The Picnic - Episode 3

 

Muna leaned on the metal bar pavement of the upper flat where she lived with Ugo who was quietly observing her as she stood there  in her red tank top and black shorts. He saw her give a cold shuddering breath as though she has been crying. Muna and Ugo has been friends for years. It wasn't until recent he opened up to Muna about his feelings for her. Muna never took him seriously because she was always hung up on Bolaji. 
Ugo walked up to her wrapping his arms around her and Muna unwrapped his hands angrily . "Are you crazy?" She asked, "I was going to console you"
"Who died that you're consoling me over?" She snapped and Ugo opened his mouth in shock unable to utter a word.
"Did you intend disgracing me? Don't you see that everyone would be staring and mouth will start running?"
Ugo scoffed, "Like you would care if that was Bola holding you"
"Ugo!" Muna called out in a warning tone, "I hate Bola and I don't want to talk about him capiche?"
"You say the same thing every time Maimuna"
"I hate Bola, I don't want to talk about him" he mimicked using a feminine voice. "But each time you're left alone, you cry over this same Bola"
"Have you been spying on me?" Muna asked, "Oh please, get a grip of yourself, we live together!"
He shouted tightening his fist

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

. "We live together and I care about you and.... I don't like to see you hurt"
"Bola you're just a friend to me"
"Muna, you just called me Bola" Ugo complained, he felt hurt. "Ugo you're my bestie"
"With great benefits" he interrupted heaving a sigh. 
"Last night we had great s*x, I know it and you do. Don't you feel the chemistry?"
"What chemistry?" She snapped. "Don't you get it? You're just that guy...you're nothing to me"
"Oh" Ugo said heartbroken. "You know what Muna? This is going to be the last time I satisfy your s*xual itch cause I can't be that guy anymore"
Muna scoffed that laughed in mockery knowing Ugo cannot do without her. "Ugo, there are many more fishes in the sea"
"Well count this shark out" he barked leaving her alone to her thought. Muna heard the door slam afterwards. She went inside then resumed crying.

Durodola entered into his father's hotel now managed by her twenty six years old sister, Adunni. He walked over to the receiptionist at the lobby who had a earpiece on.
"Good morning" Duro greeted, "Sir your complaint would definitely be addressed In the best way possible" she said turning to Duro stretching a hand at him. "One sec" she mouthed at him. "Thank you Sir" she dropped the call then flashed a smile at Duro.
"Good morning Sir, you're welcome to the daffodils; what can I do for you?"
"I would like to meet Miss Daniels" he paused, "I meant Mrs. Okpara, I keep forgetting she's married"
"Do you have an appointment with her?"
"No. I just wanted to surprise her"
"I'm sorry Sir but there is nothing much I can do but to put a call through to her. What's your name?" She attempted calling.
"Durodola Daniels" he answered and then she gazed at him with a stoic expression on her face.
"Like I said, I was going to surprise her."

Duro walked into Dunni signing some paperwork. She immediately looked up at him letting out a scoff. "Who let the devil in?"
"That's heartwarming sis. Long time no see"
"And who's fault is that?" She snapped closing the document. "What are you doing here? I have no appointment with you"
"Dunni, I'm still your big brother'
"Really Duro? Really?" She stood revealing her five months gone belly bump. "You're pregnant?" Duro asked in surprise, "Yes and I'm also married but you could have known if you had attended the wedding" Dunni replied sarcastically. Sarcasm was her vice.
"You've only been married for six months"
"Look who's counting! Should I remind you that married couples have sex and make babies?"
"Does that mean you were having sex with that punk before"
"Jesus, Brother Duro!" She roared. "That punk was your best friend. You know very well I was a virgin when I got married to Efe and I'm just five months gone. " Dunni explained to him.
 "Brother Duro, you could have known if you were around but you had to disappoint me just when I needed you the most"
"I sent you several emails since you refused picking my calls. I told you I had to save twelve students but unfortunately two died"
"Oh spare me that story brother I know the real reason behind your absence. Duro the hero saves the day but I know that was a diversion to avoid coming to the wedding cause the Duro I knew would have done all in his power to see me happy but no! The selfishness in you took over" Dunni yelled in tears.
"Maybe if you hadn't gotten married to that guy I would have come!" Duro confessed while Dunni gritted her teeth angrily. "That guy is your best friend"
"Was" Duro corrected. "I told him you were off limit  but he still had the guts to .." he trailed off trying to contain his anger.
"I loved Efe and I still do" Dunni replied and Rukky walked in. She had a chef uniform on and a traditional chef hat.
"Mrs. okpara"
"Not now Kerwe" Dunni interrupted, "But Ma" she continued. "Not now Miss; can you do us a favor and just leave"
Embarrassed, Rukky bow her head slightly then left the office. "You didn't have to be rude" Dunni chastised, "You yelled first"
Dunni rolled her eyes for the next topic of interest. "Why didn't you attend Bola's burial?"
"I don't owe you any explanation and stop acting like you're dad. You may run his company but you're not him"
"Trust me dear I'm not dad, I'm way more transparent that him. You, dad and Bola; peas in a pod. You all are always hiding things" she assumed. This reminded him of what Aunt Dupe told him.
"Why are you back in Lagos?"
"To start afresh" he replied and Dunni scoffed at him. "Is that a new job?" She asked laughing.
"I had myself transferred to Lagos sis. I'm reopening Bola's case."
"What? Are you crazy?"
"Dunni, I believe our brother was murdered"
"Bola deserves to rest in peace. For once in your life act selfless not trying to acquire fame and prestige"
"I'm not... I'm not trying to acquire fame. I've already reopened the case already.

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

. If Bola was really murdered, I promise to bring the criminal to book." He assured leaving the office then saw Rukky leaning on the wall holding a notepad close to her chest. 
"Hey" he called out and Rukky glanced at him then back at the ceiling intentionally. She was trying to send a message to him. It didn't hurt her much when Dunni yelled, Duro's reply pierced her heart.
"I'm sorry about how I reacted earlier on" he apologized, "Are you done so I can go back to what I wanted to do" she snapped.
"I remember your face; you were present at my brother's remembrance service" he chipped in but Rukky paid little attention on him. She walked past him knocking on the door. "I know I was rude in there" Duro sounded apologetic.
"Rude is an understatement Sir" she replied walking into the office. 

First thing Durodola did on resuming work was to organize a team of competent policemen to help him work on the case. "Whatever happened was all in the pool house shea?" Victor one of the police man asked, "No in the market" Vivian answered letting out a long hiss. 
"The pool house was one of my father's establishment. Unfortunately, Bolaji used it to host a picnic which resulted to his death"
"Three days picnic is no picnic at all, that's like a vacation" Dare opined opening a file. 
"My aunt said Bolaji had a rough last days, he had calls coming in, disturbing calls"
"Easy sir, let's retrieve his phone" Dare suggested, "I thought of that but according to Olusegun Jacob, his phone wasn't with him when he died"
"That's weird." Vivian commented, "Someone must have the phone, it can't just be missing"
"It's missing and there's no point looking for it. Whoever was with it must have sold it or destroyed it" Duro replied.
"Well..." Vivian paused, "Since it's a public place that offers room services, maybe... Just maybe there'll be log books for basically everyone that were present at the picnic"
"Good" Duro commented in thought. "Victor" he called out, "I'm on it Sir" he replied leaving the room.
"We'll begin our investigation from there"
"With everyone at the picnic? Sir, what if they're much"
"I don't care. We'll investigate everyone, the security, maids, all of them!"