𝟑𝟎 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥

~~ 68. ~~

He didn't call to check on her to know if she had gotten home that Sunday. She decided to leave him be and let him pacify his anger. But she still sends a message of apology to him. But when his mother called on Tuesday morning asking her to come to see her, she decided to call him. Since he never called.

So, she called him not just to tell him about his mother's call but because she missed him and she wanted to hear his voice. But he didn't answer any of his calls. She had hoped he would call back. But there she was, staring at her phone with no call from him.

She heaved a sigh and threw her phone into her handbag and left the house.

§§§§§

Mrs. Jolaoluwa's shop was quite a distance from her place but it was actually worth it. The two women had sat and talked about the shoe and bag business and some other women's stuff. She was glad to see her back to her usual self. Those lines of worry on her face, when they went on vacation were no longer there. She seems happy.

After four hours that they've been together talking, Mrs. Jolaoluwa decided to talk about her son's father.

"Tiwalola, there is something I want to ask of you." She started. Lola just nodded, urging her to continue. "It is concerning Demilade and... his father."

Lola sighed heavily. She didn't know what she want to say to the woman. This same topic had been the reason for her argument with her boyfriend. And because of it, he was still angry with her.

"Demilade doesn't..."

"Sorry ma for cutting you short. But I know about everything. He told me." Lola said.

The woman seems sincerely shocked to hear that. She knew how sensitive her son is about that side of his life. He hates talking about it. She realized Lola meant a lot to him for him to open up to her.

"That is surprising." The woman said truthfully. "Demilade hate talking about his father." She said quietly.

"It took a lot for him to say it. And I also understand his pain. Just like I know he doesn't like the man a bit."

The woman sighed.

"Yes, he doesn't like him. He gets reminded about what he did every time his name is mentioned." She paused and sighed again. "Lawrence made him question himself and also me. His father hurt us a lot in the past. Not physically but emotionally. He hurt us a whole lot. He made us suffer. He caused a lot of pain. You know.... putting so much trust in someone. Being hopeful.... believing in false promises that seem so true and then everything seems to chatter. And it all turned out to be a big lie. It's really hurtful. To the extent, it makes a person doubt his or herself. And you begin to question yourself, question what you know and believed. It made you seem like the world's greatest fool." She chuckled lightly. "When the only thing you do was just love and believe in someone. But I guess everybody isn't so lucky." She smiled sadly looking up at her.

"So that is why I had decided to put everything behind me. I had long forgotten who he was or what happened. The deed has been done and there is no changing it. Here I am today, okay, satisfied and blessed. What more can I ask for? I made it not without him but by the grace of God. So does my son. He taught me not to put faith in people. People fail. Only God doesn't. And in this life, everything isn't gold. Everything isn't sunshine. And everything has a reason. So why do I need to hold grudges when all I will do is keep hurting myself, denying myself happiness, and keep dwelling in pain. What has happened has happened. My story is not the same. The person who has sent us away is now back to beg. Isn't life so funny?" She asked rhetorically. "My dear, Lawrence does not deserve anything from us but we should be different. We can be different. I don't have to be like him or his family, and neither does my son."