The Picnic - Episode 13

 

"Ugo's testimony rhymes with Muna" Vivian  disagreed in their own little brainstorming session.
"What If they have it already rehearsed?" Dare disagreed and Vivian glared at him. "So does that mean no one is buying into my opinion that Taye Macaulay should be checked?"

Omo walked towards Rukky and Ugo then hugged her. "I told him about the r*pe" She whispered, "Are you alright?" She asked patting her on the back . "Yes but I told him you're not aware of the r*pe" Omo withdrew now looking at Ugo.
"Why would you?" 
"Cause I didn't want him bringing you in as a suspect, it's a fresh relationship"
"I understand but I want to know if you're okay with another person being aware of this"
"I'm fine."

Rukky walked into Duro throwing a book on the wall. "Bad timing?" She asked and he shook his head smiling. "Not exactly" he replied pointing at the book. "Sorry you had to see that. This case is messing with my head."
"Just take a deep breath" Rukky advised and he shook his head once more. "I can't..

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-picnic

. I don't know who to hold responsible for Bola's death... Part of me just want to push this case under the rug and act like nothing happened but ..." He paused, slamming his hands on the desk. 
"Hey dear" Rukky went behind him softly massaging his shoulders. "You need to calm down, you'll sought this out."
Duro groaned in pleasure. "Maybe Bola did deserve dying. Do you know how many enemies he has and how many more people would want him dead? You know if I had his phone it would being easier to know what he was going through or those he has hurt."
Rukky immediately stopped massaging him. "At least we can check his messages" Duro looked up at her. "That's a lead on it's own" 
"How about Omo, is she free?" Rukky avoided the topic then resumed massaging him.
"For now. She was there at the pool house so she's still a suspect, I can't be partial"
"I understand"
"I'm sorry about what my brother did to her. I know you don't know but.... I think you should talk to her" 

Duro packed his car at the radio station garage then waited for Kazeem to come to him. He had put a call through to him. "I hope you're not here to arrest me" Kazeem began and Duro shook his head. "I already made it clear from the call."
"What do you want?"
"I'm confused, and I know you're Bola's best friend in the world." He paused passing a note to him. Who do you think out of the names on that list would want him dead?" 
Kazeem looked at it closely then shook his head. "I refuse to judge anyone"
"At least a righteous guess"
"It can be anyone"
"What do you think about Taye?"
"Taye Macaulay?" Kazeem scoffed, "She wouldn't even dare,"
"You seem so certain"
Kazeem sighed then hissed, "God" he groaned. "Bola forgive me wherever you are. She wouldn't kill the father of her twins" Kazeem revealed and Duro stepped back in shock. "Yes ... Taye was Bola's first, apparently she got pregnant just when your dad found out about their activities. Your dad wanted her to get an abortion but smart girl, she didn't. So, your parents and Bola have been taking care of her and her kids. It came with the job at the pool house"
Duro slammed on the car, he didn't know who to get angry at, his mom, his dead father or Taye for playing the same s*x game on Bola. He felt like stopping by at his mom's house and giving her a piece of his mind and also going to the pool house. 
He was confused. "Take it easy mehn, are you alright?" Kazeem asked and he shut his eyes in pain. 

"Sir you can't see her now" Taye's secretary yelled chasing after Duro who was fuming into Taye's office. He pushed the door open then walked in. "Ma I told him not to"
 "It's okay" Taye replied and the secretary left.
 "Someone looks really angry"
"When I left for the university, why did you have to prey on Bolaji?"
"Duro" she stood up raising her hands up; the last thing she needed was getting Duro angry.
 "let me explain"
"I would have slapped you right now if I wasn't a gentleman. What's there to explain? Bola was barely sixteen, at least i was almost eighteen. Were you that perverted?"
"Don't insult me" she busted into tears. "I loved the both of you, I wanted you both but I didn't know which to choose. After you left, Bola was available"
"Maybe if you hadn't sh*t over his life, Bola would have been a good person, and not sleep around with women or maybe...just maybe he would still be alive today."
"My only crime was loving two brothers even though they were young. But I don't love him the way I love you Duro. You have no idea how i wish my kids were yours. I love you still, and I'll continue to love you."
"I hate you" Duro blurted out leaving the office.

