OBSESSION (FINAL CHAPTER)

"I caused pain for your family? How is that even possible?  You're based in Abuja and I, in Lagos." I said, looking a tad confused.

He wiped the tears off his face, grabbed a chair and sat in front of me

"Do you remember any Tomi Cole? Light skinned, slim, tall...." He questioned

"Well, the name sounds familiar and the profile fits as well, but I don't think I have met her. Who is she?"

"Cast your mind back to Segun's house-warming party last year. Do you remember the girl that wore the very short dress with a rose bow in front, which got us all passing comments? The girl with the British accent whom I eventually dated."

"Oh, that girl! Yes I remember her, what's she got to do with this?"

"I know you had your eyes on her, but did you at anytime get down with her during that period or after?"

"Is it my sex life that is causing tears in your family, why all these questions? Please, I refuse to answer that question or any other one that relates to my sex life." I was getting irked already, and just wished I could have a go at him, but Tiger was standing behind me, ready to call me to order, should I falter.

"It’s your life that is at stake here, I can blow your head off at anytime and walk out of here a free man, so don't act stupid. Once again, did you have anything to do with her?!!!" He asked, and I could sense the anger in the tone of his voice. 

"Yes I did, I got her number that day and we got talking afterwards. I saw her again at a concert after which we had some drinks and ended up having sex at my house that night. But that was the only time it happened". I knew Halima had been staring at me and was definitely jolted by my revelation but I wasn't bothered, as my safety was all that mattered.

"Please, what does this have to do with anything?" I asked

"When did you sleep with Hadiza....my sister? Was it around that time?"

I became speechless, and then my heart started beating fast. How did he know? I thought to myself.

"Did you think I wouldn't find out? Answer the bloody question before I rid you of one of your legs". He said, shouting at the top of his voice.

"I...it..it was a few months after then, but you can't understand. It happened suddenly, and I don't know what she told you, but please give me a chance to explain?" I cried out

"I should give you a chance to explain?"  He asked rhetorically, and then he smiled.

"A chance to explain how you were not able to control your OBSESSION for anything in skirt, or a chance to explain how Tomi, Hadiza and contracted the H.I.V virus? You and every other person knew Tomi and I were seeing eachother, but you still went ahead to have sexual relations with her.

After a few health complications, I visited a doctor who confirmed to me that I had the virus. Hadiza went to the hospital for a random checkup and she also tested positive to the virus. Now tell me, is this a co-incidence?"

I was shell-shocked. I wasn’t sure whether it was the fact that he knew about the affair I had with his sister, or the fact that both of them were H.I.V positive that got me petrified. Then it struck me – Hadiza and Tomi must have contracted the virus from me, but how? For some seconds, I wished the ground would open up and swallow me, and then I thought - Tiger’s bullet in my skull would do the magic just fine.

After all was said and done, I pleaded with Adamu to try and temper justice with mercy. His sole aim was to rid me of all my assets (cash and kind) but then he reasoned, of what use it would be to him when he had just a short time to live since the virus had advanced to the A.I.D.S stage. He swore never to forgive me as he left my house in tears with Tiger and so did Halima.

As soon as I was untied and let loose, I scheduled an appointment with my doctor, and even though I finally confirmed I had the virus, it was still at the H.I.V stage which meant if I took care of myself, I would live longer than Adamu and Hadiza.

Hadiza went on to commit suicide, Adamu handled the situation recklessly and died a few months after Hadiza passed on and I haven’t heard from Halima or Tomi since everything came up.

I had opened Pandora’s Box on myself, and I knew from that point on, my life would never be the same again.