Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Couldn't Amsey just be generous enough to help me out with the baby? I hadn't slept all night because of Cameron and just when I had drifted off to sleep, he had decided to ruin my sleep again.

I couldn't ignore his cry for much longer. I banged my knuckles on the bed filled with so much annoyance and climbed out of the bed aggressively.

I saw the sun had already risen. I checked my phone and saw the time was already past eight in the morning. Wow! I didn't know the time had passed by quickly. Well, you never know how time flies while you're busy sleeping and dreaming.

Cameron's cry had been my alarm for the past one month since his birth. He cried a lot for a month-old baby.

Amsey was probably in the bathroom preparing for church and I knew it would be trouble if he came out and saw Cameron crying. He was too overprotective of the boy one would think he were actually his father. It annoyed me at times, the way he would yell at me over a minor issue regarding Cameron. If he thought it was that easy to take care of a baby, why didn't he spend the whole day with him? He never even appreciated my efforts, I'd never been a mother so how did he expect me to cope with this whole thing? Rita had claimed it wasn't that much of a big deal because she hadn't had a baby before and didn't know how tough it actually was.

I took Cameron who was yelling and flailing his arms and legs.

"Ohh, my poor baby," I said in a sweet tone and picked him up.

He was such an adorable child and he looked really pitiful when he cried that it made my heart ache with guilt.

I patted his back and sang Barney's "I love you, you love me" for him.

I threw him up then caught him a few times. Soon, he had started smiling at me.

He loved being played with and I kissed his cute little chubby cheeks. I loved my baby so much and I knew he loved me too. It's not like he had a choice anyway.

I sat on the chair in front of the dressing table and placed him gently on my lap, "Now, why were you crying?" I inquired, knowing fully well he couldn't respond.

He simply smiled and tried to touch my nose with his index finger.

"Why are you smiling? What's funny?" I asked.

He continued smiling and still trying to touch my nose then I perceived a terrible smell.

I grinned and felt his diaper. He wasn't wearing any clothing, except the diaper of course. I peeked into the diaper and saw he hadn't defecated nor passed out urine.

"Dirty boy, you farted," I said to him.

His smile only became wider.

"Why are you smiling? Do you think that's a good thing?" I sneered.

He then entwined his little fingers in mine, looking at me with his curious eyes, without that smile departing from his face.

I bent and kissed his forehead, "You're so cute."

I lifted my blouse up and he hurriedly hijacked my breast and started sucking on it. With the way he ate, you'd think he had been deprived of food for weeks.

I couldn't help but wonder why Amsey was actually going to Pastor James' church; that hypocrite, that pretender.

I wondered why I had yet again trusted another supposed man of God after my terrible experience with Reverend Lawrence and I still couldn't believe Amsey had hidden the entire truth from me.

Two days ago, I had found out the hypocrite, Pastor James, was actually my father. The worst part of it all is that Amsey seemed to be on his side. If not for the love I had for Amsey, I'd have left his house and moved on. How could he support that bastard who had left my mum and I to suffer?

Only God knew what Amsey was still doing in the bathroom. It had been quite a while since I woke up, he always took his time to do everything so he'd look as handsome as he said he was.

Well, he's handsome, but that didn't make a good excuse for spending an eternity in the bathroom, did it?

I saw that the baby was only fiddling with his fingers and wasn't sucking anymore. He seemed to have all his focus and attention on his little fingers.

I yawned sleepily and stood up then I placed the baby back in his cot.

He stared at me for a little while then channelled his attention back to his fingers. He was probably having fun with them, I guessed.

I left the bedroom with the intention of strolling to the kitchen to boil water for Cameron's bath.

I sighted an envelope on the table in the living room and wondered what it was. I couldn't hear the shower rushing in the bathroom so I felt Amsey may be out soon.

I ignored it and went to the kitchen, took out the kettle, poured water in it and placed it on the gas cooker.

When I came out of the kitchen, I saw the envelope again and curiosity got the best of me.

I sat on the couch and picked up the envelope. If it was private, I'm sure he wouldn't have left it lying around like that.

