𝟑𝟎 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥

~~ 87. ~~

"I guess you are right. But I was still surprised by the gesture. A surprise date and all the wonderful gifts. I am more than grateful." Her father nodded. "But Dad, aren't you going to your shop today?" She asked falling into the seat beside him.

"Daniel is at the shop. He volunteered to stay there today. I decided to use my free time to rest. He will be returning to school next week and it is all me again." He answered his daughter. "So how did your outing with your boyfriend go?" He asked.

She grinned. "It was awesome."

"This one you are grinning from ear to ear, did you win another lottery with your boyfriend?" The man questioned looking at his daughter's beaming face.

"What I got is more than the lottery Dad." She exclaimed. "Guess what happens, Dad. You won't believe what Demilade got for me."

"He bought you something expensive."

"He does that all the time," Lola said unimpressed with her father's guess.

"Then you should..... wait why have you been hiding your other hand at your back? Did you hurt yourself or you are hiding something you don't want me to see?" He queried.

"It is actually something that I want you to see." She said and she brought her hand forward and she displayed her engagement ring to her father.

The man paused and he stared at the ring on his daughter's finger like it was some kind of ghost.

"Dad, I am engaged. Demilade proposed to me yesterday and I said yes. I'm finally getting married, Dad!" Lola explained excitedly to her father.

"Oh! That's fast." Mr. Bamidele commented quietly. He turned to his daughter who was staring at him awaiting an answer from him. "So you are engaged? Demilade decided he want to tie the knot with you." He stated and then he looked away again.

The smile on Lola's face flattered a little and she leaned closer to her father.

"Is something wrong Dad? You don't seem happy about it. Are you worried? Demilade loves me and I love him too. He is... " Lola said worriedly.

"Tiwalola." The man interrupted his daughter. She paused with her face laced with sadness. "I'm not worried about that. I know you both love each other. I don't have any reason not to be happy. Why won't I be happy? My own daughter is going to be getting married soon. You're going to be a wife. You will have a family of your own." He said looking at thin air.

Lola smiled and she wrapped her hand around his left arm.

"Common dad, you don't have to worry about that yet. We haven't even done our introduction yet. I'm still here with you. Not like I am leaving forever. I'm just getting married. Do you think I will leave Daddy Lola alone?"

Her father smiled and said. "I know you will still be around. But... it can't be the same, Lola. You are going to have new obligations. You have to be a wife to your husband, daughter to his family, and mother to his children."

"Let's wait until then Daddy. I'm not going anywhere for now. I'm still here. I'm still Tiwalola." She assured him.

He nodded. "You're right." He shook his head. "You'll always be my Tiwa." He patted her leg with a nod. Then he looked down at her finger with the ring. "Demilade has a good taste for ring."

She chuckled and nodded in agreement.

"Yes, he does."

"These are seven-carat diamonds," Mr. Bamidele stated in awe. Lola nodded. "beautifully shaped... I'm impressed. It's also five color diamonds. Ruby, Sapphire, Citrine, Emerald, and Amethyst. A wonderful combination of colors. It's beautiful." He chuckled, amazed.