#JUST_BEST_FRIENDS

Author: Sam Freddy

CHAPTER 23: REVELATIONS.

-
-
-

On this beautiful Tuesday evening, Yomi and Idara were together on a trip to a very classy restaurant where Idara and her mother had agreed to meet for dinner.

Prior to the commencement of this trip, Yomi had begged Idara to forgive Candice for her violent action against Idara the previous day, and to also allow him drive her to her destination as a means of making it up to her on Candice's behalf. And Idara, being a typical softy, had agreed to Yomi's pleas without much fuss.

Presently, the two best friends were listening to Yomi's car radio in silence while waiting for a go ahead sign from the traffic light.

"Hey, Dara." Yomi called, sensing Idara's odd mood. "You okay?"

"Yeah." Idara replied after a moment of hesitation. "I'm good."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

Immediately after Idara responded, the traffic light showed bright green, and then Yomi continued driving forward.

Turning off his car radio, Yomi glanced at Idara and said, "Look, if it's about what happened yesterday, I'm deeply sorry about that, Dara. I talked some sense into Candice before I even called you on phone last night, so you should be expecting to hear from her any time soon."

"Mmm."

"Believe me, Dara, Candice is also sorry for what she did. I swear."

Idara sighed without looking at Yomi. "Funny enough, that's not even what I was thinking about, Yomi."

Yomi glanced at Idara again. "Really?"

"Yes."

"So what's the problem, then?"

"It's about this whole meeting-my-mother thing." Idara said, looking out through the car windscreen. "I mean, the whole thing's just kinda weird, you know."

"Yeah, I feel you." Yomi replied. "I know how you feel."

Slowly, Idara shook her head in wonder. "Honestly, it amazes me how this woman who abandoned her family for so many years just pops out of nowhere and thinks that she can win back my love with a dinner treat. Isn't it laughable?"

Yomi said nothing to Idara on purpose.

"Twenty good years, Yomi." Idara lamented further, her voice laced with sincere pain. "That's how long she left us. And now she's back like a ghost. How pathetic."

Yet again, Yomi maintained silence.

"You're not saying anything," Idara complained, still avoiding eye contact with Yomi. "Why? Are you on her side?"

"Not exactly." Yomi eventually spoke, casting another glance at Idara. "Look at me, Dara."

Hesitantly, Idara adhered. "Mmm?"

"Look," Yomi faced her properly, "you have every right to be angry with your mom, but let's be sincere with ourselves: that woman loves you, and she wants to make it up to you at any cost. Why else would she offer you a dinner treat if not to talk to you in person?"

Idara didn't reply, albeit not on purpose. She just didn't know how to tackle Yomi's question without going completely off point.

"Have I ever told you that your mother came down to my parents' house when Francis, your late brother, passed away some years ago?"

Idara's eyes widened instantly. "Seriously?"

"On God." Yomi confirmed, his eyes glued to the free road ahead. "She came after two weeks that Francis died. I don't even know how she got the news, but she did. But unfortunately for her, you and your father had already moved out of the estate a day before she came."

"Wow." Idara mused to herself. "I didn't know that."

"I figured." Yomi said, even though Idara didn't speak to him directly.

"So, what happened next?" Idara asked Yomi. "What did she do?"

"Well, um, your mother asked my folks about y'all's new place of residence, but they lied to her that they didn't know anything about it."

"Why?"

"I'm not sure why they did that." Yomi answered honestly. "But I guess they did it because your dad asked 'em to."

"What makes you think so?"

"'Cause I overheard when your pops said something similar to that to my folks on the day y'all wanted to move out of the hood," Yomi replied sharply. "I was, like, fourteen or fifteen then. I can't really remember what they discussed sha."

"Mmm." Idara crossed her arms over her chest with a blank look on her face. "Just great."

"Hey," Yomi whispered, touching Idara's chin playfully. "Chill. It's gonna be cool. Trust me."

Idara simply smirked at that. She actually wanted to thank Yomi for his kind and comforting words, but his gentle touch had already rendered her speechless.

Suddenly, Yomi withdrew his hand from Idara's face and placed it back on the steering wheel as he pulled up into a parking lot which was situated next to a very big restaurant.

"We've arrived, ma'am." Yomi announced, turning off the ignition. "Let's go in there."

"Nah, thanks," Idara declined politely, "but I'd rather go alone."

"Are you sure about that?"

