Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen

****

"So you're saying your father threw you out of his house, just like that?" Uncle Dayo, Tana's father asked rhetorically.

We were all seated in the living room of their six bedroom duplex. Tana sat right next to me, while her mother, Aunt Aisha, was seated opposite us. Her father paced to and fro, a habit he had formed, whenever he was deep in thought.

I nodded, fully aware of the fact that there wasn't any need to.

"I think Benson needs someone to talk to him..." He started.

"But..." He continued,reluctantly.

"He is hot headed, stubborn too" He stated finally.

My thoughts exactly...

"We'll figure something out, but I don't want you being idle dear" Tana's mum interjected.

"Me neither aunty, I'll have something doing pretty soon" I said with an unsure smile.

"Hmmm" she hummed and nodded.

She had always been a person of few words. It seemed as though she would be charged for every word she spoke. It actually baffled me, as her only daughter turned out to be a chatter box.

"You girls should go in and get something to eat, I believe you're sleeping over?" Aunt Aisha continued

I was about nodding when Tana interrupted.

"No mum, we'll just hang around for a few hours before heading home" She turned away after shooting a plastered smile at her mum.

The latter sighed and went up the stairs to her bedroom. From the look of things Tana and her mum weren't in good terms again. Tana was an only daughter with an elder and younger brother who were very protective of her. I admired her bond with her dad and siblings but she never seemed to get along with her mother. I never understood why.

"Lola dear" Uncle Dayo called bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Yes sir" I answered

"What exactly are your plans right now?" He asked... I was a bit taken aback.

Not exactly what I expected

I went on to explain my plight concerning my financial issues and he promised to help sort it out with the bank but advised that I found something to do in the meantime. I thanked him and joined Tana in the kitchen.

"Any progress?" She asked as soon I shut the door behind me

"Not really" I said shrugging casually.

"Why are Nigerians like this? They expect you to rise to the top but they don't want to support you, when the good time comes they'll want to show that they knew you when you had nothing, mtcheww" She said scrunching up her face in disgust.

"Tana we are talking about your parents here" I reminded.

"Of course, and I think you were right, seeking their support was a bad idea, all these rich people are the same. I'm sure his wife is the one making him act like this" She said again, still agitated.

Okay this is getting out of hand

"Tana it's alright na, that wife of his is your mother yunno" I said rubbing her palm soothingly. PMS truly gets to her.

She nodded taking deep breaths, to calm herself down

"What's going on between you and mummy?" I asked, I knew she was on the edge already,but I still had to satisfy my curiosity which seemed to be growing by the minute.

"I'll tell you about it some other time" She replied quietly. She looked like she was about to cry.

Mood swings?!Lord save me!!

"Okay,now cheer up,smile for me baby" I teased and she gave me a glare. I froze, and she shot me a knowing smile.

"Gotcha!" She half yelled

This girl is not okay...

"You're just mad" I said with a chuckle.

****

"Dad we're leaving" Tana announced, walking into the living room. We had snacked on the sandwiches she had prepared in the kitchen and we were heading to her place right afterwards, to continue our girly talk.

"So soon?" Her mum interjected. I didn't even notice her presence.

"Yes mother" Tana answered dryly and turned to face her father.

"Bye daddy" She said sweetly giving him pecks on both cheeks.

"Take care of yourself cupcake" He said and she giggled

I truly admired their relationship and wished I had the same bond with my dad. But wishes weren't horses, so I couldn't ride on them, even if I were a beggar.

I said my goodbyes and we both  walked out of the house, into their massive courtyard. I was sure it was possible to host two separate parties in that place. I always wondered why they needed so much space. They hardly ever hosted parties in there. I shrugged it off, earning a questioning look from Tana. I chuckled at her expression.

She drove off and silence ensued for the most part of the ride, until she yelled...

"Eureka!"

I turned quickly to stare intensely at her, I had to know if she was still sane.

"Tana? Is everything alright? You know you can tell me anything, what's going on?" I said charily and she pinched my arm before turning to face the road and laughing boisterously.

Alright she's crazy

"I'm fine, you goat" She said and laughed again. I feigned a sigh of relief and she laughed again, this time, I joined her.

