Femi Afolabi Law Firm

A beeping sound from my phone distracted me. I rolled my eyes at the caller's ID – Busayomi. She was my very good friend and I can also say that she was my big sister. We've been friends for years. Busayomi was my roommate back in University days and we bonded almost immediately at our first meeting.

I met her on the day I wanted to get some books from the library. I wasn't familiar with the campus yet as a fresher unlike Busayomi who was in 200 level. She helped me to the library and that was how we got talking. As at that time I needed a place to stay because I didn't like the fact that I was living with Mr Gbadamosi (he was a close friend to my uncle) and his family. Busayomi offered to allow me stay with her and her roommate Bunmi. I talked with my uncle who agreed to let me stay with Busayomi and Bunmi after so much persuasion..

Busayomi was like a big sister which I never had. She was two years older than me that's why I have so much respect for her.

"Hello big sister." I said after accepting the call.

"The law! The law! My incorruptible Attorney!" She hyped me as usual. "How have you been?!"

"I am good. What about you?!"

"Not bad o baby girl,since you have forgotten that you have a sister somewhere."

"Ahn ahn sister Busayomi why would you think like that?"

"Why won't I have such thought? When was the last time you called to check on me?"

I closed my eyes to remember. "Ermm..I think.." but I couldn't

"You can't remember because it has been long!"

Feelings of guilt stirred up in my mind. "Sister I am -"

"Did you reply the last text I sent to you?" She asked

"Sister which text again?"

"Ahhh!! Arike! Tell me haven't you been checking your phone?!"

"Sister…I have been really busy lately. See I can't remember the last time I logged in to my social media accounts."

"Eh..I know I shouldn't be accusing you like this because of nature of your job cases here and there but at least always try to reply your messages. I have been so worried about you that I have made up my mind to come over to your place this weekend if you don't answer your call."

"You don't need to worry about me."

"If I don't worry about you then who should I worry about? You don't know that you're now my responsibility!"

"I know sister mi, but I am alright."

"Good to hear. And congratulations on your case."

"Thank you." I smiled brightly.

Actually I won my case! We were able to find Chidinma's killer. It was who I predicted it to be. Senator Johnson's political opponent was the master mind of the whole incident. We wouldn't have found any tangible evidence against Senator Jackson if one of the men he had paid to kill Chidinma hadn't turned himself in to the police.

Chika, a young man of 20 years old revealed that Senator Jackson's PA paid him and four other men to murder Chidinma. Chika also disclose that his mind hasn't been at rest since the death of Chidinma. He claimed to have seen her in his dreams so many times that was why he decided to turn himself in to stop the nightmares that has been haunting him for months now.

Senator Jackson was apprehended after Chika's confession and he revealed that he had ordered the killing of Chidinma because her father refused to step down even after accepting a huge amount of money from him. Long story short, my client was released from prison after all charges against him was dropped.

"In this country one have to be very careful. Imagine! They just wasted that Innocent girl's life!"

" May her soul rest in peace." I muttered.

"Amen o! Ehen ehen wait o lest I forget!"

"What is it?"

"I have been seeing some shocking news online lately."

"About what?"

"It's about someone you know."

"Who is the person?"

"She hissed. "Oh! I forgot you haven't been online lately. It's about Adedayo!"

"What's about him?"

"Is it true that he's dating Actress Shalewa Oriola and that they are getting married soon?" She asked

"Yeah,it is true."

She gasped out. "I thought it was just rumors o!"

"Shalewa is Dayo's girlfriend."

"Eh ehn I told my friends at the office that I would get the truth from someone very close to Adedayo Awosika but they thought I was lying. They all refused to believe that my sister is Dayo's best friend until I showed them a picture of the both of you."

"You don't have to do that."

"I had to do so they would all believe me. Please how long have they be dating?"

"Three months now…"

"Ahhh! Three months and they are already set to get married?"

"Na so we see am o! It's not how far jare but how well is their case." I sighed.

"And I am just finding out. What about that his half-caste girlfriend? What's her name again?"

"Joy."

"Yes! Yes! Joy!"

"That one?" I laughed.

