EPISODE 5

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BROKEN…OR NOT?

EPISODE 5

​*OMOLOLU*

​​“The view from the front porch is amazing. We are lucky that Collins saved this place for us. What do you think?” Olivia asked as she pulled me towards the Porch.

​I nodded. “I think it’s good.”

​​“You can have this place for only 60 million naira. The best you can get.” Collins added as we joined him outside.

​If anyone had told me that I would have up to a million naira before my death, I’d argue it with ‘references’

​​​****

​​​​“My name is Omololu Martins.” I introduced.

​​​Mr. Philips stared at me. “Olivia told me you would be coming.”

​​​​“I just want you to know that I can do a lot at once.”

​​​He nodded. “Multi tasking. That’s interesting.”

​​​I smiled.

“I have a ship that comes in next week throughApapa, I have some men that help offload the ship. It is long and hard, it takes a minimum of four hours to offload it. You can join them in offloading it. I’ll provide you with accommodation there and feeding too during the time for it.”

​​​I nodded. “Okay, that’s fine.”

​​​​“You’ll also get paid, You’ll be paid ten thousand naira.”

​​​My face fell, but it was a start. “Thank you, sir.”

​​​After a tiring first day of offloading a ship, Mr. Philips called me into his car. “Great job!” He said as I took my seat.

​​​​“Thank you, sir.” I replied with my head bowed.

​​​He nodded. “I am quite impressed with your work rate here and honestly you won’t get a ten thousand naira daily job. My ship comes in seasons.”

​​​​“Are you saying that my work is done here?”

​​​He nodded in agreement. “It is, but, I would love to know what other skills you have, something to put on your CV.”

​​​​“I didn’t go to the University.” I replied.

​​​​“Have you thought of going?”

​​​I shook my head stubbornly. “I can’t.”

​​​​“You can’t or you don’t?” he asked.

​​​I threw my face away. “It’s not worth it.”

​​​​“Can I be your friend?”

​​​​“My Friend? You?”

​​​He nodded. “I’ll register you at the Nigerian Open University or if you don’t mind a regular school, I can talk to some friends for you.”

​​​​“Why are you being so nice to me?”

​​​​“I am Olivia’s brother and her friends are my friends.”

​​​****

​I squeezed Olivia’s hand in mine. “Can we show Tiwa this place before we commit?”

​She nodded with a smile. “Of course, my love.” She replied.

​

*IJEOMA*

I dropped my bag on the chair as I walked into the house. My phone buzzed again and Austin beamed on the Caller ID. “What is it, Austin?” I asked as I climbed up the stairs.​

​​“Mrs. Martins, where are you?”

My leg froze as I heard the Chairman’s voice. “I am at home.”

​​“We need you here now, we are about to lose our clients.” He said.

I looked up and saw Tiwa standing before me. My Chairman was screaming into my ears. I shut my eyes as I screamed into the phone. “I want to be with my daughter.” I yelled and hung up.

Tiwa stared at me, “What did you do that for? Your Job?”

​“You are my daughter, Tiwa. I am sorry. I came back for you.” I said.

She shook her head sadly. “It was a waste, I am not interested in going out anymore.”

My eyes went red and my blood boiled. The grip on my phone become firmer as Tiwa’s words stung my heart.​​​

​​“You should go to work, there’s more to do there.” She said as she attempted to return to her room but I pulled her back. “Let go!” she screamed.

I wasn’t going to let go. I held her hand tighter. “I just lost 5 million naira and I am not about to go to my room and sleep filled with regrets.” I said as I pulled her downstairs and dragged her into the car amidst her screaming.

​“You are holding me against my wish.” She said as I started the engine.

I nodded. “Yes Tiwa, I’ll hold you against your wish and you know why? I am frustrated, I am pissed off! And I am tired of you not understanding me.”

​“Me? What have you said to me?” she shouted back.

​“I made a mistake. I left! But I am sorry, is it so hard to understand?” I shouted as I blasted the horn.

She stared at me. “Can you slow down? I think we are going too fast.”

​“Oh really…we are on 140, that’s nothing, watch me do a 200.” I replied as I pressed on the accelerator.

*OMOLOLU*

Mom was mute as we ate lunch. “You can say anything to me, but don’t keep quiet.” I said.

​“I have nothing to say.” She replied.

I nodded. “Olivia and I went to check out the house, this place is really small and it makes no sense paying rents when I can buy my house.”

