Make It Rain

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The lawyer stood from his seat, beating his hands on the desk in front of him.

"Nonsense!!!"

Unfazed by him, Seun chuckled, "There is no need to panic sir."

"What you are asking me to do is against the protocols of my job. I could lose my reputation, or worse be prosecuted!"

"Nobody works for me and gets caught, Mr. Isaac. Forget about being prosecuted." Seun remained as calm as the breeze that flowed that morning.

"It's still a very difficult thing to do sir!"

Wearing his tux along with a smirk that hung on his face, Seun pulled out a cheque and placed it on the table. "How about I make it easier then?"

"Ehn?!" The lawyer's eyes flared open.

"Twenty million should be enough to ease the work" Seun pushed the cheque closer to the lawyer as he stood up.

"Give me your response before evening." He didn't have much time for the Lawyer's dilly-dally, making his way out of the office.

For more than twenty years, Mr. Isaac had worked for Mr. Joel on numerous cases. He was very reputable as a lawyer and loved doing his job to the books. Never once had he changed anything to favour himself, always making sure his actions were to the best interests of his clients, and he wasn't planning to change anytime soon.

But what could Seun want from Mr. Joel's lawyer?

He picked the cheque and squeezed it before tossing it into the bin like a ball.

Then thumped himself into his seat, letting out a heavy breath. 

Sitting on the side of his table was a frame containing a picture of his beautiful wife and two kids. The only thing in this world that brought a smile to his face and gave him peace was his family, and even though they were going through a very rough patch they always managed to remain happy as a family.

Mr. Isaac had a lot of bills to attend to before the year ran out. His wife was pregnant with another child, his children's school had begun calling for their fees and to make matters worse, the mortgage company had started warning him of a foreclosure for being delinquent in his payments.

No matter what it is, I will find a legal way to settle my problems.

He wasn't going to put his selfish needs ahead of doing what was right.

But will his stubborn righteousness be enough for him and his family?

***

"Whatever happened to him before, please don't let it occur again." The doctor stepped out of Samuel's room.

"Okay doctor," Mrs. Akande answered, "But I hope he is fine?"

With a nod the doctor responded "He was just too stressed, especially for someone who is just recovering. So please don't stress him anymore"

"Okay doctor, thank you very much"

"You are welcome." The doctor smiled. "Also, before I leave…"

"Yes doctor?" Obsequiously following the doctor to the living room door.

"Who ever Shola is, please make sure she sees him if possible. He kept asking her to stay when he was unconscious"

Even though it came with a heavy heart, Mrs. Akande responded saying "Yes… I… will try to… make it possible."

"Okay, goodbye now." The doctor left without looking back.

"Thank you" The closing door followed.

Mrs. Akande braced herself against the door as soon as she closed it, placing her forehead on it.

"There is no way I am letting Shola into this house anymore!"

The response to her soliloquy came from behind, "Then I will leave the house for you."

"Samuel?" Driven with shock, Mrs. Akande turned to her son.

"Why do you have to be like this?"

"Why do 'you' have to be like this?!" Samuel challenged. "Shola hasn't done anything wrong to any of us, but yet you hate her?"

"Samuel she was the reason for your brother's death"

"What?!" Exuding a sense of disappointment. "How can you say that?"

"Trust me Samuel, she has one rich psychopathic boyfriend that is obsessive about her..." She said, following an uninterested Samuel.

"Are you even listening to yourself mum?"

She stubbornly continued "...in attempt to separate you from Shola, he tried to kill you. The police even told me to…"

"ENOUGH MOM!!!!" Samuel's lack of interest grew even stronger, underscoring it with an ill tone. "The only ones trying to separate I and Shola are you and that foolish cop!"

"Try to…" Samuel cut her short again.

"There is no way I can… Ugh!!" He felt a twinge in his head as he staggered a little, bracing himself against the wall he stood by.

"Samuel?!" Mrs. Akande got worried. Only if she was wiser enough not to have this conversation with him now.

"Are you alright?"

"I am fine," Samuel won't allow her to touch him. "Mom I love you more than the world… But I love Shola too."

"It's because of that love I want to protect you Samuel".

Samuel remained confident in Shola, "If I have the both of you, nothing can hurt me mom. Please!"

"I can't allow Shola into my house!" Mrs. Akande remained firm on her decision.

"Fine then." His mind was made up too.

In his entire life, Samuel had never gotten into an argument with his mother about anything. He always complied and accepted what his mother wanted for him, because he believed she always wanted the best for him. 

But not this time.

Mrs. Akande never thought a day would come where she and Samuel would disagree on something.

Excessively obedient as a child and an adult, Samuel grew up to become the exact kind of man his mother wanted. Now because of a woman, because of Shola, that obedient child had turned against his mother's will.

Or was it time for Mrs. Akande to finally pass the control?