I looked around to check if there was any sign of him, thankfully; there wasn't.

I opened the envelope and brought out a folded sheet of paper, I thought for a second about what could be in there. Two days ago, he had told me everything about himself and said his father was after him and was going to get through to him in any way possible. Perhaps, the envelope was related to his father and what the whole gist was about.

I quickly unfolded the paper and what I came across was Amsey's handwriting. It was a letter addressed to me. It read:

Dear Cas,

By the time you open up this letter, I'd have been long gone. I can't tell you where I'm going for my safety and yours too, but just know that I'll be fine.

Meeting you is practically the best thing that has ever happened to me, I felt fulfilled and like someone who actually had a responsibility after getting to know you.

Babe, you brighten up my whole life. Am I permitted to call you babe? I guess so. The truth is I've always wanted to call you babe but I didn't know how you'd react but that's a story for some other day.

My father's on my tail and he'd do anything to get me and the documents. I can't let that be possible, sweetie. I have to win this fight for my mum.

My dad is aware of the fact that I care about you and the baby a lot. He may capture you as bait and I'd be forced to return home. Cas, my mum went through a lot in the bastard's hands and I need to get her the revenge she deserves and if that man captures you and Cameron, I'd come home and my mum would lose. I'm sure you don't want that to happen.

Pastor James is someone I also care about and his life will be at stake too provided my useless father gets a hold on him. You should accept Pastor James as your father and leave with him for us, please. He's a nice man and you know that too.

My life's in danger, Cas and I don't have much time. Please, dispose of this letter. I love you so much.

With love,

Amsey.

The letter crumpled to the floor as I let out a gasp. Amsey... Amsey had left?

I couldn't believe it! He left without saying so much as a goodbye to me. Why didn't he let me come along with him?

I had never felt so much anger in my entire life. I grabbed the flower vase from the table and threw it to the floor and it scattered into many different pieces.

I compressed my hair tightly with my hands as I sobbed mournfully. I had never expected what he had said two days earlier to lead to him leaving me like that. Who does that??

[Flashback] *2 days earlier.

It was around 6pm in the evening and the baby sat on my lap playing noisily with his rattle while I just watched my favourite soap opera on zee world channel, "Age is just a number."

Honestly, Amsey needed to learn how to love and treat his woman right like Sahil. Sahil was the major character in the soap opera that had fallen in love with Vaidika, a woman 18 years older than him and always tried to defend their love against the society's aged beliefs.

The soap opera was awesome and really enjoyable and I never missed an episode.

"You're making noise," I told Cameron who obviously didn't understand what I said.

He only swung the rattle more, causing it to be louder than before and he actually smiled while doing that. Amsey had gotten him that rattle for him to be preoccupied when I couldn't attend to him and Cameron absolutely loved it, cause he wouldn't stop disturbing my ears with it.

I didn't even try to take it away from him because that'll only lead to him crying and that was much worse than the sound of a rattle.

I ignored him and increased the volume of the television so I could hear what was going on because the noise of the rattle kept on disturbing me from actually enjoying the episode showing on the screen.

Amsey suddenly rushed in looking battered. He was wounded, had a swollen face and he was bleeding.

I hastily dropped the baby on the couch and ran to meet him, "Amsey! Oh my God!! Amsey, who did this to you?" I questioned, tears actually rolling down my cheeks.

I helped him to the couch where he sat, panting heavily.

I quickly dashed to the kitchen and got him a chilled bottle of water from the fridge which he accepted with so much gratitude and he gulped down the whole bottle of water in a matter of seconds.

I cleaned the blood with cotton wool and plastered his wounds when he was done with drinking the water.

"I'd go to the chemist's shop and get you some medicine, okay?" I told him.

As I was about to go, he grabbed my hand and pulled me with force that I ended up falling on his lap.

"Ow!" He groaned in pain.

"I'm so sorry," I apologised and made to get up from his lap but he only held my waist tightly so I wouldn't leave.

"What are you doing? You're hurt."

"I'd be more hurt if you leave," He said.

"You're flirting even in this condition," I said, shaking my head.

