Between being lost and found, Akanni stood in the middle. He could see Athira reaching out to him, but something kept dragging him backward. He felt dizzy and weak, wanting to move forward and get closer to her. However, the strength of the opposition was beyond his own. When he looked back to see who was holding him back, he was shocked to find a figure under some kind of cloak. Just looking at the figure terrified him; he became scared, but it was too late as the figure drew him in. Akanni immediately woke up, saying, "It's just a dream, thank you God." He knelt down beside his father's hospital bed and prayed, and just then, Ajoke came in with Tomisin. They saw how he was sweating and praying and joined him in prayer.

After several minutes of praying, Akanni was tapped by his father; he had woken up...

"Hello Dad," Akanni whispered.

"Pélé òmò (Sorry, son). I hope I didn't cause you much trouble?"

"No, Dad, are you feeling better?" Akanni asked.

"Yes, son, I feel great."

"Ajoke, Tomisin, please give me and Dad a few minutes. I need to talk to him about something," Akanni stated.

Ajoke had been crying since she saw her dad on the hospital bed, and Tomisin guarded her well and took her outside the ward.

"Dad, you don't have to hide it anymore. Dr. John told me about your condition already. What I don't understand is why you had to hide it from your family. We are the only ones you've got. How could you do this to us?" Akanni declared, his voice shaking as he was about to cry.

"I'm sorry, son. I didn't want to spend my last days feeling that I never did anything for you. About your identity, I think it's time I told you," Mr. Alani replied.

"Dad, let's worry about that later. Let's sort you out first; you need to rest, and I need to get you some drugs. I will be right back."

As soon as Akanni left the ward, Ajoke slipped in and took her phone. She had been curious about what her brother had to say to their father, so she left her phone on recording inside the ward. After listening to the voice note, she couldn't believe her ears. "Dad has a heart problem, and Akanni isn't my brother?" she said to herself. She felt so distraught; she had always had a strange feeling about her parents keeping a secret, but this was too much for her. Although she had always been strong, she was weak and nervous, and then she decided to get to the bottom of everything.

***********************************************************

The next day slipped in faster than expected; Akanni was determined to see the whole truth, while Ajoke decided to sneak her way into checking for DNA samples for confirmation. They got to the hospital with their mom; Akanni left them for Mrs. Duke's ward. He had promised to check on Athira; he had been avoiding her given the fact that she might be his blood sister, though he never knew Athira had the same thought, but she believed it wouldn't be true. He was about to enter when he spotted Da'sean inside the ward with Athira, and she was all smiles. He felt his heart shaken, realizing he was actually jealous of Da'sean being there with Athira. He decided to check back later, but Athira caught him too fast. She rushed to him and hugged him...

"Hey babe, you came earlier than expected. How was your night?" Athira asked.

"It went well; you know I had to check on Dad, and yesterday was the final interview."

"Oh! That's true. How was the interview?" Athira demanded.

"I would be called if chosen. That aside, how is your mom?" Akanni asked.

"She is stable and looking healthy; the doctors just told us to be positive around her and keep praying," Athira replied.

"I will check on her later. I have to go check on my dad now."

"Wait, babe. No goodbye kiss nor hug," Athira demanded.

"This one that you are calling me babe today, I hope all is well?" Akanni asked, looking for signs of jokes.

"I just have a feeling that you will like it," Athira replied.

************************************************************

Akanni got to his father's ward; his mom had already left with Ajoke to get some new drugs for his father...

"Ekààrò Sir (Good morning, Sir)."

"kààrò Akanni (Morning, Akanni), how was your night?"

"It was fine, how was yours?" Akanni replied.

"It was okay, but I know yours didn't go well, with your face all worrisome. It's fine though; I will explain everything."

"I understand, Dad."

"It all happened the day your mom had her second miscarriage. We were with the doctor when you ran inside the office, not wanting to comply with the nurses because you were being transferred to an orphan home. The doctor tried explaining to you that it’s alright, but you kept adamant. Then you moved close to your mom and hugged her tight. Everyone tried to separate you from her, but you declined. That was the moment we decided to adopt you as our own son. But lately, after all these years, I have been getting threats from a strange Madam, claiming that you are her son. I told your mom, but she was totally against it. I am really sorry, son," Mr. Alani explained.

"Dad, you don't have anything to be sorry for. You made me who I am today, and no one can replace that," Akanni replied and hugged his dad.

"So, Dad, can I have the Madam's cell phone number?" Akanni requested.

"Okay, let me check my phone," Mr. Alani responded.

After getting the cell phone number, they spent more time discussing several other things until Akanni decided to let his father rest for the day. However, he discovered that the cell phone number was the same as the one inside the letter. As soon as he got out, he met with his mom and sister; he couldn't help but hug them and encourage them that all would be well. He spoke with his mom about everything, ensuring her that he isn't going anywhere. Just before he left the hospital, he decided to check on Mrs. Duke since Athira wouldn't be there. Fortunately, he got there, and no one was present. He checked on Mrs. Duke and was about to leave when someone stopped him...

To be continued...

Who stopped him?

Why would Mrs. Duke threaten Mr. Alani?

*Always remember, whatever you do isn't for the present but for the Future - Omotayo Victor*

*Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present. - Bil Keane*