Chapter 16 A DIFFICULT SITUATION

EVE

It takes me three days to remember I didn't send the text message as planned to Batman. . .

Another one week for me to realise that I'm not going to hear from him again. . .

And two weeks to forget about him totally.

Whatever!

I've become too busy anyway, I'm swamped with work, courtesy of Mr. Faseun.

He told all his friends about my project management training skills and so one after the other, dates were set and I began training their staff in their respective companies.

I got comfortable with my daily routine ...

... from trainings, I'd go straight home and fall into bed.

And I watched as my bank balance grew.

Things with Ebere and I were still not good. I refused to talk to her and she refused to come clean, so I stopped picking her calls all together.

From here on out, I'm making up my own rules.

It's been raining elephants and tigers and because of this, the roads are jammed pack with cars going bumper to bumper - the traffic is crazy.

I've been in the same damn place for the past 45 minutes but it doesn't look like things are letting up.

I doze on and off behind the wheel, jerking awake when I hear persistent horns from the car behind me. I mean, the driver's practically drowning my ears with his horn.

"Yeah yeah! Keep a lid on it." I mutter angrily to myself.

It takes 30 minutes for the traffic to slowly ease up and another 30 minutes for me to finally navigate my way home.

I pull into the driveway to see the light still on in the sitting room. Mum's obviously still waiting up for me.

I get my stuff from the back seat and slip on my heels once more - my feet scream out in protest.

I've been standing in them for the better part of the day because I forgot to take flats and I'm tired - I just want to peel out of my clothes and drop unto my bed.

Unfortunately the universe is playing a cruel game on me because my phone begins to ring.

I debate on ignoring it but then I remember that I have a responsibility to the people that hired me. One of them could be the one calling to find out how the training went.

I grudgingly pick the call on the fourth ring.

"Hey... is this Eve?"

The voice isn't remotely familiar. I'm already yawning, trying to keep myself awake.

"Uh... yeah, who's speaking?"

"Hiii! This is Fiku, I got married about a month ago. I hope you remember me."

I'm immediately alert, because how can I not remember that day - the day Batman broke Dee's nose.

Mum opens the door for me and gives me a peck on the cheeks.

She's trying to tell me something but I signal to her that I'm on the phone.

I walk slowly up the stairs, removing my heels one at a time with my free hand.

"So I'm having a little get together tommorow evening, say from 7pm and I'd love for you to come. Please don't say no. When I was going round thanking guests after my wedding reception, I didn't see you. I would really love to see you there tommorow. Preety please!"

Mum squeezes past me and begins signalling to me, trying to get my attention but I'm too busy concentrating on the call to understand what she's saying. She gets to the front of my room and stands there, blocking me from entering.

I frown, wondering why she's behaving childishly.

She knows I'm tired, whatever she has to tell me can always wait till the morning.

"Hello..."

I realise I've drifted off and forgotten Fiku is still on the phone.

"Oh okay, Thanks for honouring me with a call. I'd be delighted to attend your get together."

Only if I feel up to it.

"Oh goodie! I'll send you the address then."

We say our goodbyes and I hang up the phone.

Mum is still hanging in front of my room, blocking me from entering.

"Mum, I can't do this right now. Whatever you want to tell me, let it wait till tommorow please."

"But.."

She's about to protest, but I cut her off by giving her a peck on the cheeks and a tired smile."

I open my bedroom door and step inside - It's pitch black.

I throw my shoes on the floor and remove my jacket. As I put down my bags on my work table, a loud yawn escapes my lips.

I walk like a tired zombie to the bathroom. When I'm done easing my bladder, I find my way back into the room and put on the lights.

I shield my eyes with my hands as the room floods with bright light. I squash another incoming yawn and freeze when I see a man sitting on my bed ... smiling at me.

Fear grips my heart and shock takes precedence over my limbs.

My throat clogs up and I stand rooted to the spot.

There's something familiar about him, but I can't quite place it.

When he stands up and begins to walk towards me, the bonds of shock loosens my tongue and I open my mouth to scream but nothing comes out.

The man has a look of shock on his face and I shrink backwards in fear, but my legs hit the table and I realise with a sinking feeling, there's nowhere to run.

He moves close to me and tries touching my hand but I recoil in shock. He's saying something but I can't hear what it is over the rush of blood pumping into my head.

Mum suddenly bursts into the room looking scared and frantic.

She gets a hold of me and shakes me frantically, so much that my teeth begin to rattle. That's when I hear someone screaming - a hair - raising, blood - curdling scream.

