On Trial – Episode 21

On Trial – Episode 21
© Onyinyechukwu Mbeledogu
When Koje finally drove Kaira home, after admitting that he’d actually enjoyed the movie and she had promised to make the earlier parts available to him, he insisted on seeing her to her door step. He played the gentleman by changing the changeover switch from neutral to NEPA light. Well PHED, but everyone was used to referring to it as NEPA.
‘Thanks for tonight,’ she told him. ‘I had a great time.’
‘We can do it again,’ he told her.
‘I’ll think about it.’
One outing was more than enough. A second one was sure to lead to many more and before she knew it she would be experiencing emotions she had no business experiencing with the man in question.
‘I’ll call on you tomorrow. Same time,’ he said.
‘I’m not free tomorrow,’ she quickly lied. ‘I have so much to do at the office this week before we officially resume on Friday.’
‘How about this Saturday?’
‘I don’t know what this Saturday would bring so I can make any promises.’
‘In other words, you don’t want to see me anymore outside work.’
I don’t think it is right for us to be seen together outside of work,’ she said in confirmation.
‘What is wrong with just having dinner and seeing a movie? I brought you back home in one piece.’
She inhaled and slowly exhaled.
‘What exactly do you want from me, Quadri?’
‘I want to date you,’ he told her simply. ‘I care a great deal about you, and if everything works out fine especially the trial, I would like to marry you.’
She blinked quickly. Marriage kwa ! Wahala dey o .
‘I can’t date you, Quadri.’
She turned to unlock her door but his fingers wrapped around her wrist, preventing her from doing so.
‘Can’t or won’t?’ he asked.
‘Can’t, won’t, what’s the difference?’
She tried to free her wrist but his grip tightened although not enough to hurt her. She didn’t want him standing too close to her. He was confusing her senses. She didn’t want to be attracted to him. They weren’t even friends for crying out loud! Why won’t he keep his hands to himself?
‘I don’t want to date you.’
‘Because I’m facing criminal charges? Would my innocence when proved by the court change your mind?’
Wasn’t the fact that he was facing criminal charges enough? But she couldn’t look him in the eyes. His tone made her seem like she had done something wrong and she hadn’t. If they had met under different circ-mstances, she would have said yes to him without hesitation, giving in to the attraction she felt for him but she couldn’t date her client and certainly not a man whose innocence was yet to be established. And even if it was established, he would live with the stigma of once being tried for rape and assault and with a lot of people believing that he had bribed his way out of securing a conviction!
She shook her head. ‘I can’t date you even if we succeed on getting you discharged and acquitted. I’m sorry. I am your counsel and I want it to stay that way. This attraction as you call it is only temporary. As a result of your case, we both spend more time with each other than we do with others of the opposite s€× and so it’s bound to bring us close and with temporary emotions which it would be a mistake to act on. If I had handed you over to Rashidat you probably would have felt the same thing.’
‘I would pretend you didn’t just say that.’
‘But it’s the truth. You think we have something going because we are together a lot of times, but you’re wrong. The only thing that exists between us is a client-counsel relationsh¡p. And I would appreciate we leave it at that.’
‘Keep telling yourself that until you really start believing it. I could easily prove you wrong.’
‘Anything you do is only going to make me reiterate my point. You may succeed in proving that I am attracted to you but that’s all. If I were to date every man I found attractive then I’d probably have a harem for men. You have a pending trial and presently all your attention should be channelled in that direction. I don’t need the distraction of whatever it is that you are convinced we have going on between us, because if I’m distracted it would affect my conduct of your case. And you need the best representation you can get. The sentence for rape is life imprisonment and not a horse ride at the Kuramo beach. You need to start acting like someone whose personal liberty being threatened and not like a man who has all the time in the world. Take my advice: Banish every thoughts of dating me and focus on your trial.’
He parted his l-ips to say something then shut it back.
‘I’ll see you next week Monday,’ she told him in dismissal, turning once more to unlock her door, ‘and forget this nonsense about dating me. You’re not my type.’
He grabbed her wrist once more and turned her to face him. She dragged her wrist from his grip and glared at him. This time he placed both hands against the wall on either side of her, imprisoning her. With her self-defence training she could easily break free anytime she wanted but she made no effort to break free or perhaps at that moment she forgot all about her training. All she could think of was how good looking he was.
