COME WHAT MAY

CHAPTER TWO

The next morning's weather was terribly depressing. As if the May weather was not cold enough, it had to be cloudy with no hope of sunshine in sight. Lolita dragged herself out of bed as her alarm clock shrieked "wake up Princess Lolly!!!" She quickly reminded herself to strangle her brother David when she finds him. Princess Lolly? What a joke! She scoffed and went on her knees to pray. She plastered a smile on her face and began her prayer.

"Okay Lord, I won't strangle him but kindly make him stop teasing me." She took a deep breath and began thanking God for His goodness and mercy and went on to commit her day to his hand. It was a Saturday and she planned to finish marking test papers she brought home and then prepare the Sunday school material for the children at church. They were her joy and pride; she was practically their mother and counselor. She thought about the prospect of having some of her own, but pushed the thought aside immediately. Marriage was the last thing on her mind. She had planned to do her Masters degree in Science Education, but her father was unwilling to sponsor her. So she continued to work hard until she could save up enough or get a scholarship.

She was tired of being under her father's ever scrutinizing eyes that only delights in finding faults with her. Sometimes she wondered why her father was so harsh on her at times. Was it because she wasn't a boy? What does he want from her?
The earlier you apply for your Masters the better. Maybe that would make him happy. She thought unhappily as she brushed her brown hair and tied it up into a ponytail. After doing her chores, she prepared breakfast and by the time she was done it was already 9 am and her brother was just waking up. She shook her head as she thought about how her father wanted him to stop doing house chores as they were "women's tasks." Her mother had quickly refused the proposal and made sure he does his share of the house work.

Prof. Badmus played around with the fried eggs on his plate and watched Lolita with curiosity. He dropped his fork noisily and glared at her. Lolita felt her skin crawl with what seem to be fear coupled with a little bit of anger. What now?

"You have a date with Ryan Johnson this afternoon. You know his father is the Chief Executive Director of Starlight Estate. Prepare yourself."

Wow. He never stops to drop bombs on her, Lolita thought as her heart sank further.

"I have plans Dad. I'm going to see Desire. Her wedding is in a month's time and I'm the Chief Bride's maid." Lolita replied respectfully.

"Cancel them. Ryan Johnson is taking over his father's Hospital as the Medical Director as soon as he rounds up his work back in Canada and that means he will be coming back to Botswana for good." Lolita was pained by her father's lack of care and respect for her plans. She turned to her mother for support.

"Honey, you know the girls are best of friends and the plans for Desire's wedding are in motion." Prof. Badmus glared at his wife and she looked away. Great! Her saving grace was no saviour at all.

"I don't get you woman! Your daughter goes every year to her friend's weddings. Have you bothered asking her why she wants to shame us by remaining under our roof at her age? She is making herself to be some kind of a liability." He mocked Lolita with his laughter and continued,

"How will you get any decent man to marry you when you paint yourself a weak and vulnerable person?" David rubbed his sister's back gently to soothe the hurt.

"We would not be staying up in the night praying to God to keep your job if you had studied medicine like I told you to! Be prepared to go back to Nigeria my girl. The earlier you start looking for a job there the better because you will not be staying at the family house in Abuja!"