Fifteen

Fabunmi prepared dinner as she listened to the singing of the birds. She liked to do this. It calmed her and she really needed this right now because she was really worried. It was almost night time and Apeke hadn't been back yet. She was never gone this long. She had left in the morning, yet she wasn't back.

She suddenly thought of something as she was trying not to sulk.' She was probably with Omowumi.' Of course! Why didn't she think of this before?

She quickly finished making dinner. She was preparing to leave for Omowumi's house when Apeke came to greet her.

"Thank the gods! Apeke where in the world have you been? I was worried sick about you while you were probably out there having fun, right? You don't care about your mother anymore."

"Mother,please calm down. Will you? I was at the palace."

"With the crown prince?"Fabunmi said hopefully.

"No! He wasn't there."

"Oh."She dropped her shoulders in dissapointment. "Then what were you doing there?" Fabunmi wondered.

"Interpreting. Apparently,every eligible person for the job was not available."

"Did you get paid?" Fabunmi had heard people in this line of work were well paid.

"Yes,but I'm never doing that again."

"If the payment is good then it is worth it."

"It's always all about money, isn't it?"

"Of course!" If not about money ,then ,what else?

Apeke shook her head at her mother.

They were suddenly distracted by Abeke's scream. Apeke quickly ran towards her while Fabunmi reluctantly followed. What was that woman up to now? She didn't trust her, not one bit!

"What? "They heard Abeke say to her daughter.

"Yes,mother. "

"What is it Abeke?" Fabunmi asked.

"Why? Are you conserned?"

"You flatter yourself. I wouldn't be conserned about you even if you were falling off a cliff."

"If it isn't the harlot and her mother." Adunni said.

"How dare you?" Fabunmi was going to slap her but Apeke stopped her because she knew it definitely wouldn't end there and she wasn't in the mood for a fight. She couldn't handle that. She was too tired.

"Does it annoy you that I speak the truth? We all know that that's how she got the crown prince. She can't deny it. She was seen coming out of his Chambers."

"That is enough, Adunni!" Fabunmi said. She wasn't going to bear this insult any longer. She grabbed Apekeola's hand but before they could leave Adunni said "You influenced Omowumi that's why she's after him."

"Oh please,that son of yours is a good for nothing."Fabunmi said.

"Mother,please don't talk about him like that."

"Like what? It's the truth."

Apeke sighed and went to her room.She needed to sleep or she might just say things she wasn't supposed to.

"You won't be on the winning side for long,Fabunmi. Mark my words!"Abeke said.

"Come, let's go get your brother."She turned to Adunni.

...

Alani laid in Omowumi's room, unconscious. She didn't know why she hadn't just taken him to the guest bedroom. Now he was in her room. What would he think of her when he woke up? Would he think she was sending him a message? What if he thought she was just easy game now?

Oh what have you done now, Omowumi?

She was too busy scolding herself to notice when Alani woke up.

"Is it just me or do you just keep getting beautiful?"Alani admired her as she seemed so lost in thought.

She jumped ,having heard him.

"Sorry,I didn't mean to startle you." Alani said.

"It's okay."Omowumi smiled.

"Did you mean it?" Omowumi asked.

"Mean what?"He didn't understand what she was saying. Had he said something mean to her? Had he hurt her? He hoped not.

"Before you passed out you said something." She said eagerly waiting for him to remember but his next words shattered her hopes.

"I hope it wasn't anything embarrassing."Alani laughed and she sighed. He wondered why it was so important. Then,he suddenly remembered. He had told her he loved her!

"Oh no!"

"Do you remember now?" She asked and he nodded.

"It's okay if you didn't mean it. You were drunk." ' And I'm the fool for believing the mumblings of a drunk'. She had wanted to add but she kept quiet instead.

"Is it? How can you forgive me so easily after getting your hopes up?"

"You didn't get my hopes up." She lied

"Whatever you want to believe." He stood up,moved towards her and he told her,"I meant it, Omowumi. I love you."