The Picnic - Episode 20

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(The final episode)

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Caroline sat in the witness stand looking at the prosecutor, "With all the testimonies before you Miss Caroline, do you still plead not guilty?" He asked and Caroline scoffed then laughed for a very long time. "You've all conspired against me" 
"Miss Caroline"
"Oh would you just shut up!" She slurred, "I'm already tired of listening to you act as if you're too smart, if only I could just put a bullet through to your damn head" "Like you did to Bola"
"No . I shot Bola in his stomach" she pointed to the  specific place."
There were mummuring in the room and loud chatters. "Order!" The judge demanded and everyone seized the noise. 
"Do you guys have any idea how frustrating it was to date Bola. Every single time he cheats" Caroline laughed hysterically. "It's like there's no time he doesn't cheat. Six years I've been sucked in with his excuses and apologies. Emotionally Bola ruined me, he brought it upon himself when he fell in love with this strange girl"
"How did you know he was in love, I mean he was still with you right?"
"He was, we're girls, we know when they're cheating, we know when things go wrong, we know" she cried. "My worst mistake was staying with him, this is an advise to all girls, if he cheats on you regularly, don't wait for him to change

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. He never will, he'll disappoint you" she paused then chuckled.
 "Why pin it on Miss Rukerwe?"
"I didnt want to I loved her like she was my sister. Rukerwe I loved you, but then Cynthia told me about the phone and I knew you were definitely at the pool house and you were definitely the girl with the cap. Then it all made sense to me the way you acted strange with Bola. I had to set you up Rukky" she explained now looking at Rukky.
"I didn't want to, there's nothing I didn't do to make the case go away, I pinned it on Muna, I tried to make everyone think Duro was doing it for the fame, I worked to just let it go away but Duro would not give up, there was one lead or the other. Urgh! Curse you Duro! You could have stayed in Port Harcourt!"
"My honour and members of the jury, you've all seen with your eyes and heard with your own ears. I mean what better evidence to prove that the defendant is guilty of the murder of Bolaji Daniels. That'll be all Your honour" he bowed his head.
 "Are there any more witnesses?" The judge asked, "No." He replied heading back to his seat.
 "In the absence of witnesses, let the jury foreperson please stand" she requested and a man stood up among the jury.
 "Has the jury reached a unanimous verdict?" He asked and he gave a gentle nod and the clerk got the verdict from him handing it to the judge. He read it then handed it over to the clerk who announced that the jury found Miss Caroline guilty. "Thank you Jesus!" Omo exclaimed.
"Miss Caroline Badmus has been found guilty of the murder of Bolaji Daniels and accordingly, I hereby sentence the accused to life imprisonment with hard labor" she ruled hitting the gavel on the block.
 Caroline's mother cried out leaning on her husband. "Chief do something!" She yelled the turned to the lawyer. "Do something!"
"The court is adjourned" the Judge added and the baliff responded, "All rise!"
Caroline is being taken away by the police.


Omo rushed to hug her sister along with others, "Congrats" Muna chipped in, "Caroline almost had the people believing she wasn't the killer"
"Thanks" Rukky replied then Muna walked towards Ugo. "Ehya, for the first I feel bad for her" she confessed and he laughed. "You didn't feel bad for her at Bolaji's burial or the remembrance service, now you feel bad for her"
"Cause I know how it feels to be hung up on someone who doesn't give rat ass about how you feel" Muna expressed her concern then held Ugo's hand. 
"Thank God I have you"

Rukky watched Duro talk to the prosecuting attorney then she walked out where the press was held a mic to her face. "Miss Rukerwe Johnson, how do you feel finally exonerated of this crime" she asked and Rukky shrugged. 
"I feel the same way anyone in my shoe would feel; I'm happy but I feel bad for my friend" she answered, "She tried to put this on you Ma" the reporter said sounding judgemental.
"I'm sorry I have plans" she walked away with Omo and the press rushed towards Duro and the prosecuting attorney who just came out from the court house. 
"Mr Durodola Daniels, you've done it again. How does another victory feel after a near failure?" Another reporter asked, "What were your challenges?" The previous reporter asked and Duro grinned. "I only investigated the case but we won as a result a good job from our prosecuting attorney, Mr. Jimmy Lawal" he answered then sighted Rukky entering into a taxi with Omo. Her eyes met with Duro's. 
The taxi drove off shortly after.


