Near Miss

SEVENTEEN

The agency put them under grueling training all over again to prepare them for their outing in New York. The usual classes were ongoing when the manager bust in and turned on the television. It was the commissioner of police in Lagos state with a man Seyi recognized to be the lead investigator of the Rita case. He gave a due diligence report of the police activities in trying to uncover the case of the murder of Rita at the ocean view resort. Everyone’s jaw dropped over and over at the names indicted. Many details that were given were surprising, but far more shocking was the realization that Poju Cole was not killed. The movies we watch do not do enough justice to the ingenuity of the Nigerian police. It turns out that it was not poju that killed the girl. At that moment he thought of Morenike. He hoped that someone had the idea not to allow her watch this. It is better to think him dead than be in the middle of such a distasteful escapade. On second thought there’s now no force that can prevail on her to marry Poju. He will give her room to sift through her feelings and will only attempt to see her when he returns from New York.

That foolish boy has finally done it. The senator is sure he would have been arrested if the police had enough on him. He is not sure how long he has before they come after him. He needs to disappear. His mobile phone started ringing endlessly on the way to the International airport. Of course, he did not take any call.

The press release filled Morenike with a lot of anger. Poju should have just remained dead, but no he is alive and it turns out he is a philandering joker. She fumed in her room and waited for the right moment. Sure, enough the perfect moment came at dinner when everyone was at the table.

“Are you satisfied now?” Everyone looks away from their plates at Morenike puzzled.

“Are you satisfied at the outcome of your plan for me?” Mum returned her gaze to her plate, but dad would not have that.

“How dare you speak in that…?”

“I dare!” She got on her feet.

“Sit down.” Her father said icily.

“I am tired of sitting down. I have had enough. I will no longer sit and watch you determine what is best for me.” She stormed out of the House. She walked for a long time without direction until suddenly what she needed to do became clear. She got a cab to take her to Ikeja. She walked to Seyi’s door and realized that he was not home. She sat before the door until dark and yet Seyi did not come home. What was she thinking? He could have traveled. She decided to go back home. At his gate she tarried for a while and looked around; nothing. She turned and started to walk away when:

“Morenike?” Seyi called from a distance.

She spun around and saw him coming from down the street. She waited by the gate.

“What are you doing here at this time?”

“Are you not glad to see me?”

“You don’t know how much; but what will your parents have to say about this”

“They have said quite enough for now.”

“What does that mean?”

“Can we go in? I have been waiting for long time.” It was surreal but Seyi played it cool.

“What is going on?”

“Did you watch that police press release?”

“Yes, I am sorry.”

“Can you imagine that I was going to marry that guy?” Seyi said nothing. He simply squeezed her shoulder gently.

Morenike looked at him “I am sorry Seyi for the way I spoke to you.”

“It’s ok I totally understand.” She smiled

“So, you said you love me.”

“You kind of hinted that you don’t exactly loathe me either.”

“I don’t, my one true friend. I think I have fallen in love with you.”

Seyi pulled her close to him and kissed her long and held her close. He had always wanted to know what this would feel like. It does not feel wrong, it’s perfect. After a moment they tore apart; Morenike seemed dazed and frazzled.

“Let’s get you home.”

“No. I want to stay here with you.”

“Be careful what you ask for. I think we should get you home; besides your folks will be worried.”

“You really don’t want me here, do you?”

“I want you here too much. I can tell that I will not be able to keep my hands off you.”

“I don’t mind that.”

“I do, I mean I want that too but not like this. You are mine now and I promise to always treat you like a queen. It starts from here. Let me take you home. Come on.”

Morenike reluctantly agreed.

At her place their entry into the compound alerted the antsy folks inside who rushed to open the door. Her mum rushed to embrace her. Her father stayed at the door. Seyi stepped back and tried to disappear, but when Morenike looked back and noticed him leaving she left her mum, ran to him and kissed him before her parents.

Seyi kept his eyes in hers and waited. Nothing no shout or protest from anyone. Seyi kissed her again briefly.

