Fola rushed out of the bathroom and picked his ringing phone from the bed. “Yemi?”
“Guess who is going to the court of appeal with an application to file additional evidence and upturn the ruling you previously won?”
He smiled. That was the cocky Yemi speaking. They had won the case. “Congratulations.” He said.
“Aww! You sound like a loser, Fola. And I pretty much like that.”
He took his seat. “How is Aaima?”
“She is happy, and most importantly, she is in Obi’s arms. Boy, you need to see them hugging.”
Fola frowned. Yemi was tormenting him on purpose. Well, he didn’t have to listen to all that. “Alright, Yemi, I have got to get back into the shower.”
“So soon? I was just getting to the juicy part. I really did think that Obi was squeezing too—”
Fola hissed as he hung up. “Did I ask for the details?” he said to himself.
He tapped on his phone and dialled his mother.
***
Yemi grinned to herself as the line went dead. She sure was enjoying the moment. Even though she couldn’t see Fola’s facial expression, she was sure she had pissed him off…even if it was a little. Well, Fola not the only one she had pissed off.
“Did you have to do that?”
Yemi turned to Sarah with a smile. “Do what?”
“Force me to take this case so I could lose?”
Yemi nodded. “Yes, I had to do it.”
“Why?” Sarah asked, approaching her.
Yemi stared at Sarah. “I thought you had potentials, I decided to give you an opportunity to level in my playing ground.”
“Crap! You set me up!” Sarah retorted. “You had all the cards, how would I have won this?”
Yemi smiled. “You tried to kill me. You don’t expect me to play fair after that, Sarah. Besides, how did you enjoy being fooled? I guess it was horrible. But trust me, I found your melt down in court more interesting.”
“You are annoying.” Sarah replied.
Yemi grabbed her bags. “It was a pleasure making your acquaintance. You are fifteen million naira richer, spend it wisely.” She said and turned away from her.
“Why are you letting me go?” Sarah asked, stopping Yemi. “You know what I did, why didn’t you bring it up in your case?”
Yemi sighed. “One, I am not as petty as you think. And no, my life is not a trivial matter, but I just prefer to deal with some matters out of court. Right now, I have to prepare for an appeal and I really can’t care about you. And two, you owe me.”
“I owe you?” Sarah asked, approaching her.
Yemi nodded. “I don’t want to go the bar and get you disbarred. Of what good will that do me? You are now my puppet. That’s one of the problems you face when you mess with me and I find out. I am gladly going to use you, until I get bored. You have potential, win some cases while you can.”
“You are a dirty lawyer, Yemi.” Sarah said, clenching her teeth.
Yemi shrugged. “Better than a murderer.”
“I did not kill anyone!” she retorted.
Yemi nodded. “Well, you connived to attempt a murder. Let’s just call you a murderer-in-the-making. Sounds good?”
Sarah blinked as she watched Yemi walk away from her to join up with Obi and Aaima. Her eyes were wet. This was not the dream she had. She had always wanted to start off her career with a win, but it was not losing that hurt her the most. It was the realization of how low and dirty she had sunk. She sure was not proud of this life. She clasped her bag in her arm as she stared at Yemi laughing with Obi and Aaima. She longed to have this moment. An honest moment with people who genuinely did care about her. She was not sure she was ever going to have anything like this. She would not sulk too much about it. She already chose her path…now it was time to walk down that lane…alone. With that, she stepped out of the court room.
Yemi watched Sarah leave and then turned to Obi and Aaima. “Inasmuch as I would have loved to spend some more time with you guys, I have to be on my way to see a friend.”
“By friend, you mean your boss?” Aaima asked.
Yemi nodded. “Yes, the court of appeal process would be in a couple of days, maybe a week at most, I need to get everything ready. Witnesses are not needed in the court of appeal, so you don’t have to go through that phase. Take care guys. See you later in the evening.” She replied, walking away from them.
Obi turned to Aaima. “So, what’s next?”
“Yemi said they’ll be retrieving my passport and papers from Umar’s house and sending it over to me. I can go back home.” She replied.
He blinked. “Really?”
She nodded. “There is nothing here for me.”
Obi raised an eyebrow. “Seriously?”
“I don’t know exactly where Fola and I stand, and I don’t want to assume things, knowing who Fola is.” She replied.
Obi scoffed. “Come on! The brother is in love with you.”
“Is he?” she asked, sounding uninterested. “When you love someone, you show it.”
