Chapter 38: Chapter 38

Chapter Thirty eight

****

I took a seat in front of her without breaking eye contact, I could tell she was surprised that I showed up at her office after so long.

"How have you been?" I asked coolly.

"Well. How have you been?" She replied in the same tone.

"Good." I said back and we both hummed. Our eyes settling on anything but each other.

"This is really awkward." She blurted out.

"I know right." I concurred.

"I'm sorry." We both said at the same time, only to be followed by tear filled giggles.

I walked around the desk and pulled her into my embrace.

"I missed you so much." She managed to get out amid incessant sobs.

Yup, pregnant Tana was an emotional Tana.

"I missed you too, so so much." I gave her soothing back rubs cause from the look of things, her tears weren't going to end anytime soon.

"I'm really sorry about everything, I felt horrible. I felt so ashamed, I couldn't reach out to you. I couldn't face you." She said in between hiccups.

I hushed her.

"It's fine, I understand. All of it is in the past now." I assured her.

She nodded like an obedient five year old. I giggled at the sight. I took a good look at her, scanning her from top to bottom. She was dressed beautifully as always in a Pink strapless maxi dress and a white long sleeved jacket, paired with a pair of heels lying around somewhere in the office, I was sure. I didn't notice much of a change in her physical features as she was obviously still in her first trimester, but the glow was obvious although her eyes did look a little bit sunken. I assumed it was as a result of the crying episode she just had.

"Hey, earth to Lola." She called out, snapping her fingers in my face.

"Sorry." I smiled sheepishly.

"Welcome back." She said sardonically, I chuckled.

"So tell me, what's been going on?" She questioned enthusiastically. Yup, here's the Tana I knew.

As always, I gave her the scoop on what had been happening with me, the last few months. To my surprise, she admitted to being present at the funeral but she stayed hidden as a result of the guilt she felt. That was sad.

She squealed and even did a happy dance when I handed her the invitation card. She didn't even read it before she started rambling.

"OMG, Lola you're getting married! I'm so happy for you and you even had to formally invite me, who's going to be your maid of honour if not me?!"

I stared at her like she had grown another head.

"Wait,what?" I chuckled. "Don't be silly, just sit down already." I rolled my eyes.

"Why?" She pouted.

"My friend, read what's written there before you go and disgrace me."

She did, and her mouth formed an 'o' as it dawned on her and with the speed of light she switched back to her happy dance, hugging me in the process. I just couldn't stop laughing.

"Oh sweetie, I'm so happy for you. Congratulations!" She exclaimed.

"Thank you." I grinned. Next thing I knew, she was beside me, drawing closer to me with puppy eyes.

"Tana?" I drawled eyeing her suspiciously.

"Hmm,"She answered still giving me that innocent look.

"So,Lola, I was wondering, whose going to model your designs?" She gave me a sheepish grin.

"Ughh." I groaned, trying not to burst into laughter.

This was the Tana I knew and I sure missed her a whole lot.

****

I had one more stop before fully clearing my conscience. I sat in my car, pulling my phone out of my bag, I scrolled through my contact list, I chuckled at the fact that I still hadn't changed the way I saved his name.

That's because all friendships have their fair share of challenges and a squabble like ours, which by the way, is the first of its kind, does not mean I would throw the good memories we had shared out the window. I smiled at the thought, sure I looked like a love struck teenager smiling at whatever the boy of her dreams had sent to her.

Pushing those thoughts aside, I clicked on the dial icon and listened patiently as it rang. He picked up at the second ring and his deep baritone from the other end made me smile unknowingly, I missed it.

"Hello?" His voice rang through the interiors of my vehicle as it was on loud speaker.

"Hi Tee" I said softly. I used my nickname for him and I was sure, I heard his breath hitch.

"Lola? Is that you?" He asked sounding like he was in a state of disbelief.

"Of course it is. How are you?"

"Oh my goodness, I, You called me?!" He was stunned, if his tone was anything to go by that is.

"Where are you?" I asked, evading his question.

I smiled as he told me his location.

"I'll be right with you."

It's still a wonder to me how I remembered this place. It had been months since we were here together and I'd only been there once.

I parked and stepped out, marveling at how much it had changed within the last few months. It was basically complete, giving that brand new aura. I saw a few people moving in and out of the building.

I walked through the large gate, nodding in acknowledgement of the security personnel seated there. I marveled at how pretty the place looked. I saw a few construction workers putting a few finishing touches on different ends.

