Second Chance (Inspired by True Event)

CHAPTER 2

At Ayomide's House ♤♤♤♤

“Sister Ebun, thank you for the food" Tofunmi said, placing her dirty plate beside the ones Ebun was washing.

“You're welcome my love. I hope you enjoyed it?" Ebun asked, smiling sweetly at her.

" I did. Are you sure you don't want me to help you with the dishes?”

" No my love. It's getting late already and I don't want your grandma to think I'm keeping you here till this time. Besides, your friend over there is already looking at me like he ate pork for dinner and not spaghetti and sauce” She drawled, glaring at her younger brother figure at the doorway.

“Sister Ebun, please now," He pleaded.

“Kini?"

“I really want to escort Tofunmi to her house before Mummy and Daddy comes back" he said.

“Ehhhn? Did I hold you?" she raised her hands dramatically in the air.

“Sister mi, joor na" He made a puppy face that made Ebun sneer at him while Tofunmi fought back the urge to laugh at his behavior.

" You've not told me why you're begging me”

" Please, don't tell Mom and Dad I went out, please!" he brought his two hands together pleadingly.

“Fine. But I'm only doing it for Tofunmi's sake"

“Thanks, Sister Ebun," Tofunmi smiled, appreciatively.

“Thank you, ma “ Ayomide said.

" You better starting going before they come back. And make sure you're back on time because I won't save you if they found out you left the house"

" Yes ma!” He yelled at the top of his voice, swiftly dragged Tofunmi out of the kitchen and out of the house.

" Where did you say your parent went to again?” She questioned, as they made their way down the road.

" They went for prayer at the Bishop's house “ he replied.

" And they didn't take you along?”

" Yes. The prayer was meant for the workforce__ like pastors, reverends, evangelists, and so on sha “

“Now I understand why you didn't go" Tofunmi smirked.

“Leave that one joor. Has your Grandma gone to LIRS tax office for the tax clearance thing we were told to get in school for the help of our waec registration? “ He asked.

" Ahhh! I swear I actually forgot to tell her o,” Tolani exclaimed.

“I already told my Dad and he said he knows a LIRS tax office close by here in Surulere. We're going there next week"

“I'll have to tell my Grandma about it. It's really important. By the way, did your dad tell you the amount to pay for the tax clearance thing?" Tolani asked, anxiously waiting for his response.

“Yes. Why?" He rose a brow at her reaction.

“How much is it?"

“It's twenty thousand naira"

Tofunmi's face paled on hearing the amount.

“Ah ah, kilode?" He asked.

“Mide the money is too much. What if my Grandma is unable to afford it before WAEC registration is over?" Tofunmi panicked.

“Hey! Don't say that now. Have faith in her."

“But__"

“No buts, Tofunmi. Those are negative thoughts running into your head and you're giving into them" He frowned at her.

“I'm sorry. I was worried, you know Grandma has done a lot for us and I don't want her to —”

He cut her off again.

“It's okay, it's okay. Do you know what? Breathe in,"

She inhaled then exhaled quickly. Too quickly.

" What's wrong with you na? “ He whined, poking her shoulder. " I didn't say you should breathe out yet “

" Ma bìnú na" she rolled her eyes.

“Breathe in" he watched as she inhaled. “Out." she exhaled.

“You ehhn?"

They laughed. Holding each other's hands. The otherwise peaceful moment was scattered when Mummy Desmond approached them.

“Mummy Desmond, good evening, ma" Tofunmi greeted.

“There is nothing good about this evening" she eyed Tofunmi squarely.

“Ma, is something wrong?"

“Did you deliver my message to your grandma yesterday?"

“Yes ma, I did. And she said she was going to call you “

" Since yesterday I've not heard from her. And today too I tried calling several times but she refused to pick abi?” She yelled.

" Maybe she wasn't with her phone when you called “ Tofunmi, who didn't understand why she was this angry, tried to reason with her.

“She wasn't with her phone, abi? Okay tell her that if I don't hear from her till Sunday, she won't like to see the other side of me . I want my money complete or that day she's going to see another version of me"

And with that said, the agitated Mummy Desmond walked away, leaving Tofunmi puzzled.

“What money is she talking about?" She asked to no one in particular.

Ayo was about to say something when his phone started vibrating in his pocket.

" It's sister Ebun “ he said to Tolani, who was waiting for him to pick the call.

" Ayo, pick it now!” she urged him.

“No. I'm sure my parents won't be back until another one hour"

“That doesn't mean you shouldn't pick your sister's call. And it's best you start going already"

“What? I want to walk you home joor”

" Ayo, we're just two blocks from my house you. Go home, unless you want your sister to tell your Mom and Dad you were outside “

" Okay, let me just walk you to your gate and I'll be going home “

" No. Start going or I'll have to use grandma's phone to call Sister Ebun that you intentionally ignored her calls. You know that'll make her want to tell your parents about your little escapade" Tofunmi threatened.