Obi stared at her. Women are such complicated beings! How else was Fola going to display his emotions to Aaima, when she was the one not willing to talk in the first place! He managed a smile. “Let’s get you home.” He said, waving thoughts of Aaima and Fola from his head. It was not as if he was completely over her. It was a work in progress. He could not suffer a setback in this.
She nodded and followed him.
***
Fola stared at his Mom as she sipped from her juice. “Mom, you do know that my data is running, right?”
Mrs King drew closer to the camera. “Is mine not wasting too?” she retorted.
Fola frowned. Why did he even decide to skype with her rather than call? Mrs King had insisted on seeing his face and he had no choice than to put that call through to her. “Mom, there is free Wi-Fi in your hotel o!” he complained. “Obi doesn’t have Wi-Fi here.”
“Ehen! Pele o! (Sorry o!) So, what are you going to do now? Case won! The girl would be back. Are you going to man up and put your emotions to correct use?” she asked.
He took a deep breath. “I really don’t know, Mom. I am scared of all these. Aaima’s hold on me is not something I am used to. I’d do anything for her. That’s not me, Mom.”
“That’s the man in you. Look, Fola, I am proud of you and more proud of this man you are becoming. We don’t have to go through this a thousand times. All she needs to hear from you is, I am in love with you, Aaima. Man, you have got to make the official move. I think you have all the signs you need, Fola.” She replied.
He exhaled. “What about Obi, Mom?”
“What about Fola? What about Aaima?” she asked.
He looked away. “I don’t think I can do this. There are a lot of things I am yet to achieve.”
“Here we go again.” Mrs King interrupted with a groan. “Fola, you are running.”
He nodded. “Yes, Mom. I don’t deserve her. There is no point forcing myself into a life. Sometimes, a man has got to do what is best for the other person. Meanwhile, I haven’t made partner at Peterside yet. I haven’t-”
“-Fola! This is not about making partner, and you know it! Son, why do you think you don’t deserve her? Don’t go down that lane, Fola. Don’t shut out love, you are always going to regret it.”
Fola exhaled. “I have to go now, Mom. The dust has settled. When are you returning?” he asked.
Mrs King knew he had bottled up. She wasn’t ready to push him. “I don’t know. I am enjoying this place much more than I would have thought. I have a spa appointment in about an hour, when I am done, I’ll call you. Is that alright?”
He chuckled. “You are beautiful, Mom.”
“I have always known that. I need to stay that.” She replied. “Bye, Fola.” She said and stopped the call.
Fola sighed. He knew what the first step to giving Aaima a chaos free life did entail. It was getting away from her. That, he would do.
***
Umar dropped his blanket on the bed as the warden shut the door and walked away from him. He found it hard to believe that Yusuf had betrayed him. He was still in shock. This was like one huge joke and he needed reality to pinch him back to life.
“Hi, Umar.”
He rushed to the door as Yusuf joined him. “You bastard.”
Yusuf smiled. “No. It’s Special Agent Hakeem Dan Foster.”
“How could you?” Umar asked. “I trusted you! You made me kill her.”
Yusuf cleared his throat. “Did I? We didn’t have enough time to chat in court before the judge kicked you down here, so I decided to come say hello to an old friend.”
“I am going to get you for this.” Umar replied.
Yusuf smiled. “Normally I’ll be worried, but Umar, you are going to be locked up for a long time. You are going to get convicted for murder too.”
“Bullshit. I won that case!” he replied.
Yusuf nodded. “Except that it would be upturned in the court of appeal and your sentence is going to change. Life imprisonment, Umar. Life.”
Umar banged the gates. “You animal!”
“You have not heard the best part. Your goods came in and as we speak, the government is doing the needful with them. So, my good friend, your investment is burned. You are in here and you need to get comfortable.” Yusuf said.
Umar clenched his teeth in anger. “I am going to make you pay.”
“I suggest you make friends with the guys once they relocate you to maximum prison. The mosquitoes in there are bad and boy, you will wish the judge sentenced you to death instead.” Yusuf replied.
Umar stared at him. “What about all the money I paid you? Is it not a crime for you to have that money?”
Yusuf laughed. “Me? My name is Hakeem. You paid a certain Yusuf. I don’t know him.” He replied. “So long, Umar. So long.” He added, walking away.
Umar slammed the gates heavily.
“You dey mad????” The warden screamed.
***
Obi returned to the living room. “Fola is not here.”
“He is not answering his phone either.” Aaima replied, dropping Obi’s phone on the table.
Obi took his seat. “We could go and check on him at his place.”
“Why? This is Fola’s statement.” She replied.
He nodded. “Yes, it is…but what are you going to do about it? Are you just going to let him go?”