"What? Don't I look handsome anymore?" He asked, flashing me a wink.

My heart skipped a beat.

"I'm handsome even in this condition, right?" He asked again.

I rolled my eyes, "You're bleeding terribly, let me get medicine for you then we'd discuss how you got beaten up," I said firmly.

He shook his head, "Don't go."

"Why?"

"I called your.... Pastor James, he's bringing me medicine," He explained.

"Okay then."

"Cas?" He called.

"Yeah?"

He cleared his throat, "How will you react if you find out I'm keeping a secret?" He asked.

"Why are you asking me that?" I asked.

He rolled his eyes tiredly, "You don't respond to a question with a question, Cas. Now tell me, how would you react if you find out there's something I'm not telling you?"

I thought about his question for a while. It was probably his father issue he was talking about, he hadn't even known I was aware of the great Folorunsho being his father.

I felt it was okay for him to keep something from me seeing that I'd also kept my personal life private from him till we got to know each other better.

"Umm... Everyone has a right to secrecy. It's totally fine if you're keeping something from me if it's really personal to you. If I find out there's something personal you're hiding from me, I won't get worked up over it," I said.

"What if it's something that's not about me but about you?" He asked.

I laughed, "Come off it, how would you know something about me that I don't know about myself? That's impossible!"

He sighed, "You'll be shocked."

"Are you serious about this?" I questioned.

"Ahh," He yelped in pain.

"Sorry," I said and quickly stood up from his lap and sat down on the couch.

"Why'd you get up?" He asked.

"Cause I was hurting you," I retorted.

"So much for loving me," He winked.

I hissed and eyed him.

"Hey, little guy," He waved at Cameron who just stared at him for a second and went back to playing with his rattle.

"How is he?" He asked.

"He's fine," I responded.

"Do you know Folorunsho Holland Ibitoye?" He suddenly questioned.

Aha! Finally, he'd reveal to me that's his father. I'd have to pretend that I didn't know about it.

"Of course, who doesn't know him in Nigeria?" I retorted.

He sighed, "That's my father."

I feigned pretence, "Who's your father?"

He rolled his eyes, "Are you dumb? Folorunsho Holland Ibitoye is my father."

I stared at him with a look of disbelief, "What are you trying to say? It's funny how you can even joke in this terrible state you're in," I said.

"Cas, I'm serious. That pathetic bastard is my father," He yelled.

I chuckled, "Well, he's everyone's father. People call him a father to the people."

He looked really frustrated, "I'm not talking about that, Cas. I share a blood relationship with him, he's my biological father," He said.

"What? Amsey, don't tell me you're serious. Is this another one of your games? If you're joking, tell me," I said, still pretending to just be knowing about that.

"In all sincerity, Cas, I wish I was joking," He blurted out.

"Wow! But if he's your father, what are you doing here?" I asked, really inquisitive.

"Well, what can I say? My father's a loser," He blurted out.

"How could you even say that? That man is a good man who does good things, everyone loves him."

"Everyone but me," He disagreed with a smirk.

"But why would you hate your own father?"

"Because he hated me first."

"That's not true," I said, actually disbelieving him this time.

He gave a mock laughter, "It's amazing how Folorunsho has everybody fooled but I'd make sure I trample on his image and reduce his reputation to nothing," He said, really determined.

"But why?" I asked.

"Let me tell you a story," He said.

"I'm all ears."

"My mother was the one who made Folorunsho who he is today. She gave him all the money she inherited from her father........" His voice went on as he told me everything that had ever happened to him and the sort of despicable man he had as a father.

I found it absolutely hard to believe that everyone's role model, Folorunsho Holland Ibitoye was actually a beast. If this hadn't come from Amsey's mouth, I wouldn't have even believed it. For crying out loud, everyone loved Folorunsho Holland Ibitoye because he had a perfect life.

"Oh my goodness, I can't even begin to imagine what you must have gone through," I said, still shocked at the information he had given to me.

"I'm a strong person," He said and gave a dry laugh.

I now understood why I'd always felt all was not okay with him. On the outside, one would think he was okay and had it all but deep down, he was not fine.

