As Ada and Aderonke stepped out of the police station, Rain fell in crazy chaotic drops, the gusting wind carrying them in wild vortices one moment and in diagonal sheets the next. Ada used her hands to shield her head while Aderonke took out an umbrella from her bag and refused to share with Ada.

Ada shook her head vigorously. What a stingy woman!

When they almost reached Aderonke's car, Ada saw something that sliced her heart into half. Ada stood there for a moment, staring. Then water began to sprinkle, cold water drenched her jeans. Drops of water trickled down her body as she stood there frozen, her gaze fixed on the scenario unravelling before her.

Kola was holding a umbrella to cover Stella's head and they were both walking towards her. That wasn't what bothered Ada. What bothered her was that Stella was wearing his hoodie. Ada's heart broke further when Kola didn't stare at her instead he was focused on making sure that Stella wasn't drenched by the rain. The rain then fell softly as if it knew of the hardships both behind and ahead.

Each droplet alighted on her skin with just enough coolness to command her mind to the present, to pull her away from the pain of the present and the uncertainty of what was to come. The beads over her face, more numerous than even the spots on her skin, joined to wash over her in a delicate cascade of trickles. The heartache Ada felt was like a red hot coal placed in her chest, it glowed and burnt her at the same time, but it did not cool quickly like a coal in water, it throbbed and tortured her and there was no relief to be found.

Ada turned and saw Stella seated in the passenger seat in Kola's car and she bit her bottom lip.

“You did it, Kola. You won." Ada muttered sadly.

                                  *********

“Are you about to cry as well?" Aderonke remarked when they entered the car. Ada was rubbing her palms together.

“I am not crying and what do you mean as well?" Ada asked, patting the small droplets of water that settled on her braids.

“Are you actually pretending not to know or you are just too blind to see it?" Aderonke asked while starting the engine of the car.

“What is it ma?" Ada asked.

“Keep your ‘ma' to yourself.  Didn't you see the way that man who passed by us outside the station looked at you?" Aderonke spoke.

“The rain was heavy, I couldn't see anything." Ada lied.

“Sure, keep lying to yourself. I saw him crying when he came out of your office." Aderonke commented.

“I don't know what you are... talking about." Ada retorted.

“His lips were smurdged with lipstick or was it paint?" Aderonke teased.

“I still don't....know what you are talking about." Ada replied.

“Alright, keep denying that you are heartbroken." Aderonke shrugged.

“How did you know that?" Ada whispered.

“I saw it on your face when I walked into your office. You were too absorbed in crying that you didn't notice me....and I know that you are the cause of your failed relationship." Aderonke replied with a laugh.

“Whatever, you aren't here to discuss my personal life. So please let's be professional." Ada gritted her teeth.

“Alright." Aderonke replied.

Aderonke suddenly swerved and changed lanes on the road which caused an uproar from other vehicle owners.

“Do you know that you aren't supposed to changes lanes?" Ada asked.

“Do you not know when to shut up?" Aderonke retorted.

“But......."

“Keep your lawish advices to yourself. We are in Nigeria and you know that. You yourself would have disobeyed some rules." Aderonke replied.

Ada didn't respond and she watched as the rain made a splattering sound against the window.

Minutes later, Ada began to feel uncomfortable when Aderonke began speeding like a maniac.

“Madam please you are overspeeding, can't you just....."

“Is this your car?" Aderonke's asked.

“No." Ada shook her head.

“Did you help me to buy it?" Aderonke continued.

Ada wondered where all the talk was leading to.

“Of course not." Ada replied with a sneer.

“Then if you aren't satisfied with my driving, open the door and jump out of my car or go and jump inside the lagoon. That's your problem. The way I drive is none of your business, incompetent detective." Aderonke spat.

“I don't know why you are... always calling me incompetent. If I was truly incompetent, would you ask me to drink with you?" Ada smiled.

“Would you like to see me to throw you out of my car?" Aderonke asked.

“It's too late for that." Ada winked.

Aderonke then drove the car into a large parking lot. She then motioned to Ada with her eyes that they had reached their destination.

                           *******

Aderonke twirled the bottle of beer with her right hand and she took a huge gulp of it without using a glass cup.

“You are going to get drunk if you keep taking that beer ma." Ada advised while taking a sip of her bottled water.

“Then let me.....get drunk and just die." Aderonke growled.

“You are already getting drunk." Ada commented while surveying the bar. It was stunning with chandeliers gracing the ceilings and it was unusually quiet.

Aderonke groped for something in her bag and in bringing it out, she dropped it flat on the table.“ That is my daughter's phone....I found it in my... husband's wardrobe. I....kn ow that it isn't coincidental that my husband was at the club but...I don't understand why my daughter's phone was in his.... wardrobe." Aderonke sobbed.

“I am not sure...too but you are the only person who can clarify that, ma."Ada took another sip of her water.

“Stop calling me ma, I'm only 42." Aderonke hissed.

“Okay ma." Ada smiled a toothly smile.

“Why is everything going to ashes in my life? Why do I keep hearing things that shocks me? First my daughter was pregnant which I had no idea of and now....my husband...."

“I am sorry ma but I need to take this phone and check it." Ada reached for the phone from an almost drunk Aderonke.

“A-Alright." Aderonke replied drowsily.

“I'm afraid I've to go. I don't think we have anything to discuss for now." Ada replied, rising up in her feet and walking away.

She didn't want to be around Aderonke. The woman was already broken inside so she knew trying to push a conversation with a sober woman might be brutal. Ada decided to forget about the Kola and Stella episode.

Maybe it was time to move on.