“Fola doesn’t want to be chased.” She replied.
He scoffed. “Everybody wants to be chased, Aaima. If he is not coming to you, go to him. You guys shouldn’t waste this. It’s not fair on either of you.”
She knew Obi was right but maybe Fola wasn’t there yet. She knew she loved him, but he had to meet her somewhere. Fola wasn’t doing this. Instead, he was withdrawing. This made no sense.
Obi handed her his keys. “Go to his house.”
“I don’t know about this.” She replied.
He nodded. “We never know.”
“What if…”
Obi exhaled. “What if? What if not? Aaima, your documents are here. Talk to Fola, you have nothing to lose. Give Fola another chance and if he doesn’t come around, he is the fool and you can return ‘home’, wherever that is for you.”
She folded her palms. “Thank you, Obi,”
***
Aaima pushed the doorbell tirelessly. She stared at the dark clouds that were gathering. It was going to rain anytime soon. She kept pressing the doorbell. No response. She sighed as she dialled Fola’s phone. No response. He was doing this on purpose. She didn’t need anyone to tell her that. She pulled out the note she had written to him and slid it under the door. She had been out there for thirty minutes and she did not see the need to continue. She had done her best.
“Goodbye, Fola.” She said and walked away.
***
Fola picked the note from the other end of the door and looked through the window as he watched her drive off. He opened it.
“Hi, Fola,
You know this is silly, right? But my heart is on the floor for all to see…and I know where it wants to be. I hope you realize someday the girl you let walk away…well, I am walking really slow…hoping you’d catch up someday. But, I am not going to walk slow forever.
Bye, Fola.”
He folded the letter and exhaled. He opened the door, her car was no longer in sight. She did not deserve him. He was sure of this.
***
A week gone.
Yemi hugged Aaima. “Fola is a douche bag, never forget that.” She said.
Aaima chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you for everything.” She replied. “I am glad to have met you.”
Yemi nodded. “It was my pleasure.”
Obi checked his wristwatch. “It’s time. Safe journey.”
“Thank you, Obi.” Aaima said, hugging him. “Don’t forget what I asked.”
He nodded. “Of course.”
Aaima pulled her bag and walked away from them.
Yemi stared at Obi. “Fola really did not show up! You know I was actually thinking he was going to pull some stunt, maybe ride a horse through this place and stop Aaima.”
Obi laughed. “Fola? Ride a horse? I have no words for that guy.”
“Well, I guess it’s time to go.” She said. “See you around, Obi.” She said, walking away.
He nodded. “See you around, Yemi.”
***
Mr Peterside stared at Fola. “You are back here again with another cheque.” He said, staring at the envelope. “I would have thought you’d wait another month or something.”
Fola managed a smile. “Just check my offer.”
Mr Peterside opened the envelope. It was a letter. He smiled. “Resignation letter, Fola? Are you threatening me into making you partner? Foul move.”
Fola rose to his feet. “I have spent a long time here making Peterside what it is. Fola King has come of age. I am done here.” He said. “Thank you for everything, Sir.” He added, approaching the door.
“Peterside King.”
Fola turned to Mr Peterside. “I am sorry. It has stopped being my dream.” He replied and walked out.
***
“Look who is here!” Fola said as he walked into his office.
Obi smiled. “Aaima is gone.”
Fola cleared his throat. “Oh well, I hope you don’t feel too bad.”
“No. Not at all.”
Fola nodded with a smile. “That’s good.”
Obi stared at him. “I sent you several messages, but you did not show up.”
“Obi, I have been really busy getting my life into order and rearranging my priorities. One of which, I don’t work here anymore.” Fola replied, taking his seat beside Obi. “I have been doing a lot of thinking and I know I should have at least said sorry to Aaima, but-”
Obi silenced him with a punch in the face. “I am sorry. Aaima asked me to do that!” he said, stepping away from Fola.
Fola frowned. “She could have just done it herself.” He said, groaning.
“What do you mean?!” Obi asked, slightly confused.
***
2 days later
The doorbell chimed endlessly. Aaima’s neighbour Claire was going to give her a ride to the office and she was running late. Aaima rushed downstairs and grabbed her coat from the hanger as she opened the door. “I am so—”she stopped and gaped.
Fola smiled. “Hi, Aaima.”
