Must Read: Adventures of Fola - Season 1 - Episode 9

Episode 6 years ago

Must Read: Adventures of Fola - Season 1 - Episode 9

Michael stayed with me, holding my hand,
until he was satisfied with the outcome of my
ankle. He wanted to make sure that the
swelling went down, even if it was just a
little. He looked up at me from his kneeling
position, trying to gauge my reaction with the
ice pack on my ankle. I was still in pain, so I
would usually bite my lips to stop them from
trembling. Finally, Michael removed the ice
pack from my ankle, dropped it on the coffee
table, got up and sat down back beside.

Looking at me, he asked, ’’ how do you feel’’?
Glaring at him I asked, ‘’What do you think?
‘’ you placed an ice pack on my swollen ankle, an ankle that has been paining me since
yesterday. So I ask again, what do you
think?’’

Calm down Fola, I was just trying to help.
I was still in pain and very much pissed off at
him, even though I knew he was just trying to
help. But knowing I am me, which means I
am as stubborn as a bull, I totally ignored
the fact that he was trying to help. So I did
the usual, I hissed at him, folded my arms,
and turned my face away.

For some strange reason, this made Michael
to chuckle. Well, I wasn’t going to pay him
anymore attention. I would rather watch my
tv program. And that’s exactly what I did.
A few moments later, Michael got up, saying
he needed to do some work in his study room.

I later found out that his study room, wasn’t
really a study room, it was more like an
office. You know? With the way it looked. But
hey, who am I to say how a study room
should look like.

As Michael got up, giving his excuse, I
continued to watch my tv program, it was
really interesting, it was funny, full of
suspense, and all investigative. So I refused
to acknowledge him. Michael gave out a sigh
and walked away to his study. When I was
sure that he was a bit far away from where I
was sitting in the living room, I looked
towards where he was walking to. I realized
that he was really a good person. Picking me
up from the streets, feeding me, calling a
doctor for me, and giving me a room and a
bed to sleep in. but will all these be for free?,
will he want something in return? Rich men
like him always want something in return,
something as a thank you. Thinking about it
made me scared. I don’t really know him,
other than the fact that he has his own
security agency, but his attitude and the way
the people in this house address him says
otherwise. There is something strange about
Michael, something abnormal. And I hope I’ll
be able to find out without getting hurt.

Maybe I’ll be able to help him, just as he has
helped me.
……………………………………………
Fola……………………………………………
An hour later, I woke up to someone yelling
somewhere down the hall. I looked around me
to know where I was exactly . Finally realizing
that I was in the living room, because I was
on the couch, and the tv was still on, this
time a new program was airing, I didn’t know
what it was. I must have slept off during the
last program that I was watching. The yelling
was still going on. And it sounded like Ada.
Why would Ada be yelling? And who was she
yelling at?. I got up from the couch and
limped my way to where the yelling was
coming from. Going to the end of the hall,
there was one way out; it was leading to the
other side of the house where there is a
garden. The garden was amazing filled with
beautiful flowers and it smelt nice too.

She was standing by a flower that looked really
nice, her back facing me. And yes she was
still yelling. I stood there watching her, and
waited for her to finish. Once she was done,
she turned around not knowing that I was
there she screamed because she was scared.
Placing her hand on her chest she said ’’ my
God, Fola , you almost gave me a heart
attack. What are you doing here? And your
standing, you’re not supposed to be standing.
Please go back inside and rest.
Ignoring her questions, I asked ’’ why were
you yelling, is everything alright?.’’

Yes Fola everything is fine, just someone that
won’t let me rest, don’t worry he will get tired
and stop.

I was a bit concerned cos this person
sounded like a stalker. So I asked to be sure,
is this person a stalker.?

She nodded her head, saying yes. Wow.

I don’t know much about stalkers but I don’t
think she should be handling this on her own.
Ada, does Michael know about this? She
shook her head, meaning no.

Ok then why don’t you tell him? Still shaking
her head she said, I don’t want to worry Mr.
Smith, he already has a lot on his plate.

Worry Mr. Smith about what, said a deep
voice from behind me. I turned around,
tripping on my good leg, because I was
startled from hearing the voice which turned
out to be Michael. Michael having one of the
fastest reflexes I have ever seen in a man
quickly caught me to stop my fall. Shoving
his shoulders I asked in an angry tone, ‘’why
you would scare me like that’’?, see, I almost
fell down.

