HER BABY’S SECRET
EPILOGUE (1)
Arike’s POV
Mrs Moyosoreoluwa and I walked out of the courtroom. I met Dayo exchanging a handshake with Bamidele and then he moved on to barrister prosper. No doubt, Adedayo must have made up his mind to forgive Bamidele for what he did to him in the past. And I was glad to see them reconciling after all these years.
Adedayo’s eyes met mine and he flashed me a smile that was filled with happiness and endearment. Slowly he started towards me while I walked at a close run and threw my hands around him for an embrace.
“Arike...” he embraced me tightly.
Tears streamed down my cheeks as we stayed hugging for several seconds before Adedayo pulled away from me. He had tears in his eyes when I looked up at him.
“Adedayo...” my hand shot out to his face.
“Please don’t cry...” we
HER BABY’S SECRETFINAL EPILOGUE (2)Arike’s POV“Mommy..you haven’t told me who we are seeing today?” Iteoluwa jumped by my side as we made our way toward Dayo’s apartment.“Iteoluwa, I told you that we are meeting someone special to us.” I answered.“Perhaps is it grandma? She promised to attend big mommy’s wedding.” She said.Iteoluwa refused to let me help her up the staircase. My child has really changed ever since Busayomi made her realize the essence of having a mother. She was starting to do things herself without needing much of my help.We were meeting her father but I didn’t mention it to her. Busayomi had suggested that it would be fun to surprise her.“Mom..is this the place where they sell ice cream?” She asked.Iteoluwa was really anxious to know.“Baby..you
EPISODE ONETheme: He is getting marriedArike's POVAt 1:15am, I was still up trying to gather every information I could find to solve a murder case which was presented to the law firm where I work as a Criminal Attorney. The case was about the death of a senator's daughter. Chidinma Johnson was found dead on the street after she met up with her boyfriend at an hotel. We are yet to find the killer but we have two suspects in the police custody. Her boyfriend who she met before her death and best friend who was the last person who called Chidinma. My boss put me up to handle the case and also defend my client who was the deceased boyfriend.Benjamin Nwosu was the son of Senator Nwosu and he made it known to me that he didn't kill Chidinma. I perceive that Chidinma's death was the handwork of her father's opponent. Senator Jo
EPISODE TWOTheme: Arranged marriageArike's POV"I am getting married." He blurted out. And it seems like my heart stopped beating for a second.Adedayo was getting married? Has he proposed to his girlfriend? But wait,why was he sad about it? I pondered. Something wasn't right!"Have you proposed marriage to Joy?" I asked."Joy?! No! I broke up with her three days ago!" He responded in a slightly raised tone."Ok..ok..but you didn't tell about it." I said in a surprised tone."Well I wanted to call you up and tell you about it -" he stopped."So why didn't you?""I just got busy with some stuffs -" he paused again. "At least...now you know." He added quickly.I shook my head. It has always
EPISODE THREETheme: Chitchat with my best friendArike’s POV"So please go ahead." I said to send him off so I could work."What will you be doing?" He asked."Working..." I pointed out to my laptop with shrug."You should rest too." He adviced."No..I am okay. I really need to finish up this case." I answered him."Okay." He walked off to the bedroom.I got back to my work of finding evidences. Several minutes clicked by before Dayo came out again with a duvet in his hands."Do you need help?" He asked."No,I can manage." I replied."Are you sure?" He settled on the couch.I shook my head. "Aren't you sleeping on the bed?""No,I want to watch you while you work?" He replied with a wicked grin.I rai
EPISODE FOURTheme: The full gistArike's POVFEMI AFOLABI LAW FIRMA beeping sound from my phone distracted me. I rolled my eyes at the caller's ID - Busayomi. She was my very good friend and I can also say that she was my big sister. We've been friends for years. Busayomi was my roommate back in University days and we bonded almost immediately at our first meeting.I met her on the day I wanted to get some books from the library. I wasn't familiar with the campus yet as a fresher unlike Busayomi who was in 200 level. She helped me to the library and that was how we got talking. As at that time I needed a place to stay because I didn't like the fact that I was living with Mr Gbadamosi (he was a close friend to my uncle) and his family. Busayomi offered to allow me stay with her and her roommate Bunmi. I
EPISODE FIVETheme: The career womanArike's POV"Are you guys together now?" She asked."No! We are not together.” I responded in a way that won’t make her ask anymore questions but I was wrong."Why? Don't you like him? Is he not nice?" She questioned frantically."Bamidele is a nice guy but I don't think I want to be with him like -" I paused."Like what?" She sounded annoyed."The feeling is not just there like it's supposed to be.""Can I ask you a question?""Yeah." I mumbled."Do you intend to remain single forever?""Of course not." I laughed."Listen to me, I haven't seen you with any man in years except Dayo. You keep turning every man down as if your body is made of steel. Don't you want to be h
EPISODE SIXTheme: Hidden feelingsArike's POVI rushed out of the kitchen at the jingling sound of the bell attached to my door. I was surprised to see who was at the door."Shalewa." I said."Good day Arike." She greeted with her shoulder high up in the air."Yeah...good afternoon." I managed to smile still wondering why she was here without Adedayo."Won't you invite me in? It's not polite to keep me waiting out here." She said."Oh! I am sorry...please come in." I stepped aside and opened the door wide for her to come in."Are you expecting someone?" She asked."Yes."She interrupted my statement. "Dayo is coming over?""No, I am not expecting Dayo.""So who are you expecting?'