Idara nodded. "Damn sure."

"All right, then." Yomi shrugged, reclining against his car seat. "I'll be chillin' around here. If you come back and you don't see me, or if anything goes wrong, just call me. I'll swing by ASAP."

"Okay." Idara nodded again, smiling nervously. "Thank you."

As Yomi wanted to respond, Idara's phone started vibrating loudly in her purse.

"That's definitely momsy calling," Yomi said. "Come on, go. Don't keep her waiting."

"Right."

"Be safe, pal." Yomi offered Idara his nicest wink. "Good luck."

Still smiling, Idara nodded without a word, then exited Yomi's car, and then went right into the restaurant after waving at Yomi.

On Idara's entry into the fabulous restaurant, a very young, beautiful, chocolate-skinned hostess approached and greeted her, saying, "Good evening, miss. Welcome to Safe Haven."

"Good evening," replied Idara. "Sorry, um, I'm here to see someone."

"Okay," the hostess said. "What's his name?"

"It's a woman, actually." Idara corrected her politely. "And her name is Janet."

"Oh, I see. I'm so sorry about that mistake, miss."

"Yeah. It's nothing."

"Thank you," the hostess smiled, raising a big book up to Idara's view. "So, do you have a reservation with Miss, or Mrs. Janet rather?"

"Yeah, I guess so." Idara's voice was quite shaky, due to anxiety. "I mean, that was what she told me, actually."

"Mmm. What's your name, miss?"

"Idara." Idara responded sharply. "Idara Thompson."

"Okay. Hold on while I check our reservations list for your name."

"Okay."

After scanning through a page of the book in her hands, the hostess looked up at Idara and said, "Got it. Your name and your friend's name are right here, Miss Idara."

'Friend?' Idara thought, having the urge to correct the hostess again by bluntly telling her, "Hey, Janet is not my friend. She's my irresponsible mother who ran away from home. And, please, don't call us friends again. I don't like it."

But of what essence would that be, anyway? Idara thought that it was better if she said nothing too harsh or mean to this total stranger who'd been nice to her so far.

"So, now," the hostess continued speaking, "you'll have to take the stairs over there." She pointed in another direction for emphasis. "It'll lead you to the top floor for our VIP customers. If the bouncer tries to stop you, just give him this ticket."

The hostess handed a green ticket to Idara before proceeding with, "Good luck, Miss Idara. We hope you have a nice time in our Safe Haven."

"Thank you, Ify."

Ify's jaw dropped instantly. "How'd you know my name?"

Idara managed a smile. "From the nametag on your shirt."

"Oh." Ify giggled with relief. "Right."

"Goodbye, Ify."

"Bye, miss."

With that, Idara left Ify's presence and went upstairs. She by-passed the bouncer without any fuss, and then spotted her female look-alike the very moment she stepped into the VIP Lounge.

Without being told, Idara knew that the woman was definitely her mother, judging from the striking resemblance they both shared, and the weird way which the woman kept staring at her from her seat.

Cautiously, Idara sat down on an empty chair which was across the table where her mother graciously occupied. Then, with an erratic heartbeat and super-duper fast breathing, Idara said, "Hi."

Awkwardly, Janet mumbled, "Wow."

Obviously, Janet was beyond stunned to see her daughter up-close after so many long years. She'd always prayed and hoped for this day to come, when she could sit face to face with her daughter and apologize for her irresponsibility over her precious family.

But now that Idara was so close to Janet, all Janet could do was stare at Idara in awe, wishing she could walk up to her and wrap her in a big, warm hug. But Janet could also sense Idara's emotional distress, and she figured it was better if she didn't do that right now, in order not to frighten Idara any further.

"You've grown so big, Isabelle!" Janet exclaimed, reaching out for Idara's hand. "You look exactly like my younger self."

"I'm nothing like you, Janet." Idara quickly removed her hand from the table. "Trust me."

Idara's rebuke stung Janet to her core. She couldn't believe that Idara could ever talk to her in that manner, let alone address her by her name.

"Wow." Janet swallowed hard. "You've changed."

"I've changed?" Idara scoffed, touching her chest for emphasis. "Look who's talking. Funny."

Ashamed, Janet looked away and called on a waiter who was passing by. And, without hesitation, the waiter came back to attend to her.

"Evening, ladies," greeted the waiter. "How may I be of service?"

"Um," Janet forced a smile, "can I have the menu, please?"

