Gospel music could be heard from different buildings in the estate because it was on a sunday morning. Naomi only loved attending online services but didn't feel like, something feels different about that day and not exactly because is her birthday. After many years of loneliness and bitterness, never for once has she celebrated her birthday. she sat calmly at the dinning table as she awaits her meal.
kachi had come to keep Ife company in his room. They were both on the bed, with facing away from each other; Ife sat at the edge, while Kachi lay spine and on his phone. He noticed Ife had a necklace he has been swinging on his index finger.
"what's that you are playing with?, Looks expensive, Kachi said
"Ofcourse it is " Ife replied raising to closer to his face, then turns facing him for him to have a closer look, "We are looking at pure gold".
Kachi expressed surprise, sat up and asked "How?" almost screming.
Ife replied "Raphael asked me to gift Naomi and at the same time doesn't want her to know who got it for her".
Kachi breathes out and relaxation "Don't your father have better things to do with his money".
Ife affirmed too "like eh, she doesn't worth. I am thinking of a dealer to sell to". Both laugh.
They knew though Raphael really hurt Naomi but she on her own wasn't exactly nice. They went further to joke on how NAomi ignored the birthday messages they sent her and decided to go join her in the dinning table. Ifunaya had entered carrying a bowl of french fries and a small jug on the other hand. Kachi had dragged her back and made her join him sing a song to Naomi, who started acting shy at some point. They both kissed her on the cheek before they sat muttering birthday wishes, she still didn't take her eyes off her phone. Ife walked to her and asked to puts her hand forwarded and she frowned at him,
"I have told you before mom, I am not afraid of you". Takes her hand and puts the necklace on it. She smirked and said "Raphael", Ife and Kachi expresses surprise,
Kachi asked "How did you know sis". Naomi gives him a disdainful look, stood as she dropped the necklace on the table and said to Ifunanya; who had been standing there all the while, "I love to eat in peace, bring the food to my room". she walked away, Ifunanya grabbed the food on the table and followed her.
Ife knew Naomi was too smart to actually think he could afford those necklace, one thing he never knew was that not only his parents had reconciled but also they have a date tonight.
Ife snapped out of his thoughts on hearing Kachi's voice "Your mama dey mad abeg pick that thing make sell, and nah 50/50 oh. His phone rang, it was Muna.
"Hello Muna" His expression changed as he heard her cry over the phone "Are you ok", Ife now looked worried too. "hold on I am coming over now". Kachi dropped the call and stood up to leave .
"Is she ok?" Ife asked
"I guess not but I will find out". Kachi said and rushed out.
Kachi hadn't been feeling so well ever since she came back from Muna's place that after noon. Arinze had an accident that got him paralysed, Kachi held her close as she cried then cuddled her to sleep before he left. He would have loved to stay back but he was getting a sign his system were about breaking again. As soon as he got home, he made sure he locked his door before collapsing on his bed. Ife had come knocking severally at the door to make sure he was ok.
"I said leave, I am fine could you stop disturbing my sleep Ife".
Naomi had called Ife to come to her room to help her pick a dress for her date, it got more weird when she told him she was going on a date with Raphael.
"Are you sure about this mom, I mean it is Raphael we are talking about here" Ife tried to convince Naomi but she was adamant. She had left for her bathroom to change to the dress Ife picked and returned shortly.
She asked as she catwalked in "How do are look boy"
"Not so bad as your act" Ife replied, Naomi gives him a mean look. She looked undeniable gorgeous in those dress. She then goes to sit on the bed and said, "Just get me those red heels and help me were them. Be fast I am late". Ife hestitated before he got the shoes then bends down and helped her wear them as she gave a touch on her make up.
Ife has grown to be protective of his mother, he is afraid Raphael was going to hurt her again. He wished he could convince her not to go. He had gone to wait for her to return in the sitting room, and constantly pacing round and wondering what could be going on at that moment. One hour later, there was a big banging on the wall, Ife was still trying to figure out what was going on until he had Naomi calling them to open the door for her. Ife rushed and got the door open for her and as soon as she came in, she hugged Ife so hard and cried. Ife panicked wondering what has transpired. He felt awkward because he couldn't remember ever hugging his mom before and this felt the worst moment to be the first time.
"Are you ok mom?" Softly rubbing her head and almost sounding vex "What did he do to you?". Naomi ignored his question and squeezing herself more to him, Ife had to shut up and hold her tighter, "Don't worry, I am here now. I wont let him hurt you". He got Naomi to calm down and after a while she pushed him off and ran upstairs to her room. Ife wanted to go after her, but thought she might need some space. So he went ahead and closed the entrance door. Before he could turn, he heard another knock of the door, he hissed and unlocked the door thinking it was Olu, but to his greatest surprise, Raphael rushed in almost pushing him out of the way as he entered. Ife could see the fear in his eyes as he asked.
"where is your mother?" Raphael panicked pretending not to notice the anger on Ife's face.
"What have you done to her, she came back crying. When will you ever stop hurting everyone, I knew she was making a mistake going back to you. why dont you leave us alone?", Ife spoke with anger, challenging Raphael to his face.
"Young man dont ever speak me like that again, I asked wher she is and you are spilling dust?" Raphael said.
Ife interrupted, "What would do Raphael?" He spoke to his face
In anger Raphael said, "What did you just call me?" he dimmed eyes and coming closer to him.
with a mean face Ife replied "Get out of my house". Before he could finish those words, Raphael punched him on his face and Ife fell off his feet and landed on the couch. At that precise moment KAchi walked him.
"That's enough sir. Naomi doesn't want to see you". KAchi said to RAphael as he staggerred in, he was covered with beams of sweat and looked so exhausted.
RApheal responded "And who the hell do you think you are"
"her brother , who are you?" Raphael's expression changed for he has never seen Kachi that angry. "I think you have caused enough trouble for the night, I suggest you leave."
Ife interrupted from the couch he crashed on "KAchi don't talk to my father like that",
Kachi shushed him in anger "Now you listen to me, both you and father have put my sister through alot. All this ends now", Before he could finish, RAphael turned and walked away. KAchi stopped talking as soon as he saw Raphael had gone, then he turned to Ife and said. "Make sure you locked the door" He started heading back to his scream and Ife yelled at him, "What did I ever done to Naomi",
Kachi answered without looking back "Being born" he then walked away.