Iremide became Fola's regular tutor even after the examinations.
It was the end of the semester and they were on break.
Fola chose to stay back in school to prepare for the next semester.
She thought of homeless, because it saddens her thinking of her betrothal problems.
Even though she had exhausted half of her provisions and was supposed to go home to restock, she wasn't ready to go face her father.
An hiking event was organized in the school and Fola decided to go since her roommates were also going. Only Laide, Fola's bunkmate, went home for the break.
Fola and the rest of them went for the hike as early as 6a.m. Around 9a.m when they were about to round up, Fola received a call from her father.
"Daddy", she called.
"Folake, when are you coming home?", he asked after the exchange of pleasantries.
"Not anytime soon, what's the matter?", she asked him.
"Olamide came looking for you. He said he needs to see you", he announced. Aren't you on break yet?"
"We are but the break is just for 2weeks. I want to use it to prepare for the next semester. Why does he want to see me?", she questioned.
"He did not say", her father replied.
"What of mummy?", she requested from her father.
"She has gone to the market", he answered back.
"Can't he come over?", she asked.
"What disrespect! You should come home since you are on break."
"Ok daddy, I will call you back", she said and hung up the call not wanting to argue with him.
Fola moved away from the remaining hikers and sat on the grass, deep in thought. She kept asking herself how best to come out of the engagement with little or no trouble.
Few minutes later, she heard a voice saying "hey" from the hill above her. She looked up and saw Iremide waving at her and pointing at his phone. Fola was confused.
Not seeing any reaction from her, he moved away from his friends to join her. This was the first time they were meeting outside their tutoring class.
"I never knew you came too", he said and sat beside her.
"Yes sir, I came with my roommates", she replied politely.
"I have told you to stop calling me sir. I was taking pictures with my friends over that hill", he said pointing at the hill above where several students were busy taking pictures. "I saw you in the background of the picture, that was how I got to know you were here. What's up?"
"Nothing much."
"How was your exam?", he asked.
"It was fine, thanks to you", she replied.
"No, all thanks to the Almighty", he corrected.
Ire brought out his phone and zoomed at the picture he took with his friends before giving the phone to her.
"You look sad in the picture and you have a faraway look on your face. What's the matter with you?"
"I am just thinking, it's nothing much", she replied softly.
"What are you thinking of?"
"It is... It is quite personal", she stuttered.
"Oh really! So personal stuff can not be shared with someone like me. Ok good", he said standing up to go. "See you around."
"Wait", Fola said as he was about to go. "I am sorry, I didn't mean to insult you."
"No I understand. We will meet some other time."
"Please sit", she instructed but he was hesitant.
"Are you heartbroken?", he asked sitting down and Fola roared in laughter.
"Heartbroken ke! I wish that was it", she smiled.
"You need to smile more often. You look beautiful when you smile", he said to her while she blushed.
"Why did you say that?", she questioned.
"Because you are always looking too serious and sad."
"Really?! I never knew."
"Now you know and I think I have to be more of a joker in order to see you laugh and smile more often", he said and they both laughed.
"What could be more than heartbreak that made you wish heartbreak should have been the problem", he asked with all seriousness.
"Because the pain of heartbreak will surely fade away", she replied with confidence.
"You think so?"
"Yes", she replied.
"What about the moment before the pains fade away?", he asked her and was met with silence. "It is not as easy as you think my dear."
"Really?"
"Yes, because when your heart is broken, you will feel like it is the end of the world. You will also feel the whole world is against you and the whole world hates you. You will feel empty within and the pain will continue to linger like it will never go away", he muttered softly.
Fola was silently observing him as he talked and she couldn't help but voice out. "Are you talking from experience?"
Ire looked back at her with a gloomy face and whispered a 'yes.'
"I am sorry. That means I really do not have any idea what heart break means. You must have gone through a lot."
"Yes", Ire replied dreamily.