You almost fell down? Are you even supposed
to be standing? Asked Michael, and I think he
was angry. Wow I’ve really done it this time.

Fola if you want your ankle to heal quickly
then I suggest you stay off that leg for your
own good. You can’t keep walking around on
your own, what’s wrong with you?.

For your information, through these various
questions that Michael was asking me, I was
still been held by him. So he was right in my
face, asking me these questions. I couldn’t
say anything; I just kept my mouth shut. And
waited for him to finish. Cos I have never
seen him angry. And now that I have, I don’t
like it.


Then he carried me immediately he was done
with his questions. (Bridal style). Facing Ada
he asked, what’s the problem Ada? Why were
you yelling?

Ada, still looking a bit concerned, maybe
because of Michaels attitude towards me
said, ’’ it’s nothing sir, I can handle it.’’
Michael wasn’t convinced. ‘’Are you sure
Ada.?’’
Yes sir I’m sure.

Well then if you say so. I’m taking Fola back
to her room, she needs to rest.

That’s ok sir.

Turning around, Michael walked back through
the hallway, climbed up the stairs and took
me to my room. Walking in, he closed the
bedroom door behind him, took me to my bed
and placed me on the bed. Then without
saying a word, he walked out of the room,
leaving me alone. Well I guess he is really
pissed. I am such an idiot. I really need to
change my attitude towards him. Because his
doing all he can to help me.

2 weeks later.

Yes I know what you’re thinking, two weeks?.

And I’m still in Michael’s house? What can I
say? I love his house. And everyone has been
good to me. My ankle has totally healed; I
can now walk around without anyone having
to help me. It is awesome.

But right now I’m not at the house. No, I’m
out with Michael, it is 1 o’clock in the
afternoon and we are going shopping. I’m
sure you’re wondering why its Michael and I,
well Michael insisted he go with me, I don’t
know why, he just wanted to. So now we are
in shop rite, and this place is dope, it’s got
lots of shops that sell different kinds of
clothes, there’s even a shop meant for just
wrist watches, awesome right?. Anyway we
entered one of the shops, this particular shop
sold jeans trousers and skirts. And get this,
Michael selected every jean that he bought for
me, and he’s got an eye for quality jeans too.
Which is cool. We spent close to 2 hours
shopping, I had to buy some girly things for
myself, like underwear’s, makeup kits, even
though I don’t know how to use most of them
I’m sure I can learn. I also got some foot
wears, like high heels( not too high),
sneakers, ballet flats, wedges and canvas
sneakers.

After our incredible awesome shopping spree,
we went to shawarma delight in Lagos
mainland. And their shawarma is super good.

One word: awesome. During our time in
shawarma delight, Michael was a bit quiet.

I was worried that I might have done
something bad. So I asked why he was acting
all quiet and moody. This is how the
conversation went;

Me: whats up, why are you so quiet?

Michael: cos I don’t want you to leave me.

Me: leave you? Why will I do that?, I’m right
here, I’m not going anywhere.

Michael: well now that your ankle is all
healed. You’re free to leave, and I feel you’re
going to do just that. Well it’s all good, since
I had the opportunity to spend some time
with you today. But to be honest I don’t want
you to leave. I’ll really miss you if you do.
I was a bit confused, because I didn’t know;
me leaving will affect him that much. I mean
during these past 2 weeks we’ve actually
grown pretty close. We talk all the time, laugh
all the time, and watch tv programs whenever
we can. He even taught me how to play pool.

Yea I know, awesome. So I didn’t think he
was going to feel bad, I mean even if I wanted
to leave I won’t just leave like that. I don’t
even think I want to leave. But this is his
home. I’m nothing to him. I’m just some
charity case. I had no idea this was how he
felt. So I had to clear the air, I needed to
know why he would feel sad if I left.

Me: but Michael we’ve only known each other for 2 weeks. You have your life, I have mine.
So why would you feel bad or miss me sef, I
don’t understand.

Michael: because I like you

That got my mouth to hang wide open, he
even had to place his finger on my chin to
close my mouth back, I was shocked.

Michael: yes Fola I like you. I know you’ve
had an awful life. I have too. But since I’ve
known you my life has gotten brighter, better,
wonderful, amazing, I could go on. Fola your
funny, and smart. You’re not scared of me,
people fear me but you don’t. (he chuckled)
you even yell at me, and insult me. Fola no
human being has ever done that because they
know who I am. I am Michael smith, everyone
knows me. So yes if you leave I’ll miss you.
Terribly.

