Chapter 40 HEART SQUEEZE

SEGUN

I decide standing at the window isn't doing me much justice.

Needing to be closer, I walk outside and gaze up in awe at it.

At first it's slow on the uptake as it creeps across the sky, but when it finally makes it's debut, it bursts loose across the horizon, putting everything else to shame in it's brightness.

Yet the sun isn't selfish, far from it. It decides to share it's glory by bathing everything in a warm golden glow. Suddenly everything seems bright --- too bright, if you ask me.

I feel like a blind man just receiving his sight for the first time.

I'm not one to sit and watch the sun, nor the quality of colours it emits, but damn --- staring at it now is turning me into a poet.

The sun stands like a framed portrait hanging high in the sky.

It bleeds reds and oranges into the atmosphere, paling everything into significance beside it. It's piercing in it's brightness, yet harsh in it's stark rawness.

As it rises, I watch, captivated.

Never knew dawn was so beautiful to experience. I can't look away even if I wanted to.

All my life I've rushed, never appreciating the things of nature. Now I've decided to see it in it's raw beauty and it literally takes my breath away.

Sappy shit?

True.

But let me.

When I've had my fill, I turn away and move to my car, the key already jiggling in my hand.

Without a moment's hesitation, I start it and get a move on to my destination.

While driving, I glance at the gift bag sitting on the passenger seat.

My hand comes to rest on it, to make sure it's real and that there's no going back now. Still resting my hand on it, I navigate my way with the other hand on the steering.

I can't wait to see her.

I can't wait to give it to her.

I can't wait to see the smile light up her face.

At least I hope she will smile for me.

She's been through so much. I'd like to make up for lost time.

If she'll have me.

I hope she'll have me.

Under twenty minutes and I'm already in her area. I believe it's because today is a Saturday and the roads are free from the usual hustle and bustle of workers.

My heart begins to pick up as I drive into her street. First thing I see idling in front of her gate, is a familiar - looking Lamborghini.

It's too familiar to be ignored. I keep staring at it, trying to remember where I saw it, but nothing memorable strikes me. Instead, a foreboding feeling rears it's ugly head as I park across her house.

I will it away, but it's here to stay, pressing tightly against my chest and my head, resulting in the beginnings of a headache.

Not today, please!

Today is for make-ups.

Today is for sweet words of declarations.

Today is the day I declare my love to Eve.

I've put it off for too long.

No one is going to stop me.

Not even the big, bad wolf, whoever he may be.

But I become attacked with nerves, and my hands begin to shake. I put off the car and lean back and wait, deciding that caution is the best way to go.

It is early after all --- 7.30am early.

I could give her thirty minutes more and then I'll walk up to her door step, press the bell and . . .

Luckily, I don't have long to wait.

Eve comes out, looking half - asleep, wearing nothing but a house coat, a silk one that moulds her curves. I begin to salivate just staring at her.

Why the heck is she coming out dressed like this?

A familiar bulge begins to take shape southwards. Just when I'm about to come down from the car, she turns to smile at a man that comes out through the gate.

My hand freezes in mid - air as I take in the face of the man.

Mr. Faseun???

Here?

Why!!!!??

My chest tightens in pain.

As for my heart, nothing can stop it's frantic beating. I hope it doesn't pop out any moment from now from all the strain.

And then something unexpected happens.

I watch in horror as Faseun draws Eve to him and plants a sultry kiss, right on her lips.

What the fuck!!!!!!!!!!!

For some seconds, everything goes white. I'm not able to see anything. There's a loud ringing in my ears. I fear I might be loosing my sight, worse still, my sanity. I can't see nor hear shit at all.

I shut my eyes tightly and grab a hold of my throbbing head with my hands.

I don't know how long I'm in this position, neither do I know how long the feelings last, but when I finally get back my sight, Eve and Mr. Faseun are nowhere to be seen.

The sun is blazing in the sky now, but for me, it's gone down on the horizon --- so has my hope. My head has begun to pound mercilessly now, resembling the beginnings of a migraine.

Where the fuck did it come from?

Haven't had one in ages, not since I came to Nigeria, and definitely not even when I have hang over's.

But . . . what the fuck just happened?

Eve and Faseun, together?

Hugging, kissing. . . and probably doing other things too.

No no no no no no no!!!!

I keep repeating those two words like a mantra, over and over again, yet it doesn't erase, nor undo what my eyes saw.

I don't even bother checking the time, I pick up my phone and dial Dipo's number. He picks up on the second ring.

"The king! What's up?"

He only calls me The king when he's in a good mood. A part of my mind wonders what's cooking with him. I can't be bothered about that right now though. I need to talk to him. I need him to tell me what to do in this situation.

I just need help. Pronto!

There's no shame in saying it.

