𝟑𝟎 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥

~~ 68. ~~

"Then why did you say you have forgiven her?" He asked staring at her.

She wiped away her tears. This was what she was avoiding. She knew talking to her father would bring out emotions but she needed to talk to someone who will understand her. She needs someone who will tell her the truth. And that is why she had decided to talk to him.

But she still wondered how he got to talk about things that also concerns him without showing off any emotions. Her father was meant to be a therapist. She thought.

"Tiwalola." He called back her attention. "Why?" He asked again when she looked at him.

"I don't know. I don't know. Because you said I should...." She shrugged.

"You can't forgive someone when it doesn't come from your heart and when you can't even forget what happened."

"It did come from the heart Dad. And... didn't they say forgive but never forget."

The man chuckled. "It is forgiven but doesn't forget the lessons it taught you." He said. "You didn't forgive your mother Lola. You still hold grudge against her."

She bowed her head and cried. She let the tears stream down her face without hiding them. Because he was right. Just like Demilade had said. And the truth hurts.

"But how could I? She can't just walk back...."

"That is the more reason you should talk to your mother and let your brother do it. She came back for you guys. What if she never comes back? What if she forget she had children somewhere? How would you have felt to never see her again? How would you feel if she had never come back? She might have left but it didn't change the fact that she loves and care for you. It doesn't change the fact that she has kids somewhere and she didn't forget that. It doesn't change the fact that she still wants a chance in your life... to be your mother again."

"It doesn't matter. She still left. That is the thing. She left when we needed her. I needed a mother. Daniel needed a mother. But she walked away." She complained.

"Tiwalola... I know you are angry. It is justified. But I always tell you that in this life, everything happens for a reason. Look at you, you grow up fine without a mother. And you are even becoming a beautiful one at that. I know it doesn't affect the fact that you wanted someone to call a mother and there was none but you are fine without her dear."

"You know when I was young," He sniffed and continued. "I have both parents. We live under the same roof. But they were never there. My father preferred to hang out with his friends and party and drink. Mother was always angry that her husband doesn't stay at home. She was always insecure that her husband might have another wife somewhere. She used that anger on us. Always harsh. I couldn't even walk up to my mother and tell her things. I preferred to tell my teacher at school about things that are disturbing me than my own mother. Because she was there but also not there. But I didn't abandon her because of that. I didn't deny she is my mother because of it either. Look, for the past seven years, I have been the only one paying for her treatment. Despite how hard it is coupled with your and your siblings' responsibilities. I still do what I am supposed to do because she is my mother. The fact remains that she gave birth to me. Just like your own mother."

"She is still your mother Tiwalola. At least, you have a mother. And you should be grateful. Some people don't have any. Some don't even know who their mother is. Your own mother still cares about you. Some women abandon their children the moment they were born and they never looked back. Nessa left to find herself and when she had, she came back for you guys. That is what matters."