The Evil Called Love - Episode 5

 

Fummi had so far missed two weeks of class, (nothing serious) according to Alfred. He had her covered, and she knew she could definitely trust him.
She sat by the side of the hospital bed stirring at her mother, she looked weak from all the medication. Her paleness had a sting to it that could bring questions.
 "what if her mother had died?" ( Well, that was a question Dele's kindness didn't let her see). After how mean she had been to him, he still helped her on such short notice.
Mother struggled on the bed( the struggle that showed that she won the fight over death and just wants to sleep now) . She was happy to have her mother back as the smile on her face reassures the emotion.
The paradigm of calls had changed from Alfred to Dele now, he calls almost everytime to check up on her, even the nurses are now used to his frequent rings.
It was as though he were in the hospital with her( and for someone who had been so nice, she would not mind that possibility).
"Ring Ring" ( there he goes again), oh! It's not him.
"Hi" Bukumi's voice shrieked.
"What's up girl?, I have missed you so much. When are you planning on coming home?" Classic Bukumi! (She calls and then won't let you speak).
"Erm......"
" You know you still haven't told me how you got the money so quickly, it must have been God".
" Or more like the devil, how's school going for you?"

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-evil-called-love

. ( Finally Fummi had a shot at the conversation).
" Fine, well, fine. That fat lecturer gave me a 'D' in his test" she hissed so hard Fummi was sure even her mother could have heard it in her sleep.
"Hmm! He's growing to like you now, last time wasn't it an 'F' ?" Fummi said in laughter.
" How won't you be laughing when Alfred helped you to a  'B' " she wasn't pissed, she wasn't happy, not indifferent, she was just Bukumi.
"He's a darling and I love him" Fummi said with pride.
"Be loving him because of assignments there". They both laughed, but Fummi laughed harder, not because she concurred to what Bukumi said, she did it to make Bukumi feel hurt.
"Go get your own nerd" Fummi said.
"I hear you, well I just called to check up on you and your mom"
"Thanks, we are both doing fine." With that the conversation had ended with both parties smiling.( Or at least Fummi was, but Bukumi held on more to that line of the conversation that had "devil").
She had planned that after mother recovered she would go pay Dele a surprise thank you visit.
It was kind what he did for her and to be sincere she really did appreciate it.
"Woah! 1:30pm. She had been in the hospital so long she had not had the chance to get breakfast for herself and she can't eat mother's lunch, what if she woke up.
Fummi was discussing with the nurse on watching her mom when someone entered from the entrance of the hospital.
"Good afternoon ma" he greeted the nurse.
Fummi stood there lost for words, battling in her head how he got the information on where she was and how he knew she was hungry, because she smelt something nice from the little nylon bag he held. It was not an intentional sniff, in her defense, the aroma reached her nostrils first.
" Fummi" he said with a flare.
"Dele" she replied.
"Ooh! You are Dele the caller! It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person." (The nurse just had to do that).
" Hahahaha" he really laughed hard to her surprise.
"Can I speak with just Fummi?" He asked politely.
"Why not." The nurse obliged.
He took her outside and into his car, he didn't talk like he had told the nurse but he started apologising. He told her that he still loves her and maybe just maybe, this was a sign to bring them together again.
"I......" He did not let her speak, he just continued with his apology. That if he could rewind time, he would not had done that to her.
She started to feel genuinely sorry for him, and thought to herself, she could have given him a second chance.
" Fummi, I Kno......" What he had to say was interrupted by his phone's ringtone. 'Beautiful night' by Adekunle Gold, the song from their first date.( He still hasn't changed his ringtone).
The name on the screen was Bukumi. ( She assumed that it was her that told Dele where she was, but what she didn't know was, she didn't want him there also). 
Dele was about to explain, she cut him short saying he should just go on with what he was saying.( If there was ever a time to sing 'Amazing Grace', it would be now).
Dele went on to say that he was running late but he brought her something to eat.
