MORE SECRETS

ARINOLA

If Uncle Jerry our next-door neighbour had not come into the house to intervene that day, I would have really been an only child.

My mum had tried to stop my dad from hurting Kiki but he was stronger than her so she'd been unable to. Though she wasn't a fan of third party intervention in our family matters, she'd gone over to the next apartment to ask uncle Jerry for help.

Uncle Jerry was bigger and stronger than dad and he'd come into the bathroom and had been able to knock out my dad.

Uncle Jerry had taken Kiki from the bathtub and just like that she'd escaped death.

Uncle Jerry had been furious with dad, he'd told dad that if not for the fact that they were somewhat related, He'd have called the police to arrest him.

Uncle Jerry was dating my dad's cousin abroad, aunty Moji.

He took Kiki out of the house and we never saw her again.

Mum had told me a few weeks later that Uncle Jerry had told Aunty Moji everything that happened. As expected, Aunty Moji was upset, she'd phoned dad and called Dad all manner of names on the phone. Dad had told her harshly that whatever he did with Kiki was no business of hers but she'd threatened Dad if he ever came close to Kiki again she'd report him the right authorities.

And due to Dad's remorseless attitude, Uncle Jerry and Aunty Moji had felt that Kiki wasn't safe in Nigeria so they had processed all the necessary papers and her travelling documents so she could move over to the States with Uncle Jerry.

I remembered how mad Dad had been at mum for so long because she'd gotten Uncle Jerry involved in our private family matter. He'd refused to eat her food or talk to her for months, she had to get our extended family involved in order to resolve the issue. She swore never to forgive Okikiola for almost ruining her marriage and she's maintained her stance even till today.

It wasn't until I'd found out I was pregnant with Osaze's baby that I'd contacted her.

As usual Miss dumbass was excited to hear from me, told me how much she missed me and how she'd wanted to come home for so long but she couldn't because she was scared of dad.

I'd lied to her, told her our dad had forgiven her and he wanted her to come home.

The dumb girl had been so excited, she'd flown straight to Nigeria a week later.

She must have been so disappointed when she received a cold welcome from the family.

Dad had gone straight to the point, telling her the reason she'd been called.

We looked so alike, it was impossible to tell us apart.

Kiki just had more flesh than I do, she had longer hair and she never wore makeup. She was careless about what she wore, anyone who knows me knows I never leave the house without makeup.

Why? Because it made me look a teeny bit different from the twin sister I despised.

I was quite surprised when Anita and Oluchi bought the lie, they actually thought she was me.

Even the Solades too? Haha. Brilliant, I was the one who'd come up with the whole idea.

Who says I can't share myself in two?

I did it so both men could have their own Arinola.

It was meant to be temporary. Once mummy and daddy had made their millions, Kiki would be asked to divorce Wale and return to her life in the States.

Can you imagine she works in an auto repair shop? She's still as useless as she was several years ago and still very gullible.

Dad had told her that if she accepted to play along, he'd accept her as his daughter again and I'd be happy to have her as my sister once more.

He said if she didn't, then she should go back to the states and consider herself a bastard, an orphan or whatever worked for her.

I knew she was going to agree to do our dirty work, sure she was boyish but she was a big softie and she was so desperate to be part of our family. That's why she forgave me every time I offended her.

Why else would she forgive me, who had lied against her constantly and treated her like dirt?

I certainly wouldn't if I were in her shoes but she did because she's foolish.

All she's ever craved for was our love and now we were offering it to her if she married Wale, of course, she accepted.

It had taken a few days to manipulate and convince her to do it but she did.

I'd coached for a while, telling her all about the Solades and every other thing she needed to know about dating Wale and being his girlfriend before leaving to go live at Ibafo with Osaze.

I couldn't leave Lagos just in case anything that required my help came up, but I had to stay far away; where no one knew me which was I decided to stay in the outskirts of Lagos.

▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪

"How could you and your parents be so selfish?" Anita gasped.

I didn't reply to her.

"You practically married the poor girl off to a stranger" Anita screamed.

"She had a choice, she chose to do it," I said coldly

"No she didn't actually, I don't think Kiki has ever had a choice. With you and your entire family threatening her, what choice did she have and you're deceiving Wale too? You are a terrible person Arinola" Anita spat.

"It's not that bad, she's married to one of the richest men in the country" I shrugged.

"Oh really, then why didn't you marry him yourself?" Anita asked.

"I didn't because I loved Osaze, too bad the bastard loves that dummy," I said.

She looked at me disgusted "You know what you should really be scared of? Osaze, When he finds out Kiki never died and what you've been up to, he will kill you" Anita said.

He won't ever find out, that's why I've decided to relocate to Benin with him. It was time for me to finally say goodbye to Lagos.

"I have to go now Anita, I just had to tell someone. Maybe I'll see you some other time, If I ever come to Lagos" I said standing up.

"No Arinola! don't come here ever again, we're no longer friends. I promise you Arin you'll soon be paying for your sins" Anita said.

I shook my head and walked away from her house without looking back.

Once I was out of the house, I wore my shades and walked back to Osaze's car.

Karma will catch up with me
But certainly not today.