Chapter 22: A Troubled Conversation
1363words
Dapo, sitting in an armchair with a serious face, listened to her worried explanation. "…and there were these signs, Dapo," she ended it, voice shaking a little bit. "They were much like ones I saw in paper at Archives – you know, about Orisha."
Dapo looked at her, and for a little while his face showed some fear. Then he tried to smile. "Okay, just wait," he said with a calm voice even if his hands were trembling. "A secret room with symbols?" This sounds like something out of a mystery novel."
Eki stopped walking and looked at him seriously. "Dapo, why you no understand?" This is not a story someone invented. This connected to your family, to Orisha."
Dapo sighed, his hand moving over his hair. "Eki, understand, please. These are tales from past times. Family myths, adorned across many years." They're not meant to be taken literally."
But there was a break in his voice and a look of uncertainty in his eyes that didn't fit with what he said. Eki continued to talk, her tone full of urgency.
"But what if it is not just a story? What if the secret room, the symbols – all show something real, something your family hid for a long time?"
Dapo stood up from his chair, moving with nervous gestures. He walked towards the window, and his outline appeared strong against the dimming light outside. "Even if true," he said very softly, almost in a whispering voice, "some secrets should stay hidden."
Eki, who was actively involved in the matter, also felt a sharp anger. "Why? Are you afraid of discovering what the truth might be?"
Dapo turned around, his gaze intense. "Scared? Maybe. But, also, I have worried about what it could do to you. To our relationship."
Eki's anger melted into confusion. "What do you mean?"
He stops for a moment, then takes a deep breath. "Eki, there is something you do not know about my family." This darkness has stayed with us for many generations. And if this hidden room is what I think it might be..."
He stopped talking, his words not coming out because of emotions. Eki's heart was beating very fast inside her chest. Was the darkness he mentioned related to the fire? Was Yemi somehow involved?
"What is it, Dapo?" she urged, reaching out to touch his arm.
When she placed her hand on him, he moved a bit, showing some pain in his face. Then, with a tired sigh, he turns to look at her with eyes full of deep sadness.
"The story of Orisha," he said quietly, almost in a whisper. "She was more than just a woman my family wronged." She was…not allowed."
Eki's breath caught. Forbidden? Love that cannot be, bringing much sadness – the words from the document in the Archives kept repeating in her thoughts.
"Forbidden how?" she whispered, her voice barely a squeak.
Dapo stayed behind, his jaw tense with stress. Suddenly, a knock on the door broke the heavy silence in the room.
Dapo jumped, relief flickering across his features. "Come in!" he called out.
The door opened fast, and we saw a young woman with very red hair. She seemed worried as she started talking to Dapo but stopped right away when she saw Eki standing in front of us.
"Eki?" she said, surprise colouring her voice. "What are you doing here?"
Eki looked at the lady, slowly realizing who she was. It turned out to be Yemi's little sister, Kemi. She all of a sudden felt not confident again. Why should Kemi be at Dapo's house now, especially when everything is so crucial?
Dapo cleared his throat, his voice strained. "Kemi, this is Eki. Eki, this is my… cousin."
Eki's eyes widened. Cousin? The sudden attack on her office and the note that said Ayo now works for Yemi's company – could it have been just a smart trick? Was there any connection between Dapo, Kemi, and the tough plans of Yemi?
Kemi smiled nervously. "Hello," she greeted, eyes moving from Eki to Dapo.
The room was very silent, filled with questions that no one spoke and an increasing sense of unease. Dapo's secret about Orisha added to Kemi's suddenly made Eki's once orderly life into complete disorder.
"Hey, hey, hey," Dapo cut in with some irritation and something more serious behind his voice, "now is not a good time. We'll talk later, okay?"
His voice carried a sense of hurry, but this only increased Eki's doubt. Later? Later, when a story about Orisha and love that was not allowed would stay hidden?
"Dapo," she asked with a firm voice, not seeing Kemi's curious look. "What is this about Orisha? Why are they forbidden?"
Kemi walked ahead, her red hair outlining a serious face. "Eki," she spoke softly, and it was surprising how gentle her voice came out. "Maybe I can explain better. Dapo is not known for dealing with complicated family history."
Eki felt surprised for a moment. Kemi's approval was quite unexpected because it was very different from her sister's usual strict behaviour. Dapo gave her a warning look, but she just brushed him off.
"Look," Kemi continued, her voice barely a whisper. "The story of Orisha is… complicated. She wasn't just forbidden because of love. She was different."
Different? The word hung in the air, leaving everyone with more questions than answers. Eki could see the rising tension between Dapo and Kemi, as they started to argue about what was true.
"Different how?" Eki persisted, her gaze darting between the cousins.
Just then, Dapo's phone buzzed. He looked at the screen, his face pale. "It's Ayo," he said, his voice choking.
Eki's heart jumped. Ayo, the sudden job offer, the fire – maybe all these things are connected to this hidden secret, this forbidden love story full of mystery?
Dapo took the phone, lines forming on his forehead from worry. As he listened, Eki noticed his face turning pale. He hung up, the phone dangling limply in his hand.
"Ayo is safe," he said after a long pause, his voice sounding rough. "But… the police have found something where the fire happened." Something… connected to the Olumide family."
Eki felt a cold shiver go through her body. The fire was not an accident; it was done on purpose to destroy evidence and hide the real story. But whose truth is it? And what police find that links the Dapo family to the arson event?
Kemi went to Dapo and put her hand on his arm. "We must talk," she said with an urgent voice. "This isn't over."
Dapo looked at her quickly, then back to Eki. On his face, there was a mix of fear and determination together. He inhaled deeply.
"Eki," he spoke softly, "there is very much you still do not know. More than I can explain to you right now." But trust me, you don't want to get involved."
Eki gazed into his eyes, her heart pounding rapidly. This secret, the darkness enveloping the Olumide family – it was not just about past events. It was reaching out, threatening to engulf them all.
"Too late for that," she said in a firm voice, even though fear was growing inside her. "The truth is out there, Dapo." And I'm not going to let you bury it again."
The pressure inside the room was very strong like it was difficult to take a breath. Kemi's eyes moved quickly from Eki to Dapo again and again, worry showing clearly on her face. Dapo's secret was unravelling, and with it, the carefully constructed facade of his family.
Police sirens making loud noises in the distance meant a new chapter of mystery was beginning. Eki, Dapo, and Kemi stood still, waiting for a knock on the door to break the quiet peace and show the truth, even if dangerous.
