Near Miss

TWELVE

Ken came home the next day, at a point where Datare was simply tired of walking on ice. It could be the fear of running out of resources, or the lack of affection from her husband, or the pregnancy; she is determined to get to the bottom of whatever issues Ken may be having. Something about their magical relationship has gone horribly wrong; as if that is not enough to worry about; Ken has sold most of the gallery off beneath her. The money for the sales is not reflecting in their account and mortgage is looming at the corner.

Datare waited and slept on the couch for her husband. Eventually Datare was jolted awake by the loud rattling of the lock and key as Ken tried to open the door. He came in wide eyed and did not even acknowledge her as he strolled to the room. Datare followed him to the room, but he had entered the shower so she waited.

He finally noticed her when he came out of the shower with his glistering pale skin. 

“Hi Dat,” When she said nothing; “Am I in some kind of trouble.” Datare Almost burst into laughter. Some trouble? At this rate we are all in trouble; but she did not say that instead she said: “Why are you selling paintings without consulting with me?”

“They are mine and I can do whatever I like with them.” It was as if Datare was slapped.

“Ken why are you doing this? We have baby on the way.”

“Yes the baby, like I need a reminder.” Ken motioned to her bulging mid section.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Ken said nothing and just got about dressing up.

“I said what is the meaning of that statement?”

“It means I am hungry.” He grabbed his jacket and tried to leave the room, but Datare blocked his exit.

“When were you planning to tell me that you are no longer painting?”

“You went into my studio? You have no right!” His eyes were blazing.

“Are you blocked again?”

“Get out of my way or do I have to drag you out of the way?”

“Would you really lay a finger on me Ken? Have you forgotten that I am pregnant?”

“More reason for you to get out of my way.”

“No Ken!”

“No?”

“No!” He came at her, but Datare held firm and grabbed a solid hold on his jacket. Ken skillfully maneuvered out of his coat and went his way. Datare’s hold on the piece of clothing was so tight that she lost her balance and ended up on the floor. She had no time to feel sorry for herself because the moment she hit the ground with the jacket, a metal case with a thin plastic band tumbled out of the pocked of the jacket.

Ken must have realized what he left behind, because at that moment he came charging back into the room in time to snatch the case from her hands before it could open wider.

“What is that Ken?” She yelled after him as he bolted out of the room.

“What is that Ken.” She said again when she caught up with him at the refrigerator. “Are you doing drugs?” At that point Ken slammed the door of the refrigerator shut and turned to face her squarely.

“Yes.” He said it calmly and coldly.

“What?” Datare felt week and found a chair to sit on.

“Yes I am on drugs. Cocaine to be specific and I shoot not sniff.” He almost smiled.

“But why Ken? I do not deserve this.”

“Funny you would say that because it is for you and our baby that I have had to turn to such desperate measures to calm my anxiety and work.” Datare recovered quickly.

“Does not seem to be working does it? You wrecked everything and you are blaming me and our baby for it.

“Dat, we did not plan this child, it changed everything!”

“We did not use protection either, don’t you think there is one logical conclusion to that for a married couple.

“Yes, a conclusion that for a lady who is trying to get smart, you are not very smart!” He headed for the door.  The words stung and tear flowed freely from her eyes.

Though tragic the last outing was his most profitable. With his fist full of cash Seyi decided to get a little apartment closer to work. He was not finicky about his search, if he finds within his budget he would probably take his first offer. He was not able to get his search on the way before he got a call from Morenike. They decided to meet at a café in town.

“Hi.” He said when he saw her coming into the room.

“Hello.” She said as they hugged tight and long. Between them there seems to be no words necessary to communicate emotions. Despite that Morenike did some major unloading on Seyi. They laughed, she cried he wanted to help her, needed to hold her hands, he ached to draw her close and never let go, but all he did was sit there and listen to her frustration. She seemed to have resigned herself a life she has not even begun to live. A life she does not need to live. Seyi was determined to control his feelings for her. If she walks away from her marriage it will be because that is what she wants and not that he influenced her. She handed him a copy of their wedding invitation cards.

