Lola met Osas in her office. The business woman had no customer with her. It was Osas's lunch break. The friends hugged and exchanged pleasantries.

"I have sent the wines your house ordered today. Your family have been great customers over the years"

"It's nothing" Lola threw a dismissive hand.

"Lolu came by today. He said I should give you this" Osas handed over an envelope to Lola. "It seemed his mother's throwing some party at their house. So they ordered the drinks from us. He said everything about you being perfectly alright. There's nothing to worry about"

Every month, Lola visits the hospital for check-ups. It was something they do in her family. The hospital her family uses is a prestigious and one of the bests in the country, Osifeso Medical Centre, owned by Lolu's paternal uncle. A skyscraper with the best facilities any hospital should have. It's very expensive though. Lolu works in the neurosurgeon department.

"Thanks" Lola collected it, her smile reaching her eyes. "It's good to hear that". They sat down next to one another.

"So what am I hearing, Lola. Kiki told me about you meeting some guy"

"Kiki and that running mouth of hers. I am not seeing anyone. Na my grandparents o (It is my grandparent). They got him for me"

"And?"

"I don't want him"

"You speak of him like he is an object you picked up from the market. With what I had heard from Kiki, he sounds interesting"

"Please" Lola rolled her eyes. "He is a bore, a talkative. True, he has good looks but the rest about him is a turn-off. He is not rich"

"You are doing the same thing again. Refusing men. Why now?"

"Don't pressurize me please. Let's forget about him. Tell me how you are?"

"I should be asking you that"

"I just left my psychiatrist office. I was not fine but I am fine after seeing you"

"Lol, you want my head to swell abi?"

"No, I meant it"

"So what's good?"

"Many things have been good. I am thinking about growing my business"

"How is your grandfather?"

"He had woken up. I will check on him when I leave here. His condition is stable now" she gave a grateful smile, the holes in her cheeks going deeper.

"We thank God. That's good news"

"I heard something" Lola clapped her hand with eagerness.

"What?" Osas leaned forward.

"Rachel is pregnant!"

"Which Rachel?"

"The one you and I know"

"You have got to be kidding me"

"No I am not"

"Who is she pregnant for this time?"

"I don't know but I heard it's some rich dude"

"Serves her right. Well" Osas exhaled loud, her shoulders tensed. "I met Jafar"

"Which Jafar?"

"The one you know. Jafar who was my two year senior in secondary school"

"That's fine dude. He is tall, light skinned and Hausa. He's always looking for you back then and watching your back. You guys were so close I thought you were going to date"

"You got a good memory"

"I know. So tell me" She tapped Osas's hand eagerly. "Where did you guys meet?"

-----

"What kind of movies do you watch?" YK asked paying the lady at the counter for the popcorn they bought.

"I love action movies. I am not really a fan of romantic movies. It's depends on my mood. I just love movies that are thrilling including crime movies" Lola replied.

"What lady does not like romantic movies?" He gave her a little smile.

"I did not say I do not like romantic movies. I said I am not just a fan of them and it depends on my mood"

YK known as Yinka was her new man. She met him few days ago and he had requested to go out with her. Why would she refuse when she would have fun in seeing him fall for her like every other man then shatter every fantasy he has for her?

He laughed. "I am a man but my sisters watch them. They seem pretty alright"

"You watch romantic movies?"

"No" He collected the chilled bottle of Fanta from the lady. "My sisters watch those movies. I am more into video games and football"

"I see" she nodded her head. "My brothers love them too. I play basketball" they turned away. "So we are watching black panther?"

"That's what we agreed on"

The popcorn Lola had in hand began to slip. She tried holding it with her hand and tried pushing it up in order for it to balance in her hold with the other hand that had a bottle of chilled Pepsi.

"My siblings won't allow me to hear the end of it especially the last three" Lola continued. "Sister Lola have you watched black panther. It has become a chant for the past few weeks"

"I heard it is interesting" they headed for the theatre.

"You have not seen it too?" she halted to look at him.

Her brown eyes with little amusement in them and the little rise of her eyebrows made her more mesmerising than she looked. YK was pleased. His heart swelled. It was an honour to spend some time with a woman like Lola Kola-Daisi. She had been the talk among him and his friends. Having her as his girlfriend will be so nice to flaunt but he heard about how she refuses men but he can always hope.

"At all" YK shook his head negatively.

"Then what are we waiting for" she tugged his arm.

He felt happy and special to know she enjoyed his company.

"Lola" a voice called. Lola froze at the familiar voice. Her breathing hitched. What the hell is he doing here? Both Lola and YK turned around to see Joshua.