She sipped her water carefully. “When are we returning to Ibadan?” she asked.

I swallowed. “Mom, I am thinking of asking a transfer from Mr. Philips down here, Tiwa is here, Olivia is here and it’s better for us to be here.”

​“Ibadan is my home. You can decide where your home is.” She said and left for the kitchen.

I slammed the table. “Stop it, Mom! Is that how much you hate Olivia? She has been nothing but good to me.”

​“Don’t drag me into your problems.” She replied and returned into the living room. “Can I at least go and see my granddaughter? I need Ijeoma’s address.”

I took a deep breath and fetched my wallet. “Mom, Olivia is a good woman.” I said as I wrote down the address.

​“You would know that. In time, I may realize that, and if I don’t do that at all, too bad.” She replied and collected the paper from me. “Thank you, I’ll be on my way.”

I blinked. “Let me call a cab for you.” I urged.

​“I’ll get dressed.” She replied and left for her room.

*IJEOMA*

​“She is my mother.”

I didn’t know if I was imagining things but I could hear Tiwa’s voice. I tried to move but I couldn’t. My eyes were heavy and weary as I tried opening them. “Where am I?” I asked. “Where is my daughter?”

​“I am here.” The reply came.

​“Ijeoma, can you hear me?”

I stared the man above me. “I…I can hear you.”

​“You are in the hospital. Be calm.”

I gasped. “Where’s Tiwa? I blacked out.”

​“I am here.” Tiwa replied as she stared at me.

Tears rolled down my eyes. “I am sorry.” I said.

​“It’s alright.” She replied and stepped back.

My eyes were weak and I closed them.

***

​“We are gonna prepare her for surgery now.”

Tiwa swallowed hard. “Is it so serious?”

​“She can’t move.” The Doctor replied. “Can we call your Dad?”

She nodded and dialed on her phone.

*OMOLOLU*

​“MOM!!!” I shouted.

She rushed out with her earrings. “Omololu, what is it?”

​“Ijeoma has been in an accident.” I said as my voice broke.

She stared at me. “How? Where?”

​“I…I don’t know. Let’s go.” She said.

​“Give me the keys, I’ll drive.”

I shook my head in disagreement. “We won’t get there in time.”

​“Or we could be carried in by an ambulance if you drive. Keys!” she ordered.

***

Austin walked into the hall and Tiwa rushed to him. “My Dad is taking too long, we need to sign for the surgery, they won’t let me do it.”

He nodded. “Are you okay?”

​“Yes, she told me to leave the car and then she drove into a tree.”

He shook his head sadly. The Doctor walked out. “Are you her husband?”

​“No, but I can sign anything for her.” He replied hastily.

Tiwa nodded. “Yes sir, he can sign it.”

The Doctor stretched the document to him.

*OMOLOLU*

I rushed into the hospital with Mom running behind struggling to keep up. Tiwa ran out to meet me with her hand widespread. I took her in my grip. “Where is she?” I asked.

​“She is in the theatre.” She replied.

​“Surgery? Ijeoma can’t go under the knife. She hates it.” I replied.

Tiwa gasped. “B…but the Doctor said she needed it.”

​“Tiwa.”

We turned as I saw Ijeoma’s ‘lover’ approached us calling Tiwa’s name. “Did you authorize my wife’s surgery?” I asked as I approached him.

He nodded. “Ijeoma’s condition is delicate. I had - ”

I sent him crashing into the nearby chair before he could complete his statement and I groaned in pain from hitting him.

​“Omololu, what is wrong with you?” Mom shouted as she helped him to his feet.

He wiped some blood from his nose and walked away with Mom to the nearby tap.

Tiwa stared at me with some surprise and she took her seat. I was embarrassed as I tried avoiding her glance. My hand was hurting too, but that was the least of my worries. Ijeoma was in my head.

I watched as Ijeoma’s ‘lover’ walked away with my Mom and I got more irritated. “Damn it!” I said kicking the chair.

​“Dad?”

I stared at Tiwa and she motioned to me to have a seat. I took my seat beside her. “I…I am sorry. It’s just that Ijeoma hates surgeries. She always said that she would never go under the knife.”

Tiwa stared at me motionless.

I was embarrassed as she stared at me. “Tiwa, I shouldn’t have hit him, I know and I am sorry, but…I am just saying that-”

​“You still love her.” She cut in.

***

​“How serious is it?” Margaret Martins asked as she handed Austin a glass of water

Austin drank some water. “Ijeoma hurt her leg in the accident. An immediate surgery is necessary to get her in shape.”

