Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Fola couldn't sleep throughout the night. She kept tossing in bed with Ire's word ringing in her ears.

'I have found it but that love is betrothed to someone else.'

"Is Iremide in love with me?", she asked no one in particular.

"Don't be daft Fola, it's obvious he is in love with you", a voice within her said.

"No Ire", she said frustrated.

"Why me? I don't want you to suffer another heartbreak. Please don't fall for me....please", she soliloquized almost tearing up.

"You are stupid, he has already fallen. Don't pretend as if you don't like him too", the voice said to her again.

Fola exhaled deeply and kept tossing till it was 3a.m.

The next day, she was in a foul mood and was in no state to talk or argue with anyone. She stayed indoor and purposely put her phone on silent mode. She did that so no one would be able to reach her including Ire..... Ire.

'Yes Ire is the major reason for my actions', she said to herself.

Iremide kept calling but she refused to pick his call and started avoiding him.

Examinations were fast approaching and she decided to study on her own without Ire's help.

'Seeing him will increase the love he has for me and increase the sympathy and admiration I have for him which will eventually ruin our friendship. I don't want him to suffer any more heartbreak, especially not from me. I know I can no longer run away from this engagement especially now that Olamide is acting all gentlemanly', she thought to herself.

The next day, her mother called to inform her that she would be visiting soon so she could help her restock some of her provisions and foodstuffs.

Few days after she received the call from her mother, Iremide called but she refused to pick at first ring and after the fourth ring, she picked it up trying to act cool.

"Hello Ire", she said calmly.

"Hi", he responded.

"How have you been?", she asked him guiltily.

"Fine and you?", he asked.

"I'm ok", she answered.

"I was worried about you. Are you sure you are fine?", he asked with concern.

"Yes of course", she replied.

"Ok."

"Yeah."

"Fola", he called.

"Yes?", she answered.

"Can I ask a question? And I need a sincere answer please", he demanded.

"Alright, I am all ears", she replied.

"You said you have been fine, right?", he asked her.

"Yes", she replied.

"That means you were avoiding me on purpose, am I right?", he questioned her but Fola was silent.

"Silence is also an answer Fola. Thank you", he said and hung up.

The next day, Fola called him. "Can we meet?", She asked him.

"I'm kind of busy, I don't think so", he replied nonchalantly.

"We need to talk", she said with anxiety.

"Alright, I will call you back later", he replied.

Ire called back as promised at exactly 10 p.m when Fola was preparing to go to bed. Fola guessed he was done with tutorials for the night.

"Fola, where are you?", he asked.

"In the hostel, should I come out?", she asked back.

"No, don't worry. I thought you were out reading because I am in the faculty at the moment", he replied.

'My guess was right', Fola thought.

"You said we need to talk", Ire said from the other said bringing her out of her thoughts.

"Yes I did", she muttered as the guilt washed through her.

"What is it you want us to talk about?", he asked, trying to look for a quiet place to sit.

"On the phone? Do you have enough airtime?"

"Don't worry, just talk", he said to her.

Eh..eh big man!", Fola said and Ire laughed before saying "Come on, say what you want to say. I am exhausted and I need a good night's sleep."

"I am sorry for avoiding you", she finally said.

"It's ok, I understand that I freaked you out", he replied.

"How did you know that was the reason for my actions?", she asked with surprise.

"Fola, you are a girl and I know girls", he responded laughing.

"Ire", she called with all seriousness.

"Yes?"

"You know so well that I am betrothed. Don't do this to yourself, I don't want you to experience another heartbreak, especially not from me. You shouldn't have allowed yourself to fall for me so easily", she said and Ire chuckled.

"You are laughing, you think it's funny abi."

"It is my dear. You said I shouldn't have allowed myself...... I didn't allow myself. My heart did and you do not tell your heart whom you trust. Besides, I never meant to spill it out that night but nevertheless, I do not regret I did", Iremide answered sincerely.

"But you know fully well that we can't be together", Fola stated.

"Why? Because of your so-called betrothal?", he asked.

"Yes", she answered softly.

"Fola, you are betrothed to someone you despise. So what's the big deal?"

"I am worried about you. I don't want fate to repeat itself."

"You will only get married to that guy if you allow it and you will only allow it if you love him. If you love him, I will let you go..... that's the condition", he said with finality.

"Ire please don't do this to yourself", she pleaded.

"Fola, I am not doing anything wrong to myself. I am only following my heart's instructions. There are alot of girls who ask me out themselves but I can't accept any of them because my heart chooses you. Remember what I said about limitations and imperfections? Fola, I am ready to fight this battle with you, all I need is your love and commitment. I know you haven't figured out what you really feel for me. I won't push or coerce you to love me in return instead I will leave you to figure it out yourself. Talk to you tomorrow. Goodnight."

"Goodnight", she muttered.

"That reminds me, how is preparation for exams? I hope you are not having issues with any course?", he inquired.

"Actually I have been reading on my own. I have a problem with MCOM 104", she uttered.

"Alright, we would see tomorrow then so I can put you through", he remarked.

"O..k", she stuttered with reluctance.

"Don't worry yourself. Let's just pretend our earlier conversation never happened. Don't let it affect your academics. Let's leave it this way till you figure things out on your own. You don't need to feel uncomfortable when we meet, ok?"

