Chapter 5 A meeting with Dino, Aloyu and Lati

Dino and his sister were about to attend an invited wedding ceremony of their friend. Dino didn't feel the urge to go out that day but he did not want to disappoint his friend. They got in the car, and Dino packed the documents and some cash on the front seat to the back so Amanda could seat.

"Dino. Did you remember to bring the presents to the car?" Amanda asked. She sat down adjusting her hair as she stared at the side mirror of the Car. But she got no response. She called him one more time, no response still. Dino was sitting just staring absentmindedly into space and staying mute holding the key but not ready to start the car.

"Dino!" Amanda had to yell. Dino started up. "Yes. What is it?"

"Is your mind here at all? Dino what is the problem with you? You have become so non functional, absent minded during discussions and you act like a frustrated man! It's getting worse by the day. Is this still because of Mitah? I thought we agreed that you should be patient till she comes around?" She said worriedly.

"Till when Amanda? Patient till when? I have lost Mitah already. She doesn't want to talk to me anymore, she has stopped responding to my telephone calls, ! How could she do this to me? I have done nothing but loved her!" Dino said trying to fight his tears.

Amanda touched his shoulders. "Dino. Please. Just calm down. I don't know why she is doing this probably you offended her or something. I am not sure it may be her father stopping her cos her father has been stopping her for a very long time and she still held on to you!"

",I did not offend her. It's her father. He is manipulating her. I can see it in her eyes anytime she is lying. She blinks from time to time in anxiety. It's either a manipulation or a threat is involved. I just can't fathom which is it. Her child is mine" Dino said resting his head on his wheel.

Amanda heaved a sigh. Dino had told her Lati always mentioned he hated him because of their father.

"What could Dad have done to him? Why did he hate him? What Happened between both of them? You know as a kid, I could remember they were friends at a time" Amanda said quite perturbed and confused.

Dino nodded and said he remembers too.

"Does Mitah know this? That both of them were Friends?" Amanda asked

"I really don't know. I think she should. Though she was a kid then too. We never really discussed that fact of them being friends before. Probably she still thinks they were only colleagues"

" But they were actually friends" Amanda Said

"What does that matter if she knows or not? Dad is dead already! Doesn't solve anything if she does or not" Dino said quite frustrated. Amanda tried to calm him down and told them to be going for the occasion. Dino sighed and about to start the car.

"Dino. Let me drive. You don't look very unsettled." Amanda suggested. Dino at first declined saying he was fine

"No. Dino. We going on a high way. You look very disturbed. I will drive. Come on come over here" Amanda said getting out of the car as Dino eventually gave in and they exchanged positions.

"Oh wait. Let me get the presents. They aren't here" Amanda said as she went inside. She came out a minute later with the presents, entered the car reversed,and zoomed off.

Lati was at work this day studying a map with his colleagues when Gideon one of the junior officers said someone was asking of him.

"He is a an officer also but not from our base here".

"What's his name?" Lati asked

"He said Aloyu.. Aloyu Thomas".

.Lati knew that name

"Let him in".. He said. Meanwhile, the man Brigadier General Aloyu Thomas was Dino's cousin, much older than him, Dino regarded him like an uncle. Dino had complained to him about what transpired between him and General Lati and he wanted him to use his power as an army officer to speak to him and even threaten him, if possible, because Aloyu was the deputy general of one of the bases in the neighbouring states. But Dino was ignorant of the fact that Lati was not only the head of his base too but has been elevated to a Major general of all the bases in Liba State. Meanwhile, Dino forgot to state an important fact, his name. He just told him he is a soldier like him and

Aloyu too did not remember to ask.

However, when they got there, the face Aloyu saw shocked him. It was his former boss and head of the Liba Army!.. General Lati..

"OH.. Good day to you Sir... "He bowed..

"Aloyu. It's been ages, how have you been?" He asked extending his hand for a handshake which Aloyu took. They left the office and Lati led them to a canopy on the field where they sat down. They exchanged more pleasantries and Lati noticed someone beside him, Dino. He ignored him and said to Aloyu.. "Why are you here?"

"Sir.. this is my cousin. Dino Martins. His father too was an ex-soldier".. He said even though he realised Lati knows him but he didn't know what to say any longer.

"I know him".. Lati said. "Why is he here with you?"

Then Aloyu explained the situation to him about his daughter and Dino. Lati heaved a heavy sigh then said: "Did he tell you if he is sure that he is the owner of the child?"

"YES..its mine!.. "Dino screamed..

"Keep quiet boy!" Aloyu silenced him.. "He says it is his sir and he is very confident about it" He told Lati. "Well.. It is not his Aloyu. My daughter got pregnant for another man, an Arabian" Lati said, Dino wanted to speak but he held his peace. "Okay Sir.. how about if a DNA is conducted, so we can be sure of the paternity of the child?" Aloyu asked a bit frightened that he asked that.. He gritted his teeth together..

"No DNA.. Aloyu!.Are you trying to imply that I am lying? Your cousin here is just a foolish boy. I don't want to say anything further about this".. He said.

Aloyu simply nodded his head.. "Okay sir."

Then Lati further asked " How is your wife and your little son? He must have been a teenager by now"

"They are good Sir" Aloyu answered.. Yes he is.. He is sixteen"..

"Okay" Lati said as he stood up.. "If you would excuse me now.. I still have so much work to do".. Aloyu stood up, bowed and said a good bye. Dino watched him as he left.. "Uncle, aren't you going to say anything?.. you cant just watch him leave!" Dino protested.

"What would you have me do Dino? that man is my former boss and he helped me get my transfer to the base I am which automatically led to my promotion at work. So I cannot be rigid with him. Just get the whole situation out of your mind and move on. If they won't release the child to you, move on and get another woman pregnant, you are a fine and wealthy man, girls would jump at you with only a flinch, As you can see, I am helpless about the situation. Meet me at the car" He said leaving. Dino stared at the ground for some seconds then he hit his fist on the nearest wall and growled angrily "Why does it have to be this way, get another woman pregnant?, damn it it's not that easy. She is the one I want,no one else!" He said before realizing he was even talking to himself.

"Dino!.come and start the car or I will drive along and leave you here!",Dino heard his Uncle's voice few metres away. He hurriedly walked along murmuring

Mitah's childhood friend Queen came visiting her, she had been to her house about three times since she came back from her Aunt's place. She carried the baby in her arms playing with him while Mitah went to return her feeding bottle to the room, in a minute she was back.

"Don't you think you need to tell me the father of this baby?.. As your close friend I deserve to know. You have been secretive about it. You said Dino is not the father, then who is?" She asked.

"Queen there are some things that cannot be spoken of".. Mitah said bitterness in her voice as she sat down

"But you cannot..."

Mitah caught her off.. "That is enough Queen please. I will tell you later. I promise. Now is just not the right time" She said almost shedding tears. Queen was confused and worried about why she has decided to be like that but still she kept mute and continued to play with the baby. She felt something pour down her dress

"Ohww! He just came down on me" Queen said as the baby threw up the milk he had earlier on her body.

"I am so sorry Queen." Mitah said as she helped her wipe off. "Let me get the napkin I hang around his neck"

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