IMADE AND JAMAL

IMADE.

  "Are you serious? He really did all that?" My mom asks a grinning Lola, who hasn't stopped gushing about Jamal since our mom woke up.

"Yes o mummy. I was even surprised because after how he denied knowing aunty Imade, I didn't think he would be kind enough to give up such huge amount of money. The thing that now pained me most was Sister Immy's reaction. You need to see the ungrateful look on her face." She blabs on and on, ignoring my death glare.

"Imade, is this true?" My mom turns to ask me directly but as expected, Lola doesn't even let me speak.

"Oya lie now! Lie that you did not rudely reject his offer to buy us food and even after he bought food that cost about thirty thousand, you still shenked the poor guy like he didn't just save our lives. Oya lie! Abi, the way you made him feel so uncomfortable and out of place that he had to leave. Oya go ahead and lie!" She attacked sharply and the urge to slap her immediately rose.

"Lolade, you better shut that pipe of yours before I descend on you mercilessly. Abi, ki ni gan? Are you possessed ni or just mental? Cause I don't even understand you at this point." I yell harshly at her and that seemed to reset her brain as her expression relaxes and she remained quiet.

"You both know I'm here, right? If you don't have respect for me, respect the fact that this is a hospital and that some patients are asleep. I did not raise animals o." My mom chimes in with an irritated look on her face.

"We're very sorry ma." Lola and I chorus apologetically.

"Much better. Now, tell me why you weren't comfortable around him Imade. Is it because he denied knowing you?" My mom questions calmly.

"Mummy, please don't mind Lola. Yes, I was slightly uncomfortable but it has nothing to do with what you're thinking. I, unlike my greedy sister here already felt ashamed and grateful that he paid your hospital bills and letting him do more was very embarrassing for me."

"I did not want to feel more indebted to him because not only did he pay your bills, he also offered me a full time job at his construction company that pays thrice my current salary. Please, tell me why I shouldn't feel uncomfortable." I explain to her and I could tell with the look on her face that she was surprised.

"Wait o, shebi, he's the same person that denied knowing you? Why is he being so kind? Abi, he's trying to get you or something?" She asks with a sly smile and I chuckle in embarrassment.

"No ma, it's nothing like that. He and I are not even friends sef and he doesn't want anything to do with me." I say to her and she furrows her brows.

"Doesn't want anything but is doing all this? Ahn ahn, that's not possible now." She replies and just when I'm about to clear her, Lola cuts me off.

"Mommy, I thought the same thing at first o but turns he has one werey girlfriend like this and Aunty yen mad gidi gan, won ti e normal rara." She tells her, earning a soft laugh from my mom.

(That aunty is very mad, she's absolutely abnormal.)

"Kilode to so be?" She asks.

(Why did you say so?)

"She's a jealous freak ni o. Her body no dey stay one place. Afi gidigba gidigbo bi eni ton le." She replies her and now it was my turn to laugh.

(She's a restless person. Always too hyper like someone on the run.)

you acquainted with her?" My mom asks me

and the funny thing is, he's not dating her. She's probably just one of his goto girls." I tell her and she shakes her head

It's actually very..." She was but was cut short when a nurse came

their inability to be polite. She

out there

men? Did they drop their names?" I

and Mr David. Should I let them in?" She

deep down, I knew my mom and Lola were about to embarrass the hell out of

The nurse replies

o." I warn Lola immediately but she keeps mute with a sly smile playing on her lips.

very polite o. I did not birth an ingrate." Mom suddenly warns and I struggled not to hiss at

ma." I drawl a reply boredly.

(I've heard ma.)

inviting them in and unsurprisingly, Jamal

only get to see him on official wears but for the first in years, I'm actually seeing him on shorts, paired

body like an extra skin. Both men looked too good to be true

afternoon ma." They both chorus, with David prostrating slightly whilst Jamal only bowed a

afternoon young men. Please sit." My mom calmly replies

both of us and as expected, Jamal sits beside me whilst David takes a sit beside

suddenly speaks up, confusing everyone in the room including

me for what exactly?" He asks.

Uncle Jamal. It was very helpful, so I'm grateful."

most welcome Lolade." He says with a small smile that

you been all this while? You just travelled suddenly and refused to remember us again. Is that even fair?" Mom asks obviously joking but

while but after my parent's death, things got pretty messy for me so I lost contact with Imade." He explains and if I

parents passed away? When? How? Where?" Mom questions quickly, sitting up to face Jamal

eight years now. They died in a plane

dear, I'm so sorry. I really wasn't aware of this. It must have

ma, God knows best. How are you feeling now ma?" He switches the topic quickly and I almost chuckle at how confused my

no amount of thank you can compensate for what you did for me.

or feel you owe me gratitude ma. You're someone I've always respected a lot and I'm very happy to know you're doing better." He replies with a genuine

me tomorrow and continue with his 'I don't care' attitude and I refuse to be hurt

bless you dear." She thanks him again before

not addressing you earlier o. How are you doing?

  "Yes ma, David Kolawole." He replies politely, obviously unsure

two being friends?" She asks, I frown. Is that question really