Chapter 5 Emeka

It has been two weeks since the fight, Amaka and Dolapo avoided each other like the plague. Considering it was quite a feat since they worked closely together, they made it happen. They only interacted only when it was possible. Amaka was still trying to convince herself that she needed to tell Dolapo about Emeka but that conviction wasn't quite happening, especially with the now constant visiting from Seun and the fact that she always had to listen to them go at it was doing the opposite of what Janet and Ini asked her to do. She still hadn't told them what had transpired.

Each time they called, they always skirted around the topic, she knew they wanted to know how far with Dolapo and they knew she didn't want to talk about it, and they respected her wishes. That respect would remain until Friday night. They had called an emergency girl's night to discuss her next action. Amaka wasn't sure she was looking forward to it.

And she knew for a fact that Janet might try to kill Dolapo if she ever saw him in person. She had had it out for him even before she married him. For some reason, Janet just didn't like him.

Amaka heaved a sigh of relief that another week had come and gone. She couldn't wait to go home. She looked at the time, it was almost 6:00 pm. Since the blowout, he didn't keep her till late again, if she had known that all it took was a little fight with him, it would have been done a long time ago. She cleared up her desk and left for home, getting herself and Emeka ready for the weekend. Ini and Janet's husband would soon arrive at her place with their kids. Girls' night was at Ini's. Emeka had dozed off on the couch while watching Sponge bob so she just laid him down and covered him with a blanket.

It was about 7:00 pm when a knock sounded at her door, she already knew who was at the door so she just picked up her bags and after shaking Emeka awake and kissing him goodbye, she opened the door and was attacked by two little monsters.

"Good evening, aunty Amaka!"

"Good evening boys, make sure to be good. Okay?"

"Okay!" Amaka watched as they ran into the living room and began to watch Sponge Bob with Emeka, who was now wide awake.

"Amaka. how are you?"

"I am fine."

"You heading out now?"

"Yes. Make sure you boys be good else I'm reporting you to your wives."

They nervously laughed and nodded their heads, her threat registering itself between them. Amaka handed over her house keys to them and quickly drove to Ini's place. They were already set up and waiting for her, and as usual, they let her be long enough for her to change into her pj's and settle down with them in the living room. As usual, Ini opened up a bottle of wine and poured it into three glasses. Each woman took hers and clinked their glasses together before raising it to their lips.

"Okay. Now, spill." Amaka took a deep breath and downed her whole glass, she closed her eyes and let the alcohol settle into her system.

"What do you want to know?"

"Dolapo. Did you tell him about Emeka?"

"Oh, that."

"Yes. That."

"Well, I went in on Monday, ready to tell him like you suggested I should..." Amaka kept quiet for a few minutes, adding to the anxiety of the two women sitting beside her.

"And..."

"And...I met him in his office...locking lips with Seun. The woman he cheated on me with."

"What?!" Janet and Ini both screamed at the top of their lungs, scuffling closer to her, almost breathing down her neck.

"Yes. And guess what? They're engaged!"

Amaka gave a bark of nervous laughter, picked up the wine bottle, and drank straight from it. She dropped the bottle and choked back the tears. But the second Janet pulled her into her arms, she cried. She cried out all the tears she had been holding back since that day. She kept promising herself that she would never shade another tear for Dolapo, and for seven years she had kept that promise. In the last week, this was the second time she was crying because of him.

"Amaka...It's going to be okay."

"What am I going to do?"

"Well, you just pretend you do not care that they are getting married."

"No. I mean about Emeka? The time is coming when he'll begin to ask me about his father. I see the way he looks at kids when their fathers drop them off, Ini. He looks at them with longing. It's...It's just a matter of time..."

Janet held her as she cried and Ini rubbed her feet, the comfort from both actions lulled her to sleep.

It wasn't a peaceful one.

........................................................................................................................................................................................

Amaka woke up to the sound of her phone ringing, she looked at the time. It was almost 7:00 am. She picked the call and answered groggily, that was until she heard the panicked voice on the other end. It was Ini's husband.

"Amaka!!!"

