Anjola - Episode 24

 

The upcoming wedding of Demilade and and Anjola was in three months time, the lovebirds were looking radiant and quite happy. It seemed people forgot all the sins of Wole Olaotan as Wonuola Cole had, after Wole returned back Oju's shares to Wonu, Wonu had swiftly transferred the shares to Demilade, she knew Demi wouldn't misuse it and would in return take good care of Anjola. This made Demilade the major share holder in the company as his father also transferred his own shares to Demilade . Saying he wanted to have time to tour the world with his lovely wife Aanu, things were looking up for both families as their bonds grew stronger than when Oju was alive.

Every media house within and outside Lagos sang praises of Demi and Anjola's upcoming wedding. They both travelled to Paris and Dubai for the wedding dress and tux, the traditional attire was to be made by Deola Sagoe,while the dresses for the Bridal shower and for her honeymoon by the famous House Of Tara. 

Everything seemed to be going steady, her Moms had everything under control, nothing could go wrong Anjola thought.

"Babes where are you at this time?" Pami, Demi's former PA inquired, raising a brow and popping a gum, "Busola do now, where is the drink joo."

Anjola smiled, blinking innocently, "where do you think?" she asked

Busola who was bringing in their drinks smirked, "She's probably daydreaming about  their upcoming honeymoon in Zanzibar.." she said.

"No way? That's in Africa shey? Egbon is more romantic than that na, somewhere like Paris or New York is more or less his kind of thing." Pami said fiddling with her straw

Bimpe sat down, "well it happens that madam here says its Zanzibar or no where else."

Anjola snorted, "it's like you've not heard of Zanzibar o,everything over there is so apt, why would i wanna spend much going to New York or Paris, when i can get same treatment here in Africa and at a cheaper price."

"Ehn-ehn? wow, is the place that nice? i think me and Leboo will go on second honeymoon o. Bimpe what do you think."

"Count me out Abeg, when did i just return from my own honeymoon, my husband is busy making money and so am i, second honey moon can wait." Bimpe said 

Anjola giggled, looking from one to another.

"But babe to say the truth, this house fine o, Egbon get taste i swear,everything breathe taste and money, million bucks of it, take a look at that chandelier...   

Anjola giggled, "Pamiiiiii, hia, nawa for you o, anyways FYI all the interior designs you seeing is all thanks to my future mother inlaw, the woman get taste die

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/anjola

. Dee has been so busy with work he hardly has time for checking out this place, all he did was forward money to me for the purchase of the house, the office is really taking his time, that reminds me he said some cleaning guys are coming over today." Anjola said, droppingback up a chocolate chip in its box, she licked her finger clean and checked her wrist watch.  

Busola cleared her throat, giving a giggling Pami high five.

Anjola raised a brow "what na?"

"I wee love o, from Demilade to Dee..." Busola teased

"Abi o, you people can use your love to tempt other people, thank God we have our own husband's.. 

Anjola shook her head, "Toh, i can't deal!! you both are such clowns!!" she said, bursting out in laughter.

Anjola's phone rang, she excused herself rushing to pick up, 

"Hello? yes this is her, yes i do, you said what? she's been in your hospital since thursday? she told me she was travelling!!!Oh my God she never told me anything, please send me the direction i am on my way." Anjola ran back to the  living room donning back on her blue Maxi dress, she ran back downstairs putting on her flip flops. 

Busola and Pami followed after her, staring at her,

 "Anjola what is it?" they both chorused 

"Let's discuss this in the car. please Busola you'd have to drive us, i am not in the right frame of mind to drive and my driver travelled yesterday." Anjola said, picking up her purse and heading to the door

"But what about the cleaning guys that's coming to clean up the house, Demi said they'd be here by three remember?" Busola asked 

"we'll reschedule let's go!!" Anjola said impatiently 

Pami looked at Bimpe, and the other shrugged. 

They got to a hospital and Anjola jumped down, running inside, her friends ran after her, they met an elderly doctor talking with Anjola,

"She's my Mom, please what happened."

