“Beware the fury of a patient man.” – John Dryden.

•••

“Rena, there is a hot guy asking for you. Standing in the hallway.”

Helen announced, as she poked her head into the circle of bodies barricading Rena—a smug smile, smearing the face of her friend. A hot guy? Rena thought. What hot guy would be seeking out her attention in school, that wasn’t in her school and also had the power to extend such invitation. She wasn’t expecting any visitor, rather—she didn’t have anyone capable of visiting. It was all befuddling.

“Are you sure it’s me they’re looking for?” She asked, rising up from the wooden bench from where she sat with Moyin and April, the duo exhaling in relief and closing in on the space instantly. It was recess, and all the girls in the B arm were all crowded at the back discussing on everything and nothing in particular. Their topic ranged from school gossip to budding issues, and other inconsequential stuff. She hated being ejected from a conversation she was savoring so much.

“Because it’s someone like you that they’d mistake for another person, abi?” Helen smirked, as she brushed past her heading for the entrance of the class. “The guy is probably in his mid thirties. Really light in complexion like you, and If my eyes aren’t kidding me and they’re working well—bares some physical semblance to you. You don’t have any uncle that lives around, do you?”

“Uncle?” She said absent mindedly, as she quickened her pace and stepped into the hallway—her heartbeat quickening likewise, and thumping harder in anticipation. She didn’t have any relative whose residence was in close proximity to hers, so that meant there was only one person that fit Helen’s description. Which didn’t make sense, because the person in question was supposed to be millions of miles away, across the continent in another country. But that didn’t nullify her anticipation, she fervently hoped no matter how ridiculous that it was him–

“Dad!” She shrieked in overwhelming delight, before dashing across the hall to where he was standing, with hands pocketed and smiling just like he had seen her yesterday. His hands parted swiftly though, and he encased her – swirling her around and she squealed even more, drawing the attention of onlookers. After a bout of shrieks and swirls, he set her back on the ground and peered deep into her eyes.

She couldn’t believe her eyes.

“Tell me, you’re for real!” Her entire set of teeth was out, as she clasped his face in her head and held harder, like it was going to slip out of her grasp and vanish into thin air, if she didn’t hold hard enough. But it didn’t make sense! He wasn’t due to return until late into the month, for Christmas. And he was here! He had decided to be punctual about it, she guessed.

“Oh, my God. You’re really here.” She exclaimed, before lunging rather violently back into his arms, and eliciting a mild hiss of pain from him as her body slammed into his ribs. The energy expelled from his chuckle, dispersed into her body also as she inhaled more of his scent. She had missed him so, so much. “I’ve missed you so much. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming!”

“Maybe I’d have the chance to explain when I catch my breath, after you’ve stopped squeezing me so hard.” He laughed, and then she finally did let go and stepped out from his arms, but refused to severe her hold on his hands. “Maybe, we should go to somewhere more private. You drew quite an audience with your, you know.”

“Yeah, I know.” She rolled her eyes, her gaze not leaving his. The entire thing still felt surreal and dreamy to her, like in the next moment – a big hand would appear from nowhere and punch her back to reality, and the image pixels all around her would shred like falling scales. “Before we go, I want you to meet my friends. The ones I’ve been talking about since.”

She needn’t need to look back, to know that the girls were right behind her. Moyin and April, stepped forward – donning their most polite smiles, and extended their hands for handshakes. Her dad shook them firmly, and kept on his warm grin.

“This is Moyin, the dork in the three of us.” Rena said, gesturing to Moyin by her left. “And April, the very joyous, energetic person.”

“Ah, I see.” His eyes widened, taking in the appearance of her friends again. “Nice to meet you girls, Rena talks a lot about you guys. In fact, until today – I think it’s sorta creepy, the way I know so much about you guys, without having even met with you in person. Because of the way she’s always rambling about Moyin this, April that. Funny enough, the way you appear it’s kind-off the way I pictured you guys in my head.”

The trio chuckled, before April took the reins of the conversation. It was expected anyway, she was April. Moyin on the other hand, seemed like she was inching backward gradually upon the passing of each second.