"Eve, calm down please. You'll wake up the whole neighborhood. Look at me, it's your cousin, not a thief."

That's when I realise I'm the one screaming. I clamp my mouth shut and look to the man standing not far from us.

He looks scared, shaken ... and harmless.

"Don't you remember your cousin?" Mum asks again, prodding me.

Huh?!

I look at the man she calls my cousin and I see the familiar - looking face again.

Memories spill into my mind, unheeded.

... of us hiding from our parents and playing pranks and him pilfering meat from my plate.

"Tomide!" I echo disbelievingly.

He crushes me into a warm hug then.

"That's what I was trying to tell you earlier, but you brushed me aside." Mum says, with a frown on her face.

"Sorry mum, I was really tired, still am."

"I'll leave you two alone then," she says taking the hint and walking out of the room, leaving the door wide open.

"He's my cousin, ma. I promise he won't jump me." I shout after her.

"Well... you didn't think so some few seconds ago." She throws over her shoulder.

I shake my head in consternation as I look back at Tomide. There's a smile playing on the edges of his lips.

"You scared me some seconds ago. I can't blame you though, it's been ages since we last saw each other."

Yeah! Thirteen years ago to be exact.

And I remember, I remember with a heavy heart, the death of his father.

Tears gather in my eyes.

"I'm so so sorry! I heard about the death of uncle, I couldn't be there because of work. But please accept my condolences."

He smiles again before pushing off from the edge of the table.

"Come here dear. It's fine." He hugs me, muffling into my blouse. "He's gone to rest, I'm glad he's not suffering anymore."

We stare at each other, relieving memories of a time when we were young and free.

We used to live together as children because his parents were diplomats and always travelled round the world, so instead of dragging their two kids with them everywhere they were posted to, they stayed with us instead - Tomide and his sister, Olaitan.

I naturally gravitated towards Tomide because we were the same age and had the same likes, ranging from playing street fighter video games to tearing the whole house up, shooting imaginary bandits.

I was a tom - boy and I loved it.

Olaitan was more of an introvert, always sitting in a corner lost in her own world, her nose stuck in a book.

My siblings would scream at us to settle down but it fell on deaf ears, always!

His dad eventually retired and they both moved out years ago while we were still in secondary school and the era of our friendship ended.

We never kept in touch.

Looking at him now brings back a lot of memories. He's also grown up quite handsomely too.

He's rocking the bald look quite well, his jaw and chin are totally covered with a full, well - groomed beard.

The shirt he's wearing fits him like a second skin showing off his lean, but fit girth, while his blue jeans sit snugly on his waist.

The whole ensemble makes for a handsome look.

"I see you've joined the beard gang, coz."

All my tiredness has suddenly vanished and I'm feeling excited. I'm really happy he's here because we can play catch up.

"Well dear cousin, I'm back in town to settle my dad's finances with the lawyer and also put his Lagos house on sale." He sighs and his shoulders droop defeatingly. "I Just need to generally put things in order." He finishes.

I put one hand on his shoulder.

"Everything will be fine, I'm here to help with whatever you need."

We smile at each other, until I hear a beep - it's coming from my phone.

I frown as I pick it up from the table. It's a text from Fiku, she's sent the address for her get - together tommorow.

It occurs to me that I never got to ask her how she got my number. I'm positive Ebere gave her.

"Something wrong, coz? You're frowning."

"Uh! No, it's just, someone invited me for a little get together tommorow. I'm not sure I'll go though."

"Nonsense! He begins, vehemently. "You will go. Aunt told me you hardly have time for yourself, to unwind. You're always working, piling up that money but never letting loose. What's the point of it all if you're not going to use it?"

He's suddenly angry and I know there's an underlying issue, probably with his late dad. I don't ask any question because I know he's hurting. He'll tell me when he's ready so I won't disturb him yet, because I know he needs to come to me on his own terms.

He tells me he's tired and we'll talk in the morning. We hug and say our good bye's at my bedroom door.

I watch as he walks to the guest bedroom downstairs with stooped shoulders.

I honestly don't have it in me to take a shower, so I peel off my clothes and lie down on my bed.

Bliss!

It takes less than one minute to fall into sleep.

You'd think that with me being tired after the hectic day I had I won't have any dreams, but no such luck.

My dream is fraught with winged creatures characterized with human faces.

They flap their large wings, all the while showing sharp fanged teeth that look like they can tear into flesh easily.

One comes close to me and speaks in a surprisingly feminine human voice.

"Can't you see ... he'll never be yours. He's just using you. He's all mine."

