Beneath chapter 9

🎵: A forest - The cure

A forest a cure - This is the Spotify link add it to your lib

Kainene's  pov

Still on The Jet

We couldn't stop staring at Krystal — expectedly.

She held on to Somkele. "Aunty, have you been crying?" Somkele said Aunt had something in her eyes. Krystal rolled her eyes. "Please don't lie to me. This is about my dad, yeah?" She squared her shoulders. "If you're not going to admit it, I would say it. Dad loves you. I haven't seen him as depressed as he looked this morning. He doesn't just want to hurt you. For some reason, he thinks he always hurts people."

Somkele said, "You think so? You're not just lying, are you?"

Krystal said, "My dad's happiness is the most important thing to me. I have never seen him this happy in his life before. He loves you. I am not sure why he thinks he always hurts people, but I know he can't hurt you."

She asked, "Do you love my dad too?" Somkele just nodded. "Alright, there you go — but when he confesses, pretend like that's your first time hearing this." She brought out her hand for a pinky promise. Somkele took it.

Then Krystal looked hesitant. "Between the two of us —" she shut her eyes — "Marobi asked me to be his date for the dinner." The two of us gasped. I said, "Krystal, aren't you too young to be doing that?" She sighed and placed her hand on her head. "Yes, I am so young — I told the idiot that too. He has something of mine I need to take back." I said, "Okay, so what do you need from us?"

She whispered, "Aunt Somkele, I promise this is not why I told you. I couldn't stand by and watch my dad make a mistake I knew he would regret for the rest of his life. Dad would have a heart attack if he saw me on this date. Please, can you help me distract him, or find a way to tell him? I would speak to him after the date." She shivered slightly. I went to bring some blankets for her. She said, "Thank you, Aunty Kai."

She asked, "Would you guys help me?" Somkele and I stared at each other.

Somkele said, "Your dad is going to be so angry when he finds out — why not just tell him?" She said, "I would, just after. I don't want Dad getting involved. I want to settle it with that annoying jerk Marobi."

"So what are you going to wear? Since you don't have anything —" She gestured for us to come closer. She said, "Tinker Bell." I gasped. "That would look so cute on you. But you have to promise me — no guy touches you till you're 18." Krystal said, "Isn't that too much? Let's bring it down to 16. Besides, boys disgust me, and Dad wouldn't let me attend normal school." I made a mental note to speak to Neto later about it.

We called Nana in. She jumped with glee as she took Krystal's measurements while Somkele talked through the style she wanted. We got distracted by Adaeze knocking on the door frantically, asking how it went. Krystal just said, "It went really well," when she walked in. Adaeze hugged her. "See, I told you it would go well." Krystal looked so tense, but I held her by the shoulders. "It's going to be okay. Somkele and I would come up with something. Relax a little." She hugged me. "Thank you, Aunt Kai. Thank you, Aunt Somkele." We watched in amazement as she took Adaeze's hand and led her out.

Tiara's sister Ruby made some dumplings for us — it might be one of the best I have tasted. I asked how she made them. She said, "After you get your dumpling base, just mix your minced meat with some seasoning, then add your ginger, garlic, some vegetables. Pour your egg yolk, then mix very well. Pour them into small chunks, then roll with the dumpling dough. Fry it till you see a bit of brown underneath, then drizzle your sesame sauce on it. It's good to go."

Lola also made crème brûlée donuts. I couldn't stop moaning at how good they were. I said, "Take all my money — gosh, this is so good. How did you make it?" Lola said, "Cut your kneaded dough into circles, then put some paper under them and fry. When they are done frying, put some cream filling — we're using this so it's a bit sweet and not too sweet — then put the donut in a honey mix and fry again. And you have this. Amazing, right?" We said yes.

Slowly we all got tired and went to sleep. The next morning we all landed, and everyone got to work.

Back to The cruise ship

The long aisle in the vanity room was full of women, all of us just trying to get our hair done. I had on a full nineties blow-out bouncy wave. Somkele had French curls styled in a way that framed her face — a side part, showing her curls in the front, with two braids coming from each side. She had on a fusion-pink gown, a V-neck styled dress. The fusion pink dazzled. She looked so breathtaking.

Somto wore a similar fusion-pink gown, though this one was short — it stopped between her thigh and her butt. A tube dress with a lot of flowers on the skirt. She had on one of those afro-styled wigs that fit her frame and showed off her long legs. Kamara had on a red gown, a silver choker. The red gown outlined her curves properly, and the skirt had flowers. Kamara was so endowed — her curves, her body, her face — a total package, if you asked me. She did the same hairstyle as me.

