Ms. Dideolu's POV-- 8:15 am

Ms. Dideolu's lips quivered as she bit down on them, feeling the texture of her teeth sinking into her flesh. She could feel her grip tightening around the birthday card in her hands, the edges digging into her skin. The room had a strong musky odor that made her nose twitch, and she inhaled deeply, trying to identify the source of the smell. She scanned the room, taking in the alluring shade of pink that used to look so feminine with the white bedspread and fluffy stuffed animals. But now, everything had changed, and the room looked different.

The sheets were black, and the stuffed animals were gone, replaced by boxes filled with clothes. As she marched towards the boxes, the sensation of the cold, hard floor under her feet sent shivers down her spine. She reached out to touch the boxes, feeling the rough texture of the cardboard against her fingertips. Her eyes darted here and there, scanning the room for any other changes.

The absence of the posters on the walls made her heart ache. She remembered Lola's love for them and how she would never stop buying more. But now, they were gone. She pulled the drawers, feeling the smooth handles under her fingers. The makeup kit was in its place, and she could feel the soft texture of the brushes and the powders as she ran her fingers over them.

Ms. Dideolu frowned, noticing how every corner of the room was neatly arranged in a way she never would have done. She wondered if Lola was taking her words to heart and trying to be better. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, and she kissed her teeth, feeling the rough texture of her tongue against her teeth.

She closed her eyes and inhaled, taking in the sensory details of the room. The smell of the herbs, the texture of the boxes, the coldness of the floor, the smoothness of the drawers, and the roughness of her teeth. She knew it was time to make things right with Lola, to move on from the pain of losing Demola and to focus on the present.

Ms. Dideolu sank onto the soft mattress, a sad smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. The bed creaked under her weight as she dropped onto it, and she let out a deep sigh. Her fingers traced over the coarse, glitter lettering on the birthday card, feeling the raised texture beneath her fingertips. "I hope you'll like it," she whispered, gazing at the colorful design. Lola had always loved shiny, colorful things, and this card felt right for her.

She placed the card gently beside her, then picked up her phone and began typing a message to her daughter. "Happy birthday, Lola. Please call your father," she wrote, her fingers tapping against the smooth screen. Ms. Dideolu hesitated for a moment before adding, "I'm sorry for the way I acted. I love you."

She hit send and lay back on the bed, the soft fabric of the pillowcase caressing her cheek. As she closed her eyes, she could almost smell the sweet, floral scent of Lola's perfume lingering in the air. She tried not to dwell on the past, on the fights and arguments, and instead focused on the hope that everything would get better. An apology had the power to heal broken hearts, mend broken homes, and settle disputes for ages. Ms. Dideolu just hoped it would work for her and Lola.

With a deep breath, she sat up and gazed around the room, taking in the details. The walls were painted a pale pink, and the curtains fluttered softly in the breeze. A vase of fresh flowers sat on the dresser, their sweet fragrance filling the air. Ms. Dideolu smiled, thinking about how much Lola loved to decorate her room.

She got up from the bed and walked over to the window, feeling the cool morning breeze on her skin. The sky outside was painted in soft shades of orange and pink as the sun rose above the horizon. Ms. Dideolu closed her eyes and took a deep breath, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. Lola was not going anywhere, she reminded herself. Everything would get better. She opened her eyes and watched as a bird flew past the window, its wings flapping gracefully against the golden light of the sun.