Seeing the two of them together ---- the woman I love and my ex - fucking boss, is just too much of a burden to carry alone.

The headache is coming on stronger now.

"You home?" My voice sounds strange to me.

"Yeah I'm home, you alright?" He sounds worried. He should, because my head is about to explode.

"I'm not okay, man. I'm coming over now. We need to talk. I need your advice on something. It's urgent."

Not even a pause before he replies. "I've got you. Come on over, I'll be here waiting."

And that's why we're best friends till date.

As I drive, Chioma's words echo in my head, bouncing around until it reaches a crescendo that rivals an orchestra. Once I park the car beside Dipo's car, I kill the engine and stumble inside his house, one hand against my hammering head.

In the sitting room, no one is in sight, then I hear excited shouts and I follow the noise. It leads me to the backyard.

There, an unfamiliar scene assails my already - inflamed senses.

Children of varying ages between seven and nine gather, kicking around a football in the grassy knoll. They laugh and squeal in delight.

Somehow the sight saddens me, reminding me of the child I never knew about --- the child I lost.

I close my eyes, shake my head and groan as the pain intensifies.

When next I open them, I see Ebere tucked into a corner to the left, hunched over a grill, a spatula in her hand. Looks like they're having a cook out.

What in the hell is going on here?

The ambience is gay, as upbeat music spills from hidden speakers. This adds to the pain in my head. Try as much as I crane my neck looking everywhere, I can't see Dipo in sight.

From the corner of my eyes, I see Stacy breaking away from her peers and running towards me.

I stiffen involuntarily.

Relax, man. She's only a child.

I force my stiff muscles to loosen up, as I paste on a tight smile.

"Good afternoon, sir!" She's all smiles as she curtsies. Before I can give a reply, she runs off as fast as her little legs can carry her.

I watch, squinting against the glare of the sun, as she runs into the waiting arms of Ebere. She bends down to Stacy's height and holds a hand to her stomach and I watch, as Stacy kisses her stomach.

Strange!

She whispers something into Stacy's ear and she runs back to join her friends.

When next Ebere lifts her head, she see's me and waves me over.

Each step I take sends pain ricochetting into my already - hammering head.

I get close to her, but even her bright smile makes my head ache.

"Hey there! Fancy seeing you here so early. Dipo just stepped out to get some drinks for the kids. We're having a little football competition with some of the neighbour's children. Hope you can stay to participate. Their parents will be around later, say in about --- "

Her next ranting gets cut off by sudden static in my ears. I've begun to see stars in my periphery.

The more I try to get control of my senses, the more faint I become.

Everything suddenly goes blank as the ground rushes up to meet me.

*

"He's coming around."

The words sound muffled, like I'm under water.

Something cold clamps onto my chest. A few seconds later, it's gone.

"He'll be fine, as long as he gets some food in his system and lots of rest."

An unfamiliar voice I've never heard speaks. But who is he talking about?

I force my eyes open, and reel back when I see Dipo and Ebere's scared faces peering at me. Turning my neck to the side, I see a man hanging a stethoscope around his neck.

Dipo pushes me back down. "Lay back down, man. Just relax, for now. You fucking scared us all. Lucky for you, we have a doctor that lives right next to us. He was kind enough to come when we called him." Turning to the man in question, he thanks him and they exchange a few words before I hear the man's receding steps as he walks away.

What the fuck? Dipo doesn't swear. He never swears. Shit must really have scared him.

Wait! What just happened? Why am I lying down on a couch?

"You fainted, man. If I didn't know better, I'd have said you were pregnant." Dipo chuckles lightly, tapping me on the chest.

I squint as I struggle into a sitting position. My head is pounding.

He tries to push me back down but I swat his hands away, mumbling I'm fine.

"At least eat this so you can take some headache pills. When was the last time you had something to eat?"

I try to think, to force my mind back to the events of yesterday, but I come up blank.

"Exactly! Doc says you fainted because of strain. But after eating and getting some rest, you should be fine." He pats me on the back and walks off.

Ebere places a plate of fried chips and roasted chicken ribs in front of me. A plume of steam rises from it and wafts into my nostrils, making my mouth water instantly.

Needing no further nudge, I dig into it, savouring the sweet, peppery taste that hits my buds.

While I eat, the events of yesterday come filtering into my mind at an alarming rate.

In the process of running around trying to get a lawyer to bail Chioma, I hadn't eaten a thing.

When I finally got my hands on one, we were told she couldn't be bailed, because her crime wasn't bailable.

Since when?

As far as I know, until it's been proven in a court of law, even if you murder someone, you will most definitely get bail.

But then the police system in this country is horrible.

When I made this known to Chioma, she'd smiled and told me a chilling story of how she wasn't the one who caused Eve's accident.