“I will see you soon.” Morenike watched him till he disappeared into the dark night.

Surely enough Kayode was convicted on all counts and was sentenced to life imprisonment. It turns out that the senator was not as popular or influential as he thought himself to be. Away from the country and at large from the law enforcement agencies the senator was not able to secure a more lenient judgment for his son. It was a case of how the mighty are falling in which often times many disgruntled and previously intimidated individuals came forward with more evidences that deepened the senator’s incrimination. Many of his aides were arrested and sang like mocking birds.

The senator may have been embarrassed and totally finished in Nigeria but unlike his son he is in much better shape. He chose to take residence in Malta where he is in company of his huge loot and many exotic women. He is untouchable as long as he does not set a foot in Nigeria again. The Nigerian police may be content with his exile for now but they keep a constant watch on the senator and his activities.

The police kept to their end of the bargain and released Poju Cole the instant Kayode was convicted. Saake was given a slap on the wrist for not coming forward with useful information before the incident spiraled out of control.

Morenike could not bear to watch Seyi leave for New York the next day, but she is forced to show support for his career and not hinder him with her selfish emotions. She invited him to her home for dinner. She did not ask for her parent’s approval nor did she care about any displeasure on their part. In fairness to her mum and dad, they have done and said nothing to hint displeasure about her many outings with Seyi recently. Seyi arrived as planned and they sat down in the kitchen to enjoy dinner prepared by Morenike.

“I don’t want to go.” He said pouting his lips like a child.

“Of course you will go.” Morenike laughed

“What will you do while I am away?”

“Well I will try to keep busy.”

“You know I will be gone for weeks right?”

“Trust me I know.”

“Then come with me.” He brought out two tickets.

Morenike covered her ajar mouth with both hands. She did not bother with modesty, this is exciting. She hugged him. Seyi convinced her to get her parent’s permission to leave with him. One moment she was ecstatic at the thought of being free in the word with the love of her life, the next moment Seyi got her tail between the legs before her parents to ask for their permission to travel to New York with him. Her presence in the living room with Seyi closely behind drew dad’s attention from the newspaper and mum’s from the television.

“Good evening.” Seyi greeted.

“How are you? Her dad said.

“Fine sir.”

“Please sit-down young man.”

“Mum, dad, Seyi has invited me to go with him to New York for three weeks. May I go with him?”

Dad was indeed surprised. Mum just looked nervously at her husband, then at her daughter. This could lead to flair of emotions if not handled properly.

“When is the trip?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Dad, he just ….” Her dad cut her short.

“Morenike, you know that things like this require more time for consideration. However, I will let you go.” He turned to Seyi.

“Take care of her.” He laughed then said “You have been taking care of her haven’t you.”

“Right from Camp.” Morenike added.

“I don’t think we ever thanked you.” Her mum said.

“No need for that ma. It turns out that I was protecting my self-interest.”

Everyone laughed.

Seyi left late in the night with a promise to return in a few hours for his beau ideal.

It took her almost two weeks to complete the art inventory of the twenty-five-story hotel building, but when it was eventually done Datare was especially happy because she made a great first impression on the management. The next order of business was to set up her office space and begin to work on the tired pieces. Some of the works may require professional help to revive. The atmosphere was charged with activities and constant running around especially at the end of office hours. Her journey home is always a routing from the office to the store for food and other necessities, then to the crèche to pick Hope before going home. This time around there was a surprise waiting for her at home. By her door was a much better-looking ken with what looked like a bag of possessions. He got to his feet as he saw her and the baby. There were no words for a while before she handed the baby to him.

“She is beautiful.” Datare just smiled as she reached for keys and opened the door. The door opened and she motioned for him to enter as she reached for his bag after him.

For the next couple of days, she just took care of him secretly nursing a hope she dares not voice, even to herself. She has discovered a strength within that she did not know that she is capable of. The struggle that her life had been had taught her that what she has may not be so bad and that what is out there may be a terrible evil. Work was demanding but she graciously threw herself into it and for the moment became the rock of her family.