Then there was me — last. A silver long dress, the fabric styled in the form of a bangle in a V-form all the way up, with a tail cape attached in the same colour. I looked amazing. But I couldn't shake that ugly feeling in the pit of my stomach. I also couldn't wait to get home so I could get to my new therapist.

I didn't even notice Nana approach me — I was deep in thought. I had to blink twice. She wore her hair down, styled in waves. A gold halter-neck gown. Nude make-up. Nude lips to finish the look. Her hips were out and her figure was stunning. I was tempted to say if I ever saw her back in that hijab I would burn it, but I didn't want to disrespect her religion. I gave her a twirl. "You look like a dream. You should dress more and leave your hair out." She looked teary-eyed. "Thank you. No one has ever made me feel beautiful like this — thank you, Kai." She said, "Girl, you look so beautiful. I doubt Kes would look elsewhere with you looking like that." I smiled. "Thank you." We took a few pictures.

Lola, Alma, and Morenike walked in. Lola was wearing a black halter-neck floor-length dress with a slit, black jewellery to match. Alma had on a gold champagne off-the-shoulder dress with fringe finishing at knee length. Morenike had on a cobalt-blue tube dress with beautiful blue beading and a slit at the knee all the way down. We took a lot of pictures before Kes and I needed to make an appearance to welcome everyone for the dinner and award night — and to announce the F8 30 Under 30 list.

I walked in with Oby, who had on a long-sleeve black gown — one shoulder covered, the other bare. She looked amazing. Oby doesn't like make-up, but she looked great. I told her so. She said, "Thanks, Kai — so do you."

I stayed talking when someone bumped into me. A hand steadied me. I felt the heat shoot up my spine, spreading slowly across my body. I knew who it was without a doubt. Still holding me, we both said sorry at the same time. He held my gaze in an intense way, then removed something from my hair. A blush crept to my cheeks. "Thank you," I said. He took my hand and kissed it. "You look amazing, wife." I said, "You look handsome." Duke and Neto said, "Umm — lovebirds — showtime is right about now." We moved to the stage.

"Greetings, everyone! Have you been having an amazing time on the cruise?" The crowd erupted with glee around us. "Well, glad to hear it. The F8 festival is slowly coming to an end — but guess what, we have three post-event activities lined up. Two more days and we're done. We loved hosting you. We would now clear the stage for Chief Umeh to come up and anchor the innovation night — this is where companies bring their A-game."

We picked up a random paper. Umeh Industries — of course. Keside came on stage to present their new humanoid bodyguard: sharp features, cameras embedded in them, able to fight and sense danger, with a strong memory. He also spoke about new features in the drones. I felt a huge sense of pride watching him on stage. He gave a shout-out to me. I swear my breath stopped short for a while. Why did my body respond to him this way?

Tiara came on stage in a red tube overflowing gown — she looked as good as the devil she is. She introduced their new serum meant to make you age backwards.

Then it was Nana's turn. She stood in the middle while her models strutted on stage. Right there, she performed magic — the dresses changing on the models' bodies. High-tech fashion.

Ugo and Charles Archibong — the Leo-Akpan brand, The Duke's brand. The models came from underneath. The crowd went crazy. The fabric on the models changed alongside their eyes. Ugo and Duke walked down the stage. I didn't miss how Ugo's eyes caught Somto's — they both looked entranced. What was that about? They both walked out.

Music for this part : stand by me

stand by me

Then it was Jidekene's turn. They announced "Jidekene and his partner Kainene." I let out a gasp. It was just Jidekene who was meant to go up. Who swapped the names? Kes turned to me. He looked angry but contained. "Really? When were you going to tell me about this, Kai?" I said, "I know you won't believe me, but this was not our initial agreement. If you don't believe me — look at Jidekene. He looks confused." Just then Neto walked in, showing us a video on his phone. It was Tiara. Kes said, "It's time to have a word with Tiara." Neto said, "No. Let's beat her at her own game. Don't react the way she wants you to. Kai, get on the stage. Kes — show some support." Kes looked hesitant, but decided to go with the flow.

I headed onto the stage. Jidekene took the mic and began going through the implementation of my ideas — how it all came together. Then I gave the inspiration behind my ideas and how I put this together in three days. Keside stood up to clap. Jidekene stepped closer to me and said, "We did it. But who swapped the names?" I said, "Tiara." We set our gaze on Tiara. She looked so shocked. I sent her a smug smile — as if to say: you didn't think we'd pull this off, did you?