"Heartbreak is like a fall..... after the fall, you then realize that you have injured yourself. Hot tears will stream down your eyes because the injury hurts. As time goes on, the injury that hurts so much will someday heal and when it heals, you might then forget when you fell. But you will never forget how it once hurt because the memories will continue to linger in your heart. Also, the scar from the injury will remain which will serve as a reminder on how it once hurts", Ire said and looked at her Fola.
"That is the exact definition of heartbreak. Whether that individual stood up from the fall or not, it makes no difference because the deed is already done. Regardless of what happened, the fact still remains that you have fallen and there is nothing to be done about it", he finished looking away.
Fola sighed deeply before saying: "Time they say heals all wounds. I believe the wounds will surely heal, the scar will someday become less obvious and the pain will eventually fade away."
He looked at her surprisingly and amused at her choice of words. "How sure are you?"
"Very sure. Just be brave and I assure you that you will get over the hurt and whatsoever it is that troubles your heart."
Ire smiled and said: "You don't even know what heartbreak means nor have you experienced it so why talking with this much confidence?"
"Because I believe that nothing is too hard for our Creator to do and I know that He will surely heal and mend your broken heart."
"Your words are encouraging but I can't help but feel bad thinking of the whole episode and what I went through. My heart aches."
"It's gone already so why dwell so much on the past? The present and the future is all that matters. Just let the past stay in the past and continue to live your life as normal", she finished.
"Thank you", Ire appreciated.
"You are highly welcome", Fola said bowing down in a funny way while Ire laughed and said, "Can I hear what's bothering you now?"
Fola's smile vanished as he reminded her of her troubles.
"....Or you still don't feel like sharing it with me? Remember the saying 'a problem half shared is half solved'. I feel better telling you about my heartaches because I have been holding it in for more than 5 years."
"No it's not like that. It's just that I don't know how to start", she replied miserably.
"Start anyhow", he said grinning.
"I... I am enga...ged to... to be mar...ried soon", Fola stammered.
Ire's grin disappeared and he uttered "What?"
"Yeah", she replied.
"Wao! That's good news."
"Is it?"
"What is the problem?" Ire peered at her closely before asking: "You don't love the man you are engaged to right?"
"Why would you say that?", she questioned. "Whether I do love him or not doesn't really matter, the fact is that I am getting married."
"Of course it does matter who you love and whether you love him or not. It is quite obvious you don't love that man", he replied to her but was met with silence.
Ire continued: "We are in the 21st century, for crying out loud, why can't you marry the man you love?"
"Because I don't love anyone but myself", she retorted.
"And that is because you have no idea what love really is and true love hasn't found you yet", he blurted.
Trying to change the topic, Fola said: "I told them I want the wedding to be next year so I can have time to......"
"Elope?", he interrupted.
Fola gave a short laugh and replied: "Elope to where? I can't run away from my father and definitely not from Mr Garba. My mum doesn't seem to like the idea but she wants me to respect my father's decision."
"Why are they doing this to you?"
Fola sighed softly and muttered "Long story I guess."
"So what do you intend to do now?", he asked her.
She shrugged and replied, "I will just let fate take its course. I have no power whatsoever over myself or my life."
"Can't you just go against your parent's wishes? I am totally against a loveless marriage. Tell your parents that you don't love him and you are not yet ready for marriage."
Fola smiled and remained silent. "What difference does that make? You said it earlier that I don't know what love is so how sure are we that I don't love him", she uttered with humour.
"Do you know if he loves you?"
Fola scoffed and blurted out of frustration, "Do I look like someone that cares about what he feels?"
Ire sighed and said: "I thought matchmaking is a thing of the past. Now I know better."
"It is not matchmaking."
He looked up sharply and out of curiosity, he questioned: "Then what is it?"
"Betrothal", she answered looking down.
"What the hell!!!"
"Yes, I, Folakemi Obed is betrothed to Olamide Garba."