“So I guess you’re the hot guy, Helen mistook you for. I was already terrified that she had a secret hot guy somewhere, and didn’t let us in on it.” April said, gesturing as she spoke. “Although I’d have gotten confused also, if you had approached me to reach out to Rena. Pardon me if it’s creepy asking for your age, but how old are you?”

April!

Nevertheless, her dad maintained his warm vibe. “I’m forty-two, April.”

“Whoa! Forty-two?” April swallowed, eyeing him wearily and scanning him from head to toe in a way that wasn’t appropriate to check out elders. Rena wanted to give her a friend a hard pinch from the side, but she knew her dad would catch on to the exchange. “Only God knows how you must have looked when you were in your early twenties. The ladies must have been all over the place.”

He chuckled. “Well, they were. But look at me, I’m still single now, aren’t I?”

“Yeah, but you could change that if you want, with the snap of your fingers alone, literally.” April laughed, earning a hard whack from Rena.

“Okay, that’s enough.” Rena announced, not only to April but to the entire hall, it would seem who were enjoying the drama. “Cut it out. I’d be walking out with my dad now, y’all can head back to the class. I’d see you when I get back—or not, maybe I should just start going home now. I have only one period left and the subject is pretty much useless–”

“Nope, what do I always say about remaining in school till it ends, no matter what?” He shook his head, dipping his hands into his pocket. It was then she finally took time to take in his appearance. He was dressed in a green bomber beige jacket, black trousers and brown oxford shoes. Simple and classic. It was indeed difficult in the eyes of a regular person, to process that this gorgeous man before her was the dad of a fourteen year-old, soon to turn fifteen girl. “We’d walk out, and then you’d return back to complete your classes. No one is going home until school is over.”

“Even you?” She asked.

“Am I a student?” His nose scrunched, his reply caused April and Moyin to laugh. “Once again, April and Moyin—nice to meet you. I believe some time would come, where we’d have the luxury to spend ample time together. Till then, bye.” Then he faced her. “Let’s go.”

There was something about the urgency and terse way, he spoke those words that sent cold chills racing down her spine. As if there was a big reveal coming soon, or rather his visit had some other secondary motive asides returning home for the holidays. She could only hope it was her being merely pedantic and that it wasn’t real.

These thoughts kept streaming through her head, that she failed to take cognizance that they had strolled well out of the school building and were walking down the narrow terrain leading to the field. The grounds were pretty much restricted to some extent, but Dad was a P.T.A. executive and she was pretty much the most powerful student in the school, so of course they were immune to such rules.

“You’re quiet, is something bothering you?” She tilted her head up to look at his inquisitive, concerned face – staring down at her. Their hands were clasped, and their strides were in sync. Two strides of hers equated one of his, so he had to slow down to ensure they were level.

“Usually, the first few hours that follow my return are usually the most trying of my life, when you ask me so many questions about what has happened in the past, like you’re God and it’s judgment day. Time to atone for all the time I’ve spent on earth.”

She couldn’t help but chuckle at his witty humor. “I can’t help but think you’d be telling me something I don’t want to hear at the end of the day. Do you have such news for me?”

His brow quirked, and he redirected his gaze to the field ahead. “Isn’t it funny, the way you children of rich people take such things like this as a novelty?”

Oh, so he was deflecting then. Refusing to answer her question, well she decided not to pester since she guessed the answer would be pretty much something she wasn’t eager to hear. Trusting his discretion, she disregarded the topic and answered his question.

“Children of rich people? You’re saying it like you adopted me, and I’m not your child.”

He smiled. “Don’t get me wrong, but it’s the way it is. My own parents weren’t rich people. They barely got by, not poor either but being average in a country where the government is so unconcerned about the well being of its citizens certainly doesn’t have its perks.

“Back then, the secondary school I went to – all the buildings were clustered into one tiny space, that this entire field was bigger than it. So I’m just looking at the field of you guys here, and laughing at what I’d have said if I saw this – several years back. I’d have called it a huge waste of space.”

