EPISODE THIRTY FIVE
Theme: Welcome to Nigeria
Arike’s POV
When we finally reached Busayomi’s house, her mom and husband to be were present at the place. I had to carry Iteoluwa inside because she was still asleep.
“Welcome back to Nigeria!” Mr Paul exclaimed as I exchanged pleasantries with him.
“My baby must be really stressed out from the flight.” He added.
“Yes she tends to sleep after a flight.” I smiled.
“Awwnnn...she’s so cute whenever she sleeps too.” He complimented.
“Good afternoon ma.” I greeted Busayomi’s mom, kneeling a bit.
“Arike, how are your parents?” Busayomi’s mom asked.
“They are fine ma
EPISODE THIRTY SIXTheme: Gist LoverARIKE’S POVI began to sing her one of the lullabies the nannies at the home sings to the babies all the time to put them to sleep.You Are My SunshineMy only sunshineYou make me happyWhen skies are greyYou'll never know, dearHow much I love youPlease don't take my sunshine away.”My gaze fell on a black mark on her nose and remembered where I had always seen it.Dayo has the same mark on the same spot. One of the things to prove that she was his child but I didn’t want to think about it right now.“Arike-“ Busayomi stopped halfway when she saw my position.I stood up and faced her. “I was just singing to her.” I said.“Oh! It’s alright.” She shook her head.“Why did you tell me your mom and Mr Paul were at your place?” I ask
EPISODE THIRTY SEVENTheme: The wedding dressesArike’s POVWe woke up as early as six to prepare ourselves for the planned visit to the fashion home to try out the wedding outfits. Busayomi as the bride, Iteoluwa as the little bride and I, the best lady with some other ladies that belonged to the bridal train. After that we would all head down to the dance center to rehearse for the couple entrance show. Everything was planned out by the event planner.“Mommy...” Iteoluwa called.“Come on, it is bad to talk while eating.” I cautioned her.“I am sorry, mommy.” She mumbled before getting back to eat her food.“It’s alright...open your mouth.” She did as instructed and I scooped golden morn into her mouth.“Are we ready?” Busayomi walked in.“Almost ready...”
EPISODE THIRTY EIGHTTheme: Nosy womanARIKE’S POV“Our wife! Our wife!” A lady in her fourties walked into the room.It wasn’t hard to tell that she was Mrs Chidinma, the one Busayomi had given me a full gist on.“Good afternoon ma.” Busayomi greeted.A phone beeped. “Sorry it is mine...oh It is Temitope.” Omolade said.“I hope nothing is wrong.” Busayomi huffed.“I will just go out and talk to her.” Omolade moved out of the room.“Wow! Your dress is beautiful. I hope you like it?” Mrs Chidinma asked.“Oh yes ma and I really appreciate your help.” Busayomi answered.Mrs Chidinma looked at me. “Oh,she is my sister.” Busayomi said.“I am Arike, and this is my daughter, Iteoluwa.” I did a brief introduction.“Oh..I must say you have a beautiful daughter.”
EPISODE THIRTY NINETheme: The singing dollArike’s POV••••SOME DAYS LATER•••••It was a Saturday morning, Iteoluwa had looked forward to this day ever since we got to Nigeria. Our plans was to either watch a movie or buy few things from Shoprite mall, and Iteoluwa had picked going to shoprite so she could buy a singing doll after Busayomi told her about the special pink singing doll that most of the children came to buy the day she went to the mall.Iteoluwa was anxious about the singing doll, she has never had a singing doll except for teddy bears. And it seemed like my baby was obsessed about teddy bears if the word ‘obsessed’ is not too much for her age.“Mom, can we go now?” She asked with excitement clear in her tone.Iteoluwa woke up before anyone else, she had even picked out her outfit and s
EPISODE FOURTYTheme: Lost but foundArike’s POVMy eyes scanned the area and panic set in about two minutes after realizing that my daughter was gone. At first, I told myself that it was no big deal. Iteoluwa was probably over in the children book section checking to see if there would be an interesting princess book or if Barbie collection has been updated.When I got to the book aisle, she wasn’t there so once again I thought she would have wandered to the teddy bear collections. Iteoluwa was a sucker for teddy bears. And when she wasn’t there either, I became concerned.My heartbeat accelerated but I told myself to calm down and not overreact. But I couldn’t calm down, the shoprite mall was big with lot of people in it so I was scared even though I had warned her to never talk to strangers to and stay in one
EPISODE FOURTY ONETheme: I am sorryArike’s POV“Mom meet Mr Bamidele and his son, Adebanjo.” Iteoluwa introducedAnd it was kind of funny because of the way she pronounced their names due to her New York accent. I would have laughed but it wasn’t a good time to joke. All I did was stare at the man standing in front of me.“Arike...” he called out.“Do you know my mom?” Iteoluwa asked.“Yes..Yes..” he closed the gap between us.“Mom is that true?” She asked.My voice failed me as I stared dumbfounded. “Oh my God! Arike it is you.” Bamidele exclaimed.I didn’t think Bamidele was going to be this happy seeing me. I thought he was going to pretend to not know me being that we didn’t end up together the way he had wanted things to go between us.
EPISODE FORTY TWOTheme: My Old friendArike’s POVI came out of the mall to find Iteoluwa conversing with Bamidele and as I watched from afar it seemed like Iteoluwa had known him for a long time the way she was in a deep conversation with him.I walked up to them. “We can go now.” I said.“Mom, where did you go?” She asked.“I just went to say thank you to the man who helped me find you.” I answered.“Okay..it is good to always say thank you anytime someone helps you.” She stated what I have always told her.I reached out to take the nylons but Bamidele gestured to me to carry Banjo from his shoulders and we started off towards the mall exit.“Your daughter said you didn’t come with a car, so I am going to drop you off at your place.” Bamidele said.
EPISODE FORTY FOURTheme: Now or NeverArike’s POVI heaved a sigh of relief when the doll stopped singing. I tried taking the doll from her as Iteoluwa as she lay on the bed, holding the singing doll to her chest but she grumbled in her sleep and held on to the doll. Then I just let her be and covered her and the doll with a duvet.My gaze flickered to the wall clock, the time was 11:35pm, I should be asleep right now because we have a lot to do tomorrow but I wasn’t feeling sleepy and at the same time I was bored.I stared into space as I got lost in thought. My mind reminisce on the coincidental meeting with Bamidele at the mall. I never expected him to be the first person as an old friend that I would see during my stay in Nigeria.Who was I expecting to bump into? Adedayo. It seemed like everyone
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