​“Would she walk again?” she asked.

He took a deep breath. “She is in surgery now, I…I don’t know.”

​“Let’s meet my son.”

He scoffed. “I can’t.”

​“Omololu is a nice man.”

Austin hissed. “He hit me without even knowing me, what does that speak of him?”

​“He is a jealous man. He loves Ijeoma.”

Austin stared at her. “Love? He loves Ijeoma?”

*OMOLOLU*

​“Tiwa, I am only concerned about her.” I said as I rubbed my palm on my trouser.

She nodded. “That’s a great deal of concern.”

​“What did you expect me to say? We have been together for a very long time, even before we got married. I just care, that’s all. I stopped loving her.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

I threw my face away and adjusted in the chair. “I actually wanted to hit him. Right from the first day I saw him with her, I wanted to beat him up.”

​“Dad…” she stressed as she chuckled. “You are jealous, aren’t you?”

I scoffed. “Jealous? Tiwa, I am over her and you know it, there is no need to go back to that issue.”

She smiled. “Why don’t we talk about it?” she asked smiling.

​“You know I don’t want to talk about it. Don’t make me.”

She nodded with a smile and then tickled me. “Tell me.”

​“Stop!”

She winked playfully. “Tell me about that day you took her to Grandma.”

​“Stop it.” I replied with a smile.

She grinned as she wrapped her hand around me. My memory started to play tricks on me, Tiwa acted exactly like Ijeoma used to. She had Ijeoma’s teenage warm and fuzzy behaviour.

I watched as Mom approached with Ijeoma’s lover. I looked in Ijeoma’s direction. “His name is Mr. Austin.” She said as though she had read my mind. I nodded as I walked up to him.

​“I am sorry, Austin. I…I overreacted.”

He nodded. “You sure did.”

I swallowed. “Since when has she been in surgery?”

​“The past twenty minutes or so.” He replied.

A Doctor approached us and we all rushed to meet him. “How is she?” I asked.

The Doctor stared at Austin. “He is her husband.” Austin said to the Doctor.

The Doctor walked up to me. “Ijeoma is out of surgery.”

I smiled as I took a deep breath. “Great news, right?”

He nodded. “But, she is unable to move her legs.”

​“What?” I shouted as I grabbed the Doctor’s collar

Austin freed the doctor from my grip. “Take it easy.”

​“I won’t!” I yelled back

​“Sir, we are going to call a physiotherapist and I can assure you that in no time, she will be fine, it is nothing serious.” The Doctor replied.

Austin nodded. “Can we see her now?”

​“No you can’t, she is resting, but you may when she wakes up.” He replied and walked away.

I took my seat and watched as my mom discussed with Austin and Tiwa.

The next thing I saw was Austin rushing out of the hospital. I hurried over to my mom. “What’s going on?”

​“He had to attend to urgent matters.” She replied.

I scoffed. “I’ll go and see Ijeoma.” I said and walked away.

*IJEOMA*

My eyes popped open. I had been sleeping for too long. I knew I had to get up, but why couldn’t I? Legs are used for movement or was it my hand? Why couldn’t I feel my leg? I screamed out in fear.

The door flew open and Omololu rushed in. “It’s okay….shhh…It’sokay.” He said as he rubbed my forehead

​“I can’t feel my legs, Omololu, I can’t feel my legs.” I screamed.

He kissed my forehead. “It’s okay…it’s okay, you are fine.” He said.

For a moment, I forgot about my leg and I enjoyed being close to Omololu again. “Omololu…”

​“I am here for you, you will be fine.” He said.

*OMOLOLU*

I didn’t know when the worlds spilled out of my mouth. Here for her?What was I thinking? I placed her gently into the Bed.

The door opened and the doctor walked in with some nurses. “I told you not to disturb her.”

​“She screamed.”

Ijeoma stared at the doctor with fear in her eyes. “I can’t feel my legs.”

​“It’s fine.” The Doctor replied. “You’ll feel it soon. You just have to work on it.”

She gasped. “What do you mean?” She asked as she gripped the Doctor’s shirt. “No!” She screamed as she tried to throw herself from bed. I held on to her tightly as I feared I was about to see the Ijeoma I saw on the day she lost her parents.

​“Ijeoma…shhh….it’s okay.”

She struggled with me, but I was stronger. She tried to push but her strength failed her and she was eventually sedated to sleep.

