𝟑𝟎 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥

~~ 27. ~~

          Surprise and excitement were written on her face when she saw Demilade. She didn't recognize him at first.

"Oh, my God! Oluwademilade Darlington. Is this really you?" She asked.

          A grin spread on Demilade face making him look so good. He prostrated and greeted the woman.

"Oh, my God. It's so good to see you, my son." She said in Yoruba dialect. And she pulled him into a hug. He hugged her back. The woman looked too small in Demilade arms because of his tall and big stature

"I miss you. You decide not to visit us all this while." She complained.

"You know I am very busy. But I am here now. I miss all of you too." He said to her.

"That's good. Is that a new car?" She asked. She never likes the fact that he always spends huge amounts of money getting cars.

"It's just one of them." He answered waving it off.

           She nodded and then noticed Lola standing some distance from them.

"My dear. I'm so sorry. I didn't notice you." She looked sorry. Lola smiled and greeted her.

"Big mom, this is my friend Tiwalola." Demilade introduced her.

"You're welcome, my dear." She said to Lola. "Let's go inside."

             It was then Lola saw the big board with the inscription 'SECOND HOME ORPHANAGE'. So it was an orphanage.

           They entered the building and walked past two ladies who were at the reception desk discussing. They greeted them with a polite smile as they entered and walked past them.

             They passed through a corridor containing offices and other small rooms that were locked. The building was neat and nice. They were closed-circuit television in almost every corner of the building. They took a series of steps to the next floor of the building where the noises of children and playing children visit them.

             The building was like a big hall. It was divided into sections. Children of different ages were in different parts of the room running and playing around. Some were in front of the television at the far end of the room. Others were playing with toys while some were reading in groups.

            It was sad to see all the beautiful children there who didn't have a family or whose families had abandoned them.

"Their numbers are increasing," Demillade said with something in his voice that Lola did not seem to understand.

           She looked at him but she said nothing.

"Yes. We take some lone children on the street. Some of them had been forced to learn how to steal and pickpocket from people. Coming here was freedom for some while others are still trying so hard to adapt. The counsellor had been doing a good job to help them. "Big mom said.

           Lola felt for the kids.

"Let's go to my office. I need to talk with you." She said to Demilade. He nodded and they crossed to another direction of the building.

           They were rows of rooms in that part of the building. Lola saw baby cots with sleeping babies in them in two of the room. The next room had a large space with colourful paintings and wallpaper on the wall.

"Can I look around?" Lola said stopping them.

"Of course dear. Just tell whoever is there that you are from me." Big mom said.