"I have to hurry back to work, it's almost the end of lunch break and I couldn't have lunch thinking about you and your mother". 
"That was quite thoughtful of you" she said smiling.
"Am not asking you to come back if you don't want to, but I felt hurt that I hurt you". He said this with a sincere look in his eyes, and honestly, she believed him.
She stepped out of the car, food in hand and waved him as he drove off.
Entering the hospital came with a new scare, not that she had a phobia for hospitals, far from it, she was scared that the nurses where going to say the normal thing girls say when they feel you should up with a guy they just saw you with.
They did not disappoint her, the nurses did just that. Even more.
When she got back to her mother's ward, she found mother being examined by the doctor who smiled as she walked into the room.
"Fummi" He said.
"Good afternoon sir" she answered.
"Your mother has made a tremendous recovery, thanks to the quick response you gave to the discussion we had. She will be discharged tomorrow morning, I am confident this is your last night with us". He said this with a tune in his voice that had sympathy written all over it.
He sure was a good doctor and friend to the family, but he didn't talk much, nor did he ask much. He literally minded his business.
"Thank you so much for everything" she replied.
The doctor left, mother wanted resting more but Fummi forced her to eat her food and drink the glorious " lucozade boost" of the Nigerian hospital.( This drink is practically found besides the sick bed of most patients, it is believed to give instant energy) Nigerians!
Mother finished eating less with so much effort and requested to lay down.
She had heard the gist between the nurse and Fummi, the one that involved a guy and frequent calls. She was normally half asleep, half awake when it occurs, and she decided to wait till when she got better to talk to her daughter about it.
Tomorrow came with a certain buzz to it's hurry, the happiness and the relief of the sick and the onlooker, they were going home. Perfect!
The discharge was not until 12:00pm in the afternoon, they hired a cab and soon found themselves in the house. Neighbors that helped mother to the hospital came visiting and had a tirade with mother for her moot behavior, stating it was quite petulant.
What if something bad had happened? They did have a point, it was okay mother choose to keep things secret but not health. 
But mother had passed through some experiences that made her stronger and self sufficient, not that she didn't need help, she does. But can you trust humans?. ( Life in the estate, not that they didn't care, they did. But they never really care, they just assure themselves they do).
People could be different though, but mother never took that chance. Her best friend was her husband and her husband was dead.
Visitors came and left, till it was just Fummi and her mother. Fummi used the time to both fix dinner and do a little tidying up.
After dinner and mother swallowing her pills, she called Fummi close and decided to have a one-on-one with her daughter.
She started with the "how I met your father story". She left no details (except the one that brought Fummi to this world).
Mother rarely talked much, but she allowed Fummi see that side of her that was very much alive before the accident.
" Through thick and thin we passed through together, not because we didn't fight" she said.
" But our fights were never about us. we could fight about money, spending habits, being too busy, even loving you more than me". ( Mother remembered how father had said he cherished Fummi because it gave him a second chance to love her from childhood all over again). This made her laugh.
"Why?" She continues.
"It was possible because our trust for each other was never to be questioned, you could love somebody, but it's different when you know the somebody you love and it's not just a thought."
Wherever mother was going with this it ought to be a very important point because not only did her speech become deeper, African mother's never opened up like this.( Perhaps after effect from all the drip).
"I heard you at the hospital talk about a man"
"Dele ma, a friend"
"And am also aware you did not get the money for the treatment from the savings account created for this kind of emergency".
"Yes ma, Dele provided the money immediately, so there was no need to go get the ATM card at home".
"Have you returned the money back to him?"
"No ma". 
"Fummi, you are no longer a child that I will question your decisions. But we are not financially handicapped, so you will give the young man back his money".
"Okay ma"
" I don't know the kind of relationship you have with this man, but your father and I raised you to be a responsible person and I believe you will behave as such".
"Yes ma". (Respect in African setting kept a child's response to elders very limited).