And it opens it's mouth and roars loudly, flapping it's wings wildly as it rushes towards me.

As it gets close, ready to tear me to pieces, I wake up drenched in sweat.

I try to recollect the details of the dream but just like forgotten memories, they slip from my mind, leaving me with a feeling of dread.

When I check the time, I see it's a little over 5 in the morning. I toss and turn trying to get back to sleep but no such luck.

So I get up and take a soak in my satiny lavender bubble bath. I finally doze off while inside and when I wake up, the water is lukewarm and the time is already past 6 and I'm feeling languid.

I need a pick me up, preferably coffee, so I change into shorts and a t - shirt and pad softly to the kitchen.

When I get downstairs, the kitchen lights are on. Mum is probably making an early breakfast. She loves to cook and I love to taste all of her food, especially...

I step into the kitchen to see Tomide pensively staring into a cup of hot steaming brew, his hand is clasped round it and tufts of steam escape from it.

If I had a penny for every time I see someone staring into a cuppa, I'd probably be stinkingly rich by now.

"A penny for your thoughts coz? Staring into the abyss perhaps, or do you see your future brightly splayed inside there?"

He looks up at me and I'm struck at the tiredness on his face, like he hasn't gotten any sleep at all. He grins and pats the stool beside him.

When I'm seated, he pours me a cup of whatever he's drinking.

"I hope this is coffee?" I say, sniffing it.

"You were always so mouthy. Glad to see that hasn't changed. Take a sip, let me know what you think."

I taste it tentatively and it instantly floods my senses, opening them up so brightly.

I'm able to see with so much more clarity now...

... until I taste sugar and milk...

... a shit ton.

"This isn't straight coffee. What is it?" I ask curiously.

"You do not like it?" He asks quizzically.

"It's different from my normal black coffee, obviously."

"It's a latte."

My mind instantly rides down memory lane to the day Batman kissed me up against the wall.

It started with a latte.

Now because I had fooled myself that I'd forgotten about him, it comes as a shock when my treacherous body begins to warm up instantly and my stomach does a flip flop.

I get up with the mug in hand and throw the contents down the drain.

"You didn't like it?" His tone is flat, accusatory.

I have to get myself under control and lie so I don't start confessing my sins this early in the morning.

"Sorry coz, too much sugar and milk, not good for my system."

He stays silent and continues staring into his cup.

"Is there something you want to share, you know, get the load of your chest?" I tap his chest - it's rock hard. Someone's been keeping fit.

He sighs but doesn't look up.

"You might as well know I'm quite persistent when I want to be." I finish, lifting an eye brow.

Why does that sound so familiar?

Fucking Batman, that's who! He's got me reminiscing. I thought I was over him...

"I know you're persistent all right," he says, oblivious to my internal emotions. "Can you please come with me to see the lawyer this morning? I need to listen to the reading of his will and as you know, Olaitan is abroad with her husband and heavily pregnant."

I nod, understanding it all now.

"Of course dear coz, I'll follow you, it would be my pleasure to. What time are we looking at?"

"In the next two hours."

"Well, good thing I've already had a bath." I smile at him.

"Same here coz." He gets up and rinses out our mugs under the sink.

Before he walks out of the kitchen, he throws a parting shot at me. "Who's been looking after you lil sis?" He turns round and squints at me. "cos you're looking real good - all grown up and shit."

"And shit?" I squeak, mouth open.

His laughter lingers in the air as he leaves me alone with my thoughts.

Next one hour we're speeding down the bridge to Victoria island. Tomide keeps clenching and unclenching his fists and gritting his teeth.

I try, I really do try to ignore him but it's next to impossible. I mean, the sea is all around us and I'm hoping he doesn't loose control and skid us off to a watery grave.

Luckily he keeps a tight check on his emotions and we get to the lawyer's office unscathed.

For the fact that he's been acting all tight lipped and strung up, I begin to get antsy as we wait for the lawyer to arrive.

Barely 5 mins of waiting in the reception when a big barreled man walks in, introducing himself as the lawyer and ushering us into his office.

After the usual pleasantries, Tomide gives him the go - ahead to read the will and...

"What I'm about to read might come as a surprise because your father made me promise not to reveal anything until after his death."

I glance at Tomide and he's started doing that thing with his hands again - clenching and unclenching them like he wants to punch someone.

Not the lawyer, I hope.

"Just ... go ahead Barrister." He's suddenly gone pale, like he's expecting some bad news.

The lawyer nods and begins to read.

