It was 8 p.m and Mr. Garba and his son were in the sitting room pleading with Fola's mother and father.
Mrs. Obed warned Fola not to come out.
Fola was in her room and she tried eavesdropping on their conversation. All she could hear was incoherent mutterings and whispering. She tried unlocking her door a little without them noticing but the creaking sound her door produced failed her.
She gave up trying and puffed out the air she had been holding in before going back to her laid bed while stamping her feet on the floor.
She was curious about what her mother was about to do.
She told her father about what happened when he came back from work around 5 p.m and her father was red in the face. If only she was in love with Olamide, she would have regretted telling him about it because of his reaction which she never expected but the case was different here. She was happy to see that his so-called son-in-law had failed him.
Fola heard raised voices and she rushed to the door. The raised voice worked to her advantage as she succeeded in opening the door without their knowledge.
'Curiosity they say kills the cat', she mused to herself. Her father's voice was audible enough to hear.
"I am highly disappointed in him. My daughter is a very precious girl and I am doing this for friendship's sake but you don't want to respect that", Mr. Obed uttered referring to Olamide who was looking down out of shame.
"Please my friend, don't mind the foolish boy, just forgive him", Mr. Garba pleaded.
"When I got home this evening, Bisi informed me of Fola's presence at the house and told me she saw her running out. So I questioned him about it and he told me what happened. I was scolding him when your call came in'', he explained looking at Fola's mother.
Mrs. Obed exhaled deeply and commented, "I was mad at your son for taking my daughter for granted. But I am an understanding mother and I know things like this are bound to happen......"
Just then, Fola's phone rang interrupting her from listening further.
She silently closed the door back and rushed to her bed to take her phone. The caller was Bolu.
"Hello Aunty Boluwatife, how are you doing and how is school?", Fola said, sitting down.
"What's with the formality, Fola. I hope I am safe", Bolu replied, from the other end.
Fola chuckled and replied, "Of course you are. Remember you said you are my senior and I should always respect you. That is what I am doing."
"Oh, you want to turn me to by-force old woman abi. God no go allow you. Abeg, quit the rubbish, and guess what?"
"What?", Fola asked curiously, sitting upright.
"I'm home."
"What?", Fola screamed. "Since when?"
"I came back this afternoon. Tomorrow is Femi's birthday, that's why I'm back and he said he would like to take us out including Biodun."
"Wao! Happy birthday to him."
"Thank you", Bolu replied.
"Where is he taking us to?", Fola demanded.
"I have no idea, he refused to open up to me", replied Bolu
"Tomorrow then?", said Fola.
"Yes, tomorrow by 3 p.m, we would come to pick you up."
"Alright, bye darling."
"Bye."
Fola exhaled loudly and fell on the bed. She felt weak all of a sudden and after a while, she slept off without dinner.
Bolu, Biodun, and her boyfriend came the next day to meet an already dressed Fola.
She entered the car after the exchange of pleasantries and they zoomed off.
Femi was a quiet guy unlike his girlfriend, Bolu. He was a police officer and even though Bolu's parents were against the relationship because of his profession, their love for each other conquered all odds and Femi was able to win her parent's heart with his calm nature.
Biodun was all smiles and snuggled next to Fola as they drove.
They went to Alkali road to get some Ice cream for Biodun. Femi decided to order two more cups for Bolu and Fola. It was a mixed flavor of strawberry and bubble gum and it tasted weird to Fola. She felt like throwing up and Bolu made jest of her.
Biodun took the ice cream from her which was already turning liquid and gulped it down his throat.
"Baby, please I want to get some bread for my mother at Ostrich bakery. Let's go there first before going to the Chicken Republic."
"Alright then, we can spend some time there too before going", Femi muttered.
"Funny enough, they sell ice cream too. We would have gone there directly instead of coming down here for the ice cream."
"And that is because you didn't tell me", Femi scolded.
"I forgot", Bolu said, giving him a babyface.
"Alright", he said calmly and rode off.
Biodun was already feeling sleepy by the time they got to Ostrich bakery. Femi got down from the car and carried him. They entered and Fola and Bolu quickly settled down while Femi along with Biodun went to get the bread and order some cookies for the girls.
He asked Biodun if he wanted another cup of ice cream and he nodded grinning.
"Look who we have here, the Almighty Folakemi Obed, the daughter of Mr. Obed who happens to be a puppet to Mr. Garba", a lady said approaching Fola and Bolu.
Fola raised her head to see Rachel in front of her with a sinister smile.
She stood up to grab her when Bolu stopped her. "Fola."
"How have you been sweetheart? Long time", she remarked at the fuming Fola.
"You haven't changed a bit", Fola replied, sitting down and trying to calm herself down.
"Why would I change? I am not here for chit-chat. I am just here to warn you to stay away from my boyfriend. And don't forget I haven't gotten my revenge back for what you did to me 2 years ago. I am just waiting for the perfect time. As if doing that to me wasn't enough, you decided to snatch my long-time boyfriend with your hypocritical behavior", she responded, eyeing Fola.
She stamped her feet angrily on the floor.
"Fola, be warned. Don't say I didn't warn you", she said and stormed away seeing Femi approaching.
Fola and Bolu looked at each other. "Who is she?"
"My former colleague at work, the lady I told you I had an issue with at Mrs. B's......"
"Her boyfriend? Who is her boyfriend?", Bolu interrupted with a frown.
"I have no idea", Fola shrugged and sighed deeply.