Chapter 12: Chapter 12

The next morning which was a Saturday, Fola woke up late and scrambled out of bed to take her bath. She made a promise to Bolu the previous day that she would visit.

After taking her bath, she hurriedly ate a late breakfast of spaghetti before dashing off to Bolu's place which was some distance away.

As soon as the house was in sight, her phone rang. It was Iremide.

Guilt washed through her as she realized she hasn't called to hear from him since they departed from school 4days ago.

She picked his call at the fifth ring and felt weak hearing his voice from the other end.

"Hi Fola", he said softly.

"Hello Ire", she replied.

"How have you been?", he asked her.

"I'm fine and you?", she uttered calmly.

"I'm good too. I just called to know how you are doing", he replied.

"Alright, thanks and sorry I haven't called."

"It's ok, I can understand."

"You understand? What do you understand?", she inquired inquisitively.

"Of course I do understand. You are really enjoying your stay at home that you totally forgot about me", he answered.

"Oh Ire, that is not it."

"...And I am sure your boyfriend is doing a great job keeping you company", he said and Fola was quiet.

"Mum got a job in Kaduna through the help of her lady friend who was helping with the supervision of the house in Kaduna, so she is relocating", he explained to her.

"Wao, that is nice. So you guys will relocate?", she asked elated.

"No, I won't come along", he remarked vehemently.

"Why?"

"It will disrupt your relationship if I do and I don't want that", he responded honestly.

"Ire, what are you saying? Don't tell me you will stay in that house all alone just because...."

"No, I won't, we want to sell the house. I will reside in Zaria for now. Have a great day ahead of you", he said and disconnected the call.

"Oh Lord! Here we go again!", lamented Fola placing her palm on her forehead.

"Aunty Folakemi", shouted a voice from behind. Fola turned to the direction of the voice and saw Biodun, Bolu's younger brother. Biodun let go of Bolu's hand and ran towards Fola who engulfed him in a hug as soon as he was within reach.

Fola considered Biodun as a brother she never had and she showers him love. Biodun, on the other hand, was fond of Fola since he was still little.

When Biodun was given birth to, Fola moved to Bolu's home to help her friend who was only a teenager to look after her brother. Bolu's parents were business people and they were barely at home.

"I miss you baby. How have you been?", Fola asked him.

"Fine. Aunty Bolu and I went to see a friend of mine", he replied.

"Ok, that's cool. So what's up?", Fola asked as Bolu joined them and they all went into the house.

"We've been out since 8 a.m. If you were a few minutes early, you would have been met with our absence", Bolu said opening the front door.

"Ehen.... I am just coming because I woke up late."

"Oh! In fact Biodun said we should go to your place afterwards but I told him no because I am damn tired", Bolu said as she slid onto a sofa.

"Uhuh Biodun don't mind your jealous sister", she referred to Biodun who smiled at her shyly as she sat opposite Bolu.

"I heard about the ASUU strike before going out this morning", Bolu stated.

"ASUU strike?", Fola demanded with surprise. "I was not aware. How did you know?"

"From the radio. I wanted to listen to a program on Supreme FM when I heard the news", Bolu answered.

"These people have started again", Fola lamented furiously.

"It's an indefinite strike so I'm sure it won't take long", Bolu said exhaling and resting her back on the sofa. She saw Biodun going into his room from her peripheral view.

"I hope so. The educational system of our country is very poor", Fola commented.

"Yes, my dear. Being a Nigerian is a fate we just have to accept", Bolu uttered chuckling softly.

Fola laughed too and after a while she heaved a sigh in frustration. Bolu stared at her and saw a worried look on her face.

"What's up?", she requested of Fola.

"I'm a little bit worried about someone", she replied as she gazed at her sorrowfully.

Sitting upright and smiling, she asked. "Worried about Olamide? Uh..oh my babe is falling in love at last."

"Don't be silly. I'm not talking about him", Fola frowned.

"Then who is it?", she asked curiously and then chipped in. "And how was your date with him?"

"It was more than I expected.... I liked his company even though we were silent all through. But that does not mean I am falling for him."

"It's a start babe. Just give him a chance, he might be arrogant but quite sexy....", she said and winked at Fola, then continued.

"..... That any woman would want to have."

"Any woman? Are you amongst them?", Fola retorted.

Bolu rolled her eyes and answered with a smile. "Actually yes and no. Yes, because he is sexy and he is my type. No, because he is my friend's boyfriend."

"He is not my boyfriend, you crazy girl."

"Whatever. So who are you worried about?"

"My friend in school, Iremide", she sighed deeply.

"What? You have a new friend? Who is he and how close are you?", she asked in one breath.

"Actually, we are very close. He is a very good friend and I like him."