Crazy thought! Crazy thought! She’d been rude but it was necessary. Her condescending tone was intended to put him off.
‘I have never forced a woman to go out with me and I don’t intend to start now, and certainly not with a woman who acts like I’m lower than sc-m. I know that I am facing criminal charges. I don’t need you to constantly remind me of it. I refuse to go around with my head hung low and eyes soulful simply because you have a problem with me living a normal life. If you want a strictly counsel-client relationsh¡p then you have it. I’ll let you be and pretend I don’t have feelings for you. But never use that condescending tone on me.’
Call her crazy, but with his face so close to hers, she was tempted to lift her face for a goodnight k-ss. Kai, Cupid esena Ibo na isi m , she thought. And really, Cupid had smoked several wraps of weed and accidentally shot her with his arrow because despite Koje’s warning, she lifted her face and closed her eyes expecting to feel his l-ips against hers. A second passed, then another. After the third second had passed, she opened her eyes to find him walking away.
‘ O da aarọ ,’ he said over his shoulder.
She was so embarrassed. She could imagine what he thought of her. Rejecting him in one breath and in the next breath seeking a k-ss from him! She recognised a punishment when she saw one. She wasn’t dense.
She stood there glaring at his back as he walked away, moving to the protector to watch his retreat. He didn’t turn back. Had he turned back she would have known he wasn’t that angry with her. But he didn’t turn back. He simply walked to his car, got into the vehicle, reversed and drove out of the compound without hesitation.
Sighing deeply, she locked the protector gate and entered into her apartment, locking the door behind her.
* * * * *
In her bedroom, Kaira undressed and had her second shower for the night hoping the feel of the cold water cascading down her flesh would help douse the feeling of Koje’s rejection.
When she was done, she left the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her body and walked towards the bed, reaching for the phone she had plugged to charge. Separating the phone from the charger, she called Erhus.
‘Hi baby,’ came his rich baritone voice.
‘I need to talk to you.’
‘Very urgent?’
‘Yes.’
‘Hang up. I’ll meet you at home.’
She dressed up in a sleeveless top and a pair of shorts and waited nervously for Erhus to arrive. With the New Year falling on a public holiday, the Federal Government had declared the 2 of January a public holiday. The moment Erhus arrived, Kaira threw herself into his arms, absorbing his masculine embrace.
‘This matter must be serious,’ he observed even as he held her close, running a palm down her hair.
He finally broke the embrace and led her to the sofa. She sat next to him.
‘Hit me with it,’ he told her.
She gave him a summary of her evening with Koje Quadri and the horrible end to what had been a great evening.
‘I let my guard down and he didn’t take advantage of the situation, Erhus. He just walked out on me. I’m sure he was trying to punish me for rejecting him.’
‘You hurt him, baby,’ Erhus told her. ‘A man’s got his pride, you know.’
‘I didn’t say much to him.’
‘Most times it’s not what we say that hurts but the way we say it. Our tone speaks volumes. You say he accused you of speaking to him in a condescending manner.’
‘Yes, he did.’
‘There you have it. He told you he cared about you and you rejected him rudely.’
‘Whose side are you on?’
‘Nobody,’ Erhus assured her. ‘Has it ever occurred to you that this trial is putting a lot of strain on him and…’
‘He doesn’t act it,’ she cut in. ‘If anything he acts like it’s all an expensive joke.’
‘What do you expect him to do? Walk around looking dejected?’
Wasn’t that essentially what Koje had said to her? Kaira thought.
‘A trial isn’t the end of the world. Besides it can go either way, so you don’t expect him to act like he’s dead when he isn’t.’
‘I’m not saying that he should. I just expect him to take his case seriously. I expect him to show more interest in it. After all, it’s his case and he’s the one who has more to lose from it than I do.’
Erhus looked at her. ‘How many appointments have you fixed for him that he has he missed?’
She thought about it. He hadn’t missed any appointment and he had never missed court. Plus he was always punctual.
‘None,’ she replied, feeling somewhat stupid.
‘Can you still say that he doesn’t take the case seriously?’
‘I didn’t look at it from that angle,’ she confessed. ‘It’s just that…’
‘Baby girl, you are simply looking for something to justify your attitude towards the man. I’ve never met him but I feel sorry for him. And, no, it isn’t because he is a man like me.’
‘He’s nothing like you,’ she quickly corrected. ‘You wouldn’t hurt a woman.’
