The cab ride to Abeokuta felt endless under the afternoon sun.
Traffic crawled along the expressway, okadas weaving between cars like impatient bees.
The driver hummed an old highlife song, but the melody did nothing to ease the knot in the stomach.
The full figured body sat in the back seat, light yellow skin sticky from the heat, small bag clutched tightly on the lap.
Femi had called again just before the cab left Lagos.
Mama is in the hospital he said. The stress from the videos is too much. Come now.
The words still echoed.
The cab finally pulled up to the private hospital in Abeokuta.
White walls. Quiet compound. The smell of disinfectant mixed with the faint scent of flowers from the garden.
Femi waited at the entrance, arms crossed, face tight with worry.
Get inside he said.
The full figured body stepped out quickly.
How is she?
Resting. But she keeps asking for you.
Inside the ward the air was cooler. Mama lay in the bed, looking smaller than remembered, an IV drip in her arm. Her eyes lit up weakly when she saw her daughter.
You came she whispered.
Kneeling beside the bed, tears came fast.
Mama I am sorry for everything.
Mama held the hand tightly.
The drama is too much. The videos. The lawsuit. It is killing me.
Femi stood by the window, arms still crossed.
See what that boy has done he said. Mama in hospital twice because of him. End it now.
The voice broke.
I love him Femi.
Love mama said softly. Love does not bring this pain. Come home. Stay here. Away from that world.
The heart felt torn in two.
Ruth called at that moment.
Where are you she asked. I am coming.
In Abeokuta. With family.
I am on my way Ruth said. Hold on.
The call ended.
Mama looked up.
Who was that.
Ruth. My best friend.
Mama nodded.
Good. You need friends now. Not that boy.
The afternoon passed slowly. Mama rested. Femi paced the corridor.
Ruth arrived two hours later with a bag of fruits and a worried smile.
How is mama she asked, hugging tight.
Resting.
Ruth looked at Femi.
Long time she said with a small smile.
Femi nodded. No time for small talk. My sister needs to end this madness.
Ruth rolled her eyes.
Madness. Love is not madness. It is Lagos that is mad.
They sat in the waiting area. Talking quietly.
Ruth told a funny story about a client who saw the video and asked for a dress to wear on a beach date.
To catch her own kiss moment she said.
Laughter bubbled up. Even Femi smiled a little.
See Shemmy said. Even in chaos there is joy.
Ruth nodded.
That is how we survive.
Daevyd called.
The phone was answered quietly in the corridor.
Semilore how is your mother he asked.
Resting.
I miss you he said. The lawsuit is moving. My lawyer says we can win. But I need you here.
A pause.
I need time. To think.
Please do not leave me.
I am not leaving. Just breathing.
The call ended.
Femi looked satisfied.
Good he said. End it.
Ruth shook her head.
You men and your control she said. Let her decide.
The evening came. Mama felt a little stronger. They ate simple dinner together in the hospital cafeteria. Jollof rice and plantain.
Mama told old stories from Abeokuta. How she met papa. How love was simple then.
No cameras. No internet. Just two hearts.
The stories felt motivating. A reminder that love could be real.
Later that night in the small hospital room.
The phone buzzed.
A message from Nadia.
I have something you need to see. Meet me tomorrow. Alone. Or the whole world sees it.
Attached was a location. A café in Victoria Island.
The heart pounded.
What could it be.
Ruth was still there, sitting on the chair beside the bed.
The message was shown.
This is a trap Ruth said. Do not go alone.
But I have to know.
Ruth sighed.
Then I am coming with you. Hidden.
The next morning they left for Lagos.
Femi drove. Grumbling the whole way.
At the café Nadia sat waiting. Light skin made up perfectly. Eyes cold.
Sit Nadia said.
The full figured body sat down. Light yellow skin tense.
What do you want.
Nadia smiled. To show you the truth.
She slid a phone across the table.
A video played.
Daevyd in a secret meeting with shady investors. Years ago. Taking money.
He took dirty money to build TechWave Nadia said. Your man is a criminal.
The video ended.
This drops tonight Nadia said. Unless you leave him. Publicly.
The café felt small.
This is old. He turned them down.
Nadia laughed.
The editing makes it look new. And real. Choose. Leave him or watch him fall.
Ruth watched from a hidden table. Phone recording.
But before a choice could be made.
Tunde walked in. Smiling.
Hello beautiful he said. Ready to sign.
Nadia looked at him. Her hand on his.
They were together.
The affair was real.
The bombshell dropped harder.
Tunde and Nadia. Teaming up. To destroy everything.
The heart raced.
What do I do now.
The choice felt impossible.
Leave Daevyd.
Or watch him burn.
The tension built.
And the climax was closer than ever.