Fikayo watched as the three girls left the auditorium laughing and talking happily. She felt her heartache and her throat burn. Blinking back the tears that formed, she sat down on a chair just beside her.

She couldn't take her eyes from the direction in which Jemima stood. With all grace, poise and beauty.

How can someone be that perfect? She thought within herself.

Jemima had been who she could only wish she was. She had admired her since Junior school one. But couldn't be friends with her, she just couldn't be friends with someone as perfect as Jemima. Gradually that admiration turned to Jealousy and then envy. And then... Hate

She just hated that Jemima had everything, she could only dream of.

A beautiful smile and face that had boys from as long as their junior secondary school days crushing on her. A brain that got her all the prices that were there to receive. Charm and attitude that made all teachers fall in love with her.

Isn't she the girl born to an amazing family?. She daydreamed about being her. Having Jemima's father, mother, sister and brothers. Jemima's small but sweet circle of friends.

And if that wasn't enough. She was sure God loved Jemima more than her.

Because her life was the exact opposite.

Her smile was regarded as evilly and although she was sure she was pretty. She didn't attract guys of value like Jemima. Average in class, she couldn't boast of an award or title except for being class rep which was now a thing of the past... Because...

Her family couldn't even pretend to be half as amazing as Jemima's.

Her father with his numerous concubines. Her parents had been separated for as long as she could remember. Her mother who was just a civil servant couldn't help but get into trouble, one way or the other. Well, she takes after her, the true daughter of her mother.
The people she called her friends were mere minions, she was trying all her best to become as loved and accepted as Jemima. But as we know, it wasn't going right.

If she was, to tell the truth. She was in this particular school, whose fees were killing her mum, just because she heard Jemima was coming her.

Did she even have a life of her own?

••••••••

"Who are you!" Derin said after she found a stranger in her room.

"Aderinsola", the voice said to her.

Her form was angelic, her face beautiful and bright. The feeling of fear that had formed in Derins heart a while ago became one of admiration. But who was she?

" You know my name?" Derin asked with a smile.

A smile spread out on the lady's face and gradually changed to a sad demeanour. Derin was shocked, had she done something to upset her?

"What is wrong?" Derin asked.

The lady's face became teary as the atmosphere changed. Derin fell on her knees and dropped her head as she became sad herself. Reason why? She didn't know, but she was sure she had done something terrible.

"Why have you neglected your assignment? Why have you focused on the devil and his devices above you and God?" She said.

Derin looked up but who she saw wasn't the angelic lady anymore. The face of this one was so bright she had to retreat.

Even if she was far from God all this while. She was very sure of who this one is.

"How father!" She asked in tears.

"You were made for this time Aderinsola. Why are you neglecting God's work and letting bitterness take over your heart? Why have you refused to forgive?"

Derin knew what this was all about and she couldn't help but cry tears she hadn't before. She had failed.

" You were sent out to restore homes. So why have you allowed yours to fall? When will you pray back my son? Why won't you Aderinsola? You that have been forgiving so much more, you don't forgive?"

"I'm sorry Lord. I'm sorry father. I'm sorry Lord!"

"I ask you. WHERE IS YOUR HUSBAND, who is the cross you have to carry? WHERE IS THE GARDEN I asked to look after, to look after? Where!"

"I'm sorry Lord. I'll make amends. I'll make Amends... I'll make amends....", she said as she woke up from her deep sleep.

Derin blinked her eyes open with the words still in her mouth. Her eyes went straight to the wall clock in her hotel room. It was 6:15 am. Tears were still in her eyes as a result of the dream.

" A dream?" Derin said. But she knew it was more. The son had appeared to her. And she had to pray.

She went on her knees with her teary face, she needed to let it all out. She cried for twenty minutes letting all the heartbreak she was holding inside. Admitting she felt betrayed she opened her mouth and talked to her maker.

Asking for forgiveness, strength and mercy. But it still seemed difficult to forgive whenever she remembered that another woman was pregnant for Dele. A thought dropped into her mind. It was the technique she had taught many women she counselled. About forgiveness, how to forgive when the partner doesn't see what they did as wrong.

"Tell yourself sorry!"

She heard her voice say. And with that, she began to apologise to herself as though Dele was apologising.

"I'm sorry Derin, for breaking your heart. Please forgive me. Forgive me!" She said to herself.

"I forgive you Oladele. I forgive you!"

She muttered those words which became louder and later resulted in her bursting in tongues. She was in that position for two hours straight. Releasing Dele from we're she had kept him in her heart. Forgiving Monica for all she did.

Feeling lighter, Derin opened her eyes and discovered she had spent a lot of time forgiving. She still desired to pray some more, as the Holy Spirit asked her to pray for her husband.

It was a long time she prayed for her husband. And a long time she heard from him.

How could she have cared so less of her husband?

    ~~~

Mo' drove the car that Semiloore's house. Semiloore sat beside her while I sat at the back going through a Bible reading plan on the youversion app. It had been a very long time since I visited that application, which had been my favourite over the years.

Semiloore and Mo' were so engrossed in the podcast the were listening to through the car stereo.

We got to the gigantic building in no time, and I couldn't help but feel inferior to my friends. They we're from rich families. Although I hadn't been to Mo's place. Semiloore had done a good job telling me how beautiful it was.

And Semiloore's place, I couldn't help but stare.

Mo' honk to get the attention of the gatekeeper, a neat looking young man. He came out of the house and walked to the car. On sighting Semiloore, he jumped and rushed to open the door.

Mo' drove in while I observed the beauty of the compound. Semiloore had started some catching up with the Man, whose name I found to be Kola.

We got down from the car only to see a beautiful young woman who I guessed was Semiloore's mom, step out of the building

•••

They heard a car drive in and Nurse Temi jumped up. She was 100% sure it was her daughter although Toni contemplated the possibility of Nurse Temi's daughter coming home with a car.

She followed after her when I heard her scream in delight. Running outside the house, Toni stopped on her tracks as soon as she sighted 'her'.

•••

Who was I seeing? My mind raced a thousand miles in a minute. I didn't know whether I should be grateful, upset, thankful or... My eyes couldn't be deceiving.

This was my best friend.

Olatoni

WAO!

HELLO DEARIE, IT'S MIFE AGAIN!!!

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS CHAPTER?

TELL ME, IS THERE A LESSON YOU LEARNT?

LEFT TO ME, I FEEL FIKAYO IS A GEM WE ARE YET TO DISCOVER. THAT SHE IS YET TO DISCOVER.

AND DERIN.🥺🥺🥺

LET ME ASK YOU
DO YOU WANT THEM TO MAKE UP OR BREAK UP?

WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN NEXT CHAPTER? I WANT TO HEAR YOU VIEWS ABOUT TONI AND JEMI's MEETING.

ARE YOU EXCITED OR WHAT

Too many questions 🥵🤦‍♀️ sowie ❤

Don't forget to vote ⭐ comment 💬  and share 💌

I love you ❤❤❤