chapter 32

ifeoma decided to check up on bola after she hasn't heard from her since halima's death. she decided to give her a surprise visit and drove to her house. she stayed in a two bedroom apartment.

bola rushed towards her friend as soon as she sighted her and they had the longest hugs of their lives.

bola began to weep and soon enough, ifeoma joined her and they were a crying mess as they both cried and hugged each other saying absolutely no words.

halima's death had left a void in their hearts that they knew would never be filled.

after what seemed like forever, they let go of themselves and went into bola's apartment holding each other. bola served a cup of juice to her friend before she then took her seat right beside her.

ifeoma looked around the house as she took notice of the renovations bola had done since the time she last visited. the house was now painted white and everything was sparkling white including the chair in the living room which they were in, bola was the cleanest freak amongst them, it was no surprise that her best colour is white and she made sure to make everything white.

"how's fikayo?" bola broke the comfortable silence.

"he's fine, he should be home by now. what of ade or what's his name?"

"i've not been picking his calls for a while now." bola revealed.

ifeoma was shocked. bola not picking that man's calls? she never for once thought that was ever possible. she was always treating the man like a gem and had been so in love with him that his marital status didn't even matter to her. she didn't even mind been a second wife as long as it was with him.

a knock was heard on the door and bola unconsciously just said come in, thinking it was one her neighbors but who she saw made her stand up with immediate effect.

ifeoma didn't understand what was happening nor who she was yet but she also stood up.

a woman who looked like she was in her late thirties was standing at the entrance and she was dressed in a conservative and expensive looking maternity gown. she was heavily pregnant and the scowl on her face was scary.

"why are you shocked, bola? or what's that useless name of yours? you whore! you know, i had it in mind to come in here with acid and destroy your face and body but then i thought why should i have my name in police records cos of a thing like you!" the woman shouted.

when ifeoma noticed that bola was saying absolutely nothing which was unlike her, she decided to speak politely. "ma'am, what is wrong? can we sit down and talk like civilized and educated people?"

the slap that landed on ifeoma's face made her tumble. her fair face was instantly red from the impact.

who was this woman?

ifeoma was about to return the favour when she stopped at the next words she said.

"birds of the same feathers flock together! are you not also an husband snatcher like her?! home wreckers!"

"nope! absolutely not! i'm a married woman, i'm not an husband snatcher. you may proceed" ifeoma simply corrected her and took her seat planning to watch the drama unfold.

she couldn't blame the woman. it was high time, she had been gentle enough and she was putting herself in her shoes although she wouldn't have put up that much scene if it were her but then we have different ways of dealing with pain.

"see, bola! i've only come here to warn you to stay away from my husband! aren't you a woman? can't you put yourself in my shoes? he's always with you and never spending time with me anymore! as if that's not enough, i hear you want to become his second wife and he proposed? before you become that wife, you'd die! yes! you heard me, die! the next time i come won't be a warning anymore, it'll be with acid and that man that you think loves you will still be the one to bribe the police and no one would get you justice! dare me, bola! dare me!" with that last warning, she sauntered out of the apartment.

bola finally took her seat and the next thing that happened wasn't one that ifeoma envisioned. bola burst into tears.

ifeoma didn't want to pet nor tell her it was okay because it was absolutely not okay and she deserved that harassment.

"this is not the time for tears, bola. you know how many times we've warned you about this man, but you never listen! when won't you listen now when it has reached acid matter? see, bola, i'm a married woman too and although i might not go this extra if it was me that it happened to, i'd be very hurt too, very! it's just that i believe in facing and blaming my husband rather than the mistress, it still doesn't mean that i won't be angry at that other woman. it's not fair, how would you feel when you get married and one woman gets all your husband's attention and even plans on marrying him? how? you have to let go of that man, bola. even if you won't do it for your own sanity and for womanhood, do it for halima, please."

"i swear, i love that man. i really do" bola said still crying.

"i know that you do. you make him a priority but you're just an option to him bola and you know it! if he was asked to pick between you and his wife, he would never pick you, never! you'd be thrown under the bus in an instant. please, let go of him and pave way for a good single man to enter your life. you're beautiful, sassy, curvy and caring. any man would be happy to have you, stop giving yourself to men who don't deserve you, babe, you deserve better! you can do better!" ifeoma continued to speak more sense into her friend.

"okay. i will for you and for halima" bola finally surrendered. ifeoma sighed.

"and for womanhood too. that's my girl! so take that phone and add his number to black list, then block him everywhere."

bola took her phone and did just that.

"good girl, i'm proud of you"

"thank you, oma." bola replied as they hugged each other again.

to be continued...