Chapter 31 Part Three

PART THREE

The Beginning of the End.

In which she stops acting and closes the curtains.

Chapter Twenty Eight.

'Surprises, some love them, some hate them. Sometimes you see it coming, sometimes you don't. What do you think, just how big will this surprise be?'

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Mayfair Estate,

Lagos,

Nigeria.

"Have you spoken to your grandson lately?" Atalia asked the Dame curiously after their traditional family dinner.

They were all in the gazebo enjoying the natural fresh air that Mother Nature offered, excluding Denola's father who had gone with his friends to Bali for their annual reunion and friendship anniversary-vacation.

The Dame rolled her eyes, knowing where this discussion was going to end up. "What is it Atalia?" Dame asked exasperated.

There was no need to ask, she knew what Atalia's problem was.

Her son had defied her and gone to South Africa with his wife to have her first grandchild.

Now her first grand daughter had been born in a foreign land and she had not set her eyes on the little girl.

This was Atalia's problem, Dame could understand her annoyance and frustration but the deed was already done.

Why was Atalia still dwelling on the issue of spilled milk?

"I'm simply concerned about my son and his family. They should be here with us and not in another man's land" Atalia said.

"Denola is a grown man who can make his own decisions" The Dame said, she'd always told Atalia this, repeatedly, when was the woman going to get it?

Atalia twisted her lips dissatisfied with the Dame's reply. "You mean Amanda's decisions, we both know whose idea it was to have a baby in South Africa. Amanda, always manipulating my son and taking advantage of him" Atalia said bitterly.

Dame shook her head "There's no such thing, when two people are in love and married, they do everything to make each other happy. Denola was trying to make his wife happy, if Denola had wanted a vacation too, I bet his wife would drop everything she was doing to be with him" The Dame explained.

It was Atalia's turn to roll her eyes "Except, she's not doing anything is she?" Atalia said causing Jadesola to smile.

Her mother's dislike for Amanda never wavered, it only heightened.

Dame frowned now "Enough Atalia, why all these bitterness?" She asked.

"I'm just wondering why Amanda wanted to go so far away to have a baby, it's quite suspicious. And to think our granddaughter's first name is an Islamic name! An Islamic name,  in a Christian family where the mother is an Igbo woman and the father a Yoruba. I do wonder what brought about an Islamic name into the equation. Are you going to ignore the oddity of it?" Atalia asked.

The Dame shrugged not willing to play Atalia's game. "Women travel abroad to have babies all the time, one of the perks is dual citizenship for the infant. I think Kamila is a lovely name, Amanda and Denola wanted that for their daughter. Besides she also has a Yoruba name and an English name too. What then is the problem? If you know something and you want to say it then out with it, if not, hold your peace" Dame replied.

"And it doesn't matter to you that it's been weeks and we've only seen a picture of our child or the fact that Eniola has not had a naming ceremony?" Atalia pressed.

"Well you know her name don't you? Denola said he and his family will return when Kamila is a little older and fit to travel" The Dame said.

Atalia was about to say something else when the Dame cut her off. "Enough Atalia, you'll give me a headache. I do wonder how my son puts up with your nagging, it's no wonder he goes on trips so often" The Dame said.

Atalia huffed "Alright then, the least I can do while I wait is to plan a befitting welcome party for my first grandchild" She said

The Dame shrugged "Nothing too extravagant Atalia, you know Denola and especially Amanda are not into your usual flamboyant parties" The Dame warned.

"She's a Mayfair now, she'll get used to it. Eniola's dedication will be much more extravagant. I will plan it myself" Atalia said.

"Cut the girl some slack first, just a small welcome party. I won't condone anything more" Dame said with a note of finality.

"Alright Dame, Jadesola dear you heard your grandmother, don't forget to send out the invites" Atalia said.

"Of course mother, only a few family and friends right? Consider it done" Jadesola winked.

Atalia grinned "Thanks darling, you're such a doll" Atalia said picking up her glass of yoghurt.

Victory was coming soon.