“Really?” She smiled. She adored his background tales, and always clamored for more when the topic arose. Fortunately, he was always willing to give.

“Yup, and I’d have gone on to say that even if they have so much space left and didn’t know what to do with it, they could have at least used it for a farm. Where they’d be planting rice and beans, and even be generating revenue. Not for ordinary football field. I’d have also added in Yoruba that they don’t have one ounce of common sense.”

She laughed this time around. “But C’mon, you can’t have anything against them for setting up this large space for football only. You told me that you used to play football a lot back then. Surely, if there was a big space like this for you and your mates to play, you’d have been overwhelmed with gratitude and joy.”

His nose scrunched. “Not really. I mean most times, we didn’t use standard equipment. When I say most times, I mean every damn time. Once we could find a couple of big stones, a felele ball. Do you know what they call a felele ball?”

She giggled hard, the word sounding extremely amusing to her. “Nope.”

“Well, it was this soft big, football ball that is not so hard to kick about and really bounced a lot.” He said. “It was the perfect for playing the sort of football we loved, and also it was way cheaper than the normal, regular football so you understand. Then after the big stones to set the post or tires of cars, if we can’t find stones. Then we have the felele ball, and our half naked or fully clothed selves.”

“You take off your clothes?”

“Yeah, cos we didn’t have a uniform to identify our teammates. And sometimes, that thing could become really confusing. So we have one team take off their tops, and go half naked so the other team would remain clothed. Efficient, cheap identification system.

“And oh, there was no referee of course. We’d just sort-off discuss among ourselves and deliberate anytime there is a foul or something similar that falls on the jurisdiction of an official. It was usually mad fun o, but of course money changes everything.”

“It sounds so rugged and fun.” She smiled, nodding her head. “It’s truly like they say it is, everyone pretty much has fun in their own way.”

“Yeah, that’s one way to put it.” He shrugged, his hold on hers – tightening. “So, what’s up with you? What new thing is going on? You and your friends seemed to be in the middle of a seemingly important conversation when I arrived. Or maybe it’s just girls’ gossip. What do I know.”

“A little bit of both actually.” She clarified. “We have this camping trip coming up. For only prefects. It’s for orienting us and educating us in our various offices and it's supposed to be fun at the same time. So we were all talking about it and also getting ready for it. It’s on the week after exam, so while the rest of the school would be chilling and doing all sorts. We’d be at the camp site.”

“Oh, must be what the principal was telling me about while we were discussing earlier.” His eyes widened in comprehension. “You know I didn’t just arrive, right? I’ve been around for more than an hour or so and the principal kidnapped me, when I only wanted to say my greetings and leave. Anyway, I hope they’d ensure that the place is safe and environmental friendly, before they take you there. I know it’d be anyway. The administration knows the type of students they have here. All these children of politicians and all. They won’t want to try nonsense with their lives.”

“Abi o,” She replied. “I heard the facility is somewhere upstate in Ogun state sha. Definitely not the coolest place around, but for most of us that can count how many times we’ve left the island, not to talk of the state – we’re really looking forward to it. I heard Ogun State isn’t all that developed. I wouldn’t mind being in a rural ish place for a change. As far as I can still use internet in the brief time that I’m there, and I’m not staying for more than three days at least.”

“I take it that the camp is three days?”

“Four, counting our arrival day. We’d probably get there in the afternoon or evening, I’m not really sure. Whichever way, if the place turns out to be ‘serviceless’ better have Wi-Fi, and if it doesn’t? Let’s hope the beds are really comfy and the rooms have good cross ventilation, cos I’d be pretty much sleeping the entire time.”

“What about food–”

“Of course, food. Let’s not forget food.”

A brief spell of silence ensued, before she summoned courage to ask the question that’s been bothering her.

“So, has it gotten to the part where you tell me why this feels like it isn’t a real visit?”

“It’s because it’s a real visit, not a return.” He said calmly.

“Sorry?”

