Must Read: Forever And Always

Episode 6 years ago

Must Read: Forever And Always

I simmered with anger as I explained to her what happened at the bank. She nudged my arm with her elbow playfully and encouraged me sweetly and motherly. I was about cheering up after her long talks and lectures about work and tolerance when my phone rang. I unzipped my crimson red bag and took out my Infinix Hot note. I hissed when I saw the caller I.D ‘Can this day get any worse?’ I almost screamed as I wrinkled in distaste. “What do you want James?”

Morning came so fast. I woke up, said my prayers and had my bath. I had to be at the bank before 8:00am and knowing how crazy Lagos traffic was especially at mainland, I had to be very fast.


I dabbed my body with my towel and applied my body lotion. I walked to the mirror and looked at the image before me.

Adetola Williams.

I had changed a lot, I was no longer the fourteen year old girl longing to know her dad. I was no longer the sixteen year old girl trying to know the story behind my dad’s disappearance. I was no longer a baby. I was no longer timid and innocent. I was now a young woman. Yes, I could boldly say twenty five looked good on me.

My mind slowly drifted to how I had met my boyfriend- Ejabena Oghenenyerovwo James.

He was from Delta state. He was popularly called James by me and his friends. Even I couldn’t pronounce his names well, so i had sticked to James. I was at SLT(Science Lecture Theatre) reading that night when he had walked up to me, he introduced himself to me and said he was in 400L chemical engineering, then I was just resuming 200L. We began friends and let’s say everything began from there. We were very close until when he graduated and had to leave soon and it dawned on me we were drifting apart. He hardly called or sent me his sweet messages that used to make me swoon then.


He changed completely, first I thought it was me.
So I changed my looks and appearances, I practically changed my wardrobe. Anytime he managed to come see me after much pleading or I travel to see him where he was serving, he still continued being cold to me. “Maybe am not good enough for him anymore”I had said to myself but actually it was more than that.

My alarm jerked me back from my reverie. Wow! I was already running late.

I quickly wore my Yellow shirt and tucked it into my blue office trouser. I put on simple blue earrings, Yellow flat shoes and I made my hair fall in ringlets over my shoulders. I applied my foundation, powder and mascara on my naturally long lashes. I lined my almond shaped eyes with thick black eyeliner. I reached for my hot pink 24 hours lipstick and applied it lightly on my lips.

I was looking beautiful. I smiled to myself as I looked at the mirror to confirm how flawless I looked. I sprayed my perfume and went to my mom’s room to greet her and wish her a nice day. She was still sleeping so I just dropped a note by her bedside and left her room.


I remembered what she had told me the previous day.

” Adetola mi, you are the only one responsible for your happiness, don’t let that woman see your fears and anxiety so she won’t use that to oppress you” That was something I kept at my heart and was determined to do at work. I would not let her see that am scared or nervous. Why should I even be scared of someone like her in the first place.

In no time I had gotten to the streets of Lagos, I flagged down a taxi and told the man my destination. I sat at the backseat and heaved a deep sigh. I thanked God I was so lucky to get cab on time. The old man was listening to a Fuji music. It was a popular music so I hummed the lyrics and shook my head to and fro.

Gosh! Good old musics gave me life. I actually liked the new hip hop songs being released by the likes of Wizkid, Olamide and the rest but nothing could be compared to old musics you grew up listening to from your parents’ Radios.
Parents? That was a mistake. All the experiences I had so far were from my mom. I grew up with her. With no father, I did not even know how the man looked like. Once upon a time my mom told me, her only daughter about how the man got her pregnant and ran away from his responsibilities. I used to ask after him when I was younger but now, I cared less. For him to have abandoned my mom and I, I hated him with my veins!