“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

You make me happy when skies are grey…”

Akushika smiled as Bukky gently sang to Ellen while she carried her. Of course, her incredible vocals were doing the business, sending sweet chills down Akushika’s spine. Lullabies for Ellen were going to be a heavenly experience.

Two days had passed since the incident. Everything the hospital needed to carry out on the little one had been done, and the all-clear had been given; Akushika and Ellen could go home. Drusilla and Bukky were the ones to come and pick them up, and Akushika could not have been more excited.

Back to the flat. Back to Drusilla’s one-of-a-kind food and TLC. Back to that sweet atmosphere, surrounded by people who loved her unconditionally.

Exactly what she needed.

“Bukky, this your voice, eh, it’ll not put just her to sleep oo,” she quipped. “I’ll probably be knocked out as well.”

“Oh my dear, no problem oo,” Bukky replied. “You’ll need it, so just enjoy when I’m singing for her. Let Auntie do the work.”

“Hehehe. Speaking of auntie, this rich auntie vibe of yours is not easy ooo!”

Drusilla, who was packing the rest of Akushika’s stuff, laughed. “At all oo. When she joined me, I was like, ei, madam, this rich auntie look is giving pressure paaa!”

Bukky smirked, turning around to give the ladies a 360 view of her simple red boubou gown. “Shebi I be rich auntie nowww! I must walk the talk.”

“Amen oooo! As you are moving by faith, it’ll come to pass in Jesus’ name!” Drusilla declared.

“Amen!” Akushika and Bukky echoed.

As Drusilla picked up the bags, Akushika commented, “I must say, Bukky, I’m so glad you’re going to stay with us for the next few weeks. I’m so grateful.”

Bukky nodded. “It’s all good, my dear. Anything for you. This sweetheart will show you premium shege, so we must share the shege so it doesn’t over you. Equal distribution of shege.”

Akushika and Drusilla giggled. “Equal distribution of shege,” Drusilla repeated. “The way I laughed when she said that.”

“Shebi I no dey lie. When Ellen is screaming at night, that is premium shege. But at least, the comforting is not tied down to just one person. So it’s equal. How do you say it in Twi… pɛpɛɛpɛ!”

“Yeeyieeeee!” Drusilla and Akushika cheered, impressed by her accurate pronunciation of the term.

“Ah, our Naija baby is getting there!” Drusilla continued.

Bukky smirked, looking very proud of herself. “Thank you, thank you very much. Does this mean I’ll get one night off to go and sleep in my boyfriend’s arms?”

Drusilla’s excited look vanished instantly, and a faux stern look replaced it. She crossed her arms. “Young lady, please, don’t test me. As long as it’s not your matrimonial bed you are sharing with him, it’s a straightforward no!”

“Oh, Maa Dru!” Bukky teasingly pleaded, a mischievous grin on her face. “We won’t do anything unbecoming oo. Just some small cuddling… you knowww, some small kisses-“

“Bukola Ogunjobi!”

Bukky and Akushika burst into laughter.

The joys of pulling Maa Dru’s legs.

***

The revving sounds of the okada motorbike were like the roar of an angry beast as it pulled up near the hospital gates. Off it jumped Drill, looking slightly less unkempt than his first visit. At least he hadn’t taken a joint before coming, so he had taken the time to look a bit more presentable.

It was nowhere near good enough, but it was still an improvement of sorts.

He had taken the time to gather himself and prepare for this visit. Maybe he had been slightly belligerent the last time, thanks to his emotions and some good stuff. But this time, he’d try and be a little nicer. Maybe put up a loving boyfriend front, just to coerce her, so she’d follow him.

It made him a little sick to have to do this, but his inheritance was at stake. If he had to feign that and gain his due once the annoying old man popped his clogs, it was worth it. As planned, he would discard them afterward.

He squared his shoulders as he forced himself forward toward the gate, muttering to himself, “Let’s do this.”

Upon reaching the gate, two security guards stepped out to block his path, their expressions firm and stern. “Stop right there,” one of them said, arms folded across his chest. “Please, you’re not getting in.”

Drill looked stunned. “What do you mean I’m not getting in?” he demanded. “Please, I’ve got someone to pick up. My girl’s in there. My kid’s in there. Move.”

The second guard, younger but just as firm, folded his arms. “Boss, we know who you are. No be you wey the last time, you go cause wahala for the maternity ward there, go stress the mother then the baby all? You know the way our boss come chew we for letting you in? Abeg, we’re not making the same mistake. Go.”

