To write is human, to receive a letter: Divine! — Susan Lendroth

"Will someone answer me?" She gritted out and made a fist.

"I invited him," Bisi declared.

"And why would you do that?"

"Because he wanted to wish you a happy birthday. Now please have your seat."

Fola shook her head vigorously. "I won't have dinner with him."

"Come on, Sis." Emma groaned. " If it bothers you so much then ignore him."

"Exactly!" Kala asserted.

Fola ground her teeth together and glared daggers at Timi Tokunbo who sat with a pained expression. She watched as he got up and came to meet her.

"I know you are angry with me but I honestly wanted to wish you a happy birthday. If I came to your office, I knew you would kick me out without listening to me."

"Of course, I would. I can't stand you." She narrowed her eyes.

Hurt flickered in his eyes but he quickly schooled his expression. "Anyway, I don't want to ruin the fun time with your loved ones so I will leave. Happy Birthday." He sent her a smile and proceeded to move past her.

You better stop him, said a little voice.

Why? She countered.

Because you would regret turning him away.

Fola's brows furrowed in confusion.

No, I won't.

You better stop him, the voice said again.

Fola's lips formed into a thin line. Fine.

She turned to her friend and sisters. "You can call him back," she muttered and marched to her seat.

The excited squeals of Bisi and her sisters drifted in her ears but she ignored them. She crossed her arms over her chest and her face morphed into a scowl. A minty scent wafted into her nose and her nose scrunched up as Timi took a seat beside her. From the corner of her eyes, she spied her sisters and Bisi as they occupied the remaining chairs.

"So...what are we ordering?" Bisi grinned and peered at the menu in front of her.

"The sweet and sour pork sounds delicious," Kala smiled.

"I would like to try the Kung Pao," Bisi remarked.

"Hmm, I think I would go for Chow Mein," Emma said.

"That's great." Bisi beamed. "What about you guys?" She faced Timi and Fola. "What are you ordering?"

"Chicken Fried Rice!" Fola and Timi said together.

Fola's breath hitched and she shot Timi a dark look. He looked at her with a smirk playing on his lips.

Bisi giggled. "The two of you are so in sync. It's cute."

Fola scoffed and rolled her eyes. Bisi beckoned a waiter over and the group gave their orders. Silence ensued as they waited for their food.

"So...are we going to act dumb until our food comes?" Emma asked with a slight frown.

"Definitely not!' Kala exclaimed with excitement and then faced Fola. "How has your birthday been so far?"

"Not bad." Fola shrugged her shoulders. "My team members wished me and gave me some gifts." A fond smile graced her lips.

"Ooh, that's nice," she smiled.

"Sorry, I missed it." Bisi's lips turned down. "I was stuck in traffic."

"It's okay." Fola sent her a slight smile and turned away. Suddenly something popped into her mind and she turned her head.

"Thank you, guys, for the flowers," she said to her sisters.

"Flowers!" A confused look marred their faces.

"What are you talking about?" Kala asked.

Fola's brows wrinkled. "When I got to my office, bouquets of lilies covered most of my office. So I thought it was you guys who did it."

Kala and Emma shook their heads. "It wasn't us."

Fola pursed her lips. "If it wasn't both of you then who did it?" Her eyes widened. "Was it you, Bisi?"

"Unfortunately, no. But it proves that there is someone who knows you more than you think." Her eyes twinkled with mirth.

Fola's lips puckered. "Hmm, I don't like the idea of having a stalker."

"It's not a stalker but a secret admirer." Emma leaned forward with a huge grin.

Fola rolled her eyes and scoffed. "That's preposterous."

Emma wasn't given a chance to respond because the waiter returned with their steaming plates of food.

"Ooh, this looks delicious." Bisi inhaled the aroma.

Fola's mouth watered as she stared at the food. Her stomach gave a loud rumble and her cheeks warmed in embarrassment as Timi chuckled from beside her. She was about to start eating when Kala's voice stopped her.

"Let's pray." A smile played on her lips. "Timi, please do the honors."

Timi produced a quick smile and bowed his head. Fola was forced to follow Bisi, Kala, and Emma as they bowed their heads. Her ears perked up as Timi started the prayer.

"Dear Lord, we thank you for this wonderful day and this delicious food. We ask that they nourish our bodies. We also thank you for giving Glenda another birthday to celebrate and we thank you for allowing us to celebrate with her. In your name, we pray. Amen."

"Amen!" The ladies chorused.

Emotions stirred within Fola as Timi's prayer floated in her head. No one had openly prayed for her in years and she didn't know how to handle the new feelings rousing within her. She pushed her thoughts to the back of her mind and concentrated on her food.

As they ate, her sisters and Bisi engaged in conversation. However, Fola and Timi remained silent throughout. A few minutes later, they finished their food and the waiter cleared their plates away. They had some dessert afterward which consisted of some cheesecake. Barely a few moments later after that, Bisi shot up from her seat.

"I will attend to the bills," she said and walked off.

Fola's brows rose as Kala stood up with a smile.

"Please excuse me, I need to use the restroom."

"I will come with you," Emma jumped up.

Fola watched in wonder as her sisters scampered away. She turned and her eyes connected with Timi's face. A frown immediately marred her face and her eyes darted away.

Silence loomed over them. The sounds of the other patrons filled the background. Fola counted the seconds hoping and praying that either Bisi or her sisters would return. She felt eyes on her but she didn't bother to look up.

Timi cleared his throat. "So are you going to avoid me all the time?"

"Yes," she said without looking at him.

He sighed. "Why put yourself through the stress of doing that?"

"Why do you care?" she barked and tossed him a glare.

"Because unforgiveness is not a good thing to hold on to."

