BEYOND THE ABAYA

8. Tears in the Cinema

Third Person POV

"Mom, please can I go out today? I promise I'll be back early." Islaha pouted.

"Islaha, you know you're grounded. Until I decide you've learned your lesson." Her mother replied

"But, Mom, it's not fair! I need some fresh air and time with my friends." Islaha said with pleading eyes.

"Fresh air? You call the other day "fresh air"? You're lucky we didn't get a worse news about you."

"I know, Mom. I'm sorry. It was a mistake. But I promise it won't happen again. Don Allah, just this once?"

"No, Islaha. You need to learn to follow the rules."

"But why do you always have to say no? Can't you just trust me for once?"

"Islaha, I do trust you. But I also know you're still learning and making mistakes.I just want what's best for you."

"What's best for me is to have some freedom! You're treating me like a kid."

"Ki lo so? (What did you say?)" Ruqayat asked with an angry tone.

"Pele! (Sorry), ma binu (don't be angry)"

"Ok fine... Se kia (Hurry up). Inba haka ba kuma gobeh ma rana neh."

"Thank you Ma" Islaha shouted as she ran out of the house.

~*~

OUVRE'S PATISSERIE & BOULANGERIE
Islaha walked into the cozy pastry shop, scanning the room for Bishola's familiar face. She spotted her sitting by the window, typing away on her phone. As she approached, she looked up and smiled, keeping away her phone, before giving Islaha a hug.

Just then, the waiter arrived with Bishola's extensive order: muffins, cappuccinos, red velvet and chocolate cakes, brownies, ice cream tacos, and cinnamon rolls. The table was soon overwhelmed with the treats, leaving no comfortable space for their hands.

"Aww, Shola, these are too much!" Islaha exclaimed, shaking her head as she sat down. "I thought you'd sworn off sugary treats. It seems some habits never change."

Bishola's eyes sparkled mischievously as she replied, "I know, I know, but It's okay just this once. Besides, I just got paid yesterday." Her puppy-dog eyes sealed the excuse.

Islaha only laughed.

"So yea, tell me why you asked to meet here urgently that i had to leave so many work at the office." Bishola said.

Bishola, I need your help." Islaha said as she sipped her cappuccino.

"What's going on, Islaha? You sound serious."

"It's about my dad. I know what he did, but... I still care about him."

"Islaha, your dad hurt you deeply. How can you still feel that way?" Bishola asked surprisingly.

"Regardless of what he did, he's still my dad. And I know he didn't do anything bad without a reason."

"Oh, Islaha... You're so forgiving."

"I'm not forgiving him for his sake, Bishola. I'm doing it for mine. I need to understand why he did what he did. And I think you can help me."

"Me? How?" Bishola asked confused

"Because you know the whole story and i trust you, Bishola. Besides, your dad is somehow related to the case. You're the only one who can help me uncover the truth."

"Islaha, I... I don't know if I should get involved." A scared Bishola said.

"Please, Bishola. I believe my dad did everything he did for a reason. And I need your help to find out what that reason is."

"Okay, Islaha. I'll help you. But promise me you'll be prepared for what we might find, for we can never be sure." Bishola said with a sigh.

"I'm ready, Bishola. Let's do this."

After much persuasion from Bisola, Islaha finally agreed to join her at Green Park Cinemas to watch the movie "A Tribe Called Judah." They chose Green Park Cinema because it was more convenient for Islaha. Once they arrived, they bought their tickets, grabbed some popcorn, and settled in for the movie. An hour in, Islaha turned to see Bishola completely engrossed in the film. Islaha's mind began to wander back to their summer vacation in Los Angeles, where her dad had taken her to the new Beverly Cinema for a movie night. He used to be a great father to her and her siblings; she was his favorite daughter. She also recalled convincing her father to leave Abuja and return to Lagos after his retirement as the NNPC boss.

Bisola's voice broke the trance Islaha was in. "Islaha, why are you crying?" she asked. Islaha was unaware she was crying until she felt the saltwater in her mouth. "Nothing," she replied. Bishola gave her a pointed look and shrugged.

Islaha couldn't hold it anymore and hurried out of the theater to the bathroom. Bishola immediately followed her and found Islaha collapsed on the bathroom floor, sobbing uncontrollably. Bishola helped her up and led her to a quieter spot in the cinema, where she consoled her. After a while, they returned to the theater to continue watching the movie.

~~~~~~~~~|||||~~~~~~~\\\\\~~~

Hey y'all!!!
I've been soo busy that i didn't get the chance to update.

So... Bishola is now gonna help Islaha find the truth.
Well, this is just the beginning

Don't forget to vote and comment!!!!!!
Love you all!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️