The silence in the dining room was oppressive, like a ghost yard. It gnawed at Mrs. Folu, and she almost squirmed in her seat as she threw her son cursory glances. A sense of foreboding gnawed at her, convinced something was amiss. Across from her, Folu quietly ate, hunched over his food as if his life depended on it. He usually made small talk and asked if she was enjoying her meal, but today was different.
"Everything OK, Folu?"
Folu jerked his head up, the motion sharp and sudden, almost painful. He hadn't slept well, thoughts of Yaayi keeping him awake through the night. The memory of her weary, resigned face and the growing love he couldn't reciprocate haunted him.
He realized his mother had paused mid-bite, staring at him like a piece of art in a gallery.
"What?" he inquired, trying to appear nonchalant. But his mother always saw through his facade.
"You know you've got my back, right? No matter what you go through, you'll always have someone to come back to." She took a deep breath, emotions she hadn't anticipated surfacing. "Since we lost your dad, you've kept me going. I wouldn't want to worry over you, okay?"
"There's nothing to worry about, Mom. I'm good," he replied with a forced smile, returning to his now cold food. But much remained unsaid between mother and son.
"I'm moving back to the US, and I broke up with Feyi," he blurted suddenly.
"Why? Why the sudden change of plans? I thought that was next year? And why would you break up with Feyi? She's perfect for you! What more do you need in a woman?"
She paused and fixed her gaze on him in disbelief. 'Wait... I don't believe it! I've been watching how you interact with my maid since you came back. Defending her in front of my visitors.
Are you having ideas about her?
Mrs Yomi scoffed as the thought of even that being true leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.
'Not here, you hear me?
Folu raised his eyebrow in disinterest.
You weren't raised like that! Suddenly agitated with her son's lack of reaction in what she had inquired. 'You are the heir of the Yomi family, act with finesse," Mrs. Yomi hissed in anger.
He dropped his spoon, suddenly losing his appetite. 'Can we just concentrate on our meal?
'But wait. Yaayi? Me? Interested in Yaayi? Whatever gave you that idea?" Folu laughed, hoping his mother wouldn't detect his real feelings. "It just didn't work out with Feyi, so we broke things off. As for the maid, I only talk to her to avoid boredom. We're not many in this house, you know."
"Better!" She scoffed, satisfied with his answer. "I hope you resolve things with Feyi," she added, pushing back her chair to retreat upstairs for her nap.
"Hmm..." Folu grumbled.
...
Yaayi leaned against the kitchen door, her body crumbling in despair. She had wanted to ask if they needed anything else, but she had retreated in haste upon hearing Folu's words.
How had she been so foolish to think he could have any interest in her?
From now on, she would guard her heart against any intrusion. Never again would she be made a fool.
Scrubbing her left palm over her wet face, she tidied up the kitchen and went to her room, dejected, knowing things would never be the same again.
...
A week later, Folu left for the United States. Yaayi learned of his departure from Mr. Charles, and her fragile heart broke even more. Knowing how little she mattered to Folu, who didn't even say goodbye, she resigned herself to her fate.
She resumed her daily routine as a maid in the Yomi household, slowly realizing that Folu wasn't returning anytime soon. Mrs. Yomi's temperament grew harsher, her son's departure fueling her anger. At least Yaayi had saved some money to fund her fashion dream, and she couldn't wait to leave the household behind.
Patience... that was what she needed. And It didn't last long..
...
A year and a half later...
"Aren't you going to work today?" a man asked her, admiring her composed, elegant form sitting across from him at the dining table. He couldn't help glorifying Allah for giving them a second chance to rebuild what had been broken, lost, and damaged. He still couldn't believe he had met her at the university where he taught. How great was fate, pushing them to meet in unexpected places!
After the devastating war had torn apart his family, nothing had been right for him. He had found solace in teaching. The students' smiles and chatter made him forget all that could never be and reminded him of his lost daughter, Yaayi.
As she sat across from him, he promised in his heart that nothing would ever tear them apart again. He had lost enough. This was his second chance at happiness.
He knew he couldn't get past the loss of his beautiful wife, Aliyah, and his young son, but God had given him back Yaayi, whom he had hoped was alive.
She was alive. She was a lifelong happiness to forever cherish.
"What made you smile so, Baba?" she asked her father in adoration, thinking back to how they had met at her university where she studied fashion. He was well-known for his peaceful demeanor, and she was known for her prowess in fashion. He had wanted to sew an outfit for an occasion, and she had been recommended to him by one of the lecturers who knew of her skills.
The rest was history and happiness! Father and daughter had recognized each other instantly. Blood was indeed thicker than water.
"Why shouldn't I? Seeing you is enough to make me dance with joy. I thought I had lost everything," he choked as waves of emotion surfaced. "Seeing you and you making me proud is enough to make me smile for eternity," he finished, taking her dainty hand.
"And I asked you, why are you home today? It's rare. I know how much you love your job," he smiled fondly.
Yes, she loved her job. It was her being, her sweat, her remembrance of the effort and success. She had left the Yomi household with the aim to become successful, and she had done that. Now her brand was well-known in the States, with people all over the world patronizing her. It hadn't been a smooth journey, but she had smiled at the end. She turned her attention back to her dad.
"Yes, that's true. I have some designs to go over. A new business moving into fabrics has just branched out here, and I've been contracted to work with them. I, however, sent Bliss to help at the office today."
"Alright, queen. Take a rest when you are done. You work too much," her father said as he stood to move to his room.
"Of course, I will," she replied, her gaze following him until he was out of sight.
Some hours later, she breathed a sigh of relief, closed her laptop, tidied up her work table, and went to rest, ready to wake up early for her appointment the next day.