Episode 8…
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Telling Jide the truth was the best option she had. What was the use of lying to him again? Nike was worn out and did not want to sink deeper into a pit woven by lies. At the end of the day, when the wind blows, everyone will see the anus of the chicken, as her mother used to say.
Jide’s reaction was exactly what she needed. She sobbed all the tears, heartache, shame and pain away in his steady, strong arms. She found herself asking the stupid question of why she tried to keep it a secret in the first place.
What she did not expect, however, was Jide’s sudden outburst and need to leave the house. She tried her best to talk him out of it but like a dog with a bone, Jide refused to budge. He was adamant about “going somewhere”. His eyes told of a murderous rage that he could barely conceal in his face and clenched fists.
“Please don’t do anything stupid”, she begged. The last thing she needed was Chief blacklisting Jide for his efforts or worse, Jide ending up in jail for murder.
***
Nike kept trying Jide’s line and when he didn’t pick, she grew frantic.
“Where will I reach this man now?”
Her phone suddenly vibrated. It was Tricia again. “Where are you? I hope you didn’t forget about our having lunch today”
Nike’s eyes quickly dashed to the wall clock. It was after noon.
Oh crap!
Two hours had passed and still no sign of Jide. Placating Tricia, she dashed off to change and hailed a taxi to their luncheon location.
Tricia and Nike had been best friends since primary school. They grew up together and went through the same stages of immaturity, puberty and eventually adulthood and the stuff that came with it such as marriage. Unlike Nike, however, Tricia seemed to have it smoother in the marriage aspect of things as her husband was self-employed and she was 4 months pregnant with their second child. Nonetheless, she was closer than a sister to Nike and understood just about every random thought that went through her head.
Nike must have looked like a mad woman when she sat down, but she didn’t care. She hurriedly told Tricia that she had not heard from Jide and that she was afraid he would do something to Chief. That chief almost raped her and she was traumatized and didn’t even know where to start.
“Wait, wait, wait. Which Chief?” Tricia asked.
“Chief Olumide Lawson”
“Lord have Mercy! The same Chief?? Nike! No!”
“What do you mean the same Chief?”
“Nike, remember when Toyin fell pregnant in high school for one Chief?”
“Toyin Lawal?”
“The very same. That bastard is a beast.”
“Wasn’t Toyin’s Chief the one who caused her to have an abortion that messed up her womb and caused her internal bleeding? I heard she cannot have children till this day.”
“Nike. Please don’t be shocked when I tell you this”
“Tricia, what is it?”
“Do you know Olumide Lawson is my uncle?”
“WHAT???”
“When I was 5 years old, I was visiting my aunt’s place one weekend when the creep crawled into my room and molested me. I remember crying my lungs out and he told me not to tell anyone or he would kill me. When I told Auntie, she didn’t believe me and told me I was having a nightmare. I’m sorry I never told you this before. Nike that man scarred me for life.”
“Oh God! No! Tricia…”
At that moment, Nike’s phone rang
Perfect timing! she thought. It was Jide.
“At last, my ambitious husband has decided to call. You now remembered my number abi? After how many missed calls?”
“Jide, where are you? I am worried sick. Jide please, tell me you haven’t done anything stupid…”
“Hello. Hello? Sorry, excuse me Ma. The owner of this phone has just been in an accident along Mile 2 road…” A female voice answered.
Nike’s head started to spin. She didn’t realise it when she hit the ground…
