“Jake,
mummy said that someone could steal us, if we don’t wait for her,” Joanna said,
pulling her twin back.
When
they started to squabble, Bunmi bit back a smile as she walked pass her
children and got through the revolving door first.
“Leave
me alone!”
“No,
Jake. We have to hold hands now. Mummy said so.”
“But,
you’re holding me too tight, Jo!”
“That’s
enough, both of you,” Bunmi said sharply. “Jake, you know the drill. We all
have to hold hands till we get to the car. Jo, loosen up your hold a bit, okay.
The parking lot of the store they had just come of out was almost deserted and dimly lit, so she couldn’t see her son’s face clearly. But, she was certain it wore a frown now. Just like his father’s.
The parking lot of the store they had just come of out was almost deserted and dimly lit, so she couldn’t see her son’s face clearly. But, she was certain it wore a frown now. Just like his father’s.
Her
mood soured and just when her thoughts were about going to the man that had
fathered her children, she heard the sound of car doors being slammed shut.
Turning in that direction, she saw two men get out from the back of a dark-coloured
Honda Accord. From where she stood, she thought it was the latest model, but she
wasn’t sure. She looked away, not wanting to make eye contact, but before turning
away completely, she noticed them walk towards her and the kids.
Quickly,
Bunmi pulled her children to the car. Something about those men made her uneasy.
The tall one wore a grey hooded shirt and his face was obscured by the hood. It was as if he shielded his face because he wanted to remain anonymous and that worried her.
The tall one wore a grey hooded shirt and his face was obscured by the hood. It was as if he shielded his face because he wanted to remain anonymous and that worried her.
She
quickly glanced at the entrance of the shop, where two parking attendants sat
on stools, chatting. One threw his head backwards and laughed. Bunmi could hear
that raucous laughter, but she quickly noticed that they were not looking in
her direction.
Maybe, I should
just go back to the store, she thought, even as her feet moved forward, closer
to the car. The men walked briskly, taking long strides in their direction.
“Jake,
get into the car.” The hairs on the back of her neck were standing, so she spoke
sharper than she had intended. She lifted her son and almost shoved him into
his car seat, in her panic. She didn’t bother to strap him into the seat before
shutting the door. She pressed the sensor on her key and locked all the car
doors, then rushed past the shorter man who was almost at her car.
When
she went round to put Joanna into the car, the tall man followed her to that
side. She glanced at him, her heart pounding now. Even close up, she still
couldn’t see his face clearly. Without speaking, she opened the door, lifted Joanna
and shoved her into her car seat. Before she could shut the door, the tall man
held it and slid smoothly into her car, taking the space just beside Joanna.
When
he shut the door, without a word, Bunmi put both hands to her mouth. This cannot be happening.
By now, the second man was at the door of the passenger side. His eyes bore into her.
By now, the second man was at the door of the passenger side. His eyes bore into her.
“Get
in and drive.”
Hands shaking, she opened her door and got into the car, while he also got into the car, beside her. She glanced at the attendants again. One of them had stood and was looking at her car.
Hands shaking, she opened her door and got into the car, while he also got into the car, beside her. She glanced at the attendants again. One of them had stood and was looking at her car.
“Drive…Now.”
She
strapped herself in, put the car in reverse and slowly backed out of the
parking lot. The attendant sat again and resumed his conversation with his
partner.
“Mummy,
who are they?”
“Hush,
Jo.” She looked back, saw the tall man leaning over Joanna and stepped on
her brakes.
“Drive.”
She
ignored the man beside her. “What are you doing to my daughter?” She spoke
calmly because she didn’t want to alarm her children, but her heart was
thudding so loud, she thought everyone could hear it.
When
she heard a click, she realized that the man had been strapping Jo in. He
leaned over Joanna to get to Jake and a second click let her know that he had
also secured his seat belt. She couldn’t relax still. “What do you guys want?”
“You
talk too much, lady. Drive.”
Bunmi
cast a look at the man beside her. There was nothing in his voice that
instilled fear. His voice was smooth and refined, not guttural or high-pitched,
like she had expected, considering the circumstances. She was scared, all the
same.
As
she pulled out of the parking lot, Joanna started whimpering. Looking through
the rearview mirror, Bunmi tried to make eye contact with her daughter.
