Cub: Chapter 2

The years rolled by, and Morayo blossomed from the curious, innocent child into a strikingly beautiful and intelligent young woman. At sixteen, she was the kind of girl who turned heads wherever she went, her bright eyes and warm smile a magnet for admiration. But behind that smile was a growing discontent, a suffocating frustration that came from living under the constant watchful eye of her father.

Kayode Ojo, once a man of discipline and duty, had transformed into something else entirely. The vow he had made at the gravesite of his wife and children had taken root deep within him, warping into an obsession that governed every aspect of his life. Morayo was no longer just his daughter—she was his entire world, and the fear of losing her consumed him.

As Morayo grew, so did Kayode’s need to control her every move. He monitored her constantly, insisting on knowing where she was, who she was with, and what she was doing at all times. Every decision she made was subject to his approval, every action scrutinized under his gaze. It wasn’t long before the once-warm bond between father and daughter began to fray, tension creeping into their relationship.

At first, Morayo tried to comply with her father’s demands, understanding the depth of his grief and the reasons behind his protectiveness. But as she entered her teenage years, the boundaries he set began to feel less like protection and more like a prison. While other girls her age were attending parties, going out with friends, and experiencing the joys of adolescence, Morayo was trapped in a world where every step was monitored, every move dictated by her father’s fears.

Kayode followed her to school each morning, ensuring she arrived safely and remained within the confines of the classroom. He would park his car nearby, watching as she interacted with her classmates, making sure no one got too close. When the final bell rang, he was there, waiting to drive her home, where she would spend the rest of the day under his watchful eye. Social events were out of the question—Kayode forbade her from attending any gatherings, believing that the world outside their home was too dangerous for his precious daughter.

The community began to talk. The once-respected Inspector Ojo was now seen as a man who had let his grief turn him into a sadist. Whispers spread among the townspeople, labeling him a tyrant who hid behind the guise of protection to control his daughter’s life. Morayo, they said, was the unfortunate victim of a man who couldn’t let go of his past.

Morayo felt the walls closing in on her. The more her father tightened his grip, the more she longed for freedom. She was a vibrant, intelligent girl with dreams of her own, but those dreams seemed increasingly out of reach. The tension between her and Kayode grew with each passing day, and soon, it became too much to bear.

It was during one of those rare moments when Kayode was occupied with something else—perhaps a brief meeting with an old colleague—that Morayo found her escape. She had met Demola, a boy from school, in a secluded corner of the campus, away from the prying eyes of her father. Demola was kind and gentle, a stark contrast to the world of fear and control that dominated her home life. He listened to her, made her laugh, and for the first time in years, Morayo felt a flicker of hope.

As the days turned into weeks, Morayo and Demola grew closer. Their meetings became more frequent, their bond stronger. Demola was her refuge, a place where she could be herself without the shadow of her father looming over her. He gave her a glimpse of the life she longed for—a life where she could make her own choices, where she could be free.

But the more Morayo rebelled against her father’s rules, the more she feared the consequences if he ever found out. She knew how far Kayode would go to keep her safe, and the thought of what he might do if he discovered her secret terrified her. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to end things with Demola. He was her lifeline, the one thing keeping her grounded in a world that was spinning out of control.

Kayode, oblivious to his daughter’s secret, continued his relentless pursuit of control. He believed he was doing the right thing, that by keeping Morayo close, he was fulfilling the promise he had made all those years ago. But in his quest to protect her, he failed to see the cracks forming in their relationship, the growing distance between them.

As the days wore on, Morayo’s internal struggle intensified. She loved her father, but she couldn’t live under his oppressive rule any longer. The time was coming when she would have to make a choice—a choice that would change everything.

One evening, after another day of carefully sneaking around and hiding her relationship with Demola, Morayo returned home to find Kayode waiting for her. His expression was calm, but there was an intensity in his eyes that made her heart skip a beat.

"Morayo, we need to talk," he said, his voice steady but firm.

Morayo’s heart raced. Had he found out? Did he know about Demola?

"Yes, Daddy?" she replied, trying to keep her voice from trembling.

Kayode studied her for a moment, as if searching for something in her expression. "I want to talk about your future. There are decisions we need to make."

As he spoke, Morayo felt a chill run down her spine. She knew that whatever he was about to say would only tighten the chains that bound her. But she also knew that she couldn’t keep living like this. Something had to change, and soon.

That night, as Morayo lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, she made a decision. She couldn’t continue to live in fear, under her father’s suffocating control. She would keep seeing Demola, no matter the risk. She had to break free, even if it meant going against the man who had vowed to protect her at all costs.

But deep down, she knew that her rebellion wouldn’t go unnoticed forever. And when her father finally discovered the truth, there would be consequences—consequences that neither of them could foresee.

As she drifted off to sleep, Morayo had no idea that the choice she had made would set in motion a series of events that would change her life—and her father’s—forever.