(065b - The Inevitable Part 2)

120k Views!🔥

Okay! I see y'all! Thank you guys so much for not giving up on this book. Omo, this landmark even came at a very timely period. The past week was so hectic for me, so trying, but seeing the progress this book has made, made it all worth it🔥.

There can only be one ALMOST UNFIXABLE. Every other one is a counterfeit!😌.

Simi will do something in this chapter that will make y'all proud... or disappointed. It depends on how deep you take this "respect your elders" thing.

Let's Dive. Don't drown🌚.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

𝐒𝐈𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐀
(Simisola André Jordan)

But it didn't take long for that feeling of protection to fade away.

As soon as she was out of my view, and we were out of the streets and into the road that lead to the highway, that feeling of protection that came with Hilary watching me dissipated into thin air, and was replaced with immense sadness, and a weird sense of vulnerability.

She wasn't around to shield me anymore.

It was a subtle reminder that I wasn't mentally, emotionally, and even physically prepared for what I was on my way to see... or rather, who I was on my way to see.

My mum.

And what was worse, Toyosi sitting in the car and all I could think about was how things might- would have gone differently if she had told me the truth from the very beginning.

If it was only Dad that kept it away from me, I wouldn't have been so shocked. Hell, it's been a while since that man regarded me as someone important or worthy of his attention, so to him, he owes me nothing and I have grown to accept that.

But Toyosi?

She was the last person I expected to do this to me.

One month. She held back on the truth for one month.

The disappointment was an understatement of how I felt.

I felt- feel betrayed. To the core.

I could feel her eyes on me occasionally, glancing at me when her eyes weren't fixated on the road. She wanted to speak, to say something to me but didn't know how to start. I wasn't ready to give her that luxury by breaking the ice, even though I knew for a fact that she'd try to start up a conversation before we get to the hospital.

Toyosi cannot hold a grudge. Neither can I, but I was better at it than her. She can't stand anyone holding a grudge against her either. One person will have to yield and that one person is always her.

"She's beautiful."

Her voice filled the car on cue, affirming my thoughts.

What did I just say?

From my peripheral vision, I saw her glance in my direction. She was talking about Hilary, I knew that for a fact. And I also knew that she intentionally brought Hilary up to get a reaction from me; maybe a glance in her direction or a body movement of any sort.

She got none.

I kept mute and continued staring out the window, finding the palm trees lined up more interesting as we drove into Eden City.

She's not going to stop. I noted to myself.

And of course, she didn't disappoint.

"Hilary, I mean," She expatiated, obviously to get the reaction she didn't get the first time. I still didn't budge, and she continued talking.

"And she's so down to earth, and smart. Well-spoken too," She was listing Hilary's amazing qualities as if I had no idea they existed. "Now, I understand why you fell for her. Such a sweet girl."

Still not a pip from me. And now, Toyosi couldn't handle the silence.

A frustrated sigh escaped her lips, an indication that she was already tired of keeping up with whatever it is she thought she was doing by talking about Hilary.

"Are you seriously going to keep giving me the silent treatment?" I could feel her eyes on me. "Is that really how it's going to be, André? Even after the apologies."

She sounded so fed up, so frustrated... so sorry. It almost made me budge, but I held my ground.

"If you want me to keep apologizing from now till eternity, I will. You know I will." She continued talking, her tone pleading. "I honestly didn't mean to hurt you, Simi. You know I'd never do anything to hurt you. You weren't supposed to find out about mum this–"

Now that earned a reaction from me.

My head automatically jerked in her direction, my eyes blazing to the extent that every single word she was going to say stopped at the tip of her lips.

"I wasn't supposed to find out?" I fired at her, staring at her incredulously. Her eyes widened as if she realized the error she just made. But it was already too late to take those words back.

"No, that's not what I meant–"

"Stop the car," I demanded.

"Simisola–" She tried to pacify me, but I wasn't ready to hear anything from her. Heck, I couldn't be in the same space with her right now.

"Stop the fucking car, goddamnit!" I yelled, reflexively hitting the dashboard in front of me in aggression.

Toyosi automatically slammed on the brakes, stopping the car in the middle of the road with a loud shriek on the asphalt. Thankfully, our side of the road was relatively deserted, Eden city always this desolate during the weekend because most people were indoors.

I got down from the car as soon as it stopped, slamming the door harshly and stepping into the street. This was still the outskirt of Eden, and we were on the bridge over the small body of still water. My hands clamped over my head, heavily disturbing thoughts swirling through my minds

I wasn't meant to know? They weren't going to tell me?

Wow!

The shutting of the door behind me told me Toyosi had stepped out of the car as well.

"Simi, that wasn't what I meant to say–" She began to explain herself but I spun around to face her, the blazing rage in my eyes that she could see clearly cutting the rest of her words off.

"Were you ever going to tell me?" I queried.

"Of course, I was!"

Sure doesn't look like it!

"You know how much mum means to me–"

"–Of course, I do–"

"– Yet you kept her away from me!"

I screamed, shutting her up. She opened her mouth to speak but closed it immediately after like she didn't know what to say like she didn't have anything to defend herself with.

Great. Just Great.

"You said you were going to tell me about her? When?" I asked but she still kept mute, because, of course, she didn't have the answer to that. "Tell me when? When it's already too late? When she's dead!" I yelled at her.

"STOP IT!"