“Hush,
baby. Mummy will handle this, okay.” Amazingly, Jake was silent.
She noticed the Honda Accord pull out from the lot, to a position directly behind her.
She noticed the Honda Accord pull out from the lot, to a position directly behind her.
Only
a few cars were on the road, but she didn’t find that surprising, considering
they were in a quiet neighbourhood. Also, it was a Sunday night and most people
would be home, getting rested for another work week.
Why did we have
to be out now? Why did I choose tonight of all nights to indulge the children’s
ice cream cravings?
When
she hit the middle of her forehead with her right hand, the man beside her gave
her a sharp glance. She slowly lowered her hand to the steering wheel.
This doesn’t seem
like a random abduction, though. They seemed to have been waiting for us.
Suddenly
she was filled with cold dread at the thought that they had, most likely, been
followed.
It’s one thing
to hear about kidnapping incidents going on in Nigeria, while safe in America,
and another to actually be at the mercy of some brutes.
At that point, she saw a well-lit sign, indicating that she was getting close to a petrol station. Her first instinct was to drive in there and raise alarm, but she quickly crushed the thought.
At that point, she saw a well-lit sign, indicating that she was getting close to a petrol station. Her first instinct was to drive in there and raise alarm, but she quickly crushed the thought.
They might not
have shown me any guns, but I’m sure they are armed. I can’t risk jeopardizing
my children’s lives.
Glancing
swiftly at the station, she noticed the metal barricades and realized that no
one was in there. At that time of the night, they had obviously closed.
That’s another
reason why that was a bad idea.
Bunmi
was sweating profusely. Even her palms and the soles of her feet were damp.
Stretching her hand to the middle of the dashboard, she pressed a button and lowered
the temperature a notch. When her hand was back on the wheel, the man beside
her reached out and turned on the radio.
Bunmi
had been listening to music from a CD earlier, so the opening beat of the
remixed version of P Square's Chop my money
filled the car. He turned up the volume a bit and leaned back in his chair.
She
glanced at him again. He was staring ahead, but his shoulders were moving in
sync with the music.
What kind of a
lunatic is this?
Almost immediately, she got to the junction that turned into her grandmother’s street. She had been staying there since she and the kids returned. So, instinctively, she started to turn to her right. The driver of the car trailing behind them honked thrice and at the same time the man beside her, whom she now thought of as Loony, spoke sharply, “That’s not where we’re going.”
Almost immediately, she got to the junction that turned into her grandmother’s street. She had been staying there since she and the kids returned. So, instinctively, she started to turn to her right. The driver of the car trailing behind them honked thrice and at the same time the man beside her, whom she now thought of as Loony, spoke sharply, “That’s not where we’re going.”
Bunmi’s
fear increased as she slowly backed out of the street. I was right, this is no random incident.
When she got to the end of the road, the only place to turn was left. Seeing the police check point, a few meters away, she was filled with anticipatory joy. When she got closer, she started to slow down.
When she got to the end of the road, the only place to turn was left. Seeing the police check point, a few meters away, she was filled with anticipatory joy. When she got closer, she started to slow down.
“Don’t
even think about it.”
This
was the first time he had spoken, but there was something about the voice of the
man at the back that seemed familiar. Even as she struggled to remember where
she could have heard him before, she stubbornly pulled to a stop in front of
the policemen. The Honda drove past them.
“Don’t
even think of saying or doing anything you’d regret,” Loony told her calmly. He
removed the seatbelt from around his body and lowered his window. He smiled and spoke to the unarmed policeman,
who had come to the car, “My broda, how
una dey find today?”
“Bros, wetin man go do naa? Na work carry person come out this cold
night.” He peered inside the car. “Ah,
oga mi, you dey enjoy o. See as all
of una fine so. Even Davido dey play
im music for una sef. Chai! Na the
real silver spoon life una dey live so!”
Loony
laughed, as the policeman, whose uniform showed that he was a constable,
started to sing Dami Duro in
discordant tones.
He
put his hand into his jacket and withdrew a leather wallet. From it, he brought out a crisp note, which he handed over
to the constable. “Oya, take this one
hol’ body.”
When
he raised it to peer closer, Bunmi saw that it was a thousand naira note. “Bros, na you be the original baba olowo! You go live long o!”
He quickly squeezed the note into a ball and held it tightly in his fisted left
palm.