"Sure, ma'am."

While looking through the menu, Janet said, "I think I'll have a plate of fried rice and grilled chicken. Also, get me a bottle of Cherrytop Wine, dear."

The waiter nodded as Janet held out the menu to Idara.

"Don't bother," Idara said, refusing to take it from her. "I'll only have a glass of water. Thank you."

"You can't be serious!" Janet exclaimed. "Won't you eat something?"

"No."

Janet glanced at the waiter, hoping he'd intervene in she and Idara's argument. "But you have to eat something," she pleaded with Idara. "Please."

Reluctantly, Idara sighed, as she said, "Okay, fine. I'll take the same stuff you chose, except for the wine, though. I'll rather have a bottle of water."

"Noted. Thank you." Janet said softly, handing the menu back to the waiter, who then excused himself to get the ladies' food.

"So, Isabelle, did you come alone?" Janet asked, trying to start a proper conversation.

"No," Idara answered. "Yomi brought me here."

"Oh, Yomi? That lovely, handsome boy I used to know." Janet smiled sincerely. "The last time I saw him, he was a naive teenager. I wonder how he looks like now."

Idara purposely offered no comment on that.

"So where is he now? Why didn't he accompany you in here?"

"I told him not to." Idara replied. "He's probably waiting in his car as we speak."

"Oh, I see."

"Yeah."

"How's your father, anyway?"

"He's fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Janet." Idara snapped. "He's doing just fine without you, if that is what you want to hear."

In all sincerity, Janet wasn't sure if she could take any more verbal jabs from Idara without bursting into tears any time soon.

Idara, however, didn't care if her words hurt Janet or not, because she was just being honest to the core. She didn't want to give her mother any reason to believe that she'd softened up on her just like that, hence the harsh treatment.

"Isabelle," Janet simpered, "I know you're still very angry with me, but can you at least be calm for tonight?"

"Honestly speaking, that depends on the kind of questions you ask me, Janet."

"My dear daughter, I am just-"

"Stop it, Janet." Idara scolded with alacrity. "I was nice enough to oblige your dinner proposal. Please don't push it by calling me your daughter."

All of a sudden, before Janet could even digest Idara's scornful words, the waiter returned with a cart that contained the ladies' meals and drinks.

All the while the waiter served them, Janet and Idara kept a straight face in silence and avoided eye contact with each other. It wasn't until he left that Janet said:

"This meal looks fantastic. I really hope it tastes the same way."

Idara remained silent. She knew that the woman was just trying to engage her in a calm conversation, but she definitely wasn't buying it at all.

Silently, Idara stabbed at her piece of grilled chicken with her fork, desperately trying to keep her temper in check.

"Here. Let me pour you some wine," Janet said with a simper, grabbing Idara's empty tumbler. "It's one of my favorite brands of wine. I'm sure you'd like it."

Not a single word came out of Idara's mouth all the while Janet filled her glass with wine and dropped it back beside her plate.

Judging from the suspicious way Idara kept glancing between Janet's face, the food, and the glass of wine before her, it was pretty much obvious that she didn't trust Janet at all, and Janet herself understood that fact perfectly well.

She silently observed how Idara kept playing with her food, refusing to eat it too soon.

"You don't trust me, do you?"

As Janet had expected, a defeaning silence came from Idara's end, but she refused to let it deter her from doing what she had in mind, though.

"Okay, I know what you're thinking, but I'll prove you wrong. Allow me to demonstrate, please."

That said, Janet used her own spoon to take a spoonful of rice from Idara's plate, which she then ate in one fluid motion. After that, she sipped from Idara's cup, and then said, "How about that?"

Convinced, Idara sighed with relief, nodding in response to Janet's question.

Candidly, how Janet knew about what Idara had been thinking was utterly beyond Idara's comprehension, but one thing she knew for sure was that Janet was not a magician or a mind reader of some sort. Perhaps Janet's motherly instincts played a major role on that one, Idara assumed.

"So, now, can you kindly eat your food, Isabelle?"

"Okay."

That settled, both ladies started eating in complete silence.

For a moment, however, despite being slightly engaged with eating her own food, Janet studied Idara's moody countenance and wondered what the problem could be.

Idara, on the other hand, could sense Janet's gaze on her features, even though her eyes were solely fixated on her food. She wondered why this weird woman kept staring at her from time to time. And, honestly, if this goes on for long, Idara might be forced to confront her about it, because she was getting creeped out already.