"Okay okay, I just had an idea" She said and paused again.

"Go on nau" I urged getting a little impatient.

Fine. I was desperate.

"Why don't I register you in a local tailoring shop, it's cheaper and you can learn the skills you need instead of spending that much money in a supposed prestigious fashion school" She said, quoting the last sentence with so much sarcasm, one would think she had a tiff or tussle with fashion schools.

"That's a great idea but I don't have any money, how do I go about it?" I asked getting apprehensive.

"When I say you're dumb now people would say I'm insulting you. Why am I here Lola?" She asked rhetorically.

"But you've done so much already, I don't want to be a burden to you" I said. My countenance changed at the thought of her getting sick and tired of my issues.

"Just shut up, I know you'll do the same for me if I were in your shoes. You're the sister I never had and if I leave you in such a trying time, what kind of person would I be?" I smiled at her speech.

The only thing that stopped me from giving her a tight bear hug was the fact that she was driving.

"You're the best, I love you so much" I said blowing her air kisses.

"You just have to love me, you no get choice" She teased and bursted into laughter.

"You just have to ruin the romantic moment" I joked, feigning disappointment by face palming myself.

She chuckled and we continued our ride, jamming to different songs from the stereo.

*******

Tailoring shops are on every Nigerian street so it wasn't much of a big deal to get one to register in.

Tana did well to stop by one close to her place, to save us the cost of transportation.

It was bigger than I thought and it was a shocker that I hadn't noticed it earlier. Striding into the place, it looked like a mini version of Tana's office, workers/apprentices moving to and fro. Beautiful fabrics sprawled all over the place. Customers on different sides, chit chatting with their supposed seamstresses. There were so many sewing machines that the people's voices were drowned by the pedalling.

Chi's Couture

That was the name of the place, it felt cozy in some kind of way.

"Uhmm good day, can I see your boss please?" Tana asked politely. The petite young lady she had asked, glowered at my friend in stead, a scowl marring her already not so beautiful features.

"Excuse me? I asked you a question" Tana said again, her tone, a bit on the edge and I could totally understand her anger.

Some people are just plain rude

"And so? Please I'm busy, ask another person" The ill mannered girl countered mirroring Tana's tone.

Tana let out an angry hiss and was about to lunge at the girl when I held her arm. I didn't want her to create a scene, it would be too embarrassing.

"BISOLA!" A feminine voice yelled from behind us. Seemed like that was 'Miss Frowny pants' actual name.

"Yes ma" The insolent young lady flinched. She looked like a quivering quill feather.

So you can fear someone

"Is that how you talk to my customers? Are you mad?!" The woman bellowed. All heads had turned in our direction, and overwhelming silence washed over the place.

This is what I was trying to avoid

The girl didn't respond. Not like she was supposed to anyways.

"Apologise now" The older woman ordered

"Don't bother about it, we won't be needing your apology" Tana said, furiously eyeing the culprit who was reluctant to do the needful. I heard the girl mumble incoherent things but quickly shut up when her boss shot her a death glare.

The older woman turned to us with a smile playing on her lips.

"How may I help you dears?" She asked sweetly.

"We'd like to see you in private, if you don't mind" I said. I felt awkward for not being able to say anything since I stepped into the place.

"Alright, this way ladies" She replied gesturing to a door, at one end of the the large room. I didn't even notice it's existence.

The woman led the way, with Tana and I trailing behind her. By the time she turned the door knob, I was awestruck, I didn't even realize when I gasped. Her office looked so fancy, no doubt the first room was nice and bubbly but this was like a second paradise. The interior decor beat everything at Tana's office

No offense bestie

It almost seemed like she had made this place her safe haven. I dreamt of that kind of office.

Lord when??!

"Please sit" She said with that polite smile still glaring at us. Tana and I sat opposite her, the chairs were so soft, I bit back a sigh.

I took a cursory glance at the woman in question. She was light skinned, a little robust and wasn't exactly blessed in the height department. Nevertheless she was beautiful, her smile was radiant, and her eyes danced with excitement as she spoke. Her outfit told of her status, she was rich.

