CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Tola opened the gifts she had received from her school, her parents and friends. Her father had sent her a gift also from London-a book. She glanced at the book and continued to open the rest upstairs in her room while her mother welcomed her guest to the living room.

"Such a lovely home you have Mrs. Adeogun" Mrs. Richard said as she admired the marble coated walls, the amazing artifacts and sculptures, and the interior decoration of the house.

"Thanks so much Mrs. Richard" Shirley replied to her friend as both sat down

"Want should I offer you now? Would you like to eat anything? Drink anything?"

Mrs. Richard laughed, "What is available?"

"Everything, there is wine, malt, mineral and any food you want will be given you"

"Seriously? You flatter me Shirley"

"Dear Rosaline, you know that I am not lying"

"Ok, wine would do thank you" she replied amidst laughter

Shirley smiled at Rosaline, "Bisi! Bisi!"

"Yes madam", Bisi replied as she rushed into the living room

"Bring wine and two glasses" Shirley ordered and Bisi left to bring them.

Mrs. Rosaline Richard stared at Tola's graduation portrait on the wall. The girl is beautiful.

"Your daughter has just graduated high school, right?"

"Yes, she just did last week"

"Last week Saturday?"

"Yes, last week Saturday" Shirley replied as Bisi returned with the wine and the glasses. She set them up on the table and took her leave.

Shirley carried the wine and opened it. She poured it into the cups for her friend and her; both took a sip from the wine.

"Very sweet it is" Rosaline savored the fruity taste of the wine. It was rich and dark red in color; this was definitely the original brand of the wine.

"What is the next step for your daughter now that she has graduated?" Rosaline asked

"See jamb question! What is the next step for those who have graduated high school?" Rosaline just smiled at her friend. Everyone knew that the tertiary education came next, but not everyone has the dream of furthering their education to the university, she thought.

"My daughter will be resuming at Kent University this October"

"Wow, so fast! That must be a private university though"

Shirley stared at her friend in disbelief, "do you think I would like to send my child to one of those public universities where the academic calendar always changes like a chameleon?"

"You are right my sister. The universities are always having their lecturers on strike and the students have to spend donkey ears in a course that was meant to end in a short duration of years." Rosaline replied

"All these are making the youths restless and most of them turn to engage in social vices increasing the rate of insecurity in our country." Shirley lamented

"Let God help us and our country" Rosaline said

"Amen" Shirley replied solemnly

"So how did you go about it? What course will she be studying?"

"Well, my husband and I just wanted her to finish up her education quickly. With that, she can have an early start to work and life in general. So, we googled up on all the private universities and we agreed on this one. She will be studying law in the school" Rosaline danced in excitement for her friend. Law is a very good course in Nigeria.

"Ok…. That school is owned by the living word church, right?"

"Yes, it is" Shirley replied, and Rosaline just nodded

"Can't her father just take her to the UK to study next to him?"

"I have suggested that to him, but he said that his daughter is too young to take abroad; said that he is afraid that the good virtues instilled in her in Nigeria could be corrupted."

"How old is Tola?" Rosaline asked as she lifted up her glass for a sip

"She would be fourteen on entering the university" Rosaline suddenly stopped drinking the wine and stared at Shirley.

"What? Fourteen?"

"Yes fourteen, what is wrong?"

"Not only is she too young to go abroad-she is too young for the university as well" Rosaline protested

"And how would you know if she is too young or not? She has been doing well all through her primary school down to her secondary school. She had 326 in jamb and 8A1 in her WAEC."

"No Shirley, I am not talking of intelligence or academic excellence here; I am talking of maturity. How well do you know your daughter? Can she survive alone in the university? Can she think and choose for herself? Can she accurately decipher what is right from wrong?"

"All these questions Rosaline tell me if you are the girl's mother." Shirley was getting mad at her friend. She shouldn't have told her this much.

Rosaline read her friend's expression for a moment," I am sorry Shirley, I just got a little worried that she is too young for the unforeseen that may await her in the university"

Shirley hissed and frowned, "thanks so much for your concern, Mrs. Richard. My daughter is fully aware that she will be going to the university, and she is very prepared for it."

Mrs. Richard was about to protest, and she opened her mouth. Shirley held up her hand to stop her "thanks for visiting today, Rosaline, I think you should go."

Rosaline was amazed that Shirley was kicking her out. She stared blankly at her for some time, retrieved her bag from the chair, and then got up to leave.

"Thanks so much for your time and hospitality; I hope to see you soon" she said and feigned a smile.

"Let me see you off" Shirley said as she stood up to follow Rosaline

They walked in silence towards the gate. There was a lady standing there speaking with Habib, the gatekeeper.

"Habib, who is there?" Shirley asked

Before Habib could answer his mistress, the young lady slipped past him and went to greet Shirley

"Good morning ma" She greeted with a jaunty smile

Shirley stared at the young lady. She looked very familiar, but she could not remember the face; suddenly, it hit her

"Bukola…Bukky" she said

"Yes ma" the smiling young lady replied, and Shirley turned to Rosaline, her friend.

"Rose, this is Bukola Adeogun, my husband's younger sister. Bukky say hello to Mrs. Rosaline Richard." Shirley introduced them.