"What's wrong?" Janet finally shattered the eerie silence between them. "Don't you like the food?"

Idara swallowed, glancing at Janet. "I do."

"Are you sure? I mean, you could order for another different food if you don't like that one. I'll pay."

"No, that wouldn't be necessary." Idara said dryly, chewing slowly. "I'm fine with this one."

"Hmm. Okay, then. If you insist."

"Mmm."

Having nothing else to say, both women continued eating their food quietly. But Idara's discomfort didn't allow her to go any further, because, after a very short moment, she looked up sharply and asked:

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Sorry." Janet quickly transferred her gaze to the table, realizing that she'd finally succeeded in frightening Idara even more than before, even though she actually never meant to. "I'm just amazed by your growth, that's why."

"Yeah, you should be." Idara cringed mentally. "After all, you were never there to watch me grow. I shouldn't be surprised."

Idara's final statement was like an arrow that struck Janet's chest very deeply, only that this "arrow" wasn't the cupid type at all.

Moreover, that same harsh speech was the final chainsaw that shredded Janet's willpower not to cry into tiny little pieces.

Teary eyed, Janet slowly dropped her spoon on her plate, apparently too ashamed to look up at her daughter's face. "Isabelle, please, forgive me. I'm sorry."

"You're sorry?" Idara scoffed, looking at Janet with disdain. "How pathetic. Maybe you should tell that to my late brother whose body has long rottened in his grave."

On hearing that, very hot tears began dribbling down Janet's face. She slowly raised her head as her heart bled like never before. But, despite Janet's tears, Idara felt no ounce of pity for her.

Even if Janet cried from that moment till thy kingdom come, Idara still wouldn't care at all, because, as far as she was concerned, Janet deserved everything she was getting tonight.

Today, without a doubt, was her judgement day, and no amount of "crocodile tears" could save her tonight.

"Idara, I can explain." Janet begged, desperately struggling to maintain eye contact with Idara, due to how ashamed she felt. "Please hear me out, dear."

"What could you possibly tell me that'd fix my broken heart, Janet?" Idara pushed her plate aside, having lost her appetite. "Do I need to remind you that you left us without a trace for twenty solid years? You weren't even there when Francis died. How could you be so heartless?"

Janet was stunned and stupefied. She couldn't even utter a word in her defense, because she knew that she was truly guilty of Idara's accusations. All she could do was shed tears of regret, wishing she could turn back the hands of time.

"Your only son died, Janet." Idara said with a low-pitched voice. "And I blame you for it."

With trembling lips, Janet replied, "Y-yes, I accept all the blame, my dear child. I know I've been a bad mother to you and an irresponsible wife to your father." She wiped her left cheek with the back of her hand, her voice trembling too. "B-but give me a chance to explain, please. I beg of you."

Idara was about to lament further when a loud sound of thunder came from outside, and a strong wind also drifted in through the windows, indicating that it was about to rain pretty soon.

Suddenly conscious of time, Idara responded with, "Fine. Go ahead. You have one minute, though."

"Oh, thank you." Janet replied with a nod. "I promise to make this very brief, my dear."

"Yeah, right. I'm all ears, Janet."

Janet nodded in affirmation. "So, um... Well," she heaved a low sigh. "It all started twenty-two years ago, when your father, my husband, lost his job as a bank manager, and then later had to sell his properties in order to pay back the money which he'd loaned from another bank to invest in a certain business, which didn't succeed, by the way."

Idara blinked, listening keenly.

"Unfortunately, I wasn't working then, because he'd asked me not to work after we both got married, so I couldn't really do anything about our pitiful financial status as at that time." Janet explained further, recollecting the memories of the past. "All I ever did was complain and blame your father for our predicament, despite how much he often begged me to be patient with him. But I was young, dumb, and desperate for the good life. I would've left him for good much sooner, but something kept me with him for a long time."

"What?"

"My dear children; you and your late brother, Francis." Janet stated dearly. "You two were the only reason why I endured the hardship with your father."

"Wow." Idara grimaced at the absurdity of Janet's statement. "So, basically, you never loved him at all?"

"No. Please don't get me wrong." Janet corrected sharply. "I loved your father so much, but like I said before, I was dumb and adventurous. I was very materialistic to the point that my love for him started to wane when he was broke. If only I knew what the consequences of my actions would be today, I would've made better decisions for sure."