He bit his lower lip, his eyes set on the benches perched on the side-lines. “Perhaps, we should take a seat–”

“No, dad. Tell me what’s up?” Her heart-rate picked up. “Are you getting married to her?”

“For Christ sake, Rena. Hell no.” He laughed, in rueful amusement – withdrawing his hand in hers so he could fold them and face her. “I just told you, about a couple of weeks ago that, that’s not going to happen if you don’t want it. And taken into consideration, the number of times you’ve asked me that question – I don’t think it’s ever going to happen.”

She swallowed, what have I done? The notion didn’t exactly shake her bones in total horror, but she didn’t exactly know why she liked getting ahead of herself and why the topic kept popping into her head. Simple paranoia, nothing else. And she knew she was being a bad daughter, because indeed if her dad craved for such desire in his life, he was a normal human being with hormones after all – she shouldn’t be the one to crush those dreams for him, simply because she was being selfish. But at the same time she couldn’t help but think that it was her right to be selfish and that it might not remain that way, if she didn’t act.

“Don’t mind me, I just like getting ahead of myself. I’m sorry.” And she was truly remorseful for the words she had spoken.

“It’s nothing.” He nodded. “The reason why I’m here now is because, I won’t be around for Christmas.”

What!

“What! I d—don’t understand! Why!” Her heart had sank so deep already, leaving her to feel lifeless and empty that she thought she might get blown away by the gust of air, blowing in their direction if she wasn’t careful. He wasn’t going to be around for Christmas! One out of two periods that he was in the country, and usually spent time with her? Why the hell was such thing happening. This didn’t do well to soothe her agitation in any way.

“Why are you not going to be around for Christmas!”

“Calm down, listen let me explain–”

“No, If this explanation isn’t going to make you stay home for Christmas, then I don’t think it’s useful and I don’t want to hear it.” She could feel the tears welling up in her lids, as her voice reduced to a squeak. She was usually stronger than this with him, but this was too much to handle. She had everything planned out already for the holidays with him. So much mapped out. The places they’d visit, the things they’d do. Movies they’d see and food they’d eat. Oh, God no.

“Rena, listen to me I’d be around next year–”

“Yeah, until summer.” She cried, as the tears streaked out. “After today, I won’t see you for another eight good months! Eight months! This isn’t fair, dad. At all. You don’t know how difficult it is having to return to an empty house everyday, while listening to your friends talk about what goes on in their house during dinner on their table–”

“Rena–”

“You don’t know how it is, always having to invite someone over or go to someone’s house. Or go out to somewhere, simply because you don’t want to be lonely.” She swallowed, wiping away at the tears. “Moyin and April’s parents already see me as a nuisance, I’m sure. They like me but I know sometimes, judging by the looks on their face – they’re probably like, why can’t she just stay in her own house for a change.”

“Rena, let me explain–”

“And the worst part is sleeping, and then waking up to an empty house. It doesn’t get less scary everyday. Sometimes I have nightmares, and I just want to find someone close and warm to me, to snuggle up to but I can’t because there is no one around me and I’m just all alone!”

“Rena, let me talk!” He bellowed, his voice echoing through the deserted field. “Listen–”

“I don’t want to talk to you.” She shook her head, turning away but not walking out. Such action would be a classic move of disrespect, and even though he was being a jerk and she was so angry – he didn’t deserve that. “Sometimes, I wonder if you even feel it like I do. Because you’re always so busy with work, that you don’t even have time to bother about these things.”

She heard his sharp intake of air, before feeling the warmth disperse through her body owing to his hands, placed on both shoulders. Crouching, he locked gazes with her and said in an assuring tone.

“Trust me, I don’t understand. I’m being honest, because I’m a man and it’s usually not that difficult for adults. For that, I’m sorry because I never for once thought of it that way. But the only reason I won’t be around now, is because the work that needs to be done can’t be postponed till next year–”

“It still doesn’t mean you should cancel out Christmas.” A new wave of tears threatened to pour out, but she sniffled and held it back in with all her might. “I’m sorry, sorry for interrupting you. But this is just a lot to process. I think I might just break down.”