"I thought Dayo was serious with her."

"He was serious with her but Joy had something else in mind."

"She's like the other girls right?"

"Her case na high class o!"

"Aburo gist me na!" She sounded excited. Sister Busayomi likes gist than her life. I am sure she called to find out if the news about Dayo and Shalewa was true, checking on me was just the perfect excuse to know the truth.

"Miss Joy asked Dayo for 3million naira."

"I know Dayo has a lot of money but 3million? For what na?!" She exclaimed.

"To start a business."

"Ehn that's acceptable. But I thought Joy was from a rich home."

"Yes..but..not rich rich like that." I replied.

"So Dayo ended the relationship because of Shalewa?"

"No! He ended it because Joy threatened to break up if he didn't give her the money." I narrated everything Dayo told me.

"No! No! No! That's unacceptable. It's obvious she was after his money too. Moreover I don't really like that girl, she's kinda proud jare."

"All of that is over now. Dayo is happy with Shalewa."

"How come? Shalewa?! I am still surprised o! Like how dem take jam?! Who created the connection?! Abeg give me full gist na!" She pleaded.

"Mr Awosika is friends with Mr Oriola. And they are business partners too."

"Oh! Oh! Oh! I think I understand what's going on! Business matter!"

I hummed in response.

"Oh! This is not good! Chai! All these rich people! So have you met her?"

"Yes, Dayo brought her to my home for Introduction!"

She laughed. "And was she nice to you?"

"That's another drama on it own o."

"Tell me about it."

"Dayo was so excited about bringing her to meet me but it seems Shalewa isn't happy about my relationship with her boyfriend. I can tell she doesn't like me."

"Hmm Arike! How do you know?"

"You need to see the way she was talking to me when Dayo left us in the kitchen. She thinks we are more than besties because I know so much about him."

"Like she thinks you're having an affair with Dayo?"

"Exactly! And that's because Dayo doesn't stop talking about me anytime he's with her."

"But do you think Dayo likes her?"

"Well at first Dayo wasn't interested but now the case is different. He has gotten to know Shalewa better..so I think he has fallen in love with her. And Shalewa loves him too,like too much. She's possessive of him plus she's excited about getting married to him."

"Yes I can tell from all her stories on Instagram! Dayo's pictures are all over her account."

Shalewa admitted to me that Dayo has been her crush since forever so being with him now seems like a dream come true for her.

"What about you?" She asked.

"Me? What about me? I don't understand."

"Are you happy?"

"Yes..yes..I am happy."

"I know you are happy but I am talking Dayo getting married."

"Of course! Yes!.. yes I..am happy for him. I mean since Adedayo loves Shalewa then I have to be happy for them. And at least he has finally found the right woman for himself."

"Arike? Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay o…so how is it going with Bamidele?"

I rolled my eyes. Please how many hours have we been on phone?

"Are you guys together now?"

"No! We are not together!"

"Why? Don't you like him? Is he not nice?"

"Bamidele is a nice guy but I don't think I want to be with him like -" I paused.

"Like what?"

"The feeling is not just there like it's supposed to be."

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah."

"Do you intend to remain single forever?"

"Of course not."

"Listen to me, I haven't seen you with any man in years except Dayo. You keep turning every man down as if your body is made of steel. Don't you want to be happy like Adedayo?"

"I am happy sister Busayomi. I am doing well at work."

"Pele o career woman. Listen to me! I can't let you continue living like this..and if you are not going to be serious with a relationship,I will start hooking you up on dating sites."

"Ahh no! Sister mi there's no need for that."

"Then give a man a chance to love you."

"Okay I have heard you." I sighed.

"You have heard me or you'll do it."

"Both."

"Bamidele is there o." She added

"I know….sister mi please…"

"I should shut up right?"

"I didn't say that now."

"So when are we meeting?"

"For now I am not too busy at work. So you can come around any time you want."

"Okay I'll visit you this weekend."

"I'll be expecting you."

"Take care of yourself."

She disconnected the call. I heaved a sigh of relief.

Some minutes later the offline line rang.