"Well she's has been diagnosed with cancer about six months ago,i advised her going for chemotherapy but she was quite adamant, saying she didn't want to risk loosing the little time she had left with her daughter...

"She told me she had been diagnosed with cancer but she never told me all this, i thought it was a miracle that she looked better... 

"I'm sorry dear, she only looked better because of the drugs we gave her, she has been stressing herself too much which i warned her against..

Anjola tried forcing back the tears that threatened to fall, "so what are you saying..." she prompted 

"It's too late, she doesn't have long to live. I'm sorry..." The doctor said, looking quite sad, he walked away. 

"you're sorry?? did you hear that girls, its too late..!!" Anjola said

"Anjola.." Bimpe said trying to soothe her

"Who is here Anjola." pami asked

Anjola ran into a ward, it wasn't true what the doctors were saying, it must be a mix up. But it turned out to be true because Bimpe was sleeping peacefully on a stark white sheet, her long hair, the only gift she got from her had been shaved off.. "Auntie mi... Mom.. " Anjola said kneeling by her bed she started crying she had been so busy with the wedding plans she hadn't noticed the difference in Bimpe, she was looking so small and defenseless.

"Anjolami don't cry, i am sorry it had to get to this." Bimpe whispered in a croaked voice,

"You told me you were fine, the doctor said... 

"Forget what the doctor said, it would have happened either ways.

Read " CONCEALED " by the same author ( Ruthie O )

. Anjolami listen to me, Auntie Wonu will be here any time from now, i asked my account manager to transfer three point five million naira into your account,you should get it before the end of the day, it's all i've got in my account. Under my bedside table is a box, i was going to give you on your wedding day..but.." Bimpe whimpered crying "At least i can rest easy knowing you're in safe hands, i couldn't ask for more... 

Anjola layed her head on Bimpe's lap, "I couldn't live without you Mom, i can't ever be happy without you here.. you promised to give me away on my wedding day...

"Anjolami don't cry, man purposes but God disposes. It's too late now, I'm sure Aunty Wonu would be happy to give you away on you wedding day."

"I don't want her Mom!! I want you!!" Anjola cried,

Mrs Wonu came in at that moment, and what she saw must have scared her because she went over to Bimpe and wrapped her arms around her, accepting defeat, she wept along with them, Mrs Wonu reminding Bimpe of the times they had suffered when both their parents died,and how the suffering continued in the orphanage that took them in, Mrs Wonu was rocking Bimpe gently, both of them reminiscing on the good times and bad times, Anjola was still at the foot of the bed, trying to stay strong but failing, she could see that the strength was seeping out of Bimpe. Bimpe beaconed to Anjola and she joined both Mrs Wonu's hand and Anjola's own together,

"Auntie Wonu please take good care of my daughter.. Forgive this foolish sister of yours that has left you to fend for her daughter." Bimpe said "I've got a letter for you on my bedside table at home..." Bimpe coughed painfully and Anjola rushed to her side. Pressing the emergency bell. 

"Bimpe you have said enough, i will do as you have said, you have nothing to worry about shogbo?" Wonu assured

Bimpe nodded, looking over Anjola, she raised her hand to wipe the tears from Anjola's face, smiling she said, "Dear Anjola, I love you." 

After a while, the monitors started screaming and Bimpe gasping for breath,it was painful to watch, the doctors swarmed the bedside, giving Bimpe CPR, Mrs Wonu turned Anjola's face from the scene holding her to her own beating chest. Anjola held on for dear life, everything will be fine she kept saying, this is just a bad dream, will wake up, have to wake up. There was finally silence and a doctor's grave voice saying, "We lost her, time of death 3:15." 

Mrs Wonu screamed Bimpe's name, while Anjola went limp in Wonu's arms.

Dear Mom, where are you? Anjola wondered. 

Writing this episode was an emotional one for me, i had this attachment with Bimpe that you guys might not understand, it was hard choosing her as the character that died. So guys to make things easier i've decided to add a bonus episode, this way we all can, separate the happy moments from the grieving moments and as it were grieve Bimpe's exit from the script and celebrate Anjola and Demi in their happy moments.    

Thank you