TWO WEEKS LATER
"Fola, how is your health now?", Mr. Badmus, Bolu's father asked.
I am very much better sir. I'm sorry for the loss sir and I am also sorry for not coming for the funeral", she told him with a sad smile.
It was a Friday and she came to visit her friend. She was happy she could now go out without the help of her mother.
Even though her mother insisted on coming with her but Fola refused to allow her. She was able to convince her mother that she would be fine since Bolu's house wasn't far away from theirs.
"It's alright my dear. So how is your boyfriend or is it fiance?" Mr. Badmus asked winking at her.
Bolu and Fola laughed.
"Actually dad, we are not yet in a relationship."
"Why? What are you waiting for?"
"We haven't talk about that yet. I think he is shy to bring it up again or probably he wants me to get well first before bringing it up."
"Then do the talking."
"Dad, I still feel scared of the whole thing. I feel I am still not ready for a relationship."
"Fola, Fola, don't be like that. Have you prayed over it?"
"I'm also scared to do that and he is going for his service next month."
"Don't deprive your self the joy of being in love. True love exist if that is what you are scared of. Imagine what you went through just to save him from the hands of the kidnappers. You are still on this wheelchair because of him. That is what true love is all about, sacrifices. When he is done with his service and he is ready to start working, do let me know. How old are you if I may ask?"
"I will be 26 next month", she responded with a smile.
"You are a grown up already. Bolu here will be 27 by December and I have told her times without number to tell Femi that I don't want to see her in my house by that time."
"Haa daddy, are you sending me away?", Bolu pouted pretending to be hearing that for the first time.
"That's the truth. You are a woman. I'm serious when I said I want you to get married this year."
"He hasn't proposed yet", Bolu flushed.
"Is that what you are waiting for?"
"Dad, don't you want her to finish her HND first?", Fola asked him.
"Finish school kor finish school ni. Now that she is doing her IT is the right time. She should go and do her HND in her husband's house. I am tired of seeing her big face morning, afternoon and night", he said pulling his tongue out to mock Bolu who was with a frown.
Fola laughed and answered: "But dad, this is the time you need her the most. You will be bored at home now that mum is gone."
He smiled and said to the girls: "I don't want to be selfish, Bolu has her own life to live."
A tear drop from Bolu's eyes. It turned to a whimper which erupted into a loud cry of pain and grief.
A strong woman she is, Fola thought. Even when her mother wasn't there to cater for her, she was still strong. Now that her mother was gone forever, she was broken but still looks strong.
Fol stared at Bolu as her father moved closer to her to console her.
Fola never knew Bolu was also imperfect. She view her friend as a perfect being who had all she wanted except for her mother's attention. She knew that was the only thing her friend lacked.
She used to envy her friend for the kind of family she had. They were kind and rich. Her father dot on her and her only sibling. The love between her mother and her father was obvious and evident. They do not hid it. They do not hesitate to showcase their love whether in public or even in the presence of their children.
Fola envied the attention, the love and the care. She now realised that her friend was also human and she was imperfect just like her.
Fola never knew that her friend also envy her for her intelligence and the motherly love she had.
Bolu embraced her father and they both cried out their heart at their loss.
The only one woman that mattered the most to them. The woman who loved them despite the lack of attention. The selfless woman who was loyal to a fault.
Fola couldn't take it anymore as she watched the crying father and daughter.
She couldn't help but become conscious of her own pain. Her circumstance. Her current disability which she hasn't really given much thought since she regained consciousness.
And she cried too.