Chapter Thirty-two

NOW, BACK TO THE PRESENT.

She stood by the window, cradling a mug of coffee. Her gaze was fixed on the nothingness outside, but her mind was far from idle. 

The trauma had been a relentless companion for far too long.

They say happiness is free, so why does it seem so elusive for her? 

Why is it so hard for her to grasp it? Why is it so difficult for her to find joy?

For the past two weeks, he's been a ghost in her life. He's stopped visiting, vanishing like a mirage. 

The worst part is his growing closeness with her daughter, leading the girl to keep secrets from her.

Just take yesterday for instance. He was supposed to visit Sharon, but instead, he opted for a Snapchat video call, making Sharon stay silent about it.

The thrill is gone, replaced by a gnawing discomfort in her heart.

She has always loved him—there was never a moment she didn't.

But… 

Is it too much to ask for him to love her back? 

She doesn't want to look like a fool for getting rejected after that kiss in the car—the last time they met.

All she wants now is something that might bring her happiness… 

To win him back.

She looked up, trying to hold back the tears threatening to fall.

Then she took a deep breath, letting her mind wander.

'What if he truly doesn't care about her—like really doesn't?'

Does that even matter?

Or does it matter how much she cares?

They need to finish what they started.

That one thing is their marriage.

The mistake they made was crossing each other's paths.

This might be their narrow escape.

Her eyes fell on the drawer where she kept some pills.

Those pills would serve as a backup if her primary plan failed.

Wherever this ends, let it end. She doesn't care anymore.

She's cried in silence long enough; it's time to cry it out.

She collapsed on the edge of the bed, the coffee in the mug now looking like poison.

No taste, zero appetite.

She stood up again, moving to the window.

Her sassy, elegant figure leaned against the wall.

One might think she was savoring the view, but all she saw was a desolate expanse.

"Adira, what's up now?" Adira's twin, Adila, barged in, shutting the door behind her and flopping onto the neatly arranged bed. "You've been in a dull mood since yesterday," she said in Nigerian Pidgin English.

She scrolled on her phone, not even glancing at her sister. "Big sis?" she called, but after a pause, she turned her head to check if she was talking to herself or someone. "Adira?"

What's wrong with her sister?

She got up from the bed to confront her. "Adira, what's going on?" She touched her sister's shoulder, causing Adira to jolt as if shocked.

"Ah," Adira placed a hand on her chest, releasing a sigh of relief. "You scared me."

Adila looked around, puzzled, then pointed at herself and spoke in Nigerian Pidgin English. "Did I put on a masquerade costume or did my ex-boyfriend leave a scar on me that makes me look scary?"

Adira rolled her eyes and sat on the edge of the bed.

Her twin was being dramatic, and Adira was not in the mood for games. She needed space to clear her head.

She placed the mug on the bedside cupboard and sat in silence.

Adila joined her.

As if reading Adira's mind, Adila snapped, "No, no, no, don't even tell me you're thinking about that useless guy."

Adira shot back, "The father of my daughter isn't a trivial name, Adila. Think before you speak. And I wasn't thinking about anyone."

"So, what's on your mind then?" Adila asked.

"I'm just having a rough time at work, that's all," she lied.

Adila tried to accept that, but it sounded like a blatant lie. "Stop lying, for goodness' sake," she said quietly. "I know you had a run-in with him at the mall. Don't deceive me." She chuckled, admiring her freshly polished nails.

Adira stood up, her serious expression revealing her lies. "Adila, it's been seven years since we separated. Why would I suddenly be thinking of him overnight?"

"Seven years, I know, but what I don't get is if you've really moved on," Adila said, still admiring her nails. She crossed her arms. "Adira, we may be identical twins, but we don't share the same heart. I wish I could be in your shoes, so I could make him pay for everything he did to you. Dayo is no match for you. He humiliated you in front of his entire family. I'm sorry, it was my ex-boyfriend's fault. And I was foolish—" She became emotional, tears streaming down her face. "If I hadn't answered his call or gotten drunk on that dinner date, none of this would have happened."

"Adila, it wasn't your fault—"

"Yes, it was," Adila interrupted, wiping her face and trying to compose herself. "Look at me that day, drunk in the projector like everyone was watching a Netflix premiere." She laughed sarcastically and said, "Oh, the mighty CEO of Adila Golden Needle brought low by a psychopath. Can't you see how my reputation was almost destroyed in one night?"

Adira broke into tears, and the sisters cried together as if in a contest of sorrow.

They slumped on the floor, clutching each other's hands. Adila nodded vigorously, "We won't let affliction rise again."

When Adira shook her head in agreement, Adila helped wipe her face and added, "Look at our lives, Adira. Your marriage is ruined, you're a single mother with a fifteen year old child from something you had no part in. And what about me? It's as if I don't exist. No man in his right mind would want to be with me knowing my past."

"No, don't say that," Adira insisted, "Stop it, just stop."

"But it's the truth," Adila retorted bitterly. "Sometimes I feel like ending it all, hashtag 'kill myself—'"

"No! You will not do that," a voice interrupted.