I returned to my Mom and Tiwa outside. “She is resting now. Let’s go home.”

​“Lolu!”

I turned as I saw Olivia. “Hey…”

​“What are you doing here?” she asked with a smile. “Don’t tell me you followed me here?” she asked smiling. She then smiled in Tiwa’s direction. “Hi darling.”

Tiwa smiled as Olivia hugged her. “How are you?”

My Mom maintained a distance and I watched her walk away. Olivia stared at me. “Does she hate me that much?”

​“She doesn’t hate you.” I replied. “What are you doing here?” I asked as I tried to take her mind of thoughts of my mom.

​“I was called in here to check a patient when I thought I saw you and I followed you down here.” She said. I nodded. “Well turns out, I was right. And you? What are you doing here?”

I cleared my throat. “I…Ijeoma is here.”

She stared at me and smiled. “What happened to her?”

​“She…she was in an accident.”

Olivia gasped. “Sorry about that. Is…Is she better?”

​“She is asleep. She would be better.”

She took my hand. “Are you okay?”

​“Of course, I am fine.” I replied almost immediately.

She nodded. “I’ll be on my way home, say hi to your mom for me.” She said and walked away.

*IJEOMA*

The Doctor set me on the wheel chair. “This would work for the main time.” He said as he adjusted the wheelchair. “Your daughter is waiting for you in the lobby.”

I pressed the controller and wheeled out of the room into the lobby. Tiwa walked up to me as soon as she saw me approaching. “How are you?” she asked.

​“I am okay.” I replied and wheeled out of the hospital. I had requested for a special wheelchair with automatic features to make my movement easy.

Tiwa and I joined the driver in the car and he drove us home. I had a personal driver but I rarely used him as I preferred to move around myself, but now, I couldn’t do that by myself and I was stuck with been driven around.

I noticed renovations in my house as soon as I wheeled in. One of the staircases had been renovated to accommodate a wheel chair. “Who did this?” I shouted as soon I approached it.

​“Mr. Austin thought that - ”

I yelled. “Austin has no right! This is my house! I am not finished.”

The door opened and Austin came in. “Heyy…” he said with a smile.

​“Why did you touch my staircase?” I shouted.

He smiled. “It is going to be hard for you to move around here with the stairs, so I just thought that it would be nice to change things around here.”

​“Thought? You didn’t think, you decided and you changed it without my consent.”

He nodded. “Okay, I get that, but, it is for your good. You need to be able to do things by yourself.”

​“And that is why you shouldn’t have touched anything! What else did you change? Do I now sleep on the floor?” I yelled.

He stared at me. “Ijeoma, you are yelling at me.”

​“And what do I care? I am the one in the damn wheel chair, not you! I am the one who can’t move, not you! I am the one who is stuck, not you! So don’t tell me that I am yelling at you.” I screamed.

​“Please calm down.” Tiwa said as she stood before me.

I scoffed. “Do I look upset? Do I look crazy to you? I can’t walk.” I shouted as I broke down in tears.

Austin walked over to me. “Ijeoma, I need you to fight back.”

​“That’s what I am doing. I want to get up from this damn thing.” I shouted as I pushed myself up and crashed into the floor.

*OMOLOLU*

​“Should I bring her here?”

Mom shook her head in disagreement. “It’s better to just stay there with her, it will save us the stress of bringing her luggage and it would prevent any problem with Olivia.”

I paused. “Olivia?” I then smiled. “You actually care about Olivia’s feelings?”

​​“I am a woman too.” she replied as she dumped a shirt in my bag. “You should hurry up. If Tiwa called you, it is quite urgent.”

​I zipped the bag. “Mom, with what is going on right now with Ijeoma, I…I think I may have to be in Lagos more, can’t you stay too?”

​She smiled. “Now you want to use Ijeoma as an excuse so that I won’t return home?”

​​“I am not making any excuse. I just want to be in Lagos.”

​She nodded. “Hurry up; I’ll come over in the evening after I have made her something to eat.”

​​“Alright, Mom. I rather get going.”

​I opened the door and saw Olivia standing before me. “Hi, Olivia.”

​She smiled faintly and stared at my bag. “Where are you going to?”

​I took a deep breath. “I am going to Ijeoma’s place.”

​*IJEOMA*

​I sipped my water gently as I watched Austin pace round the room. “I have already told you that I am fine. You may leave.”

​​“Ijeoma, you just threw yourself off the chair because you were pissed off. How am I going to leave you alone?”

