Dayo - 3 (The Truth) A short story

 

I knew a day like this would come but why that particular day? I was supposed to be celebrating my 45th and not regretting a stupid mistake. It was unreal. I blame my mother-in-law for everything. 

I watched as Dayo sniffed the peanut butter cake and he took a careless bite. “I said she showed me what you wrote,” He said and stuttered like he was still trying to understand what he said. I stared at Doctor Fumi behind me, such a beautiful devil. She could kill you and weep the most at your funeral. 

She was expressionless. A fly could perch on her face, and she won't move. Her guts to even stand before me. 

''Mo kú oh. I'm dead.'' I muttered and shook my head with a faint smile. My head was spinning, my heart racing, I wonder who else she told about this. My heart, ah. I did not know how to feel. Fumilayo has finished me.

“ How could you?” My voice was cold and angry. She hesitated and furrowed her eyebrows. “How could I do what?” She replied, pretending like her betrayal schemes were not already exposed. The audacity. 

“Tinu. I can't continue to live with guilt” She spoke up. “The switch was a mistake, I could have never done it. It's just that the money was tempting and I needed it”. She made everything seem like my fault and the fact she gave me a sarcastic reply got to my nerves.

 I heaved a deep sigh and went to the window, focusing on taking deep breaths to control my anxiety. I was not ready for that conversation. 

The beautiful view helped a little. My heart was heavy but I managed to speak. 

“You know the reason why I did not want another girl. My mother-in-law wouldn't let me sleep in peace till I gave her a grandson. The pressure was much, my ex-husband being a coward could not stand up to her, I had no choice but to conceal the sex of the baby from everyone. I confided in you, just you Fumi as my friend and personal doctor. Do you think showing Dayo a diary was a responsible choice? Was it a wise thing to do?” I spat out in anger.

I noticed the change in her expression. She looked terrified and I knew she was hiding something. There was a moment of pin-drop awkward silence. 

"I did not show him your diary for Christ's sake. His mom...your nanny did. The one who gave me the peanut butter cake”

Cold shivers ran down my spine, my goosebumps were evident. I never read the signs. Fumi volunteered to get Dayo a nanny 10 years back. The bond between both of them was too good to be true. I remember a time Dayo had a migraine, she wept just seeing him like that. Regardless, they did not have a striking resemblance so one would not think.

“That day in the hospital, there was both of you in labour. Immediately you both put to bed, I had the babies switched. I never remained the same ever since. When I saw that you wanted a nanny, I quickly brought her to apply after I told her everything. Tinu, I promise you that all I did what from a good place in my heart”. She paused and I turned to look at her, wondering why she was close to tears. This was my mess.

Dayo was fast asleep with the cake in his hands, we had forgotten that he was present. She continued. “She is sorry for exposing the truth this way. Being fearful of you as her madam, she never said a word about it to anyone. She agreed to live this way as far as she gets to bond with her son. Seeing the diary and showing it to Dayo was a stupid thing to do.  I've been with her throughout the party, she never stopped saying that you will fire her. I know a person who is sorry when I see one ”. She sighed “She is sorry”.

“Where is she?” I asked eagerly waiting for a reply. “Martha,” she said like she was beckoning on someone. Then I knew my nanny was there all along.

Martha showed up behind Fumi looking like a bird ready to be devoured. Her eyebrows slightly raised with her mouth half-opened. She fiddled with her uniform nervously looking down and shaking. Ah, Was I that difficult to approach? I know I could be obnoxious and bossy but that bad?

“And my daughter?” I asked no one in particular but I knew who I wanted an answer from.

“Madam, she is with me. I'm sorry Ma. I should have not shown him the diary knowing his condition and how it could affect him mentally. I dey sorry”. She muttered. “ I just want him to know the truth. Nothing more, the diary was not an option at all. Please forgive me, abeg no sack me”. She pleaded still hiding behind Fumilayo. 

Her shaky voice let me no choice. I had to forgive. Writing the diary at first was out of frustration for seeing how Dayo looked at birth. I knew he was switched but I wanted a normal baby. His early growth and development were tough that it influenced my marriage amongst other things. Now, I was on my own facing the consequences of my actions. I saw reasons with Martha and Fumilayo. Dayo deserves to know the truth, and I deserved to be reconciled with my daughter. She was 18, I wondered if she would find a place in a heart to forgive me. It was time to make everything right.

“Martha, it's okay. Don't worry, I won't sack you” I said with a weak smile. “I too made a mistake, I shouldn't have written that. Dayo is a special child and requires all the care and attention he can get. You can go with him or keep him here if you want. Regardless, I promise to foot the bills of his therapy sessions, special classes and anything alike just to make such he grows in a sound mind and body”. 

The relief and genuine smiles on their faces were second to none. I felt somewhat happy too.

“I want to see my daughter tomorrow. She needs to know everything too. I pray she's not short-tempered if not my head will pay for it” I said with a joking voice. They chuckled at my dry joke and the tension in the air disappeared. I was glad it did.

“Madam. Just know that God will bless you. Dayo is still your son, no matter what happens” Martha said with a big grin on her face.

“ Tinu, you are an amazing soul. The number or the sex of your children should not define you. A male or female children have the same worth” Fumi said and patted me at the back. “You will be fine” She added and reached out for a hug.

“I need to go and freshen up now. It's been one hell of a crazy night”. I said and they agreed with a nod. Deep down, I just wanted to go behind the close doors of my bedroom and cry my heart out.

Image Credit: Google (Masterfile).

Anakor Mmesoma Vanessa. A Nigerian enthusiastic writer of human relationships/interactions and fiction novels and stories. She looks towards securing a challenging role in the writing company, to bring fresh value and vision to the business. She is aspiring to be an author and scriptwriter.

 I hope you enjoyed the story! I must say that I had a roller coaster of emotions writing this part but I loved it anyway.

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