“Rena, to compensate for my absence I’d be around in January.”

She looked up, instantly. “As in the January coming? That’s January 2018 and not next two years.”

He laughed, well naturedly. “Yes, this one coming. January, 2018. I’m sorry, it still doesn’t compensate on missing out on a major holiday like Christmas, but it’s the best I can offer.”

“It’s okay,” She nodded, wiping harder at her tears and forcing a smile. “It’s alright. I’d still pretty much be lonely on Christmas, and would have to impose on Moyin and April’s family, but I’d do it in high spirits knowing my dad would be around in January. I hope that won’t mean you won’t be around for next year’s summer and winter–”

“Nope, it won’t interfere one bit with it.” He shook his head, and she knew she could trust him. He meant it. “So uhm, I have to start going now, though. Stay safe and remember that—umph! Next time warn me.”

She giggled, as she wrapped her hands round him and rested her head on his chest inhaling that pleasant scent of his for one final time. After what seemed like eternity, she finally eased away and flashed him the most heartwarming grin she could muster.

“I love you, dad. More than any other person can.” She gave his hands a final squeeze.

He chuckled. “And you Reina, is the only thing I love in this life and would probably remain that way.”

And with that, she released his hands and watch him head back into the school, and invariably out of its premises. Phew! She hadn’t anticipated such emotional situation would crop up today, but she guessed that was pretty much the order of things these days. Putting her face back in order, she headed back into the school and resumed the conversation she was savoring earlier.

*****

“…Move a little bit to the left, yup just right there on top of that grey box. Yup, drop it right there. Thanks.”

Tomi nodded curtly, to the well muscled junior that hopped down from the truck after going about his duty. Tucking his hands into his pockets, his eyes skimmed the image of the loaded and locked boxes in front of him – lodged in the back of the truck and he deduced that everything was indeed in place. Yet, something seemed amiss.

It probably had nothing to do with the truck.

It was his own personal trauma, that he was battling within. Stemming from the fact that his paranoia that had been in play for several weeks had been justified, and that there was a day of reckoning, or rather and more appropriately – a day of doom, lurking and bidding its time waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The fact that he and the rest had no idea as to the timeline of the danger did nothing to calm his nerves. He guess he was pretty much going to be on the edge until everything had passed away.

“The assistant says she wants to see us before we leave,” A more than familiar voice, pulled him out of his trance and back to the present. Turning around, he met the emotionless, empty gaze of Legide staring at him. “She probably just wants to give us another speech on why we should handle all the stuff we’re taking there with extreme care and blah blah. As if we’ve not gotten enough speech already. How about we just head back in now, take the speech and get it over with once and for all?”

Her voice sounded casual, and jovial enough which prompted his question.

“So, uhm we’re back to being good friends huh?” He studied her more intently, to make sure there wasn’t some emotion masked somewhere that he wasn’t seeing.

“Why not, we were never on negative terms.” Her brows furrowed, as her hands dropped to her sides. “I’d admit I was a bit over the edge, two days ago but well, you know. It happens once in a while. It was like that time of the month, so…”

“Oh.” His eyes widened. “And here I was taking it personally, like you were just angry with me for some reason that I couldn’t get a handle on.”

She shook her head. “Nope, I’m not angry with you. To be honest with myself, maybe I want to. But it’s pretty much pointless and petty. I can’t keep on giving you resting bitch face and attitude when we’d be forced to interact everyday because of our work and office. So, it’s just pointless. But at the same time I can’t exactly say it’s advisable to go back to being friends like we were before. We should just keep it on a normal, casual level this time around. What do you think?”

“I think that we shouldn’t plan for the future, and that we should go according to whatever it throws our way. I don’t know if I can make that sort of promise to you, because your company is something I’d miss exceedingly. Call me selfish, but I’m not going to rule us returning back to where we came from.”

Her brows arched, and her voice lowered. “Are you sure you know what you’re talking about? I just need to clarify. It wouldn’t be nice if I get ahead of myself and go do something else like last time that’d—well, you know.”