I brought my gaze back to ground level and then I saw him coming towards me with a smile, I returned it. I eyed his outfit, looking suave as always in a Nike tracksuit and a pair Gucci slippers.

Typical Tunji.

Next thing I knew I was locked in his embrace, he even carried me. The sound of our laughter rang throughout the premises.

"Tunji put me down, I'm somebody's girlfriend." I said amid laughter.

"Sorry o, we that are single, what should we do?" He mocked.

"Go away jor." I playfully pushed him aside.

"I truly missed you." He said becoming serious all of a sudden.

"Of course you did." I replied sassily, flipping my hair.

"Let's go inside, I'm dying of curiosity." I pulled his chuckling self along with me.

"Wow." I whispered the moment I stepped in. There was so many computers, this felt like an actual computer village. They were brand new, still wrapped up.

I saw people dressed professionally going about attending to who assumed were the students.

"Hmm, impressive." I said, nodding in approval.

"Thank you. Come, I'll show you around." He said reaching for my hand which I gave gladly.

He took me through each and every part of the building. From the learning centre to the administrative block, it was amazing. I was truly happy for him. Our last stop was his office, where we would finally have the chance to talk.

His office was cosy, said a lot about how laid back he wanted to be, rather than the tough guy his father's office portrayed. This was truly his style.

"So, how have you been?" He asked.

"Well, I've been alright. You?"

"Same old. It's been a while though."

"Indeed it has."

"So, how's Tana?" I asked. That was the main reason I came over, aside settling our tiff, of course.

I saw him hesitate. That worried me, it seemed like there was trouble.

"She's, uh, she's well..." He stuttered and mumbled under his breath,"I guess."

"You two haven't been in touch?" I asked trying to contain my bewilderment.

"We have. I wouldn't let her handle the pregnancy alone, would I?"

"Okay?" I urged him on with a gesture from my right hand.

"It's just our relationship has been back and forth ever since, you know what." I nodded in understanding.

"Do you love her?" I asked and he looked up sharply.

"I do but what has that changed? She doesn't trust me anymore, she even said she's just being civil because of our child. As you advised, I really wanted to pop the question, not with the same ring of course but with the way she's been distancing herself from me of late, I don't know anymore." He explained his plight and I felt his pain. I hated the fact that their relationship had to be so rocky. Apparently, he wasn't done yet.

"You know, when your brother settled the debt, I told her about it. I was excited that I was free and we could finally be together, I tried rekindling our relationship and she just shut me out totally. Lola, it hurts." I saw him catch his tears before they fell. Now, this was heartbreaking, I had to do something.

I reached out to hug him.

"Its okay. Its going to be alright, okay?" I said soothingly and he simply nodded.

After that emotional moment, he was back to being his playful self but I could still see the hurt in his eyes. I left him soon after with lots of thoughts running through my head on how to play matchmaker.

I had to speak to Tana, and that I did.

"Hey, I was expecting your call. When did you get home?" She asked the moment she picked up the call. I was facetiming her.

"Sorry, I had somewhere else to be but I'm home now." I said.

"Oh okay, it's fine." I saw her munching on something and decided to ask.

"What are you eating?"

"Nothing." She looked around like a kid caught stealing candy from a jar.

"Uh huh?" I gave her a look that said, I wasn't buying that.

"Ugh fine. It's chocolate." She said, giving me puppy eyes after.

"Please don't tell Tunji, he's always fussing over me and telling me to eat healthy because of the baby." She complained absentmindedly and clamped her mouth shut when she realised herself.

I smiled, thankful she brought him up.

"Wow, how is he by the way?" I asked.

"He's fine, I guess." She muttered.

These two were surely meant to be.

"Are you guys are fighting?"

"No, I don't think we are. There's just this rift between us, I can't explain it." She said sadly.

"I'm all ears dearie, tell me what's wrong." I said concernedly.

"Lola, I love him but I can't show it because I feel like he's with me just because of the baby, not because he wants to really be with me. I mean, no offense but he almost married you. How am I supposed to be with a man who could decide to leave me because of money?" She rambled on and I nodded in understanding.

"Tana, I'm not trying to justify whatever he did but I'm saying he was under a lot of pressure. You of all people should know how I felt when my parents wouldn't let me be who I wanted to be, I was terrified. Their decisions controlled my life, that's the same thing that happened to Tunji. I know for a fact that he loves you and you love him too, so what's stopping you two? I think you two should just talk this out and move past this, if not for anything but for the sake of your child who's on the way. He/she deserves a happy home because, it has done no wrong. I hope you understand?"

