After the storm

by Osar Adeyemi

  Yemi set out to work on the designs. They had to go over them several times over the next few weeks. Yemi created, and Sharon criticized or complimented. She was a stickler for perfection, but Yemi valued her criticism, and they finally arrived at designs that she was happy with.

  Yemi attended the fashion event with Laide and Derin. She felt warm all over when she heard the applause as the models wearing her designs came out. Yes, they might be applauding House of Tetra, but this was her work! Maybe having her own fashion house someday was not such a bad idea after all, she thought to herself happily.

  ∞∞∞

  Dotun's voice was clear but a little emotional, his eyes lovingly fixed on Laide's as they exchanged their wedding vows two months later. Yemi's eyes dampened slightly. The ceremony was beautiful, and the couple looked so happy. She felt a nudge on her elbow and turned to see Akeem looking at her in amusement.

  "They look good together, don't they?" he whispered.

  "Absolutely!"

  A teasing smile curved his lips. "But I wonder why some people cry at weddings, though. It's supposed to be a joyful event."

  "These are tears of joy," Yemi said, smiling and dabbing at her eyes with her handkerchief.

  "Hmmm…interesting." He looked over to where the bridal party was sitting. "My daughter is definitely the loveliest little flower girl I've ever seen."

  "She does look very pretty," Yemi agreed and then added cheekily, "just like her mum."

  "Um, but I think my girl is just that little bit prettier,"

  She smiled and tossed her hair. "What else would you say?"

  After the wedding, they went over to the venue for the reception. By this time, Aleena had had enough of sitting with other members of the bridal party and insisted on sitting with her father at his table. Yemi left them and went to help with attending to other guests.

  She heard Sesan's voice behind her. "Hey!"

  "Shez!" she exclaimed excitedly, looking around to find him standing there. She hugged him. "Dotun told me you flew in yesterday. That's so nice of you."

  "No other way to go about it. Dotun is like a brother to me."

  Yemi put on a mock frown. "That's so very partial. I can remember a certain person didn't even bother waiting to attend my wedding."

  "That was a long time ago." Sesan laughed. "You're looking good, by the way. I saw you from afar during the church service. How have you been?"

  "Fine, thanks, and you?"

  "I'm good. How's your little girl? Is she here?"

  "That's her over there with Akeem," Yemi said, pointing towards Akeem and Aleena.

  "Beautiful girl," Sesan replied, looking at Aleena. "Just like her mum." He waved at Akeem. "How old is she?"

  "Three." It still surprised her how fast time had flown. She wished Aleena's sibling would hurry along. She had carried out some tests some months ago, and the results came out all clear. The specialist she was seeing had told her to reduce her stress levels and to see him in another six months, but she was planning to ask for medication to boost her fertility if nothing had happened by her next appointment.

  Sesan was surprised when he learnt that she was not working but didn't say much. Yemi invited him to dinner at her house and was disappointed when he turned down the invitation. "Aww, c'mon, Shez! We've not seen each other for over four years. Don't tell me that you're not even going to come to my place at all before you go back to the UK."

  He smiled ruefully. "I'm sorry, but my schedule is a bit tight, plus I have an invitation to attend a programme at a church that particular evening."

  She shot him a quick look. "That reminds me. I heard that you're now almost a bishop?"

  He grinned. "That's not true."

  "But you're now very religious; born again and all that, aren't you?"

  "Who have you been talking to?"

  Yemi smirked. "I'm still a very connected lady, you know. But anyway, pray for me during your programme."

  "I will."

  "I'm serious!"

  "Noted. Any particular thing you want me to pray about?"

  Yemi looked at him, and she realized how much she had missed talking to him. He used to be such a good sounding board for her. "I want another baby, hopefully a boy this time."

  "Why a boy?"

  She shrugged. "I already have a girl, and Akeem would love a boy." She grinned. "I also learnt that boys prefer their mums, so the little man may just even things up a bit. My daughter's just too stuck on her dad!"

