Blaze

Episode 9

  After service the next day, Mum and I stopped on our way home at a grocery store. I was quite uncomfortable all through the time we spent at the store because oh well...my mother asked the Pastor to pray for me concerning Fola's matter and that didn't just sit well with me. Why would she just divulge my personal life to our Pastor and even ask him to pray for me? Did I tell her I needed prayers? She was an angel just yesterday but right now she is just pissing me off. That's one of the reasons I just didn't want to tell her anything.
  'Let's go Toun', the sound of her voice almost took away my anger. I was totally lost in thought. I glanced across the counter to the cashier, then back to the shopping basket my mother was carrying. I collected the basket and headed towards the car. She tipped the sales girl who helped her with the other bags and sent her off. I was about getting into the passengers seat when she handed the key to me and said, 'You drive'. I gave her a disappointing sigh.
 It takes about 30minutes to get home from church on a normal day. But well, traffic won't just let us be great today. For some reason known to me, I kept checking the rearview mirror to be certain nobody was following us. The fear of Fola is the beginning of wisdom.
  'Do you have Fola's number?', my Mum asked out of nowhere. Surprised, I widened my eyes and turned my gaze at her.
'Eyes on the road Sheila. Do you have his number?' She repeated without wincing. How did she even know I was looking at her? Her head was down and she was fixated on her phone. How did she see me?
'Yes', I said swallowing hard, almost choking. Without permission, she took my phone.
  'I've told you several times to stop locking your phone. Whats the code?', she said softly, like she couldn't get any harder.
  '2950', I said, still surprised that she took my phone.
  'What's the contact name?'
'Fola Lawal, Mummy what are you doing? You..'
'Shhhh...don't interrupt me', she said.

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 Lunch was pounded yam and Egusi soup with chunks of meat and fish here and there. It took a while before lunch was ready but it was worth it to the very last morsel. We both ate in silence. The only noise from my apartment was the crashing of forks and knives against ceramic plates. After lunch, I was expecting Mum to call me and start the talk about Fola. But she surprised me and said nothing. I was in my room preparing for work for the week when I heard my door bell. For no sane reason, I was not particularly concerned about who was at the door. About ten minutes later, I realized it was my house and whoever was at the door was my business as well. I casually went downstairs in my tank top, shorts and slides. I somehow forgot I was wearing socks. To my not-so-much-of-a-suprise, it was Segun. The first thing that came to my head was, 'What's this guys problem?'.
  'Hi Toun', he said standing up. My mother turned back to see me, got up and came closer to me.
  'You really should give him a chance. He's a good man', she whispered in my ear, patted my shoulder softly and went upstairs. Segun had called me like a million times since yesterday and sent about a dozen messages. I ignored them all. And now he showed up in my house, again?! This guy is just so unbelieveble.
  'What are you doing here Segun?', I asked still standing folding my arms.
  'Toun, I'm very sorry for what I did the other day. I honestly don't know what else you want me to say,' he said quietly looking at his entangled fingers.
  'Why are you even in my house? Does it not occ...'
  'Toun I love you.' He spat out. Line of the century! My eyes widened and I mockingly turned my head sideways, feeling cute and all. A million thoughts ran through my head and a billion other butterflies went lose in my stomach. I smiled sheepishly placing my left hand on my chest. Did he just say he loves me? I must be going really crazy these days.
'I just couldn't bring myself to the fact that someone else wanted you. I acted out of jealousy Toun', he said looking away. This is getting really interesting. I moved over and sat on the couch just beside him. I took his hands in mine, looked at him and responded, 'What took you so long?'. Happiness danced in his eyes., he wasn't really good at hiding his feelings, it was obvious. He smiled so much I was scared his lips would tear. He was going to cry. I was surprised, shouldn't I be the one crying here?
  'It won't happen again', he said and hugged me. He smelt of coffee and mint. His cologne was familiar, or maybe it was just my imagination. I caught my mothers eyes from the staircase. Was she peeking and eavesdropping again?

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'What's between you and my daughter?', my mother asked Fola. I was really surprised when I saw Fola sitting at a table in the restaurant we just got into and scared when we eventually sat across him at the same table. I shot my Mom an angry look but she just smiled and said, 'You can't possibly run away forever'
  'I ask you again Mr Lawal. What's between you and my daughter?', She just asked a question and he refused to answer. He was staring at me point blank. But I wasn't looking at him. I was looking at my hands and feet which were gradually becoming cold. I felt like a child on her first day of kindergarten.
'Why not ask your daughter ma'am?', he responded. Rude fellow! My anger was on the increase but I chose not to interfere.
  'That wasn't so polite of you young man. I could pass for your mother', she said. Without giving him time to process what she just said or time to answer, she said again, 'I am here because of my daughter. She explained to me what happened between you two, plus the fact that you hit here. Please stop pestering her and never you hit her again!', she said audibly. She didn't have to raise her voice to drive home her point. Fola laughed sarcastically.
 'People have either died or walked out on me and you expect me to let go of the one thing I finally want to hold on to? No ma, its not going to happen. Toun here is mine', he said angrily. I looked into his eyes this time. They were gradually turning red. A fine scale between anger and tears. I couldn't stand this guy disrespecting my Mother again.
  'Hey hey hey...get yourself some atom of respect. Its my mother you are addressing', I finally said
  'Shut your mouth lady. I'm not done addressing your mother', he said. His words slapped me.
 'Hold it right there young man, you don't snap at my daughter like that'.
Mama bear! My mother shot him a look I hadn't seen in years. He looked sideways as if signalling for help. I was transfixed.
 'Let's go dear', my mother said carrying her bag. I picked my phone and turned to leave but a cold arm grabbed my wrist. I turned in shock to see Fola's face. His eyes were very red, he was fighting back his tears.
  'Don't walk out on me Toun', he said soberly, shaking his head. 'Please don't. I really need you', he continued. I felt no pity for him.
 'You should have started off like this', I jerked my wrist free off his almost-tight grip.
  'Let's go', my mother repeated as I walked towards her. The walk of freedom. Freedom from Fola.