I scoffed as I replaced the glass beside the table. “You are going to walk over to the door, you are going to open I and walk out, start your engine and drive off to your house. That is how you are going to do it.”

​“I have to move in here with you.” he replied.

I hissed. “It is bad enough that you think I am useless, but I won’t have you come here and baby me. I am not a woman who would give up so easily.” I shouted. “Any news from the office? We haven’t spoken about the office since the accident.”

Tiwa joined us downstairs. “Do I get you anything to eat?”

​“I am not hungry.” I replied and turned in Austin’s direction. “What are you not telling me about the office?”

He walked away from me and took his seat. “Do we have to talk about the office now? We would talk later.”

​“I want to know. Did we seal that deal?” I asked. He was silent. “Get me my grey suit, we would meet those men.”

He sighed. “It’s not possible.”

​“Nothing is Impossible. I’ll seal that deal.” I replied.

He swallowed. “You have been suspended.”

​

​

EPISODE 4

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BROKEN…OR NOT?

EPISODE 4

​*OMOLOLU*

​Ijeoma stared at me as she stood behind her ‘lover’ and stuttered over some inaudible words.

​​“Err…Tiwa! Ah…” She struggled with words as she approached Tiwa. Tiwa dashed behind me and Ijeoma stepped back. “I…I…I…am really…err…”

​I saved her the drama. “Is my daughter safe here, Ijeoma?” I asked, staring at her ‘lover’.

​She nodded as she blinked. “Au…Austin is…is”

​​“Spare me the story.” I replied as I placed a phone in Tiwa’s hand. “You can always call me.” I said and pecked her forehead.

​Tiwa smiled faintly. “When would you come back for me?” she asked.

​​“Soon. I’ll end all these soon.” I promised as we hugged. “Take care of my daughter, she is still your daughter if you still remember.” I said sternly and turned to walk away.

​​“Omololu.”

I froze in my track as Ijeoma called my name like the first time. I could feel my heart beat racing fast as her footsteps drew closer. I blinked not knowing if I should turn in her direction. My heart still did beat for her. I closed my eyes as I felt her hand run through my chest.

​“Omololu, please.” She said quietly.

I blinked and took her hands away carefully and turned towards her. Her eyes were weary and tired. They were sadder than mine, much sadder than mine on the night everything changed between us. I folded her hand and dropped it slowly. “Never, Ijeoma. Never.”

She tried to talk and her voice broke. I walked away quickly as I couldn’t watch her cry.​

*IJEOMA*

I watched Omololu drive off as tears streamed down my cheeks. His eyes were cold and brutal as he said ‘Never, Ijeoma. Never’ I had never seen them like that.

​“Let’s go inside.” Austin said as he took my hand. “Tiwa is inside.” I nodded and followed him into the house. Austin closed the door after me as I walked into the living room.

Tiwa stared at the both of us and Austin cleared his throat.

​“Hi, I am Austin.” He said, stretching out his hand.

She stared at the hand and then at Austin and then took the hand. “Tiwa.”

I heaved a sigh of relief as this happened. I had never expected her to take his hand.“Tiwa, I am so sorry about everything that happened. I…I really didn’t…err…I” I started.

Austin placed his hand on my shoulder. “We would show you to your room.”

I nodded. “Yes…yes, your room. Let’s go.”

Austin pulled her bag and led the way. Tiwa followed him and I walked slowly behind them.

​“This is your room, I hope you like it.” He announced as we walked into the room I had set up for Tiwa.

She walked round the room. “I hate pink.” She said coldly.

​“What?! Pink is a cool colour.” Austin replied as I watched from the doorway.

She folded her arms. “I hate Barbie…and I am girl.” She added as she folded her arms.

Austin shot a glance at me and then smiled at her. “What color do you like?”

She didn’t reply.

Austin nodded. “Okay, I’ll excuse you. Your breakfast should be ready in five minutes.”

​“I have had breakfast.” She replied as started to unpack her bag.

Austin nodded. “Alright then, excuse me.” he said and joined me in the doorway. “What are you doing, Ijeoma?” he asked.

​“I…I don’t understand.” I replied, dumbly.

He pulled my hand and dragged me downstairs. “That is your daughter in there.” He said throwing my hand carelessly. “You have to make an effort.”

​“Austin, she doesn’t even like me. Did you see her eyes? It was as if she should kill me.”