"So my dear, do not lose your way over money, we may not have excess but your every need is catered for. That is why I work hard so you can bless my toils with smiles one day". It was getting late and from the sound of mother's voice, she was getting sleepy.
"Am tired and need to rest, tomorrow you will go back to school, I'll have a nurse attached to me. I've discussed this with the doctor".
Fummi had chosen not to lie(too much), not that she couldn't but she rather not. She has always kept a down profile of her family in school. And like mother said, she never really lacked.
She helped mother to her room and decided to stay a bit to make sure mother was totally okay and asleep. They talked about so many other topics and then retired to bed, Fummi to her room.
Opening up to her mother about at least some part of her life was exciting, it's what every African child dreams about, but the privilege goes to but a few. She knew it wouldn't be consistently, but once in a while was fine with her.
They don't have to shoulder all the pain from responsibilities and allow it make them grumpy all the time.
Fummi walked into the lecture hall, familiar sites have become enstranged visitors to her eyes.
The day was Friday, the time 9:00am. She was lucky not to have gone home with much, she made a quick pit-stop at home before retreating back to class.
She sat at her favorite spot in the hall and paid full attention to the lecturer's mumble for one full hour, it was kind of something she had missed. She wondered where Alfred was, knowing that he is never late for class.( Not an hour late ).
Fummi scanned head shapes and shirt collars till she found the one that matched the description she looked for, seems that Alfred no longer sat at their usual spot(maybe it was due to her absence, maybe).
He sat with Gabriel ( who by the way does not offer the course he was pretending to listen to), Fummi had to ask him what he did in school, if he was a student or staff.( That no one was aware of)
Gabriel had always been one of those quiet characters who does not speak unless spoken to (though from the stories she had gathered from Alfred, he sure says the nastiest things). He prefers to use his eyes than mouth, and when the mouth decides to speak, it speaks of all the horror it stores.
The class was soon over by 11am and though they had another by 2pm ( the usual 'hold me down' of the university class schedule). She was tempted to spend the little time available with her bestie.
"Ring Ring" (or not)
" Hey baby" Dele greeted with enthusiasm.
"Am guessing you are back to school" he continued.
"Yeah, I came in this morning".
" So am thinking will dinner and a drink be a Worthy celebration of your mother's recovery?"
She laughed, "okay what time?" Rather weakly.
"I'll call you" he said and ended the call. She turned around looking for Alfred, the phone call was too short for she to have lost him.
She walked towards the small tent that served as both recreation center and waiting room for students and found him sitting there, sharing a drink with Gabriel.
"Hey big head" she poked him on his shoulder from behind.
"My head is not big in Jesus name" his reply wasn't a strong one, not sure if the voice he heard belonged to the person he is thinking( Same person that should have enough courtesy to call to inform him of her arrival since she didn't tell him of her departure).
He turned around, seeing her, he hugged her almost immediately.
"That hug is deep, you guys should stop deceiving yourselves and date already" Gabriel said and gave the fakest smile they had ever seen.
They both laughed at the joke (Alfred's prayer), sat down and talked about a lot of things, ranging from mother to school to mother to Fummi and to Gabriel to finally ask him what he studied (or if he is was a secret staff).
The conversation was entertaining, relieving and short. It's was already time for the second lecture.
They walked towards the same lecture Hall they had exited from earlier still accompanied by Gabriel.
"Are you still angry?" She said looking at Alfred who said nothing, not that he was angry per say, but he had complained about her attitude of not letting him on her decisions.
"After class I'll make noodles and egg for you" she offered.
The lecture did not hold.(The Best news received today).
The duo of Fummi and Alfred retired to Fummi's apartment, to be appeased by Fummi and her "peace offering".
They met a sleeping Bukumi at home, but they both had a way of making her not to exist.
Fummi started the cooking and though Alfred wanted coming into the kitchen with her, she declined and suggested he wakes Bukumi to keep him company. She laughed, but he did not even give as much a smile to what she said. 