"Yes Chioma,"

"Ma'am someone is out here to see you."

"Who is the person?"

"He is not a client but claimed to be your friend."

"Doesn't he have a name?"

"Barrister Bamidele."

"Oh! Let him in."

"Okay ma."

A knock sounded on the door after some seconds.

"Come in,"

Bamidele walked in. "Hello Damsel."

"How are you Bamidele?"

"I am okay and you?"

"I am fine too. So to what do I own this visit?"

"Well I just came around to check on you." He replied.

"That's so nice."

"Can we go out for dinner?" He asked. It wasn't the first time Bamidele was asking me out for dinner but I have always turned him down.

"Ahm..ahm..Bamidele..I -"

"Please don't say no again. We already won our case." His eyes pleaded with me. The case had been an excuse to not have dinner with Bamidele.

"Arike, I know you already made it clear that we can't be more than friends and I respect your decision. But having dinner with me as a friend is not a bad idea." He said calmly.

Bamidele was indeed a gentleman, any woman's choice but something isn't right between us. The spark you feel when you love someone isn't there in me. And I am still yet to figure out why Adedayo doesn't want me to have anything to do with Bamidele. I should turn him down but then I remembered Busayomi words.

"Well it's alright if you don't -"

"Yes! I mean…I'll have dinner with you."

His face lit up in sheer surprise. "Seriously?"

"I just said yes Bamidele."

"Okay…so what time should I come pick you up?"

"Let's meet up by 7 and you don't have to come and pick me up just send me the address."

"Okay..if that's what you want."

"Yeah." I nodded.

"So what case are you handling now?"

"A rape case, a young girl was gang raped at a birthday party. The boys involved are sons of notable men in the country."

"So they are likely to get away?" he asked.

"Not when I am involved. They claimed that they girl gave her consent."

"Is that true?"

"No! My client is minor and she never gave consent to such terrible act!"

"This is really bad."

"I have evidences that she was raped."

"Let me see."

I gave him some paper files. "Medical reports and a recording of one of the boys apologizing to her."

"This is enough evidence to put them in jail."

"I will get more and make sure those bastards are put behind bars!" I spat angrily

I rushed out of the kitchen at the jingling sound of the bell attached to my door. I was surprised to see who was at the door.

"Shalewa." I said.

"Good day Arike." She greeted with her shoulder high up in the air.

"Yeah…good afternoon." I managed to smile still wondering why she was here without Adedayo.

"Won't you invite me in? It's not polite to keep me waiting out here." She said.

"Oh! I am sorry…please come in." I stepped aside and opened the door wide for her to come in.

"Are you expecting someone?" She asked.

"Yes."

She interrupted my statement. "Dayo is coming over?"

"No, I am not expecting Dayo."

"So who are you expecting?'

"My big sister is coming over to spend some time with me."

"Big sister?" She raised her eyebrows. "But Dayo told me that you are the only child of your mother."

"Yes, he's right."

"So who is this big sister?"

"A friend turned sister." I responded.

"Okay."

"What should I get for you?"

"I didn't come here for merriment." She replied.

"So why are you here?" I asked.

"Did Dayo tell you anything about me?" She asked.

I raised my eyebrows in confusion. "I don't understand."

"Did Dayo say anything bad about me to you?" She repeated.

"I am not sure but Dayo loves you." I said not knowing what exactly to say to her.

"I am beginning to doubt our love and relationship." She said with a sad face.

"Why? What's going on Shalewa?"

She stood up from the couch picking her bag along the way. "I still can't figure out why Dayo got so mad after seeing you with that guy at dinner." She stared into my eyes.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

When I went to dinner with Bamidele during the week, we bumped into Dayo and Shalewa at the same restaurant. With the look on Dayo's face I knew he wasn't happy to see me with Bamidele because he already warned me to stay away from him. Shalewa suggested that we all have dinner together but Dayo said no,grabbed his girlfriend's hand and left with pure anger in his expression. I didn't like his annoying attitude at dinner because this is my life. And Shalewa showing up here unexpectedly and her strange questions really baffles me.

"I find it hard to believe that you're just friends with Dayo."