She nodded, wiping her eyes clean.

"I do, I'll try talking to him tonight. Thank you Lola." She affirmed with a grateful smile.

"Good. Now stop crying and be a good girl."

"Yes mummy." She teased and I laughed. We said our goodbyes and ended the call.

She called later on to give me an update. They had sorted their differences and were willing to start afresh, her happiness was infectious, I couldn't help but squeal in excitement.

Tunji called to thank me as well, I tried my best to contain my excitement. It seemed like I was blocking something so I let them go back to their bonding session, if you get my drift. (wink.)

I went to bed with a wide grin, thinking of adding 'Relationship counselor' to my resume.

I'm crazy, I know.

****

I was frantic, the D-Day had finally arrived and I was freaking out. I moved about like a headless chicken, in a bid to get everything in place. I wanted it to be perfect but it was turning upside down.

I was currently at the venue, trying to coordinate the models and help them try on the designs which by the way looked good on them but I just couldn't leave out a tiny detail even at the expense of my own personal preparations.

It was past 3pm already and the show was scheduled for 5pm . The runway was set, the decorations were in place and so were the refreshments. The stylists were doing their magic on the models already. I had a total of thirty designs in the collection to showcase,I had some help from Aunty Jojo in setting up since she was the pro. I don't know if you remember her but here's a quick reminder, she's the same person who made Laila's wedding dress several months ago. She had been so supportive, I couldn't ask for a better mentor, I was proud to be her 'protégé', as she fondly called me.

It was a Saturday, so no one was at work, they were all present, helping me set up.

"Lola?" Tana said gasping dramatically like she had seen a ghost.

"Why aren't you ready?"

"I don't know, I'm confused." I whined at the verge of breaking down.

"No, no, no crying on my watch. Let's go get you ready." She pushed me lack a barrow and made me sit on the vanity.

She called out to one of the many stylists who hurried towards us.

"Hey, I want her looking glam. Not too much make up, she's not a fan. But make sure her hairdo is something that would match that outfit perfectly, got it?" She dished out orders to him like the boss lady she was and turned to me.

"I'll go check on my models okay? Just breathe, everything's going to turn out fabulous, just like you." She encouraged. I nodded, still nervous but a little more relaxed.

The stylist began, next thing I knew lots of things were applied on my face and my hair extension was being pulled, straightened and all what not. I sighed, it was taking a lot of time and time was a luxury I could not afford at that point.

"We're almost done ma'am." They assured and I simply hummed. I was getting more impatient by the minute. For one thing, I couldn't see my face because they turned me away from the mirror. Secondly, there was no way I could stand up and check on everything one last time before the show, and finally, the clock was ticking.

Just before I could grunt in displeasure, they swung the swivel chair around and I faced the mirror. All anger forgotten, I smiled. It was me, I did not feel like I was anyone else. This was my life falling in place for the first time in a long while, I felt like the epitome of strength but more importantly, God's grace.

I loved what I was seeing and did not fail to voice that out. Fitting the dress and shoes were just the icing on the cake.

"Wow." I said, everyone else in the room laughed at my reaction, I only smiled back, these people did not know what was running through my mind at that point in time.

The elegant burgundy long sleeved dress with a flair and long slit at the side and deep v neck was to die for. The black T-strap shoes did well to make the look even more elegant. As well as the hair do which was a chic low braided bun.

I spun around one more time, hardly getting over the feeling of excitement the coursed through me.

"Alright guys, It's show time." Tana announced and stilled.

"OMG!!!" She squealed, startling me.

"Lola, you look amazing!" She said, hovering around me, staring in awe.

"Thank you." I blushed.

"Hehehe, who knows, someone might just pop the question tonight after seeing you like this." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"Leave here jor, it's too early for that." I dismissed her comment with the wave of my hand.

"And who told you, you have to date for eternity before getting married? You never know." She shrugged casually. I ignored her of course, I did not want to start getting any ideas besides I had more pressing matters at hand.

"Alright, alright. Any guests yet?" I asked.

"Of course, everyone is out there waiting for the show to start."

"I'll go say hello and make sure the guests are doing okay." I suggested but she stopped me.

"Eh no. Laila and I can handle all of that, you're only allowed to come out after the runway show."

"What? But..." I tried to protest.

"Trust me on this one, just relax. We'll have it all on camera and you can watch it later. Trust me on this one sis." She said, arranging whatever was already in place on my dress.

I was not exactly convinced but I agreed anyway.