Toyosi yelled back at me, her voice louder and heavier, echoing across the vast land and water around us, causing every single word I wanted to keep hurling at her to die at the tip of my tongue. The silence that followed her outburst was heavy with tension, both of us heaving heavily, breathless.

I was trying to find what to say back but Toyosi beat me to it.

"Just stop, okay?" She sounded exhausted and frustrated.

"I understand your anger, Simi, I get it, and it is justified, but you don't get to talk that way because you're pissed!" She stabbed her index finger toward my chest and I veered back slightly as she pushed me back.

She wasn't done.

"I'd never keep you away from Mum, not on purpose." She went on. "I know how hard it was to be left in the dark about her health and I know how much she means to you, but for the love of God, she's also my mum!–"

That part got to me.

"–I was also left in the dark, and when I found out, it tore me to pieces! I didn't want you feeling that way, couldn't bear the thought of you feeling that way l, and I tried to find a way around it, tried to find a way to let you know about her without breaking your heart.–

–And if you had just calmed the fuck down and listened to me, you'd know I was only trying to protect you! I'd never intentionally hurt you. I'm your sister for God's sake. I love you!"

She screamed out, throwing her hands up in the air.

I was dumbfounded, my head pounding viciously in my chest, threatening to burst out through my rib cage. Even with the little distance between us, I could see the tears welling up in Toyosi's eyes, threatening to fall.

I didn't need anyone to tell me that my gaze mirrored her, I could feel it; fresh tears gathering up in my eyes. All I needed to do was blink and it would all come crashing down.

Suddenly, I felt exhausted... completely drained of strength. No matter how much I tried to keep up with this back and forth, deep down, I knew I didn't want to keep fighting her. I didn't even have the strength to.

And then, it dawned on me that Mum's health status might just be as much of a struggle for Toyosi to accept as it was for me, yet she was looking out for me, protecting me, while I've only been thinking that it was just my feelings that mattered.

Selfish me.

I blinked... and beads of tears dropped from my eyes. Toyosi thawed immediately at the sight, her shoulders dropping in dejection. Sadness overcame her features and a sigh escaped her lips.

"Simi..." She whispered gently, closing the gap between us as I started sobbing silently.

When she got in front of me, she hesitated, not knowing whether she should hold me or not, if I'd let her do that. But, I was too tired to care. My head automatically dropped to her shoulder.

Toyosi gasped at the impact, quickly holding me against her so that I won't trip both of us down. And in her arms, allowing myself to be held by my sister, I let myself go.

I cried.

She held me tighter.

"It's okay." She whispered, her voice quivering a bit as an indication that she was also crying.

We cried in each other's arms.

Toyosi and I sat still on one of the steel benches arranged under each palm tree at the roadside by the bridge, the kinds that were always attached to the floor.

After crying till there weren't any more tears to shed, Toyosi led me here to sit, and I was too exhausted to decline. My sister and I needed to have a conversation, especially after everything she said to me. Now that I felt a little lighter, calmer, and could think better and more rationale, we had to talk.

She was right, she wouldn't hurt me purposely.

I was just way too upset to remember that.

And the fact that she was also left in the dark for a while as well, I needed to know how she found out because knowing our father, I'm certain he didn't tell her.

"How did you find out?" I asked, finally breaking the silence that has ensued between us for the past ten minutes. Toyosi turned to look at me, and even though I wasn't looking at her directly, I could see her lips tug up in a small smile.

"You are finally asking the right questions." She said, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

"Just answer the question," I mumbled, giving her a bombastic side-eye. She chuckle lightly for a bit, then exhaled, leaning back against the seat.

"I told you I found out about a month ago," She began, and I nodded. "Well, it wasn't because Dad actually told me–"

Shebi I said it. I scoffed out a humorless laugh.

"–Of course, he didn't," I muttered, more to myself than to my sister.

That didn't come as a shocker to me at all. Dad couldn't have been the one who told her, especially since she found out almost as late as I did. Definitely didn't get the info from Dad. She found out another way.

"When you told me about her health condition and how you were restricted from seeing her, I called him to confront him," she began to explain, and I listened. "He told me I was overreacting and that everything was under control–"

Wow. I chuckled again, shaking my head.

"–But of course, I didn't believe him. He wasn't telling me what I needed to hear, so I had to find another way to get the truth. I had to do what I had to do." She gave me a knowing look, and I immediately decoded.

"You came down here," I noted and she nodded.

"I couldn't stay for long like I wanted to," she clarified. "You already gave me all the information I needed to help me find the hospital, so I did. My name wasn't on the restriction list because of course, Dad wasn't expecting me to drop by at any time, so they let me in after showing them a valid ID. But they wouldn't let me see Mum without Dad's permission."

"So, you had no choice but to call him," I stated, and she nodded again.

"He was so shocked when I told him I was around, but I was already here and there was nothing he could do about it. So he had no choice but to open up eventually."

Dear God.

"When I saw the way mum was, I wanted to call and tell you. I couldn't bear to keep you in the dark," She shook her head, sadness clouding her eyes. "But Dad won't let me. He made me promise not to tell you because it would destroy you to see Mum that way. Those were his words, and somehow, I saw reasons with him."

Like Hell.

I scoffed out another peal of humorless laugh.

Toyosi went further to talk about how Dad had made sure she got on the first flight back to the UK that same night, but she had to come back two weeks later because she couldn't stay away.

But in all this, all I could think about was how much of a complete bullshit it was.

To everyone else, that last statement might sound like Dad was looking out for me, but I knew better.

