Fate of love

The truth

Esther glanced at her son, starring at him continuously as he uses his laptop on the couch, folding his leg like a monk. She sighed. Everything was quiet but the tap of Tayo’s finger on his laptop gently made a fuss. Esther was overwhelmed with joy, but bitterness was also kept in bay. Tayo had became a workaholic just so that he can throw away his past, but that seem not to be the case. Tayo judged all ladies based on Ibukun’s betrayal towards him. Tayo, when will your fiancée come to visit me? Esther asked as she gently sat by him. Mummy, I told you not to push hard on this, God will provide one for me when it is the right time. Tayo, it is that right time I what to know, when is that right time when you don’t even make effort to get one? Mum, am I supposed to make an advert that I am in search of a wife? He giggled and set his glasses well then shifted his laptop. That reminds me mum, have you taken your drugs? I need to set something in my room. Tayo, you are walking out on me, I am going to report you to MRS Tosin. Tayo rushed upstairs to avoid his mother’s conversation.

Tayo scrutinize the display shelf picking up the beverages he need while his phone rang. Ha, mummy. Hello ma, I was going to come to your place today. Immediately I leave here, I am coming he smiled lavishly. Tayo raised his head only to see Ibukun at the other side of the shelf. Mummy, I will call you back he kept his phone inside his pocket and starred at Ibukun till she saw him. Tayo didn’t move close to her because he was burning in anger and felt so much betrayed. He said to himself look at her, she can’t even say hello. She must have been a very greedy person, I should have known from the start. Ibukun noticed Tayo was looking at her. She didn’t understand what she could have done instead. She turned to the other side of the shelf pretending it was nothing. Imagine her, hiding after all she has done. Wasn’t she supposed to make up an apology? Ibukun felt so uncomfortable; why is he looking at me like that? His looks expressed so much anger like he is going to strangle me. Maybe it is not safe in here, Ibukun left to the cahier in hurry.

Mummy, you won’t believe what I saw today. Remember the girl I told you about, Tayo comfort himself on the couch. Hmmm, that must be Ibukun I guess, Tosin replied. Yes, she is the one. Jeez, I saw her today at the mall. There was no remorseful act in her actions. I resent her a lot. From the matches, one could learn what the effect of medicine can be. I should have known from the start, Tayo lay back on the chair. Anger avails nothing. Patience is the father of character. An elder who has patience has everything. Moreover, Tayo, you are being selfish by judging her, Tosin added. Mum, I am not judging her. It’s just what she had done. The man who loves meat of funeral, why does he always recover when he falls ill? Mummy, what is the meaning of the proverb. You will understand soon. Have you even listened to her side of the story before judging? She has no story or excuses, she clearly avoided me at the mall, if she had one, she could have told me then. She might have felt terrible and couldn’t bring herself to tell you. But Mum, why are you on her side instead of mine?

Mum, I can’t believe you never told me there has always been a CCTV camera in our house, not until Tobi sighted it and told me while we were practicing calculus, Adeola frowned her face expressing so much disappointment. Oh, that’s true. Even I myself have forgotten about it. Okay then, but mum can you help me retrieve the tape. Sure, I should. I should be able to see my memories with brother Tayo and sister Ibukun, Adeola said to herself.

Morass in thought, Ibukun gets a mood swing. She never knew what she could have done differently even if she wanted to get out of it, Ibukun just kept her worries to herself. Why am I always like this? Not as if I have a particular thing I think of, but why, she dragged herself into a discombobulated state. She stood up, walked to the window of her office, while she heard a knock on the door; yes, come in. Toyin walked in with a file on her hand. She kept it on the table and walked towards Ibukun. The chemistry between them grew stronger like that of sisters; ma’am, is anything the problem? Toyin, I don’t seem to understand myself anymore, she felt so worried. How is that possible, you own yourself, why won’t you understand yourself? I just don’t, what I even think of, I can’t figure it out and then it pushes me to anger. Oops, then you need to see a psychologist. I think I should.

Dark and fading, all was silent. Ibukun sat by the door step with her headset covering her ear while she heard voice whisper. Who is there? She called out, but there was no response. After a while she heard another voice reciting a poem. I sat by the corridor all alone wondering how to make it up to her, but there she was, thinking she was a parasite to me and trying to make up for it.I got enough glance at her beautiful face, looking carefully over and over again, but I got carried away with the fact that she worries too much and it bothers me. I walked up to her, picked up her bag and walked her into the room, God knows about all our worries and burdens but why do you still worry so much about it? Leave it to Him. He knows how to take care of it. She smiled with tears rolling down her eye. The mood in the room became very affectionate, as Little air caresses through our skin making me more emotional. I do not need a hero to fight for me nor do I need a magician, all I need has always been you, the way you comfort me and help me know that God is at work for me, I bless the day I met you. I looked at her flooded eyes, wiping them with my hand as mine too rolled down I said; don’t worry honey, all will pass away. Who is there!!! She echoed till she jumped up in her bed. I think I have heard that voice before, but who could that be? She pushed back her pillow and slide off her bed. She rubbed her forehead with her left hand as she operates her phone with her right hand suddenly she slide to Tayo’s picture. Flashes hit her head, she missed her step on the stairs; she shouted mummy!!! That was her last word till she laid flat on the ground. Mojisola rushed out of the kitchen; what is it Ibukun, she said calmly been unaware of the state Ibukun was. Ibukun! Ibukun!! Ibukun!!! She moved closer suddenly her leg hits Ibukun’s phone. Where is this girl? And why is her phone on the ground? Mojisola held back her thought and wouldn’t want to believe what her thought throws at her. Jesus, Mojisola shouted as she rushed to Ibukun on the ground; Ibukun, mummy is here please open your eyes, Mojisola wept.