I, Sola Olaitan being of sound mind, memory and understanding and after consideration for all persons, the object of my bounty and with full knowledge and nature of my assets, do hereby make and publish this as my last wi..

"Cut to the chase Barrister." I snap, surprising myself.

Tomide looks at me gratefully and I nod in response.

I know he can't take much more.

The lawyer looks up at me, nods and opens a can of worms.

First: I declare that I'm married with four kids, namely; Deji, Sola, Ronke and Bolu.

Wait! That can't be right..

I feel a slight vibration of the table and I look to my left, just in time to see the pen in Tomide's hand snap and splinter into pieces.

Some shards get stuck in his fingers but he's oblivious to it.

I would be too if I'd just heard my name not included as one of my father's offsprings.

"Are you alrig ---"

"Go on Barrister." He cuts me off.

Beads of sweat pop up on the lawyer's forehead. He nods yet again and continues reading.

I hereby bequeath all my assets, both known and unknown, tangible and intangible, to the tune of N150 million naira, three houses and all my shares in Echo petroleum refinery, to my lovely wedded wife - Abike Olaitan and all the children I had with her.

I suddenly wish I was a fly... a minute insect, unnoticed... so I could buzz my wings and fly away.

Perhaps, it would have been better for me not to have been present, perhaps it would have been more fitting if I'd gotten up and left Tomide to some privacy, or perhaps it would have even been better, if I didn't know that his parents never did get married before the death of his father, then perhaps I wouldn't have had to seat down and wish I could completely disappear right now.

Silence so profound, you could hear a pin drop, reigns.

For wont of something to say, I stand up and screech...

"We shall contest this in court."

None of them act like they even hear me, so I slink back into my seat like a bedraggled cat and stare balefully at the ground.

No one speaks, no one moves, nothing happens...

Until I hear a keening..

It sounds like it's coming from outside, like the sad whistle of a distant train. It begins to grow louder, building up in volume.

It's not until I see Tomide clutching unto the edge of the table, do I realise the sound is coming from him.

The lawyer and I both rush to him but he stays us with a hand lifted up, so we both stand awkwardly - me beside him, a hand poised, ready to hold him and the lawyer standing beside the table, at a loss for what to do.

We wait, watching for any sign of weakness from him so we can roll into action.

What kind of action... I frankly don't know.

But he nods at us and somehow gets himself under control with great effort.

The lawyer sits down once more, clears his throat and continues speaking.

In the event that my wife and children die, then my property and money can be passed on to Tomide and Olaitan.

Anger erupts from every pore of my being.

How dare he? He couldn't even accord them the respect of calling them his children. What a looser!

I take back what I said earlier - may he rest in pieces!!!

Tomide begins breathing heavily.

I stare worryingly at him.

"He wanted you to have this."

The lawyer with shaky hands, brings out a picture and gives it to me, but I know it's actually meant for Tomide.

I glance at the picture, taking in the perfect family pose of my late uncle and the woman I believe is Abike and their four children.

But they aren't children anymore - they're all big and grown up.

I'm about to pocket it when Tomide snatches it from me.

His eyes get larger than life as he takes it in. He begins gasping fully now, holding unto his chest for air.

I'm talking about full - on hyperventilation.

Once again, the lawyer and I spring up and rush to his side.

"What's wrong... are you alright?" I'm full on scared now and shaking like a leaf.

He clutches his chest and points to the picture.

"What's wrong, dear?" I'm scared he might be having a heart attack.

It can't be easy seeing your father's other family in bold, technicolor, staring at you with happy smiling faces.

... definitely not a walk in the park.

He opens his mouth wordlessly, trying to find words, but they elude him.

I look at the lawyer and the lawyer looks at me.

Fear is prevalent in his eyes... he's scared shitless and I.. I'm quaking in my shoes, wondering what the hell I walked into.

I regret coming here today..

I don't realise I'm crying until I feel hot salty tears drop unto my cheeks. I wipe them away and watch a trail of mascara get smeared all over my hand.

"M... my ... girlfriend." Tomide stutters.

What's his girlfriend got to do with this now? I wonder.

Focus Tom, focus!

I think I should take him to a hospital.

He clutches his chest with his left hand, jabs at the picture with his right one and stutters once more.

"She's ... my ... girlfriend."

I turn to look at the picture as my eyes narrow in on a beautiful girl staring wide - eyed at the camera.

I look back at Tomide who keeps jabbing at the picture and stuttering...

"... my ... girlfriend... she's ... my ... girlfriend."

It's my turn to clutch my chest..

Forget that... the lawyer and I both clutch our chests.

This is an absolute mess!!!