In Cold Blood

Chapter Seven: An Unexpected Occurrence

On Tuesday morning at exactly 8.a.m in the morning, Jide was already dressed to embark on his journey home. His wife was a banker, while his children were secondary school students at Thames Valley College, a prestigious school with full boarding facilities.
He lived with them in Ogun State. He had spent four days with the Ajayi's, and had to go back home because of his busy schedule. He was a doctor at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Abeokuta. As Jide arranged his clothes in his luggage, he said to Ade.
"Please while you are still here,
"Keep our brother company."
"He needs our support considering the issues on ground."
"I will Jide."
"Just leave it to me." Ade replied.
Jide nodded indicating that he agreed with what Ade said.
They walked out of the room together and when they got to the sitting room, they saw Richard, Toju who was already dressed for his court appearance, and Ronke talking, laughing obviously having a good time.  Ronke quickly gave Uncle Jide a hug. Then she said.
"I hate to see you go uncle." Feeling her sadness, Jide said.
'Oh dear I have to, I have a busy schedule and I am supposed to be at the office today."
"I will be on leave soon."
"Then I can visit again."
"Okay that's a relief." Ronke replied smiling.
"That's my girl." Jide said.
Looking at Richard he said.
"I should be on my way."
"Brother please take care of yourself."
"And remember we are with you all the way." Richard replied saying.
"Thank you Jide I appreciate."
"Remember to call when you get home."
"Definitely." Jide replied.
Looking at Toju he instructed.
"Take care of your father."
"I will uncle. Replied Toju
Gbenga was at home but didn't come out to say goodbye to his uncle. Bisi had not left for the shop, she was home but pretended to be sick and remained in her room until Jide left.
After saying goodbye, they hit the road to Abeokuta with his driver driving. As the driver drove, Jide reflected on the meeting they held, and most importantly on the welfare of Richard his elder brother.

   Funke took a walk around the compound reflecting on so many issues. As she got lost in her thoughts, a knock on the gate brought her back to reality. It was the vendor with the daily newspaper. Peter received the paper from the vendor and handled it over to Funke.
" Thank you Peter." She said receiving the paper and looking at the headlines.
"Aunty Aunty you look beautiful today." Peter said admiring Funke.
"Thank you Peter."
"How are you today?."
"I'm fine ma." Peter replied happy to have a conversation with her."
"Aunty in one sentence, what do you think about our close?."
Peter asked.
"Well it is peaceful, quiet, with beautiful structures."
Peter continued asking
"What about the Ajayi's?."
Aren't they wealthy with beautiful children.?"
"Of course they are wealthy and their children are lovely."Funke replied. Peter asked again.
"What about Gbenga?"
"Their handsome son."
"Girls flock around him like flies at the club."
  "I also heard he is proud and doesn't have a good relationship with his father."
Curiously Funke asked.
"How do you know that.?" Happy to explain Peter continued.
"Ha walls have ears Aunty."
"I have my sources."
"Who are your sources?,"
Laughing Peter said.
"They are everywhere aunty."
Smiling Funke replied.
"I think I should read the papers now." "She said as she walked away.
  While reading the Vanguard newspaper, she saw a column for job vacancies. This caught her interest. The vacancies were mostly from financial institutions like banks, insurance and investment companies. She liked bank jobs because it will keep are busy. Yinka and Tolu had suggested that she gets a job to get her mind off the past. It was her third month with them, and she felt it was time to consider the option.
   After a while, she felt hungry and so decided to have breakfast. After eating, she continued reading and when she was through, she watched a crime movie her favourite. After watching, she slept for a while and woke up at 1 .p.m in the afternoon. Then she remembered that Yinka asked her to boil rice for lunch. She quickly did that, and while the rice was boiling, she brought out the stew from the freezer to defrost.
She was gradually getting acquainted with her new environment. She enjoyed the quiet moments at home when Tolu and Yinka were at work. It gave her the opportunity to reflect on life. But when she remembered Lanre and his abusive nature, the thought of going into another relationship gave her a cold feeling.
  Yinka got home at 3.p.m and when she walked in she said.
  "I hope lunch is ready?"
  "I'm starving."
   "Of course it is." Funke replied.
  "Thank goodness." Yinka replied as she walked to her room to change her clothes. In a few minutes, she joined Funke at the dinning table to have lunch. As they ate, Funke asked suddenly.
  "Do you think the Ajayi's are happily married.?"
  "Well yes from what I can see."
Yinka replied.
  "I think the marriage has hit the rocks."
  "How do you know this.?" Yinka asked.
  "Well from the little I have seen." Funke replied.
  "Is that enough to conclude.?" Yinka asked surprised.
  " Yes the little details matter." Funke replied.
  "What do you mean.?"
  "Well never mind it's just a feeling for now." Funke replied.
  "Funke you amaze me with your words sometimes."
  "I enjoy your company anyway." Yinka replied smiling.
  "Thanks cousin." Funke responded.
  After eating, Yinka took a short nap until Tolu returned from work at 6.p.m in the evening.
He was so tired that he threw himself on a chair saying.
  "I'm so tired and hungry.
  Yinka got him a cold drink to calm his nerves.
"Thanks dear."
"What a sweet wife you are."
Tolu appreciated her and the latter smiled broadly.
After relaxing with the cold drink, he had lunch which became his dinner, and joined his wife and Funke at the balcony when he was through. Then he said to Funke.
"I spoke to a friend that works at Access Bank."
"He said there will be a recruitment next month."
"I told him about you."
"What do you think.?"
"That will be fine."
"I look forward to it." Funke replied.
"That will be great." Yinka replied. She continued talking.
"At least it will take you out of the house."
"I wonder what you do all day when we are not around."
"Isn't it boring?" She asked.
"No it isn't Funke replied.
"But it should." Yinka insisted.
"Oh let her be." Tolu said
"I won't." Replied Yinka.
" Okay you win." Tolu replied.
"But I always win." Yinka replied. Tolu looked at her and then looked at Funke. And they all laughed heartily.