10

LOLA

I was indoor throughout today meaning I was unable to attend Ojo’s hearing
and I need no soothsayer to tell me I am in his bad book already. Afterall, he
rejected my call after which he switched off his phone.
Even though I didn’t attend the hearing, I still ensured that I followed the
hearing on various news outlets online. Such that, as soon as he was
granted bail, I saw it which made me try calling his number at night when am
sure he would have gotten home.
The door into my room opened and my mum walked in gently.
“Omolola.” She called.
I ignored her and pretended like I was asleep.
“Omolola, are you sleeping already?” She asked as she touched my feet.
Right from the time I was young, I respond to stimuli from touch in my feet
than other parts of my body. Even when am asleep, all you need to do is
touch my feet a number of times and I will wake up. Little wonder why mum
didn’t bother waking me or confirming if I truly was asleep.
“So, you were pretending?” She asked with a frown as I sprang up.
I looked down as I got down from my bed and left for the bathroom. I
returned moments later to meet my mum in my room. What a strong-willed
woman, even though she was sitting on my bed.
“You just shut yourself indoor, why?” She asked as if she wasn’t aware of
what happened the previous night. “If you feel any anger towards your father
because of the punishment he pronounced last night, you better write off the
anger, because it will do you no good.” She advised like everyone else.
Always potraying the old man as a god. “Am sure you know he is still
responsible for you, your upkeep, your education, even the shelter that you
enjoy under this white roof.” She added.
“He can take them for all I care.” I spoke for the first time.
“You are joking right?” She asked out of suprise.
“No, am not.” I replied defiantly. “Mum! How can I be joking, if at twenty five,
dad still make decisions for me. Most of my mates at twenty five are
graduates, working class and even married. I was left behind because dad
believed I am not matured to be in the university until I clocked eighteen. And
even at eighteen, I was not able to pass the tertiary exams until my second
attempt. Mum, even now at twenty five he still ruled my life.” I poured out.
“Well, he ruled your other siblings life until they got married and none of
them complained. Now they are doing fine, why should yours be different?”
“Mine is different because I alone own my life and I alone make decisions
concerning my life, because I take all the blames if things go wrong.” I replied
calmly.
Mum looked at me for a while, not knowing what to say.
“What was the court’s judgement?” She asked shocking me to the marrow.
“Who?” I asked out of shock.
She gave me a stern look before replying. “Your boyfriend.”
“He has been granted bail and the hearing adjourned.” I replied.
“Do you love him?” she asked.
“Yes mum. I love him very much.”
Even though I have been hiding it by keeping to myself always and locking
myself in my room, there is no way I was going to hide tonight. I started
feeling nauseous just like I feel every morning which results into me throwing
up.
“Are you okay?” Being a sharp woman, mum asked.
“Yes mum. Am fine.” I replied.
She stared at me for a while, probably studying me for any changes in my
physical outlook, even though there was nothing of such.
“Are you sure you are okay?” She asked, more emphatically this time.
I nodded in the affirmative.
She stood up. “Goodnight.” She muttered.
As she got to the door, she stopped. “You know you can always talk to me if
something is bothering you. Trust me, I won’t be mad at you.” She said as if
reading my mind.
“Am pregnant.” I announced silently.
Mum stared at me in horor. I knew she was expecting it, but she wasn’t
expecting it that minute.
“Hope by telling her of my current condition, I won’t be subjected to further
misery by my wicked father?” was the question I asked myself as mum
walked back to where I stood.

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9

OJO

At exactly 7:30PM, I was led into Barrister Ben’s apartment by Ben himself. I
am very grateful to him because he successfuly convinced the judge who
adjourned the hearing as well as granting me bail, but not after paying a sum
of money, all thanks to Ben as well. Despite not knowing me from Adam, he
still helped me to the extreme which I doubt any member of my family could
do. For an outsider to do that, I am greatly indebted to such person.
“Welcome to my humble abode.” The dark skinned, heavily built lawyer said
as we walked in.
Two little kids ran up to him and jumped on him in excitement.
“Welcome dad.” They greeted.
“How are you? Princess, Junior.” He asked calling their names or nicknames
as I don’t know yet.
“Am fine dad, Uncle has gone back to school.” The eldest, the girl replied.
“Dad, there is no school tomorrow.” The boy replied.
“You guys can go to your room, we have a visitor and you must….?” He
instructed stopping midway.
“Behave.” They chorused and he patted them.
“Sit down please.” He said to me.
I was carried away by the display from his children and just then, I
remembered Lola. Even though I am angry with her. Why won’t she show up
at my hearing? Is she deserting me already? Is she leaving me to bear my
cross alone? Whatever happened to our for life vows.
“This is the least I can do for now. It is dangerous to allow you return to
your apartment alone and since your bail is granted, I can’t allow you return
to the cell. And thank God, you heard what my police friend said, he will need
to see you from time to time for questioning, and my apartment seems
perfect for that.” He paused.
“Thank you very much sir.” I said sincerly.
“Call me Ben.” He corrected.
Just then a young lady walked out from where I presumed was a kitchen.
Judging from her dressing and traces of oil on the apron she was wearing, I
knew she was coming from the kitchen.
“Welcome sir.” She greeted Ben kneeling down.
“How are you dear?” Ben asked.
“Am fine.” She replied.
Ben faced me, then faced his sister. “This is Ojo, my client. He will be staying
with us for now. I expect you to respect him and ensure he never lacked
anything.” He said.
He didn’t bother introducing the girl to me and I had a hard time restraining
my hand from seeking the girl’s hand for a handshake. As it is obvious that
Ben only wanted the girl to know me, but doesn’t want me to know her.
“Prepare the guest room for him and take the kids with their homework,
remember, Kelvin is back to school. And until your school resumes, the job of
assisting them with their school work rests on you.”
Judging from the way he spoke, one would conclude that he is a man of
authority and discipline. I knew I had to brace myself for the coming days,
because I know there are rules. Rules which must not be broken to avoid
being evicted. Even though he has indirectly told me two of the rules, one is
to stay clear of his children, afterall he didn’t introduce me to them, the
second rule is to stay clear of his sister. “I will survive.” I concluded.
“I will go in now. I guess dinner is not yet ready. As soon as it is, she will
call you to the table as well as show you your room once she is done setting
it up. Until then, enjoy yourself with the tv.” He said dropping the remote
control on my laps.
I nodded affirmatively as I stared at the screen where a movie was being
aired.
One hour later, I was led into my room by Ben’s sister whose name I still
don’t know.
“There is a bathroom and toilet attached to the room.” She said opening a
door at the extreme of the room to show me the restroom. “Everything you
need is here and in case you run out of anything or you need something new,
don’t hesitate to tell Uncle Ben about it.”
I nodded with a smile.
“Goodnight.” She said walking away.
“Wait!”
she stopped and gave me an askance look, but just that moment, my phone
rang and on checking the screen, it was no other person than Lola.
“Never mind.” I said to Ben’s sister who walked out gently.
I angrily rejected Lola’s call and subsequently switched off my phone.
I can’t wait to lay my body on the king sized bed that stood before me.
—
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8

