Chapter 6: The Seed of Betrayal

Auwalu na my padi since childhood—not blood, but closer than brothers. I know am well. He sabi people, knows how to read room—his sense high. If not, he for no reach where he dey for work.

We dey share food since secondary school. His mama na my mama. Our gist dey always tight, even when life hard.

Normally, since I already hinted I no wan talk about how Morayo play me, with his sense, he for no bring up her matter again. But on the phone just now, Auwalu not only asked if I get proof, he kept hinting—directly or not—that I dey overthink, that I’m jobless and suspecting my wife for nothing.

He dey talk as if na me dey mad. He no even try pity me—just dey push make I forget the matter.

My heart started to sink.

A cold shiver run my spine. My chest dey tight, my mind dey form picture wey I no wan see.

…Could Auwalu be involved in Morayo’s cheating?

I dey fight the thought, but e dey grow. My stomach twist, sweat dey my palm.

He no fit lie to me, abi? He’s my blood, after all.

But for Naija, na people wey close fit wound you pass. This one cut deep, like razor.

Even as I told myself not to suspect Auwalu, the doubt don land. And after Morayo messaged to say she was working late again, the doubt grew like weed.

Doubt dey spread for my mind, strong like stubborn weed for rainy season.

Just coincidence? Auwalu called to reassure me this afternoon, and now Morayo dey claim overtime again?

The timing too neat. My heart dey drum.

I forced myself to remember old clues. True, two years ago, Morayo moved to Auwalu’s marketing department, and now Auwalu is her direct boss. Overtime, business trip—na Auwalu dey decide all that.

All her trips, all her late nights—Auwalu hand dey inside. I no fit deny am again.

My palms went cold.

I rub my hands together, but the cold no gree go.

When it got dark, I messaged Morayo:

[When you dey come back?]

I watch my phone screen, heartbeat loud. Each second long like one minute.

Over ten minutes later, she replied:

[Still busy, writing analysis report for office. Later we get marketing meeting. Abeg, sleep, no wait for me.]

Her reply dry, just like every other night. No sorry, no warmth.

But as I read that message, I was already standing downstairs at their office. Whether Morayo dey talk true, or if Auwalu don betray me, I go soon find out.

I dey outside building, breeze dey blow, but my body hot. My mind set—today na today.