Chapter Twelve

The house was bustling with activity that Thursday morning, I was trying to not be languid in any activity I engaged myself as I hardly had any sleep the previous night. 

"Aunty Lola, grandma said you should come and keep some fried meat for grandpa" Tobi said to me eagerly, he was obviously excited about the errand as he would have a taste of the delicacy. 

"Oh" I groaned inwardly, 

Where do they want me to put it now? 

It was like my nephew had read my thoughts

"She said you should put inside this cooler" Ayo jumped out of nowhere startling me

"And put it in their bedroom" Arinola completed

It's like you people practiced this thing

I frowned at the thought of climbing the stairs over and over again. I was exasperated already

"Thank you for dropping the message, run along now" I dismissed with the wave of my hand

All three of them pouted

These ones want to chop meat, you people must work o

"Aunty Lola, we want to follow you"

"Ehnehn" I feigned ignorance

"That means you'll have to carry the meet to their room by yourselves o, can you do that?"

Of course they can do anything for meat

They have surplus energy too

They nodded eagerly and we set out to the cooking area. The aroma of different delicacies hit my nostrils all at once and the pangs of hunger began. 

The Egusi soup was what caught my attention first before I turned to sight the steaming Jellof rice, with the cooler of Fried rice just next to it. The pieces of Turkey and Chicken not to far away, that was what brought me to my senses as I quickly recalled the reason for being out there in the first place. 

I sauntered towards the meat with the young ones trailing behind me.  Thankfully it was their mother seated there 'guarding' the food. I didn't want any harassment from the caterers. 

  I quickly put the meat in the small fancy looking cooler with Ima's permission and was about taking a bit for myself when she smacked my hand playfully making the piece of meat fall back into the large basin. 

"Haba nau, after all the work I've been doing, you won't even allow me to eat small meat, it's not fair o" I pouted batting my eye lashes

"See her face, I've reserved the one we'd eat as a family it's in the kitchen, you can even take rice if you want but this one is for the guests" She informed

"Oh okay, you should have told me na..., now my hand is paining me, you will gimme those soothing kisses you give to Brother Tolu o" I teased and scurried off before she could smack me again. 

She was even blushing... 

*******************************************

  I had breakfast in my room with Tana, I was too busy to eat much and by eleven in the morning, the in-laws had arrived for the payment of the bride price.

The make-up artist was doing her magic on Laila. The cameramen were taking shots of everything, I was all dressed up along with Tana and Ima and even Igho 

The dress code was dark green and gold so being part of the Aso ebi, I wore a laced, dark green off shoulder dress, with a slit in front, stopping near my thigh, typical body con(hugged my curves and all) , with golden high heeled shoes,pumps to be exact, and a headgear to match. 

My hair stood in a ponytail behind the head gear. 

Tana wore something similar, only that the slit was behind her dress unlike mine. 

Our Snapchat and Instagram Stories go hear am gan... 

Laila took photos with her first outfit, while we ushered her out to see the guests 

Mum was seated looking beautiful in her Buba and iro. Dad and my brothers weren't left out as they rocked their agbada outfits well... 

The groom's family weren't left out in their colourful outfits, everything screamed

money! 

As soon as Laila came out, she was ushered around to greet the visitors in our large living room. She was the typical blushing bride. The groom's brother kept staring at me as I quickly greeted the groom. 

It's until fly wee perch on your eye ball that you wee learn to not stare too much

One look at the groom and I didn't have to wonder why my sister was head over heels for him already

The guy fresh gan... 

Typical beard gang guy, light skinned, a nice broad body and cute dimples showed off on both cheeks whenever he spotted his killer smile. The pre wedding photos did no justice to his looks. I never had time to meet him in person as he was a busy guy plus the wedding was on short notice and whenever he visited, about thrice, I was never around. 

I really wanted to know more about this guy before my sister tied the knot with him but there was hardly any time, so I just prayed he was good enough for my sister. 

After the brief introduction, we took Laila back to the room for her second dressing which was the same as Yemi's. 

  In one word, Gold. From the head gear to the shoes it was gold with beautiful patterns in black. 

We heard the men talking about the bride price, more like arguing, the traditional way. 