He went back to the bed and found a space for himself and Fummi's laptop, by then Bukumi was up ( not that she was asleep though, it was just a frustrated attempt to just lazy about). She constantly fondled her phone stopping at a number, ' a familiar number'.
She got up from bed, tossed the phone on the bed and indicated to Fummi she was going out to get something.
Not too long after she left a text came in and her phone lit up to a message from Dele.
" I can't meet up with you, am .............."
Alfred had really hoped for Fummi to see, but she didn't and the phone went dark again.
Fummi walked out from the kitchen with the "peace offering" (and it smells really good) and they both in silence.
Bukumi walks into the room, drops her black nylon bag that contained a soft drink and two waffers, picks up her phone and leaves the room once more.
"So your mum is all alone again at home"
"Yeah, though she said she was going to get a nurse".
"Am sorry about what happened".
"It's okay am just glad she's better" Fummi stood up with the dishes into the kitchen.
"Ring Ring"
"Ring Ring"
" Fummi gets done in the kitchen comes out and gets her phone, luckily for her it was still ringing.
"Hey, I'll be at your house in the next 7minutes".
"Okay, let me get dressed" she said, ended the call and hurried to go pick a dress.
"Was that Dele?" Alfred asked with a mood to his voice.
"Yes Alfred it was" she answered.
"You guys are going out or something"
"He's taking me out to celebrate my mother's recovery" she said as she excused herself to the bathroom to change.
"You girls never really learn do you, same guy that raped you is now celebrating your mother with you?".
"Alfred! Maybe I shouldn't have told you that" she said angrily, but that didn't stop Alfred from going on.
" It's not about what you told me, it's about what you are doing".
"Well, it's not any of your business is it?" She replied him with a strong fixed stare.
"See, Fummi.........." He was cut short instantly.
"Alfred you are my friend, but how I live my life is not your business".
He was hurt, he tried to conjure words to reply but found none. This was someone he was trying to protect.
"You're right, its not my business. But I hope he loves you as truly as he shows he does". Alfred started walking away, but was followed by a persistent Fummi that looked like she had something to say.
"Alfred, stop being jealous, it's childish. Besides friendship suits us better".
He did not turn back, he just nodded his head and left.
Dinner with Dele was quiet and uneventful, though he tried to be as chatty as ever. The fault was not from him, it was from the inside of her.
It was a feeling of a little bit of hurt, a little bit of anger and a little bit of suspicion. (She noticed Bukumi's enraged face when she waved her before she got into Dele's car).
For someone who wanted so badly to fix her relationship, she sure didn't look happy to see that it was already fixed.(And there was something to that last thing Alfred said).
"You look like you are not having a good time" he asked.
" Am not feeling strong, maybe stress from the hospital" ( a pardonable lie anyone can excuse).
She then remembered the money her mother had given to her to return to her "friend", but when she told him, he simply laughed about it and asked her that she should keep it till he needed it.
" Perhaps we should go" he noticed her discomfort.
She agreed and they advanced towards his car and decided maybe a drive will help calm things down, but she insisted that since she ruined dinner she should make dinner.
"I'd love that" he said smiling.
They arrived his apartment and he walked her into kitchen.
"Anything you need is here, not that you're a stranger" he said as he walked to go take a bathe, then shower.
'second dinner' was perfect (she made rice and plantains). It was a good thing they had not ordered food at the restaurant, they only had appetizers.
They ate and talked about old times, her birthday party ( how she danced and made everyone laugh), she asked about his friends and they talked about the night they met and how they got along till they had nothing to talk about and started kissing.
They slept together, this time she gave herself.
It was a good thing tomorrow was a Saturday.
It's official, they had started dating again.

This is officially the longest episode I have written so far, I hope you accept my "peace offering" and you don't abandon me like Alfred did. 
Am sorry I took long in posting, and I honestly do love you guys so much for reading and prayers and support.
God bless you.