About two weeks later, Grace called Ayotunde. “Hey babe.”
“Wassup?”
“Nothing much. Bored to death in this house.”
Ayotunde laughed. “Watch movies, read a book, take a stroll. That’s all I have been doing.”
“Same here. They can fix weaves at your brother’s place, right?”
“Yep.”
“I think I should go there today. Can you help me call your brother?”
“Okay. I will. Who’s taking you?”
“Mr. Solomon will drop me off and come back later to pick me.”
“Okay then. I will call Ayorinde now.”
“Thanks babe.”
***
Ayotunde called her brother immediately. He wasn’t in the salon but he said he was around the corner and was going there right away. Hours later, Ayorinde parked his white Toyota Corolla in the premises where his salon was situated. He picked up his mobile phone from the center console and was about to dial his sister when he saw a car drive in. Mr. Solomon parked the car and Grace stepped out.
Ayorinde put his phone into his pocket and eased out of the car. “Hi.” He said as he walked up to Grace; his smile reaching his eyes.
“Good afternoon.” She replied Ayorinde. She looked at Mr. Solomon. “Please, come back in….” looking at her wrist watch; “Three hours.”
Mr. Solomon nodded and put the car in reverse.
“Ayotunde called me that you were on your way here.”
“Yes.”
“So what would you like to do?” Ayorinde asked as he looked at her hair.
“I want to fix weaves.”
“Do you have yours with you or do you want to buy?”
“Oh, I didn’t realize you also sold weaves.”
Ayorinde smiled. “Yes, we do. Let’s go inside”. He said as he signaled for her to walk ahead.
*
Ayorinde personally attended to Grace. In an hour and half, he was done. “Do you like it?” He asked her as he looked at her reflection in the mirror opposite.
Grace smiled. “I love it. I love this look.”
“I’m glad you do.” Ayorinde looked up at the clock above the mirror. “You still have about an hour and half left to wait.”
“Oh goodness.”
“Can we go to the café downstairs for a drink?”
“Okay.”
*
Grace decided to order an ice cream while Ayorinde ordered a bottle of malt. As they sat at a table of two, Ayorinde asked; “So what are your plans for the University?”
“I’m interested in Theatre Arts but my dad hasn’t given a go-ahead. He says the course is a no-go area and that I should think of something else.”
“So have you thought of another course?”
Grace shook her head. “I don’t want to study another course. I want to study Theatre Arts.”
Ayorinde sipped from his glass and looked at her. “So how do you intend to convince your dad?”
“I haven’t thought about it sincerely. It makes me tired having to fight over something like this.”
“What do you mean?”
Grace shrugged but refused to give an answer. Even though, Ayorinde was her best friend’s brother, she wasn’t sure of how much information he knew about her and she wasn’t willing to give him more than he probably already knew from her friend.
Ayorinde noticing the change in Grace’s body language decided to change the topic. He told her he would be glad if she could introduce more of her friends to his salon.
Grace smiled. “I would love to.” She said. She flicked her weaves and it bounced around her shoulders. “How did you get to make women’s hair so perfectly?”
Ayorinde laughed. “I never got the opportunity you have now.”
Grace looked at him confused.
“To go to the University. So I decided to do something else. I always loved to see a head with lovely hair on either a man or a woman. So I told Mama T I wanted to go to a beauty school. She registered me at one and the rest is history.”
“Wow! That’s cool.”
“Yeah.”
“I always wanted to ask Ayotunde. She also called your mum Mama T anytime she talked about her and you just did the same now. Is there a particular reason why?”
“We met her some years ago when we were down and out. She made us what we both are today. We called her Mama T then, I guess it stuck.” He laughed. “We call her mummy at home though.”
Grace finished her ice cream and pushed the cup aside. “I don’t understand. What do you mean by met her some years ago. She isn’t your biological mum?”
“She’s our guardian.”
“And your parents?”
“They are fine.”
“They live in this Lagos?”
“Yes. They do.”
“This is strange.”
“Don’t worry your pretty head over it. It’s complicated.”
*
Grace looked outside and noticed Mr. Solomon was back. “I didn’t realize we had spent over an hour here already.” She said pointing to the car. “I have to go.” She stood up.
