“Mummy, are you sure about this?”
Ayotunde asked again.
Mrs. Taiwo looked at her adopted
daughter. “How many times will you ask me, Ayotunde?”
Ayotunde shrugged. “I’m just not
interested in having a graduation party. We still have university ahead of us.
Besides, would my friends be comfortable coming to the proprietress’ house?”
“I never said I was throwing a party. I
said call a few of your friends for lunch and drinks to celebrate your straight
A’s. And your friends would only be scared of coming here if they have sinned.”
“Okay mum; you win.”
Mrs. Taiwo laughed. “It was never a
contest. By the way, have you spoken to your father this week?”
“Yes ma. He is doing well.”
“And your mother?”
Ayotunde sighed. “Still giving him trouble as usual.”
*
It was a Saturday morning and they were
seated in the living room. They had just had breakfast of pap and akara which
had been prepared by Ayotunde.
Mrs. Taiwo’s phone began to ring.
“I’ll get it for you.” Ayotunde said as
she stood up from the couch. She picked up the phone from the centre table and looked
at the caller ID. “It is Ayorinde.”
Mrs. Taiwo smiled as she collected the
phone from her daughter. “Ayorinde!” She stressed his name as she tapped the
green button on her phone. “How are you and how is business doing?”
“I am fine ma. The salon is also doing
well. How are you too mummy?”
“I’m fine. The Lord has been good to
me.”
“We bless God ma.” Ayorinde replied on
the other end.
“Has your sister told you about her
WAEC results?”
“Yes mummy. She sent me a message last
night.”
“I’m very proud of her and of you too,
Ayorinde. Both of you have not given me a reason to regret taking you in six
years ago. I’m sure your father would also be proud of you. You should inform
him about your sister’s result.”
“Thank you mum. I called him last night
immediately I saw Ayotunde’s text. He was overjoyed. He said I should let you
know that he is indebted to you.”
“He should give thanks to God. We are
all indebted to Him.”
“Mummy, I called to let you know that I
want to expand the salon.” Ayorinde said.
“Okay, what are your plans?”
“I want to open a hairdressing salon by
the side of the barbing salon. We usually get a lot of requests from ladies and
there is really no established hairdressing salon in this area.”
“Okay, why not come over and let us
talk about this?”
“Okay mummy. I will be there tomorrow
morning.”
“What should we make for breakfast?”
“Mummy?” Ayorinde laughed. “I will make
my breakfast when I come.”
Mrs. Taiwo yawned. “If you say so.”
“How is Nana and her husband doing?”
“Oh, they are fine. They finally
settled down.”
“I hope the weather isn’t too cold over
there.” Ayorinde asked.
“Well, they decided to settle for
Canada.” Mrs. Taiwo said as she shrugged. “They don’t have a choice. They will
have to get used to it.”
Ayorinde laughed heartily. “Okay mummy.
See you tomorrow morning.”
“By God’s grace, Ayorinde.” Mrs. Taiwo
said as she cut the call.
******
Ayotunde’s graduation party was fixed
for two Saturdays after. Ayotunde called her father to inform him and wished he
could be present but Ayo declined. He prayed for her on the phone and told her
she had made him a proud father. He also prayed for Mrs. Taiwo and asked her to
send his regards.
At about 2:00p.m, a few of Ayotunde’s
friends began to arrive. She had invited only six of her friends. She insisted
she wanted a very small party. When Grace arrived, Ayotunde walked out to greet
her father. “Good afternoon sir.” Ayotunde said as she curtsied.
“Good afternoon Ayotunde.
Congratulations on your result. Grace told me you had the best result in the
school.”
Ayotunde smiled. “Thank you sir.”
“What time should I pick her up?”
“Daddy, I said I would call you when I
am done.” Grace smirked.
“Your call should not come too late,
your royal highness.”
Ayotunde laughed. “No sir. It won’t be too late. I’m sure anytime from 7:00p.m should be fine. I also don’t want to disrupt mummy’s sleep pattern.”
“How is she?”
“She is fine sir.”
“Extend my regards to her.”
“I will sir.” Ayotunde said as she held
her friend’s hand and turned towards the house.
*
The aroma of finger foods filled the air. Mrs. Taiwo had made arrangements for a caterer to make bite sized snacks, finger foods and chapman for Ayotunde’s guests.
They were watching the movie “Lemonade
Mouth” when Ayorinde let himself into the house.
“Where is the new graduate?” He asked.
“Ayorinde!” Ayotunde jumped up as she
ran to hug her brother.
“Congratulations.” He said as he handed
her a wrapped gift.
“I can see you and your friends are having
fun.”
“Good afternoon sir.” The children
chorused.
