Anjola - Episode 4

 

"I just hope we're able to get a parking space, its always busy at this time of the week. "Mrs Wonu lamented

 "Wo Anjola, get down and inquire from that guard if there's space inside, everywhere is filled up." 

Anjola stepped down moving swiftly between cars, to the entrance of the Ikoyi Vault and Gardens. After conversing with the guard she affirmed that there was space, beckoning on her mother. 

Mrs Wonu honked once, and swerved to the left missing and orange seller by a beat, "Toh this is why i hate coming to town, who needs all this commotion when there's a town as serene as Ijon, leave the road ojie, wheelbarrow also competing with cars . "Mrs Wonu hissed as she stepped hard on the gas, she found a parking spot easily. Mrs Wonu came down from the car, as Anjola joined her, they both decked on their Sun hats while Anjola retrieved the bouquet from the back seat. The Ikoyi Vault and gardens was full to the maximum and both Mother and Daughter squeezed their way through the crowd till they got to Mr Ojumola Cole's grave stone. "I wonder who brought him this bouquet." Mrs Wonu started 

"Its similar to the one we saw last time too, Anjola sighed "I always worried that he'd feel so alone, but it's a relief that we aren't the only ones bringing him flowers, dont you think Mom? 

Mrs Wonu was taken aback, "of course it is, totally agree with you baby girl." she nodded her eyes not leaving the 'strange bouquet.'

"Give me some minutes Anjola, i need to be alone," Mrs Wonu said

"Only God knows what you talk about the first few minutes, i always have to excuse you." Anjola dropped her bouquet, "Miss you Dad.. its hard without you, keep resting." she concluded stepping away from the grave stone to the farther end of the yard.

Mrs Wonu sat heavily on the rushes beside the grave, picking a bottled water and a wide white kerchief from her bag she got to work as she did annually cleaning the grave stone and fighting bitter tears.

"Hello darl, i am here again." she kept her head down and tears flowed freely, she tried averting her face as she didn't want Anjola any more worried than she was, Anjola had grown so tuned to her mother and she could always sense her discomfort even from far distance

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

. Mrs Wonu's heart was heavy, she had so much to say, but couldnt voice them out. She kept cleaning...

"Well, well, well, who do we have here", a woman in flowing kaftan breezed in, sending floral wafts to Mrs Wonu's nostrils, she recognized that voice... She looked up and truly it was whom she had expected. Her heart skipped a beat, it was truly Her, the snake that tried to steal her Man, Aanu. A close family friend to her husbands family they had thought Oju was going to get married to Aanu after he lost his first wife, but as luck would have it Wonu came into the picture, much to the annoyance of the whole family. It was obvious Aanu still held a grudge. So as the matured lady that she was, she wiped her face and smiled up at her, 

"Aanu bawo ni? Quite an age, i see you're the one that has been dropping these bouquet, i was beginning to wonder who brought them here so frequently."Mrs Wonu said 

Aanu stepped forward,dropping the bouquet and staring ahead for some time,              

"Egbon, you're sorely missed." Aanu concluded wiping an imaginary tear from her eyes, she turned facing Wonu, her greatest nemesis. Wonu always had a way of making her feel like a little kid caught stealing from a candy bar, which she hated so bad. 

"Aunty mi, ekaasan." Aanu said kneeling, she had always told herself that any respect she accorded to Wonu was mainly because of the respect she had for Boda Oju,no more, no less. Aanu stood dusting off her dress. 

Wonu nodded "Bawo ni Aanu? How's your husband and your son?"

"we bless God o, infact God has been wonderful, we were able to do away with the company before it costed us more than we could bear, i don't know the full details but I can say we've made progress, the company is blooming!! the company you deserted and escaped from, leaving my husband to bear the brunt, God has has established into a big global Organization. Infact as we speak, we are opening a new Branch in Spain nextweek, proceedings are in progress.

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

. And I must say I'm enjoying being the First Lady of....."

All the while she was talking,Mrs Wonu's brain racked like an over worked clock. No, it couldn't be her husband's labor? The company he had built from scratch through hard work and sweat? Not forgetting the sleepless nights he had had,drawing out plans?Gone with the wind just like that? But this wasn't the plan, this wasn't what Wole had promised her, What about the money then, the huge cash her husband had taken with him to the office the morning he died? The money he had planned on using to Open an art gallery for ten year old Anjola, had that also gone with the wind? She perused Aanu from head to toe, and confirmed that every thing she had on was labeled Designer!!! Had God truly been faithful to them or.... no she wouldn't think that way, she'd give them the benefit of doubt, after all Aanu didn't strike her as someone who would covet Oju's Company and properties, even if she had eyes for her husband a long time ago, Mrs Wonu knew Aanu cared genuinely for Oju and wouldn't be party to any act against him. 

She sighed, "It was great seeing you here Aanu, I've got to run." Bending to pick her bag.

"And how is she? she's here right?" Aanu asked looking squarely at Mrs Wonu.

"Yes she's here and she has a name, Anjola. Do well to remember that, she's Oju's daughter no matter what any of you say." Mrs Wonu finished picking up her bag and Sun hat, she left the bewildered Aanu standing open mouthed.

Mrs Wonu got to the park and could see tha t her daughter had already made herself comfortable by the car, listening to the happenings around her.

Wonu stared into space,she had every plan of coming back to town, Wole Olaotan hadn't heard the last from her!! But first things first she had to drive her daughter back to safety.

She pushed a speed dial, and a cheerful voice answered. "Haba Auntie Wonu, such is life o, that's how you forgot me and left me on my own, what is the favor this time around?" 

Silence

"Auntie Wonu, you're scaring me.. This one you're refusing to say anything, i hope all is well? Wait.. ANJOLAMI nko? I do hope she's alright? Nothing happened to her right?... 

"Keep quite and let me talk, talkative, my Daughter is fine and well. I need you to come over to Ijon, i need someone reliable to keep watch over Anjola as i will be travelling preferable on Monday depending on how soon you get here... I will forward you some cash for your ticket to Lagos, joo Bimpe, don't keep me waiting o." Wonu pleaded

"This must be serious, will start parking, should be in Lagos latest tomorrow evening, ema worry Auntie Wonu" Bimpe assured. The line disconnected and Mrs Wonu stepped forward, her strides purposeful.

"Mom, whats up." Anjy asked wanting to be on the know of her mother's sudden change of attitude.

Mrs Wonu smiled, "come, baby girl, lets go home..."

Something's definitely up, Anjy thought and with the cold chills she felt running through her spine, she wasn't so sure she wanted to find out what it was...  

"Sure Mom, let's  go home." she agreed.