"What is it, Bayo?"

"It's Emeka. He's shivering and his body is very hot and he's not talking!!!"

"What?!" Amaka sprang up from the mattress that was usually laid out in the living room for nights like this, that coupled with the shout woke up Janet and Ini who now stood beside her.

"I am taking him to the hospital as we speak. Christian is home with the boys."

"Okay, okay. What hospital?"

"St. Raphael's hospital. You know the place?"

"Yes. I'll meet you there." Amaka threw her phone down on the couch and began searching for her bag."

"What happened, Amaka?"

"Emeka is sick, Bayo is taking him to a hospital right now as we speak."

"Oh my God!" Janet and Ini sprung into action. Ini ran into her room and came out with clothes for all three women, they quickly changed out of their pj's. Amaka made sure she had her ATM card and her car keys and they all ran out of the house. Janet stopped just as they were about to enter the car and called the attention of her friend and sister.

"I think you guys should go to the hospital and stay with Emeka and Bayo while I go to your house and check on Christian and the boys."

"That's a great idea. We'll keep you posted."

Janet nodded, took the key from Ini, and ran back into the house to fetch a few things Christian might need and also her car keys while Amaka drove like the wind to the hospital.

They got there in record time and were directed to the children's ward. They met Bayo who was sitting in the waiting area. They sat on both sides of him and immediately bombarded him with questions.

"Bayo, how is he?"

"What did the doctor say is wrong with him?"

"How did it start?"

"Okay. You guys need to calm down, okay? The doctor is checking him up now. We should hear from him soon."

Amaka was barely holding herself together. Bayo put his arm around her and waited for her to cry out her sorrow.

"Look, Amaka, at this moment, you need to be very strong. You are of no use to Emeka if you make yourself sick. Okay." Amaka dried her tears and nodded her head. He was right after all; she wouldn't be able to take care of her son if she fell sick as well.

"Have you guys had anything to eat?"

"No. Your call woke us up and we came here as soon as we could."

"Okay. You ladies stay here, let me look for where to get something for you to eat."

"But babe, is it really necessary?"

"Yes, we don't know how long we are going to be here. Might as well have some sustenance."

Bayo leaned down and placed a light kiss on Ini's lips before walking out. Amaka smiled when she saw this, she was happy that her girls were happy.

"You guys are so lucky. I'm so happy for you, Ini."

Ini blushed and rubbed Amaka's hand. They both knew her and Bayo's story, it hadn't been easy for them too but she was insanely happy that she had toughed it out with him. She felt blessed.

Bayo returned with their food. The girls hadn't realized how hungry and almost drained they were until they inhaled the plates of jollof rice, plantain, and chicken that Bayo had bought. God bless his soul. The doctor eventually called them in and told them that it was not as serious as they thought. It was just malaria and typhoid and he had caught a cold too. She scribbled down some drugs on a piece of paper and handed it to Amaka.

Amaka took Emeka to the hospital's pharmacy and purchased the drugs. She supported Emeka as he was still weak as they walked out of the hospital. Just as they got to the car, Amaka heard the last voice she thought she would ever hear.

"Amaka, is that you?"

Amaka looked up slowly and caught the eye of her former brother-in-law that was a short distance away from them and advancing rapidly. Soon, he stood in front of her, not saying anything, his eyes transfixed on Emeka. She didn't need a soothsayer to know that Abayomi already knew just by looking at Emeka that he was Dolapo's son.

Emeka was his father's son. In mind, in spirit, and definitely in the blood. He was a spitting image of Dolapo even at such a young age.

"Abayomi, how are you?" Abayomi snapped out of his daze and looked at Amaka.

"I'm fine, what about you?"

"Everything is alright. How is the family?"

"They're doing great."

"That's great. Send my greetings to your wife and your son."

Abayomi simply nodded his head and silently watched as Amaka herded Emeka into the backseat of the car. Ini had decided to go with Bayo so she had completely missed the exchange.

Amaka had an unsettling feeling in the pit of her stomach, she didn't know what it was but what she knew was that shit was about to go down.