Beyond Reach

"The Talk"

A lot has been going on in Nigeria. Fuel Scarcity, inflation, and missing people every day. It gets tiring and I hope that it gets better soon. But how will it get better, as a people, we have to do better.

War affects everybody, families are displaced, economies crumble, lives are lost, people are frustrated. I stand with Ukrainians, but as we stand with them in Africa, they should also treat Africans as humans. Racism amid war is the highest form of inhumanity.

Ade's POV

I drove straight to my parents. Been a long while I visited them. Between work and traveling, plus trying to break up with a troublesome girl, I haven't had time to see them.

And trust a Nigerian mother to blackmail you with it. It always goes like this.

Phone ringing........

Mum: Ade, you have grown oo. So your mother who carried you for 9months is no longer important to you. Na wa o

Ade: Good afternoon ma

Mum: Ade, what exactly is good about the afternoon? When was the last time I saw you? Omo mi, your mother misses you

Ade: I know ma, I will come and see you

Mum: When?

Ade: Mummy, let me call you back, someone just entered my office

Mum: Now you are running. O da, bye....

Hmmmmm, Nigerian mothers. They can be a handful sometimes, but they are the best

Arriving at the house and was greeted by the ever cheerful gateman, Ibrahim. He always has a story to tell. Today he is telling me about his wife's reaction, when he told her, he wants to marry another wife...

He escorted me into the house, as he helped with the things I got on my way here.

I was almost knocked down by Bolu, my baby sister. She is such a grown woman, a child that was just 1 some days ago. I teased her about how big, she has become and we laughed about it.

Where is mummy? She is upstairs, let me get her

Mum: Finally you remember you have a mother

Ade: É kale ma (good evening ma)
prostrating as he greets

Mum: Ka bó, Óko mí. Bawo ní (Welcome my son, how are you?)

Ade: I'm fine and you. Hugging her
Where is daddy?

Mum: He is in his study.
Go meet him and tell him dinner will be served in 10minutes

Ade: Yes ma

Ade goes upstairs and knocks on the door of the study

Come in! A voice echoes from inside

Good evening Sir (prostrating)

Ahhhh Adeoluwa, how are you? So you decided to see us today, I have heard an earful from your mother about you abandoning her. She was even going to send a search party after you. Welcome my son.

How has it been with work?

Ade: Very fine sir. With the elections drawing near, a lot of things have been happening and it is affecting business, but thank God.

They discussed business, elections, the current Russia-Ukraine War and how it is affecting the world, and sanctions from the world leaders

Ade; Mummy says dinner will be served in 10mimutes, we should go down soon.

Mr. Coker: Please let's go before she comes to drag us downstairs. I don't have strength for your mother's wrath today.

Ade smiles inwardly, knowing he had just faced one Nigerian woman's wrath today and isn't ready for another.

Dinner was already served by the time we got down. Dad took his seat at the head of the table, I sat opposite him and mum and Bolu beside him.

I missed when it was a full house. With Ireti married and living with her husband in the UK, Kunle in the USA, and Lanre in school at Covenant University, the house has become a lot quieter. Now I see why mum is always insisting I come around.
Memories of us growing up flood my mind. I remember Lanre and Kunle always pranking Ireti and she will be crying and screaming all over the house. It was a fun time. I miss my siblings so much.

Dinner is Amala and Ewedu with plenty shaki, roundabout, and ponmo. Nigerian foods got your taste buds rolling.

Mum: Ade, do you like it?

Ade: Yes ma

Mum: Very soon, your wife will start making it for you

Ade: coughing... Mammi, how did we get to this now?

Mum: My friend drink water and finish your food, we will talk about this later

Dad gives me a side-eye. Guess he knows what the talk is about.

We ate dinner in absolute silence as mum didn't like people talking at the dinner table.

Ade: Eshe Sir, eshe ma (Eshe means "Thank You" in Yoruba)

Mum: Are you okay? Abi they should bring more Amala for you?

Ade: I'm filled ma

Mum: Okay, they will pack it for you, you will take it home.
Bolu, call Sarah to help you clean up. Ade, follow me to the gazebo, we need to talk.

Dad and Bolu wish me luck with their eyes.

Enters the gazebo
Mum: Ade, when will you marry and give me grandchildren? Abi I'm not old enough to be a grandmother ni?

All this would have been avoided if Ireti and her husband, Declan didn't say they were taking some years to spend time alone before welcoming kids.

Ade: Ma, very soon. I will bring her for you to see.

Mum: So you have found the one for you? Why didn't you bring her to dinner?

Ade: Mummy, I didn't say I have seen her, but please give me some time.

Mum: Ade, there is this girl, her mother is my friend. She just came back from Harvard. I should link you up together, she is a good girl from a respectable family. You will like her

Phone starts ringing and I thank my stars, because once a Nigerian mother enters her "Tinder mood", it is always hard to get out of it, without putting yourself in a tight spot.

Ade: Ma, Gbenga is calling me, I have to go and see him and the rest of the boys. We will talk about this later.

Mum: Okay, but don't be a stranger, Ómó mí. I will tell Sarah to bring your food. Go say good night to your father. And drive safely. (Hugs him)

Chapter 5 is so done. I can't say how happy I am.

But let me ask, have you ever had " The Talk" with your parents?
I had mine sometime last year and I just wasn't expecting it.
Tell me in the comment section, how you felt when you had the talk

Please as you read, like my story, share with your friends, tell me how you feel about the characters. I would love to hear your opinion

Thanks

Glossary of some Nigerian words you will find in this chapter

* Óko mí - My husband. (Another way, Yoruba women refer to their sons)

* Ó da - Okay (used to signify it is fine)

* É kale - Good evening (it is a tradition to prostate when greeting an elder in Yoruba land)

* Ka bó - Welcome

*Bawo ní - How are you?

* Amala and Ewedu - A Yoruba delicacy (it tastes heavenly)

* Shaki, Roundabout, Ponmo - Names used to describe different types of meat

* Ómó mí - My son

* Eshe - Thank You