It was the end of the academic session and Fola finally went home.
Her father was absent when she got home and her mother used the opportunity to talk to her on how to conduct herself when he comes back.
When her father came back, they hugged and teased each other.
Two days later, Fola met her father in the sitting room reading a newspaper and she began, "Daddy, I missed you so much while in school", and her father smiled.
"I missed you too but you refused to come home despite my insistence."
"Dad, I did that because of my academic", she replied.
"I trust my daughter. She doesn't joke with her studies", her father said, with pride.
"Daddy, there is something I want us to talk about", she diverted.
"I'm all ears", he replied without raising his head.
"First of all, I want to ask a question", she remarked.
"Ok?"
"Daddy, did you take any money from Olamide's father for my upkeep in school?", she asked, in a polite way.
Her father looked up from the newspaper and dropped his glasses. He folded his arm over his chest and said: "I thought you said you don't need it, why then are you asking now?"
"I just want to know", she responded.
"Oh! Yes, I did. He usually sends #50,000 every month. My ATM is in my drawer in case you need the money... I did not touch it", he commented.
"Why dad?", Fola asked, putting her hands on her forehead.
Misinterpreting her question, he responded: "I did not touch it because I was keeping it for your future or probably when you realize......"
"Daddy, why did you take the money from him?", she interrupted.
"Why do you keep asking me that?" He frowned, raising his head. "Please let me be, I have no time for your nonsense", he said, picked up his glasses and newspaper to continue reading.
"My father has succeeded in selling me off. Dad, you told me the other day that I am priceless, didn't you? Why then are you making me look cheap to Olamide and his father? Daddy, you are not just selling me, you are also selling your dignity, my pride, and my future as well as your ego", Mr. Obed looked up at his daughter and saw tears in her eyes. "My life is shattered."
"Fola, don't say that", he said, apologetically.
"Daddy it's the truth, I don't have a future any longer. My dreams and vision will be unachievable the moment I marry that boy", she said sobbing.
"Fola, why can't you understand me for once?"
"Daddy, I now believe the fact that I am an unwanted child. If that is not the case, you wouldn't want to sell me off just so you can have an heir", she blurted furiously.
"Fola.........."
"Daddy", she said trying to calm herself down. "I am not going to school again so please return the money", she finished and fled to her room.
Mr. Obed followed and met his daughter weeping.
"Fola, I am not doing this because I want Olamide to be my heir. The fact remains that I didn't birth him. You are my only child and you will always be, nothing can change that. Fola, please don't stop your education, not at this level. You are our only hope, your mother and I are relying on you to put an end to our sufferings'', he pleaded.
"Daddy, you always treat mum with contempt just because she didn't give birth to a boy. Whereas, you are the one to be blamed not her."
"How?", he asked, curiously.
"A man has an X and Y chromosomes while a woman has an X and X chromosomes. If the Y chromosome is being released by the man to fertilize the egg, the baby resulting from this will be a boy. On the other hand, if the man releases (spermatozoon) X chromosomes to fertilize the egg, the baby will be a girl", she explained, in between sobs.
"Fola, please try to understand me. I don't blame your mother for anything and I know that all that you've said is factual. Leave that aside and let's focus on how to tackle the issue on the ground."
"Daddy, have I ever been disobedient to you before all these?"
"Fola, you have been a good girl. I understand your point and I want you to understand mine", he uttered, bitterly.
"Folake", Mrs. Obed called. She stood by the door looking at father and daughter.
"Olamide is here to see you, he is in the sitting room", she finished and left.
Fola sighed deeply and laid on the bed. Her father stood looking at her. He was about to say something when Fola spoke up.
"Daddy, why do you treat mum like trash if it's not for the fact that she couldn't give you a male child?"
"Like trash? My dear, you are getting the wrong idea of me. Or could it be that your mother has been filling your ears with these ideas?", he said, sitting beside her.
"Daddy, I am now an adult and I have eyes. I can see all that is going on between you two. You don't treat her with love. When was the last time you even bought her a gift? Do you even know mummy is trying to conceive again to see if she can give you the heir you have ever wanted? No, you don't and she is doing that to make you happy despite the doctor's advice", she sat up and said in one breath.
"What?!", Mr. Obed exclaimed. "But.......", he stammered with guilt.
Fola wore her slippers, cleaned her tears, and stood up to go out. "I am off to see my future husband."
"Fola", he called after her, still sitting down and looking sullen. Fola stopped walking and looked back at him.
"Conduct yourself before Olamide. We would talk better when he is gone."
Fola nodded and went out.
She moved slowly with her arms below her bosom and she saw him sitting on the couch opposite the television.
His attention was on the television as Fola's eyes roamed his outfit. He was looking calm in his clean white T-shirt and black trousers with a suede shoe. Fola scoffed and said within herself, 'Must this man always show-off with his designer's shoe and cloth?'
"Good day Mister", she said to announce her presence.
"Hey good day, how are you doing?", he asked with a grin.
'Fake smile', she thought before saying, "I am good, to whom do I owe this surprise visit?"
"Dad told me you came back two days ago so I decided to come to see you before I resume work next week", he replied. standing up.
"You can sit", she said with a tone of authority as she sat down too.
There was absolute silence and Fola could see him peeking at her from her peripheral view. 'My patience is wearing off. I don't know why I despise him so much. I can't even bear being soft on him for a second', she said within her.
"What are you thinking about?", he inquired, bringing her out of her thoughts.
"Nothing", she replied. "So why are you here?", she took her eyes off the TV and rested them on him.
Olamide muttered, "I am here to ask for a favor."
"Favour? I don't have any favor to offer you Mr. Pompous, I am a small girl, remember?", she uttered with sarcasm.
Fola's statement wiped off the smile on Olamide's face and she smiled to herself muttering, 'Fola you are a bad girl.'
Olamide was silent for a while before saying: "Folake, I want you to give me a chance in your life. I am willing to change but I can't do that without you by my side. I am sorry for whatsoever wrong I might have done. The favor I want to ask is if you can go out with me later tonight."
"I don't go out at night, sorry", she replied vehemently.
"Please.......", he pleaded.
Remembering her father's words, she said "I will think about it."
"Alright, thank you. Right now, I have somewhere to go so see you later tonight", he stood up.
He was peering at her closely and waited for an affirmative look from her.
"Olamide, my son, how have you been?", Fola's father asked, coming out from Fola's room.
"I am fine sir. How do you do too?"
"As you can see, I am well. Are you going already?", he asked Olamide.
"Yes sir, I need to be somewhere now but I will be back later in the evening to take Fola out. Am I permitted sir?", he requested.
"Of course, you are", Mr. Obed laughed, hitting him on the shoulder in a playful manner.
"Thank you, sir, I need to go now.'
"Fola, see your fiance off", her father ordered.
Fola frowned and stood up to see him off. His car was a BMW concept 24 coupes painted red.
"Take care love. See you later", he said hopping into his car and zoomed off without waiting for a reply.
"Take care love, see you later", Fola mimicked on her way back to the house.