He scoffed. “Forget about the eyes. She didn’t smile at me either, but we have to at least help her settle down here and you are going to do just that.”

I clasped my face in my palm. “I am scared.”

​“I’ll have the maid fix her breakfast, you are going to go in there and talk to her.” He said. “When you are back, I’ll be gone. I’ll call to know when to come around again.” He said and left for the kitchen.

I rubbed my head and left for Tiwa’s room.

​

*OMOLOLU*

I turned off the car engine as I contemplated my decision to go into Olivia’s house. I stared at her Black BMW jeep so I knew she hadn’t gone to work. I won the battle in my heart and knocked on the front door.

​“Lolu!” she said excitedly as she opened the door but her smile faded as soon as she saw my countenance. “What happened to Tiwa?”

​“Tiwa is fine. She is with her mother.” I said as I walked into the house.

Olivia followed me with her toothbrush in her hand. “I’ll be in bathroom. I need to rinse off.”

I nodded as I took my seat. “Do you have any food?”

​“Yeah, help yourself.” She replied and left for her room.

I strolled into the kitchen and poured myself a drink. I couldn’t take my mind off Ijeoma. For the brief moment I was with her I wished everything that had happened oddly between us could go away. I wished I could just say ‘I forgive you, do you forgive me?’ but I couldn’t bring myself to forgiving her. I would heal completely and be fine, Olivia had assured me of that.

​​****

​​Olivia took her seat beside me outside her office. “How are you?”

​​I stared at her. “Look, I know you are doing everything for me to be fine, but, I don’t think I can continue these therapies.”

​​​“And why is that?”

​​I swallowed. “I was uncomfortable in there. I…I don’t know if it’s right to say this, but were you trying to seduce me?”

​​She laughed subtly. “Lolu, you are going through a trauma, I am Doctor, I know my work, and it’s good to see this sort of reaction from you.”

​​​“Are you saying seducing me is part of the plan?”

​​She smiled. “It is not, but if you were feeling attracted to me in there, it is of your own volition, you probably need to ease into it.”

​​​“I can’t cheat on my wife.”

She nodded. “I never requested you to, but, you need to speak with your wife.” She replied and rose to her feet. “You will have an active session starting tomorrow. You should go home and rest.”

​“I have to return to Ibadan.”

​“And why is that?” she asked taking her seat.

I cleared my throat. “My rent at the motel expires tomorrow, and my mom is worried about me.”

​“Haven’t you told her that you are seeing a doctor?”

I nodded. “I did, and she is thrilled, but I can’t be here, I don’t have any money and I lost what I came for, I still have my little daughter back home with my mom.”

​“What if I provide you with accommodation?”

I shook my head in disagreement. “You have done too much for mealready; I’ll need to take care of my child.”

​“What did you study in the university?”

I swallowed. “I didn’t go.”

​“Why?”

​“Ijeoma had to go. It was too expensive for both of us.”

She nodded. “This is not the right time for you to return to Ibadan, and you know why? You are already defeated but you can’t afford to have your back against the wall. Let’s strike a deal, I don’t want you to be indebted to me, so, I am going to refer you to some friends, see if you can do any job for them, might be menial, but I want you to make some money before you go back home.”

I smiled. “That’s very considerate of you, but, I’ll pass.”

She scribbled on a paper and handed it to me. “If you change your mind before tomorrow, go to him. I’ll call him anyways.” She said and returned to her office.

****

​*IJEOMA*

I flipped the pages of my magazine as I sipped my drink. Tiwa had been in her room since Omololu dropped her. I was clueless on what to say to her and how to say it. I heard footsteps approaching. I turned my head over my shoulder as Tiwa jogged downstairs.

​“Do you want something? Juice? Snacks?”

She shook her head in disagreement. “I want to walk, am I allowed to?”

I swallowed. “This is not a prison, why would you ask me that?”

​“Good!” she replied and scribbled into a paper and stuck it on the table. “That’s my phone number if you want to call.”

I blinked. “Why don’t we go together?” I asked.

​“Together? Why?” she asked as she adjusted her bag.

I cleared my throat. “Tiwa, you are new here and I want to show you around. I care about you and I want to protect you, you are my daughter.”

​“Thank you, but if you think am not safe, I’ll stay in.”

I took a deep breath. “Tiwa, don’t make it look as if I am keeping you in, I am trying tobe here for you.”

​“I have my father. You may have given birth to me but you weren’t there, so don’t start doing what you should have done now, I don’t need it.” She replied.