"That man is an idiot for saying he doesn't love you and he has never wanted you. Does he even know the kind of amazing person you are?" I asked.

"He doesn't care. He never loved my mother so he couldn't care less about her offspring," He said bitterly.

"But you're his offspring too," I said.

"Sssh," He said, placing his finger on my lips.

"What?" I asked in a whisper.

"He doesn't want anyone to know I'm his child so don't speak," He said.

Tears fell from my eyes.

"What?"

"Why is life so unfair to us? Look at me, I don't even know my father and you, you know yours but he hates you," I said.

He smiled faintly, "That's the irony of life."

"I don't know which is worse though: Having a father who hates you or not even knowing your father at all," I shrugged.

"You don't have to worry about that, your father loves you at least," He said.

"You sound like you know him," I teased.

"Cause I do know him and he's a really nice man. You'd love him a lot," He said.

"Amsey!" I heard someone holler.

I looked towards the door and saw Pastor James standing there, with a medicine bag.

"Good evening, sir. When did you come in?" I asked, standing up and going to welcome him.

"Not too long ago," He replied, handing over to me the medicine bag.

I collected the bag and was checking the content when I noticed Amsey's expression.

"What do you think you're doing?" Pastor James asked Amsey.

Amsey didn't look too pleased to see him, "I told you I'll tell her," He said, defiantly.

"What are you going on about?" I asked, confused.

"Umm... Nothing," Pastor James quickly interposed.

"Pastor James is your father," Amsey said.

I sunk back into the couch, "What did you just say?"

"He's your father," Amsey said.

[End of flashback... Present day]

Amsey's outburst that day shouldn't have come as a surprise to me, I should have known all along. After all, there were instances Amsey had almost let the cat out of the bag; I just didn't know why I never understood it all.

Even though Pastor James claimed he couldn't find my mother and I, I still couldn't forgive him. Why had he had an affair outside his marriage in the first place?

I remembered the trance in which I had seen my mother in and how she had said that coming here had made me know my roots. I can't believe that finding out that Pastor James is actually my father made her happy.

How was I even sure he had actually looked for my mother and I like he had claimed? Even if we imagined that it was true that he looked for my mother and I, on finding out that I was his daughter, why did he not tell me and ask for my forgiveness? He was just a coward!

I had to find out from another person and he hadn't even wanted that to happen. You can imagine!

Amsey had revealed it was his father who had sent thugs to beat him up on his way back from the cafe and for a while, he had been noticing people following him and watching his every movement.

He told me his father will stop at nothing to get the documents and his father had left him a message through the thugs that had beaten him up that he'll come to our house and get the papers himself and it won't be funny so Amsey should just surrender and give him the documents peacefully.

Gosh! What a waste of a father! I sighed, it wasn't like mine was any better. He was just a crook, imagine his church members found out of his terrible past. To think that he had even opened up a branch in Port Harcourt.

That was where Amsey had told me to go with him. My so-called father, Pastor James had even gotten me a visa with immediate effect along with my son so we could go to Port Harcourt together and Amsey's father won't be able to get to us. Amsey had talked about being alone so he wouldn't pose danger to Pastor James and I till he was able to get on his feet and strike back at his father.

I hated the sight of Pastor James and I didn't want to have anything to do with him. He was a sly and dubious old man who couldn't even own up to his mistakes. When I had found out he was actually my father and how he had known, instead of apologising for leaving me all those years to suffer with my mother; he kept on saying he wasn't at fault and he tried his very best to find my mother and I.

"Well, you didn't try hard enough!" I had screamed at him, tears trickling down my cheeks.

What sort of man was he that he couldn't even say sorry? It was his fault all along. If only he hadn't deceived my mother, she wouldn't have had an affair with him. It wasn't about him not being able to find us, it was about him not saying sorry for what he did.

What made the whole situation worse was that he had been unwilling to tell me the truth that he was actually my father. He should have just told me and said he was sorry. He had been annoyed with Amsey for spilling out the truth. The plan he had was I'd just go with him to Port Harcourt, seeking my own safety without even being aware of him being my biological father. Did that even make sense??

