TOO LATE FOR REGRET

The black SUV pulled up in front of a building, and the driver quickly stepped out to open the passenger door. Adeola Bakare adjusted her handbag before stepping onto the pavement. She wore a beautifully tailored cream outfit, simple gold earrings and a pair of elegant heels. Her hair was neatly styled, and her appearance carried the quiet confidence of a woman who had worked hard to build the life she now enjoyed. The building in front of her housed one of her fashion company's major outlets. Its glass entrance reflected the afternoon sunlight, while customers moved in and out with shopping bags. At the entrance, two employees greeted her warmly. "Good afternoon, ma." "Good afternoon. How is business today?" she asked with a smile. "Very good, ma. We received several new orders this morning." "That's good. Please make sure the online orders are attended to before closing. I don't want any customer waiting unnecessarily." "Alright, ma." She nodded and glanced towards the reception area. "Has the new collection arrived?" "Yes, ma. The items were delivered this morning. We have arranged most of them, but there are still a few things to check." "Okay. I'll have a look before I leave." "Thank you, ma." Adeola smiled and turned towards the entrance. She had come a long way from the young university student who once struggled to imagine what her future would look like. Building her business had not been easy. There had been days when she worked late into the night, worried about expenses and wondered whether her efforts would ever amount to anything. But she had refused to give up. Today, her brand has several outlets and a growing online customer base. She was proud of what she had achieved, not because everything had been handed to her, but because she knew how much work had gone into building it. Her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and smiled when she saw the caller. "Hello, Temi." "Madam CEO! Have you forgotten that you promised to call me this morning?" Adeola laughed softly. "Temi, please. I've been busy since morning." "Busy, busy, busy. One day, I will come and lock you inside your house so you can rest." "You and your trouble." "Don't mind me. How are my favorite people?" "They are fine. Ayomide went to school this morning, and Anjola is with her father." "Good. Tell my godson that I miss him. That boy has refused to visit his godmother." "He has school and other activities. I'll tell him." "And how is my little princess?" "She's fine too. She's been asking when she'll see you again." Temi laughed. "Then you people should stop making excuses and come over this weekend." "I'll discuss it with Shina." "Good. And please, don't forget yourself. You can't spend every day running around your business." "I know, Temi." "Do you really know? Because I'm not convinced." Adeola shook her head, smiling. "Alright, mummy. I'll call you later." "Okay, take care of yourself." "You too." They exchanged a few more words before ending the call. Adeola slipped her phone into her handbag. Her friendship with Temi had survived years of changes, responsibilities and different stages of life. They had grown from two young university students into women with families, businesses and responsibilities of their own. Even with their busy schedules, they remained close. Adeola had always considered herself fortunate to have a friend like Temi. She adjusted her handbag and took another step towards the entrance. That was when she heard a man's voice behind her. "Excuse me, please." She turned slightly. A man stood a short distance away. At first glance, there was nothing particularly remarkable about him. His clothes were worn and faded, his shoes looked old, and his face carried the tired appearance of someone who had been through a difficult period. His posture was hesitant. He looked at her as though he wanted to say something but was struggling to find the right words. "Yes?" Adeola responded politely. The man swallowed. "Please, are you Mrs. Bakare?" She studied him briefly. "Yes. Do I know you?" He looked away for a moment before returning his gaze to her. "I... I have been trying to speak with you." Adeola's expression changed slightly. "About what?" He glanced at the expensive vehicle behind her, then back at her face. For a moment, he seemed almost afraid to continue. "Please, can I have a few minutes of your time?" Adeola checked her wristwatch. "I'm sorry, but I'm quite busy. If this concerns my business, you can speak with someone at reception." "No, it doesn't concern your business." "Then what is it about?" He lowered his eyes. "About something that happened many years ago." Adeola's patience began to wear thin. She had responsibilities, appointments and people waiting for her. She could not afford to spend her afternoon listening to a stranger's vague explanations. "Sir, I really don't understand you. If you have something important to say, please say it." The man opened his mouth, but no words came out immediately. He looked at her again. She seemed so different from the woman he remembered. Her clothes, her confidence, the way the employees had greeted her and the expensive vehicle waiting nearby all reminded him of how far she had gone. He, on the other hand, had returned with almost nothing. "Please," he said quietly. "I just need you to listen to me." Adeola frowned. "Have we met before?" The question appeared to make him even more uncomfortable. He took a slow breath. "My name is Akin." Adeola stared at him. The name sounded familiar, but she could not immediately connect it to anyone. "Akin?" she repeated. He nodded. "Yes. Akin." She looked at his face more carefully. There was something about his eyes. Something about the shape of his face beneath the tiredness and the years that had passed. But she still couldn't believe what she was beginning to suspect. "Which Akin?" He attempted a faint smile. "Akin. From school." Her fingers tightened around the strap of her handbag. She studied him again, trying to match the man standing before her with the person buried somewhere in her memories. "No . . ." she whispered. The man took a small step closer. "Adeola, it's me." She shook her head slowly. "That can't be possible." "I know you probably don't want to see me." She looked at him again. This time, she recognized him. Not completely through his appearance, but through his voice, his eyes and the name he had just mentioned. The memories she had carefully put away began to return. A university campus. A young man who made her laugh. Long conversations. Promises about the future. A relationship she had once believed would last. Then the disappointment, the unanswered questions and the pain she had struggled to overcome. She remembered the days when she waited for him to explain himself. The calls that go unanswered. The moment she realized she would have to face a difficult future without the person who had promised to stand beside her. She had spent years building a life that no longer depended on his presence. And now, he was standing in front of her. Her lips parted, but no words came out. "Akin?" He nodded, his eyes already filled with emotion. For a few seconds, neither of them spoke. The employees at the entrance continued attending to customers, unaware of the history unfolding just a few steps away. Akin looked at her as though he was waiting for her to say something. Perhaps he expected anger. Perhaps he expected questions. Or perhaps he simply wanted to hear her call his name one more time. Adeola, however, could barely believe what she was seeing. The young man who had once been part of her dreams now looked like a stranger. And just like that, the past she had spent years trying to leave behind was standing directly in front of her. MESSAGE OF THE EPISODE Life can take people in different directions. Someone who once meant everything to you may eventually become a stranger. But not every unexpected return deserves another place in your life. TO BE CONTINUED . . .