Rukky folded her leg on the chair making a call. "Uncle you no need to worry, we go reach there tomorrow" "Where una go come sleep?" "Papa room nko?" Rukky asked, the only place she intended staying in was a self contained her grandfather left the father.
 "I don rent am" her uncle replied from the other end of the phone. 
"Which Kain joke be this? Uncle Martins, how you go take tell me this Kain thing this night. For where we go come sleep tomorrow?" Rukky asked and someone knocked on the door. 
Omo rushed to open it then saw Mrs. Daniels by the door. "Good evening Ma," she greeted and she replied with a smile and Omo invited her in. "Where is your sister?" She asked making her way in.
Rukky stood up in shock on seeing her then ended her call. "Good evening Ma" she scratched her hair. "Ma what are you? How?" She paused wondering why she came then she   asked her to take her seat.
 "My coming here is not to sit down. I'm a lot more comfortable where I am. Just standing is more than enough for me"
"Have I done anything wrong?"
"No oh" she answered. "Rather it is my son that has offended you and I have come to beg on his behalf" 
"Please Ma, don't make me feel uncomfortable"
"You should understand what Duro did."
"I do Ma.... I'm just so angry. For a moment I felt like he didn't trust me but today in court, I realized what he was trying to do"
"Don't you love him?"
"I do, I love Duro but I've been thinking about my problems and how much pressure I might mount on him and if you can see Ma" Rukky pointed to the house, "I don't exactly have a five star life and I don't see myself blending with that life"
"Does it look like I care about what people think, your background or the social class you come from?"
"Other mother-in-law would"
"Not me, I'm not segregative. You are a good woman Rukerwe, I've seen your heart and I don't want any other wife for Duro apart from you"
"What should I do?" She asked pouting her lips.

 

Dunni barged into Duro's sitting room after he had opened the door for her. "This your anger fit boil egg" he teased and she hissed."Careful sis, you can force the baby to come out before time" he teased and Dunni shook her head. 
"It's not funny" "What if the baby comes out fully grown up with wrinkles. Like Boss baby"
"Good thing to know you're having a good time"
"Am I suppose to have a bad time? The case is over and I haven't had a good sleep in like forever, I'm planning on sleeping as though I'm dead"
"How can you live with yourself knowing Rukky would be leaving tomorrow?" "What am I supposed to do? I tried public proposal and now I'm a joke on people's WhatsApp and Instagram status"
"You should try"
"I'm giving her the space she wanted" he replied and she slapped him on the arm. "Stop trying to give everyone space! Sometimes we don't need space. We need to know you're serious but you obviously are not serious with her"
"You know very well that I love Rukky"
"Then you must think of what to do cause Rukky must not leave. You can't let her leave"
"What do you want me to do?"