"Fine." I huffed.

"See ya in a bit, gorgeous." She winked before walking off. I shook my head, fighting a smile.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen." I heard the MC's voice boom from back stage. He cracked a few jokes here and there and I heard the crowd erupting in fits of laughter severally. I was anxious to go out and see for myself whoever was present, it sounded like there was lots of people around. The studio was a big one so I was sure the crowd fit in perfectly.

I zoned out on whatever was being said as it was about time for the models to go out. The nerves were back again and I just kept pacing back and forth.

The models filed in a straight line, pulling on professional smiles and posing sassily. I took the time to admire my works, the pieces looked magnificent and represented the African culture through and through with a western touch. From glittering to plain, from simple, to classic, to chic and of course elegant. This was perfection. The fabrics were a burst of colour, depicting different emotions, simply magnificent.

The upbeat music started, jolting me out of my reverie. The first model went through and soon enough the second, and it continued in this pattern until all thirty of them had graced the stage and it was time for me to step out.

"Ladies and gentlemen, with a standing ovation, join me as we welcome the brain behind all this elegance, our one and only designer whom we've gathered here to celebrate, Miss Titilola Gregg!" The MC announced, earning ear shattering applause.

I was pulled up by two of the beautiful models as I made my way out to the runway. The gasps of surprise were audible from all ends, and my smile only grew bigger.

I bowed my head slightly in appreciation as the ovation only increased as soon as I appeared. I took the mic from the anchor of the ceremony just as he whispered 'congratulations' to me. I smiled in appreciation and mouthed a thank you to him before facing the crowd.

"Thank you so much." I said into the mic as my voice echoed.

"I... I don't even know what to say." I sighed.

"First of all, I just want to say thank you to everyone present here today. It means a lot to me that you took time out of your busy schedules to grace this occasion, I truly appreciate it." I said and it was accompanied by a small applause.

"To all the wonderful people who have been with me all through this journey, you know yourselves. I just want to say thank you and I love you all."

"We love you too baby girl."

That was Tana. I chuckled.

"And most importantly, I'm so grateful to God, for seeing me through everything. And with all said and done, I hereby dub this collection Strengthaholic, which depicts the strength of an African woman who never gives up on what she wants. Thank you." I concluded my speech which resulted in another loud applause. I handed the mic back to the MC, as I climbed down from the podium.

I was welcomed by the arms of my mom who pulled me into a loving embrace.

"I'm so proud of you sweetie. You look gorgeous by the way." She complimented.

"Thank you mummy." I blushed.

I pulled out from the hug only to be pulled into another one by Gerald.

"Congratulations. I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you, dad." Yes, it was about time I did. I felt him tense in my embrace obviously shocked at my utterance.

"No thank you, my daughter."

I smiled, blinking back my tears as he did same.

Congratulatory messages kept flowing in from all corners. I was finally in my sister's arms, as she kept saying.

"I told you so. Imagine I didn't say anything at the wedding now." She was sure feeling herself. I was happy, she was really glowing and looked genuinely happy with herself even with everything that went on in her marriage.

"Sure whatever floats your boat." I rolled my eyes.

Next, I saw Travis and Ima who congratulated me as well. The kids were with them busting moves as always, I joined them for a few seconds before the DJ cut the music.

"Shall we all step outside for a second? It's time to unveil the name of this magnificent place." I rolled my eyes at his description. Anchors and their hype.

I took the lead, my eyes were still searching for him but he was no where to be seen. They all followed my lead as we paused in the parking lot, wine glasses in hand fit the toast.

We all looked up at the sign as the anchor yelled.

"And in three, two, one!"

The polythene covering the sign automatically came off, revealing a sign that had me gasping along with everyone else.

'TL Couture'

We bring out the beauty in you...

In Black letter font with lots and lots of glitter, the way it shined left me awed.

"Hope you like it?" I heard his voice in my ears the next minute, startling me, I almost jumped but he steadied me.

I don't know what came over me but I burst into tears.

"Baby, don't cry, you don't like it? We could do something." He was so worried. I just shook my head and held him close.

"I'm just so happy. Thank you for everything. I love you." I said in between sniffs.

He was visibly relieved. He gave me a big smile.

"I love you too babe, so much. You don't have to thank me for anything, you deserve it." With that he captured my lips.

"Awwwww." Everyone else cooed but we were lost in our own world.

This was true happiness, and all that pain was worth it in the end, don't you think?

****

The End ❤️

I can't believe this. Who else is going to miss Lola? I know I will.