ENVY 39

Teju Okafor finished her call and entered the bedroom, sitting up on the king sized bed and not looking too pleased was her husband. She knew he had been waiting for her and he had every right to be pissed. It was not always that he had the opportunity to spend enough time with her at home, especially at nights. His job always kept him away. This night was one of those free nights for him, and Ese had chosen the same night to call.
She walked to the bed with an apologetic expression on her face
"Am so sorry Kalylove." she said as she dropped a kiss on his forehead and laid down on the bed using his laps to prop her head.
"How many times will I tell you that that name makes me feel less masculine, it sounds feminine." he protested smiling down at her as he rubbed his hand on her bump that was becoming more and more evident.
"And for every time you told me that, I remember telling you that you have to get used to it because I love calling you that."
"Yes madam." he said giving her a mock salute. She chuckled and her tummy rose against his hand.
"It just kicked!" He said excitedly.
"Really? I didn't feel the kick."
"Probably because you were laughing. I felt it kick against my hand."
"He is not an it Kalu, we know the sex already."
"Am sorry dear, he. What did the doctor say when you went for check up?"
"He said I am fine."
"And the baby?"
"Fine too, no threat of miscarriage anymore, we should expect him before the end of the first quarter of next year."
"Good, but you still need to be careful, don't resume any of those chores and..."
"Kalu we are fine. The last time I checked, you my darling, though a physician, aren't a gynaecologist. I met a gynaecologist and he assured me that we are both fine."
"Okay, but one can't be too careful you know?"
"Now I know why it's said that doctors make the worst patients."
"But I am not the patient here."
"You would have behaved similarly or worse if you were. I told you an expert's evaluation of the issue, yet you are second guessing."
"Okay, I give up." he said resignedly then asked her "who were you talking to on the phone for that long?"
"Ese."
"Hope she is good? And Rose?"
"They are both fine, except that her mum visited and wants her to go back to Pago."
"And?"
"She refused, stood her ground."
"From the little I know about her mum, she won't give up that easily."
"Anyways, it makes no difference, Ese is sticking to her decision. But that's even not the main issue."
"What is?"
"Siji is in Ife."
"The same Siji?"
"The very same."
"What's he doing there?"
"Ese said he is into buildings and he won some contracts with the University. The construction of the new department Ese is heading is one of them, they ran into each other and...."
"Ran into each other you say? Does she really believe that? That's not running into each other, it's obviously not a coincidence. It doesn't sound good to me."
"Of course she doesn't, not especially when the first thing he did was accuse her of betrayal and passing his child over to Pago."
"Is he really serious?" Kalu was slightly annoyed now "we all know Rose is Pago's daughter, a test was done remember? I saw it myself Teju. The probability was way above 99%. I think Pago should hear about this."
"No dear, please don't tell Pago, Ese can handle Siji on her own. She fears you will want to tell Pago so she asked me not to tell you. Please promise me you won't tell him."
When he didn't reply her on time she prodded him "please Kalu, at least not now, let's give her some time, she has her hands full now, let's not complicate things for her."
"Okay, but if things are getting out of hand...."
"I'll call Pago myself and tell him."
"Fair enough."
"Now let's about Ese and all her issues, it's been awhile I had you to myself." She said as she sat astride him and lowered her head to kiss him. He responded but when her hand started moving down his body he stopped her.
"We can't Teju."
"Why can't we? Since I took in you've not......"
"The baby, I don't want you to lose this one too, the first time wasn't funny, it affected you real bad."
"That one happened during the first trimester, I'm about ending the second trimester now, I spoke to the doctor about it and he said it's okay, no risk."
"We still need to be caref....."
"I am flesh and blood Kalu, not some wood, and I am just pregnant, not sick." he could see he was getting her upset, so he quickly said "I am sorry dear." Then he kissed her and guided her hand to its destination.

                            ★★★

He saw her in every young woman.  She had come back to haunt him after all these years. He had pushed her down his memory 30 years ago, pushed her somewhere beyond his consciousness that he hardly thought of her and when he did it was always fleeting and without any passion. Lately he had been finding it hard to push her back to where she belonged in his memory, she kept resurfacing and each time with more intensity. He had abandoned her to save his marriage more than three decades ago and his wife had gone to her grave thinking he was the perfect husband, he had succeeded in hiding everything from Doyin. His actions then had seemed right, he had tried to pay her off, had given her enough for her and the child but she had refused his offer. Then he had spent the next weeks worrying she would try to blackmail him or try to reach Doyin. But when he did not hear from her after the day she had torn his cheque and sent him out of the apartment she shared with her mum, he had gradually forgotten about her.
  As he rolled on his massive bed that night he wondered why he could no longer keep her from his thoughts. Perhaps he needed closure. He needed to know what had become of her, what had become of the child, if she had aborted it. If it survived, it should be Pago's age because Doyin was pregnant with him then. He needed to know, even if it was just to put his mind at rest. But he would have to do it discreetly, he was a quiet man and Pago had given him enough noise to last him his remaining years on ear--Sam will find Tumininu for me--- was the last thought on his mind as he finally found sleep.

About the Author

 Soji Adeola Ayanleke was born about 3 decades ago in Kano.

He studied Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, he speaks Yoruba and Hausa fluently and he is trying to learn Igbo and Spanish. His hobbies are reading, writing and playing some indoor games.

th. The press must be kept out of this. He sat up on his bed and reached for his phone that was always at an arm's reach, then called Sam. Sam was his chief security officer amongst other things. He was the only one that can run such an errand for Victor with discretion and thoroughness. Sam picked the call immediately as if he had been waiting for it.
"Sir?"
"I want you to see me first thing in the morning. I need you to run an important errand for me."
"Okay sir."
Victor cut the call and felt some measure of peace.
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