The end of the session was fast approaching which was the last year for Iremide in the University. The bond between him and Fola was back again and they could barely go a day without talking to each other, despite Ire's busy schedules.
Ire made it a routine to tutor Fola once a week on some of the courses she was having difficulties with.
He observed she was a slow learner and he took his time to explain to her understanding before moving to the next.
He also helped her with assignments and handouts as examinations are fast approaching.
A month later, Fola was done with her examinations and she left for home. Ire was still in school trying to meet up the deadline for the submission of his project work.
When Fola got home, she informed her mother of her reconciliation with Ire and her mother was glad.
Her father overheard their conversation and a few days later, out of curiosity, he asked her. "Who is Ire?"
"He is my friend", she answered with a smile.
"Friend?"he asked, eyeingly.
"Yes daddy."
"I hope so. When was the last time you spoke with Olamide?", he asked
"Here we go again", she thought out, aloud.
"You said what?", her father questioned.
"I did not say anything", she responded.
"I thought I asked you a question", he reminded her.
"He called me last week during my examinations", she told him.
"Good. How are things between you two?"
"Fine", she replied.
"Alright, take care. When your mother comes back, tell her I am off to see Olamide's father. I promised to accompany him somewhere", he declared, about going out.
"Daddy", Fola called. "There is something I have been meaning to talk to you about", she announced.
"What is it?", her father looked back with impatience.
"Sit down daddy. I won't take much of your time", he peered at her suspiciously, before sitting down.
"Daddy I have been thinking... Is there any business you have in mind that you want to do or do you wish to start any business?"
"Yes of course", he answered. Why do you ask?"
"I want you to stop working for Mr. Garba and be your own boss", she declared.
"Good idea but the business I have in mind is capital intensive. More reason why you should marry his son so he can help me with the capital", he said to her.
"Dad. So this is it?"
"This is what?", he asked.
"You don't need to rely on them anymore. I spoke with Bolu sometime ago and she said something about a business her father is into which is very lucrative."
"My dear, every business needs capital and that is what I lack. Don't you get it?"
"We can ask him to help us reserve a spot in the organization just like Bolu suggested", said Fola.
"Don't you know Bolu's father is my younger brother's friend? So you mean I should go and ask for help from someone whom I am very much older than? Impossible, I can't", her father remarked.
"Bolu's father is a very nice man. If you don't want to ask him for help, we can just ask him to borrow us, and then when we start making money, we pay him back. Very simple."
"I said I am not interested", he said getting up. "I can't ask for help from someone who will mock me behind my back. Nitori wipe mo fe je malu, mawa ma-pe malu ni boda (Just because I want to eat meat, you expect me to call a cow my senior). I am out of here silly girl."
"Daddy, isn't this better than selling me off? When will you get to realize you are doing the wrong thing to solve our problem. When? You will keep feeling indebted to him and it will ruin us all. I want us to get out of this safely. Don't you get it? People are calling you Mr. Garba's puppet", she yelled at her father.
Mr. Obed turned around and stared at his daughter in anger.
"Folake, what did you just say?", he asked.
Realizing what she said out of anger, she kept mute as her father moved closer to her. "I asked you to repeat what you just said."
"Dad, the person that called you Mr. Garba's puppet is a colleague of mine from....."
Her father interrupted her with a slap. "How dare you?"
Fola gasped as tears rolled down her eyes. She looked at her father and saw tears in his eyes too.
"D..d..a..addy.....", she called, stammering with guilt.
"Folake, you dare say this to my face and you expect me to praise you for a job well done?", he asked, grimly.
"What have I done to deserve such disrespect from you? Tell me. The money I took from him for your upkeep is still in my account. I did not touch it not because I don't need it but because I am keeping it for your future. Do you think I am stupid? I am not selfish because if I am, that money is enough for me to start up a business of my own. If my daughter can call me a puppet, then what is the essence of all of these? Ever since I lost my job, I have been unable to provide for my only wife and daughter and I was able to devise a way to ensure their comfort but what do I get in return? Insults. Your mother has been turning you against me right?", he shouted, furiously.
"No daddy, I am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you", Fola replied, crying bitterly. "I am sorry father."
Her father slumped down on the couch close by and hid his face in his palm.
She knew her father was crying. She cried the more as she moved closer to him.
"Daddy, forgive me for my utterances. I was thinking like a child. I am sorry", Folake pleaded.
"Ekule o (Greetings to those at home)", Mrs. Obed greeted, as she entered from the front door carrying a bundle of the bedspread.
Seeing the scenario of both father and daughter crying before her, the bundle in her hand fell as she ran towards them with alarm.
"Daddy Folake, Kilo shele? (what happened?)"
Her husband looked up at her with tears and said. "Your daughter called me a puppet."
"What?", she screamed and faced Fola.
"Folake? Is that true?"
"Mummy I did not mean......"
"Shut your trash", she interrupted her with another resounding slap.
Fola sobbed.
"And you couldn't deal with her?", she questioned her husband.
"What sort of a child are you? She awa ma ko bi eni kole ni (Do you want us to build you like home?) Do you think you are still a child? You are 24 years old for crying out loud. When will you be sensible? Did you call your father names? How dare you?", her mother scolded, in annoyance.
"Mummy, I didn't", Fola defended, herself.
"Keep shut while I am talking. Do you think I will believe you? Your father is here crying because of you and you can't even hide your face in shame. Don't let me curse you. Get out of my sight this minute before I bounce on you."
Fola stood up with immediate alacrity and raced to her room.
"Okomi (My husband), forgive your daughter for her childishness", her mother pleaded to her husband.
"I never thought my daughter would have the guts to look me in the eyes and insult me", he muttered, dejectedly.
"I never thought so too. That girl is foolish to have done so", her mother commented.
"I am doing all of this for us."
"I know."
"I am sorry for hurting any of you with my actions and that is because I don't have what it takes to be a father", Mr. Obed whispered to his wife with a forlorn look on his face.
"Don't say that my darling. Your daughter is still a child and she has no idea the number of sacrifices you have made for her. She doesn't know how much you love and adore her because you show your love the hard way. I am your wife and I know you so well."
"I do not blame her."
"Just forgive her and let's forget everything. Please my husband, if not for anything but my sake."
He examined his wife closely and gave in. "She said the truth. I have forgiven her."
"She did not say any truth. Folake is such a spoilt child. Have you had anything to eat?", Mrs. Obed replied, getting up.
"No I am not hungry", he responded.
"Let's go to the room then so you can rest", she tried to help him up.
"Alright", he said rising. "Please help me call Mr. Garba and tell him I won't be able to make it", he told his wife.
"Alright, I will do that. Just go to the room."
He walked quietly to the room and Mrs. Obed hurried to her daughter's room.
"Folake", she called.
Fola was sitting on the floor beside her bed crying softly.
"Mummy, I didn't call him that", she shouted in defense.
Her mother folded her arms and asked, "Then what did you say?"
"It was Rachel that called him that. Dad misunderstood everything", she explained.
"Even with that, you aren't supposed to say that to his hearing. I intend to beat the living hell out of you for being so silly and spoilt but I forgive you this once. If it ever happens again, you will see the other side of me", Mrs. Obed said and walked out of her room.
Fola cried bitterly till she slept off.