Thread by @nwaoma007

Just Between Us

1./“The nature of a secret is that it is hidden, confidential, known only to a few. This is often with good reason. When people have a secret, it’s probably best to leave it between them. Knowledge isn’t always power and ignorance can be bliss. . .

2./ That is until the effect of ignorance bites you in the ass.

In my experience, silence isn’t always golden and may in fact be harmful to the one who’s not in the know. So while the ability to keep secrets may be a good trait,

3./ it is vital that we are able to differentiate between that which ought to be kept secret, and that which must be told.

My name is Kike Akinnibosun and it’s my pleasure to welcome you to today’s edition of the Live Drive. We want to talk about secrets. Do you know a secret?

4./ Is it about you or about someone else?

Do you wonder whether to tell it? Or whether to keep your lips sealed?

Does it affect someone else?

Will the knowledge of the secret be of value to them? Or might it disillusion them yet add no value?

5./Are you battling with the desire to lock it in the vault and bury the key for life or the expedience of telling it and freeing your mind? If so, today’s show is for you.”

Kike’s voice was sweetly hypnotic, warm and encouraging.

6./It had a rich timbre to it which wrapped the listener in a cocoon of intimacy, creating a mood that invited the sharing of secrets. She was good at this. Kike went on speaking.

“Welcome to Shhhh. . . Just Between Us. Call us. Let’s talk.

7./ Our numbers are: she called out the numbers.
You can also send us an SMS or chat us up on WhatsApp (Cue in theme music). . .

. . . And we have a caller.

“Hello, good evening Kike. I’m Oghenero calling from Surulere, I learned the hard way not to tell anyone any secrets.

8./A long time ago, I told someone a secret that a mutual friend was keeping from from her & I became the enemy. Kike! They used me to settle old quarrels oh! Aaah! Never again.” (Her voice was rising as she spoke). If I ever think of being Madam Do Good, Kike, let my hand bend!”

9./Kike chuckled in amusement. “Thank you for calling Oghenero. You are hilarious. But don’t you think that sometimes, you should consider saving someone from future distress? One bad experience shouldn’t define your choices.” Kike’s words must have fallen on deaf ears.

10./ (Oghenero laughed sardonically). “Kike. I’ve been defined oh! Ah! I am well-defined. What I saw from my so-called friends. . . Hmmm. . . My advice to anyone who knows a secret. Don’t tell it. Use a very chilled bottle of Coke to drink it down. Don’t tell it.

11./ As for me, nothing can change my stance.”
Oghenero spoke emphatically.

“You are funny Oghenero.” Kike replied. She laughed at Oghenero’s tone as she spoke. “Thank you for calling. Do keep listening.”

“We have another caller.” Kike spoke into the mic. “Welcome to the show.

12./ Please turn off your radio when you call us. Yes who is on the line?”

“Good evening Kike. I’m a regular listener to your program. I would like to remain anonymous. I will share a story and your listeners can advice me on what to do.”

13./ “Welcome to the show Anonymous.” Kike responded. “Please tell us where you’re calling from even if you keep your name secret.” Kike responded.

 “I’m calling from Lagos.”  The caller replied.

“Thank you Anonymous.

14./ Please go ahead and tell us the secret and our listeners will weigh in with their advice and suggestions.” Kike replied.

“Thank you Ma’am.” The caller responded.

“Sometimes in life, disillusionment sets in. That time has come in my life.”

15./ The caller paused, took a deep breath and went on.

“I’m 27 and at a cross roads. I know a potentially damaging secret about someone important to me. Someone whose approval means a lot to me. To keep the secret protects that person,

16./ but leaves another person whom I respect at risk of hurt. To tell it may cause untold damage to several people and I will no doubt suffer some repercussions. What should I do?

Stay silent and save my skin? Or. . .”

17./ It was obvious from her tone and the near whisper in which she spoke that the caller was in distress.
Kike interjected at that point.

“Are you ok Anonymous? We must take a commercial break but please stay on the line and we will continue right after this.”

18./ After The Break

“Welcome back to today’s edition of the Live Drive. Before the break, Anonymous was sharing with us. We go back to her now. Please continue Anonymous.” Kike spoke encouragingly.

Anonymous let out a deep breath before she began to speak again.

19./ “Let  me tell you some of my history. I grew up in a dysfunctional family. My mother was a stay at home mum. My father worked. My earliest memories of my parents are of 2 people who quarrelled and bickered at the slightest and even at no provocation. As I grew older,

20./ I wondered why they had married, but more, I wondered why they stayed together. My siblings also felt much the same way. It was difficult to live with them. Living in my home was like walking on eggshells. My father was always angry at home,

21./ but full of good cheer when we had visitors or if we were out. My mother was quick to smack us for any infraction, but the times we were sure of their goodwill was when we brought good reports home from school, or as long as we stayed out trouble. If we did those things,

22./ my siblings and I could escape parental censure. So I grew up knowing I had to be careful about people and I always did my best to be unobtrusive, but also to please people; especially authority figures. This desire for approval drives me.

23./ Approval means peace and I crave peace above many things. So my purpose is to receive approval from anyone who has authority in my orbit. 

When I graduated, I began to search for work after my service year. I eventually got a job in a law firm.

24./ It is a small one, run by a husband and wife couple. They are as different from my parents as chalk and cheese. They appeared to get along well. The man respected his wife and she adored him. Calling him sweet names which he reciprocated.

25./ They seem like equal partners in their relationship. 
 
My boss’s wife has a friend who has also become a friend of the couple. She’s unmarried. I think she used to be married but it fell apart. I pieced this together from snippets I picked up around the office.

26./ The divorce was handled by the office. She visits them at work most Fridays and after the firm’s Friday meetings, she sometimes hangs out with my boss and his wife. Sometimes I work late after the meetings and if they were hanging out in the office,

27./ they offered me dinner when it was delivered to them. 3 weeks ago, my boss’s wife travelled for a conference, but their friend still came to the office after our Friday meeting. I assumed she didn’t know that my boss’s wife was away.

28./ It was one of the evenings I worked a bit later and when I was done, I went to say goodbye to them and to let them know everyone had left. 

The door to my principal’s office was slightly open and I knocked and pushed it open without waiting to be asked to come in.

29./ The sight before me destroyed my faith in friendships. My boss’s wife’s friend was leaning over his desk. Her top and bra were off and  her skirt was was pulled up above her bottom and bunched around her waist. I couldn’t see her panties only her naked bum-bum up in the air.

30./ Her head was raised and her eyes closed in what looked like ecstasy and her ample breasts bounced in time with my boss’s thrusts. My boss was behind her, his trousers hanging down around his ankles with his hands splayed on her bottom squeezing and rubbing

31./ as he pumped furiously away muttering words that sounded like ‘So sweet, so wet. Aaah. . .’

I quietly closed the door and left. They didn’t notice me. I still don’t know how they didn’t notice me. I don’t know what to do with this knowledge.

32./ This woman is my boss’s wife’s best friend. She’s the godmother to one of their children and my boss’s wife thinks she’s her friend. I don’t want any trouble. But I wonder if silence is the best way in this situation.

33./ My boss has told me repeatedly that I show a lot of promise and that he has great plans for me. I’m used to praise and approval from him and his wife. I don’t want to lose this. Yet, I feel I owe it to my boss’s wife to tell her.

34./ Please I want your listeners to advice me.
What should I do?

The End.