At the hospital, Mojisola rushed to the doctor immediate he stepped out of Ibukun’s ward. Doctor, please how is doing. I actually don’t know what was wrong with her, she suddenly shouted, and the next thing I knew was that I met her on the floor. Mummy, don’t worry, she will be fine. She had a great shock which affected her muscles. She will have to be on wheel chair for a while, but Just hold on the nurse will bring the x-ray of her head’s condition, but please come with me to my office. Okay doctor.

Adeola laughed lavishly as she washed the CCTV tape suddenly, a scene caught her attention. I don’t understand, where is aunty Jelila taking the money to? But why did she take the money at the very first instance? I am very sure my mum didn’t send her, because if she did, aunty Jelila wouldn’t have tiptoed, she will walk freely. Could this be a secret behind Brother Tayo leaving the house, she pondered. Mummy! Adeola called out to know exactly where Favor was as she walked up to her. Favor crossed her leg in the garden enjoy the cool breeze caressing her skin while Adeola rushed to her; mum, can you tell me where brother Tayo traveled to? Why are you asking me this all of a sudden? Please don’t ruin my day young lady. Did you chase him out or he traveled? Deola Favor got mad that she was force to let the cat out of the bag; yes I chased him away, I can’t tolerate a thief in my house. Was it because of the money aunty Jelila took in your drawer? What do you mean by the money Jelila took in my drawer? It’s all inside the coverage. Jeez, where is it? It’s inside, I just finish watching it. Without hesitation, Favor hurried inside. Favor watched the video got shock and suddenly shouted; Jesus!!! I have wronged him. I should have known he would never do such a disgustful thing, she felt so bad and resenting herself. Mummy what is the matter? Did you finally get the truth about the money? Yes my dear, I have to find Tayo. Adeola, was there any address on your birthday present, the DR Ife’s one? No, I rechecked all everyday but no address. Okay, can you please call Jelila for me? So it wasn’t Tayo who took the money, it was Jelila who placed the money in his room. But why did she do that? Tayo has done nothing wrong ever since he came into this house instead he took me as his sister and treated Adeola like his sister too. How could I have judged him that way?

The nurse walked in with a big brown envelop in her hand. She handed it over to the doctor after which she walked out of the office. Mummy, I need you to calm down because I really have something to tell you but I can’t just say it out there the other time. Ibukun has what we call Apraxia. Doctor can please explain better. What is Apraxia? Mojisola was scared even the name of the illness wrapped grievance around her head. Apraxia is a poorly understood neurological condition. People who have it find it difficult or impossible to make certain motion movements, even though the muscles are normal. It can occur in a number of forms. One form is orofacial apraxia. People with orofacial apraxia are unable to voluntarily perform certain movements involving facial muscles. For instance, they may not be able to lick their lip or wink another form of apraxia affects a person’s ability to intentionally move arms or legs. Mojisola just starred continuously at the doctor, all that rings in her head was that her only daughter is half dead. For now Ibukun is unable to speak, so I will transfer her to the special care ward, the doctor added. Mojila could not say a word. Her tears did all the speech that was needed of her.

Madam Adeola say you dey call me, Jelila rubbed her wet hands against her blouse. Yes I did, who took the money in my wardrobe the other day? No be me, them don thief another one after the one wey Tayo thief? Haaa aunty Jelila, why are you lying? Adeola shouted. Adeola go inside your room now. But mum, Adeola tries to convince Favor into making her stay. I mean now, Favor didn’t go back on her word. Favor started the video all over again. Jelila lay to the ground without hesitation; is work of the evil, she pleaded. If you have observed the video very well, you’ll notice how peaceful this house was before you came in, but what I don’t really understand is why did you do it? Ma, ha, is work of the evil. That devil has finally pushed you beyond limit. All your luggage, big and small pack it out of my house, I will call mum that brought you here to inform her what you have done and that I have sent you packing.

A nurse helped Ibukun get on her wheel chair. Ibukun could feel her arms and legs the way she use to. All hope were lost all she could do is cry. The nurse noticed her and shower her some hope; ma’am, don’t worry I believe God will bring you back to normal. You can not cure a monkey of squatting, just like all effort was thrown into the ocean. The nurse word did not shake Ibukun, not even if she could respond or give signal. While the nurse pushed Ibukun out of her ward on the wheel chair to go to the yard, Ibukun spotted Tayo rushing to a ward, she made a move but fell to the ground. The nurse just shouted Doctor! Doctor!! Doctor!!! The doctor now in charge of Ibukun rushed over. She moved. Really, wow, that’s a miracle I was even hoping for this miracle maybe after three to four months.