I see nothing but torture here. That drive to always make things so difficult for me was what pushed my Dad to do this, not care... and certainly not love. I have accepted the fact that he lost all his love for me when I didn't turn out to be the ideal son he wanted.

He could have easily pushed aside his prejudice against me, knowing how much Mum meant to me, yet he didn't. He kept her away from me and would have still been keeping it all a secret if not for Toyosi. So it wasn't love and care on his part.

It was selfishness... and absolute cruelty.

He can hate me for all I care, but not to the extent of keeping me away from Mum.

Now that's crossing the line.

"Stop doing that."

My sister's voice pierced through my thoughts like a knife. I looked at her, brows furrowed together in a confused frown.

"Stop doing what?" I asked her.

"Overthinking things with Dad, " She answered as if she read my thoughts loud and clear. "And judging him in that head of yours. I know that's what you are doing." She flicked my forehead.

This time, I couldn't hold back my laughter.

This wasn't supposed to be a funny situation, but I couldn't help but laugh at the sheer irony of things. It was so funny. I guess being out of the country and away from the family made Toyosi ignorant of so many things.

Besides, she has never been at the receiving end of Dad's wrath.

"Overthinking things?" I questioned incredulously. "Trust me, I'm thinking things exactly the way they are," I stated shrewdly.

"And let's talk about judging. Judging? Really?" I scoffed for the thousandth time today. "That man has been judging me for years. You have absolutely no idea what it has been like to be judged by him, always under his scrutiny, always being reminded that I will never be a good enough son for him.–"

"–Twelve years, Toyosi! Twelve... and counting! Yet, I'm suddenly in the wrong for judging him because he kept the truth about Mum away from me for almost two months, especially when he of all people knows how much she means to me. That's unfair, but I don't expect you to get it since you've always been the perfect daughter. The golden child.

Silence followed my rants.

Total silence.

Toyosi just stared back at me, something that looked like a ghost of a smile playing on her lips, her shoulders slumped. It killed me to know what was going on in her mind, to know what she was thinking. But all she did was stare at me and smile, and I wondered what the hell was funny in everything I just said.

This was the first time I'd be letting out the frustration I felt about that particular matter. I've never shown any sign in the open that I was affected, never, because according to Dad, that would mean I wasn't a man.

Toyosi might not have been around to witness Dad's behavior toward me, but she had an idea. But she never knew what it felt - feels like to be in my shoes.

Or so I thought...

"Dad cut me off last year."

She deadpanned, and my breath automatically got caught in my throat.

I legit almost choke on my own saliva.

What!

My eyes widened in shock, definitely not expecting her to drop that kind of dime on me.

Seeing my dumbfounded state, her lips broke into a bigger smile that transcended into a chuckle.

"Trust me, you are not the only one Dad is disappointed in." She said to me.

What...

I couldn't even bring myself to speak, so she took it as her cue to continue. I didn't need to tell her that I wanted to hear it all before she knew. I needed her to explain every single thing to me because with everything that has been happening, life as I know it might just be one big lie at this point.

"Just like I have no idea what it's like to be in your shoes, you also have no idea the kind of pressure that comes with being the golden child," she gave that air quotes. "It wasn't all roses and rainbows for me, Simi. I'm far from perfect. So far." She whispered the final part, leaning her head back against the steel headrest of the bench, and closing her eyes.

I couldn't take my eyes off her now, curiosity tugging at every fiber of my being and overwhelming me. I suddenly had so many questions that needed to be answered, but they could be summed up into one question.

"Why?" I asked, my voice coming out hushed and calm, a complete contrast to the way it was earlier.

"What do you think?" She opened her eyes and looked at me inquisitively as if telling me to guess.

"You couldn't keep up with school?" I asked.

"I could... if I wanted to," She shrugged. "But that's the thing, I didn't want to. Not when I absolutely hated what Dad wanted me to study."

Another shocker.

"You hate Medicine." I blinked.

"No," She answered, and I frowned in confusion.

"I DESPISE IT."

She growled out, the irritation in her voice evident as day, that revelation knocking the breath right out of me for the second time.

Oh wow.

"If I wanted to do it just to please Dad, I knew I'd end up sad... and I didn't want that for myself anymore." She said to me. "All my life, I've done everything he asked, even if it is to the detriment of my own happiness.–

Heck, I didn't even enjoy high school because I was going from one lesson to the other, and had no time for friends or sports... or boys."

She sounded so pained, so regretful.

"I didn't even get to attend prom, or my VS even though I was the Valedictorian. How messed up is that?" She chuckled humorlessly, shaking her head in chagrin, and I couldn't stop the painful pang that flooded my chest at the sight of her like this.

This was the first time I'd ever be seeing Toyosi in this light. She has always held herself up in high esteem, a queen with a badass aura around her. I have never seen her show any sign of weakness. Well, until now.

She looked vulnerable.

I've never known us to be more alike than right now.

"Why did he cut you off?" I asked her.

"It's a pretty long story, so I'll make it very brief," She prefaced with that. "First year of uni was torture for me. It was as if all the lessons have been doing prior were nothing because I was hit with courses I couldn't even comprehend. When I talked to Dad about it, he told me that I was just being childish and that I'd learn."

Leave it to Dad to invalidate your feelings.

"I tried but couldn't cope, almost got depressed even," She laughed sadly. "But the second year was the game changer for me.–"

"You picked up?" I cut her off gently to ask, but she gave me a look.