******************************
THE END
‡‡‡‡‡‡‡
“…there’s a place called home; it finds you. – Tomi Adesina”
Tomi Adesina
******************************
Please nominate me for the Nigerian Writers Awards by sending an email to nominate@nigerianwritersawards.com containing the information below
A. Nominee name: Tomi Adesina
B. Short info about Nominee: (what you know about me :mrgreen:)
C. Nominee’s works: ie stories etc n blog address (Hearts and Homes, Dear Future Husband, Clandestine, Beautiful Stranger, Fola King etc// scripts written; Bedlam (The movie), Broadway (Ghanaian Soap), Deadline (Tv series). Blog — tomiadesina.wordpress.com)
D. Nomination category: i. Blog Writer of the year, ii. Fiction writer of the year, iii. script writer of the year, iv. young writer of the year, v. writer of the year)
Check here for more updates please:
Thank you for the support!
And don’t forget to confirm your nominations from your email when you get a response after nomination.
Kindly share!
******************************
ToniIs not opening now Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone. From: Tommyslav IslandSent: Wednesday, 23 September 2015 1:03 PMTo: detounlove@yahoo.comReply To: Tommyslav IslandSubject: [New post] Fola King â Episode 13
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Tomi Adesina posted: ”
Fola rushed out of the bathroom and picked his ringing phone from the bed. âYemi?â âGuess who is going to the court of appeal with an application to file additional evidence and upturn the ruling you previously won?â He smiled. That was the cocky Y”
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They’re not opening been trying since yesterday
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[…] King – Episode 13 is here at https://tomiadesina.wordpress.com/2015/09/24/fola-king-episode-13/ Please read, share, and drop your comments. Thank you!!! […]
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OH MY GOD!! its done! i can’t believe this i’m crying everything ended just the way i wanted. and i’m extremely early in reading this! this is one of the best (among others :D) Nigerian fictions i have ever read. long live FK and his cocky, yet mushy when it comes to aaima, self. this was an incredible book and you’re an incredible writer tomi <345678910!
can't wait for ur next series! x
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Oh my God!!!
It’s done.
Thanks so much, dear. God bless you too. And don’t forget to share to others
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I wish d story neva end
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Awwww Thanks for reading dear. 😊
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Y will it av to end dere Tomi, pls don’t do dis to me o, abeg, kudos to u
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What I do? Thanks for reading dear. Don’t forget to share the story to more people
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There’s a writer called Tomi.
She sure knows how to wield the pen.
You my dearest, are a wonderful writer.
I so enjoyed this!
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Thanks a lot dear. God bless
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Nice ending, Fola is a douche bag…more ink to ur pen Tomi.
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Hahaha Thanks dear
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Wish the story didn’t end here. Kudos Tomi, you are incredible
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Thank you, Bimpe. God bless
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Thank you Tomi for giving almost everybody a second chance, I wish dis stuff didn’t av to end buh … Nice write up ma’am
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Thanks a lot dear. God bless you
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Tomi, you’re such a wonderful writer, usually I’m not much of the type that reads Nigerian series but you kept me glued to the end. Thanks so much and more ink to your pen, looking forward to another series
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Awwww Emmanuel, Thank you so much for this! God bless you
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wow…wow..wow…… happy ending… weldone Sis Tomi.. May The Good Lord bless you… looking forwrd to The Next…
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Thank you so much dear.
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Finally it ended well, More Ink to ur golden pen Tomi, kudos
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Thanks dear
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Oh, i love happy endings….i love d way it ended…..nice job Tomi
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Thanks dear
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Hmmm, so it took a single punch for Fola’s brain to start working properly? Aaima would have given him several gladly if only she knew. Weldone, Dear Sis. The Thursday Series had really been refreshing, informing, entertaining and educative. May you never lack brilliant ideas, Amen. Looking forward to another wonderful series.
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Thanks so much, namesake. Hopefully something good would come soon
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I really found this very interesting & I never wish it suddenly ends like that. I really like Obi-he’s indeed worth having as a friend;also to my wonderful Fola King,the guy is really loaded -he’s welll composed-though I really wanted him to be happy with Aima who really showed that she’s in love with him if not for his friend Obi. Yet,all will still be well cos Obi is such a rare gem-not like the good for nothing Greg. Barr . Yemi has done wonderfully well as a competent Lawyer she has always been. The evil that men does lives after them-for the likes of Sarah & Umar .Thanks to our special agent Hakeem Dan Foster-popularly known as Yusuf.He’s good @ what he does. And to a special,loving &excellent writer and micro-biologist by profession,You have really proven to me that our country Nigeria is blessed with such vivacious and talented writer ;You’re forever lifted beyond measures-I really love your writing skill and I wish I can learn this skill from you if afforded the opportunity.Hope to receive more beautiful and interesting piece like this.God bless you real good.I love you Tomi Adesina.keep your flag flying higher!!!