  Sesan smiled. "I'll pray, and I believe that you'll have what you desire."

  They were able to meet for lunch before Sesan left to go back to the UK. Yemi teased him about joining the "saved" bandwagon and reminded him of how they both used to think that Teju was weird. Nevertheless, she had to admit that there was something different about him, some sort of quiet confidence and peace. That was something she wouldn't mind having; maybe that would stop her fretting over her mother-in-law and her evil plans.

  She was surrounded by confident people: Abby, Teju, and now Sesan. They attributed it to their being "saved." Then, of course, there was her super-confident husband, who believed nothing could stop him, and nothing did, not even Sonakson. He had signed on with Ericsson and restrategized to make up for lost time. Ka-Tell was still in its early stages, but things were growing steadier by the day.

  Maybe it was high time that she also stepped up her game and found her own confidence mantra.

  ∞∞∞

  "Honey, when are you coming back home?"

  "I should be done in another two hours."

  Yemi sighed. "Two whole hours? It's already eight thirty."

  "I can't help it." Akeem's voice sounded terse over the phone. "I'm right in the middle of a meeting. I'll leave as soon as I can, but it may take up to two hours."

  "Okay. I'll wait up for you."

  "You don't have to do that. Try and get some sleep."

  She put down the phone slowly after they had talked for a few more minutes. It had been like this for the past few weeks. Akeem worked late every night and came home tired, and it didn't seem like his schedule would lessen any time soon.

  She was not feeling sleepy and decided to watch a Tyler Perry movie; she was still on it when Akeem came home around midnight.

  "Hey," he said when he entered their bedroom. "Still awake?"

  "I was not feeling sleepy," Yemi paused the movie. "The meeting lasted longer than you expected?"

  "Yeah!" he said wearily, sitting down to take off his shoes. "I had some things to iron out, and I wanted it all sorted out tonight." He took some documents from his briefcase and gave them to her.

  "What's this?" Yemi asked, looking at the printout, and then her eyes widened with delight. "Tickets to Portugal for next week!" She got up excitedly and hugged him. "That's so cool!"

  "I had my secretary book them this afternoon, but I wanted to surprise you."

  "I can't wait to go! Just me, my husband, and my daughter for a whole week!" She sighed happily. "Pure bliss!"

  "I guess I'll see less of those gloomy looks that I've been getting in this house of late."

  Yemi made a face at him. "I haven't been making gloomy faces."

  "There's that face again!" Akeem teased, and Yemi pulled another one at him. "I should take a picture and put it on my desk at the office."

  "Go ahead!" Yemi laughed. "But honestly, honey, I'm so thrilled! When do we leave?"

  "Monday morning."

  ∞∞∞

  They spent an idyllic week at the Algarve in Portugal. Akeem gave them his full attention and tried to reduce the number of calls he made to KH. They visited the beaches, went dolphin watching by boat, and sampled the local delicacies. By the time their holiday was up, even Akeem admitted that he had had a wonderful time.

  To her delight, Yemi found out that she was pregnant a few weeks after their return. The news of the impending baby added excitement to their household, and Akeem teased her that he would make sure he took her to
Portugal every year.

  They were both thrilled when they found out it was going to be a boy. A few weeks after they got to know the sex of the baby, Akeem had to attend an important meeting in the office, which he told her would go late into the night. He had made an effort to reduce his late meetings since Yemi got pregnant, so she understood.

  She put Aleena to bed early and was in her bedroom when she was informed that Dotun had stopped by for a visit. She smiled to herself. Laide was away on official duty, and she knew that Dotun must be missing her.

  "You got it right." he confirmed when she teased him about it. "The house seemed so empty, and I didn't fancy staying there all alone."

  She laughed. "That makes two of us. Akeem's having a meeting at the office, but at least I'm an old hand at this now. Have you had dinner?"

  Dotun shook his head.

  "Let me get you something to eat, then."

  "I've got a better idea," Dotun replied. "Why don't we go out? There is this lovely new restaurant that just opened, and everyone at the office is raving about it."