"Picked up? Hell no," She laughed again, this time more hearty. "I discovered my love and passion for fashion designing,"

Oh wow.

"I signed up at a big-shot fashion school, got started, and learned so fast. My love and dedication to it made me completely lose interest in medicine altogether. Dad had way too much faith in me that he didn't even monitor my grades. Mum knew I was down to average but she still encouraged me. I hardly cared how bad my results were, as long as I was doing what I love."

"What did Dad do?" I asked, and she laughed for the third time.

"He nearly had a cow when he found out I wasn't graduating top of my class," She revealed, and somehow, that made me smile. "Heck, I wasn't even graduating top twenty. Managed to get away with a 3.5 CGPA."

"Wow!" My eyes widened. Toyosi graduated with that? It's almost hard to believe.

"Yeah, hard to believe right!" She voiced out my thoughts.

"That grade isn't even good enough to get you into medical school, especially at Oxford," I noted, knowing for a fact that the competition there was mad high. Toyosi nodded, affirming what I said.

"Exactly what I wanted," she stated with a sly smile. "I needed a reason to call the whole charade off and stick to fashion designing but Dad wasn't getting the hint. He felt I made a mistake and tried to fix it by signing me up for micro-biology classes, telling me that it was the closest thing to being a medical doctor."

Typical.

"But I couldn't put myself through that much mental and emotional stress again, so I had to tell him point-blank that I was done."

"And I'm guessing he didn't take it too well," I stated matter of factly. Toyosi laughed out.

"He'd have disowned me if not for Mum's intervention." She said that with so much humor, like it was the funniness thing, even though there was obviously nothing funny about it.

"So, he cut you off." It was more of a definite statement than a question, but Toyosi nodded nonetheless.

"Yeah, Immediately." She affirmed. "Told me he wanted nothing to do with me and I was a big disappointment to him." She punctuated the statement with why might pass to others as cheery laughter, but I could hear something sad in her tone.

I wasn't sure if it was disappointment I felt... or anger. Not towards Toyosi, but towards Dad. Either one it was, Dad's parenting style was off in more ways than one and the most painful part was that he probably didn't even know.

Fuck, he has got to be the most unsupportive and difficult person I've ever met in my entire life, even towards us, his kids.

What kind of parent doesn't support their child's dream? When it's not as if it's something illegal like yahoo yahoo.

I am officially appalled.

"What did you do?" I asked Toyosi, and she turned to look at me inquisitively. "When he cut you off," I expatiated. She shrugged.

"What do you expect me to do?" She asked me. "Yes, it hurt that he did that, but it didn't make me feel sorry for what I did. I didn't regret my decision one bit because it was for my own benefit, for once. I guess he wanted me to apologize to him, but I didn't. I did nothing wrong."

Amen to that.

"He did all that to you, but yet, you still defend him," I noted, left brow tugged up. She sighed, shrugging.

"Because no matter what, he is still our Dad," She stated, and I fought the urge to scoff for the millionth time. "His ways of doing things are grossly unorthodox and sometimes extreme, but you can't deny that his heart is in the right place."

I really doubt that. I thought to myself, but didn't voice it out.

"How is your fashion designing going?" I asked, changing the topic. Her lips broke in a bigger smile and light appeared in her eyes. I could tell she loved talking about herself in this light.

It was a good thing.

"I went full-time into fashion designing, and now I'm doing well for myself," A smile of pride appeared on her lips. "Besides, Mum was super supportive, gave me my first capital to start up, and that was all I needed."

An automatic smile made its way to the corners of my lips at the mention of Mum, and how supportive she was of Toyosi.

That's her.

That's who she is.

That's who she has always been.

"Classic mum, uhn," I mumbled, more to myself than my sister, my big smile transcending into a small, sad one. The switch back in my demeanor didn't go unnoticed by Toyosi.

"I'm sorry, Simi," She whispered, apologizing for the umpteenth time. "Keeping her away from you wasn't because I wanted to, you know."

"I know that now," I answered, nodding slowly before flashing her a small reassuring smile. "It's okay," I whispered. She smiled back, relief in her eyes.

She wanted to speak again, but her phone started ringing.

"Sorry." She fished it out from the pocket of her jeans and looked at the screen. Then she looked at me. "It's Dad." She told me.

Well, speak of the devil and he shall call. I chuckled humorlessly to myself.

The phone was still ringing off and I looked at Toyosi to see that she was still looking at me as if she needed me to give her a go-ahead before picking up the call. It was nice that she didn't want to trigger me.

"Go on," I nodded. "You really don't need my permission," I added teasingly, looking away. I heard her sigh, followed by a beeping sound that indicated that she has picked up the call.

"Hello?" She said into the speaker.

I didn't want to hear the conversation, so I tuned them off, trying to occupy my thoughts with something else. Good thoughts. Happy thoughts. But no matter how much I tried, I couldn't stop thinking of the fact that Mum was sick.

Terribly Sick.

From everything Toyosi just laid out for me, I prayed desperately that nothing would happen to her. She was the only parent that supported and cared for me, for us. The only one that put our needs before hers. The only one that saw all our efforts, no matter how small, and cheered us on. That person was sick, and the mere thought that it might be something incurable scared ms to bits.

Kendra Oluwadamilola Jordan, my mum, was literally the glue that was keeping this family from falling apart.

We were all nothing without her.

I can't accept defeat. I won't accept defeat.

"Simi." Toyosi's voice alerted me out of my thoughts. I looked at her to see that she was already on her feet.