EPISODE SEVENTheme: Hidden feelingsArike’s POV“Oya oya the gist o!" She chanted as she sat down."Wait, I hope there's no bad news?""Oh no..no..bad news " I settled in the chair facing her direct with a glass of orange juice on the table."So..I am listening." She swallowed the food in her mouth."I..erm...I had dinner with Bamidele during the week." I said.She looked up at me. "For real?"I shook my head in response. "I thought you said -""I don't wanna have anything serious with him." I completed her intended sentence."Exactly! So have you changed your mind about him?" She asked."I don't know yet. We just had dinner as friends, nothing more.""Well I still don't know why you won't give bamidele chance. See grade one husband material! But no o! It's uncle -"
HER BABY’S SECRETFINAL EPILOGUE (2)Arike’s POV“Mommy..you haven’t told me who we are seeing today?” Iteoluwa jumped by my side as we made our way toward Dayo’s apartment.“Iteoluwa, I told you that we are meeting someone special to us.” I answered.“Perhaps is it grandma? She promised to attend big mommy’s wedding.” She said.Iteoluwa refused to let me help her up the staircase. My child has really changed ever since Busayomi made her realize the essence of having a mother. She was starting to do things herself without needing much of my help.We were meeting her father but I didn’t mention it to her. Busayomi had suggested that it would be fun to surprise her.“Mom..is this the place where they sell ice cream?” She asked.Iteoluwa was really anxious to know.“Baby..you
HER BABY’S SECRETEPILOGUE (1)Arike’s POVMrs Moyosoreoluwa and I walked out of the courtroom. I met Dayo exchanging a handshake with Bamidele and then he moved on to barrister prosper. No doubt, Adedayo must have made up his mind to forgive Bamidele for what he did to him in the past. And I was glad to see them reconciling after all these years.Adedayo’s eyes met mine and he flashed me a smile that was filled with happiness and endearment. Slowly he started towards me while I walked at a close run and threw my hands around him for an embrace.“Arike...” he embraced me tightly.Tears streamed down my cheeks as we stayed hugging for several seconds before Adedayo pulled away from me. He had tears in his eyes when I looked up at him.“Adedayo...” my hand shot out to his face.“Please don’t cry...” we
FINAL EPISODE SEVENTY THREETheme: A disguised sponsor Arike’s POV“Arike...” a familiar feminine voice called my name.I turned to see Mrs Moyosoreoluwa there in the court room.“I thought you didn’t attend until I saw you when I was about to leave with my family.” She folded her arms.I just nodded my head. “Where is Dayo?” I asked.“He is reconciling with barrister Bamidele, settling issues from the past.” She answered.“Alright..well I have been thinking -“ she interrupted me.“How I found out about your daughter.” She completed my intended statement.“Yes.” I said.She walked closer to me. “How did you find out about my child?” I asked.“I think about two years ago.” Mrs Moyosoreoluwa answered.My head s
HER BABY’S SECRETTheme: Victory at last Arike’s POV •••15 MINUTES LATER•••“All rise the court is now in session.” The bailiff announced.The judge entered the courtroom and sat at the bench and then she told everyone to be seated.She called out the counsels to give their closing statements. The prosecuting counsel pointed out that justice be served for his client while the defense attorney pleaded not guilty and asked the judge for a fair verdict for his client.The female judge cleared her throat. “In all things, justice must be served. I have the statements of the counsels and I have also looked into the evidences presented by the defense counsel. And this is my verdict.” The judge paused and the whole courtroom was silent.She cleared her throat and spoke up after som