It was time for the award ceremony. My dad took the stage, my mum standing beside him, as they presented the awards — four winners, one prize.

I spotted an uncomfortable-looking Krystal with Marobi and Adaeze, while Charles stared so intently at Adaeze. Charles is just nineteen. I tuned it down a bit.

The first person called on stage was for Urmi and Nana's jewellery collection. Nana stepped aside as Urmi took the award. I rolled my eyes — they both worked on it, but I know Nana did most of the work. My dad informed her not to leave the stage. She had another award — Nana's Atelier, for making most of the women look amazing. Nana squealed while I screamed at the top of my lungs, "You deserve it, babe." She actually cried walking down the stage. Ziyaad Al-Zubiar helped his sister down — this was my first time seeing such a beautiful-looking twin of Nana's.

The next award went to Keside. I stood up to clap. The one after went to Ugo and Charles. Then my dad said, "We have two more awards for the people that have done exceptionally well." He called Lola Pedro on stage. Lola gasped — clearly surprised that anyone had considered her. My dad said all the sweet treats and good combinations came from Lola's Café Made With Love. Lola said, "Thank you, Mr. Wokoma, and everyone here. It's been a pleasure serving you. Thank you all for this — I wasn't expecting it at all. Made with love, from Lola." That's when it hit me — that should be her café name.

I settled back into my seat waiting for the next person, when my dad said, "And the last people for tonight — Jidekene and Kainene." He paused. "See how surreal this cruise ship looks. The outdoor halls look like we're in Italy — a mountain view by the side, bulbs suspended from the air, chairs set side by side. I find it even more impressive that they put this together in under three days. That's an insane amount of talent. From the African makeshift museum to this — I honestly didn't know Kai could create like this. She did madness with these designs. I am proud of you, Kai." He said it with far more emotion than was needed. Jidekene and I took the award, gave a bow, and walked off the stage.

My dad said, "As you all know, we have a new product I'd like you to meet. We're now introducing the first of its kind in Nigeria — a self-driving car with an advanced defence system, built by the Umehs: bulletproof, with a correction system too."

He paused. "I also took it upon myself to create something for my daughter Kai. Introducing the W Pad — it takes your sketched-out drawing and turns it into a full 3D rendering, with a soft pen that enables you to draw effectively. One subscription covers all — no separate subscriptions. It also doubles as a Kindle reader, as Kai loves to read."

The tears dropped from my eyes. I couldn't believe it. Long live Dad, I said. My remaining sisters and my mum joined. Ugo came up on stage with us. Somto took the mic. "Thank you, Dad. We are aware that since our sister passed, this is the first time in ten years we've set foot back here. Thank you for your hospitality. Also — whoever messes with my sister messes with us. We won't stop until we catch the killer of our sister." She glanced at Kes. "Can you join us on stage?" Kes walked over to us. "You want to go first or should I?" She gave him a nod.

"In honour of Sophie — after years of debating how best to honour her — we are opening a social house for networking, games, and a museum to honour Sophie. We couldn't think of a better way to say goodbye to her. The building is already completed, and we would inform you all when it's open." We held each other's hands.

I searched the crowd until my eyes landed on Tiara. She looked so angry she could combust. I smirked. She narrowed her eyes at me.

After that, we danced for a bit. I held on to Kes. He said, "You were amazing out there." I said, "Thank you — so were you. Are you really starting a company with Jidekene?" I said, "Honestly, I haven't decided. But we make a good pair in terms of design." He looked angry but said nothing.

I stared at Krystal and Marobi. Krystal stomped her feet while Marobi put out his hand for her to take it. Amused, I kept watching them. Her Tinker Bell outfit looked divine on her.

Just then the lights went off. The screen glitched. Text appeared: You think you can silence me? I am coming for all of you. A masked face. Neto said into the walkie-talkie, "Cover the area. Get Krystal. We're under attack."

BARBIE — NARRATOR

Hold on right there.

First — Krystal's confession. I just can't. The way she told Somkele, "My dad loves you" — my heart did a backflip. So beautiful.

Get me tissues. Dylan — my new occasional date — I cannot believe I am crying this hard. He loves her, guys. Waiting for them to confront each other.

Why does Urmi fight so hard to take her sister's spot? That girl is no sister. I just want to slap her.

Who else clocked it when Nana was invited back to the stage? I screamed. Nana — congratulations.

Tiara. I would do anything to capture her face right now. That's right. Award for what? All you did was serve venom and deceitful lies.

I love the way they gifted Kai. They should have done even more.

What was that ending? I am on the verge of my seat, gripping it tight.