"Yeah?" I blinked.

"We gotta go...

...Mum's awake."

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

I didn't wait for Toyosi to park the car properly before opening the door and dashing out, nearly stripping because the car was still in motion.

"Be careful!"

My sister yelled after me as she pulled the car into an empty parking spot, but I didn't even want to acknowledge her or get out of the car herself. All I could think about was the fact that she was awake.

Mum was awake.

But suddenly, spelling it out like that in my mind made the realization dawn on me that it's really been a while since I saw her, and immediately, the excitement that had flooded my being earlier faded into nothingness and was replaced with nervousness.

The closer I got to the door, the heavier my legs felt until I finally stopped walking and stood frozen in front of the building.

This was basically the first time in almost two months that I'd be seeing her awake, and I suddenly didn't know how to feel about it. I mean, I was happy about it and I really wanted to see her, but there were a whole lot of other emotions subduing the happiness and excitement.

My nerves were heightened, and so many questions began to flood my mind.

How will it be?

Does she want to see me?

Will she even remember me?

Dread filled my heart at those thoughts and I was suddenly unsure.

A hand slipped into mine, bringing me out of my thoughts. I looked to see that Toyosi was already standing beside me, her hand in mine. Then, she gave it a gentle, reassuring squeeze, a small smile playing on her lips.

"She'll be happy to see you." She said to me, like she heard my uncertain thoughts. I took in one calming breath and exhaled, then nodded.

"There is a surprise waiting for you in the reception though." Toyosi chipped. I looked at her inquisitively but all she did was smile brighter and pull me along with her into the hospital building. When we got in, she didn't need to tell me the surprise because my eyes immediately landed on it.

Or rather, on her.

"Gloria?"

I couldn't hide the surprise in my tone, the shock that contorted my face. The light-skinned girl looked up from her phone and followed the sound of my voice till her eyes landed on me. She stood up, her lips turned up in a smile and mine automatically mirrored it.

"Surprise!" She called out as she walked towards me, giving me her jazz hands. I laughed lightly, shaking my head at her.

Gloria was the last person I expected to see here because I thought she'd be halfway across the world by now. She's meant to be on a flight to Dubai with her family for the holidays since yesterday morning, and the last time we spoke, she was already checking in at the airport.

Now she's here.

"What are you doing here?"

"Our flight got delayed to tomorrow morning," She started to explain. "We were at the airport hotel when Toyosi's call came in last night. She explained everything to me and I just had to be here this morning." She said.

I exhaled, the burden on my chest getting lighter. I pulled her in for a hug, gratitude filling my soul. I didn't even think I needed her to be here until this, and now, I wouldn't have it any other way. Gloria was practically family to me.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"Friends don't say thank you, you big goofball." She gently slapped my back in the name of patting and I laughed again, pulling away from her. She held my hand for a bit and squeezed, the look in her eyes telling me that everything would be okay.

Toyosi that had gone to the front desk came back with two tags. She handed one to Gloria and another to me.

"This will grant you access to Mum whenever you come," She explained to us. "Just show it to the nurse at the front desk and they'll let you through with no hassle."

I nodded, hanging it around my neck with the rope attached to it.

"Toyosi."

Dad's voice filled the room, giving me a direct whiplash.

The reception wasn't exactly quiet, especially with people moving in and out of the hospital and some at the front desk talking to the nurses. But of course, that didn't stop me from picking up his voice. I could do that even if he was a mile away from me because that voice was already ingrained in my mind... against my better judgment.

I've been majorly indifferent about that voice. Sometimes, it even evoked so much fear in me.

But now, all I felt for the voice was total hatred.

We all turned at the same time in the direction his voice was coming from and saw him standing in the hallway where the elevator that led to Mum's ward was. His eyes stayed briefly on Toyosi before they moved to me.

I stared back, holding his gaze intently with mine, not willing to back down. Looking at him triggered all the memories from last night, and coupled with everything Toyosi told me this morning, I couldn't stop the anger that started brewing in my chest. My stare transcended into a glare, causing him to look away from me.

"Only family members can be allowed in." He stated out of the blues, indirectly referring to Gloria's presence here. Toyosi made to speak, but I beat her to it.

"She's family, and she's coming with us," I told him, holding her hand. "And I really don't care if you have a problem with that," I added, leaving no room for arguments.

But knowing the kind of person I had as a father, I knew he wouldn't let that go by. But before he could find his words, Toyosi spoke first.

"Dad," She spoke up when he opened his mouth, shaking her head at him. "Now is not the time. Just let it go." She appeased me, but I couldn't care any less.

"That was a little rude," Gloria whispered to me chidingly.

"I really don't care," I told her shrewdly.

I'm done respecting Demilade Jordan.

Toyosi led the way into the elevator that took us to the floor of Mum's ward. As soon as the elevator stopped, my heart picked up a faster beat. Gloria notice how tense I had gotten and squeezed my hand gently, wordlessly assuring me that everything will be fine.

The closer we got to her room, the faster my heart raced. I tried taking a few calming breaths but it seemed like there was nothing to stop how erratic my heart kept beating, all the way till we got to her room.

Now, my heart was literally in my mouth.

The door was opened, and nothing was shielding any of us from seeing what was going on inside the room. There were nurses inside, about five of them doing one thing or the other, but they weren't the ones I was here from.

A shaky breath escaped my lips as one of the nurses blocking the line of my vision moved away and I set my eyes on her.

