"She needs to be shut down immediately. What kind of madness is this?"
The story spread beyond the neighborhood, shared on WhatsApp groups, social media platforms, and even by local news outlets. Bola, once the darling of the community, was now at the center of a growing scandal.
By late afternoon, the ripple effects of Fumi's post were visible. The usually packed Bola's Kitchen was eerily empty. The few customers who did show up quickly turned away after seeing the viral photos on their phones.
Regulars who had sworn by Bola's cooking were torn between loyalty and disgust. Many felt betrayed, while others struggled to reconcile the truth with their fond memories of her food.
"It's like finding out your favorite jollof rice was cooked in a gutter," one man said bitterly to his friend.
In the market, traders gossiped loudly about the scandal. Mothers warned their children to avoid the restaurant, while some people openly mocked Bola's fall from grace.
Inside the now-empty restaurant, Bola sat slumped at one of the tables, staring blankly at her phone. She had read Fumi's post and seen the photos and videos. Each word felt like a dagger to her heart.
Sade, her assistant, stood awkwardly nearby, unsure of what to say. "Madam, people are outside…they're saying things," she said hesitantly, glancing at the growing crowd near the entrance.
Bola waved her off. "Leave me," she muttered, her voice heavy with defeat.
She couldn't deny the evidence—it was all true. Her unsanitary habits, which she had dismissed as harmless, had now become public knowledge. The shame was overwhelming.
Meanwhile, Fumi wasn't entirely spared from the fallout. Though many praised her courage, others accused her of ruining a beloved institution.
"How can you destroy someone's livelihood like this?" one commenter wrote under her blog post.
Fumi received angry messages from loyal fans of Bola's Kitchen who refused to believe the story. Some even accused her of fabricating the evidence. But despite the criticism, Fumi stood firm.
"This isn't about tearing Bola down," she responded in one comment. "It's about holding her accountable. Everyone deserves clean, safe food."
By the evening, a small crowd had gathered outside Bola's Kitchen. Some were there out of curiosity, while others came to confront Bola directly. They shouted questions and accusations, their voices growing louder as the hours passed.
"Bola, come out! We need answers!"
"Is it true you've been using dirty water to cook?"
"No wonder my children were sick last month!"
Inside the restaurant, Bola felt trapped. She peeked through the window and saw the crowd.