Waiting for a new dawn #ProjectNigeria

Chapter 16

Nigerians have been so hard on Barbara. She couldn't take it anymore, she was tired of the people. Everyone expected her to find a solution to their problems, how annoying was that! She just can't accept defeat, not yet. She had to make him pay for what he did, she was filled with rage, hate, distraught, distrust and pain.

"Babara," Folakemi called bringing her back to reality.

"Uhhh. How many times would I tell you that's not the way to pronounce my name, it's Barbara," Barbara said with a laugh.

Folakemi was one of the few Nigerians that made her smile. She didn't treat her like some goddess the way others treated her. It was so annoying, it's just a skin colour, nothing more. Folakemi always made her feel less lonely, she always found time to come over and Barbara was grateful for that.

"Whatever. It sounds so much like a Yoruba name," Folakemi said with a shrug.

"What's Yoruba?" Barbara asked with furrowed eyebrows as she stared at Folakemi in confusion.

With a frown, Folakemi hit her forehead as she shook her head. "How many times will you ask me that question and will I answer you?"

"I keep forgetting, I promise I won't forget this time."

We have three major languages in Nigeria; Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, along with many others," Folakemi explained.
"In this country, the Yoruba tribe is the best," Folakemi said with a grin.

"I don't think Yoruba is the best, you're just saying that because that's your tribe," Barbara said with a light chuckle.

"Teach me how to laugh like you," Folakemi said.

"Why? Yours is very much okay. You shouldn't try to be like someone else but yourself, you're perfect the way you're."

"Really?" Folakemi asked as her eyes widened in joy.

"Yes. Do you think I would lie to you? I wouldn't do that to anyone," Barbara said.

"It's just that she says I'm very useless and a mistake," Folakemi said sadly.

"Who?"

"My mother," Folakemi answered.

"What! Don't listen to what she says, she doesn't know what joy she gave birth to," Barbara said as she brought Folakemi into her arms.

"Can I call you aunty?" Folakemi asked.

"Call me whatever you want to call me," Barbara said with a smile.

***

He couldn't believe the fact that his daughter went to Nigeria. She was just too stubborn, why does she have to be like him when it comes to getting what she wants? He really wished his daughter could look at him the way she looked at her mother. He really messed things up with her, she's never going to forgive him. With a sigh, he left the study room as he headed for his room.

"Father, I'd be going out," Jonathan said to John.

Without looking at Jonathan, John just nodded.

"Father, are you alright? You don't look good."

"I'm good, I'm just having a migraine," John said dryly.

"A migraine! Should I call the maid? She's just in the kitchen."

"Don't bother, it's going to subside after a while," John said without wanting to hear his son's reply.

***

"Jonathan, you told me-"

"I know, I'm sorry my love, things got complicated at home," Jonathan explained with a frown.