I nodded and took my seat.

​“I’ll be in my room.” She said and returned upstairs.

*OMOLOLU*

I pulled up after Olivia in front of her office. “Welcome, Mr. Martins.” The attendant said as he collected my car key and drove the car into the garage. “I still don’t know why I have to come here with you, Liv.” I said as I joined her.

​“I thought we were going to see the guy from the Real Estate after work today.”

I nodded. “I could just join you there.”

​“Lolu, it is not as if you are really doing anything at the apartment. Tiwa is with her mother, you would be bored, and why don’t you just hang around and meet people here. You’ll love it, I promise.”

I stared at her. “My Mom is home alone, she’ll be bored.”

​“Your mom would be worse if you go home sulking.” She replied as she pressed the elevator button. “Why don’t you request for a transfer from your branch at Ibadan?”

I swallowed. “I don’t intend to live in Lagos.” She stared at me. “I know you don’t like Ibadan either, but, you know…let’s talk about this later.”

​“Your daughter is staying Lagos with her mother.”

​“On temporary custody.” I replied. “I’ll get Tiwa back.”

She nodded. “I know you would.” She replied and we stepped out of the elevator into the top floor. “Lolu, do you want to be a joint partner in the sessions today?”

​“How does that operate?” I asked.

​“I will be doing CBT for a group from an office, so you may just have to sit and observe.”

I shrugged. “How long would it take?”

​“Barely an hour and then the Questions and Answer sessions, it would be therapeutic for you too.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

*IJEOMA*

I tapped on Tiwa’s door lightly. I blinked as I banged on the door. I stepped back as the door opened and she stood before me. “I…I want to take you out.”

​“Where to?”

I took a deep breath. “I…We could just drive round town, then maybe eat out or something, please.”

She ran her fingers through her hair. “I…I don’t know.”

​“Please, Tiwa. I just want to try to build something for us, I know I haven’t been there so I am not going to ask you for much, but, I just want your company.”

She nodded. “It’s not as if I have anything doing here, I’ll get changed.”

​“Thank you.” I replied.

I flung my wardrobe open in delight as I picked out a dress for my first outing with my daughter. My phone vibrated on the table. Austin’s name beamed on the Caller ID.

​“Hello Austin, guess what? I am taking Tiwa out.”

​“Ij, I don’t know…” he replied. “The Director came in and he has been asking of you.”

​“Just tell him I can’t make it.”

​“Ijeoma, this is important. The guys from Syria are around.”

I scoffed. “Why couldn’t they pick another day? I want to take my daughter out today, this might be my chance with her.”

​“I know how important it is for you, but you know you do the deals for us and right now, we need you to close it for us.”

I shook my head sadly. “Tiwa would be sad. And even if she doesn’t show it, it’s unreasonable.” I replied as I took my seat. “Tell the director that I have family matters to attend to.”

​“Ijeoma?”

I dropped the call and picked my dress from the bed. A message popped on my phone from Austin. “Your commission is 5 million from this deal. Commission, Ijeoma”

I stared hard at the message and grabbed my suit from my jacket and started to change.

*OMOLOLU*

I watched as the session dragged on. Olivia’s patients were all smiles around her, she knew how to work her magic around patients. It didn’t take long for me to adjust with her when I resumed my treatment.

​​******

​​She smiled as I walked in. “I thought you were back in Ibadan. Why are you still here?” She asked.

​​​“I can’t sleep. I think about Ijeoma every night, I want to get her out of my mind.” I said as I took my seat.

​​She nodded with a smile. “Do you want to talk about what happened that night when you called me to pick you?”

​​I shook my head in disagreement. “No. I can only have that discussion with Ijeoma.”

​​​“She must have hurt you really bad.” She said as she passed me a glass of water.

​​I nodded. “She did.”

​​She took her seat opposite me. “I can have my secretary draw up schedules for you.”

​​​“When do I start?”

​​She smiled. “You do know that you would have to tell me everything when you start your sessions?”

​​​“Are there no exceptions to the rule?” I asked.

​​​“Not in this case.” She replied. “I want you to get over this and to get over everything, you have to let it out and you will let it out.”

​​I smiled. “Can you help me get everything out of my system?”

​​​“If you tell me.” she replied.

​​I nodded. “Can we talk about you?”

​​She chuckled. “I won’t do that during sessions, if you want to talk, you can ask me out.”

​​​“Ask you out?” I asked. “Like on a date?”