"So what's the problem and why are you worried about him?", she inquired.

"He wooed me", Fola blurted.

"What? Oh my God!", Bolu lamented.

"I know his love for me is genuine but I can't accept him because of his past", Fola continued.

"What about his past and why accept him when you have Olamide?", Bolu inquired.

"The thing is he was heartbroken. If I accept him and end up abandoning him, he will be more broken. I don't love Olamide even though I really enjoyed last night. I was thinking of giving this a trial but Ire's call this morning has really got me confused on what I really want. I am worried about him because I don't want him to get hurt anymore. I really don't know what to do."

"This is serious."

"What would you advise me to do, Bolu?", she asked her friend. "Any decision I take now has its own consequences."

"Hmm but what do you mean by consequences?"

"Don't you get it? If I choose Ola, I will never be happy with him", she replied.

"How do you know that?", Bolu asked back.

"I just know. Besides, I am not choosing him because I want to be with him. I am doing it for dad's sake. I feel no attraction towards him", Fola explained further.

Bolu sighed deeply and was silent for a while before asking: "What then do you feel for Ire?"

"I really don't know but I feel safe around him and I trust him. If I ever choose him over Olamide, dad will be heartbroken and he might even disown me."

"What I want you to know is that no matter the advice I offer you, you still need to sit down and think things through and make a decision on your own. It's your life and you should take responsibility for it. I will eventually let you know what I think of the whole betrothal issue but definitely not today until you have been able to figure out what you really want. Be right back", she said dashing to the kitchen which was opposite the dining area.

She came out of the kitchen with two cups of Ice cream saying: "To me, I think Olamide is a cool guy and judging from what you've been saying of Iremide, I think he is a great guy."

She stretched a cup of Ice cream to Fola who was resting her jaw on her arm.

Bolu sat down on the sofa and threw a throw pillow at Fola. "If you continue this way, you will turn old by next year and Olamide and Ire will be left with no choice than to come for me."

They bursted into laughter and Fola threw the pillow back at her. "I will be extremely happy if that happens."

Fola loved Bolu dearly because of her carefree nature. Bolu was always joking with serious issues thereby reducing the tension.

"Mum told me about your mother's ill-health", she uttered, changing the topic. "How is she now?"

"She is fine, she travelled to India."

"India?"

"Yeah, I wonder why she goes to India these days too. Her business involves travelling to places like Dubai and definitely not India", she responded scooping the ice cream.

"Maybe there is a change or something", Fola said confused on what to say.

"Hmm.. maybe."

"What about dad?"

"Dad travelled on Friday night for a business conference and he is due to be back by tomorrow or next", she replied sipping at the last drop of her liquid ice cream.

"Ok. I hope mum is much better?"

"I think she is", Bolu answered nonchalantly.

"Why are you looking like that?", Fola questioned peering at her closely.

Surprised at the question, she remarked. "How?"

"You look worried, what is the matter?"

"Nothing really", she replied.

"Did your boyfriend jilt you?", Fola asked, trying to lighten up the mood.

"Dat one no fit jilt me na except make I jilt am", she said and they both giggled.

"Femi is a lovely guy and you two deserve each other. I know he loves you more than you do love him", Fola stated.

"Eh..eh, what are you trying to say? Are you indirectly telling me that I am heartless?", Bolu asked feigning annoyance.

Fola laughed and moved closer to where Bolu was sitting. "Something is bothering you. Tell me what it is."

Fola put her arms around her shoulder as Bolu sighed loudly with a somber face. "Did Femi offend you?"

"No, it's not Femi, I am just worried about my mum", she replied looking at Fola.

"I thought you said she is fine now."

"She made us believe she is fine but I feel there is something she isn't telling us. My instinct tells me her recent and frequent travels to India is for a reason."

"What exactly do you think it is?"

"I really can't say but I think it........"

"Aunty Bolu, see", Biodun interrupted them coming out of his room with some drawing materials.

"Wao!", Fola couldn't hide her amazement when she saw the drawing and she quickly went back to her former seat.

"You will make a good artist someday Biodun", she complimented.

Bolu smiled at them. "He drew you last weekend."

"What?!", Fola exclaimed.

"Is that true?", she asked Biodun and he nodded shyly.

"Come show me dear", she said, dragging him to her side.

"No aunty, I will give it to you as a present on your next birthday."

"Come on, that is still far away", Fola insisted.

"I know but I can't give you now."

"Why?", she asked.

"Because I am not done with the paintings", said the little boy.

"Alright", Fola pouted.

"When will you draw me Biodun? You keep drawing other people but you wouldn't draw me, why?", Bolu whined with a baby face.

"Because you are wicked", both Fola and Biodun chorused and Bolu chased after them.