Mum.

And yeah, she was awake.

It wasn't as scary as yesterday. No tubes attached to her, and no oxygen mask over her face. She was sitting up, eyes wide open.

And breathing.

She was all smiles, talking to one of the nurses that were engaging her religiously, and my heart swelled at the sight of her. She still looked pale and sick. She had reduced drastically and looked very lean that the hospital gown she had on looked like a rice sack over her tiny frame.

But there was still that brightness in her eyes, that radiance in her smile still heavily present. It made me tear up.

And while everyone left my side to go and meet her, I stood still and watched.

Dad bent his upper half to her level and pressed her kiss to her forehead and I saw the way she leaned into him lovingly. Then Toyosi's turn came and she leaned down to hug Mum dearly. Even from the distance, I could see the tears brimming in her eyes, a few beads falling.

Mum tsked playfully at her, cupping Toyosi's face in her wrinkling, shaky hands, and used her thumb to clean the tears away, saying something to Toyosi. I couldn't hear it but I saw Toyosi nodding before they hugged again.

Gloria knelt beside the bed and Mum took her hands in her, giving them gentle squeezes with a big smile of gratitude stretched on her lips.

At this point, I was already in tears.

She hasn't lost her light. I thought to myself, feeling a sense of pride.

Slowly, they all turned to me. And when Mum's eyes met mine, it made it so much harder to hold back the tears.

"Simi," Toyosi whispered, beckoning for me to come. But I couldn't bring myself to muster the strength and move from that spot.

Not until Mum spoke.

"Simisola,"

She called to me, her voice hushed and raspy, but still very familiar. This was the first time in two months I'd be hearing her voice.

God

"I don't think I look so bad that you won't even want to come to me." She teased, giving me a look. I couldn't stop the small, breathy laugh that escaped my lips at that, using the back of my palm to wipe the tears that were already spilling out of my eyes away.

I've missed her voice.

I've missed her wit and her teasing.

God, I've missed her so much!

She stretched her hand out to me.

"Come here, my sweet baby boy." She whispered, so much love sipping through her voice.

That was my undoing.

I wasn't sure if I flew, or teleported even, but the next thing I knew was that I was with her on the bed with my hands wrapped around her and hers around me in a bear hug, weeping unashamedly like a baby.

Love.

Warmth.

Home.

That and many more beautiful emotions filled me up, overwhelmed me, and threatened to burst through my chest.

Her hand wrapped around me, left her hand cradling my head lovingly to her chest as she whispered soothing words to calm me down. But they only made me cry even harder, made me bawl my eyes out like a child. But I didn't care.

I am my mummy's baby.

She grunted slightly when I unconsciously tightened my arms around her. I quickly detached myself from her, pulling away.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." I chanted the apology frantically, scanning her body to see if I had done something wrong. But she chuckled, shaking her head at me.

"I'm fine," She assured me. "It's okay, just let me hold you baby." She said, pulling me to hold me.

I let her, cocooning myself in the warmth of my mother's embrace.

I was all cuddled up with Mum, squeezing myself next to her on the hospital bed that was clearly way too small to contain the two of us. But I didn't care, because I wanted to be as close to Mum as possible. I needed to make the most of this moment because I wasn't sure if I'd get the chance to be this way with her again.

In this situation, everything good or bad was an inevitable possibility.

Besides, it's been so long since she held me this way and I missed it so much.

She had her arms around me, my head cradled to her chest while my hand wrapped loosely around her middle. Mum smelled like antiseptics and drugs. I don't think I have ever loved the smell of antiseptics and drugs the way I did right now.

No one was in the room with us. Toyosi and Gloria went out to get snacks and Dad was wherever. I liked that it was just both of us. I needed some alone time with Mum. We had so much to catch up on.

"Tell me how the school has been," Mum spoke after long moments of uncomfortable silence. I chuckled at how random it was.

"School is just school, Mum," I answered her. "Dramatic and Weird. Typical high school." I added. She laughed, and I felt her chest vibrate against my head.

"At least, no one has been giving you any more trouble, have they?"

"Nah." I shook my head.

I can't even remember the last time I was bullied. Yes, I was still in the mouths of our classmates, but for entirely different reasons now. But like always, I don't give and have never given two fucks.

"I'm good, Mum," I assured her, and she hummed in response, weaving her fingers through my hair playfully.

"And how is Hilary?"

Ehn?

That question was certainly not expected, my head automatically jerking up at it. I turned to look at Mum, my gaze incredulous. She had a small, teasing smile playing on her lips and I knew she had asked that question on purpose.

I didn't even know she still remembered who Hilary is.

"What?" I breathed out in awe.

"What?" She fired back at me playfully, coughing lightly before giving me a look. "I can't ask about your friend again?"

That statement would have been so innocent if she didn't give the word 'friend' air quotes. I couldn't stop the shy chuckle that escaped my lips, my head falling back to her chest in embarrassment.

"Mum, stop," I begged.

"Egbami!" She exclaimed dramatically. "What am I doing that you are asking me to stop? Abi you guys are not friends again ni? If you are not friends again, then what are you? A couple?" She rambled on, plunging me into deeper embarrassment.

"Mum!" I groaned out, my cheeks flaming up.

"Am I wrong?" She asked me, a sweet smile tugging at the corners of her lips. I laughed lightly, seeing no use hoarding any information from her.

"We aren't quite there yet," I explained simply.

"But soon?" Mum asked. "Because I know you like her." She added, and my smile widened.

