was a whole world of good in him...I tried to wake up from my trance but there was no second chance..I shook up in reality and made way for the exit in the house..I sprinted with everything in the safe"no dulling"...it has happened and I needed to survive for him..I dashed the gateman some tip in order to quench a little of his worries of the where abouts of his boss..The deed had been done..what next???where do I GI from where??who do I seek??what's in it for me in the nearest future??would I still be investigated on for this happening?
Chapter 38;
I strolled two streets away to pick an unsuspecting cab,"where ?",he asked.."just drive",I answered... I lay back in the backseat to switch to my sub conscious.. More like an airplane mode,I saw that man in me even as a lady,I believed in God,but never believed in karma nor religion..I had an open mind to life,just do good and be good was my motto,but in this world full of pressure and pain,the good die and the bad survive...if its on the basis of morality, I was better than most,I strived to aspire for not what I want but need. What do I do with this motivation in the safe??I raised my head up and saw Protea hotel.."stop!!,he matched on the gas..I have suffered, I needed to clear my head on what was lying ahead;what was at stake needed a serene environment with a touch of class in its sophistication...my life was in a bag of box that I carried around,I was already getting used to moving from place to place Cuz no matter how good it starts in the initial stage,it always ends bad...I paid the cabman with an extra #2000 tip..he was Nigerian, therefore he behaved like a typical one"God bless ma" was the first and last appreciation I listen to him say as I walked away to the hotel reception, i kept my ego in check because you only meet first class citizens in such exquisite hotel.."wetin I know?? "..I was raised in my teen like a village girl, it's a town but still a village..I paid for an average suite and was escorted to the room.. Every thing was pleasing in the eye,from the entry to the lobby to what have you was like paradise in this life..I had already arranged the cash in different strategic places in my box and body so it wasnt hard to flash them the cash..as I got to my room,I made way for the bathroom, that was my most favourite place in a home..I spend most of my time reminiscing about the good things of life..I always believed karma was for those that believed in it,we are in a dispensation of grace,was the answer I always gave anybody that was of diverse opinion..I steam washed my body to thoughts of my soul. I calculated the next steps and line of action on the right thing to do without hiccups.. How much worth is in there??where do I stash dem cash??what do I do with them without drawing attention to myself?? Did I leave traces back there??wassup with the gateman??will he spill??
Chapter 39;
I've learnt that worry brings more worry,stress then death..that's the reason my softness has started forming to a heart of cold steel.."jeez!!I screamed ..I lost track of time as I already spent an hour whisking past me.I went straight for the box in my towel,unlocked and unpacked it unto the bed...the jewelries and cash looked more expensive than the first time,I went straight for the cash, they were in five different currencies each in different bail notes.."euros,rands,dollars,cedis and yen"...I am rich was a scream I intended from the inside but led an outburst on the outside..I started mapping out plans on the next stunt.I had to weigh the pros and cons..even with the exhibition of wealth at my disposal, I still didn't not have peace of mind,that undiluted joy eluded my soul but its life and I had to move on to my goals and purposes, if I had any though..I wasn't hungry,knowing I was wealthy filled my body and soul..at least,I was financially free,and that was what was called "responsibility".. Being response able to yourself and others.. Whatever storm that would come would be a piece of cake at least,I thought..I needed to lighten up,so I dressed in my bikinis,advanced to the pool buh before then,I had ordered for a bottle of Baileys, I took the preference of the drink when Laban served me a glass one night,and I ended up drinking 4glasses the same night..the sweet milky taste kills the feel of the alcoholic content on the taste bud..I took the swim and went straight for the drink..I didn't want something light when my burden was heavy inside of me...
I thought of Kelvin over and over again...till......" Hello,I'm Tuoyo Williams by name,..been staring from afar and you don't seem so well my lady"..I had no visual affirmation of the person talking Cuz my head was down,while my heart was in the clouds;..have you ever been to that cloud 9 state whereby you are in between heaven and earth??..that was my feeling..