I looked out from the balcony and I saw the guests trooping in little by little. I spotted Tunji stepping out of his car, wearing the Aso ebi, that was for the guests. Who would have thought he would wear a traditional attire, not to mention one people were wearing all over the place. But I had to admit, the guy looked fine, the shades, hat and walking stick made the look perfect. 

"Okoro what are you thinking?" Tana asked, 

The fish was just snapping picture anyhow, awon slay queen

I felt uneasy, how was I supposed to tell her about what was happening between Tunji and I? But I did anyway. 

Laila squealed immediately, who would have thought she was eavesdropping on the conversation? she almost ruined the sassy pose she was rocking in front of the camera man. 

Tana was dumbfounded, she laughed a nervous laugh. I was too embarrassed to say anything

"So las las you'll be getting married too" She giggled after the statement

"Abeg o don't jump to conclusions, we're just getting to know each other, nothing more, if it doesn't work out, we go our separate ways" I stated quickly

"Na you know o, I'm happy for you sha" She said with a pat on my back

"I'm more than happy o, in fact I'm over excited" Laila squealed again

As this one is getting married now, we won't hear word, her own is to be squealing up and down

"Thank you ma, in fact let's snap with you sef" I said rushing over to sit by her side, they would call for her at any minute. The camera kept flashing and we kept posing 

Ima joined us along with Igho and soon they called for us to go downstairs. 

Mum came in and gave her(Laila) brief words of advice.She was at the brink of tears already and kept hugging my sister who was trying to hold back hers. 

Weddings can be emotional.... 

The live band was playing outside already. Signifying that the jollification was about to start. 

   Laila knelt and Dad prayed for her, placing a glass of wine in her hands for her to "show us her husband"

Yemi was seated at one end of the sitting room smirking as she came inside

Sister just dey blush

And soon she knelt before him, took a sip and handed it over to him, he gulped it down his throat, smiled right after, then placed a tangible amount of money in the glass, he held his wife up after that, amidst applauds and whistles, they walked together and knelt before my parents who blessed their union, same thing with Yemi's parents and then one by one the older siblings showered blessings on them too. 

Tana's parents were present as well,all smiles as usual. They had been of immense help at the time, with both cash and kind. 

   And with that my sister was married traditionally to her husband. They took pictures quickly with every member of the family present and soon they started trooping outside. The MC had already started to entertain the guests. 

The groom's family were already seated, and so were my parents. It was left for the bridesmaids and groomsmen to usher the couple in. Lots of Laila's and Yemi's friends were present, so it was a show to behold when they came out in matching outfits with us. 

They came in just as the live band started playing Flavour's Ada 

Yemi was obviously a good dancer as he swayed to the beat in a traditional way. 

Madam was just dancing small small as if she would break if she shake body small. 

I hoped she wouldn't dance like that at the white wedding because that was supposed to be the main Parte after parte. 

Soon they were seated, and then the speeches and recognition of the different caliber of people present. 

Then there was entertainment, the food of course was surplus so there wasn't much complains. The caterers did well. 

After which, the gifts came pouring in,and it was only the traditional wedding, in fact the gifts were too much. I spoke to Tunji for a short while before I was sent off on another errand. Tana and I couldn't even look pretty in peace, from one instruction to the other. 

It was hectic

Dad danced a little while, spraying wads of naira .People kept spraying money from different denominations

Yemi's friends were on fleek! 

The rest of us danced until we were exhausted, my nephews and niece probably danced the most,the pictures they took that day sha, Snapchat must have complained. 

Before we knew it, guests started trooping out of the compound and thereafter the ceremony came to an end. 

The look on my sister's face was priceless, she was trying so hard to keep her smile in place. 

Yemi's family finally left afterwards. He left reluctantly though, he was so engrossed in talking to my sister even during the ceremony, that they didn't want to let go. 

That one was just giggling, love dey catch am

I literally had to pull her away from him before she realized how tired she was. 

"Jesus Thank you, I'm exhausted" She sprawled herself on her bed signing afterwards. Tana had changed to her Pajamas and she walked in just then. 

