Biola Kila (Episode 45): Beautiful Wedding
The house was dark but Biola didn’t feel inclined to switch on the lights, she was fine living in darkness for the rest of her life. After Father Samson’s death, she believed that god was punishing her for everything she had done and she decided to accept her punishment in good fate.
Mrs. Adamu was back in her home town, she spent much more time with her mother ever since Salim’s death and Amin didn’t see any reason to visit; so Biola knew that she was going to be alone for a while. As the day went by, she struggled with tears and the sadness of losing Father Samson in such a horrific manner but she never let herself cry; it made her feel weak and weakness was not something she could handle well.
“I am not disappointed in you” were the words Sis. Aloysius said to her when she went to inform her that she was moving back to Lagos; words that cut Biola like cold water on snowy night “I never meant to …” Biola stopped herself… she couldn’t complete her sentence without tears.
Sis. Aloysius knew everything that had happened between Biola and Father Samson, even before Biola got to her; she was informed by the parish priest and as unhappy as she was, the last thing she wanted to do was to condemn Biola… she didn’t want to do or say anything that will make Biola not visit her anymore.
“You are forgiven my child” she said softly holding Biola’s hand “am I?… will I ever be? That man died because of me” “he didn’t die because of you, he took his life, it was his choice” Biola was grateful for the mercy in Sis. Aloysius’ heart for her. “Promise me one thing… promise me that you will make better decisions as you are going back to Lagos” Biola nodded “I promise”.
Sis. Aloysius didn’t want Biola to go back to Lagos for one reason only… Seyi but she knew that she couldn’t stop her from going; so all she could do was pray that Biola would stay away from Seyi. The thought of Biola going back to Seyi terrified but it did not terrify her enough to tell her the truth… the truth that Seyi was her biological father.
Biola unpacked her things… unpacking snow balled into cleaning the entire house, both inside and outside; it was evening when she was done and that was when she realized how tired and hungry she was. She fell on her bed to gain some strength before going to make something to eat when a small box sitting on the top of her book shelf caught her eye.
She climbed her chair, brought the box down, and opened it; in it was the phone that President Kenneth gave to her and just by looking at the phone… a higher wave of sadness overtook her. She switched on the phone and attempted to dial the only number on it but ended the call before it rang on the other side.
The phone made her think of Seyi, it made her remember everything Seyi had done for her and how he took care of her after the incident with Umar which was strange. The phone had nothing to do with Seyi but it brought memories of him; she got clear flashes of their wedding day or what was supposed to be their wedding day and how she ditched him.
“I’m good at making bad decisions” she said to herself wondering how life would have been for her if she married Seyi. “I would have been happy and fulfilled” she thought. She thought giving him a call but waived it away… there was no use now. He hated her guts and rightful so.
Later that night, eating dinner alone; she felt so empty… she felt the dark hole in her soul expand by the minute that half way into her meal she couldn’t swallow. She pushed the plate aside and just sat on the dining table staring into space. Indeed she was a lost soul.
She got up abruptly, put on a jacket and rushed out of the house; it was about fifteen minutes before she could get a cab but fifteen minutes compared to a lifetime time of no fulfilment was nothing.
She was visibly anxious all through the cab ride “is this the place?” the driver asked as they approached a building “yes” she replied trying her best to breathe like a healthy person. She paid the driver and got out of the car, entered the building and rushed into the elevator before the potter could see and question her about who she was there to see.
She used the elevator mirror to straighten out her hair… Biola was gorgeous with or without straightening out. When the elevator stopped, she got out and walked slowly to the door she was going to; she hesitated for a few seconds before ringing the doorbell.
She waited for a few seconds and there was no answer, just as she attempted to turn around the door opened; it was Seyi. He was shocked to see her and all he could do was stare at her like a deer in headlights.
“Hi” she said forcing a smile but he didn’t reply, he kept looking “I came because… I came because… I wanted to apologise” Biola started expecting him to interrupt her but he didn’t “Seyi, I am sorry for everything I have put you through… especially our wedding day or what was supposed to be our wedding day” She finished.
There was a long silence “Okay” Seyi replied to her apology and close the door. Biola smiled a smile of disbelieve “Okay, I guess I deserve that” she said to herself and left.
Seyi didn’t know what to think of Biola’s apology, he paced in his living room after gulping a shot of whisky; he paced for about a minute then stopped with his arms at akimbo “damn you Biola Kila” he muttered and rushed out of his apartment.
He hurried into the elevator then through the lobby to the front of the building and there she was standing by a small tree; he walk up to her “you have some nerve showing your face here” he started and they got into a huge fight. Arguing and yelling at each other on the street, not giving a mind who was watching or listening. Seyi was bent on telling her everything that bubbled in his heart… he dreamed of the day to tell her that she was a shitty person to her face and that day had finally come.
As Biola and Seyi argued on a quiet street in Ikoyi, the special phone that President Kenneth gave to her began to ring; it rang and rang… the person on the other line was determined to reach her that night… President Kenneth was very close to entering a plane and coming to Lagos himself just to talk to Biola one more time.