"You need to stop making assumptions. There's nothing going on between Dayo and I. We're just friends,that's all."

"I don't believe you." She said with a serious face.

"What do I need to do to make you believe me?"

How do you expect me to believe you when Dayo never stops talking about how awesome is female bestie is!"

"You should deal with that with Dayo and not me."

"How do you expect me to believe you when your eyes says entirely different things. I have watched you, I can tell you feel something for Dayo but you don't want to admit it."

I moved away from her. "I don't know what you are talking about, Shalewa."

"Stop pretending,

Arike!"

This girl is really crazy! How dare she come into my house and talk nonsense to me. I am just keeping calm for Dayo's sake.

I sighed,trying to hide the anger stirring within me. "Listen, if you are here to find out if I am in love with your man then I'll tell you that you've got the wrong notion. Dayo loves you and that's why he has made the decision to marry you."

I felt her relaxing at my words. "Are you sure Arike?"

"Yes I am very sure. Moreover I have Bamidele so I don't need to go after another man."

"Well I just wanted to be sure if there's nothing going on between the both of you."

"You need to stop feeling insecure. Dayo is your husband and no one is going to come in between both of you." I added calmly.

"I hope so too." She mumbled.

I shook my head. "I should get going now." She said.

"Okay."

"I'm sorry for yelling at you." She apologized.

"It's alright." I managed to smile.

I understand Shalewa was just trying to protect her territory.

"Take care."

I heaved a sigh of relief after her departure.

I haven't seen Dayo since we met at the restaurant. I sent him series of texts, explaining that Bamidele and I aren't really a thing like he had claimed over the phone when I called him the same night. Dayo didn't believe that there was nothing going on between Bamidele and I.

I face palmed myself for lying to Shalewa and making it seem like there was something serious between Bamidele and I. No doubt, she would tell it to Dayo except if she doesn't want him to know that she visited me. Shalewa showing up at my doorstep just to find out if I love Dayo still sound strange to me.

Did she expect me to admit my feelings? At least she has Dayo and they would get married soon so why bother about a d--n feelings?!

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

**

"Hey why the long face?" Sister Busayomi asked as she settled on the couch.

"What took you so long?" I frowned. I have been really expecting her.

"Don't blame me o, you know Lagos traffic na. Wait is that why you are frowning as if someone fart in your mouth?" She joked but I didn't laugh.

"It took you forever to get here. Ahn ahn since 9 that you've called that you're on your way, but look at the time now 3:15pm."

"Chai! Arike! Aren't you a Lagosian?"

"Sister Mi that duration is too long, 9am to 3:15pm. So you spent six hours on the road, are you coming from ilorin?"

"Wait o miss judge,abeg before you pass on your judgement, I hope all is well with you?"

"Don't I look fine to you?"

"I am asking a question too na."

"I am fine o"

"But why take things personal?"

"What? I am just surprised you spent six hours in traffic on this same highland."

Lemme be honest, it is not traffic matter that is doing me but Shalewa's unexpected visit plus I received a text from Dayo earlier saying that we need to have a serious talk. I already a bit nervous about meeting him, I don't know if Shalewa told him what I said about Bamidele or maybe something different.

"Oya let me say the truth, I dropped by at a friend's place. Today is her daughter's birthday so I just went to say Hi to the little girl."

"I said it! I know you can't really spend six hours for that short journey!"

"Madam please I am starving!"

"You didn't eat at your friend's place?"

"No I didn't eat o, I just drank Chivita active."

"There's no food." I lied.

Her smile faded Immediately. "Play play abi you're joking?"

"I'm serious o. I was waiting for you to come around so we can cook together."

"Ah! Arike! What sort of nonsense waiting is that now?!" She eyed me.

"But you -" I interrupted her before she kills me with words. I know Busayomi doesn't joke with food. But this is my own way of getting back at her for keeping me waiting.

"Arike we'll fight o!"

"There's food o!"

"Ehn ehn so you were teasing me abi?" She hissed.

"I prepared your favorite."

"For playing me I am no longer interested." She folded her arms.

"Ah no vex…"

"I am serious." She frowned.