Chapter 40;
I had already planned it in my heart that I was going to lambast the fellow creeping on my quiet time,only for me to raise my jaw to meet this handsome,tall half cast dude..his first impression was what saved him buh I was still planning to hang him with words for intruding.. "I'm fine..thanks for the bother, you are intruding my thought process,would you please excuse me??".... He stood in shock like his feet had been planted to the ground..then I waved" heelllloooo,do you listen to English??"..I noticed he gained composure as i said that and he boldly replied "I do,Im just perplexed by the beauty of speech from a beauty goddess...I was flattered but I've been in this phase before..as far as I was concerned; fine guys have the ugliest flaws..they sweep you off your feet,then leave you hanging.." Thanks for the complements but I'll like to be left alone"...he paused and replied "as you please ma'am,I'll be back as soon as I see that smile at the corner of your cheek".. As he strolled away...you wish,I whispered to myself..I was not game for hide n seek;I wanted seek n find..he had already spoilt my thinking process but I forgave him Cuz he was cute!!,I had this thing for cute guys..I got up and headed straight to my suite,as I whisked away with the bottle..call it running I don't mind,these kind of men were trouble, and they would bring problems that would make you think while facing a bottle..drinking was a normal thing in my home back then,and ethics wise,I saw nothing wrong with it..even Jesus drank wine..as long as I didn't get drunk,I always thought..my phone had been on and I hadn't heard from anybody,as I began to have some unrest about it in the room;..Mandy called...*phone ringing*....." Freda??..hello.."..yes dear,I replied..."where are you!!,the police is all over the place looking for you!!.."..as I was hesitant to speak,she said"never mind where you are,just sort yourself out and be safe dear".."the cops have been swamping my home looking for you hon"..as she was speaking, I could feel she was talking with teary eyes...
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Chapter 41;
As the phone disconnected, I paused and took a two minute flashback... "Wait??..that cute man that was in suit with his moustache shaved..... Chill!??..did he have a badge on?".. Right or not,I started packing what I could while thinking of how they must have found me.. Surveillance cameras I guess..I discreetly left my room,went for the exits without having to get noticed at the bar,pool or anywhere else.. I was creeping like "Casper" ..I looked out for the cute guy that must have thought I'll pass the night at the hotel..who knows??they might have bursted me by midnight..I clearly saw he was from the (Special Anti Robbery Squad)..he had relaxed in my absence and revealed his inner polo that had the SARS logo,through the loosening of two of his top buttons..I made way past him as he was backing me..I was vigilant outside cause I knew there would be agents around..I made way past em and boarded a bike on the second street,I had no where to go,so my next thought was leaving the country..why are the police looking for me??I couldn't take the risk of reporting myself to them..I can't loose my cash nor freedom..I asked the bike guy how I could get to Cotonou and he was very helpful with information.. But wait!!! Why Cotonou??..well that was the nearest country or place that I thought of to be easy without been seen. He asked me to take the route to mile 2,and would get a bus going to Dantokpa market which was a well known market in Cotonou.. I needed to change my look and appearances before heading for the boarder, so I made a quick stop at a motel..the bike man was generous with his time and efforts in accomplishing my goals without quizzing me..I got to the disorganized looking bathroom..I was ever present with my portable box..I brought out a tomboy wear(polo and jean).. stared at the bathroom mirror for a second,brought out scissors and razor,and did my hair Justice.. I shaved every strand of hair on my head.,removed my make up and washed my face to natural..I went back to the room, wore my clothes with a face cap to cap the whole male identity dressing.. And headed straight to the bike as we headed for where to get a mile 2 vehicle at 11o clock pm...my movements were timeless and I was fearless.. I could do anything to reach my goal,it now looked like I'm a suspect of what I'm ignorant bout..from one drama to the next..I'm now a wanted fugitive without any pillar of support in some sort..he dropped me off where I could get a bus going to mile 2,I tipped him with money and appreciation, he was grateful and left..as I got to mile 2,and saw the bus heading to Cotonou.... "Cotonou here I come" was what I whispered with a sigh......
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