​​She shrugged. “Your call.”

​​I smiled faintly. “Okay, tonight?”

​​She smiled. “Tonight is good.”

​​*****

I watched as the last patient hugged her and walked out of the hall. Olivia approached me with a smile. “How did I do?” she asked as she kissed me.

​“Brilliant! Your patients are in for speedy recovery.” I said.

​“Like how yours went?”

​“Should I be worried? I don’t want someone else taking you from me.” I said as I released her from my grip.

She placed her hand around my neck. “I got an email from the Real estate guy, he is waiting for us.”

​“I got the mail too.”

She smiled. “So, when do we go and buy the house?”

​“Could we check it with Tiwa?”

She nodded. “Of course, we could get Tiwa and then go together.”

*IJEOMA*

Tiwa was waiting downstairs. She had a puzzled look and quite rightly so as she saw me dressed officially. “You can’t wear this to a casual outing.”

​“Yeah…I know, but the thing is I…I…I really have to………God, I don’t know how to say it.”

She smiled faintly. “You got a call from work and you have to go.”

I nodded. “Yeah, but…we can do something else. I can take you with me to work, and then, we could have dinner together after the meeting. What do you say?”

She scoffed. “No, go do your work. It’s more important to you.” she said and returned upstairs.

I grabbed my car keys and hurried out.

*OMOLOLU*​

Olivia stepped out of her bedroom in a red gown. “Do you like this gown?” she asked.

​“Tiwa loves you in whatever.”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s not about Tiwa.”

I swallowed as the thought of Ijeoma flashed through my mind. Ijeoma had the sort of beauty one could refer to as intimidating. Olivia had not met with her but she had seen a picture I had of Ijeoma which I later got rid of.

​“Olivia, you are in my life now. You don’t have to compete with Ijeoma.” I assured.

She nodded. “I am not competing with her. I just want to look good.”

​“The gown looks good on you.” I replied.

She smiled as she returned into the room. I immediately dialed Ijeoma. “Ijeoma, I want to pick my daughter.”

​“There is a restraining order, what are you saying?” she replied.

I cleared my throat. “You can come with us, I want to pick a house here and I want Tiwa to see it.”

​“I am sorry that won’t be possible, you can’t just show up and have Tiwa, I own custody.”

I sighed. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Ijeoma. It’s temporary.” I replied and the line went dead. Olivia walked out of the room and joined me. “Shall we?”

​“Ijeoma doesn’t want Tiwa to go with us.”

She shrugged. “That’s fine, we would just go together, when we win custody, she would have no choice but to let Tiwa go.”

*IJEOMA*

I stopped the car as the Red light from the traffic sign came up. Austin’s name came up on my phone. I tapped the speaker to avoid putting the phone in my ear. “What is it, Austin? I am on my way.”

​“They are getting impatient.”

I stared at the traffic light. “I can’t just skip traffic signs, Can I? I’ll be there in roughly twenty minutes.” I replied.

​“Okay.” He replied and the line went dead.

I watched the traffic lights and then stared out of my window as I saw a mother yelling at her daughter. I didn’t even have that luxury when Tiwa was a baby. Things were too hard and I knew that we had to save the situation.

​​***

​​​“Ijeoma you can’t go. Who is gonna play with the baby?” Omololu asked as I drew the zippers of my box.

​​I stared at him. “If I don’t take this job, Tiwa won’t have anything. Please Omololu, understand.”

​​​“But they have promised to give me extra money at the construction site.”

​​I nodded. “I know, but we are not getting anywhere with this. Omololu, I have a chance to save us, let me go.”

“Omololu, please, let her go.” His mother said as she walked in. I walked over to my mother-in-law and hugged her. “Take care of my babies for me, the big one and the small one.” I said.

“Ijeoma, when would you come back?” he asked.

​​​I smiled as I held his face. “As soon as I can.”

​​​He nodded and took his neck chain off. “Have it.”​

​​​​“Oh, it’s yours. You love it.”

​​​He smiled. “I know it is crude and made of rope, but I love it and I love you and I want you to have it, for me and for us.” He said as he tied it around my neck.

​​​****

I ran my hand across my chest and I started the car and drove off. I wasn’t wearing Omololu’s neck chain anymore, I had stopped wearing it. I drove slowly and then turnedback abruptly to my right incurring the wrath of other road users.

​​“You no fit drive!” A man hurled at me.

​I heard him but I had no response, right now I was on my way to make things right.​

​