  "Am I really in the mood to go out?" Yemi wrinkled her nose as she looked down at her bump. "I feel like a baby elephant."

  "A beautiful baby elephant."

  Yemi looked at him reproachfully. "You should have said I don't look like an elephant, baby or otherwise," she scolded. "You have to learn these things so you'll know how to respond to Laide when she gets pregnant. It's a very emotional period, you know."

  Dotun rolled his eyes. "Oh brother!"

  "You'll learn, but let me go and get dressed so you'll see that your sister is still quite hot."

  She tried to call Akeem to inform him about her whereabouts, but his phone just kept ringing. She knew it was probably on silent. She was still likely going to be back home before him anyway.

  The restaurant was about thirty minutes away, but there was hardly any traffic on the road, so their journey was relatively fast and easy. It was located in a hidden area of town, which made Yemi wonder how they attracted their clientele. She voiced her thoughts aloud as she and Dotun were shown to their seats.

  "Their services are quite expensive, so I guess it's not for everybody," Dotun replied.

  "I hope I don't dent your pocket, then."

  He smiled. "I know you're used to stylish things, but if the bill is too high, I shall forward half of it to your husband."

  "No way! This one is on you, and remember that I'm eating for two!"

  "Is it too late to change my mind?"

  "Much too late! I'm here now, so let's enjoy some of those bonuses you get at your bank."

  They ordered their food, and Dotun soon had Yemi in stitches with his jokes. He was in the middle of telling her another joke when her gaze came to rest on a couple seated a few tables away from them. The man's shirt was the first thing that caught her attention. He had his back towards them, but she would recognise those broad shoulders anywhere. She could see the woman's face but knew she had not seen her before. She craned her neck a little farther, trying to get a clearer look. The man leaned forward slightly and tapped the woman's nose with his finger, and she smiled at him.

  Yemi's heart froze. Akeem did that to her so often. But this couldn't be Akeem! Akeem was in KH headquarters in Victoria Island, having a business meeting!

  Dotun noticed her countenance and followed her gaze. Just then, the woman took the man's hand in hers. The man did not pull back. Instead, he leaned towards her and continued talking with her.

  Yemi did not know when she got up and walked towards their table. Her heart thudded as her eyes confirmed that the man was indeed her husband. The startled expression of guilt on Akeem's face as he withdrew his hands from the woman's was enough confirmation for her. Yemi felt as if the room was closing in on her, and she couldn't breathe properly. She had to get out of there.

  She could not bear to wait for the lift, and tears blinded her as she rushed out of the door and descended the flight of stairs leading out to the ground floor. In her hasty exit, she did not know when she missed a step. She tottered crazily, trying to hold on to the railing, but it was too late, and she heard Dotun's agonized scream as she tumbled down the stairs.

  She felt like she was floating, and she tried to clutch at her belly with her hands, but they would not obey her. She couldn't understand the pounding pain in her pelvis. Her vision clouded. She could hear voices and saw Akeem's and Dotun's alarmed faces blurrily. The pain was getting worse. She stopped struggling as the fog thickened over her mind, and she slipped into blissful oblivion.

  ∞∞∞

  Yemi's mother adjusted the light in the hospital room. "Is that better, dear?" she asked, looking at her daughter's face.

  Yemi focused her eyes on her for a moment before looking away. "Yes."

  Her mother stood there, looking down at her, before she sat down by her bedside again. Yemi tried to muster up a reassuring smile but could not. Her mother had kept vigil by her bedside since the incident a week earlier. Yemi's silence worried her, and she had tried to encourage her to cry it all out, but the tears wouldn't come. She felt like she was locked up in a private hell where nothing and no one could reach her.

  Yemi glanced down at her belly, and a fresh surge of pain overwhelmed her. The doctors had done everything they could, but had been unable to save her baby.

  Akeem had wanted to stay with her at the hospital, but she had refused. She could hardly bear to look at him. She had had only one question for him after she had been induced to deliver her son: "Are you having an affair with that woman?" A tiny fragment of her heart had still been hoping that she had misread what she had seen and had overreacted.

