Her Baby’s Secret

Arike’s POV

I rushed out of the kitchen at the jingling sound of the bell attached to my door. I was surprised to see who was at the door.

“Shalewa.” I said.

“Good day Arike.” She greeted with her shoulder high up in the air.

“Yeah… good afternoon.” I managed to smile still wondering why she was here without Adedayo.

“Won’t you invite me in? It’s not polite to keep me waiting out here.” She said.

“Oh! I am sorry… please come in.” I stepped aside and opened the door wide for her to come in.

“Are you expecting someone?” She asked.

“Yes.”

She interrupted my statement. “Dayo is coming over?”

“No, I am not expecting Dayo.”

“So who are you expecting?’

“My big sister is coming over to spend some time with me.”

“Big sister?” She raised her eyebrows. “But Dayo told me that you are the only child of your mother.”

“Yes, he’s right.”

“So who is this big sister?”

“A friend turned sister.” I responded.

“Okay.”

“What should I get for you?”

“I didn’t come here for merriment.” She replied.

“So why are you here?” I asked.

“Did Dayo tell you anything about me?” She asked.

I raised my eyebrows in confusion. “I don’t understand.”

“Did Dayo say anything bad about me to you?” She repeated.

“I am not sure but Dayo loves you.” I said not knowing what exactly to say to her.

“I am beginning to doubt our love and relationship.” She said with a sad face.

“Why? What’s going on Shalewa?”

She stood up from the couch picking her bag along the way. “I still can’t figure out why Dayo got so mad after seeing you with that guy at dinner.” She stared into my eyes.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

When I went to dinner with Bamidele during the week, we bumped into Dayo and Shalewa at the same restaurant. With the look on Dayo’s face I knew he wasn’t happy to see me with Bamidele because he already warned me to stay away from him. Shalewa suggested that we all have dinner together but Dayo said no, grabbed his girlfriend’s hand and left with pure anger in his expression. I didn’t like his annoying attitude at dinner because this is my life. And Shalewa showing up here unexpectedly and her strange questions really baffles me.

“I find it hard to believe that you’re just friends with Dayo.”

“You need to stop making assumptions. There’s nothing going on between Dayo and I. We’re just friends, that’s all.”

“I don’t believe you.” She said with a serious face.

“What do I need to do to make you believe me?”

How do you expect me to believe you when Dayo never stops talking about how awesome is female bestie is!”

“You should deal with that with Dayo and not me.”

“How do you expect me to believe you when your eyes says entirely different things. I have watched you, I can tell you feel something for Dayo but you don’t want to admit it.”

I moved away from her. “I don’t know what you are talking about, Shalewa.”

“Stop pretending, Arike!”

This girl is really crazy! How dare she come into my house and talk nonsense to me. I am just keeping calm for Dayo’s sake.

I sighed, trying to hide the anger stirring within me. “Listen, if you are here to find out if I am in love with your man then I’ll tell you that you’ve got the wrong notion. Dayo loves you and that’s why he has made the decision to marry you.”

I felt her relaxing at my words. “Are you sure Arike?”

“Yes I am very sure. Moreover I have Bamidele so I don’t need to go after another man.”

“Well I just wanted to be sure if there’s nothing going on between the both of you.”

“You need to stop feeling insecure. Dayo is your husband and no one is going to come in between both of you.” I added calmly.

“I hope so too.” She mumbled.

I shook my head. “I should get going now.” She said.

“Okay.”

“I’m sorry for yelling at you.” She apologized.

“It’s alright.” I managed to smile.

I understand Shalewa was just trying to protect her territory.

“Take care.”

I heaved a sigh of relief after her departure.

I haven’t seen Dayo since we met at the restaurant. I sent him series of texts, explaining that Bamidele and I aren’t really a thing like he had claimed over the phone when I called him the same night. Dayo didn’t believe that there was nothing going on between Bamidele and I.

I face palmed myself for lying to Shalewa and making it seem like there was something serious between Bamidele and I. No doubt, she would tell it to Dayo except if she doesn’t want him to know that she visited me. Shalewa showing up at my doorstep just to find out if I love Dayo still sound strange to me.

Did she expect me to admit my feelings? At least she has Dayo and they would get married soon so why bother about a damn feelings?!

*****

“Hey why the long face?” Sister Busayomi asked as she settled on the couch.

“What took you so long?” I frowned. I have been really expecting her.

“Don’t blame me o, you know Lagos traffic na. Wait is that why you are frowning as if someone fart in your mouth?” She joked but I didn’t laugh.

“It took you forever to get here. Ahn ahn since 9 that you’ve called that you’re on your way, but look at the time now 3:15pm.”

“Chai! Arike! Aren’t you a Lagosian?”

“Sister Mi that duration is too long, 9am to 3:15pm. So you spent six hours on the road, are you coming from ilorin?”

“Wait o miss judge, abeg before you pass on your judgement, I hope all is well with you?”

“Don’t I look fine to you?”

“I am asking a question too na.”

“I am fine o”

“But why take things personal?”

“What? I am just surprised you spent six hours in traffic on this same highland.”

Lemme be honest, it is not traffic matter that is doing me but Shalewa’s unexpected visit plus I received a text from Dayo earlier saying that we need to have a serious talk. I already a bit nervous about meeting him, I don’t know if Shalewa told him what I said about Bamidele or maybe something different.

“Oya let me say the truth, I dropped by at a friend’s place. Today is her daughter’s birthday so I just went to say Hi to the little girl.”

“I said it! I know you can’t really spend six hours for that short journey!”

“Madam please I am starving!”

“You didn’t eat at your friend’s place?”

“No I didn’t eat o, I just drank Chivita active.”

“There’s no food.” I lied.

Her smile faded Immediately. “Play play abi you’re joking?”

“I’m serious o. I was waiting for you to come around so we can cook together.”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“Ah! Arike! What sort of nonsense waiting is that now?!” She eyed me.

“But you -” I interrupted her before she kills me with words. I know Busayomi doesn’t joke with food. But this is my own way of getting back at her for keeping me waiting.

“Arike we’ll fight o!”

“There’s food o!”

“Ehn ehn so you were teasing me abi?” She hissed.

“I prepared your favorite.”

“For playing me I am no longer interested.” She folded her arms.

“Ah no vex…”

“I am serious.” She frowned.

“No.. no.. someone cannot play with you?”

“You can play with me with anything but not food.”

“I am sorry.” I laughed.

“I am going back to my home.”

“I have semo and efo elegusi.”

She looked at me. “And what?”

“I garnished it with assorted meat, pomo, dry smoked fish -”

Sister Busayomi was already on her way to the kitchen before I could even finish my statement.

“Make sure you have a good gist so I can hear it while eating.” She shouted from the kitchen.

I already made up my mind to tell her about the dinner, Shalewa’s visit and Dayo’s text. I am pretty sure she would have something to say and also give me good advice.