Tony's gaze was drawn to Lara as she strolled up and down the room, preparing his belongings for the trip. In no time, his father will be there to meet him. He groaned
and sipped his coffee, which was thickly creamed. He had been pondering all night about how difficult the night had been.He envisioned what life would be like with Lara if he was treated well.
He considered the possibility that he wouldn't recover; would Lara remain the same...
“Can you tell me what you're thinking? ” Lara shook him out of his daydream.
“Ehen? He smiled, having picked up that word from her.
“For a while now, your mug has been hanging halfway to your lips,” she observed, zipping his bag.
“Nothing.”
She raised her eyes and said, "Hmm."
“Can you tell me when you'll be back? ” She approached the bedside.
He said, “I estimate three weeks at the very least.”
“At least three weeks?” The maximum period should be one year, then,” Lara ogled.
Tony laughed and said, "No...not longer than a month."
She made a frown and said, "I can't stay here all alone..." Tony sighed, not sure what he was going to say to her. What are his concerns?
“Now, come on, it's only for a minute, okay? He petted her and said, "My mother will come to check on you on a regular basis, and you can even invite your friend Deji to come and stay with you."
“All right...” Lara sighed.
They were startled when they heard a car honk!
“Your father has arrived...” she said as she assisted him into his wheelchair.
As her father-in-law took over the wheel chair, she said, "Good morning, sir."
“How are you doing? ”
She followed them closely with Tony's baggage, saying, "Fine."
As they were about to drive away, she remarked, "Bye and take care."
“Lara? “Tony spoke softly. Their gazes were locked. His eyes welled up with tears.
“Pray for me,” he said quietly.
“I will,” she said, her voice trembling.
Before the car moved, he muttered, “I love you Lara, and I'll miss you.”
As they left the compound, Lara waved goodbye, tears running down her face.
:::::::*****:::::::
Lara sat, her gaze fixed on the television. She knew she was addicted to Bollywood when she saw the Indian girls dance.
When the doorbell rang, she was hesitant to open it. The knock was louder this time. She hissed, turned off the television, and walked towards the door.
“Who's there?” Lara said. ” she inquired as she pushed open the door.
“Do you mind if we come in?” ” Funke inquired icily.
Lara stood at the door, obstructing the way for her mother, who arrived with an old man and three young guys.
“Can't you see that people are waiting for you, Lara?” Allow us to enter, na! ” Her mother stated once again.
Lara adjusted to allow them to enter.
“So, who are they, mum?” And how can I assist them? ” she inquired as she closed the door behind her.
“Ehen/the old man is ehn...your paternal grandfather's younger brother, his name is Baba Lagbaja...” Funke began her introduction.
“These are your father's cousins...errm...Yes...beni, this is Soji, this is Dele, and this is errm Tunde...they're all from your father's village,” Funke added.
“So, what are they doing in my house?” o Lara inquired, her voice firm.
“Ah ahn!” exclaims the old man. Lara ki lo de, Lara ki lo de, Lara ki lo de, Shey a ja ni ni ni ni ni ni Is there a disagreement between us? Now is the time to serve them drinks.”
Lara was happy to help.
As she served Baba Lagbaja, she inquired about his mission.
“They've arrived to take you away!” ” Funke declared.
“Do you want to take me?” How? ” As she sat on a sofa, Lara laughed.
The old man began, "Omolara, my granddaughter..."
“Because you are our family's only female child, we hold you in high regard.”
“Yes! Tunde, Soji, and Dele joined in the chorus.
“You are the only one left to carry on your father's lineage; you can't let his name die like that,” baba Lagbaja added, wheezing intermittently.
“So? ” Lara smirked.
He went on to say, "We've come to pull you out of this marriage because we need children to carry Popoola's name."
Lara burst out laughing.
Tunde screamed at her, “You don't laugh when a senior is speaking.”
“She's arrogant, o.!” ” chirped Funke.
Lara turned away from her mother and confronted Tunde.
“If you yell at me, I'm going to kick you out of my house.”
She turned to face the old man and said, "Baba..."
She said respectfully, "I'll go with you if you can do something for Me."
Baba Lagbaja said, "Name it omo mi."
“I'll accompany you if you can return all you've gathered from Tony and his parents,” Lara informed him.
“Can you tell me what those objects are? ”
“First and foremost, my mother must refund the one million naira she received as marriage price, followed by all the jewels and jewelry, all the clothes, the house they bought for her, all the presents they lavished on her...everything. The…”
“Ehn! ” yelled the old man, stopping her.
“Ehn! Baba Lagbaja exclaimed once again.
“Of course! The two jeeps Tony's father gave her, as well as the...”
“Wait! ” He came to a halt, turning to Funke.
“Funke! N gbo, n gbo, n gbo Have you gathered everything? Is it your intention to sell your daughter? I'd say you've already sold her! “He screamed at her!” he said.
Funke shifted in her seat uncomfortably.
“My daughter, I apologize for bothering you o,” Baba Lagbaja said to a beaming Lara.
“Let's go, young men!” ” he said angrily as they stood up to depart.
“Wait, wait!” says the Funke. I'll foot the bill! ” Funke was in a bad situation.
“I'll pay in installments,” her mother said
“Did you sell your daughter in installments when you sold her to them? ” shouted Baba Lagbaja at her.
“Don't come to me ever again, o! Sango would kill you if you didn't want him to! Before leaving the house with his party, he cursed. Funke was perplexed! How did her daughter become into such a tyrant?
“Hey, mother! You've devised a different strategy? ” Lara guffawed at her teary-eyed mother.
“I'm afraid you're going to have to die without a grandchild o. I, on the other hand, can easily adopt as many children as I choose o! ” she mocked.
In a fit of rage, Funke tossed her handbag at her.
“Ouch! ” Lara winced when the sack landed on her stomach.
“Oh, please, o! Tony's Babies are in there, so be careful! ” she continued to chuckle.
“You're torturing your mother, Lara!” What do you stand to gain? ” Funke inquired, tears in her eyes.
“What have I gained? ” Lara had a serious expression on her face.
“My gain is that, after what you did to me, I can make you feel horrible! ” Her eyes welled up with tears as filled.
“Omolara! I'm going to leave you! Keep ruining your life! ”
“Yea! Lara spat out, “I'll pick up where you left off.”
“Please don't come looking for me! “I'm not your mother anymore,” Funke grumbled as he walked out the door.
“And I'm not your daughter anymore!” ” Lara retorted.
Funke was taken aback and turned around.
“Lara? ” she said quietly.
Lara entered her room leaving her to stand motionless, as if she were a ghost.