“That’s fine.” Ayorinde said also standing up.
“Thanks for the ice cream and the company.”
“The pleasure is mine. I enjoyed the company as well.”
As they walked outside, Ayorinde asked; “Is it okay if I call you sometime?”
“Okay.” Grace replied as she reeled out her number.
Ayorinde punched the numbers on his phone. “See you around.” He said as she eased into the back seat of the car.
***
That evening, Ayotunde called Grace. “Babe, so did you like your hair?
“Like or love? I love it. Your brother personally attended to me.” Grace laughed over the phone.
“Hmm…..that’s nice.”
“Your brother is a cool guy.”
“So I hear from everyone who meets him.”
“You don’t think he is?” Grace asked.
“You’re kidding, right? I love my brother to bits. He is the definition of cool.” She laughed heartily.
“I like him.”
“Hmmm……”
“What? Is he out of bounds?” Grace sneered into the phone.
“Meaning?”
“Does he have a girlfriend?”
Ayotunde guffawed. “My brother is as clear as the sky.”
“Really?”
“What are we friends for? If he was tied up, I would have told you.”
“Okay then.”
“Erm….what does that okay mean?
“Nothing.”
“Grace!!!!” Ayotunde stressed her name.
“Oh girl. You always have a way of getting things out of my mouth.”
“Spill it. I’m all ears.”
“We had some time to chat at the café downstairs while waiting for Mr. Solomon. He took my number as I was about leaving. I just wanted to know where to place the boundary when he decides to call.”
“Well, it looks like you guys are getting along pretty well without me.”
“Oh c’mon, don’t tell me you are jealous.”
“Jealous? No way. As long as my brother is happy, I am happy.”
“Okay girl. I have to go. I need to make dinner for my dad before he gets back from work.”
“Okay. Talk to you later.”
“Bye.”
******
Ayorinde called Grace two days later. His calls became frequent and Grace began to look forward to them. They talked for long hours on the phone. Ayorinde made sure he called her every morning and every night before he went to bed.
Grace called her sister, Aderemi every weekend by video call and on one of their calls, she decided to voice out her feelings to her sister.
“Sis, you should meet him. He is such a sweet guy.”
‘Really? How long have you known him?’ Aderemi asked; as she beat an egg in a bowl.
‘About two months now.’
‘And you said he is Ayotunde’s elder brother?’
‘Yes sis.’ Grace said as she adjusted the ear buds in her ear.
‘Okay. What does Daddy think about him?’
‘I haven’t told Daddy yet oh. Ah! Before he will say; is that what you should be thinking about now?’ She smirked, gesticulating with her hands.
‘But he would be right to say so, don’t you think?’ Aderemi turned to look into the camera.
‘C’mon sis. I’m not too young to have a boyfriend.’
‘I never said you were Grace. I am only saying having one could be a distraction. You just got admission into Uni. I think you should focus on your studies and leave men alone.’
‘Sis, have I ever disappointed you with my grades?’
Aderemi ignored her question and poured her beaten egg into a fry pan.
‘Sis! Sis, answer me nau.’ Grace said waiting for her sister’s response.
Aderemi breathed deeply as she switched off the fire under the fry pan.
‘No, you have never disappointed me Grace. I just want you to be careful, that’s all.’
‘I will be sis. That’s why I love you.’ Grace smiled.
‘I love you too baby girl.’
‘When are you done with your course?’
‘In about 3 months.’
‘So we having a homecoming party in three months. Woohoo!’ Grace clapped excitedly.
‘No homecoming party Grace.’
‘But why? Aren’t you happy to be coming back home?’
‘Of course, I am but I don’t want any party.’ Aderemi said matter-of-factly.
‘I doubt you can get out of this sis. You refused to have a graduation party after your first degree. I doubt Daddy will let you get away with this one. I will personally see to that.’ Grace winked at her sister.
‘Ha! Grace, you can really be a pest atimes.’
‘I know sis and that’s why you love me.’ She replied bursting out into laughter.
Aderemi shook her head as she waved at her sister and ended the call.
The story continues…