And now, Amsey was gone. He had left me without even a goodbye; he had just gone like that without prior notice.

"What are you doing? Do you want to kill yourself?" I heard Rita's voice say, drawing me from my thoughts.

"Rita, what are you doing here?" I asked, as I looked and saw her standing by my side with despair written all over her face.

"I came in here a few minutes ago," She said.

I perceived something burning, "Do you perceive something burning as well?" I asked her.

"Of course, that's why I asked if you wanted to kill yourself," She retorted.

Realisation suddenly hit me, "Oh my God, I was boiling water for Cameron's bath and I was lost in thoughts and forgot about the whole thing," I said as I quickly stood up.

"Where are you going?" She inquired.

"To the kitchen, of course," I responded.

"I already turned the gas off," She said.

I felt relieved, "Ohh, thank you," I said to her.

"What were you so engrossed with?" She asked.

I started crying again.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

She didn't even know about anything that had happened in the last few days.

I sighed, "Here," I told her as I picked up the letter from the floor and handed it over to her.

I saw her open her mouth in awe.

"Gosh! Amsey left you?" She was obviously digesting the news.

"Yeah," I replied bitterly.

She stood up and hugged me as I cried sorrowfully. I couldn't really come to terms with the fact that Amsey had just left me like that.

"Why does everyone I hold dear leave me? I don't even know if he's alive or dead," I sobbed.

"It's fine, dear. I may not have an inkling of what happened but I'm sure Amsey had his reasons and I'm sure he's fine wherever he is," Rita consoled me.

There was a loud banging on the door and my heartbeat increased rapidly.

"Who's that?" We chorused.

"I'm here for the documents," A husky voice replied.

"Did you lock the door behind you?" I asked Rita in a whisper and she nodded.

"Rita, we're in trouble," I said in a whisper.

"What documents is he talking about?" Rita whispered too.

"You won't understand, but I don't have any document, so we're in trouble," I whispered.

The banging on the door continued. We stayed alone in the compound and our neighbours in the other compounds must've gone to church as everywhere was quiet, except for the banging of course.

Rita and I exchanged fearful glances and I tiptoed to the peephole and I saw a tall muscular man holding a gun.

"We know you're in there, open up the door or we'll do so ourselves," The husky voice came again.

My heart skipped in fear and I saw Rita closing her eyes and mumbling some prayers.

Cameron started crying and this heightened the tension in the house.

I heard a phone ringing and it wasn't mine nor Rita's phone.

"Hello," I heard the same voice say.

"The baby's in there and his girlfriend and her friend as well. We'll surely get the documents one way or the other," The husky voice said.

Amsey had been right! They knew our whereabouts and could do anything to get the documents, what kind of mad man did he have as a father? If he got a hold of me and the baby, Amsey will never forgive me.

The baby was still crying and so, I ran to the bedroom to see what was wrong and Rita scurried behind me.

I saw my baby crying and flailing his arms and legs and the room stank of faeces.

"He's uncomfortable, he's defecated," Rita said.

"Yeah, that's why he's crying," I agreed.

"I'll go get the diaper and the wipes," She said.

"Thank you," I told her.

Why was all these happening to me at once? I had thought that things were finally settling down so why was this happening to me?

With Amsey gone, I had only one option and that was to call Pastor James but I didn't want to. I detested him and whenever I remembered the tough life I had led without a father, my hatred for him became stronger.

"Who's Andrew Muffin?" Rita asked as she threw a complimentary card in my direction and went to change Cameron's diaper.

I caught the card and looked at it, it was the same complimentary card Mr Andrew Muffin had given me.

"Where did you find this?" I asked.

"In your wardrobe where I was searching for the baby wipes. The name sounds so strange and oddly familiar.... Andrew Muffin. Who is he to you?" She asked.

"We're opening up the door and you won't find it funny when we finally get in," The husky voice roared.

I heard the sound of metal clashing against the door but there was a tiny ray of hope for me as a thought flashed across my mind.

"He's someone that can help us," I responded, hopefully.