𝟑𝟎 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥

~~ 91. ~~

After they passed the cup round for each other, they continued with their discussions. Then Bayo brought up the topic that was being discussed between Demilade and Lola before they came in.

"About what you were discussing with Lola. Why do you not want to invite your father since you've both made up?"

"That doesn't change the things he did Bayo," Fareed answered and Demilade nodded at him, gratefully. He was glad someone understood him. Bayo and Lola turned to Reed simultaneously. "He was generous enough to forgive him. I won't if I was in his shoe."

"Reed," Bayo called.

"What? You know I always say the truth. I will say what I can do. That's the fact."

It wasn't until recently that Demilade and Bayo finally opened up to him and Adam about Demilade's father. He never knew about his father since they became friends. All he knew was that it was a sour subject to him and no matter what you say, he won't mention it.

But when he learned about it, he knew it was worth being a sour subject to him. And he saw the reason why he respected and adore their fathers so much. And no matter how much any of them complained about their father's behavior, he always thinks they were right and they were better. He always respected them.

"Facts and truth are two different things," Lola said. He didn't say anything in reply, instead, he sip from his wine glass after stirring the content.

"Lola is right. You need to just... at least respect the fact that he is your father. It doesn't justify what he did.." He added when he noticed Fareed was about to say something that will contradict what he is saying. "It doesn't but don't you think it is high time you looked past that? You already told him you forgive him."

"Just like I told him that I don't need his presence in my life. And last I remember, he accepted it and we are cool." Demilade said sternly and Fareed gave Bayo the 'you hear that' look.

"He doesn't have a choice because you didn't give him one. He can't keep forcing you. I'm certain he knew that will only upset you more. It's just a day event. Just one day. He probably has heard about your introduction and he knows the wedding is soon."

"Does he really deserve to be there?" Fareed asked. Bayo peered at him. He continued before he could say anything. "He wasn't there all his life, so why would he want to come to sit in the event and act like a good responsible father when he is not?" Reed quirk a brow at Lola that was staring at him. She heaved a sigh. "This man we are talking about is a wealthy Lawyer, he became chief judge and later entered politics. He was really rich. I know him a lot. But you won't understand. I watched Demilade go through hell as a teenager. To be honest..." He brushed his beard a bit roughly. "I choose to be his friend in the first place knowing he wasn't from our strata because I pitied him. I never pity anyone. I don't care and that is the truth. But it was different with Demilade. He was like a living machine. He works more than anything. He could do anything just so he could put food on the table. He did everything to help and support his mother and himself. If he was selfish and greedy, God knows what he could have done just to be like us. He kept working, enduring all the hardship and insult. He won't even tell us about his problems sometimes. You will only notice that he is sad and he is struggling. And that's because he doesn't want to beg us even though he knew we have the money to help him. He was like a fucking role model to me even if I never said it out loud. He inspires me a whole lot. He built himself from nothing. From pain, and hard labor. Despite he has a wealthy father somewhere. I can't even imagine how that felt. I get mad a lot at my father for just rejecting my girlfriends all the time because they are from another tribe. Sometimes, I won't even speak with him for months. So how will it have felt being in Demilade's shoes? I swear he is too generous to forgive that man. And it is the fracking truth. "