At first I didn't believe --- couldn't believe her, actually. But all the evidence pointed to the truth of what she said.

I swing my mind to the present when I begin sweating profusely. All the food has been eaten, and I don't even have any recollection of what it tasted like, except that it' was spicy as fuck. Looking around for some water, I'm about to get up when Ebere places a tall glass of juice on the table in front of me.

Three large gulps later, and all of it vanishes inside my belly and I'm feeling satisfied. So satisfied, that I belch noisily.

"Excuse me!" I say to no one in particular.

"You're excused." Ebere says from behind me.

I smile sheepishly as she comes into view.

"Here! Take these."

I glance at the tablets in her hand. "What are these for?"

"I'm guessing you have a headache?" She raises inquiring brows at me.

"Yeah, but --- "

"She thrusts it into my hand, hands over a glass of water to me, and waits with folded arms for me to put it in my mouth.

"You're not my mother. Stop acting as such. I'm only taking it because I've got a slight headache."

"Uh huh!"

Dipo comes back into the sitting room and plops into the seat across me. "Feeling better now?"

"Marginally!" I nod, until the events of this morning come crashing back into my mind, along with the head ache that had been receding.

I groan into my hands and Ebere is instantly at my side.

"Alright, you just lay back. Dipo honey, please go supervise the kids. They're all alone and their parents entrusted them into our care. We don't want any of them having an accident."

"But, I want to talk to Segun. He came because he has something important to talk to me about." He protests, like a little kid.

"Please honey, you can come see him later. He needs to rest anyway, so let him be for awhile."

Dipo nods and sighs as he gets up and walks off in the direction of the backyard where excited shouts can still be heard.

When he leaves, Ebere plops down into Dipo's recently - vacated seat. "Tell me. How did it go with Eve?"

"Bad! Very bad!" I quip, holding my head in my hands. "I saw Eve . . . " I can't bring myself to say what I saw her doing. "With Faseun."

Silence is the only reply to my statement.

When I look up at her, she's inspecting something on the floor, avoiding my eyes.

Something is fishy here, so I struggle to sit up and enquire with a voice as hard as rock. "Say it! Don't hide anything. Don't hold back anything now. I can take it. I'm a big boy. Lay it on me thick."

She ignores me and instead, gets up and begins to pace.

"Ebere talk now, otherwise I'll leave here to go see Eve and demand she tell me herself, even if I have to break down her gate in the process."

What crappy shit has she landed herself into with Faseun now?

She stops pacing and turns to face me. Still not meeting my eyes, she sighs heavily, lowers herself into the seat and begins to shake her leg wildly.

Surely it can't be that bad.

Surely?

Just as I'm about to once more demand she tell me, she blurts out words that would forever remain etched in my memory.

"Eve is getting married to Mr. Faseun."

As what?

I swear, but those are the first words that come spilling into my brain.

"What do you mean they're getting married? Please stop pulling my legs. You don't go about mouthing off, just 'cause you --- "

"This isn't a joke, Segun. Eve is getting married to Mr. Faseun, your ex - boss."

The words bounce around the room, refusing to sink in. I'm honestly not able to wrap my head around her words.

"I don't understand. How ---"

She stands up and walks over to me. Snapping her fingers in my face, she spits out. "Snap out of this stupor you're in, Segun. Eve is getting married and unless you come up with something bright to stop the wedding, you'll loose her forever."

I stare dumbly at her.

Eve can't marry him. She cant!

I mean, she absolutely can't, not with what Chioma told me.

Chioma had confessed things that I never saw coming.

Eve can't marry Mr. Faseun, she just can't afford to.

With rising fear, I turn to Ebere, voicing my fears in an ominous tone. "Ebere! Eve can't marry that man. She really can't marry him."

She frowns, not understanding where I'm coming from.

"I wish I could tell you but you'll have to trust me on this. You need to help me get us together so I can talk to her." I plead.

"But you know she doesn't want to talk to you." She whines.

"Come the fuck on!" I shout, becoming agitated. "Don't you think I know that already. This is to do with her future, her life. Would you want her to forever regret marrying a man she clearly doesn't love, knowing she loves another?" She gives me a look then. "Yes, I know she loves me and damn it, as hard as it is to say it, I . . . love her too and --- "

She squeals, jumps up and comes over to hug me, arms wide open. Just as she gets close, her eyes widen, then she clears her throat, comports herself, and pastes on a giddy smile. "I knew you were in love with her. Took you long enough to admit it, you oaf." She hits me over the head with a puff.

"Ouch! Easy with that. My head still hurts."

"Oops! Sorry!" She smiles sheepishly at me.

"I never knew I'd say this to you, but, game on!"

Her eyes dance mischievously as she smiles widely at me.

"Yes!" I say with finality. "Game on!"