"Yes, soon," I answered her first question. "And yes, I really do like her," I added to affirm her second statement.

I love her.

I didn't hear Mum say anything for a moment, so I looked up at her, only to find her smiling down at me brightly.

"That's good to hear," She said. "Because I like her for you. She's a sweet girl."

That made my smile widen even more, so much so that my cheeks began to hurt so badly. Mum has only met Hilary once, and still, she had good things to say about her, just like Toyosi did this morning too. It further solidified the fact that I was doing something right.

Silence ensued between us again, causing a question to pop back into my head. A question I've been dreading asking since I got here.

But I knew I had to ask, eventually.

"Mum?" I called.

"Yes, baby," She answered, her voice hoarse and tired.

I sat up and turned my head so that I could look at her. I wanted to ask this question while looking at her in the eyes. Lips might lie but the eyes certainly don't. And at this point, I can't afford any more lies.

"What's really wrong with you?" I asked, holding her gaze with mine so that she'd see that I needed the truth and nothing but the truth. And when she exhaled softly, I knew she was going to give it to me.

So, I braced myself.

"It's a heart condition, baby." She answered, and her eyes told me she was telling the truth.

My shoulders slumped and my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach. I might not be medically inclined but I knew that any sickness heart related doesn't sound good to anybody. And it certainly didn't sound good to me at this moment.

"I don't want to scare you with details," She continued, taking my hands in hers and holding on to them in a bid to calm me. "But the condition is a rare one and the doctors are doing their best to find a solution, or at least, ways to manage it." She explained to me.

"And what's the confidence rate?" I asked. "Have they found anything?"

She slowly shook her head, and my heart broke even more.

"Not yet," she whispered. "But soon." She added like an afterthought, just to put me at ease.

It didn't.

"That doesn't sound very convincing." I teased despite myself, trying to look strong for her by forcing a small smile. Of course, it didn't go unnoticed by her. She's my mum for a reason.

"Hey," She whispered, releasing my hands to cup my face. "It's all going to work out. I'll be fine." She said to me, her tone laced with a level of confidence she definitely wasn't meant to possess in this kind of situation.

Heck, I wasn't the one that was sick, yet I didn't have the kind of confidence she did.

"And how do you know that?"

"Don't you trust me anymore?" Her voice was soft, cajoling. I let out a shaky breath, suddenly feeling chilly and cold that I had to wrap my hands around myself.

"I'll be fine, Simisola," She sounded so sure, so certain. "You just have to be patient with me for a little while." She said.

This wasn't what I wanted to hear.

"I don't want to lose you, Mum," My voice quivered m, fresh tears brimming in my eyes.

"You won't." She said with so much certainty. "I promise."

And I held on to that promise with everything in me.

Mum had to rest, so I had to leave the bed eventually so that she'd be comfortable. Gloria also had to leave later because she wanted to spend some time with Kizito before finally going on her vacation tomorrow and I understood that. The few hours she spent here were perfect.

Toyosi told me to go get some fresh air while she watches over Mum, so I did. I strolled through the hallway of the ward, replaying Mum's promise over and over again in my mind because that was what kept the little hope I had alive.

She promised me that she'd be fine and I believed her... or rather, I wanted to believe her. I had no other choice but to try and believe her.

And pray.

I made my way to the balcony of the ward that overlooked the city, absentminded and completely oblivious to the fact that Dad was also there, making a phone call. And when I realized it, it was already too late.

I was in his line of vision and he had seen me.

I'm sure as fuck not staying in the same space with this man. I thought to myself, turning around to leave.

"Simi, wait!"

Oh shit.

I automatically stopped short on my steps, immediately hating how my body seemed to recognize my Dad's voice and the authority in it, no matter how subtle.

I turned around to face him in time to see him hanging up the call and putting his phone into his pocket. I equally shoved my hands into the pocket of my jacket and stared at him, waiting for him to say whatever it was he wanted to so that I'd get the hell out.

But he didn't speak for another minute, looking at me with a rather conflicted expression, a look I have never seen on him before. It didn't faze me though. I just wanted to get away from him as soon as possible.

"If you are not going to speak, then I better get going." I wasted no time in turning around again.

"You know we have to talk." He finally spoke. I turned back around, a scoff leaving my lips.

That's a first.

This was the first time Dad would be using that phrase. Usually, he was always the one doing the talking and I, the listening. Or rather, he was always doing the dictating and I'd have no choice but to take it, even if it didn't appeal to me.

Now he wants us to talk.

Yeah right.

"No, we don't have to talk," I shook my head. "I don't have anything to say to you and I certainly don't want to hear what you have to say to me," I said, staring him down.

His face contorted in a displeased frown, clearly not liking the tone I was using with him.

"You don't have to be rude–"

Rude. A small laugh escaped my lips.

"You are upset about yesterday and I understand that, but you don't have to take that tone with me, young man," He was trying to assert dominance as he has always done, but unlike before, it didn't get to me.

I just continued staring at him.

"It wasn't supposed to be that way yesterday. Everything was just a misunderstanding–"

Now that word triggered me.

"Misunderstanding?" I asked, my voice raising a bit. "You call lying to me a misunderstanding? Are you being serious right now?!"

I can't believe this man.

"It wasn't a deliberate attempt–" he tried to defend himself.

"Yet, you did it anyway!" I cut him off, my voice thundering and echoing through the empty halls. I didn't care that I was shouting at my father, I was far too gone to give a crap.

