The House Rent Saga - S01 E10

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The House Rent Saga - S01 E10

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 10

The House Rent Saga Episode 10

After Agada realized that his newborn baby looked exactly like their landlord, Okopi, his mood changed at the hospital. He struggled to maintain his decorum and to control himself. He wanted to confront Ene immediately, but he decided it would be best for him not to do it at the hospital. He did not want to wash his family's dirty linens in the public.

"I will try not to say it here, but when I get home, I have a lot of questions to ask. There is no way this baby will resemble the landlord like this. It is not a coincidence. Something has been happening behind my back and I'm going to find out. Whatever is hidden will surly come out in the open today. Today shall not pass and I will discover everything my wife has been hiding from me." Agada said in his heart. He maintained his calmness until they got home.

Ene and her husband, Agada, returned home from the hospital with their newborn baby boy. The journey from the hospital had been quiet, each lost in their thoughts. As they approached their compound, the familiar surroundings brought a sense of comfort. The sun was beginning to set, indicating that night would soon fall.

Upon their arrival, the compound buzzed with excitement. Neighbors gathered around, eager to welcome the new addition. Women from their church arrived in groups, singing praise songs and offering prayers for the baby's health and prosperity. Children played around, their laughter echoing through the compound. The atmosphere was filled with joy and celebration.

Inside their modest apartment, Ene settled into a chair, cradling the baby in her arms. Her face showed exhaustion, but there was a contented smile as she continued to watch her son. Agada stood nearby, also watching anxiously. He greeted well-wishers, accepting their congratulations and thanking them for their support.

However, the realization that the baby resembled the landlord made his heart to be in constant unrest. He could not wait for the visitors to leave so that he would ask Ene some questions. As the evening wore on, the visitors began to depart, leaving the family to their privacy. The once lively compound grew quiet,

with only the distant sounds of the city in the background. Ene, feeling the weight of the past few days, decided to rest. She laid the baby in the crib beside their bed and soon drifted into a deep sleep.

Agada, however, found himself unable to sleep. He sat in the room, his gaze fixed on the sleeping infant. A nagging feeling began to creep into his mind. He leaned closer, studying the baby's features. He saw the distinct white patches on the baby's face, the same vitiligo marks that adorned their landlord, Okopi. Additionally, strands of white hair were visible amidst the baby's soft curls, a trait he had only seen on Okopi.

"Nobody has this white patches in my family. Why would my baby come out with these patches?" Agada asked himself.

He sat back, his mind went down memory lane, recalling things he had observed between his wife and the landlord. The generous gestures from Okopi, the financial assistance, the gifts, the unwavering support. All those things suddenly took on a new meaning in Agada's mind. Doubt and suspicion began to cloud his thoughts.

The following morning, Agada rose early. He needed answers. Stepping out into the cool morning air, he made his way to Okopi's apartment. The compound was still, with only the distant sounds of the city breaking the silence. He knocked firmly on the door.

After a brief moment, the door creaked open, revealing Okopi in his casual attire, a warm smile on his face.

"Agada! Good morning. How's the family?" Okopi greeted, his voice cheerful.

"Good morning, sir," Agada replied with a measured tone. "I need to discuss something important with you. Could you please come to our apartment?"

Sensing the seriousness in Agada's demeanor, Okopi's smile faded slightly. "Of course," he responded, stepping out and closing the door behind him.

The walk back was silent. There was tension in the air. Upon entering the apartment, they found Ene seated on the bed, gently rocking the baby who was nestled in her arms. She looked up, surprise evident on her face at the sight of both men.

Agada closed the door behind them and turned to face Okopi.

"Please, have a seat," Agada gestured to a chair.

Okopi sat down. His eyes were moving between Agada and Ene.

"I want to thank you for all the support you've given us, especially during Ene's pregnancy and delivery. Your generosity has been overwhelming." Agada said.

Okopi nodded, "It was the least I could do for you and your family."

"That's precisely why we're here. Your generosity has been... exceptional. But I've come to realize that there's more to it." Agada said with more seriousness. Ene shifted uncomfortably.

"Last night," Agada continued, "I noticed something. Our son has white patches on his face, similar to yours. He also has strands of white hair, just like you."

Okopi was shocked. He did not know such a thing would ever come up.

Agada's voice trembled with emotion, "I need to know the truth. Is this child yours?"

A heavy silence enveloped the room. Ene's eyes welled up with tears as she looked down at her son. She decided to be the one to speak first. After all, she was the one who used her legs to go and meet Okopi.

"Yes. The child is Okopi's." Ene said.

Agada closed his eyes, pain evident on his face. He turned away, trying to compose himself.

Ene continued speaking with desperation in her tone. "Agada, please understand. We were struggling. I thought... I thought I was helping us by accepting his help."

Agada faced her, his expression a mix of hurt and anger. "Helping us? By betraying our marriage?"

Ene broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

Okopi stood, his face solemn. "Agada, I take full responsibility for my actions. It was my fault."

Ene said with tears in her eyes.

"I knew something was wrong with the landlord's kindness. I just didn't want to believe it. You bought me a bus. You gave my wife a shop. You paid for her CS. You were always around. But I kept telling myself that you were just generous. But now, I know better." Agada said.

"Agada, wait-" the landlord tried to speak.

"Don't say a word," Agada said sharply. "Look at the baby. Look at his face. Look at the white patches. Look at the white hairs. Look at the baby well. Tell me that is not your child."

Okopi turned and looked at Ene. Ene's hands were shaking. She didn't know what to say again.

"I gave you everything," Agada said to Ene. "I respected you. I never beat you. I worked hard. Even when I had no job, I did not steal. I drove that bus like a mad man just to feed us. But this is how you pay me back?"

Ene stood up slowly.

"Agada, please. Let me explain," she said.

"I don't want another explanation!" Agada shouted. "Just answer one question. Is this child mine?"

Ene looked down.

"No," she said in a low voice. "Like I said, it's the landlord's."

Agada turned his face away. He walked to the door and opened it.

"Get out," he said.

"Agada, please," Ene cried. "I did it for us. He was helping us. We were suffering. I only wanted to help."

"Get out!" Agada shouted again.

Ene bent down, picked up the baby, and walked slowly out of the room. "Landlord, follow her," Agada said.

Okopi did not say anything. He followed Ene out quietly.

Agada stayed behind. He looked around the room. Everything reminded him of betrayal. The baby toys, the baby clothes-he could not bear to see them again.

The following week, he moved out of the house to start a new life. That was how his marriage to Ene ended in heartbreak.

THE END.