BROKEN MIRAGE

CHAPTER TWELVE

I hadn't gotten over the shock of what dad said to Tinuke. I'm sure Tinuke had hadn't also. She tried to refuse the offer but, dad was headstrong concerning it. But then, she reluctantly agreed.

They had already left and I was left in my room to keep myself busy imagining Richard's reaction when he discovers Tinuke was going to England too. What a disaster it must be for him! Just then, he barged into my room with Drake clumsily coming after him. He must have read my mind. I hurriedly got up from my bed and went to Drake feeling his temperature.

"Is it true Helene?" he roared.

I hate unnecessary shouting and Richard does that most of the time. It really got me pissed off.

"Hey, hey, rich. Before you yell, can I know what's happening?" I picked up a chair and sat.

I guess I was too mature for my age.

"At least, give me that benefit". I crossed my legs. "I'm all ears".

Drake didn't even seem to care. He went to my table, picked a banana from the bowl of fruits and sat on my bed.

Richard heaved heavy sigh "Tinuke is coming with us to England. Dad said he was going to the embassy"

I smiled and clasped my hands together. "Oh, that's great news Richard. Your baby would be a citizen of England too".

"Great news? Great news you say? Well, you possibly can't understand what mess it would create!"

"Richard, I think you should be more optimistic about things. Just focus on the positive and leave the negative to sort out itself".

He moved closer to me and squatted. "You know better right? Maybe you should focus on the negative and leave the positive to sort out itself" he said in a very defensive tone.

"Richard, I think I don't need to lecture you on what is right this time around. Tinuke has your baby and you are going to selfishly leave your own child to suffer here? Where is your sense of responsibility huh?"

He paced around laughing. "You knew about it all along right? Bet it was you who talked dad into doing it".

"Uh huh... don't you transfer your aggressions and blames on me. Well, it's your problem. Do as you want." I sighed and left the room. Why does he always have to think that he knows best?

Claire.

Claire is the reason for all these. Last I checked, she hadn't called since we arrived Nigeria. And if Richard is as faithful as he claims he is, why would he have impregnated Tinuke? He's just bluffing. He just doesn't want to accept responsibility. I thought to myself.

I headed towards Tinuke's room and noticed the door was opened. Why would she forget to shut her door? But, then just as I was about to help her shut it, the witch in me activated and I decided to just have a little peek in her room. I entered and shut the door quietly.

Wow. She was neat and tidy. No speck of dust at all. Everything was where it was meant to be. And, the baby things? Oh, they were so lovely and cute. She put them neatly arranged by a corner in the room. I opened the pack and saw a lot of girl clothes, tiny shoes and socks. It is a girl!

On the table was a cute green book with a pen on it. I guessed it was her diary but, that didn't stop me from still taking a peek in. I sat on her chair comfortably and opened the book. I guessed right. It was her diary. The front page read

"I'ʍ ៜϲαʀψ αƞδ wιτϲհψ. Iẜ ψɸυ wαƞτ τɸ βε հαυƞτεδ ιƞ ψɸυʀ δʀεαʍៜ, ɸ⅊εƞ!"

Was that supposed to make me scared? I mean coupled with a picture of a vampire dripping blood from its teeth? Of course. But, no. It gave me more courage to read through. Sometimes, I think I might be possessed.

The next page had a picture of Richard, followed by the next and the next. Okay so, why are there pictures of my brother in her diary? Then, the next page gave an answer.

"I ℓɸ⋎ε ψɸυ ៜɸ ʍυϲհ, Ɍιϲհαʀδ Δδεβαψɸ".

Tinuke loves my brother? So much? How did this even happen? Tinuke loves my brother but, my brother loves Claire. Claire doesn't know Tinuke and Tinuke has my brother's child. What a mess Richard is in!

There is obviously nothing Tinuke can do. She has to accept that the one she loves doesn't love her. But, she has a score. Only she has Richard's child. He would give her more attention.... or not...