"You didn't even bother that it was going to affect me, that it is affecting me! You only do what is convenient for yourself and expect that we take it like that! That's not how a family should operate!" I stabbed my finger in the air at him, trying my best to keep a safe distance away from him because if I got closer, I'll just be all up in his face.

"I do what is convenient for the family!" He raised his voice as well, frustration in his voice. "Everything single thing I do is to protect this family!"

Like hell.

"Fuck your protection! Where the hell has it gotten us!" I flung my hand to the side.

He was heaving. I was heaving. We were both breathing heavily. He didn't say anything back to counter me or defend himself. Heck, he wasn't even reacting to the fact that I just cussed at him. Maybe because he was shocked, staring at me with a look that said he hadn't been expecting that outburst from me.

And me, I was already on a fucking roll to care even a little bit about my word choices.

The silence dragged for another minute, the air pregnant with so much tension. Dad and I were practically staring each other down now, neither of us willing to back down. He was trying to be intimidating but I have decided within me that I'll never give him the satisfaction of cowering in his presence ever again.

"Listen to me–" He began to speak.

"No, you listen to me." I cut him off immediately. "You wanted us to talk, here you have it. I have so much to say to you and you are going to listen to every single word without interrupting me."

He veered back slightly, his mouth agape in shock. He was dumbfounded, and I took that as my cue to speak.

"Give whatever name you want to give to what you did just to suit your narrative, or make you feel less guilty, but it doesn't change the fact that you lied," I spelled it out for him. "You didn't just lie to me, you also lied to Toyosi. And you'd have continued lying to the both of us if she didn't catch you in your lie!–"

"–We are your kids for Christ's sake, Dad!" My voice wasn't as loud anymore, but there was still an edge to it. "And we are not little children anymore. It's no longer about what works for you, it's about what works for all of us!–

You keep making decisions for us, without our consent, doing only what appeals to you, and not caring if it appeals to us all in the name of protection. What kind of protection is that!"

I knew I was already deviating from Mum's health issue and making this about everything else that was wrong. But he needed to hear this. Once and for all!

"Even when it's not convenient for us, when it doesn't make us happy, we still try to do what we can, just to impress you, all to please you, but it's never enough! You are never satisfied.–

No encouragement, no support. Just degradation and insults, and finally neglect from you, and yet, you are talking about protection? You cut Toyosi off, and you call that protection?!"

I laughed at the sheer absurdity and idiotic ignorance of this man that was my Dad, shaking my head at him. He stared back, his shoulders slumped, a forlorn look on his face.

"Father of the year!" I clapped my hands in sarcasm, a painful smile stretched at the corners of my lips.

He just stared back wordlessly, and I swear, I saw his eyes glistening with unshed tears, an indication that my words were getting to him. But knowing how thick-skinned my Dad was, it would eventually roll off his back and he'll go back to the default setting.

So this theatrics... didn't faze me one bit.

I moved closer to him. Closer and closer, till I was standing right in front of him. Our height difference wasn't much so we were basically standing eye to eye, on the same level.

"I have ignored how unloved you always make me feel. I have ignored how you have made me see myself as not good enough. Because of you, your words, and your actions, I have questioned my self-worth severally, taking all your insults like a champ because I dare not show weakness in your presence. And the one person–"

I held my index finger up, my eyes brimming with angry tears.

"–The one person that made up for all your lapses as a parent, all your flaws and inactions. The one person that made me feel worthy. The one person that loved me despite my imperfections, you kept me away from her because you were protecting me.–"

I spat out the word 'protecting' with so much disdain.

"Nah," I shook my head. "I won't ignore that, and I won't easily forgive it," I told him point-blank.

"From now on, we are just father and son connected by DNA and nothing else, and that gesture is because of Mum," I said to him. "And I don't know how you want to do it, or how much money you are going to spend for it, but you had better make sure Mum gets out of this.–"

"Mum is the glue holding this family together and if anything happens to her, it would sever the little ties we have left in this family. You will never see me again, Dad, and I'll make sure you don't see Toyosi again. I'll cut you off for good, and you will spend the rest of your life sad and lonely, wishing you did things better. I promise you."

His mouth gapped, but words didn't come out. I turned around to leave, but stopped, one more thing left on my mind to say.

"And yeah," I looked at him over my shoulder. "Life would have been so much better if it was you on that bed and not her."

A sharp breath escaped his lips, eyes widened in horror at my words. But I didn't wait another minute to engage him, turning on my heels and walking away from him...

Completely Satisfied with myself.

𝐀/𝐍

Omo💀. Simi don para!

What are your thoughts on the things he said to his father? Too harsh, or just about right? Me sef, I'm not sure where I stand at this point, but I think Demilade needed to hear that from his son... for the first time. Long overdue if you ask me.

And let's talk about that revelation from Toyosi. Demilade is literally the most unsupportive parent in history. I don't understand what you will cut your child off just because she doesn't want to pursue the career part you think is best for her, when it's not as if she's a child that doesn't know her left from her right. Ahn😒!

But let me know what you think in the comments.

So we have gotten to know what's really wrong with Aunty Kendra😭. Do you think she'll fulfill her promise to Simi by getting better? I hope so🥹.

The next chapter will be Jidela, and omo... something big might happen. I don't know if I should categorize it as a good thing or a bad thing, but you'll be the judge when you read.

Till then, you know the drill. I'll see you when I see you. Kisses 😌❤️.