HER BABY’S SECRETEPISODE SEVENTY ONETheme: The only witness Arike’s POVA loud gasp was heard in the court from the spectators and even the prosecuting attorney was speechless. I was sure that Shalewa would be shocked to find out that I had recorded our conversation that day.“It is clear that Mrs Shalewa framed her husband just to enact revenge on him and she doesn’t feel remorseful about her deeds. My lord, with your permission I shall now call a witness to confirm the facts of text messages and test results. I call Doctor Nelson.” Bamidele said.“Doctor Nelson!” The court bailiff called out.Doctor Nelson stood up from where he was seated and went to the witness box. The court bailiff came to the front of the box.“What’s your religion?” He asked.“Christianity.” Doctor Nelson replied.The bailiff handed him a Bible and Doctor Nelson took it in his right hand.“Please rep
HER BABY’S SECRETEPISODE SEVENTYTheme: Court in session Arike’s POVFinally the day to prove Adedayo’s innocence was here. We all hoped and believed that he would be acquitted and declared not guilty.I left home as early as 7:00am with the plan of meeting Bamidele and barrister Prosper at the law firm but I was delayed by a stand still traffic.Bamidele and Barrister Prosper had successfully processed Dayo’s bail yesterday and I was told that Mrs Moyosoreoluwa was around at the station to bring Adedayo to her home.I didn’t get a chance to talk to Adedayo yesterday because I was nervous and a bit scared. I was also bothered if Mrs Moyosoreoluwa already told Adedayo about my child.I arrived late at the court. The Lagos State Judicary High Court was full of reporters and spectators attracted by the sensational nature of this case. I managed to get into the courtroom and found an empty space at
HER BABY’S SECRETTheme: He just wants to be free Arike’s POVAfter Bamidele disconnected the call, I sat down on the bed slowly and reached out to wipe my face clean from tears.“Hey..what’s up?” Busayomi asked.“They can now process Dayo’s bail.” I answered with tears threatening to spill again.“Ah! Thank God! He will put our enemies to shame over this case!” She danced around.I just let the tears flow when I couldn’t control it and a feeling of relief washed over me.“Dayo would be free to go home.” Those words echoed on my mind.I was excited that we were getting close to rounding off this case. Tomorrow would be the day everything would end.If Shalewa believe that she has everything to fight Adedayo in court and the law was in her side, I am sure she would be terrified now. She doesn&rsq
HER BABY’S SECRETEPISODE SIXTY EIGHTTheme: Who gave out the recording? Arike’s POVThe handful of comments by the viewers on Instablog naija still got me thinking if it was right for Moyosoreoluwa to have posted the recording online. A strong evidence we wanted to use to fight Shalewa in court and I also pondered on how she got the recording.“Omo..Arike..see comments we can’t even read it. Jesus! This reactions are hot! I need to visit Shalewa’s page..that stupid sly. Arike, this is what I suggested to you the other day. I said leak the recording online and let everybody know the true criminal but you decided to do things in a lawful way. Omo! I love Mrs Moyosoreoluwa...no dulling.” She scrolled up and down her phone.“This stupid woman didn’t post any video! Why can’t she come out now and make another video to counter Mrs Moyosoreoluwa’s video!” She hissed out loudly.
HER BABY’S SECRETEPISODE SIXTY SEVENTheme: Viral Video Arike’s POVThe video stopped playing and I couldn’t help but exchanged glances with Busayomi. There was a picture of Dayo, Shalewa and Jamal pasted in the video too.“Oh...this stupid network has started nonsense now.” Busayomi complained.Some seconds later the video resumed playing.“Everybody is blaming Adedayo for a crime he didn’t commit. My brother has never raised his hands to hit any woman before and everything Shalewa Oriola told the police were all lies. We will be in court in two days time but before that I want to reveal the truth because I don’t trust our country’s judicial system. As it is now Shalewa is ready to do anything to send my brother to jail for some family related reasons which I am going to tell you now. I am sure you watching this video must know act