SHOLA

Chapter 1: Memories

Shola sat in front of the mirror staring

at her image and wondering if she had

made the right decision. The sound of

soft and calm music coming from the

wedding hall accompanied the scent of

the perfume her mom had gifted her.

The numerous flowers around the room

added to the perfect atmosphere.

Everything seemed flawless; it was the

perfect wedding she had always

wanted. But Shola felt a sense of

loneliness. It felt like something was

missing.

"I love him, right?" she said loudly to

herself. "I should be happy," still staring

at her reflection.

The door to the room opened, and her

mother walked in, slaying in her

beautiful aso oke and gele.

"Why are you not in your wedding dress

yet, Shola? You do know you can't keep

your husband waiting," she said with a

radiant smile.

Just before Shola could say anything,

her mom began to cry. "I didn't think a

day like this would come seeing you in

a wedding dress."

"Mama," Shola answered. "Easy with the

tears; you need to save your strength

for later."

"Eh, that's true," her mom replied. "But

you don't look all that happy to me. Are

you still not over it?"

"Mama, I'm over it. It's just that I can't

seem to find that special feeling I

should be having on my wedding day. I

feel empty, Mama."

"Oya, come sit here," her mom said,

patting the bed space beside her.

Shola stood up, walking towards her,

and almost tripped. "Ughh, Mama, you

see ba? Nothing feels right," Shola

grumbled.

"Ah ah, you complain too much. Just

come and sit down," her mom said to

her.

Shola sat beside her mother with her

face, facing the floor.

"You know, when I met your father, he

wasn't even what I wanted. He wasn't

even up to standard. I even cried on my

wedding, but now I'm the happiest wife

alive. He makes everything better."

"But Mama, we're not the same now.

You weren't in love with someone else,"

Shola replied with a grumbling voice 

"I know it's not the same, Shola,

shugbon ife dagba. You'll be fine, I

promise," her mom said with a warm

smile.

She gave Shola a warm long hug, stood

up, walked towards the door before

turning back to Shola. "I'll tell your

friends to come in," she said shutting

the door behind her.

Shola stared at her shoes. "Metcheww,

these aren't even the pairs I wanted,"

she said, tossing them off the bed.

There was a knock on the door.

"Lola...!! I know it's you. Just come in,"

Shola said, recognizing her friend's

distinctive knock.

"Oya, oya, you don catch me," Lola

replied. "But you know it could be

someone else, right?" she said, walking

in and closing the door behind her.

Shola chuckled. "It can only be you,

Lola, knocking on the door like you're

using Thor's hammer, hahahahaha..."

Shola answered, "Your mouth is not sha

good Shola, werey. What's up? I saw

Mummy coming out, and she didn't

seem really bright, Shola. What have

you said to her?"

Shola hesitated before responding.

"Well... I just told..."

But before she could continue, Lola

interrupted. "Ehhh, before you continue,

I got you something."

Shola raised an eyebrow. "Ah ah, what's

that? Let me see. Hope it's not

nonsense because I know you, Lola,"

Shola replied.

Lola grinned. "No na, it's something

good. You'll love it," answered Lola.

Handing the package to Shola, Shola

opened it, revealing a pair of elegant

panties, and shouted. "Ahhhh!!! Lola,

ogbadun o. What is this?"

Lola gave a loud laugh. "It's pant na. G-

string with a little twist na. Why are you

shouting, madam? You have them

plenty," Lola replied with a mischievous

smile.

Shola playfully rolled her eyes. "So I'm

supposed to wear this tonight

ahbi?"Shola said.

Lola nodded in agreement. "Ehen na,

you know I like to spice things up. You

should be thanking me," Lola replied

with a wide grin.

"You guys are still here trying on new

panties, and your husband is waiting,"

Ebube said, walking in through the door.

"Sheybi you'll knock the door; you just

came in like that," Lola answered in a

playful tone, turning towards Ebube.

They had been friends from primary

school up until university level. Lola had

left in primary 4 and came back in JSS

2, and the three had reunited again.

Shola was the only child of her parents, 

Lola was the third among five children,

and Ebube was the first amongst two.

Ebube was the eldest amongst the

three friends. They had a lot in common

and filled each other's void. They were

the siblings Shola never had. She loved

her friends so much and would do

anything for them.

They started their journey in primary

one. Shola had already been a student

of the school right from crèche, but

Lola and Ebube had joined her in

primary one. Shola had always been

reserved and quiet, but everything

changed when she met her friends.

Lola was always the most active one in

the group. One morning, the three had

gotten to school late because Lola

insisted on buying akara that morning.

On getting to the school gate, the 

school prefects were already stationed

at the entrance of the school.

"Ahhh, what do we do? I have never

been this late!!" Shola said with a lot of

fear.

"Calm down, Shola. They won't do

anything. They're just a class ahead of

us. Ah ah, let's just pass," Lola replied

with a little feeling of nervousness.

"Lola, it's not that easy, you know ba?

Senior Jerry is there with them, and you

guys already have a bad history

together. We should come up with

something."

"Hmmmm... okay, Shola, you're going to

have to pretend to be sick, and we can

just tell them you're coming from the

hospital, and we went with you. What

do you think?"

"Ehh, that would do. Let's do it, abeg,"

Ebube replied.

The three got into the school and put

their plans into action. As they were

about to get away with it, a teacher

came out, and Shola was quite popular

at that time.

"Ah ah, Shola Philip, why are you just

getting to school? I met your mom on

the way, and she said you had left

already. Did something happen on your

way?"

"Ehhhh...." Shola stuttered but couldn't

come up with anything.

"I thought you guys said you were

coming from the hospital because

Shola wasn't feeling well?" 

Senior Jerry said in a confused tone.

"I guess they were lying," one of the

prefects added.

"Well, you guys are in for it," the teacher

replied.

"Sir, we're sorry. It won't happen again,"

the three chorused.

"Tell that to the principal," he answered.

By the end of school hours, they were

asked to clean the school toilets

against the next day.

"You guys, I'm sorry. It's all my fault,"

Lola said with a sad face.

"We did this together," Ebube and Shola

answered, pulling Lola close in a group

hug.

"Shola, get up, and let's get you

dressed, nne," Ebube said, pulling Shola

up.

"Lola, we need some help here. Leave

the panties and come here," Ebube

screamed at Lola.

"I'm coming, ahhh, calm down, Ebube,"

she answered, turning towards them.

"You look awesome, Shola!!" Lola

exclaimed.

"Just don't cry and ruin your makeup,"

Ebube added.

"Group hug!!!!" Lola said, giggling.

The three came together in a group

hug, and Shola felt a sense of comfort,

and they just felt the moment for a little

while. Shola was getting married. It

seemed like a dream.