𝟑𝟎 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥

~~ 61. ~~

"Good afternoon." The waiter greeted them with a little bow of his head.

"Good afternoon." Bayo answered almost immediately before he say any other word. "Just give me a coke."

"A coke? Is that all?" He asked to confirm looking at Lola and wondering if she won't be ordering anything.

"Yes," Bayo answered firmly. He nodded and walked away. Then he turned back to Lola. "It's about Demilade. I'm not supposed to talk to you about this. He should be the one telling you but... I have to. There are a lot of things that I know about Demilade." She nodded. It was expected. He is his best friend. "Just like when he made the deal with you. And what comes after? I do hope you understand. I'm not trying to invade your privacy or anything."

"No, it's okay." She said sincerely. She tells her brother almost everything too. Even her friend Ibukun knows a lot about them. So she understands. "It is fine. I know Demilade takes you like a brother."

"I'm relieved to hear that." He paused. "Actually, this is about his father." She stared up at him. This was the first time she was hearing about his father. She knows Demilade don't like talking about him and she had never tried to push the button. "I'm sure he never told you about it." She nodded.

"Yes."

"Well his father is alive but he doesn't exist to Demilade." He told her. And he watched her reaction. She seemed to be in thought.

"That should be the reason he doesn't use his surname."

He smiled at her words. He was impressed. She wasn't just concerned about his welfare but she did try to know him.

"That's beautiful that you could notice those small things about Demmy. You're very smart. And you are correct. That is the reason. His mother had to force him to start using the surname when he was about to write his junior WAEC. But I can't sit and talk to you about what the man did to deserve such hatred from his own son. That's his story to tell." He paused.

Then he continued. "But one thing is that Demilade doesn't like his father a bit. Nothing can change how he truly feels. To be honest, I feel his pain and I understand him. He loves his mother and he is angry with her. I understand. Not because I am his best friend but as a human. He will tell you about it when he is ready. But I called you here because of it. His father is back." He said.

"He is back?"

"I don't know how to put it. Not like he left them or something. It's just he looks like he wants to reconcile with them."

"But Demilade doesn't want to see him." Lola completed. She totally understands that. It's kind of similar to what happened between her and her mother.

"Yes, you are right," Bayo answered.

That would have been the reason for his mother's mood change during the vacation. And one thing she knows about Demilade is that he is always deeply concerned about those he loves. His mother especially. She knows how much he cherishes the woman. He had made a deal with her because of his mother. He did it just to please her.

"But don't you think that we should let him be? He has the right to be angry. I would do the same thing if I was in his shoe."

"I know Tiwalola. I am also angry at the man. I really felt for him. But do you think being angry forever will help him? I know the man deserves it. But Demilade also needs to let go of all those anger and pain. No one is asking him to open his arms wide for him and start a father-and-son bond. He just needs to hear what he has to say and also let go. He had been angry for so long."

"I understand what you are saying. Have you tried to talk to him?"

"I won't be here if he had listened. We've been talking to him about it for some time now. That should be around when the vacation ended."

That was almost two months now. Lola thought.

".... but he is adamant. He even plays deaf now when the topic is brought up. His mom and grams have also tried to convince him but all to no avail. That's why I called you here. I want you to help us talk to Demilade. He loves you and he might listen to you."

"His feelings for me might not change anything," Lola said. "Demilade can be so stubborn. And also, I don't think he would want me to know about it. You know we just started dating and I won't want to be bothersome and intrusive. This is his personal life that only a few people know about and I am very sure that he loves to keep it private. So I don't want to probe."

"I totally get your point. And it is very sensible of you. But my friend loves you and I don't think he will want to ruin your relationship with secrets. Moreover, he is going to tell you sooner or later. You are the only one I can think of right now that could help. You are a woman and I'm sure you've got your way to talk to him. Please do this small favour for me Tiwalola."

"He has a right to be mad because I know what he went through. But sometimes we have to give people a second chance. He had to forgive for his own peace of mind. We won't want him to have regret in the future.
So help me with this Lola."

"I understand what you said and thinking about it, you are right. I know what Demilade feels even without hearing his story." Which was the truth because she had been in a similar situation. So she totally understands the feeling. "But I will try. I promise I will try my best to convince him." Lola assured him.

Bayo sighed with relief. "Thank you very much. I know I could count on you. Thank you again."