“When the cards were brought, you were the first person I thought of.” Seyi smiled while the riotous emotions within him caused him to break sweat. They said good bye before dark. Morenike watched him walk away from the back of the Lagos taxi home. She loves him, but she needs to know that he feels the same way before she can afford to be disowned by her family. She had done all but throw herself at him, but he seems to just withdraw. Perhaps she should forget this craziness and focus on finding a way to love her husband to be. She needs to snatch her heart away from Seyi Gold.

Poju was finally in town for the weekend and they decided to see each other. Mr. hot shot came in everything fancy from car to clothes and of course the first stop is the salon to get his lady’s hair done. While he makes his business calls. The next stop is the boutique where he upgrades her wardrobe with the latest in fashion as he subtly suggests that she tones her body with the one year access to proflexy he got for her. There was a lot of talking and dreaming of what life after their wedding would be like. Poju was clear about the fact that he is a business man and he may not always be around but he promises that she will have the best of him whenever he is with her and all she needs met when he is not. Poju does not speak much of his business. He says his woman does not have to bother her head about business. He does speak to her about his travels and all the exotic places he has been and did not have the time to enjoy. He promises to take her with him to these places at his down time to enjoy together. This is not a terrible fate to resign to Morenike thought to herself; do not be stupid.

Saake had been torn between actions to take or so he made himself believe, because the truth is that he already made his decision when he did not come forward with all he witnessed last weekend at the resort. For days he waited to hear that the case had been solved by the police but nothing; in fact business had continued at the resort as if the death never occurred. It is not unheard of to find people dead in public places like this. What is news is that the circumstances around the death have not been solved at least by the police. Saake knows exactly what happened. He had been a janitor of over ten years but he had never stayed in an organization for too long because trouble always found him. Before the resort graciously employed him, he served almost three years in the prison at kirikiri for being an accomplice to a kidnap. Of course he had nothing to do with it but his roommate brought the child to his place without telling him and he was caught. He could not rat them out; he took the fall and they took care of him when he finally came out. Saake determined in his heart that, though they may live together he will not live like them. He got this job and had been diligent at it. His turn around did not take away his keen eyes or his ability to go unnoticed by the most careful conspirator. The time in prison had worn him out beyond his years; this along with his over sized janitor’s pull over gives a harmless old man image. It is fine by him because he elicits sympathy and favors from staff and guest of the resort. This was his greatest advantage last weekend when he waddled up and down the corridor unnoticed by the aides of Kayode Cole. He heard screams from the room but in a place like the resort screams from the rooms may not require immediate attention. The screams stopped and the man and his aides made a quick exit. Saake took a quick look. There was nothing gruesome like a butchering or anything like that in fact the girl looked as if she was asleep under the thick duvet. As a matter of fact the early morning shift room service entered the room without noticing that the girl was dead. It was her friend that discovered that she was dead.

An idea occurred to him like a careless dream. He turned it over in his heart, over and over that the dream consumed him and he must have it. He confided in one of his benefactors. Together they decided to get rich without telling the rest. The Senator must want to keep this a secret and they are willing to see how much he will to pay to keep his boy from sharks.

Seyi did rent a little Bachelor’s pad at Ikeja. It is close to the office and most importantly close to the airport; which is fast turning into another office. He spent a night in his scarcely furnished apartment before he was sent to Kenya for his next shoot. Despite himself he discovered that he is developing a taste for the finer things in life. He will not rush the furnishing of his apartment he is determined to do it right. The assignment in Kenya was nerve-racking in the sense that you cannot show just how scared you are. The shoot was themed wild life; this means shots with wild animals like wild cats, snakes, giraffes etc in their natural habitat. This is where professionalism comes in and you paste on your best poker face to hide the impulse to squirm or scream. On the plane back everyone spoke of their experiences excitedly, but no one was eager to go back.

As usual he visited Uncle D and family to share his recent accomplishment and adventures.

“What about masters” Uncle D asked.

“That has gone very low on my list of priorities.”

Uncle smiled he is content to see Seyi happy and would not think of putting him under pleasure for anything. They said their goodbyes and promised to visit when it is confirmed that Seyi will be home.