The Blue House S03 E15

Dear reader, this is the last episode of this season of The Blue House and contrary to my projections, there will be another season (hopefully the last). I appreciate all your comments, suggestions and shares; it’s always good to know that people are reading and can relate to the characters I have portrayed. I’d love your feedback regarding this season and the previous ones so please send me an email at omololaopatayo@gmail.com or just leave a comment here.

Enjoy this last episode and please don’t forget to share!

After a series of meetings with the Pastor, Dapo and Ronke had decided that his counsel on the matter concerning Peace was the best. “That is what Pastor said and that is what we will do. In the meantime you must cut off all your association with that girl, do you understand?”
“Yes sir.”

Dapo went into the bedroom leaving Ronke and Ayodele, Joke had taken the baby inside.
“I know you didn’t impregnate that girl, I just know it.” Ronke thought out loud.
“Mummy there is something I want to tell you…” Ayodele wrung his hands nervously, could he trust his mother with this information?
“What is it?” Ronke arched her eyebrow.
“I saw Peace…”
“I hope this girl has not charmed you!” Ronke sat up alarmed. “Your father just said you should stay away from that girl, yet here you are talking about her again. What is your problem?”
“I’m sorry ma.” Ayodele’s head was bowed, he should have known better than to trust her.
“Go inside and don’t ever mention that girl’s name again!”
The boy obeyed promptly but as he was leaving Ronke kept getting a nudging feeling to listen to what her son had to say. “No, what could he possibly have to say?” she reasoned.
**********
Obiora was back after his first three weeks on his new job. Helen was ecstatic and the boys would not let their father go asking him how Port Harcourt was and if they could go with next time. Eventually they let him go when Effiong presented them with some chocolates form his travelling bag.
“Thank you for doing that!” Helen said relieved that she had him all to herself.
“Yeah… I just wanted to be with you.” He said tracing the curve of her face.
“And so do I.” They kissed each other with intensity, it was as if they had been separated for a year. Eventually, Obiora pulled back and examined his wife.
“You look like you’ve lost some weight.”
Helen laughed humorlessly. “That’s inevitable with the boys and Teni!”
“Teni?”
“Yeah, Kunle can’t handle that child on his own, he needs a woman.” She said sadly.
“But why does it have to be my woman?” Obiora asked slightly irritated, he was unhappy with Helen’s somewhat haggard look.
“His mother is at one of his sibling’s who just had a baby and Kunle won’t let her be with any of Banke’s family members. I told you Banke has finally filed for divorce and sole custody of the child right?”
Obiora nodded. “Still I don’t want you looking like this. What if we were not living in this house, would he not solve his own problems?”
“I’m sure he would have Obi but I’m happy to take care of her, you knew she’s like the daughter I never had. Besides, Ada helps out too. In fact…” Helen laughed.
“In fact what?” Obiora asked with a hint of a smile on his face.
“Kunle sort of attacked her the first time he saw her with Teni.”
“Are you serious?”
“Oh yeah.” Helen narrated the story.
“Wow, that doesn’t at all sound like Kunle.”
“That’s exactly what I told Ada.”
“And what happens when Ada goes to camp?”
“I’ll be fine.”
Obiora shook his head disapprovingly. “Why is your hair not made, you look like you haven’t even had your bath today?”
“Yeah… you’re not around now! Who am I making my hair for?”
“Whether I’m around or not please look presentable. Does this mean that if I go away for a year you’ll be as smelly as a skunk when I get back?”
Helen laughed. “Okay, okay, I get your point. I’ll adjust.”
“Please do. You still look delicious enough though.” He nuzzled her neck.
“Really?”
“Absolutely!” Obiora said distractedly as he kissed her.
**********
Olayinka thought of her conversation with her mother. Could Effiong really hit her again? Was she as weak as her mother said she was?
“Hey, what’s on your mind?”
Effiong stood in front of her waving his hands in her face.
“Nothing.” She gave a weak smile.
“I thought we agreed to tell each other the truth always?”
Olayinka rubbed her eyes. “I need to know that you’re never going to hit me again.”
Effiong was shocked. “Where is this coming from? Why would you even think that? You know what happened that night, you know that I would never hit you.” Olayinka looked unconvinced. “I am never going to hit again. In fact, I’d rather divorce you than lay a finger on you.”
“Okay.”
“What’s going on?” Effiong held her hands in his.