Drill’s attempt at diplomacy was already fading away. His jaw clenched as his temper began to flare. “Massa, that wasn’t my fault-“

“Please, please, please, you dey talk plenty!” the older security guard interrupted. “Whatever the case be, you cannot come in. Order from above.”

Drill stepped closer, his fists balling at his sides. “Massa, make you no make I bore, you hear? Give me way make I go!”

The guards didn’t budge. The older one gave him a hard look. “Step back. Last warning.”

Drill’s voice rose. “Massa, I dey try play nice ooo. If you make I bore, I go fit slap you make you see your sorrmi!”

“Hey, hey, make you no try that! Make you no try!” the younger guard shot back. “Make you no do anything stupid, we go beat you for here!”

“Herh, gimme way!”

Lunging at the guards, a brief scuffle ensued, with Drill doing his best to break through. The guards, however, remained steadfast, blocking his path and pushing him back. Drill staggered but recovered quickly. Snarling, he swung a hand toward the gate latch, but the guards moved in unison, blocking his path.

The commotion drew attention, with people in the car park glancing at the ongoing scuffle with concern.

It wasn’t long before the attention of Mr. Afrifa was drawn to the ongoing struggle. He stepped out of his inner office and marched over to the scene. “Hey, hey, hey! What the hell is going on here?” he demanded loudly.

Both guards turned to him, their stance firm but defensive. “Boss, he’s come again oo! He’s trying to force his way in.”

Drill turned to the man, his anger boiling over. “See, boss, I’m not here to start a fight! I’m here for my family! That’s all!”

Mr. Afrifa’s eyes narrowed as he glared at him. “After coming to harass a new mother in her ward, you have the audacity to return here? My friend, will you get out of here?”

Drill’s jaw dropped. “Ah, but Boss-“

“Get out! Hurry up! Out of here!”

“Boss, I’m just-“

“OOUUUTTTTT! IF YOU DON’T LEAVE, I’LL CALL THE POLICE! FOOLISH BOY!”

Words could not describe the level of humiliation on Drill’s face. This security boss yelling at him like he was a menace to society. The number of people in and outside the hospital premises staring at him like he was a menace to society.

Seething inwardly, he shook his head, then reached into the chest pocket of his shirt and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Throwing it at the guards, he barked, “F**k you all! You all, your mordas! Kwasiafuo!”

As he turned to walk away, the guards simply mocked him. “Oh, shame! Shameless boy!” they taunted, invoking more profane insults from him as he stomped off, unconcerned about the disapproving looks from bystanders.

The younger guard bent down, picked up the paper, and hesitated before opening it. He scanned its contents, frowned, and then handed it to his boss. “Boss, please, ibi like ibi letter ooo.”

***

The hospital doors slid open, and Akushika stepped out onto the main compound, carrying a dozing Ellen in her arms. Beside her, Bukky held a diaper bag slung over one shoulder, and behind them was Drusilla, carrying the other bags.

“Time to get back to the flat as a new momee!” Drusilla announced.

Akushika laughed softly. “Can’t wait. The way I’ve missed the comfort of my room, eh.”

As the trio made their way across the parking lot, Mr. Afrifa emerged from his inner office, his expression serious. He hurried toward them, pausing just before reaching Drusilla. “Madam,” he greeted respectfully, nodding toward her.

She turned to him, her expression curious. “Yes, sir?”

Mr. Afrifa held out a folded piece of paper, the same one Drill had thrown earlier. “This is for you, Madam.”

“For me?” she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion. She took the paper but didn’t open it. “What is it?”

Mr. Afrifa hesitated, glancing briefly at Akushika, who was entering the car. Lowering his voice, he said, “It’s a letter… from her parents. Her real ones.”

Drusilla’s brows furrowed. “Her real parents? How?”

Mr. Afrifa sighed. “So that foolish boy came around not too long ago. As your husband told us to do, we sacked him. But he threw this paper our way, and… I’m sorry, but I had to take a look. I don’t know the full story, but from what I skimmed, it’s… not good. I’d advise you to read it when you’re alone. And…” he hesitated, his gaze flickering to Akushika again. “Don’t let her see it. Not yet, at least.”

Drusilla’s jaw clenched. She slipped the letter into her handbag. “Thank you for bringing this to me,” she said curtly.

“Of course,” Mr. Afrifa replied, stepping back. “Take care, Madam.”

As Drusilla got into the car, Bukky gave her a curious look. “What did he want?”

“Oh, nothing important,” she replied smoothly. “Just something about Remmy. Let’s go.”

Hmmm. A letter from Mr. and Mrs. Acolatse. That’s definitely not gonna be a pretty read…