Present Day
Tinuke and her siblings bade Bimpe goodbye. It was 11 pm. Bimpe escorted them downstairs. They were true friends. The light at the hospital had gone off, so she turned on the light on her phone as she led them to the car park.
‘Is Bola going to sleep over? I overheard her discussing with her mum.’ Temi, Tinuke’s sister, asked.
‘I think she will. She doesn’t seem willing to leave Titi.’ Bimpe replied with a smile. ‘The entire experience left her quite shocked.’
‘I think everyone present today has experienced some form of trauma. I am glad she is awake now. I was so scared, ma.’ Tinuke heaved a sigh of relief.
‘Ma?’ Tinuke said gently, ‘Is everything okay with Mr Williams? Titi said she ran off because of something her father said.’
Bimpe was not surprised. She knew her daughter needed to confide in her best friends. However, she was unwilling to discuss her failed marriage with her daughter’s friend, so she kept quiet.
Tinuke understood, so she hugged Mrs Williams and got into the cab. Bimpe watched as they drove off and headed back to the ward.
‘So that’s everything that happened, Bola.’ Titi had been explaining things to her. ‘I am so sorry I didn’t tell you. I was just so angry and so focused on my own emotions that- ‘
‘It is okay. It is all in the past now. I am just glad you are okay.’ Bola interrupted, stroking her friend’s hair. The nurse said you need one more transfusion tomorrow morning. Hopefully, you can be discharged in a few days by God’s grace.’
‘Amen. I still feel quite sore. Especially my ribs.’ Titi sat up slowly.
‘Of course, you broke 4 of them. I saw the picture of the totalled car. I don’t think you want to see it.’
‘Ah, its too late, something my mum has even sent to her church group.’ Titi started to laugh, then stopped as she held her ribs in pain.
‘Sorry! but I am not surprised about your mum, she was shaken by the news. We all were. Also, I am sorry for not being there. In all your act, you never asked me not to talk to you or reach out, and you didn’t explicitly say that you didn’t want me at your party- ‘
‘I would never not want you at my party…or in my life, Bola. Never.’ Titi interrupted fiercely.
‘Be calming down. It is not that deep.’ Bola let out a loud laugh.
Mrs Williams returned to see the two friends making jokes and laughing. She was embarrassed that the news of her failed marriage would be the talk of the town for a couple of days. She had tried to fix things. Deep down, she knew she was facing the consequences of disobedience. Dare was perfect. He had checked off most of her non-negotiable traits except for the spiritual part. He was a Christian, but she mistook his commitment to maintaining his image for an actual relationship with God.
I thought he would change but things just got worse from there.
Bola shuddered at the memory of how much hurt and emotional damage the marriage had cost her. Thankfully, she was making the right decision at last. She had never thought that her marriage would end in divorce. Never.
‘I am sorry, mum.’ Titi’s voice interrupted her thoughts. She beckoned to her mum to sit by her bed. ‘I am still very hurt about the whole thing, but I realise now that I never once stopped to ask how you are feeling. If I feel this way, how much more are you? I am sure you and Dad were in love at some point. I am sorry that this happened, and I am sorry I got you scared and I hurt myself.’
‘Thank you. I am glad to hear you say this. Your words are like invisible hugs right now. I am so proud of you. You remind me that your father and I got something right, at least.’ Bimpe chuckled. ‘You are a mature lady, and I can’t wait to see you manifest all what God would have you do. I take responsibility for my poor timing in breaking the news to you. I wanted to do it before your father left on his work trip because I knew he wasn’t returning as my husband.’
At that moment, Titi wondered if her mum knew about Teni.
‘Okay, I think it’s time for an actual hug’, Bola said as she pulled Mrs Williams in for a group hug.
‘Owww, ’ Titi laughed in pain, but she was happy and content at that moment. She was unsure what the future held, but her parents had laid a solid foundation of love inspired by God, and she knew she would be all right. Her eyes caught a picture her mum had left by the bed. It was a picture of her parents and little Titi when she was a toddler. Her Mum looked content in the picture. Hopefully things would get better.
‘Titi?’ Bola called her name softly.
‘Hm?’
‘Happy Birthday.’
THE END
