TITLE: The Web (part 2) EPISODE: 12 AUTHOR: Candy Where is your daughter? Tobi asked Temi. They were both sitting at a cozy corner table at Dominos. Shes with my mum. Hmm...Ok. He shrugged his shoulders and dug into his pizza. Why did you ask? Nothing, just curious. Really? He waved his free hand and smiled, cmon, just forget I asked ok? When she noticed he didnt show any more interest in Nifemi, she dropped the pizza she was holding and held his hands instead. Tobi, Ill like to talk to you about Nifemi Tobis chest felt tight. He only half listened to her. He flashed a forced smile. What about her? He asked, his voice almost shaking. He knew Bolu was hiding something about Temi and her daughter from him. She wants to tell me about the other guy in her life, he thought. Shes yours. She said coolly. Tobis wiry body straightened. A sudden warm surprise ran through him. He hesitated before talking, not sure he heard her well. She is mine? My sister is aware? Temi smiled at him. Yes, she knows. I believe you- my mother thinks she looks like me. He felt himself grinning from ear to ear as she offered another round of explanation surrounding her departure, child birth and decision to return home. For real, you are a dad. We are a family, me you and her. Well, its your decision, Tobi. My decision, yes. He stood up and took two steps towards her, she stood up too. He hugged her tightly, his chin rested on her head. Tobi, Im sorry for the silence, I really am, and thank you. You are worth the wait, Temi. Thanks for taking care of her. Tobi found himself reaching for her lips. They were warm. Temi felt the years of loneliness turn into wanting and desire, for the man she loved.Almost two years of celibacy. She pressed herself against him as their lips locked. Juggling school with taking care of her daughter had taken its toll on her life abroad, no time for dating. Temi withdrew her lips when she caught an elderly couple staring at them. How about we take this somewhere else? She smiled. Tobi needed no further invitation. He stood up quickly, picked his carkey and phones. Lets go home. She picked her purse and locked her hand in his as they walked towards the car. Are you not going to see mrs seriki at the hospital again? Temi asked with concern as he brought the engine to life. No point, my mother is baby sitting her. Let me get my mother a real baby to babysit. He smiled as he put the car in drive. ********************** On a bright wednesday morning, two weeks after she was admitted to the hospital, the doctor signed her discharge papers. She was good enough to go home. She had started physiotherapy to regain the use of her right hand and leg. She still had a slight slur to her words. Madam ty had been by her bedside most days. She packed mrs Serikis things as they waited for the driver to come get them. She was eager to start taking care of Nifemi,her grand daughter. Just as she bent down to place the last item in the already full suitcase, mrs seriki called her. Ade...bimpe.. Mrs Serikis spoke slowly. She drew her chair nearer so she could hear her better. Yes, she answered. Ha...ave you conn...sidered whhat I said? She asked her About me and Chief? Iits the...the right thing to...to do, Adebimpe. Marry... him. Madam ty smiled. I already gave him my answer ma, my no stays no. She saw a tear at the corner of mrs serikis eyes and quickly wiped it with the back of her hands. She felt bad but her mind was made up. No marriage. The house is...is too big and lonely. This time, she sobbed quietly. She had spent the last one week reflecting on her life generally. She was surprised that the people she hated most were the people who stood by her the most. Dr Adeola Smart and Adebimpe. Her sisters only called. Chief had finally proposed marriage to her the previous week, a week after she was hospitalized. Madam ty had said no, without even blinking. She just wasnt interested in men that way anymore. As she struggled to zip the suitcase, they both heard the door open slowly. Awa stood before them. A..wa! She said in surprise. She walked into the room with shaky legs. How are you, aun...mum? She asked in a quiet voice. She kissed her forehead. Silent, Mrs Helen took her hand in her own good hand. I didnt expect...you...to come....I just called She told her daughter. Then she saw madam ty. This is Adebimpe. My daughter, Awawu. She introduced. The women exchanged greetings warmly. Ill like to get voucher downstairs. Madam ty said to give them privacy. Mrs seriki nodded. How ...are your... chil...dren? Mrs Seriki broke the silence between them. Without saying it, both women had their minds on their last meeting. They are fine. Awa answered. Im...sorry for... not be...being in your life Awa. Please try and be in theirs. She advised her daughter. Awa held her closely. Things have turned around for me, mum. I am changing the course of my life. Rose, my first daughter has just gained admission to the university of Ibadan. She said. Mrs seriki was happy. She should stay in my house. Mobil is far from UI, but shell see you every weekend. She sat on the bed. I want you in our lives. She said with teary eyes. She wiped a tear from her mums eyes. Thank...you...Awa. Mrs Seriki said. Awa stood up when she heard a knock on the door. I have to go now. Im not ready to face Chief and Im sure you are not, either. Ill call you. Ray was at the door, madam ty behind him. Thank you for everything. Awa hugged madam ty and said goodbye. Ray moved her boss things to the car while madam ty assisted her to get on her feet. She had a wheel chair, which the therapist assured them she was going to discard within two months with intensive therapy, but she planned to use it minimally. ********************** So, why dont you want to marry the father of your children? Dr Adeola asked her sister. I dont need any man now. Madam ty answered defiantly without looking at her sister. They were in Bolu and Ades living room. Dr Adeola held Bolus new baby, Adebayo, madam ty fed nifemi with cereal while Bolu and Ade went through the naming pictures. The times were finally good. Dr Adeola sat up straight. She picked up her herbal tea cup which she left on the side stool to cool earlier. She sipped briefly and put it down quickly, as if it was still too hot. Looking at her sister, she felt pity. She could understand how she felt, but still wanted her to get settled. Mama Bolu, you are still young, you need a companion, you need a man in your life. Why do I need a man when I have men? I have Tobi, Ade, baby Bayo and two elder brothers. Above all, I have God. What else? She asked her sister half jokingly half seriously. Bolu excused herself from the room. Ade smiled and went after his wife. They were tired of the marriage issue. Recently, it had become the most debated topic for them all. Madam ty put down the empty cereal bowl, wiped the nifemis mouth and turned to her sister. For one, mrs seriki cant be trusted, even though she claimed to be a changed person She said. People change, my sister. I changed. I believe she did too. I cant do it. She shook her head with a finality that her sister understood. Dr Smart sighed in resignation. Ultimately, its your decision, my sister. She smiled warmly. He has been kind to me. Very kind, but I cant do it. Dr Adeola shook her head in thought. Her friend could be dangerous, she knew that. But she seemed different lately. In her heart, madam ty had something else that bothered her. She never summoned the courage to tell her sister it was her husband that disvirgined her, on their matrimonial bed. Some things are best left unsaid, she thought. Sitting calmly on the other end of the couch, Dr Adeola looked at her dear sister with pity. That day came back to her memory in a flash. She had found the blood stained bed sheet squeezed with the clothes for the dry cleaner. She had guessed the source immediately- Helens maid. They had sent away three maids earlier, due to her husbands promiscuity. She didnt care, they were just maids. Years later, she had been burdened with the thought of her husband being the father of Adebimpes twins. Luckily, dna had lifted that burden. There was no way she could ever tell her sister shes aware her husband de flowered her. Its bad enough that theyve both slept with one man. Some things are best left unsaid. She muttered, loud enough for madam ty to hear. What? Madam ty asked. Nothing, just a thought. ************************ Watchout for the final episode
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 10:17:01 +0000
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