THE INSIGHT - CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 18


Feyi was met in a pool of her own blood. Apparently she fell from the stairs but whatever it was that happened before then was unknown to any of the people who came into the house. Nobody was seen in the house.

Immediately, the policemen brought out their guns and started pacing the whole house systematically, as seen in the movies, like they were looking for an hardened criminal. Mr Jones and his wife were asked to leave the house since Mrs Jones won't stop sobbing and disturbing the police from doing their job.

"What do you think you are doing Mr Man?". A red haired policeman said immediately he got into the room and met Kunle packing some clothes into a big suitcase in a hurry. He raised his gun at him and asked Kunle to surrender.

"Please, I'm innocent please" he begged as an handcuff was used on him. The policeman escorted him downstairs and he was bundled into the van. Paramedics were called immediately to evacuate the corpse and police termed the place 'crime scene' with a red tape tied across the house. Neighbors came out in numbers to check what's happening and gossips started flying here and there.


**************************************


Calls were made and within 2days, Chief Martins arrived from Nigeria. He was obviously broken and devastated. Feyi was her only mother's child and Chief Martins loved her because she's a perfect replica of her mother who passed away while giving birth to her. Even though he has 2 other children from another woman, there's nothing compared to the love he had for Feyi.

An attorney was taken for Kunle and he's to be presented in court in 2weeks time. Chief asked to see him in cell immediately he got to the police station he was locked up.

"You can come along Mr". A white short lady with a wrinkled face said. She ushered him into a small dark room that has 2 chairs and a small table between them.

"You have just 10mins". The wrinkled face lady said with a husky tone and walked away, closing the door behind her.

Chief stood in one spot for a minute. Kunle's head was bowed, he couldn't get himself to look him in the eye. Beneath the table, he was in tears.

Chief moved closer and sat down opposite him.

"Kunle!" he called solemnly and fixed his gaze on him. Kunle raised his head up slowly.

"Did you kill my girl?"

Kunle burst into another round of tears.

"Sir, i'd never do such a thing. You know me sir"

"No......" he paused, with his gaze still fixed on him. "....i don't. I stopped knowing you the day you decided to follow the glitter you called gold". Silence followed and only Kunle's sob was heard.

"If you didn't kill her, why were you trying to run away?"

"Because i know everyone will think i killed her. Sir, i loved your daughter. We were having an argument that night and she mistakenly fell down the stairs" he blew his nose with a tissue one of the wardress was kind enough to give him when he wouldn't stop crying.

Chief sighed.

"I was once like you" he paused for few seconds, then continued. "I was at a crossroad on choosing who to marry. I was deeply in love with a God fearing woman but i felt she wasn't beautiful and classy enough for me so i went for a high class beauty instead, not knowing she has a bone disease and is liable to die within 2years. Her father was rich and he gave her all he had, being his only child" he sighed. "There's never a day i don't regret not going for my first love. By the time my eyes were opened, she was married to someone else and happy with him. I sacrificed my happiness for riches and here i am today. I have a lot of money but I'm not happy". He paused to wipe a tear off his face. "Do you know why i didn't want you to leave Dayo?"  Kunle shook his head.

"There was a day she came to see you at work. We met in the passage and as we were exchanging pleasantries her phone rang. She excused herself, saying it's her mother calling. She picked the call and when i heard the voice of the person on the other end, i recognized her voice. I waited till she was done calling and asked about her mother. Her replies made me realize her mother was the woman i was supposed to marry".

Kunle's mouth was wide opened. He couldn't believe it.

Chief sighed and smiled.

"I know i would have been happier if i married her and i would have been richer because an empire built with a strong woman by your side is the only one destined to stay strong. I didn't want you to make the same mistake i made but i guess it's all too late now".


He was still talking when the wardress came in.

"Time up"


Chief got up and Kunle suddenly held his hands.

"Sir please, you didn't talk about what's going to happen to me. You know i didn't do it" he wailed

"This is not Nigeria Kunle. If they find you innocent, fine but if they find you guilty, then so be it. You wanted adventure, now you've found it". He said and walked out immediately.

Investigations started. Criminal officers and forensics were sent to Feyi's house. Kunle's lawyer is a black man from South Africa. He was born and brought up in the States. He was assigned to defend Kunle just to eradicate an unfair judgement. The government felt it's humanly to assign a lawyer for Kunle since he couldn't afford one and nobody was ready to listen to his own side of the story.

"So now, let's start afresh. What really happened on the 17th of August?". Kunle's lawyer was having the last meeting with him before appearing in court. Kunle sighed.


**************************************

"Feyi! Where are you coming from by this time?" he asked her immediately she stepped into the room.  She ignored him and started removing her accessories.

He raised his voice, "I'm talking to you Feyi"

She casted a long look of contempt at him, hissed and started undressing.

"I'm your husband for crying out loud Feyi"

She burst into an uncontrollable laughter.

"Husband indeed" she said, still laughing. "Listen Kunle, I'm very tired. I had quite a long day. At least I'm back, be grateful for that". She went into the bathroom and washed the makeup off her face. Kunle sat up in bed, looking at her going in and out of the very spacious room. He was obviously boiling and Feyi doesn't seem to care. He got up and followed her into the bathroom where she was applying a beauty face cream.

"Feyi!!! You are daring me these days. You are daring me!" he said on the top of his voice. "I regret the day i met you Feyi"

She looked up to him suddenly

"Really? If that's the case, then i curse the day i asked you to marry me"

Kunle scoffed ridiculously

"Wait Feyi! Who exactly do you think you are?"

"Well, I'm the reason why you are here today so you should be worshipping me 'cause i don't think you would have left that Godforsaken country if i didn't take you out". She walked out of the bathroom and Kunle followed her.

"Worship you?? Ooh, is that why you don't want me to get a job? Because you want to be in charge of my life. Well, sorry to disappoint you Feyi. I wasn't brought up to be a woman's slave"

Feyi gave an hysterical laugh

"Kunle, you make me laugh at times sha. If you are not a slave so what are you. A master?" she laughed again. "Maybe you are one in your poverty stricken father's house...."

".....how dare you Feyi" he charged towards her and slapped her. He was in a rage. The deed had been done before he realized he had just hit a woman, something he vowed he will never do in his life. Feyi locked his shirt aggressively. She was in tears.

"You slapped me Kunle! One of us must die tonight". She left him and hurried out of the room. She was shouting on the top of her voice

"How dare you touch me. No way!". Suddenly she slipped on the stairs and fell. She rolled till she got downstairs and hit her head on the edge of the staircase.





©Toluwanimi Odeniyi

tioluwanih@gmail.com