Her Baby’s Secret

Arike’s POV

“Busayomi needs you more than ever now.” I nodded in agreement. “And it means you have to travel to Nigeria.”

“Yes ma, but she wants Iteoluwa to be her little bride.”

“Oh that’s nice.”

“But mommy.. do you think it’s a good idea to bring iteoluwa to Nigeria?” I asked.

“Why is it not a good idea? Oh because of Dayo?” She laughed.

“Yes what if we run into him?” I asked, panic almost rising within me.

“And so? Is he not the father of your child?” She snorted.

Why is she acting like she doesn’t know the consequences of Dayo finding out about his child.

“So you think Iteoluwa will let us rest if she doesn’t see her mom? Or you have forgotten the last time you traveled to Connecticut for a week, you need to see the way your daughter was disturbing every soul here. She doesn’t even remember that we are her grandparents. You have to take her with you.”

“But mommy -”

“Wo! Wo mi Omo -” she tapped me.

Look at me, child.

“Ki lo de?” We heard uncle Badejo’s voice.

What’s wrong?

“Ekaabo.” We greeted him welcome.

“Alexa asked me to give it to you.” He handed her a file. “Seems like the list of workers that would be traveling this Christmas.”

“Yes I asked for it.” He replied.

“Have you reached out to our sponsors?” He asked me.

“Yes sir, I already called a few. They promised to get to us. And I have sent broadcast to parents too.”

“That’s good. So what is going on?”

“Omo yin ti gba ring.” Aunty Sade announced that a child of his is engaged.

“Ewo ninu won?” He asked which of his child as he looked down at my fingers.

“Busayomi.” She answered.

“Oh really? She’s engaged! What’s that her boyfriend name?”

“Mr Paul.” I reminded him.

“Oh that’s nice. So have they fixed a date?”

“Not yet.” Aunty Sade replied

“So that means she’ll be needing your help with wedding plans.”

“Yes sir.”

“You can go back to Nigeria, don’t worry we’ll take care of Iteoluwa.” He said.

“Ahhh what are you saying? She should go with her child.” Aunty Sade said.

“And why is that?”

“Firstly Busayomi wants her to be the little bride and you know how disturbing Iteoluwa can be if she doesn’t see her mother.”

“Is it wise to take her with me?” I asked him.

“And you think Busayomi will be happy or Iteoluwa will want to stay here without you? Remember your trip to Connecticut.”

“I told her o.” Aunty Sade added.

“I don’t see anything bad in taking her with you except you are thinking about Dayo.” He said.

“That’s the bone of contention.” Aunty Sade said.

“You see? You see what I have been saying? I told you it is not good to hide her away from her father. You can’t hide forever, some day she would grow up and demand to know her father. Even if she is too young now, some day she will ask.” He said

Tears welled up in my eyes. “She already asked me if she would get to see him soon.”

“Can you see?” He shrugged.

“But Dayo can’t find out about her.” I responded

“So you intend to get married to another man and make him her father?” He asked with a deep frown on his face.

“No dad-”

“Don’t be a selfish mother, Arike!”

“I am not selfish dad.. everything I have ever done is to make my child happy.” I replied at the verge of tears.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“If you want that child to be happy then let her meet her father.” He said.

“Darling, you need to calm down.”

“I am calm.. I am calm.” He nodded.

“We’ve good without him.” I muttered.

“So you want to miss your sister’s wedding?” He asked

“No dad… I am not -”

Mom interrupted me. “Let’s not argue. Arike, you have enough time to think about what you want to do.”

“What I am sure of is that you can hide Iteoluwa from her father forever. So it’s better you deal with it.” He stood up and went away.

The tears that had threatened to spill dropped down my face. I hate it whenever he’s angry.

“You can’t be sure that you’ll see Dayo.” She held my hands. “I will go and talk to your daddy.” She let me go and went ahead to meet her husband.

What do I do if we see Dayo? No! I won’t let that happen! Dayo can’t find out about Iteoluwa.