Idara shook her head, refusing to pertake in Janet's self-loathing. "So at what point did you decide to leave us, mother?"

For the first time in forever, Idara actually addressed Janet as her mother, albeit without passion. It was rather sarcastically than passionately, and even Janet herself knew that fact very well. That was why she wasn't delighted by it.

"Mmm." Janet sighed deeply, a tear rolling down her cheek. "Engineer Kalu."

"Sorry?"

"Engineer Kalu," Janet repeated softly, "my ex-husband. He's the reason why I ran away from home, away from my beloved family."

"What?" Idara was baffled by Janet's shocking revelation. "You got married to another man?"

"Yes, I d-did." Janet shamefully admitted. "I travelled with Kalu to London when you were five years old, and that was where we got married and lived together for so many years."

"Sweet Jesus!" Idara almost pinched herself to be sure she wasn't dreaming. "Didn't he know that you were a legally married woman, Janet?"

"No, he didn't." Janet batted her eyelids-a rather futile attempt at suppressing her tears. "I lied to him that I was a free bird, and I also told him that I was an orphan who grew up in the streets of Lagos as a result of having no relatives to cater for me. Somehow, he bought it, and I deceived him with more and more lies for as long as I could."

"My God!" Idara's jaw dropped in shock. "How could you?"

Janet shamefully slapped her hands onto her face, covering it from Idara's view. "I'm so sorry."

Only a few people were left in the VIP Lounge, because many others had gone in fear of the impending rain. However, only a small number of the currently available people were interested in Janet and Idara's drama. Everyone could literally hear their conversation, but most people simply minded their own business in peace.

"Now I see why you deserted us." Idara spitefully said. "You were too immersed in another man's wealth that our well-being meant nothing to you anymore. Funny enough, I can bet that this ex-husband of yours divorced you after he discovered the truth about your actual background. Am I right?"

Janet slowly nodded in response, her hands still veiling her face.

"I thought so." Idara muttered. "What a shame."

Despite how angry she was, Idara looked at the wall clock and politely said, "It's getting late. I better get going."

"No. Please wait." Janet uncovered her face, suddenly alarmed by Idara's announcement. "Just for a minute, please."

"All right." Idara hesitantly consented. "Make it quick."

Janet nodded affirmatively. "See, er, there's something else I'd like you to know, Idara, but I just don't know how I'm supposed to say it to your face without feeling even more worthless than I already am. I'm so ashamed of myself right now."

"Whatever it is, spill it, Janet." Idara flippantly remarked. "I can't be surprised about anything coming from you anymore."

Although Janet's pride had been brutally bruised by Idara's mean remarks tonight, she was still very determined to earn Idara's love and trust, and, as far as she was concerned, there was no better way to do that than through pure honesty.

For starters, a proper explanation might go a long way in showing Idara how remorseful she was about the past.

So, dragging a small amount of breath into her lungs, Janet started off with, "To be honest, Francis was not my only son, Isabelle."

"What?!"

"Yes." Janet emphasized with absolute truthfulness. "I bore a son for Kalu, and, um..." She trailed off while operating her smartphone with sheer speed. "Please hold on. Let me show you something."

'A son?' Idara wondered somewhat deeply, her eyes wide open. 'Impossible!'

"Okay, so here it is!" Janet exclaimed, turning her phone's bright screen to Idara's view. "That's a recent photo of my son, Matthew, who just clocked fifteen last month. He looks a lot like you, doesn't he?"

Idara simply stared at the picture, completely speechless. The teenage boy sure did share a great deal of resemblance with her to the point that she almost thought she was his biological mother at first sight.

"It's crazy, right?" Janet shook her head, lowering her phone. "I know, I know. I was a wayward woman, no doubt."

"My God!" Idara's gaze was now fully on Janet's pathetic face, her anger growing by the minute. "So, not only did you abandon us, Janet, but you also married another man and birthed a child for him, huh?"

At this juncture, explanatory ideas were as scarce as rubies in Janet's mind. She didn't even know what to tell Idara. She was completely trapped and helpless.

"I should've never come here in the first place." Idara uttered with regret, getting up. "Thanks for the meal, Janet. And do have a nice life with your beloved family."

Thoughts? Anyone? Do you think she reacted the right way? ☺️😊

Please don't forget to VOTE and comment! You guys really keep me going with your support. 💙