Chapter 10: Setting the Trap

I gave Auwalu the gifts. He laughed, said I dey do too much. I stared at him. “This week when I travel, Morayo no mess up, abi?”

He look me, eyebrow raised. 'Guy, you still dey reason that matter?'

Auwalu’s hand paused. “Mess up? No. Guy, you still dey suspect your wife?”

He dey look me eye to eye, steady like person wey get clean mind. I dey watch every muscle for his face.

“Kunle, abeg, men suppose get mind. I feel say you dey watch too many home videos—real life no get this kind cheating.”

He even laugh small, dey talk as if na joke I dey play.

As I watched him lie boldly, I wondered why I never noticed how he always made me feel small. This so-called brotherhood, na only me dey believe. The last bit of doubt about exposing them just cleared from my mind.

I dey watch am, my heart cold. How I take miss am all these years? All the fake encouragement, the sly jokes.

“True talk. I don learn.”

I smile, but my chest dey burn. Na now I see everything clear.

Then I invited Auwalu, “Next week my father-in-law dey celebrate sixty-five. Come chop with us.”

I dey set the final trap. For my mind, na here their story go end.

He hesitated. “Family dinner, I no suppose go, abi?”

He dey act humble, but I see the greed in his eyes.

I laughed. “Why not? My father-in-law dey throw party. You be my guy and Morayo’s boss—no be family?”

I put hand for his shoulder, squeeze am like real padi. For my mind, I dey count down to judgement day.

That’s when Auwalu agreed.

He smile, say 'I go show.' He even ask if he fit bring wine.

The birthday party was my idea. My father-in-law just wanted small get-together, but I insisted it should be big. I told him, as a respected teacher at a top school, neighbours and colleagues should celebrate his retirement this year—

I start dey plan the party like family matter. I dey make sure say everybody go dey there—relatives, friends, even church elders. If wahala go burst, make e loud well, so everybody go hear the truth. My plan dey set, my heart steady. The day of reckoning dey come.