  He had exhaled deeply. "No."

  She had stared at him. "Have you ever had anything to do with her since we got married?"

  He did not look away. "Yes."

  It had felt like someone was turning a knife around in her heart, and the pain was excruciating. She closed her eyes and asked him to leave.

  ∞∞∞

  Akeem took her home when she was discharged from the hospital some days later. He didn't appear to have shaven since the night of the incident, and his eyes were constantly bloodshot, but she couldn't care less.

  "Welcome back, Ma." Kufre greeted her at the door.

  Yemi saw that she was trying to avoid looking at her midsection. "Thanks," she replied. "Where is Bassey?"

  "I sent him to get some things from the store," Akeem answered. "He went with the driver. They will pick up Aleena from preschool on their way back."

  Yemi looked around her bedroom when she got there. It was amazing how her life had changed so dramatically in just a few days. She felt the pain of Akeem's betrayal even more keenly because she could not grieve privately. Her parents and siblings knew about it. Dotun had been distraught and blamed himself for taking her out that night. He told her that he would not tell anyone else, but she had refused to hold him to such a promise and had told their mum herself.

  The bedroom door opened, and Akeem came in. He had her things with him. He placed the ones that needed to be washed in the laundry bag and then stood awkwardly, looking at her.

  "Are you okay?" he finally asked her.

  "Am I okay?" Yemi repeated, looking at him. He looked like a stranger to her. "I guess I must be."

  "Is there something you want me to get for you?" he asked.

  She wanted to tell him to start off by giving her back her son. Her broken trust. "No, thanks."

  She felt so tired and drained. She put on the air conditioner, changed her clothes, and lay down on the bed.

  "I'm sorry," Akeem said, coming to sit beside her. "I'm so sorry." He touched her arm lightly.

  Yemi jerked away from his touch as though an electric current had run through her. "Don't touch me."

  "Baby…"

  "I want to sleep, Akeem. Please let me know when Aleena gets home."

  With that, she closed her eyes and turned towards the wall. Akeem remained seated on the be
d, but she refused to turn around to look at him.

  Her mind went back over the past few days, and as the memories flooded in again, pain welled up within her until she felt like it would choke her up. She knew she would not be able to sleep. She got up and took some of the sleeping tablets the doctor had prescribed for her.

  Akeem sat looking at her as she took them. She ignored him and lay back down. Gradually, the effect of the medication took over her mind, and she dropped off into a troubled sleep.

  ∞∞∞

  She was inside the Bluewater shopping mall with Akeem, Aleena, and the baby. Their son was so cute. He looked just like Akeem and was gurgling happily at her from his pushchair. Akeem put his arm around her as they both looked at their beautiful baby.

  Suddenly, Akeem turned into a monster. She cried out in fear and tried to take the baby out of his chair, but the monster was faster than her. He snatched the baby up, took Aleena, and began to run away with them. Yemi was filled with fear. She screamed out for help and ran after the monster, but he was faster than she was. The distance between them became greater. She ran on after him, her breath coming in short, labored gasps. She heard Aleena crying out for her and also heard the baby's cries as they got farther and farther away.

  "Give me back my children!" she screamed. "Please, give me back my babies!" She thrashed violently on the bed from side to side.

  "Yemi, Yemi." Akeem tapped her arm gently. "Hush, baby, it's just a dream," he soothed, trying to hold her as she continued to struggle.

  She opened her eyes and looked around, half expecting to see the monster. The shadows cast by the drapes looked sinister in the dim light of the room, and she shivered. The dream had been so real, and she could still hear Aleena's frightened screams.

  "It was just a nightmare," Akeem whispered, stroking her back. She shrank back from his touch, still feeling a little fearful.

  "No one is going to hurt you," he said gently. "It was just a dream."

  She got out of bed and put on her slippers.

  "Where are you going?" Akeem asked as she headed for the door.