"It's now you know you're exhausted, when you were laughing with your Yemi, you no remember o" I said feigning disgust

"I tire o" Tana laughed

"You people should free me abeg" Laila said sighing for the umpteenth time that night

"Oya let's pray quickly, before I go and freshen up" I suggested

"Yes you're right" Tana nodded 

"True my dear, let's go on our knees and thank God for his faithfulness"  Laila said going on her knees and stretching out her hands for us to hold them

I did the same and seconds later we were holding hands with me leading the short prayer session

"Oh Lord we have come to say thank you, for your mercies and your grace. Thank you for bringing us this far, for the success of today's event's... Lord we're grateful. We commit the white wedding into your hands oh God may it run smoothly as this one, so that your name alone may be glorified. Lord we ask for your mighty hand to be in their union, we pray for fruitfulness, peace and marital bliss in their home afterwards, in Jesus' name we have prayed. Amen"

"AMEN!" They both chorused 

And with a grateful heart I got up and headed to my room for a shower and a good night sleep. The bridal shower was the next day so I needed all the sleep I could get. 

The house was quiet, the day must have drained us all out. 

*******************************************

My phone buzzed from under my pillow, I picked up, sleepy eyed without checking the caller. 

"Fine girl how far?" The caller said from the other end.I frowned still in my sleepy state before I recalled the owner of the voice. 

I tried to speak and the only thing that came out was 

"Hmm" With a yawn

"Awww she was asleep, you must be exhausted to be sleeping at 8pm" He said, his voice was groggy like he was lying down. 

"Obviously"I said with a groan rolling over on my bed and checking to see if Tana was asleep. I guessed she was as she didn't stir when I touched her slightly. I got out of bed so I wouldn't disturb her with my phone call. 

" Well I'm sorry for disturbing your beauty sleep, I just wanted to hear your voice"

My awful sleepy voice you mean . 

"You're forgiven but don't try it again o" I warned partially serious. 

I love my sleep abeg and whenever it's disturbed it takes a while before my brain can reboot.

"How would I know when you're not asleep so I can call?" He asked in amusement

"Ask the Holy Spirit, in fact it's not my concern,just don't disturb my sleep, so that I won't swear for you" 

"My goodness!" He exclaimed in mock surprise

"Sorry ma it won't happen again"

"Better o" I yawned again

"But I must say you guys looked stunning today" 

You guys? 

"Yes. Yourself and Tana, in fact every family member was looking dashing in their own way. One of the reasons I love Nigerian weddings, they're always filled with so much fervour for fashion and all" He explained

I actually said that aloud 

"Oh well, thank you very much for the compliments" I said

"You're welcome, lemme let you go back to sleep before you swear for me" He said with a chuckle

I just giggled and bade him a good night. 

I turned around to go back to bed

"Na wa o, this new found love is something else" Tana said unexpectedly

I was startled and I had to stifle the shriek that was emerging from my throat. 

"I thought you were asleep" I said after getting my act together

"I wasn't"  She said quickly

I forgot that she's a light sleeper

"So you've been eavesdropping on my conversation?"

"I won't exactly call it eavesdropping" She rolled her eyes

"Anyways it's not love we're just friends getting to know each other" I clarified

"I hear you ma, lemme sleep jor" She said amidst a yawn 

"Close your mouth jor" I teased and she threw a pillow at me. 

*******

"Ayo would you drop that phone right now?!" I bellowed at my youngest nephew as he kept fiddling with my cell phone. He had been clinging to me all morning because of the scolding he got from everyone else after breaking an expensive vase mum had gotten from her trip to Uganda. 

   Trust me,you wouldn't want to be in his shoes, it felt like there wasn't anyone on his side when he burst into tears and ran to me who awaited him with arms wide open. He soiled my shirt with his tears, continuously whimpering. 

I kept whispering sweet nothings to him to make him calm down and he just kept nodding and sniffing. 

He looked so adorable... 

He followed me around the house, hiding behind me to avoid death glares from his busy mother who had promised to spank him thoroughly. 

I almost laughed at how vulnerable he looked until he returned to the naughty Ayo who could hardly sit in one spot for five minutes. 

Gosh he can be a handful at times

"Aunty Lola I want to play game" He pouted

He looked so cute that my features softened and I almost gave in before... 

"Which game? Lola don't give him your phone o" His mother yelled while coming down the stairs 

She faced her son immediately with a scowl and the boy squirmed, I'm sure he almost peed in his pants. 

