BETROTHAL

CHAPTER 9

Fola couldn't sleep throughout the night. She kept tossing in bed with Ire's word ringing in her ears.

'I have found it but that love is betrothed to someone else.'

"Is Iremide in love with me?", she asked no one in particular.

"Don't be daft Fola, it's obvious he is in love with you", a voice within her said.

"No Ire", she said frustrated.

"Why me? I don't want you to suffer another heartbreak. Please don't fall for me....please", she soliloquized almost tearing up.

"You are stupid, he has already fallen. Don't pretend as if you don't like him too", the voice said to her again.

Fola exhaled deeply and kept tossing till it was 3am.

The next day, she was in a foul mood and was in no state to talk or argue with anyone. She stayed indoor and purposely put her phone on silent mode. She did that so no one would be able to reach her including Ire..... Ire.

'Yes Ire is the major reason for my actions', she said to herself.

Iremide kept calling but she refused to pick his call and started avoiding him.

Examinations were fast approaching and she decided to study on her own without Ire's help.

'Seeing him will increase the love he has for me and increase the sympathy and admiration I have for him which will eventually ruin our friendship. I don't want him to suffer any more heartbreak, especially not from me. I know I can no longer run away from this engagement especially now that Olamide is acting all gentlemanly', she thought to herself.

The next day, her mother called to inform her that she would be visiting soon so she can help her restock some of her provisions and foodstuffs.

Few days after she received the call from her mother, Iremide called but she refused to pick at first ring and after the fourth ring, she picked it up trying to act cool.

"Hello Ire", she said calmly.

"Hi", he responded.

"How have you been?", she asked him guiltily.

"Fine and you?", he asked.

"I'm ok", she answered.

"I was worried about you. Are you sure you are fine?", he asked with concern.

"Yes of course", she replied.

"Ok."

"Yeah."

"Fola", he called.

"Yes?", she answered.

"Can I ask a question? And I need a sincere answer please", he demanded.

"Alright, I am all ears", she replied.

"You said you have been fine, right?", he asked her.

"Yes", she replied.

"That means you were avoiding me on purpose, am I right?", he questioned her but Fola was silent.

"Silence is also an answer Fola. Thank you", he said and hunged up.

The next day, Fola called him. "Can we meet?", She asked him.

"I'm kind of busy, I don't think so", he replied nonchalantly.

"We need to talk", she said with anxiety.

"Alright, I will call you back later", he replied.

Ire called back as promised at exactly 10 p.m when Fola was preparing to go to bed. Fola guessed he was done with tutorials for the night.