Rukky rushed into the room locking the door then she busted into tears. "I can't do this anymore, I can't hide this. Rukky you have to tell him. You have to let him know" she opened up her luggage, then brought out a key opening the wardrobe. In it was a phone, Rukky brought it out looking at it.
"I have to tell him" 

****Flashback****
On the third day of the picnic, Bola came out of the pool cleaning his face with a white towel. Then he heard his phone ring. "I'm sorry" he apologized the moment he picked up the call" "Right now I don't need your apology" "Everyone is angry at me Rukky join the queue. I can't do more than apologize to you."
"I'm at the pool house. Let's talk"
"Where are you?" 
"Funny I was going to ask you the same question before i" Rukky paused hanging up. Bola was right in her front. She had a face cap on, a red polo and a blue jean trousers.
 "Dress up, we have to talk"
"Are you worried you'll get distracted with my god-like body?" he asked and Rukky glared at him. 
"Oh God! That look again" he said covering his eyes. "You're like meduza" he commented wearing his top. "Let's chat" she answered trying to ignore his insult. "Where do you consider the most private place. I won't want people, especially Caroline thinking  you're also having s*x with me"

They moved over to the broom shack. "What is it you" before Bola could complete his sentence, Rukky slapped him on the face twice. "Okay" I deserved that for trying to kiss you but I thought we were past this"
"Oh this one isn't for trying to cheat on my best friend, this is for my sister"
"Oh" Bola stepped back in fear. "She told you?"
"I beat her into confession and it's your fault! How could you do that to her?"
"Come on Rukky I didn't r*pe her and I warned her. Maybe she wanted to experiment too" Bola chipped in and Rukky pulled closer almost punching him. "God help me if I don't kill you Bola!"
"I regret it okay?" He moved closer leaning on the wall close to her. He was being sincere. "I regret throwing that party and I know I should have stopped him but I didn't cause I was being a jerk" He dropped his phone, raising his hands up in surrender. 
"I'm sorry Rukky"
"Stop apologizing! It makes you look as though you're a good person and I know you're not" she confessed and about to leave the room then Bola scoffed. "I can be of you let me in Rukky." He answered and Rukky stopped turning angrily at him. "Remember I promised you a punch the next time you say that rubbish"
"I like you Rukky, you might not believe it but I do, i really do like you"
"You're getting married to Caroline"
"Say yes to me and I'll immediately call off the wedding"
"You know what Bola, you're a big fool if you think I'll stoop so low as to do something so crazy. Get it into your thick head dear, I don't like you"
"Why?"
"For starters, you're a big jerk. I don't know why Caroline sticks with you, you're nothing but a pig!" "And only you can change me. The sponsorship stuff you wanted help with" "Who told you?"
"I saw your plans the day I dropped you home. You forgot it in my car. Rukky I'll help you with it if you agree to" before he could complete his sentence Rukky slapped him again.
 "What's wrong with this idiot? Grow up Bola" She shouted. This was followed by a knock on the door"
Rukky's heart leapt, she didn't want anyone seeing her especially Caroline. "Who is it?" Boka asked, "Is that you, Mr. Bola?" The voice asked and Bola walked out; It was a maid. "What are you doing here?"
"It's the broom shack Sir, I'm here to do my job"
"Come back later"
"But Sir"
"Come back of you really love your job"
"Yes sir" she replied running off.

Read " Hotel Palava " by the same author ( Essien Eno )

. Bola moved close to the door. "The coast is clear" He whispered, "I'll call you" he added walking away. 
"Idiot!" Rukky cussed underneath her breath then turned to a flat surface seeing Bola's phone on it. "Bola" she called out pushing her head out but couldn't find him. "What kind of idiot is this? Now I have to stay around to give him this phone. There goes my plan of not getting caught"

*** Now ***
Cynthia ransacked Rukky's clothes looking for which to take. She raised a blue gown up, "Rukky say bye bye to this one cause I'm taking it." She said out loud laughing. Then she pushed other clothes away and a key fell to the ground. 
Just as she picked up the key, a thought crossed her mind. The locked drawer, she stood up walking towards the cabinet. "Make I see wetin Rukky dey hide here" she fixed the key in then opened the wardrobe seeing a phone in it.
"Why Rukky go dey hide phone?" She asked then picked it up turning it on. Immediately she turned it on, Caroline and Bola's photo appeared as the wallpaper.
 "Jesus! Rukky which Kain wahala be this?" She muttered moving backward then sat on the bed. The phone immediately rang it had on it's caller ID 'Aunty Dupe'.