Durodola unlocked the door of his car with his key, he intended driving over to Rukky's house. "I guess you're going out" Rukky assumed from behind. "I'll come back some other time" she added turning back.
 "I was actually going to see you" he replied and Rukky turned back. "To bid me farewell?" She asked and Duro shook his head. "Were you aware that I was traveling?"
"Yes"
"So you weren't coming to bid me farewell? You want me gone badly shea?"
"Rukky no! I don't want you gone at all. I just couldn't bear the thought of another rejection from you"
"Remember the first time you asked me out? Remember what I said?" She asked and Duro laughed, of course he did. 
"You said No"
"Not that, the other thing I said" "You told me that I thought it would be easy" Duro answered and they both chuckled.
"I said no but you didn't stop trying, that was the man I fell in love with" Rukky confessed. "I thought you would be like Bola, I felt irritated by your presence but you turned out to be different and I was so In love with you"
"I'm sorry I didn't trust you well enough"
"Now I understand, you don't have to explain too much. I'm sorry for embarrassing you in public"
"It's nothing, maybe I deserved it a bit" he answered and they both busted into laughter almost at the same time. The thought of the video crossed their mind, it was as though they were in sync with each other.
 "It's really funny" she added now moving close to him.
 "What did you come to do?" Duro asked, "I came to see how the ring really looks like, I didn't really take a close look at it"
Duro unsuspectingly pulled out the ring from his pocket giving it to her. 
"It's nice" she complimented then gave it back to him. "Pop the question" she requested and he chuckled kneeling down before her and Dunni came out from his house holding her phone up to get a video of it.
Mrs. Daniels came out from behind a car with a big smile on her face. "Mom?" Duro asked, "Hello dear" she called out. 
"What's going on?" He asked looking at Rukky. "Your mom gave me a ride to this place, she tried to convince me" "Since you were not capable of doing it, I had to do your job" Mrs. Daniels chipped in.
"I was going to do it" Duro argued. 
"Lies! I convinced you into doing it" Dunni answered still holding her phone up and Duro laughed looking at Rukky who was waiting for an explanation. 
"Are you guys for me or against me?" Duro asked, Dunni and her mother busted into laughter. "So you wouldn't have come after me if Dunni didn't convince you"
"I'm sorry, I .." Duro began sweating profusely as though on a hot seat. He was nervous, really nervous. "I'm just pulling your legs Duro" Rukky replied and he sighed looking at Dunni's camera.
"No cameras please before she'll says no again" he begged and everyone laughed. "Just ask the damn question already!" Rukky yelled anxiously.

 

"Do you Rukerwe Johnson take Durodola Daniels to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to hold, to cherish and to love, for better for worse, till death do you part" the priest asked and Rukky nodded with a big smile on her face.
"I do" she replied.
"With the power vested in me as a minister of the Lord, I hereby declare you, husband and wife. You may kiss your bribe" he added and Duro moved his lips close to hers, a smile nervously crept through his cheek then he pressed his lips against hers then the newly weds shared a passionate kiss.
The whole room rose up screaming, clapping and cheering.
"I love you" Duro confessed, "I love you too" she added kissing him back.


Kazeem played Master of ceremony at the reception that was held at an event center. He was already getting used to the idea of being made a MC in any of his friend's party. 
"Okay so now we're going to bring friends and family of Duro and Rukky to say anything about these two couples. Feel free to say anything nasty, naughty or anything that can implicate the love the couples have. Another sequel to wedding party" he joked and everyone laughed. 
"First person is Efe" he announced and Efe stepped on the stage collecting the mic.
"Duro is my best friend in the world. A brother from another mother, though we've had our down moment but he's a wonderful man and Rukky is a sister from another mother. She's literally a sister, she's from my state and she's an amazing woman, the nicest, selfless person I've ever met. You two were meant for each other, I wish you two a happy married life with lots of kids" he concluded then handed the Microphone over to Kazeem who had given him signal to end it.
Omo was called up next. "My sister, just like brother Efe rightly said, she's the most selfless person I've ever met. Her sacrifices to make my life better, to cater for me and Mom after dad died" she paused almost in tears. "I love you sister and I'm glad you found Brother Duro. God bless your home and shower you with blessings in all your endeavors" she prayed and everyone chorused "Amen"