LOLA

The time was 11am and I have been home all morning praying and hoping
that God gives me a bit of chance to be able to attend Ojo’s hearing, even
though it started an hour ago, and I doubt if hearings take that long, but in
my situation, I don’t mind if they spend six hours hearing the case, all I want
to ensure is that, I made it to the hearing before it ends.
Waking up this morning, I was in high spirit ad I sang throughout my morning
chores, even before mum woke up. I was done cleaning the whole house and
I was even tempted to make breakfast, but one thing dad would never do is
eat a meal different from that of his wife as breakfast or dinner. He has never
done it, at least, in my presence. He would rather starve and go to work
without eating than eat another woman’s food.
I could vivdly remember when I was sixteen. Then I started cooking difficult
meals without supervision, and I was pretty good at it. I learnt a new method
of cooking a particular meal on television and I put it to practice in the
kitchen. Dad returned home and instead of praising me demanded for another
dinner which mum happily prepared. I and my siblings had to finish the food
one way or the other. I was angry for days and avoided dad, but when my
anger finally dissipated, I challenged him to tell me why he doesn’t eat food
except from his wife.
His reply was; “I am a man and I love food. Technically, your mum won her
way into my heart with her kitchen skills and I don’t regret it. My only
weakness is good food, if I mistakenly eat from another woman and the food
is good, I may end up falling for her.” He laughed after explaining to me.
Till date, I don’t know if he was joking or serious, but whichever ways, he
still doesn’t eat outside. Even when mum travelled for business, he has a
way of mixing things in the kitchen and eating before we wake up and by the
time we did, he was done and already dressed.
As soon as I was done cleaning the house, I proceeded to taking my bath and
getting dressed and by the time I was done, dad was ready for work and he
had this for me;
“I am going to work now. Lola, don’t let us fight.” He said.
I ignored his warning and greeted him instead. “Good morning dad.”
“Good morning daughter.” He replied. “I believe you still knew your grounding
stands?” He asked, shattering my fragile heart with the question.
I had totally forgotten about yesterday night when he ruled that I must not
go beyond the four walls of the compound. And according to him; “you may
be twenty eight years and a working class. If you are in good terms with me,
you can go to Abuja without telling me. But once you offend me, you can’t
stand up except I tell you to. And the worst you can do is leave my house
and never to return for life.”
Even though I was far from being twenty eight years, neither was I a working
class, therefore, I have nowhere to go at least for now.
As early as 7am, dad left the house for work and I was happy at the
development, because most times when he decides to punish us, he will sit
at home with us all day to ensure that we complied with his punishment.
I did everything humanly possible to ensure that mum left for her shop very
early. While she bathed and dressed up, I quickly took her bag to the car and
before she was done, I dished the food already.
“Its like you planned going against your father’s ruling today. So, you are
good all of a sudden to buy my support.” She said as laughed as she ate
while I sat opposite her in the dinning room.
I smiled.
“In your own interest, don’t go against his ruling. This may be your last
chance.” She added.
I swallowed hard. “But mum….” My voice trailed.
“See you later darling.” With this, she stood up and walked to the exit.
“But I love him.” I cried as I finally let out the tears.
She only looked back at me, smiled and walked out.
“Let the come come and let the happen happen. I must see Ojo today.” I
concluded defiantly as I ran into my room, and three minutes after mum left
the house, I was done.
I immediately ran outside. “Abeg, open the gate.” I told the gateman who
only looked at me briefly before returning his attention to the phone he was
holding. “Are you deaf? When did you start going against orders in this
house? I think I will have to report you to dad.” I threatened, but he said
nothing which infuriated me the more.
Just then I heard a light knock on the gate and as soon as the gateman
made moves to open the gate, I had concluded my plans on how to put my
expertise at athletics to use. But I went numb immediately the gate opened,
because I saw nobody else standing except my dad.
“Welcome Oga.” The gateman greeted.
My dad ignored his greeting and moved towards me.
“Its an order, but you can defy it.” With this, he walked into the house. That moment, I knew I can’t defy his orders because he dared me to already.
I hope Ojo understands.

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