Her Baby’s Secret

Arike’s POV

“Are you okay?” Busayomi asked when I entered the kitchen.

“Yes.. I am fine.”

“Rice or swallow?” She asked.

“Rice… no.. I’d prefer swallow.” I answered.

“Okay.. I will prepare Eba.”

“That’s cool. Thank you.”

I brief her about the agent response and all she did was heave out a huge sigh. She wasn’t happy.

I grabbed an apple from the refrigerator.

“Have you thought about the gender of your baby?” She asked.

“No, I haven’t given it a thought.”

“A boy would definitely look like Adedayo.” She said.

“I don’t want a boy.” I resorted Immediately.

She laughed. “So no one would know the truth.”

“I want a baby girl.” I whispered.

“Any gender is fine by me as long as I get to be called big mommy.” She said.

We laughed.

I would definitely devote my life to raising my child.

“Will you be needing a new box?” She asked

“Oh Yes! The zip of the old one has worn out.”

“Okay.. we’ll go probably on Friday or Saturday to get a new one.”

I nodded. “I will text my boss to let him know I want to resign.”

“He won’t be happy.”

“I have to go anyways.” I shrugged.

The doorbell sounded. “Are you expecting someone?” She asked.

“No, I am not expecting anyone. But -” I paused.

“I had a chat with Dayo and texted Bamidele too.”

“Maybe it’s Bamidele.” She said.

“What if it’s Dayo?” I panicked. “Is it obvious that I am pregnant?” I touched my face. “Do I look different?”

She eyed me. “See if you don’t stop acting like this everyone will know that you’re pregnant.” She hissed.

I relax a bit. “It can be Bamidele.”

“I will get the door while you pull yourself together. Relax okay?” I nodded and Busayomi walked out of the kitchen.

“I am coming!” She shouted to calm whoever was at the door.

Dayo won’t be stupid enough to leave work and come here. I just hope he is not the one at the door. I am not ready to face him.

“Arike, Bamidele is here!”

I heaved a sigh of relief. Oh thank Goodness! Now I have to deal with Bamidele.

I went into the sitting room to meet Bamidele smiling brilliantly at Busayomi as they talked.

“I didn’t expect to meet you here,” he said.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you too.” She replied with a laugh. “How is work?”

“Stressful.. but I have no choice.” He laughed.

“ABI o.. we have to work to put food on the table.” Busayomi answered while Bamidele and I exchanged glances.

“I am preparing dinner, would you like some food?” She asked.

“Well.. I am not sure. I am okay for now.”

“Okay so.. I’ll just leave you two to talk.” She shot me a compose yourself look before walking away.

“Are you alright?” He asked.

“Yes.. I am fine. Please take a seat.”

“Thank you. I finished up my work at the office so decided to drop by since you wanted to talk.” He said.

I rubbed my palms together.

“Ahm.. I am leaving the country.” I announced.

He shot me a shocked look. “Why? And how long have you been planning it?”

“I received a call from my Aunt today. My uncle was involved in an accident.”

He came to sit beside me on the couch. “Is that why you texted saying we needed to talk?”

I nodded. “It’s alright. You have to go and see your uncle.” He held my hands. “I can help with the flight ticket.”

“No.. it’s all sorted out.”

“So when will you be back?” He asked

Now here is the main issue! I withdrew from his touch and stood up from the couch.

“The truth is that…” I paused.

“What truth?” He asked.

“I am not coming back. I will be staying for a really long time.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Why do you have to relocate abroad? Is it something that serious?”

He came to me.

“I just want to be with my dad.” I responded without looking up at him.

“No.. no.. you can’t leave like that. What about me? What about us?”

I breathed out heavily. “That’s why I think we should break up.” I blurted out.

“Just like that?” He gasped out.

I could see the hurt in his expression. I should have been more careful with my words.

“Our relationship isn’t even up to a month and you just want to end things just like that?”

“I am sorry.”

“Tell me the truth… Arike this is not just about your dad!”

I turned away from him. “It’s.. It’s about him.” I lied

“No… we’re not ending things like this. Look -” he swirled me to face him. “I am coming with you.”

What?! My jaw dropped completely.

“I’ll arrange for my papers and then.. we can leave together.”

He is Insane! Definitely! He is funny to think that I would allow that to happen.

“No, Bamidele you can’t come with me.” I objected.

“Why not?” He cupped my face. “My girlfriend is relocating abroad so why can’t I do the same?”

“You can’t -”

He interrupted me. “There’s no point in staying back when you’re moving out.”

“You have a work here.”

“I can get one over there too. We are not breaking up.” He said seriously.

What do I do?

“Why would you want to relocate abroad without talking to me about it? Don’t you care about me?” He asked.

“I care about you.” I answered.

He sighed and rubbed his face with his palms. “I need you to be honest with me..” he stopped.

My heartbeat accelerated. Does he know I am pregnant?

“Do you truly love me?” He asked.

“Why are you asking me?”

“Because you can’t just make a decision to relocate abroad without telling your boyfriend? If you truly love me.. then you would have waited for my say before even booking a ticket.”

“My dad is in coma!”

“Not an excuse to want to leave just like that!” He said defensively.

We lapsed into silence for some seconds.

“Do you love me, Arike?” He asked again.

This is the point! I can’t continue deceiving him.

“No, I don’t love you.” I said honestly.

He turned away from me. “I knew it.” He snorted under his breath.

“I am sorry.”

“No.. don’t be please.” He forcrd a smile to appear on his face.

“I really tried to but-”

“Nothing worked.. you possibly can’t feel the same way I feel because of who I used to be.”

“No.. no.. that’s not true.” I countered.

“Stop lying to me. I could tell you doubted me when I said I wasn’t gay anymore.” He said.

“No! That’s not true! I swear.. I never really cared about your sexuality.” I said sincerely.

“So why can’t you love me?”

“Bamidele -”

“Oh! Ouch! I think I know -” he hit his forehead.

How do I explain things to him without involving Dayo or my baby.

“It must be because of him. Dayo is the one you love.” He gritted.

“No…”

“Don’t deny it. I have my reasons for concluding that it’s him. Aside from being his best friend, you feel something for him. And you and I both know the truth.”

I dare not utter a word. I just let the tears flow freely. I know Bamidele was deeply hurt and angry but he was trying to act cool and calm.

“From your silence.. I guess am right. So which means you only got along with me to distract yourself from whatever you’re feeling for Dayo.”

“No…” I tried to deny but he cut me off by raising his hand up.

“Okay you find it easy to leave because you don’t think about me. Arike, for a moment, I thought we were real. I thought I was finally having this happiness I have always wanted but -” he paused and shook his head.

“I was wrong.” He completed.

“I am sorry.” I muttered.

“Don’t be sorry, it’s my fault. I will assume that I was too forward with you. And I should have respected your decision to remain just friends.” He said

“Bamidele?” Busayomi called him

Thank Goodness, maybe she could help me talk to him.