FEHINTOLA.12:00pm.Dami’s arms wrapped snugly around my shoulders, as we made our way out of the town square. My fingers instinctively found his, intertwining as if they belonged there. “You didn’t have to do that in public,” I murmured, casting a side glance at him. We had just finished setting down and packing up everything we used and were now heading home. “I wanted to,” he replied without hesitation. “And I’d do it every time I get the chance.” He added, I couldn’t help but glance up at him, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Aww, stop,” I muttered, heat rising to my cheeks. His soft chuckle made my stomach flutter, but I quickly sobered, lowering my gaze.“Dami, there’s something I need to—” “Ah-ah, ahn-ahn! This one don do!” Ayo’s voice boomed from behind, startling us both. Before we could react, he wedged himself between us, shoving us apart with zero remorse. Wrapping his arms around our shoulders, then he pulled us close to himself.“Hold me instead,” he declared, hi
FEHINTOLANEXT DAY Saturday 7th December.My phone beeped with a message, jolting me from my thoughts. I picked it up and stared at the screen—a message from my father. -You have just two days to tie up the contract and return home. There’s still so much to do, and we don’t have time to waste.- I sighed deeply, his words pressing heavily on my chest and I almost couldn’t breathe. No matter how hectic schooling in Nigeria had been or how exhausting my work life in New York felt, this moment right here surpassed them all. The stress, the frustration—it was suffocating. Rubbing my temples, I reached for the file on the table next to me. “God, abeg,” I muttered under my breath. It was now or never, I had to do this. Pushing myself, I rose to my feet and made my way to the door, my heart thudding wildly in my chest, I could almost see Dami reaction play out right in front of me. The sound of voices stopped me in my tracks as I neared Dami’s apartment. “Oga Landlord, that one wi
FEHINTOLA.Few hours later. 3:30pmI sat on the edge of my bed, my fingers nervously drumming on my thighs. I stared down at the proposal beside me, “God, what is this?” I muttered to myself, frustration curling through my words. I felt like I was being pulled apart—caught between two impossible choices. My father and the man I actually love.Saying no to my father felt like stepping into a battlefield unarmed. But facing Dami with this? That was an entirely different war—one I wasn’t ready for, especially after the things he’d said to me today. I sighed deeply, rubbing my temples in an attempt to clear my thoughts. If I were to choose, the answer is kind of obvious, though. My father would have to wait. I’d deal with him later. Right now, my priority was Dami. He’d poured everything he had into the grand Christmas sales, and the Christmas festival, without considering himself. How could I sit back and do nothing when I had the power to help him? I immediately placed the proposal
FEHINTOLAMy heart skipped a beat as I immediately stretched forward, snatching my phone from his hand. I unlocked it quickly and scrolled down to my messages. There it was—a text from my mother. -Your father has spoken to Mr. Ade. The winery will be reopened soon, but make sure you do as you’re asked. I don’t want wahala oh-I exhaled softly, relief washing over me. It wasn’t as bad as I had feared, and at least it didn’t expose anything that could blow my cover. “Dami, I was only trying to help,” I murmured, glancing up at him. He raised his brows, then slowly got up from where he sat. “You think throwing your money around and flaunting your connections is helping me?” he shot back, his tone sharp. “So what now, I’m indebted to you?!” I flinched, taken aback by his words, and instinctively stepped back. “There’s no debt in Love Dami, what do you mean throwing my money around? When have I ever done that? You needed help, and I just wanted to be there for you.” I said and he
DAMILARE*“You can’t keep judging everyone by the wounds of your past. I’m not your mother Damilare, and I’d appreciate it if you’d stop looking at me as though I’ll hurt you the same way she did.”**“You can’t tie me down to stay with you, Dami. You’re just going to have to trust me. And if you don’t trust me, then there’s no point in us being together.”**“You’re smart, Dami. You’re learned and I expected better from you. But this perfectionism you cling to? It’s going to destroy you”*I sat quietly on the sofa staring into space as the words Fehintola said to her earlier circled around me, they felt so tangible that I could touch them. I felt bad that I hurt her with my words, I never wanted to see her cry but the fact that she cried because of me tugged painfully at my chest. Thinking about it now, I had let my ego ruin things for me. The memory of her tearful expression gnawed at me, more painful than I could ever admit. I had taken out my frustration, my insecurities, and my
FEHINTOLA NEXT DAY.Sunday 8th December.My eyes fluttered open slowly, the throbbing pain in my head intensifying with each passing second. I let out a soft groan and pushed myself into a sitting position, cradling my head in my hands. My fingers massaged my temples as I stretched and reached for my phone on the bedside table. The bright screen lit up, displaying the time: 6:30 a.m. A message from my mother awaited me. Without hesitation, I clicked it open. -Would you be able to come to our church today? We’re having a special thanksgiving service, and I’d like you to be there. I’ve already sent out clothes in case you’d be available,- the text read. I sighed, releasing a stiff yawn as I rubbed my face. So now she wanted me to show up at her church, without any prior notice? Typical. Like I don’t have a life of my own and when they say something I’m just supposed to swing into action. Shaking my head, I swung my legs off the bed and made my way toward the kitchen. My feet felt