Fola scoffed and rolled her eyes. "It is not your business what I do."

"I know. But I want to be your friend. I want to make amends for all the troubles I gave you in the past."

She spared him a look and she watched sincerity shimmer in his eyes. However, Fola wasn't letting herself get swayed by his sweet words.

"It's too late," she declared. "You made me lose my job for Christ's sake." Her voice rose. "How do you expect me to forget all that and be your friend?"

His eyes dimmed and turmoil swam in them. "We can at least try," he said after a few moments of silence.

Fola snorted and shook her head. "It's not possible."

He shook his head and conviction gleamed in his eyes. "It is possible if we both want it. Galatians chapter 6 verse 9 says, let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. That means if we try and don't give up, we will get the desired results."

Fola gaped at him in amazement. She was having a hard time believing that Timi Tokunbo was quoting the Bible. She leaned back in her seat and stared at him with curiosity in her eyes.

"When did you change and become a Christian?"

"The day I almost died," he said and his eyes darkened.

Fola sucked in a breath. "Died?" Her eyes widened.

"Yes." He cracked a wistful smile.

Fola's interest intensified and she blurted. "Tell me your story."

"Alright." His smile broadened. He relaxed and began talking. "It happened a year after you stopped working for us. I was driving home from a Friday night party. It was around 3 am and the roads were deserted at least that's what I thought." He shook his head.

"I had had a few drinks at the party and the alcohol was pumping through my veins. Being my usual arrogant self, I was driving at full speed, not caring about what could happen. It all happened within a couple of minutes. I was turning a bend when I noticed a tank trailer speeding towards me. I blasted my horn and struggled to apply my brakes but the brakes refused to work. It was like it was being controlled by a powerful force. The truck kept getting closer. The driver also didn't seem to see me." Unshed tears shone in his eyes.

"At that point, the inevitable was staring me in the face. I was going to die. But I didn't want to." His voice cracked. "As the truck drew closer, my eyes closed and I prayed to God to save me. My eyes remained closed even as the truck rammed into me. After that everything went blank. When I woke up two days later, I was in a hospital with different machines attached to my body. My hands and legs were covered in casts." His voice was thick with emotions.

"But then I realized that I was alive. The God I had ignored most of life had spared my life."

Fola gazed in amazement as a tear slid down his face. A tear he didn't bother to wipe away.

"And right there in the hospital, I dedicated my life to Christ, vowing to serve him all the days of my life." A smile grazed his lips. " I was discharged from the hospital 6 months later, and as I studied the Word of God more, I realized that I needed to ask for forgiveness from the people who I offended. So that's when my search for you began." He shrugged. "I guess you know the rest."

His words replayed in Fola's head and she gazed at him with awe. The man sitting opposite her was not her long-time bully but a survivor. Did that fact change her views about him? She wasn't sure.

She dragged out a breath. "That's a lot to take in."

"Yeah," he muttered and spared her a glance before looking away.

Fola was still trying to digest his story when Bisi and her sisters ambled toward them. She watched them with suspicion as they reached the table. Their disappearance and sudden appearance were not a mere coincidence.

"Hmm, did something happen here?" Bisi's eyes darted between Fola and Timi.

Fola shrugged a shoulder and remained silent. She didn't feel like talking about their conversation. So instead she said, "If we have settled the bill then I think we can leave."

"Yeah, I agree. I have some things to attend to," Bisi remarked.

The group packed up their things and sauntered out of the restaurant. They stopped when they reached the parking lot.

Fola pulled her sisters for a tight hug. Tears burned the back of her eyes but she managed to stop them from spilling out.

"It was nice spending the day with you guys," she said with a loving smile.

"Yeah, we can say the same." Kala produced a wide grin.

"We shall leave now," Emma said and pulled Fola for another hug. "Happy birthday again, Sis."

Fola frowned as Emma pressed something into her palm and pulled back.

"Don't read it until you get home," Kala said sternly.

Her frown deepened and she looked down. A white envelope greeted her. Curiosity washed over her and she suddenly became eager to get home. She wished her sisters goodbye and turned to Bisi who was chatting away with Timi.

"Shall we?" She asked.

"Oh?" Bisi sent her an apologetic smile. "I won't be following you. I have something to pick up."

"What?" Fola gaped at her in horror. "How am I supposed to get home?"

"I am sorry, I should have told you but not to worry, Timi has offered to drop you." She smiled.

Fola's heart lurched and she turned to Timi who was looking at her with nervousness dancing in his eyes. Her shoulders slumped and she sighed. "Fine," she breathed out. The energy to fight had left her.

Bisi wished her a quick farewell and slipped into the taxi she had ordered. Fola let Timi lead her to his car. She gave him her house address and then silence reigned for the remaining part of the journey. Much to his confusion, she instructed him to stop the car a few meters from the Akande Mansion. She said her thanks and hurried away.

Her heart pounded as she scurried into the house. She didn't spare anyone a glance as she raced up the stairs. Her study came into view and she scurried inside. She opened her bag and pulled out the envelope she had tucked inside.

Excitement mingled with uncertainty surged through her as she broke the seal of the envelope. Her eyes widened as a piece of paper covered in brown stains fell out. Her fingers trembled as she picked it up. She had a feeling that whatever it contained would change the course of her life.

                 ★★★★★

This was quite a drama-filled chapter, wasn't it?

What do you think about the story that brought a change in Timi?

Can you empathize or sympathize with him?

Personally, I can only empathize.

Anyway, most especially what do you think about the letter Emma gave Fola?

Who do you imagine it is from?

Let your imagination run wild and drop your comments in the comments section.

Before you leave, also click on the little star in the corner ⭐😁

Until next time, try out some cheesecake 😂