He chuckled, and even threw in a wink for good old, flirting measure. “I know what I mean, and I think you know what I mean pretty well. But of course, that’s our little secret that you shouldn’t tell anyone about.”

“Okay?” She giggled, her face flushing a bit. Obviously, she was taken aback by his direct approach and he was silently offering prayers within him that she wouldn’t bring up his relationship with Rena, and fortunately she didn’t eventually. “I have to head back in, now. Ella and I have this thing to do before recess ends. We’d definitely see later.”

“Oh, we’d be seeing a lot of each other in the next few days.” He smiled, as she left him behind to head back into the school. He watched her retreating figure for a while, and heaved a sigh of relief that their reconciliation had required no real effort at all. Surely, It wouldn’t be so difficult returning to a place with her where she’d be able to reveal details of the evil scheme being plotted, so they could thwart it in time.

“Looks like someone is getting really busy.”

Another familiar voice startled him, and he also didn’t need visual confirmation to place the identity. With his previous smile still on his face, he faced his addressee who wasn’t exactly looking as happy as she sounded.

“I saw the exchange between the both of you,” Rena said in a flat voice, her head whipping in the direction that Legide had vanished to. “The eye wink and even the last statement. I gotta say, I underestimated your flirting skills. You could totally do these things if you want to.”

“Oh, please.” He shrugged, laughing for a bit. “Of course, I don’t need to remind you that it’s all for show and its only to get the information–”

“Out of her, I know.” Rena nodded, advancing closer to him with her hands clasped. The truck was parked alongside other vehicles, on the east bearing of the school – which no one except, driving personnel accessed. They were not in any way prone to any sort of disturbances on the interference front. “But still doesn’t make it any better. Luckily, in the coming days I won’t be around while you’re charming her pants off. I just hope it isn’t all in vain, and we eventually get something. This strategy of ours is too delicate for us not to get something out of it.”

“Yeah, it is. You don’t look all that great for someone who just saw her dad after how many…” He trailed off, implying that she finish the sentence.

“Three months or so,” She laughed. “Yeah, you’re right. But that’s only because he didn’t come with great news. He came to tell me that he won’t be home for Christmas.”

Oh.

“That’s really swell.” He said, gloomily. He couldn’t say he could relate with her pain, but the look of sobriety on her face was depressing enough. It must be so difficult having only one parent, and then said parent not exactly being around as often as she’d want. Rena was a lot stronger than she gave herself credit for, than anyone gave her credit for and he decided that today she’d get some of that credit she deserved so much.

“Come here,” He stretched out his hands, catching her by surprise but in no time she closed the gap between them and nuzzled into him, wrapping her hands round his torso. He did the same with the small of her back, and rocked her gently. “It’d be fine, okay? You’re a very strong person, Rena. A very strong willed person. If anyone can get past Christmas without any family member around, it’s you and you’d even pull it off with style that people would begin to envy you.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t go as far as that.” Her gentle laughter, sent shockwaves to disperse round his body. “I’m just going to do stress eating, I guess. Because there is no way in hell that I’m going to intrude on either Moyin or April’s family on that day. So I’d just stay at home, buy a lot of food and just have the loudest dinner I can’t have by myself. Play loud, rock, groovy music and stuff my mouth as much as my stomach can handle. If I’m lucky, I’d fall asleep on that spot and wouldn’t have to go through the stress of having to fall asleep again…”

She suddenly trailed off, and it was then he realized she was crying. Seeing as she was already in his arms, he only cradled her more closer and rubbed her back gently to soothe the pain in whatever little way he could.

“It’d be okay, Rena. It would be.”

“I know,” Rena sniffled. “I’d get through it. It’s just that I hate making plans, and then witness them not come to life. I was just really looking forward to the holidays, y’know. Spending quality time with him and catching up, now he isn’t going to be around and I’ve found myself dreading the upcoming holiday like I haven’t been anticipating ir all these while. It’s just all so annoying and confusing.”