Her wedding band shone even in the absence of sunlight. Looking up, I saw something that looked like a family portrait, three kids - Two girls and a boy - posing sassily in front of two supposedly smiling parents. At least I'd met someone in that portrait, she was showing off her perfect dentition with her head resting on the shoulder of who I assumed to be her husband, he looked very handsome.

Lucky her.

"So... What do you think?" Tana asked, staring straight at me. I was startled.

"Uhmm I'm sorry, I got a little distracted, can you repeat what you said?" I said scratching my neck in embarrassment. Tana shook her head, giving me a look of amusement.

"Well... Mrs Chidi and I were discussing your enlistment as an apprentice and she said she would like to give you an opportunity, but you'll have to be here early to do the cleaning,as the newest recruit, that is until someone else is added to pack. That's how it works around here" She recounted. I nodded immediately.

"Yes ma'am, Thank you"

"It's alright, but I want you to know that you have to be disciplined around here, I'm not very tolerant about some things, and I want you to be quick to improve on your skills, the quicker you learn and master your skills properly, the quicker you get to be on your own, understood?" She concluded her tirade.

"Yes ma'am, I'll try my best to be of good behavior around here" I assured.

"I believe you will" She nodded.

"Uhmm we'll be on our way now, she'll be starting tomorrow?" Tana asked getting up from her seat.

"Yes tomorrow will be great, the earlier the better" Mrs Chidi said

"Good bye ma'am, have a nice day" I bade.

"You too sweeties" She smiled and went on to answer her phone which had been ringing non stop.

***

Tana and I were out the door, soon after that. Something had been bugging me and I didn't know how to ask her, but I did anyway.

"Tana how much did you pay for the tuition?" I asked out of the blue.

"Uhmm forty thousand, why do you ask?" She said absentmindedly.

"Wait, for a month?!" I half yelled

"No dummy, for six months actually" She clarified.

"Wow that's wayyy cheaper than Aunty JoJo's place" I said with a far away look.

"See yourself, prestigious fashion school,my ass" She sneered.

I was about to give her a well deserved come back when my phone rang.

Big sis...

I almost chuckled as I reminisced the day she made me save her name that way. She threatened me a lot when we were younger and I was terrified when it came to stuff that had to do with my menacing older sister. Six years later and I still couldn't bring myself to change the caller ID. I slid the green icon and her voice came booming from the other end.

"Hello" Her voice sure sounded smaller.

"Sister I greet o, you just forgot me like that" I pouted. I heard her chuckle but it sounded forced.

"No it's not that, I've just been... occupied... I guess" She sounded tired and I didn't hesitate to tell her.

"Hmm well I have been busy, you know?" I could imagine her smirking after her attempt to pollute my innocent mind.

"Ewww" I faked a gag and she cackled.

"So how's your honeymoon? How's my in-law?" I asked eagerly.

She was reluctant , almost like she didn't know what to say.

"He's fine, but we're actually in Lagos at the moment, we haven't gone for our honeymoon yet" She replied after much hesitation.

I gaped, earning a questioning look from Tana. She had been in the kitchen. I mouthed Laila while gesturing towards the phone.

"Why not?" I asked.

"He's just kinda occupied with work" She explained.

"So you mean he's been going to work ever since you people got married about a week ago?" I asked again just to make sure I was hearing right.

"Well,he's been working from home" She replied a little too loudly , she was trying to hide the sadness in her voice.

I decided to drop the issue before it went out of hand.

"It is well" I said with a sigh.

"How's the house without me?" She asked oblivious of the ongoings within the last few days.

"Mum hasn't called you?" I asked. Typical Nigerian me, answering a question with a question.

"No she hasn't" She stated passively.

"Tolu and Femi nko?" I asked again.

"They only sent messages on WhatsApp the day after the wedding, to tell me they'd arrived safely at their homes" She said again.

Then it dawned on me that none of my siblings knew about my forced emancipation. But even my mother hadn't called me, it was strange.

"Tolani I don't live with your parents anymore" I said solemnly.

"You got a place and moved out?" She sounded excited.

