₦airaland Forum

CONTINUATION



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The meeting started quite well. Some reminisced happy memories. Then the eldest of the big family, Louis' grandfather opened the matter on ground about Ola and his estranged wife- Dupe. He went as far as recounting how they met, got together and eventually started a family until the night he heard of their sketchy seperation.



Dupe felt and looked scared each time she caught Ola's glance and vice versa. The shocking fact was that they wore the exact, same cloth and colour which made them both uncomfortable. Her elder sister then spoke in place of their mum that was yet to arrive. She emphasized on why Ola should take back his wife and stop the childish attitudes they displayed over ten years. Heads nodded in agreement, a few others sneered at her contribution. They werent here to make matters easier, thus they interjected cunningly between deliberations. They werent in support of a woman defiling her matrimonial bed and then forsake all in the name of self pity.



Dupe marked them with her eyes and kept them in check.




Bolu, Louis, and Helen were ordered to keep indoors till the deliberation finished. How long was uncertain. Doing nothing, and again within a restricted space was just not fun to them. Bolu later suggested they sneak out to the football field in their area. They arrived the already busy field and mixed up to enjoy the game.



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Ola soon opened up when he was beckoned to speak. He revealed a decade-long hurt. It could be call the 'Hall of Pain' as he dissected her shortcomings till the room kept silent. It was obviously painful to him. Dupe was already in tears. She didnt need a remembrance of her faults. Humans were generally all guilty of fault. Why would Ola take that to discuss on? Then Ola changed 'gear' .



"That night, i reacted just the way any man would have. I resulted to doing what i detested- drinking. I never enjoyed it. Were it a stranger i caught you with, perhaps my hurt would have been less. But Bayo!" He stood up and faced the wall "Why and How?"




"If you strived harder to take my mind off my ever busy schedule, it might have paid off. But no, you gave up easily. The primetime you needed from me, you you gave up. Just i doubt you would have taken the direction you did...... Bayo's."


Ola strode to her back and leaned on her seat looking up. Those around couldnt understand his impromptu action yet. Granpa was seen biting his nails. He only did that whenever he was uncomfortable. Ola continued.....


"As a mother, you could wrestle one or two of the kids from me. But you left all. Did you think I would have filed for a divorce? Was this line of action in anticipation of your coming back, perhaps as a hero? Or it was a premonition that i could better handle them all? Was this a sign that you still trusted me after you took that decision to leave?

Or rather still, a decoy to have some fresh air to shape me to be the man you wanted afterall? I wish it was!" He leaned over to look her in her eyes. She couldnt return the gaze. Then he switched to speaking his dialect-Yoruba.


"We built an empire our size, you left me remorseful to gather the rules, make decisions. I'm a man, its possible i could survive. But not without the woman of my dreams besides me. Helen no doubt needed you the most." She turned at the mention of her daughter's name. Ola had hit a cord. "Louis, Bolu!"


Throats cleared, but Ola continued. His throat felt dry as well and he cleared it as well. He scanned faces to register agreement, or otherwise. His uncle nodded back at him.


Ola continued and soon Granpa signalled for him to stop. He was already making his aged father the more uncomfortable. Then Dupe interjected...


"But Ola!"


"Dupe!"


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Song- Kci and Jojo- Tell me its real