*

*

*

Kadin's Residence,

Abuja,

Nigeria.

"Kadin,  Aliu, Alhaji, Alhaja, why have I been summoned?" Rasaq acknowledged everyone in the room with a mock bow.

Kadin walked up to him and scowled at him. "Wipe that sarcastic smile off your face and quit the attitude or I'll dent your silly face" Kadin threatened.

Rasaq glared at him. "Why the hell am I here, I've stayed away and I certainly haven't caused any trouble. Look if my parents told you anything, they lied. You know what we are, bunch of liars and gold diggers" he spat with his voice laced with sarcasm.

His mother gasped in her corner of the room. "Rasaq be quiet and listen to Kadin" His mother said outraged.

Rasaq sneered "That's what he calls all of us right? Look I don't have time, I'm busy, if you don't have anything to say, then I'll be on my way" Rasaq said.

Aliu sucked in an impatient breath and walked over to the duo. He placed a hand on Kadin's shoulder.

"Let me handle this" he murmured and Kadin consented with a nod of approval before moving away from his infuriating brother in law.

Aliu levelled a cold stare at Rasaq to let him know that he wasn't going to put up with his bullshit before he began.

"Where's your sister?" Aliu asked.

Rasaq chuckled "Which one, the dead or runaway one?" he asked.

Alhaja gasped again but this time she didn't say anything.

Kadin let out a bitter chuckle where he was before coming forward. "You know damn well the sister I'm talking about you bastard. You convinced Hassana to run away, I bet you know where she is" Kadin exploded and knocked Rasaq to the floor with a punch.

Rasaq chuckled again inciting Kadin's rage. "Fuck you Kadin, you won't ever find Hassana. She's gone" Rasaq said grinning.

Aliu shook his head "Hassana has been living in Lagos, in a few weeks we'll know where she is. As for you, you'll be going with your parents to Lagos, Hassana trusts you....well we'll take advantage of that. Until then, you'll remain in this house" Aliu said.

Rasaq glared at Aliu, so they had found out that his sister was in Lagos. He wondered how they'd found out, he didn't know much about his sister these days. She'd cut him off a long time ago, not that it was any of their business.

"Go to hell" Rasaq spat.

Aliu squatted to be at eye level with Rasaq who was still on the floor. "The only person who will be going to hell is you Rasaq, that's if you refuse to cooperate" Aliu said before getting up.

They all knew threats weren't taken lightly in their world. Aliu might be the one man who could calm Kadin but everyone knew that Aliu was like snake's venom.

Very poisonous, it seeps into your system and kills you slowly.

Rasaq hissed and looked away, he had no choice. His fate was sealed but that didn't mean he was going to follow their lead meekly.

No,  he was going to be a pain in the ass, especially to Kadin. For the next few weeks, he was going to be a total pain in Kadin's ass.

So he grinned, "How is my niece doing these days, when do I get to see her? We have to have some uncle and niece bonding time, maybe we could runaway together again like old times" he said.

Kadin cursed long and loud before walking out of the room.

He'd managed to put up with Rasaq when Hassana was around but with her gone, he was on the edge of killing the sonofabitch.

Aliu straightened his collar "If you like your life, you'll do well to stay out of his way and especially away from his daughter" Aliu said before leaving the room.

Rasaq smiled maniacally and turned to his parents. "You two disgust me, I wonder when you'll stop running to these bastards every time as if they were the gods that created you. Even at the expense of your daughter Alhaji, Alhaja....you remain loyal subjects to the devil" He spat and got up.

"I disown you!" His father glared at him. "You're no longer my child, I disown you, you, you, ungrateful fool" Alhaji shouted.

Rasaq chuckled "I'm not yours to disown, I stopped being your son years ago. The minute you sold my sister out...you two are not my parents" Rasaq said coldly and walked out of the room.

Alhaji glared at his retreating form, what did those children know anyway? He'd tried to give them a better life but they were all ungrateful.

Especially that Hassana, why the hell had she run away?