‘And you don’t know if he really did.’
‘He’s guilty, I tell you.’
‘And you know this for a fact?’
‘I put two and two together. I can’t go into details because of the counsel-client confidentiality but the thing is he keeps telling me half-truths as though he’s trying to cover up something. Like a jig-saw puzzle he keeps dropping little pieces.’
‘That still doesn’t prove his guilt. You are an intelligent woman. I know you are not like others who believe that just because he’s good looking and wealthy, he must be guilty.’
‘His looks and bank account have nothing to do with what I think. A man who’s innocent will not be so evasive.’
‘And a man who’s guilty could actually tell you everything you want to hear,’ Erhus reminded her. ‘Your duty is to give Koje the best representation and not to judge him. Remember that you’re not the prosecutor this time.’
‘I have been giving him my best representation in spite of how I feel. It hasn’t been easy with people taking to the social media accusing me of representing him simply because he is good looking.’
‘You shouldn’t bother yourself with what those people say. People will always talk whether it’s the truth or otherwise. After all, they don’t pay tax on the basis of comes out of their mouth. Now, about your emotions…’
‘I’m not comfortable with hanging out with him like we’re friends or something other than counsel and client. I don’t understand why he is insistent on being with me.’
‘Perhaps he genuinely likes you.’
‘I hear. I’m presently the only woman outside his family who is close to him. And when I say close I don’t mean close-close.’
‘I understood you perfectly but you’re wrong my darling. The man is young, wealthy and good looking. There are lots of women who would chase after him even if he was caught in the act. So if he’s not with any woman then you can believe that it’s by choice.’
Kaira was silent.
‘Tell me, did he come on to you during your dinner or at the cinema or even on the way back, apart from telling you that he was interested in you?’
‘No, but…’
‘Then he’s not as bad as you make him out to be. If he had been as unscrupulous as you think he is, he would have taken advantage of you when you let your guard down. All he had to do was k-ss you as you had wanted him to and we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now. My advice to you is this: just keep an open mind. I am not asking you to date him or anything but don’t let your decision be clouded by his trial.’
‘I shouldn’t be attracted to him. It’s not right.’
‘He’s a man, baby girl and that hasn’t changed.’
‘So you think he’s innocent?’
‘I don’t and neither do I think he’s guilty,’ Erhus responded.
‘What sort of an answer is that?’
‘My kind of answer,’ Erhus smiled. ‘I have no sympathy whatsoever for rapists. Any man who stoops so low as to force himself on an unwilling female is fit to be emasculated. But your Koje hasn’t been adjudged one. And from what you’ve told me so far about him, he doesn’t strike me as one. So it’s either that woman is lying or he had s€× with her reasonably believing that he had her consent.’
‘He says he didn’t have s€× with her; that he never has.’
‘Perhaps it’s time you had a word with the victim or even better get someone to investigate her. You can engage Tega’s services if you want.’
Tega was Erhus’ cousin and a private investigator.
‘Now, why didn’t I think about this?’
‘You were too busy fighting your feelings for your client. I’m sure you would have figured this out eventually.’
* * * * *
The days went by quickly and Koje didn’t miss the Monday appointment she had scheduled for him. He also didn’t miss the subsequent appointments she fixed. But she noticed he was now distant, unattached. He played the role of a client who was only interested in the services his counsel provided and nothing more.
‘What did you do to him?’ Rashidat asked her after one of the meetings they had with Koje in the conference room.
‘What did I do to who?’
‘Mr Quadri. I’ve noticed that in the past weeks he hasn’t been his charming self.’
‘And you think I had something to do with it?’
‘Yes. You two were together at the Filmhouse Cinema on New Years’ Day.’
‘How did you…’
‘I saw you two. I and a friend of mine were in the same cinema hall. You looked cosy together, drinking and chewing popcorns. You’d lean against him unconsciously and he wouldn’t offer any form of resistance whatsoever.’
‘And you saw all these in the darkness of the cinema hall?’
‘Yes. Emi and I were seated two seats from you two and your presence was a distraction.’
Kaira shook her head. If Rashidat had seen and recognised them, Lord knows how many people that had done so. How could she have been so stupid?
‘Don’t worry, you haven’t been the subject of social media gossip for some time.’
‘That’s a relief,’ Kaira sighed deeply. ‘Come to think of it, what stopped you from saying hello?’