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Woooow!!!!!!
I’m really overwhelmed by this.
God bless you!!!!
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And so folaking ended jst aw I want it…xoxo tomi, God bless you!
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Thanks Temmy dear
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A nice happy ending, it has bin wonderful all through. U’re such a brilliant writer Tomi, may God gve u more strength.
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Thanks and amen, dear
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wow u are d best writer,i feel lyk reading it all over again.God bless u and more wisdom.espectin ur next series
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Thanks dear. I’m humbled. God bless you
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nice story
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Thanks dear
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1000 kisses to u!!! Really enjoyed this series!!! May God bless u n ur family
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Amen dear. You too
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Thank you so much dear. Kisses to you too!!! 😘😘😘
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Please tell me the story continues! Please, please, please….I need to see Aima deal with Fola for being a douche bag!
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It continues o
Hahahaha
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Dis is wow! I so much enjoy dis, it’s so thrilling and captivating all through…. Tomi, God will will continue 2 endow u wit more wisdom 4rm above. I gbadun u too much, love u
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Thanks so much dear. God bless you too
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I really enjoy this story from d beginning to d end;God bless you dear(Tomi Adesina)God will grant u more knowledge $ understanding
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Thanks a lot dear. Amen!
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Tomi this ended so well but I also wish for a part 2.Sarah didn’t suffer as I wanted and I want Obi to find love.All the same weldone my darling Nd more ink to ur pen
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Thanks so much dear. God bless you
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Lol. Thanks dear
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Awwwwh.. Beautiful! !! Keep soaring Tomi!
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Thanks love. I’m humbled
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Wonderful, welldone.
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Thanks dear
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Thanks dear
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Great job, dear.
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Thank you!
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According to the tittle “Fola King”, the ending was based on Fola alone. Would have loved to see what happens to other characters like obi finding love, likewise Yemi, Sarah n Greg seeking forgiveness….blah blah but all in all it was an amazing n interesting read.
Thanks madam, it was really a great pleasure reading….*xoxo*
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Thank you so very much, Sarah. You’re appreciated
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Wha!!! Really its safe for me to call fola crazy,he doesn’t want to begin his love life wif Aima in Nigeria away from d past n crazee tins n probably away from Obi n Yemi… Tomi u r good.
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Thanks dear for your support! 💙
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I just got to read this and it is a Beautiful end to a captivating story!
Weldone Tomi! You’re so good at this… I want to be a great storyteller like you when I grow up.
More of God’s wisdom and grace to you dear… xoxo
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Thanks so much, dear. I’m humbled
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Indeed itz a nyc story,Jst strtd yestrday nd ended 2day.Tomi u awlz rock……
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Thanks dear. You rule. 😉
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Good work Luv God bless u more
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Amen. Thank you
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wow! My mb dint go to waste cos I don’t mind subscribing if its just to follow ds blog and get acquainted to good works! who said writing is left for art and literature students only? kudos to u miss Tee,…… God bless u plenty, u’ve got it in you.
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Thanks so much, dear. I’m honoured
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Wow… This is incredible.
Nice ending for everyone.
Thank u so much Tomi.
May God bless and keep u for more greater works…
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Thank you too, dear. Amen and you too
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Any tomi’s work is always appealing to read……… my favourite work of hers is Dear Future Hubby. Greater height dear, The Lord will continue to bless ur wisdom and imagination world. See u @ top dear…. I Love you.
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Thanks dear. I’m humbled
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Wao…. It doesn’t get better dan dis…. Ah really wish 2 meet u one day, more ink 2 ur pen…… GRACIAS
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Hopefully, someday. Thanks a lot
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You never disappoint. God bless you
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Bless you too dear
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Did it really have to end????……. What a Magnificent Piece Tomi. Couldn’t do anything else till I finished all the episodes. Super Well Done………
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Thanks dear. I appreciate you
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Wow! Excellent, Well done ma
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Thank you
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Wow! Excellent
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I don’t know if I’ll be allowed to share the story on my blog
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We could discuss it. Please send me a mail @ funmiblues@gmail.com
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It’s a beautiful work of literature. I am so honored to have known u in person tomi(mcb). Keep up the great work dear. God blessyou . Continue been creative. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
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…and they lived happily everafter. Fola King, onigberaga. Fola’s mum is my woman crush right now. Kudos to Barr Yemi and Obi. GPOM, we await thee! Well done Tomi dear
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Hahahaha thanks love! 💞💞💞
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