Without any second thoughts Samuel ordered an Uber and packed a couple of his things to leave home.

He meant it.

While Mrs. Akande and her son were battling to understand each other, Shola was in another battle of her own with Junmi after making her park her van by the roadside.

"I don't understand you!"

"But…"

"No buts Shola." Junmi cut her short "Have you forgotten what happened in the hospital?"

"Samuel had nothing to do with that." She knew he wouldn't leave her.

"So what now?... You think you and Samuel will carry on dating without his mom knowing about it?"

With the look of a child, Shola pulled her lower lip in as she slowly focused her gaze to the floor of the vehicle without saying anything.

What could she say?

"My thoughts exactly! There is no way it could work out." Junmi said. "Shola look, I am only looking out for your well-being." Junmi leaned out to place her palm on Shola's shoulder.

With a crease on her forehead and tears beginning to well in her eyes, Shola looked into Junmi's eyes, "What do I do now? I love Samuel."

"And I bet he loves you too. But you can't let your emotions stop you from doing what is right for you."

Growing up in the harsh streets of Lagos, Junmi had learned to know how to choose what is right from what is wrong. 

She had a bum for a father who always waited for his wife to prepare everything for them, and would beat her if she didn't. 

She had been used, abused and at times almost killed. She had seen the bitter reality of life. 

Compared to Shola, she had seen it all and could be quick in making firm decisions for herself so long it favoured her. 

She could see already that Samuel and Shola's meeting was fated, but was their love?

To her it wasn't and she would rather have Shola stay away from him and not get hurt any longer.

"I am sorry Shola but I am only saying the truth. I know it hurts too but trust me, leaving him is the best thing for you right now." Did that mean they could be together later?

I don't think so.

"Let's go home." Shola's voice remained faint. It was clear that she forced her tears in.

***

Walking out of his bedroom, Seun rubbed his palm against the wall as he gradually made his way to the living room.

Where was everyone?

The living room was empty, it was very unusual during the weekend.

Seun slowly walked out to the garden hoping to find his father there. 

'It is still very early, dad might be watering his roses'

His dad was no gardener, but he loved watching water roll down the petals of his roses whenever he sprinkled them. He must have been a peaceful person.

Seun found himself in the garden as soon as he thought of going there. Slowly sending his gaze over his shoulders one after the other, he scanned the entire ground but still not seeing anyone.

'Where is daddy?... The patio!'

Despite Mr. Adio's love for his roses and how their petals leaned downwards to give water to the earth, he was a crazy lover of water lilies. Just like a man keeps close to him his most prized possession, Mr. Adio kept his water lilies in his favorite location in the whole house, the patio.

He loved being there every morning, watching as the sun rises. So beautiful.

"Daddy?"

"Ahh Seun, come here." Stretching his right hand out to Seun.

"Good morning." Seun's voice was young and innocent

"I hope you slept well." Mr. Adio's smile was as bright as the rising sun.

With a nod, Seun answered as he sat on his father's thighs.

"Do you know why I always watch the sun rise?"

Seun wasn't a child of too many words. He looked up to his dad, waiting for an answer.

"When I was young, I was the smallest amongst my peers. The weakest and very often needed to be protected by my friend Joel, because of bullies… Everyone always made a fuss about being built or strong or tall or physically fast… Being the 'alpha male!'. But you see, whenever a life dearing challenge came their way they all failed. You know who didn't fail?"

"You?"

"And Joel, yes. Because we knew what mattered most. Being physically strong and all is great, but then it is all useless if you aren't strong at heart or mind."

"I don't understand." How could he? He was still a child.

"Watch the sun rise. Do you see how it sends out beams of light and stretches its reach all over the earth? That's what I mean. For the sun, its goal is to touch every surface of the earth with its light. Trees and mountains might block its rays at times, shielding some areas. But that's not enough, because the sun rises up above them all to an apex point right above the earth, the center. And hit all that was blocked before. By the time it is done with its course it would have hit every inch of the earth before resting at night."

"Huh?" 

"What I am saying in essence is… Reach out for your goals, do what you want, get what you want, don't give up. Just like the sun, reach all heights to attain your goals, and then come down again if there is still more. Build a strong mentality and a brave heart. Don't win physically and lose in life, be a dominant male and not an alpha male."

"But daddy, my science teacher said the sun doesn't move around the earth."

"Ha!Ha!Ha! Yes he is right."

"Then what are you now saying?"

"Hmm… One day you will understand."

Coming out of his dream state, Seun opened his eyes while taking a deep breath.

"I understand now dad." He gave his dad's favorite water lily gentle strokes as he sat at the patio.

"A missed call?" He was too deep in thought to notice. 

"Great!" It was from the lawyer. "I knew you would come around." Seun crossed his legs as he leaned his back, preparing to return the call.

What could he be planning this time?