"My name is Bisola Adewale, otherwise known as Andra from the name Alexandra. I saw something months ago and I kept quiet, and almost made a poor woman  go to jail for a crime she didn't commit. Rukerwe Johnson, I know I've apologized but no apology will be enough."
"It's okay" Rukky muttered cleaning her tears from the funny and  nice things persons had been saying about her. Rukerwe is a special woman, she has a kind heart, the mother Theresa of our time. She doesn't put herself first before doing anything. She didn't consider what i did and she gave me a second chance  at life, I was shocked when I  got the call to join in the Rukerwe Daniels foundation project. You will go places Ma" she prayed and everyone chorused "Amen"
"You will have plenty children" 
"Amen" every chorused again and Rukky shook her head. "Just three" she turned to Duro who laughed at how scared she was.
 "You will leave a legacy that even your children children and your children children" "The pastor already prayed" Kazeem interrupted holding the microphone. "Oga leave the microphone na, i haven't started my prayers"
"You had five minutes alloted to you" he whispered faking a smile to everyone. "Okay give me one minute" she requested and he agreed leaving the microphone.
"We and the entire new working staff of Rukerwe foundation, yet to be expanded, we say God bless your new home and Incase you're wondering, I'm very much single and desperately searching and my phone number is O708" before she could complete her sentence, Kazeem grabbed the microphone from her.  The crowd were already laughing.
 "Nigerians!" He sighed and the whole crowd laughed.


While the newly weds danced, couples one by one joined in. "So play-play play-play, rukky don marry?" A lady asked  her friends. She was Rukky's secondary classmate. "When Lilian tell me, I just gatz to come cause I being no believe am. Imagine! Of all people, Rukky married from the Daniels family"
"I dey vex, imagine that Rukky of that time, poverty Rukky" another commented gulping a glassful of wine.
 "Would you all shut the hell up?" Muna who had been listening in snapped and Ugo held her hands. "You don't have to listen to them"
"Which one be this one own?" One of the girls asked and Ugo held Muna away for a dance and she frowned still looking at the girls. "Come on, there are always mean girls in every wedding. It's a normal phenomenal. Don't make these girls take your beautiful smile away" he teased and Muna giggled.
"Everyone finally had a happy ending" she muttered. "Except Caroline" he replied. 
"What do you think maybe before this time next year we would be married" "Wait, are you proposing?" "Yes" he replied and Muna kissed him, "Yes I will" she shouted so others could hear. It delighted her when she saw the girls bat their eyes at her.


Kazeem walked over to the bar stand ordering for a glass of wine. Just as he drank it, hen sighed.

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

. He was already exhausted. "Sorry" Vivian said feeling sorry for him. "You look exhausted" 
"Yeah I am" he replied now looking at the pretty lady beside him. She left Dare aloneaand Victor who obviously wanted a lone time with Cynthia.
 Though she loved the lone time  even with the romantic Nigeria upbeat songs playing, she could hear her own thoughts.
"I work in a radio station and I have a show tonight" Kazeem explained, "I know" Vivian, answered. 
"Meet one of your biggest fan, I don't miss your night show the way you talk about love like you own it" "Love is a beautiful thing. Take Duro and Rukky for example" "Yeah" she replied and they both laughed.
 "Your face looks familiar" he chipped in and Vivian laughed. "I'm a police officer, you might have seen me when you were called for interrogation"
"Now that makes sense, but you don't look like a police officer"
"What do you mean?"
"You're different, I mean you're different in a good way. You're hotter"
"So I'm supposed to look like a steroetype?" She asked and Kazeem laughed. "I didn't say so" he answered.
 "So how's Fatima?" She asked and Kazeem raised his brow in shock. "I told you I was a follower and I have a very good memory" "We broke up, apparently she lied to me and I hate lies."
"I'm sorry, but you love her"
"I'll move on, there's always a chance to meet love anywhere, remember when I said thaton a show?" He asked and she nodded. "It might be in a bus" she began, "In a club, in a market," he picked up from where she left off.  "In the wildest of places or even in a wedding reception like this" he added and Vivian chuckled. 
"My name is Kazeem, I'm a Muslim and I'm an open-minded person"
"I'm Vivian, i'm a Christian and once upon a time there was a video of me being embarrassed by a woman for having an affair with her husband. In my defense, I never knew he had a wife." "What a jerk!" Kazeem insulted and Vivian scoffed. 
"Am I a kind of person anyone can take a chance on?" She asked, "You look like a nice lady aaaand....." He slurred then chuckled.
 "I can work with that."


The End.

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