“You have only six friends? Four girls
and two boys?” Ayorinde looked at his sister in mock surprise.
Ayotunde shrugged. “I don’t really have
friends.”
“This is Grace; my best friend.”
“Oh Grace, I have heard so much about
you.” Ayotunde said.
Grace smiled shyly. Ayotunde went ahead
to introduce the rest of her friends.
Ayorinde asked them to feel at home and inform him if they needed anything.
*
By 6:00pm, the guests began to leave
and thanked Mrs. Taiwo and Ayorinde for their hospitality. Mrs. Taiwo said she
hoped to hear good news from each one of them concerning their admission into
the University. She told them to keep in touch and promised to call their
parents to confirm that each one had arrived home safely.
Grace was the last to leave. She sat
with her friend and they began to discuss about their plans for the University.
They both decided they wanted to go to the University of Lagos.
“I doubt my dad will allow me attend a
University outside Lagos. My sister really wanted to go abroad to study but
daddy refused.” Grace said.
Ayotunde smiled. “I understand. My
brother is also very protective of me just like your dad is. He may not also be
willing to let me go out of Lagos. Besides, mummy is the only one at home, so
it makes sense for me to stay here in Lagos.”
“Is it your brother that owns that big
salon in Gbagada?”
“Yes, he owns it.”
“Wow!” Grace exclaimed. “You never told
me. I usually see the advert on TV and I was wondering why his face looked very
familiar.”
Ayotunde laughed.
“Can they make my hair for me?”
“Why not? I will let him know.”
******
At exactly 7:00pm, Mr. Johnson arrived.
“I think I can hear my dad’s car.”
Grace said.
Ayotunde looked at her wrist watch.
“It’s 7:00pm already. Where has the day gone to? Your dad must be an accurate
time keeper.”
Both girls burst out laughing as they
walked out of the house.
“I hope you girls had fun.” Mr. Johnson
asked.
“Yes sir.” They chorused.
Grace eased into the passenger seat
beside her father. “We would talk on phone to conclude our plans.”
“Which plans?” Mr. Johnson asked.
“Women talk, Daddy!”
Mr. Johnson shrugged. “My regards to
your mum, Ayotunde.”
“Yes sir.” Ayotunde waved to Grace as the car sped away.
*
“Did you enjoy your party?” Ayorinde
asked as he walked into the living room.
“Yes, I did. Thanks for the gift. My
friends were wowed.”
“Anything for my little sister.”
“I ain’t little anymore.”
“Okay sis.” Ayorinde lifted his hands
in surrender.
“Grace wants to make her hair at the
salon.”
“Okay, when is she coming?”
“She did not say but I will let you
know ahead.”
“She seems like a really good girl.”
“Yes, she is.” Ayotunde said as she
picked up the remote to play a video she had initially paused.
“So what are your plans for Uni?”
“Grace and I were discussing it. We
both want to go to Unilag.”
“Okay. Which course?”
“Guidance and Counselling.”
“Really? Have you discussed this with
Mama T?” Ayorinde asked.
“Yes, I have. And she gave me her
blessings.”
“Okay then. If she is cool with it,
then it is fine.”
“Thanks.”
Ayorinde coughed. “About your friend.”
“Which one of them?”
“Grace.”
Ayotunde dropped the remote and looked
at her brother. “What about her?
“I just want to know about her.”
“You want to know about her?” Ayotunde
smiled sheepishly.
“Is that a bad thing?”
“No oh…..” Ayotunde laughed. “The look
in your eyes says it all.”
“What do you mean?” Ayorinde asked as
he rolled his eyes.
“You can’t even pretend Ayorinde. Every
time you came to ask, if we were all okay, I knew you were coming to steal
looks at Grace.”
“Was it that obvious?”
“It was to me. I think I should have an
idea when I see love in my brother’s eyes.”
“Oh c’mon Ayotunde. You are making this
look really bad.”
Ayotunde burst out laughing. “I’m
sorry. I’m sorry.” She stilled from her laughter and made a serious face. “What
do you want to know about her?” She asked grinning.
“Anything.” Ayorinde shrugged.
“She’s a good girl. She has one older
sister who is doing her Masters in the U.S. Her mum is late. Died while having
her. So she is extremely precious in the eyes of her father.”
“Wow!”
“That’s her story.”
“When did you say she was coming over
to the salon?”
“She did not say. She just wanted you
to know.”
“That’s fine then. Just let me know when
she is coming.”
“Hehehe….my brother is in love.”
Ayotunde began to sing.
Ayorinde threw a cushion pillow at her.
“Don’t tell her anything.”
Ayotunde put her hand across her lips to signify a zipped mouth.
The story continues…