When
his partner drew closer, Loony dug out another note and handed over to him as
well. Amidst hand salutes and praise-singing from the policemen, he spoke to
Bunmi through clenched teeth, “Drive.”
Smiling,
as she pulled away, he waved to the policemen and wound up his window.
“What were you thinking?”
“What were you thinking?”
She
ignored Loony, silently bemoaning her lost chance. Loony’s earlier admonition
had not been the reason she hadn’t uttered a word to the policemen. It had been
the knowledge that his partner was sitting at the back with her children.
Why have they
been silent this long? She slammed the brakes immediately in panic.
“What!”
Loony cried, as he pitched forward. He hadn’t worn his seat belt after the
interlude at the checkpoint.
She
ignored him and looked back. The twins were fast asleep. Despite the circumstances,
Bunmi found that mildly amusing.
Only a child can
sleep through this horror.
Turning
to continue driving, she found Loony glaring at her. “Sorry,” she muttered.
He
rolled his eyes and brought out his phone. “Where
una dey?”
He was silent, as he listened to whoever he had called. He nodded once. “No wahala. We don pass them. Just wait for there.”
Turning
to Bunmi, he replaced his wallet and said, “Please, park the car now and get down.”
“How?...
What do you mean?... What about...?”
“Now!”
Shaking,
she complied. He got down too and came round to the driver’s side. She moved to
let him pass, when it was clear that he wanted to open the door.
“I
beg you,” she pleaded. “Take the car. Take whatever you want. Please let my
children go.”
“Wetin I wan use your children do?” He
pointed to the passenger side. “Abeg,
enter front, before you kill pesin.” He shook his head. “Women drivers.”
She
stared at him for a few seconds, before racing to the other side. Quickly, she
climbed into the car and strapped herself in with the seat belt. He got in too
and drove off.
He drove fast and about five minutes later, pulled up beside the Honda, which had been waiting for them at the end of Falomo Bridge. He stopped and gave a thumbs-up sign to the driver, before pulling away. While taking a quick look, Bunmi realized that the Honda, which drove behind them again, had two male occupants in it.
He drove fast and about five minutes later, pulled up beside the Honda, which had been waiting for them at the end of Falomo Bridge. He stopped and gave a thumbs-up sign to the driver, before pulling away. While taking a quick look, Bunmi realized that the Honda, which drove behind them again, had two male occupants in it.
They
drove fast for some minutes, pausing only to wait for two of the several
traffic lights on Victoria Island’s Ozumba Mbadiwe Street to change.
Soon,
Bunmi realized that they were headed towards Lekki. She hadn’t been there in
over five years, but she could recognize the landmarks. The roads were wider now,
though, and each side had four lanes.
That’s new.
Soon
they came to a structure, which stretched from one end of the road to another. She
soon realized that it was comprised of multiple toll gates.
Another new development.
She was silent, as Loony paid the toll fare to an attendant, who had a friendly smile on her face.
Another new development.
She was silent, as Loony paid the toll fare to an attendant, who had a friendly smile on her face.
He
smiled, as he collected a receipt from the girl. “Keep the change,” he said and
drove through the raised barricade.
Bunmi
turned to her window and rolled her eyes. Generosity
and friendliness in these circumstances? How noble of you.
A few meters away, they got to an intersection with a big roundabout, which she recognized. Loony turned left till they were in front of a large entrance with a sign that read “Lekki Scheme One”. The big gates to that entrance were open and he slowly drove through them.
A few meters away, they got to an intersection with a big roundabout, which she recognized. Loony turned left till they were in front of a large entrance with a sign that read “Lekki Scheme One”. The big gates to that entrance were open and he slowly drove through them.
Bunmi
turned in her seat to look at him. “Where are you taking us to?” She could hear
the fear in her voice, but she didn’t care. When she got no answer from him, she
whipped her head around, to the man at the back. He still had the hood of his
shirt over his head, but she could see his eyes. He was staring at her.
“Please,
do not hurt us. I don’t have anything you guys would want. I’m only here for my
grandmother’s burial. I beg you. Please, let us go.”
When
he looked away, without saying a thing, she hunched her shoulders in defeat and
turned away from him.
She realized immediately that Loony was pulling into a street she knew very well. Some of the fight came back in her. Eyes flashing she turned to him again, “What exactly is going on here?”