“Ahhh! You ehhn?"

“Me what? Be going. I want to watch you as you leave my street"

He mimicked her words. Tofunmi glared at him and reached for a small stone on the floor when she heard him say:

“Oya, I'm going, I'm going, I'm going" taking backward steps as he said it.

“No, you for stay na” she clicked her tongue and started walking to her house.

When she got home she found Adenike sitting in her favourite chair that usually faced the entrance of the sitting room.

Tofunmi made her way to Adenike's side to tell her about the tax clearance and what occurred on the road with Mummy Desmond, but then she halted in her steps all of a sudden. She noticed her grandma was staring blankly at the screen of her phone and was oblivious to Tofunmi's presence. That felt off, because her grandma wasn't usually so lost in thought.

Curious, she peeked at the phone screen and saw it was a message. She began to read it silently from behind Adenike.

Ibukun mi, I called like always but you didn't pick up. This one is urgent. please, we need money . it's understandable to me if you're not ready to talk to your children, but they need money for their upcoming WAEC registration and exam. I'm already in so much debt that hasn't been settled. Ejoor, do this for your daughters. I don't have enough to pay for the necessary things they'll be needing and I don't know who to run to for help this period. So please, spare these children for me.

Tofunmi's face devoid of color after reading the message. And there were lots of them that hadn't been replied.

Here she wanted to tell her grandma about the tax clearance fee and Mummy Desmond demanding money, but what she r******w broke something inside her.

The old woman was struggling to take care of her grandchildren while her daughter was somewhere out there enjoying singlehood, or a far better life.

A lone tear escaped, but Tolani quickly wiped it away and tapped her grandma on the shoulder.

Startled, she jumped in her seat and snapped out when she saw Tofunmi behind her.

“Kí ni o n se níbí,eh Tofunmi? Aren't you supposed to be asleep by now? “ she yelled, agitated.

" It's just past seven in evening and I just got__”

" My friend will you get out from here!“

That startled Tofunmi, but she didn't argue. She walked back to the room she and Tolani shared and met her sister arranging the bed.

"Sis, you're back"

Tofunmi didn't respond. She took out her clothes and headed for the bathroom. Her action got Tolani confused.

When she came back to her room in her sleeping clothes, Tolani was sitting patiently at the bed, drumming her fingers on the mattress.

“Sis, you look like you've seen a ghost. Are you alright?"

Still Tofunmi said nothing.

" Sis, talk to me now. What is it?”

"Kiddo “ Tofunmi called out.

" Mmmn?”

" Did you tell grandma about Mr Osas?”Tofunmi questioned.

" Yes I did. She said she was going to call him later. What happened?”

" Mummy Desmond. Remember she told us to deliver a message to Grandma yesterday, complain about grandma not picking her calls “

" Yes I do. Same thing Mr Osas complained about. Ah ah? “ she furrowed her brows at Tofunmi.

“Today, Mummy Desmond met me on my way coming back from Ayo’s place. She was very very angry that Grandma wasn't picking her calls. At some point she mentioned Grandma paying her back her money in full. What comes to your mind with a statement like that?"

Realization dawn on Tolani instantly.

“Are you saying Grandma is owing her money? No. Maybe we should ask Grandma first before we jump to conclusion"

“ I tried to, but she snapped at me. I also wanted to tell her about the tax clearance thing. I heard from Ayo that it's 20k"

“Jesus!!! 20k?" Tolani was taken aback.

“What are we going to do?"

“ Let's ask Aunty Stella for some money. She might be able to help us with half of the money for the tax clearance " Tofunmi suggested.

“Then how do we tell Grandma we came up with the money?"

“We'll tell her the truth. Aunty Stella supported us for the tax clearance"

" Sis?”

" Look, there's nothing to worry about for now. Tomorrow you can just go to that hair dresser at the junction and help them there. Collect even if it's 1k or 2k. While I assist grandma at work to lessen the stress for her.

" That's a good idea “ she smiled, then yawned. " Omo, I'm tired like mad “

" How many farm did you clear today that you're tired?” Tofunmi asked, reaching for a book side the bedstand.

" What are you trying to do?” Tolani asked.

" Read, of course “ she replied nonchalantly.

"In this room, where only these two candles are lighting up the place and you want to read? Tell me, do you want to be the next Chinua Achebe?”

" It'll surprise you to see that it's me that will write Things fall apart, part 3," Tofunmi winked at her sister.

“O gbadun wálái!"

Tofunmi chuckled and poked Tolani on her side. The latter shrieked and said.

" Koshí lor jóór "

They laughed. And for a moment it was just the two sisters, savoring peace of mind and happiness.