"No, Dad kicked me out" I dropped the bombshell waiting for her reaction.

"What? How? Why?!" She almost yelled. I went on to explain everything to her, not leaving out a single detail. Afterwards, she heaved a sigh.

"I can't believe he'd do that. Scratch that! I totally believe he'd do such a thing, that's the kind of man he is" She sounded pained, I was too.

"Titi" She called softly after I let out a shaky breath.

"Hmm" I hummed an answer, not trusting my voice.

"Las las we go dey alright, I'm with you, Tana is too, we'll pull through this, I know you'll be alright" She said reassuringly. I pictured her blinking back the tears. I wanted to believe those tears were for me but I sensed she was going through something on her own and wasn't willing to tell me just yet.

We said our good byes after she spoke briefly to Tana, thanking her for taking me in, for the most part. It was truly an emotional day for both of us.

Tana dropped the phone on the centre table and gave me a concerned look.

"You want a hug?" She asked and I nodded, sniffing a little bit.

"Bring it in sis" She spread her arms open and I went into them, sniffing her lavender scent.

"It's gonna be okay" She continued patting my back, and whispering to me like she was talking to a little child.

"You think so?" I asked wiping my tear stained face

"I know so" She answered conclusively.

****

'Lily was a little girl'

My phone's new ringtone rang, tearing into the silence of my bedroom. I didn't let it ring for long. I picked it up in haste, not even checking the caller ID.

"Hello" I said into the cell phone.

"Hey beautiful" The person at the other end said. I paused, racking my head, thinking of who would greet me in such a manner.

"Tunji?" I asked pulling the phone from my ear at the same time to check who was on the line.

Of course it was him.

"Yes, me again" He said dryly.

"Good morning"

"Beautiful morning to you too, how are you doing Miss Titilola? " He sounded jovial, too jovial.

"Uhh Is everything okay?" I asked amidst confusion. It was understandable that we were in a 'situationship' and could be seen as good friends but calling me up on a Thursday morning, sounding the way he did was somewhat alarming.

"Yes, why do you ask?" I'm sure he was puzzled. I was too...

"You're sounding so elated this morning" I let my thoughts out.

"What's wrong with that?!" He had asked once again and continued.

"Okay okay, I've been working hard to get this new contract and it finally pulled through yesterday" He revealed.

My mouth formed an 'o'. That explained why I hadn't heard from him since Monday. Not like I missed him or anything, I was just wondering why he didn't bother to call.

And you couldn't call him?

"Lola are you there?" I got startled as his deep baritone jolted me out of my short reverie.

Curse my mind for always drifting!

"Yes, yes I am, congratulations Tee"

Did I just give him a nickname?

"Thank you ma'am. Is it just me or did you just give me a nickname?" He teased, I could tell he was smirking.

"Well it's your lucky day" I said with a chuckle and he did the same.

"So how are you doing?"

"I'm alright... I..." I couldn't complete the statement as I heard a knock on the door. Tana was ready for work and I had to leave with her, as she'd drop me of at Mrs Chidi's shop.

"I have to go Tee, have a nice day, we'll talk later" I dismissed hurriedly. I didn't wait for his response before hanging up.

I opened the door as Tana stepped in, looking sassy as usual. Blue crop top, black high waist trousers and black stilettoes, she looked like a boss. Well, technically she is one, opposed to my very simple self, wearing a green polo shirt with a pair of jeans and black sandals. I was beginning to look too simple for my own good.

"Good morning, you ready to head out?" She asked.

"Yeah I am" I answered,slinging my bag across my shoulder and tucking my phone into it.

"I thought I heard you talking to someone" She mentioned as, I locked the front door while we were outside.

"Oh yeah, Tunji called" I said not exactly paying attention to whatever she was saying.

"So he hasn't called you since?" She asked.

"No, just this morning"

"I told him to na..." She said to herself more than she did to me.

"I'm sorry, what now?" I said,perplexity getting the better part of me.

"Never mind, you're running late" She dismissed, scurrying to the vehicle. It looked like it was going to rain heavily that day. I shrugged off whatever she said, focusing on the day ahead of me, I joined her in the vehicle and she sped off immediately.