"No..no..someone cannot play with you?"

"You can play with me with anything but not food."

"I am sorry." I laughed.

"I am going back to my home."

"I have semo and efo elegusi."

She looked at me. "And what?"

"I garnished it with assorted meat, pomo, dry smoked fish -"

Sister Busayomi was already on her way to the kitchen before I could even finish my statement.

"Make sure you have a good gist so I can hear it while eating." She shouted from the kitchen.

I already made up my mind to tell her about the dinner, Shalewa's visit and Dayo's text. I am pretty sure she would have something to say and also give me good advice.

"Oya oya the gist o!" She chanted as she sat down.

"Wait, I hope there's no bad news?"

"Oh no..no..bad news " I settled in the chair facing her direct with a glass of orange juice on the table.

"So..I am listening." She swallowed the food in her mouth.

"I..erm…I had dinner with Bamidele during the week." I said.

She looked up at me. "For real?"

I shook my head in response. "I thought you said -"

"I don't wanna have anything serious with him." I completed her intended sentence.

"Exactly! So have you changed your mind about him?" She asked.

"I don't know yet. We just had dinner as friends, nothing more."

"Well I still don't know why you won't give bamidele chance. See grade one husband material! But no o! It's uncle -"

I cut her off. "Please sister mi, let's not go down that lane."

"I have said you my own, sheybi now he's off market. You better wise up."

"Do you still want to hear the gist or not?"

"This one I am saying doesn't make sense right?" She frowned.

"I didn't say that o."

"I should shut up abi?"

"No…I didn't say that -"

"You don't have to open your big mouth to say it before I know!"

"Stop misinterpreting my words." I pleaded.

"Please continue before I will vex and say you should keep your gist." We laughed.

"We bumped into Dayo and Shalewa at the restaurant." I explained what you already know to her.

"But what does Dayo have against Bamidele?"

"Seriously,I don't know."

"You should have asked him."

"I did asked him but he wouldn't open up to me."

"Well…maybe Bamidele once snatched his babe in school." Busayomi pondered.

"I don't think that's the case. I have this feeling it's more deeper than what you just said."

"Dayo shouldn't think of making you stay away from Bamidele for his selfish reasons." She mumbled to herself.

"What selfish reasons?" I asked with a confused look.

"You're so clueless, Arike."

"Tell me what selfish reasons are you talking about?"

"Think about it. And what I will say is that Dayo is having fun with Shalewa plus they'll be getting married soon so you shouldn't waste your time sitting around here thinking of how you will stay away from Bamidele."

She was done eating now. I helped her take her plates to the kitchen.

"And guess who visited me today?"

"Bamidele?"

I rolled my eyes. Bamidele doesn't even know my place lest to talk of coming to my house. I didn't let him pick me up or even drop me off at my place after we had dinner.

"Dayo?" She tried again. I shook my head. "Abeg spill it, you know I am not good at guessing."

"Shalewa."

"Ahn ahn wetin she dey find?"

I narrated what happened to Busayomi and all she did was laugh for a long time.

"Seriously sister mi?! It's not funny o. My heart almost came out of my chest when she said it straight to my face that I am in love with Dayo."

"Ahn ahn isn't she right?"

"What do you mean?"

"What are we talking about?" She replied

"Shalewa." I responded.

She leaned forward. "So aunty are you in love with Uncle Adedayo Awosika?" She asked with a serious face.

"No! You shouldn't think like Shalewa too! You of all people should know that Adedayo and I are just bestfriends."

She stared intently at me. "Then why are you scared and concerned about Dayo finding out that you and Bamidele are together?"

"Bamidele and I are not together."

"Because Dayo asked you to stay away from him right?"

"This is not about -"

"And you choose to obey Dayo?"

"No! I wouldn't have had dinner with Bamidele if I wanted to obey Dayo."

She shook her head hopefully in understanding. I only agreed to have dinner with Bamidele because of what she said plus I saw no reason to avoid Bamidele because Dayo asked me to.

"To be honest you have to stop doing some things just to make Dayo happy."

"You don't understand." I avoided her gaze.