“I went to see my mum and she said I am weak because I choose to remain with you in spite of the fact that you hit me.” Effiong pulled his hands away and tried to calm down. “Say something.”
“I don’t know what to say.” He spread his hands on the table thinking about his mother-in-law’s conclusions about his wife, didn’t she know that she had cheated on him? Had she forgotten that even she had abused him when she slapped him?
“Effiong…”
“The decision rests with you. Search your heart, you know me and you know that I would never hit you. I know that I should have controlled myself that night, I should have just walked away but you mocked me and made me feel as if I was nothing, I gave up my career for us and you threw it back in my face. I’ll forever regret that night but I’m not going to let it rule me. We’ve both made mistakes and I thought we had decided to leave the past behind and create a new future for each other but it looks like you’re having a rethink…”
“No Effiong, I’m not…”
“So why are we having this conversation? Why are you going to let one conversation ruin what has taken us months to rebuild?”
“I’m sorry…”
Effiong got up. “Let me know what you decide…”
Olayinka held his hands. “I’ve made my decision, I want you!” Effiong sat down reluctantly. “I was just wondering about it… I’m sorry…but I had to settle it, I want to be able to say without a shadow of a doubt that you won’t hit me again.”
“No Olayinka it won’t happen again for as long as I live.”
Olayinka nodded.
**********
Kunle was confused, he had done everything he knew to do but Teniola won’t stop crying. He had changed her diaper, fed her and was rocking her but she was still wailing. He had even tried singing but that had only agitated her more.
“What do I do? What do I do?” he paced the sitting room carrying her in his arms. Helen and the family had gone out, Joy had gone to her hometown for the weekend and he was presently contemplating going to knock on Olayinka’s door when there was a knock on the door.
“Who is that?” he yelled out of frustration.
“Err… it’s Ada.”
“From where?” he yelled again, he wasn’t in the mood for any surprise visit.
“From the Nwachukwus!” she yelled back
“Who are the Nwachukwus?” he muttered and then he remembered. Teniola was still crying. “I’m coming.” He said reluctantly, he didn’t know any Ada from the Nwachukwus. He opened the door.
“Hello sir.” Ada said tentatively.
“Mama!” Teniola cried, stretching her hands towards her.
“Aww…sorry dear” Ada took her and began to pat her back, the girl’s wails subsided to a whimper. Ada let herself in as Kunle watched amazed at the relationship between Ada and his daughter. “Oh your body is still warm! Is it that tooth again? Open your mouth and let me see.” She had set Teniola on her lap and tilted her head back so she could get a good look at her mouth.
“Oh there it is! Sorry dear.” She turned towards Kunle. “I heard her crying and I had to come. I hope you don’t mind sir?”
“Not at all” Kunle replied dazed.
“Do you have some Panadol, her gum is aching her?”
“Yes, let me get it.”
“I also need to give her a cold bath…”
“Of course… err… her room is that way, first door on your left.”
Twenty minutes later, Teniola was asleep in Ada’s arms. It was hard to believe that she had been crying inconsolably thirty minutes ago.
“I should probably go now…” Ada was uncomfortable in the man’s presence.
“Oh! Err… okay… will she sleep for a long time?”
“With all that crying, definitely!”
“Okay, let me take her to her room.
Ada handed the child to him and their fingers brushed each other’s. “Bye sir”
“Err…yeah… I’m sorry about the other day…”
“It’s okay sir, you must have had a long day.”
“I did.” They stared at each other.
“Okay bye sir.” Ada said again.
“Thank you very, very, much.” Kunle said with a lot of gratitude. “And please don’t call me sir, my name is Kunle.”
“Yes sir… sorry…yes.” Ada was angry with herself why was she bumbling? She walked out of the house unsteadily.
Teniola stirred in his arms before Kunle realized he had been staring at Ada, the woman had such an aura about her.
**********
Olayinka stared at the test result, two distinct lines to confirm her suspicion that she was pregnant. What would Effiong think about this? Would he be pleased or unhappy, doubting if the baby was his?
“Babe!”
“Ah… yeah…?” Olayinka scrambled to hide the kit.
“What is that? What are you hiding?” Effiong reached behind her and pulled out the kit. “You’re pregnant?”
“Yeah…?”
“Why were you hiding it?” Effiong asked softly. 
“I wasn’t sure what you’d think.”
“This is what I’ve always wanted!” Effiong said with so much joy.
“It’s not too soon?”
“No, it the perfect time.” He drew her to himself and kissed her.