She realized immediately that Loony was pulling into a street she knew very well. Some of the fight came back in her. Eyes flashing she turned to him again, “What exactly is going on here?”
Just
as she had suspected, he pulled up to a house with high walls. By then, both
arms were folded over her chest. She was fuming. After honking twice, a
uniformed guard came through a side gate to their car. She recognized him. Loony
lowered his window and the guard smiled.
“Ah,
oga, na you? Welcome. I been no
know say na you.”
“That’s
alright, James. How body?”
“Body dey inside cloth.”
Both
men laughed and the guard looked into the car. His eyes widened when he saw
Bunmi. “Aunty mi, na you be this? E don tey o!” His face broke out in a
huge grin.
When she didn’t respond, but only glared at him, the guard’s smile faltered and he
looked at Loony, who cocked his head at the gates. In less than a minute, the
guard had thrown them open and they drove into a very spacious compound.
As soon as the car was parked on the gravel driveway in front of the house, she opened the door and rushed out of the car and to Loony's side, just as he was climbing out slowly. “How dare you?”
As soon as the car was parked on the gravel driveway in front of the house, she opened the door and rushed out of the car and to Loony's side, just as he was climbing out slowly. “How dare you?”
“Just
doing my job, ma’am,” he responded, almost nonchalantly.
The
door at the back opened and the tall man came out of the car. He had removed
the hood, so his face was no longer shielded. As soon as she saw his face, she
realized why his voice had sounded familiar and her eyes narrowed.
Drawing
up to her full height, she looked up at him. She was wearing flat sandals; so, his six-foot-three-inches frame towered over her five-foot-six-
inches body. Raising an eyebrow and putting on the haughtiest voice she could
muster, she asked, “Is this what you do for him, these days?”
His
face tightened and she was glad to see that she had struck a raw nerve.
When
she pushed past him to unstrap Joanna, who was still asleep, she realized that
Loony was trying to do the same with Jake. “Loony, don’t lay a finger on my
son,” she snapped, glaring at him.
Loony
raised both arms and backed away from the boy. Then, grinning, he looked
around, “Loony? Who’s Loony?”
Ignoring
him, she spent the next few minutes rousing her kids and getting them out of
the car, while both men watched. The tall man looked at her children, when they
were out of the car, and smiled. Even though he was still smiling when he looked
at her, she could see that it didn’t reach his eyes. “I see you’ve been busy.”
He
glanced at the twins again and she understood what he meant.
She
pursed her lips and shook her head. Then, she led her sleepy children up the
marble steps at the entrance of the house, muttering words of encouragement to
them.
A few seconds after she pressed the bell, the door was opened by a woman. As soon as they stepped into the house, Bunmi brushed aside her cheerful greeting and the arms that reached out in a welcoming hug.
A few seconds after she pressed the bell, the door was opened by a woman. As soon as they stepped into the house, Bunmi brushed aside her cheerful greeting and the arms that reached out in a welcoming hug.
“Where
is he?”
She shook off the tiny voice of guilt when the smile on the rotund face gradually
died and eyes that clouded with hurt stared back at her.
“He’s
waiting for you in his study.”
She took a few steps away from the woman, before turning back.
“Thank
you, Ma Agnes.”
The
woman smiled softly. “You look wonderful, my dear.”
With
a small cry, she let go of the twins’ hands and flew into the arms of the
woman she had known all her life. “I’ve missed you so much.”
Ma
Agnes held the woman, she considered a daughter, in a fierce hug. Soon, she loosened her hold. “Go. You know he hates to be kept waiting.”
As the trio walked along the long corridor, Jake asked in a whisper, “Mummy, where is this?”
As the trio walked along the long corridor, Jake asked in a whisper, “Mummy, where is this?”
“Nowhere
important, baby. We’ll soon be heading home.”
“It’s
a beautiful house, mummy. I like it here.”
She smiled softly and rubbed a hand on Joanna’s hair, which was held in place by a
pink band, with a bunny clip-on. Yeah,
it’s a beautiful house, baby. Once upon a time, I dreamt of taking you round
the whole of it.
She
shook those thoughts off, as they turned a corner on the right. She saw the
door of the study at the end of the short corridor and her heart rate picked
up. When she got to the heavy door, out of habit, she gave three short raps on
it. Without waiting to be invited in, she turned the handle and opened the
door.
