My Goodbye To You Both

“You made a perfect choice. I was just testing your intelligence my dear”. Alhaja Fatima decided to turn the tides. But Lanre knew she was not really turning the tides but only turning with it. She believed herself to be the tide.

Once Aisha and Sharon were done with their parts, Lanre decided to apply some make up on Alhaja Fatima’s face. She also told her to avoid using some certain products on her face after washing her face to discover burns on her face. The woman told her she would and also gave Lanre money to get her the products she would be using instead.

“I will take your advice! I had wanted to go and learn how to do those stuffs. But I will take your idea. Then I can learn afterwards. It’s not like it will be difficult for me to do such”. Lanre said to Alhaja Fatima when the woman was about to leave. The woman smiled at her.

“You are smart enough to make it in this Lagos”. The woman said before leaving. Lanre had a proud look on her face. She sat on a chair and twirls it round. Pearl felt excited and was trying to suppress it to prevent an outburst.

“Are you the lucky baby, or you are luck itself? Who blessed you should do same for me”. Pearl said. Lanre beamed with laughter. She felt flattered. She told Pearl it was just good will on her side. And for the first time, she called Pearl by her real name without being corrected.

“Chioma!” She called. Pearl looked at her wondering why she suddenly sounded like an old lady. Lanre asked her to send her bank details to her. Pearl asked her why.

“You want to send me money? I won’t accept. You have already done so much for us. Imagine how you are taking care of Chidinma as though she’s your own blood sister, I don’t want you to send me money”. Pearl said to Lanre.

“It is the last thing I will be doing for humanity”. Lanre said to her. Then she told Pearl she wanted her to leave Lagos with Chidinma.

“The both of you should leave. I’m about to take a lot of risk in my life. And it will be much more difficult for me if I have you too. The both of you are like family. So send me your bank details. Leave this place. Go stay in the east or in the west. Register Chidinma for work as well as JAMB (Joint Admission Matriculation Board) examination. Let her choose a course of her choice. And also, make sure she works in a good place. Start up a business as well so you can afford life wherever you are both going to live in”. Lanre said.

“This is my goodbye to you both. If life ever cycles our way, then we will meet again. But for now, it is too dangerous”. Lanre said to Pearl. Pearl could already feel tears strolling down her cheeks. They felt really hot.