"We meet again" she said, her eyebrow raised with the right hint of arrogance.

Joshua beamed even though the sight of another man with her wrenched his heart. She had her hand around the guy's arm. The guy was tall but not macho this time. Is he the kind of man that attract her? The displeased look in her eyes at the sight of him ruined his mood. He had a lady with him. The girl's hand hooked around his upper arm.

"I am surprised to see you" Lola said, her voice supple as always but this time softer. The edges of her painted lips expanded into a little smile. That look on her face was the kind any man would trip for.

"Same here. You are here to watch which movie?"

"Black Panther. YK" she turned to her date. "This is Joshua and Joshua, Yinka but call him YK"

"Hi" YK held out a hand which Joshua took.

Joshua had one desire at that moment. To twist the hand of the man next to his woman.

"Lola meet Tina" he introduced the lady next to him.

"Hi" Tina lifted a hand to shake Lola.

"Hi" Lola reply came out curt and harsh with a nonchalant gesture of her hand making Tina recoil. Her eyes laced with pride scanned the girl. She smiled inwardly. The girl was just his kind, low and of no class. She was sure her clothes were first grade second hand clothes. "It's nice meeting you again. We shall leave" She swirled away with YK.

Joshua watched her back. Her spine was straight, stride graceful like she was on the runway. With that walking step of hers, she would do a perfect walk on the runway of a fashion show. Lola looked over her date's shoulder. She threw Joshua a smirk with a mischievous glint in her eyes then looked away.

Her phone rang. The screen would brighten then go dark again but she was oblivious to it due to two reasons. She had her phone on silent mode and she was so engrossed with the movie. Lola had her head on YK's shoulder, her hand over his hand as she used her other hand to push popcorn into her mouth. YK had his eyes on her especially her lips. He loved the way they move when she chews. The way they come together when she pushes popcorn into her mouth. When she was about to turn, he looked back at the screen. It was then she noticed her phone on her lap. She saw the incoming call with My Gold written on her screen. Her heart skipped. Why was her mother calling?

"Please, excuse me" she said picking the phone and putting away what she had on her laps.

"No problem" YK gave her a gentle smile before she walked out.

"Hello mummy" she said.

"Lola" Cynthia called. "Where did you keep your phone?"

"It was on silent mode"

"You have to be at the hospital"

"Is something wrong?"

"Your grandfather" Chills travelled through her spine. Worry coated her mother's steady voice.

"What's wrong with him again?"

"We don't know. He just suddenly lose consciousness"

-----

There was pain in her joints. The muscles in her neck ached from sitting in front of the computer for long. Silence greeted her. The kind that increased her melancholy and reminded her of sorrow she always had at the back of her mind whenever she was at work. Leke had not been home since he left except once and that time, she had been at work. The old maid had just told her oga had been around.

Aunty Dammy held back a sigh, climbing the single staircase that led into the big living room. In the walls of the house were memories that caused constriction in her chest. The same walls held the gloominess that lingered every day. There was nothing about the house that reminds her of happy memories. There were lies hidden in every corner. She started upstairs.

"Madam" The maid called from behind. Damilola swung around gently. "Welcome, ma"

"How was your day?" She asked.

"It was fine. Dinner is ready"

"I will be down in few minutes"

"Alright ma"

She was down few minutes later after a shower and changing into her sleeping wear. She looked at the generous amount of delicious meal in front of her but she had no appetite for it. She could only feel the mind-numbing heart ache spreading through her. What has life given her aside from pain? What has she gained in her marriage to Leke except spite and anguish? Since he left, they had not communicated for a day and she had not bother to give him a call. Would he pick even though she did? They had met at the hospital but had not spoken a word or glanced at each other's direction. The ringing tone of her phone brought her out of her pool of thoughts. The caller was her husband.

"Hello"

"There is no need to exchange pleasantries" He told her with impatience in his voice. She held the phone, ogling into space. "Anita slipped"

"So?" She shifted in her seat, crossing her legs as she rested back against it.

"I want you to go to the hospital and greet her"

"What?" She grimaced as if she had not heard him well.

"She is in Osifeso Medical Centre. At least, act as if you have a heart"

"You have finally gone mad, Leke!" She said then ended the call.

He has finally gone mad. She pushed the chair back and stood up. He has no sense at all. She fumed, heading to the staircase. What has he taken her for? A fool? A dumb woman! God! How dare he? He had the audacity to call her and tell her to go and greet Anita. Her chest compressed. Angry tears burned her eyes. Rage sizzled through her veins. She shook her head as a painful sob left her lips. She hope no one is going through the same ordeal.