‘I didn’t want to embarrass you or make you self-conscious. But you looked good together. So I’m wondering what went wrong between Saturday and Monday when he came here for the first time this year. He didn’t even stop to hail me. So what gives?’
‘None of your business Rashidat.’
‘ Ah ah na. Give me gist.’
‘You do remember that I’m your employer, right?’
Rashidat smiled.
‘Yes, but I’m also like your sister. So out with it, boss lady. What happened between you two?’
‘None of your business,’ Kaira repeated.
Rashidat watched her for a minute.
‘Let me give you a piece of advice: the man is obviously crazy about you, probably half way in love with you. If you lose him you might not find someone like him again.’
Rashidat walked to the door and turned to face Kaira. ‘The entire office is rooting for him.’
‘He’s a s€× offender,’ Kaira reminded her.
‘Alleged s€× offender,’ Rashidat corrected. ‘We are rooting for him to be your groom.’
Kaira’s jaw literally dropped almost to the ground and Rashidat laughed as she left the office.
Since when did her love life become an issue for determination? Everyone around her seemed to conveniently forget that the man in question was a client facing criminal charges.
Kaira had run into Laide at the spa. Laide had actually sought her out, accusing her of being in the wrong camp. Women were supposed to protect women and not side men who hurt women. According to Laide, men like Koje should be put away for life. She had repeated her story and without shedding a single tear. Had she resorted to crying, Kaira would have known she was lying. And so either she was telling the truth or she was a great actress.
Kaira was still thinking about what Rashidat had said when Rashidat suddenly poked her head through the space between the door and its post, saying, ‘You know, boss lady, if I didn’t believe he was crazy about you, I would have shown an interest in him.’
‘You’re engaged,’ Kaira reminded her.
‘Engaged but not married,’ Rashidat admitted.
‘Well, feel free to go out with him,’ Kaira told Rashidat. ‘He’s all yours.’
‘Really? You mean I can go after him? That would be splendid. I had better go call him. TGIF.’
As she turned to leave, Kaira couldn’t stop the damning words that came out of her mouth. ‘Call him and the Holocaust will be a picnic compared to what I will do to you.’
The smile Rashidat gave her told her the younger woman had merely been teasing her and she had fallen for it just as Rashidat had hoped she would. Kaira should have seen it coming.
‘Wow, I didn’t know it was that serious. If you want him that badly, boss lady, why don’t you go out with him?’
‘Keep your tiny nose out of my love life, Rashidat.’
‘Forgive me for saying this, you don’t actually have a love life for now.’
‘Excuse me?’
‘I have worked with you from the inception of this firm and the only man I’ve seen you with is Erhus who happens to be your best friend. Most times you work so late there isn’t even time to date. I think you should give Mr Quadri a chance.’
‘He’s my client. Besides, I’m not sure I even like the man.’
‘Believe me, you do. You like him too much and your attempt at indifference is not working.’
‘One begins to wonder, when everyone is pitching one in the corner of a man facing a rape charge.’
‘He’s an innocent man who’s being charged with offences he did not commit. He’s not capable of doing something so sinister. At the moment, you’re closer to him than anyone else and you should have known that. In fact I think you already do but you would rather take the easy way out by denying it because a continuous and very conscious thought of his guilt will ensure that you don’t give your emotions away. But some day, very soon, you’ll get tired of fighting your feelings for him and admit that you’re as much in love with him as he is with you.’
‘What are you? A psychiatrist?’
‘Just one of your employees who’s looking forward to helping you plan your wedding and chairing the bridal shower committee.’
‘ Oya go joor . Don’t you have a process to assign or brief to work on?’
Rashidat’s laughter trailed her departure. Kaira ran a palm over her face. Was she really trying so hærd to convince herself of Koje’s guilt in order to deny a powerful attraction that had been almost instantaneous?
What did he do in his free time besides work? Was he seeing someone presently? She didn’t want to think of him in the positive light. A good Koje, she couldn’t handle because a good Koje meant a really thoughtful gentleman with a heart breaking smile and easy laughter she was in danger of falling literally head over heels in love with. Now a bad Koje on the other hand worked better for her because a bad Koje meant a good looking and wealthy man who may have taken advantage of his God-given charms to defile an innocent woman. She could handle the latter better.
God help her!
Translation
Cupid esena Ibo na isi m – Cupid has smoked weed over my head
To be continued