FEHINTOLA4:30pm“Just because I let Anjola stay back, don’t think I don’t know what I’m doing,” My father said to me over the phone, I sighed deeply and slowly reclined in the car seat, “I give you one extra week, to get this done,” he added. I exhaled deeply and nodded slowly like he could see me. “O gbo Abi o daun” (you hear me or you chose not to answer) his voice came sharply.“I’ve heard sir,”“Good!” He muttered in reply and with that he ended the call.“You are on the fastest route, you will get to your destination in five minutes,” The GPS automated voice announced, I stared down at my watch, honestly I didn’t want to go to the town square because I am avoiding Dami but Ayo had texted me earlier, to not stay home alone if I got back early, I decided to go. He said they were going to start early today because they wanted finish early.****“Ohh perfect, perfect!”“Welcome Fehintola,” I heard the host say from the stage as I walked into the town square, my head whipped up imm
FEHINTOLATwelve Days Later.19th December 2024.At the Winery. “I know orders are coming in, but… this won’t quite cut it,” Dami muttered, his voice low with frustration. We stood outside behind tge production area as we just watched the workers do their thing.His words sounded like he was disappointed and I felt it pressing against my own chest tightly. Slowly, I moved closer, slipping my arms around his waist, offering the only solace I could at that moment. “Have you lost hope?” I asked gently, my voice barely above a whisper. “Has God ever failed you before?” Dami turned to face me, his tired eyes meeting mine. He shook his head and let out a heavy sigh. “No, He hasn’t,” he admitted, his voice tinged with exhaustion. “But in times like this, it’s hard to keep believing… to hold on to hope. I cannot help but panic”“The landlord is not taking it easy with me and honestly I need to get my own bigger space,”“It’s not just about bigger space too, will I just get a bigger s
FEHINTOLATwelve Days Later.19th December 2024.At the Winery. “I know orders are coming in, but… this won’t quite cut it,” Dami muttered, his voice low with frustration. We stood outside behind tge production area as we just watched the workers do their thing.His words sounded like he was disappointed and I felt it pressing against my own chest tightly. Slowly, I moved closer, slipping my arms around his waist, offering the only solace I could at that moment. “Have you lost hope?” I asked gently, my voice barely above a whisper. “Has God ever failed you before?” Dami turned to face me, his tired eyes meeting mine. He shook his head and let out a heavy sigh. “No, He hasn’t,” he admitted, his voice tinged with exhaustion. “But in times like this, it’s hard to keep believing… to hold on to hope. I cannot help but panic”“The landlord is not taking it easy with me and honestly I need to get my own bigger space,”“It’s not just about bigger space too, will I just get a bigger s
FEHINTOLA4:30pm“Just because I let Anjola stay back, don’t think I don’t know what I’m doing,” My father said to me over the phone, I sighed deeply and slowly reclined in the car seat, “I give you one extra week, to get this done,” he added. I exhaled deeply and nodded slowly like he could see me. “O gbo Abi o daun” (you hear me or you chose not to answer) his voice came sharply.“I’ve heard sir,”“Good!” He muttered in reply and with that he ended the call.“You are on the fastest route, you will get to your destination in five minutes,” The GPS automated voice announced, I stared down at my watch, honestly I didn’t want to go to the town square because I am avoiding Dami but Ayo had texted me earlier, to not stay home alone if I got back early, I decided to go. He said they were going to start early today because they wanted finish early.****“Ohh perfect, perfect!”“Welcome Fehintola,” I heard the host say from the stage as I walked into the town square, my head whipped up imm
FEHINTOLA NEXT DAY.Sunday 8th December.My eyes fluttered open slowly, the throbbing pain in my head intensifying with each passing second. I let out a soft groan and pushed myself into a sitting position, cradling my head in my hands. My fingers massaged my temples as I stretched and reached for my phone on the bedside table. The bright screen lit up, displaying the time: 6:30 a.m. A message from my mother awaited me. Without hesitation, I clicked it open. -Would you be able to come to our church today? We’re having a special thanksgiving service, and I’d like you to be there. I’ve already sent out clothes in case you’d be available,- the text read. I sighed, releasing a stiff yawn as I rubbed my face. So now she wanted me to show up at her church, without any prior notice? Typical. Like I don’t have a life of my own and when they say something I’m just supposed to swing into action. Shaking my head, I swung my legs off the bed and made my way toward the kitchen. My feet felt