Expecting
the softness of a plush rug underneath her feet, she was surprised to feel the
hardness of a marble-tiled floor. He’s
finally changed the floor.
She
turned and gently led the twins in, before shutting the door. A deep voice from
the right spoke, “Welcome home.”
She
turned in that direction. He was sitting behind his wide hand-carved table, a
small smile playing on his lips. He looked every inch a successful man, as he
played with a gold pen with long fingers, at the ends of which were perfectly
manicured nails. His eyes fell on her children and he pushed back his chair and
got to his feet.
He still looks
so good. The years have been kind.
She
knew he wasn’t a vain man, but it was important to him to maintain an
impeccable physical appearance, at all times. Even meeting with her, in these
circumstances, she knew that he would have made an effort to look nice.
He walked round the table and came towards them, stopping when he was about a foot away. Stretching his arms to the children, he smiled widely, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
He walked round the table and came towards them, stopping when he was about a foot away. Stretching his arms to the children, he smiled widely, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
“Come,
babies. Come to me.”
Joanna
inched forward, but a quick tug by her mother, made her halt. Bunmi felt a
little movement and looked down at Jake. He had turned his head upwards to her.
Reading the question in his eyes, she patted his head and held his hand
tighter.
As
memories of the past washed over her, she felt pain, sadness and love hit her
at varying speeds. She lifted her head, but was careful to keep those emotions
away from her eyes, as she stared at the man that now held her gaze.
Her
chin came up a notch, in that show of defiance he knew so well. “Hello,
Father.”
TO BE CONTINUED
To read the next parts please go to:
Part Two: SECRETS: WHEN THERE IS A WILL
Part Three: SECRETS: THE FATHER FIGURE
Part Four: SECRETS: MOTHER KNOWS BEST
TO BE CONTINUED
To read the next parts please go to:
Part Two: SECRETS: WHEN THERE IS A WILL
Part Three: SECRETS: THE FATHER FIGURE
Part Four: SECRETS: MOTHER KNOWS BEST
Part Five: SECRETS: REKINDLING THE FLAME
Wow!
ReplyDeleteIntense.....Suspense!!!! Can't wait for Part two! Hurry!!!!!! Well-done dear, great story as always!
ReplyDeleteSeriously? To be continued? Olaedooooooooooooooo! Y nu?
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, I wonder what happened between her and her popc in the past. Can't wait for the part 2
ReplyDeleteReally? Olaedo, really? To be Continued? Don't let us wait for long!!!
ReplyDeleteHurry up with part 2. Can't wait
ReplyDeleteHad a gamut of emotions reading this. Waiting for part 2
ReplyDeleteNail biting suspense......OJK u have come again,can't wait for part 2.
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm...nice!
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm wow U̶̲̥̅̊ heLd ♍Ɣ breathe olaedo smh
ReplyDeleteArrrrgh!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why na Ola?!!!!!!!! Please gt the part 2 out fast. Suspense filled story and very interesting. weldone dear
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm.....can't wait for part two
ReplyDeleteOLAAAAAAAAAA
ReplyDeleteD suspense is killing me already! Lol!
ReplyDeleteGosh Olaaaaaaaaaa! Please continue. I don't do very well with suspense :-))
ReplyDeleteI am wondering what must have happened between father and daughter to make him resort to kidnapping.
ReplyDeleteInteresting story. Please come and finish it.
First time here!
Kikilicious; ;) ;)
ReplyDeleteOnyinye; Thanks, dear.
Ng; Lol!!!!! Nne, o buro my fault ;)
Che; I wonder too o. They haven't told me the entire story ;)
Hazel; No talk too much o! I go soon do your style, lol.
Nel; Sorry you had to wait :)
Okeoghene; Gamut of emotions.. I like that ;)
Ada; Nne,eh.. I can't wait too, jare :)
Samuel; Thanksss :)
Amby; Lol!
Anon 14:48; YESSSSSSSSS :)
chychic 81;Lol! Ndo :)
Brick's Momma; You know I woulda continued this some days ago, right? ;)
Enkay; Thanks :) Not yet finished, though :)
olaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
ReplyDeleteAnon 09:25; Yesssssssssssssss ;)
ReplyDelete