“Well, life is annoying and confusing that way. When you think that you’ve seen it at its worse, or you’ve experienced its best – it shows you a new side. What I’m saying Is that, you might be thinking right now that this upcoming holiday would turn out to be the worst for you ever in the history of holidays, but what you don’t know yet is that it could turn to be another thing entirely. Something surprising could just happen along the line that’d just light it up and…”

“Like what, exactly? My mom returning back from the dead?” She said, bitterly. “Because that’s the only significant thing that could cause a drastic change of my mood and would come close to compensating not having my dad. God bless the soul of mom, wherever she is. I didn’t mean to insult or anything though.”

“I know that if she’s listening, she’d understand.” Tomi nodded, releasing her finally and letting her step out of his embrace. She did so reluctantly, which signified that she didn’t want to. “Besides, there is nothing wrong spending it with April or Moyin, whoever you choose. I believe their families would understand the fact that you have no one and would want to overlook the fact–”

“No, I really don’t want to impose–”

“And I’m saying that maybe, you’re taking it too hard on yourself and they might not see it that way.” He insisted. “If only you were a boy and not a girl, I’d have so invited you over to my house for dinner.”

“Maybe you could dress me up as a boy,” She laughed. “Give me artificial facial hair and all that. And have me form a bass tone all through. It’s a lot of stress, but I’d happily do it since I know I’d be surrounded by warmth and people. Oh God, I’m so dreading Christmas right now! But I’d be okay. I’d be fine. It won’t be that bad, I hope.”

A couple of seconds went by with neither of them saying a word to each other, just gazing intently into the face of one another. She looked troubled, and somewhat haunted and he knew her disconsolate state wasn’t fully as a result of the upcoming Christmas holiday. Something else was in play.

“Is there something you should be telling me, that I don’t know?” He asked.

Her brows creased. “No, why?”

“You look troubled. Not in a – I’m-going-to-be-lonely, soon troubled. But in a – something-is-going-to-catch-up-to-me-soon, troubled. This isn’t about what Itunu is planning, right?”

Her throat bobbed. “I just can’t help but think that it’s you that’s going to really suffer most, if not all. He likes me, I don’t think he’d do much to hurt me—if he wants to hurt me at all. But you? He’d be so unhinged and all. I mean, he hit you on the stairs just because I left him to go talk to you? I didn’t know he was so childish and petty. I’d have–”

“You’d have what? Taken him to church to have him delivered of the spirit?” He laughed, stepping forward to place his hands on her shoulders. “I’m my own person. And whatever that’s going to happen soon, won’t be your fault. Why? Because it was my decision to become this with you. You didn’t force me into this, I willingly chose it myself. And I’d willingly face whatever is coming my way, okay?

“You need to stop carrying my problems on your shoulders. I mean, you’re gonna be alone on Christmas day, probably. And you’re still worried about me? That’s enough problems for one family to carry, but you have all that on your own shoulders. I need you to stop worrying for me.”

Her shoulders slumped, and she nodded. He leaned forward, and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. “Whatever that’s coming, we’d deal with it. Our plan is in motion, everything is going to work in our favor. And we also have the best of people in the world, as friends supporting us and backing us. Nothing can go wrong, okay? Nothing at all.”

Still, his words didn’t seem to do much convincing. Her distraught mask was still on.

“I know, Tomi. But I just can’t help this feeling.” She bit her lip, looking away briefly as if to ensure that no one was listening in on their conversation. “I can’t help this feeling that we’re sitting docks and that we’re already too late.”

“Too late?”

“Yeah. Something is telling me that that thing we’re all scared of – is closer than we think.”

He sighed, and went on another series of tension relieving words to calm her nerves down, and he was indeed successful. But within, he couldn’t shrug off the feeling that maybe she was indeed right. What if that doom had already been implemented and they were too late already to stop it?

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What if? What if? So many what Ifs? Phase 2 is coming to an end in the next chapter, before the final phase of 4 chapters run. The final showdown is upon us. You do not want to miss a single chapter from henceforth.

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