DAMILARE*“You can’t keep judging everyone by the wounds of your past. I’m not your mother Damilare, and I’d appreciate it if you’d stop looking at me as though I’ll hurt you the same way she did.”**“You can’t tie me down to stay with you, Dami. You’re just going to have to trust me. And if you don’t trust me, then there’s no point in us being together.”**“You’re smart, Dami. You’re learned and I expected better from you. But this perfectionism you cling to? It’s going to destroy you”*I sat quietly on the sofa staring into space as the words Fehintola said to her earlier circled around me, they felt so tangible that I could touch them. I felt bad that I hurt her with my words, I never wanted to see her cry but the fact that she cried because of me tugged painfully at my chest. Thinking about it now, I had let my ego ruin things for me. The memory of her tearful expression gnawed at me, more painful than I could ever admit. I had taken out my frustration, my insecurities, and my
FEHINTOLAMy heart skipped a beat as I immediately stretched forward, snatching my phone from his hand. I unlocked it quickly and scrolled down to my messages. There it was—a text from my mother. -Your father has spoken to Mr. Ade. The winery will be reopened soon, but make sure you do as you’re asked. I don’t want wahala oh-I exhaled softly, relief washing over me. It wasn’t as bad as I had feared, and at least it didn’t expose anything that could blow my cover. “Dami, I was only trying to help,” I murmured, glancing up at him. He raised his brows, then slowly got up from where he sat. “You think throwing your money around and flaunting your connections is helping me?” he shot back, his tone sharp. “So what now, I’m indebted to you?!” I flinched, taken aback by his words, and instinctively stepped back. “There’s no debt in Love Dami, what do you mean throwing my money around? When have I ever done that? You needed help, and I just wanted to be there for you.” I said and he
FEHINTOLA.Few hours later. 3:30pmI sat on the edge of my bed, my fingers nervously drumming on my thighs. I stared down at the proposal beside me, “God, what is this?” I muttered to myself, frustration curling through my words. I felt like I was being pulled apart—caught between two impossible choices. My father and the man I actually love.Saying no to my father felt like stepping into a battlefield unarmed. But facing Dami with this? That was an entirely different war—one I wasn’t ready for, especially after the things he’d said to me today. I sighed deeply, rubbing my temples in an attempt to clear my thoughts. If I were to choose, the answer is kind of obvious, though. My father would have to wait. I’d deal with him later. Right now, my priority was Dami. He’d poured everything he had into the grand Christmas sales, and the Christmas festival, without considering himself. How could I sit back and do nothing when I had the power to help him? I immediately placed the proposal
FEHINTOLANEXT DAY Saturday 7th December.My phone beeped with a message, jolting me from my thoughts. I picked it up and stared at the screen—a message from my father. -You have just two days to tie up the contract and return home. There’s still so much to do, and we don’t have time to waste.- I sighed deeply, his words pressing heavily on my chest and I almost couldn’t breathe. No matter how hectic schooling in Nigeria had been or how exhausting my work life in New York felt, this moment right here surpassed them all. The stress, the frustration—it was suffocating. Rubbing my temples, I reached for the file on the table next to me. “God, abeg,” I muttered under my breath. It was now or never, I had to do this. Pushing myself, I rose to my feet and made my way to the door, my heart thudding wildly in my chest, I could almost see Dami reaction play out right in front of me. The sound of voices stopped me in my tracks as I neared Dami’s apartment. “Oga Landlord, that one wi
FEHINTOLA.12:00pm.Dami’s arms wrapped snugly around my shoulders, as we made our way out of the town square. My fingers instinctively found his, intertwining as if they belonged there. “You didn’t have to do that in public,” I murmured, casting a side glance at him. We had just finished setting down and packing up everything we used and were now heading home. “I wanted to,” he replied without hesitation. “And I’d do it every time I get the chance.” He added, I couldn’t help but glance up at him, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Aww, stop,” I muttered, heat rising to my cheeks. His soft chuckle made my stomach flutter, but I quickly sobered, lowering my gaze.“Dami, there’s something I need to—” “Ah-ah, ahn-ahn! This one don do!” Ayo’s voice boomed from behind, startling us both. Before we could react, he wedged himself between us, shoving us apart with zero remorse. Wrapping his arms around our shoulders, then he pulled us close to himself.“Hold me instead,” he declared, hi
FEHINTOLA 8:00pm Day 5 of festivities.Christmas Couple.The massive Christmas tree we decorated three days ago , stood proudly at the center, sparkled with red and gold ornaments, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of joy. It had taken days even after the tree lightening to make this tree look this perfect. I stood on the decorated stage, dressed in my shimmering green sample lace gown and my gele tied to perfection, when Dami said we’d be featuring in the Christmas couple event, I didn’t know he meant hosting, but I loved it.I glanced at Dami, who was adjusting his microphone, looking regal in his white senator up and down embroidered with silver thread. His ease with the crowd always amazed me. He caught my eye and looked away immediately. I chuckled lightly at his pettiness , he had actually been avoiding me since what happened on our way to the market happened. Immediately Anu signalled to me that it was time to start, I stepped forward, gripping the microphone. “Ẹ kaabo