I was speechless. I had no words, absolutely
no words to say to him. We sat down there in
shawarma delight for a few more minutes,
and then we left.

With Michael driving his white 2015 BMX X3,
I sat at the passengers sit. And all I could
think about was what Michael told me while
we were eating our shawarma. I was scared
and confused. Sure I didn’t want to go back
to being homeless, and with all the clothes
and accessories that Michael got me, I won’t
survive on the streets, everything will get
stolen within the blink of an eye. I needed a
place to stay, I needed a job, I needed money.

But that wasn’t really what was bothering me,
it was Michael saying he likes me. Me! Fola,
a homeless girl with no family. It felt weird.

We arrived at his house, Michael looked at
me and told me not to open my door.

He then got out of the car, came around to my
side and opened the door for me. Unghhh
who in the world wouldn’t like a guy like
Michael. But I’m not good for him. We live in
different worlds. A well educated and
sophisticated guy dating a homeless girl?, no
I can’t do that, I won’t. After he helped me
out of his car, Edgar the grim looking old
man, came out of the house to help with my
bag of clothing and accessories. Then we all
went into the house.

A few hours later, we had dinner, which was
prepared by Ada, and trsut me it was an
amazing meal. Ada can really cook. She
prepared cous cous with salad and fried
chicken , it was awesome.

After dinner I told Ada goodnight. Michael
had gone into his study room, I had a feeling
he was avoiding me. Maybe it’s because I
didn’t say anything when he told me he liked
me. I went into his study room to talk to him
I needed to make sure he was ok. Getting
there I heard him on the phone, I couldn’t
really hear what he was saying but he
sounded a bit pissed. I knocked on his door,
and his reply was… WHAT!. Whoa, angry
much?. I walked inside and closed the door
behind me, then I looked at him. Immediately
he saw that it was me, he calmed down. Then
he apologized for yelling at me. Well maybe
his all worked up because of work. Anyway I
got straight to the matter at hand.

‘’Michael are you upset with me’’? I asked.

He frowned a bit. Then he replied, ‘’no, of
course not, why should I be’’?
I shrugged, ‘’well because I didn’t say
anything when you told me you liked me
earlier today’’.

Fola, I might like you, but just because you
don’t feel the same way doesn’t mean I have
to be upset at you. It’s ok, I’m ok. I’m not
upset at you.

Ok, if you say so. I gave him a smile and left
his office. Then I went up to my room, had my
bath, wore my pyjamas and climbed into bed.
I was out within a few minutes.

During the night , while I was asleep, with the
lights turned off, I felt hands on my feet, and
then suddenly I was been dragged out of bed,
thrown to the floor and then picked up and
held by the neck, my back to the persons
front with his hands holding me still.

All these happened within a minute, I couldn’t
move and I couldn’t breathe, he was choking
me, whoever was in my room was choking
me, oh God Pls help me. Putting my survival
skills into play. I used the heel of my feet to
step down hard on the guys own feet, he gave
a out a painful grunt, then I elbowed him in
the ribs, this helped a lot cos his grip on my
neck loosened. I used that opportunity to turn
around and dislodge him from me, then I
knelt down on the floor, grabbed one of his
legs, held the hem of his trousers and pulled
hard, making him fall down side ways, hitting
his head on the foot of my bed. Then I
screamed. I screamed so loud I was scared of
my own voice. Immediately, I heard footsteps
of someone running down the hall towards
my room, the door to my room was pushed
open with so much force that the hinges
rattled, I’m sure of it. Then the lights came
on. It was Michael he was wearing just his
pyjama trousers nothing else. He saw me on
the floor, and then looked at the guy that was
unconscious. Walked towards him, knelt
down, and took off the ski mask that he used
to cover his face. As he was doing that, Edgar
came in, followed by Ada and then Michael’s
younger brother. I was so glad that they were
here. I broke down crying. Ada ran to me ,
knelt down beside me and held me. I couldn’t
believe it, this intruder almost killed me.

Why? Why would anyone want to kill me? My
God why me, why. Sitting on the floor with
Ada holding me, I asked myself these
questions over and over, out loud, and I cried.
If someone can hurt me in Michaels house,
then I’m definitely not safe out of the house.