SHADOW OF THE PAST

29 Bukky's Secret

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Uchenna and his teammates failed to catch the culprit. Olanrewaju was able to escape through a T-junction.

Uchenna and two out of his teammates had taken the left direction, while the remaining took the right direction.

Those that took the right direction of the T-junction didn't know that Olanrewaju had hidden under a pure water truck parked by the roadside.

Olanrewaju remained under the truck till he discovered that those who were after him were gone.

When Uchenna and his other teammates met again with a fruitless result, he was so angry. They had no choice but to leave and question Lucia.

••• ••• ••• ••• 
Banji and Diana stepped into Zoe's one-room and parlor apartment.

Banji had collected Zoe's contact from Femi, and he was able to contact her and fixed an appointment with her.

Diana had also gone to visit Banji at the restaurant at the moment he was about to leave for Zoe's apartment.

“It might take a while before I return. Because I will be going to church from there. We have a midweek service in church tonight. So, will you be able to wait till I come back, or don't you mind attending the service with me?” Banji had asked when Diana had arrived and she had agreed to follow him to church after. Hence, she had to follow Banji down to Zoe's apartment before they will be heading for the evening service.

“Good evening bro BJ.” Zoe greeted Banji by shortening his name, and they both exchanged greetings. She also gave Diana a warm welcome. “What do I offer you sir and ma?” she asked referring to Banji as ‘sir’ and Diana as ‘ma’, and Banji responded that she shouldn't bother but she insisted.

While Zoe went in to get refreshments for the two, Diana's eyes caught Mrs. Esin's picture while she was admiring the interior decor of the living room. She was so shocked when she saw the picture. Soon, Zoe returned with the refreshment in a tray.

“Erm…sis, what's your relationship with that woman in that picture?” she asked pointing at the picture frame of Mrs. Esin hung above the TV, while Zoe served them the refreshment.

“She's my mom,” she responded with a smile. “But, she's late,” she added bitterly, taking a glance at the picture, and then went over to take her seat.

“You mean she's late?” she repeated in question and Banji wondered why she was questioning her over it.

Diana thought of the name ‘Zoe’ again.

‘Does that means she's my child?’ she thought within herself.

She remembered vividly how she had given birth to Zoe years back and how Mrs. Esin who had no child and had given her the name

“‘Zoe’ which means ‘Life’” Mrs. Esin had said when her church pastor had come to name the child years back.

“Zoe, your name means life.” Banji started “You are also a very beautiful young lady, why would you allow the devil to use such a beautiful and promising lady like you to break a home apart?” he asked and Zoe bent her head lower in shame. She remembered how Mrs. Esin had warned her when she was still alive not to ever try falling in love with Mr. Femi because he's a married man. She had also warned her when the family had shown them a kind gesture by helping her to study abroad, but she wouldn't listen.

“I want you to put yourself in that woman's shoe. Would you be happy if such happens to you?” he asked and she shook her head in dismissal.

Tears began flowing freely from her eyes as Banji went deep into the word of God.