"You want to play game so that you can scatter her phone too just like you did to your grandma's vase, would you get into that room and sleep before I smack that pout off your face?" She yelled at him and in the blink of an eye he ran up the stairs with a shriek 

We watched him scurry off to the bedroom and heard the door slam shut before Ima turned to me and we burst into laughter.

Seeing him so frightened was hilarious. 

"I don't know how you do it, it's like you're bipolar or something, you look so fierce when you're with your kids but at the same time you act like you can't hurt a fly with other people" I said after the laughter died down

"My dear, Train up a child the way he should grow o, if I'm not like this with them they'll get spoilt and I'll take the blame in the end" She explained with a sweet smile

She was definitely right. Discipline matters a lot and it had to be inculcated at a young age to minimize mishaps in the nearest future. 

I nodded in agreement, giving her a small smile

"So how's the bridal shower going to be na?" I asked changing the topic

"Hmm mummy and daddy said they don't want it o, because of what they see in movies, they say things go wrong when people do such things before their wedding day"

I gaped at her, still trying to process what she had said. 

Old fashioned parents? Typical! 

Laila was definitely not happy about it. 

Her fiance... 

Abi husband sef

Right... Was having a bachelor's party but she couldn't do the same. It was so unfair. 

We decided to go shopping at the mall instead, since Laila didn't want to enter her husband's house with old clothes as she called it. 

Igho came with us and we decided to wear matching outfits, white tops with jeans and white snickers. 

That was what we decided to wear for the bridal shower before it was cancelled. The hotel reservations we had made previously were cancelled too by my lovely parents. 

Note the sarcasm

So we all headed out with Grey driving, Travis promised to join us later on and Ima stayed back with him. We took the children with us. 

Those two needed privacy but they didn't want to admit it.

The ride was far from silent, music blared from the stereo

Igho sat in front with my brother and kept giggling at everything he said. 

Tana and I continued exchanging knowing glances and we would snicker right afterwards

We could be petty at times 

Laila was just typing on her phone and stifling giggles as well. I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me who she was chatting with

My one and only brother in law

The kids were playing games on their Tablet and were squealing and shrieking at intervals.

Tana and I engaged in small talks before turning to our phones again we were both chatting with Tunji

Yes. Both of us... 

Crazy right

I found out the minute she glanced at her phone, typing hastily, I took a peek and saw his ID on the screen. A message popped into my phone right afterwards. 

Tbaby:Why is your boyfriend chatting me up nau? 🙄

Me:How I'm I supposed to know? Besides we're just friends . The situation is too awkward to call it a romantic relationship

Tbaby: Be speaking grammar there. 

Why don't you invite him over, it's Friday he'll be getting off work early right? 

Me: Yeah, great idea,I'll text him now😁

Tbaby: Lover girl, chai where's my own

(In Adekunle Gold's voice)  Oluwa provide a boo o 😩

Me: You're crazy😂

Tbaby:And you love me anyway 😂😋😜😘😍

Me: I do unfortunately 😩😂😂

Tbaby: is like you don't like your fine face, I go beat you 😂

Me:OMG 😯, did you just call me beautiful? 😏😙

She laughed out loud and just then I realized we had arrived at the mall. Thankfully I had texted Tunji and he was supposedly on his way. 

He arrived looking suave as usual. 

We had loads of fun, tubs of ice cream, lots of pictures. Tunji and Femi secluded themselves to do guy stuff, they didn't want to get caught up in the shopping spree. 

Ima and husband never arrived. 

Scammers! 

"I had a fun filled day thanks to you Lola" Tunji said walking us to where the vehicle was parked

"Well... It was Tana's idea to invite you over"

He looked shocked at first then he looked amused. He smiled, showing off his dimples

He quickly turned to her

"Thanks for bringing that idea, I would have been bored outta my mind if I stayed home after work" He said making us laugh

"You're welcome" She said with a smile, shook hands with him and boarded the vehicle obviously giving us alone time. 

"So... I'll see you and her at the wedding tomorrow, looking all pretty huh?" He smirked 

I laughed softly

"I guess so, drive safe" I said entering the vehicle as my brother ignited the engine

"Yes, good bye all" He said waving at the kids first then the ladies and , throwing a salute at my brother who did the same.

And with that we drove off...

What a day...