Novel by DadaDupeola - You RIP what you sow AT THIRTY ---Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

Angela is in her room which consists of only a single bed near the window, a ceiling fan, a wardrobe beside the door, a shoe rack by the wardrobe, a reading table and a chair opposite the bed beside the wardrobe. The walls are cream and brown with the colors flaking out but has beautifully painted designs done by yours truly. She is on her bed listening to Adekunle Gold's album "Gold" with ear plugs attached to her laptop while doing her art theoretical homework when her phone rings and the caller ID reads Phillip. She removes the plugs and picks up the phone.

"hey, what are you up to now?" Phillip says
"i finished weaving my hair and am in my room doing my homework," Angela responds laid on her back, facing the ceiling.
"I want to see what your mum made this time. Snap pictures and send it to me on WhatsApp," Phillip says
"Okay, I will," Angela responds figuring out the answer to her homework as she stares at the fan rotating
"I hope she didn't stress you again on your studying art," Phillips asks catching Angela's full attention
"She more or less pulled out my hair while telling me to apply for law," Angela responds

Phillip laughs

"I am so sorry. I am sure she  

wants the best for you," Phillip says
"The best thing for me is for her to support me. Not compare me with everyone mummy rose gossips with her," Angela says with a hiss
"Eyah, i totally understand but i don't blame her. I am as worried as she is," Phillip says
"You?" "Why are you worried?" Angela asks sitting up
"Angy, you are going be in Abuja for 4years and am going to be here alone in Lagos. Shouldn't i be worried?" Phillip asks

Angela switches the phone to the other ear and lays back on the sheets .

"I am not going to space Phil but Abuja. Besides, i asked you to apply there, but you insisted on staying in Lagos" Angela responds
"We have our friends here and i have no family in Abuja" Phillip says in his defense
"I am your best friend, Aren't i?" "My dad is there too, and he is very fond of you" Angela replies hoping he will take the bait
"I know. I guess one of us will have to compromise," Phillip says
"That person should be you," Angela responds
"Why me?" Phillip asks
"It can't be me. My dad has made it evident its Abuja or nothing but your parents wont mind where you go to school," Angela says

  Phillipp's cell phone beeps

"I am out of call credit. I wanted to say goodnight," Phillip says changing the subject
"Good night Phil," Angela says.
"Good night Angy," Phillip responds

Beep. Angela hangs up, puts the plugs back in her ears and continues her homework.

..........To be Continued

Novel by DadaDupeola - You RIP what you sow AT THIRTY ---Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

Due to the proximity in age, location and school, Angela and Phillip soon became good friends. She is a little taller than he but Phillip is plump while Angela had a skinny fit. Angela is dark-skinned, and he is fair complexioned; Phillip liked watching horror movies or anything associated with spilling blood while she was a sucker for romance.  Despite their differences, at some point when they both clocked 16years old, they became inseparable and everyone in the neighborhood knew something was peculiar about these two but no one raised an eyebrow because it never seemed harmless. 

Even Angela's mother was okay with her always being around Phillip because after getting to know his parents, she was more than comfortable with them together.

"Mummy rose said Phillip wants to be a doctor just like his father," Angela's mother announced while plaiting Angela's thick black hair in the living room.

Mummy rose is their nosy neighbor and Angela mother's best friend who knew everything about everyone but no one knew a thing about her. Mummy rose was very superstitious, relating every little thing to religion even something as simple as a rat in the house is linked to spirits and bad omens. So Angela has never liked her and the hate feeling just grew worse knowing the woman gossiped about her.

"Don't you want to study medicine too?" Angela's mother continues

Angela rolls her eyes wishing she had her ear piece inside her ear drums, with the thing plugged to her phone and loud music playing in the background.

"Mummy, i am in art class and you have to be in science class to study medicine". Angela responds

Angela's mother holds Angela's hair firm. It is one reason Angela dreaded Sundays as her mother is her hair stylist who always made painful styles on her head leaving her scalp scarred. Angela's mother had used her hair as practice to learn the craft and the whole ordeal is one she will never forget or forgive but it was her mother's painful hairstyles or the barbing salon.

"Y eh! Mummy it's paining me," Angela exclaims

"How wont it pain you? When you wont put your head well" Angela's mother responds but holds the hair less firm as she continues with the weave.

"Then, you should study law, since you are in art class." Angela's mother continues

"Mummy, I told you I want to study art. It is my forte, and that is what i will apply for at the University of Abuja," Angela responds

It is the thousandth time they would have that conversation and every time Angela will have to remind her mummy it is her father paying the school fees not her and she had no say in the matter because her father supports her decision.

Angela's mother will start to murmur something under her breath that Angela won't hear and soon they would both fall silent until Angela's hair is finished and she leaves the room...The matter adjourned till next week Sunday, same place, same ordeal but a different hairstyle and the circle of argument concerning her course of study continues until someone kidnaps Angela or her mother is struck with amnesia...

The thought of her mother having amnesia is so consoling, Angela felt bad she hadn't thought about it earlier and prayed concerning that in the morning while in Church. 

 ..........To be Continued 

Novel by DadaDupeola - You RIP what you sow AT THIRTY

                                                     Chapter 1

                           Angela

On a sunny Sunday in June, 12years old Angela had asked for forgiveness twice. Seated in a crowded bungalow auditorium painted cream and decorated with purple drapes and cushion chairs arranged orderly for a clear view of the podium on every side. The color purple used as an embellishment over the hall; purple rug, purple offering baskets and choir robes denoting royalty that aligned with the church's motto which stated "Christ the King". She listened in awe to the preacher standing ahead of her wearing a black suit matching his dark complexion, lean body and sparkling white teeth. The pastor wore a white shirt inside, red tie and a patent leather black shoe corresponding with his  attire which proved to be the mix of ensemble  to attract any audience while making forceful gestures behind the platform. Angela's first confession happened in Church as the pastor clearly pointed out that telling lies was a sin and sinners needed repentance.


She told a lie earlier to escape Church that day. She complained to her mother that she had an upsetting tummy and won't be able to attend Church but Angy's mother insisted. Uttering that her attending service was the cure of her stomach ache, "healing only comes from God and He can only heal you in His house" Angela's mother stressed while putting finishing touches on her makeup. She could not question that statement and knowing she had no choice, the girl tagged along dragging her feet during the 5 minutes walk to end up seated mushed up between two heavily bodied women; her mother and their nosy neighbor.

She wasn't too holy but her believes were people advanced to rapture and others went to hell after death. She assumed in life there was nothing anyone can do to change it,  you have to pray you are one of the chosen who gets to go to heaven whether you are good or not.... Maybe that is where a nearby charismatic Church got its name "chosen".


At that young age, she theorized in miracles not luck. She came to the conclusion miracles only happened after prayers and turns out, Angela's miracle had come without her asking for it.


After the Church service, Angela made her way home walking boldly up ahead while her mummy lagged behind chit chatting their nosy neighbor on the sidewalk. Soon, she notices a truck packed on the side of the road close to her own house and people moving things into an empty flat adjacent the structure of her house. As she walks past where the van is parked, she looks into the compound just in time to see expensive furniture scattered everywhere and a boy, fair complexioned, pink lips and chubby. The young boy whom she figured was her age was standing in between the furniture and the gate of the compound. The boy she will later know as Phillip was starring right back at her.


Her heart skipped a beat and from the moment Angela saw him, she was hopelessly in love. That was the second time she asked for forgiveness and even she had no idea what she needed to be forgiven for.


 ..........To be Continued next week Saturday

                      #Staytuned