"Ok sir."

"Silly girl", he said and grinned. "See you tomorrow."

"Sleep well."

"You too", he said before hanging up.

"Oh Lord, see me through! This confusion is becoming too much for me to bear. What do I do?", she asked herself till she fell into a deep slumber.

******

Mrs. Obed visited her daughter the next day and took along some foodstuffs and provisions she was able to purchase on credit.

Fola went to meet her at the gate and they sat in front of the hostel to discuss. She asked her mother after her father and she replied that he was fine. Mrs. Obed gisted her daughter about the happenings in the house since Fola left for school and told her about Olamide's surprise visit to the house. They were still gisting when she got a call from Ire.

"Fola, I won't be able to make it tonight. I have a presentation tomorrow that I have just been informed of now and I need to prepare for it overnight", he explained to Fola. "I hope you understand?"

"Of course I do", she replied silently.

"Why is there so much noise over there? Are you in class?", he asked as he could barely hear her out.

"No, and I am not in the hostel either. Mum came visiting so I am with her. You know these securities, they won't allow her into the hostel without an I.D card."

"Your mum is here and you couldn't inform me since abi", he asked. "Why not explain to the securities in your hostel that she is your mum, I am sure they will allow her in."

"It's no longer necessary. She will soon be on her way", she replied.

"Oh! You know what? Where exactly are you now?", he asked.

"Social center, directly opposite my hostel", she answered. "Why do you ask?"

"Give me a minute, I will be there. I need to see the mother of this stubborn girl. I will be there before you know it", he said and disconnected the call as Fola laughed on the other side.

Few minutes later, she saw his figure coming down from a bike. He paid the bikeman and looked around for Fola. He saw her waving and he walked towards them.

"Good afternoon mummy, how was your trip ma?", he greeted.

"It was fine my son", Mrs. Obed smiled at him.

"Hey Fola, how far?", he greeted Fola.

"Fine, did you do a marathon race that you are sweating like this? It is not even upto 5 minutes that I dropped your call and you are here already" she said giggling.

"Don't mind her mummy, I thought she wouldn't let me meet you, that's why I rushed down here. I know how stubborn she can be", he answered looking at Mrs. Obed.

"She took after her father because I am the total opposite of stubborn", Mrs. Obed chuckled.

"Mummy, you don't need to say it. I can see things for myself and I have heard alot about you from my stubborn Fola", he said unconsciously while Mrs. Obed stared at Fola in surprise and mouthed the word 'My stubborn Fola'.

Fola smiled at her mother and said nothing.

Iremide on the other hand, who was unaware of the exchange between mother and daughter continued, "...... I am so happy to meet you ma, it's a great pleasure."

"Same here son. You must be Iremide, right?", she asked.

"Yes ma", he answered.

"Fola mentioned your name during our conversation earlier. Thanks for all the help you have rendered to her. May the good Lord be with you both", she said standing up.

"It's getting late, I need to get going. I just came to see my stubborn Fola briefly", she said smiling when reality dawned on Ire on the word he used minutes ago.

'I am a dead meat today, Fola is going to kill me with her mouth', he said within himself.

"Have a safe trip ma. Fola, I will give you a call later tonight", he said out loud.

"Alright", Fola answered.

"Bye ma", he finally said and left.

"My stubborn Fola", Mrs. Obed repeated laughing out loud and Fola couldn't help but laugh too.

"What is going to happen to my pompous and arrogant Olamide now?", her mother asked and Fola's face dropped.

"Mum, I have been meaning to talk to you", Fola said looking sad as they walked to the gate.

"He is in love with you right?", Fola nodded. "Is he a good man? Do you like him?", Fola nodded again. "Have you accepted him?", she demanded.

"Of course not mum, I can't", she answered.

"Remember I told you that I sense some things are about to unfold?", she asked her daughter and Fola nodded. "I have a hunch it's close at hand. Do you now believe in love?"

"I don't know mum", she said with confusion written all over her face.

"I will support whatever decision you make and I pray you make a good decision. Iremide is in your life for a reason and having him is the more reason why you should choose to opt out of this engagement or not. Fola, you have always known me to be a calm and obedient wife to your father but for your sake, I am ready to defy him. Folake.... You are the apple of my eyes and I know what I went through before giving birth to you and even after. I am your mother and I can feel the pain you are going through right now. But do not despair, make a decision and stick to it. I won't tell you who to choose. What I will tell you is that you should sit, pray and make the right choice. I have always been praying for you but this is the time to buckle up as a mother and pray harder. I will continue to do this for as long as you are this confused. I will continue till I know within my heart that your choice is the best for you and you are happy."

They were now outside the gate of the school where there were several commercial buses to transport passengers to Kaduna and Abuja.

"Thank you mummy", Fola said teary.

"Fola, be strong shogbo (you hear)? This is not the time to be complacent or to give up", she said patting her back.

"Alright ma and thanks for the provisions. May you reap the fruits of your labour by His grace"

"Amen. Before I forget, there's something you must know", she said with concern written all over her.

"What is it mum?", Fola asked alarmed.

"Your father has been taking money for your upkeep in school from Mr. Garba", she announced.

"What?!", Fola exclaimed.

"Our first plan is ruined", Mrs. Obed commented.