They turned to see their mother, Rukky, standing by the door, her grief palpable. Only Heaven knew how long she'd been listening.

"Mommy, let me die," Adila cried.

"No, baby," Rukky said, rushing to join her daughters on the floor and putting her hands on their shoulders. "You are not going to die." She shook her head, making a rebuking gesture over their heads and speaking in Yoruba. "You two are all I have left—along with Sharon. Your father has already left me, and now you two want to—God forbid." She made the sign again. "I love you both so much. Please don't ever say that again."

She pulled them into a tight embrace, kissing their foreheads. "I love you both and will never lose either of you," she whispered, closing her eyes.

********************

At Dayo's mansion.

Dayo stood on the rooftop, sipping from a martini glass filled with red vintage wine. He gazed at the night's allure, lost in its quiet charm.

Wearing only pajamas with a few buttons undone, revealing his enticing chest, he enjoyed the gentle breeze.

His reverie was interrupted by someone's arrival.

He recognized the footsteps and then the voice.

"Bro, you're just here savoring the Felicia that seeps into your skin," Damian greeted in Nigerian Pidgin English.

With his eyes still closed, Dayo smirked. "Ever had a girlfriend named Felicia or did you just discover one today?"

Damian laughed, nudging Dayo's shoulder. "Bro, why are you always so spiritual? I'm taking your wine, and I'm not giving it back. Also, her name is Alicia, not Felicia."

Dayo scoffed, looking at his younger brother. "Seriously? So, there really is someone?"

It seemed unbelievable. Dayo doubted Damian's claims. He had always suspected his brother might be indifferent to women.

Damian took another sip, switching to Yoruba. "Oh, she's real. Honestly, bro, you need to see this girl. She's as hot as freshly baked bread. I'm head over heels for her."

Dayo laughed heartily. "You're going to exhaust all the compliments in the universe over a woman?" He shook his head in mock pity. "Just hope she doesn't do what my mind suggests."

"No way," Damian protested. "God forbid. This woman is too amazing to be cheap or foolish. Let me show you her photo."

He pulled out his phone and showed Dayo a stunning picture of a woman in a red floral bikini, striking a sweet pose on the beach.

Dayo zoomed in, but Damian quickly pulled the phone away. "Okay, enough of the private preview before you use your eyes to undress her."

Dayo laughed, tucking his hands into his pockets. "I'm genuinely happy for you, bro." He ruffled Damian's hair like a playful chihuahua.

Damian grinned, reveling in his excitement. "Yes, that's my Alicia Keys. I'm thinking of inviting her over tomorrow. We haven't met in person since I returned from London."

"I hope she's not a con artist. If you've only met online, it's a red flag," Dayo warned.

"Hell no, big bro," Damian said, defending her. "She's not a fraud. We've had countless video calls, and she's a joy to be with."

Dayo sighed, his earlier happiness replaced by seriousness. "Well, at least you don't seem to have a problem anymore. After all, she's not like some women."

"Hey, listen," Damian said, placing a hand on Dayo's shoulder. "I get your point, and Darin has filled me in. I wanted to ask about it––you and her."

Dayo shrugged, shaking his head. "My life is a mess right now. Since she left… it's been like this."

"You know...," Damian said, setting the martini glass down. "I was against her coming back, but Darin explained things. How the hell did we not know she had a twin?"

"Damian, if you ask me, I don't know what to do or say." He paused. "Can you believe she came to my office today and threatened to kill herself if we don't reconcile?"

"She did what?" Damian gasped, eyes widening. "Listen, brother, you need to give her a second chance. You have to find a way to reconcile, for Sharon's sake. The lad is not a child anymore. She's fifteen. She deserves to grow up with both parents. It's really ugly otherwise."

Dayo rubbed his face, exhaling. "I told her I need time. Seriously, I don't know what to do. If I let it all go and try to make amends…" He shook his head. "I keep seeing her sister's image and associating it with her own actions."

"They're identical, but you need to stop seeing her in such a bad light," Damian advised.

"It's difficult, Damian."

"And that's why you need to clear out the mental clutter and reboot your perspective."

Dayo was about to respond when his phone rang. "Who's calling at 9 pm?" He muttered, glancing at the caller ID. "Unknown?" He hesitated before answering. "Who's this, please?"

"Dayo, you need to come to the mansion right now—" Adira's voice cried out on the other end.

Since the call was on speaker, Damian could hear.

"Sorry, why?"

"It's Adira. She's taken some poisonous pills and passed out."

"What?!"

"Please, Dayo, hurry. I don't want to lose my sister—"

"Hold on, I'll be there soon." He hung up, bewildered by Adira's drastic action.

"Bro, what happened to Adira? Who was that?" Damian asked.

Dayo didn't have time to answer. He rushed down the stairs. "I'll be back soon."

Damian's phone rang suddenly, startling him. He answered, relieved. "Wait for me at the airport. I'm coming to pick you up now." He hung up and left.