JUST BY CHANCE

THE BIRTHDAY 2

Michael was instantly worried as he walked with Deji in response to his mother's call. He was even more puzzled as he walked into the living room to meet his mother standing. She was facing the television that was turned off. This felt as though something serious had happened.

He wondered the reason for this unusual summon. This was shortly before he was supposed to dance with his daughter. He was also pre-informed by Deji that he was supposed to give a vote of thanks speech soon. As he moved closer to his mother, Deji followed.

"Please close the door behind you." Mrs Bose said to them as soon as she turned and saw them. Deji quickly ran to lock the entrance door, leaving the three of them alone.

"I'm only going to say this once and I will not repeat myself. I do not want to see that girl called Matilda ever again on this premises. Michael, this may be your house but it accommodates the people I love and hold dear".

Michael looked surprised. "Mummy what happened?, I can see that you are upset about something."
"Yes, I am Michael. Your choice of a girlfriend is appalling. She has bad intentions for Jenny who has done absolutely nothing to offend her and I would not let that slide."

"I understand Mummy but you are still not saying what happened?"
"The reason I am not asking the security to throw her out right now is because I do not want to create a scene on my granddaughter's 13th birthday. But please I beg of you, inform her that she is no longer welcome here"

"Yes ma'am. I will do that" Michael responded while Deji kept nodding his head.
As she walked towards the exit, she turned to them again and in a softer tone spoke to them.
"Please also inform Jenny not to eat anything yet at least until after the party"
"Noted ma," Michael replied.

"The truth is, if I want to be rash in my approach, I would've added Nina to the equation but unlike Matilda, she is a very sensible person and I like her"
"Thank you ma," Deji said quickly and watch Mrs Bose leave, closing the door behind her.
"Deji!"
"Yes bro"
"What was all this about? Did Matilda speak rudely to my mum?"
"Which Matilda? Is she mad?"
"Then what was that about?"
"Bro I don't know o. Honestly, I have no idea." Deji said to him as they walked out back into the party. He paused in front of Michael and turned as though he remembers something.
"I have no clue what might have transpired between Mummy and Matilda. I just know that I left the table because Matilda was flipping out over some very unnecessary issues"

"What sort of unnecessary issues?" Michael asked with a probing gaze.
"It was not anything important. But she was bad-mouthing Jenny and being very disrespectful to you. I scolded her and walked away. That's all. Let's go, it's dance time. Let's go back into the party Bro." Deji said to him because he had suddenly become very quiet.

Michael counted his steps as he walked. He wanted to walk into the tent Matilda sat and order her to leave. That would be so embarrassing. Hence, he held himself back from creating a fracas. Walking slowly helped him calm down. By the time he reached the dance floor, it was so crowded.

When a popular Nigerian dance song was played, everyone jumped and cheered. Michael found Jenny who was already dancing with Stephanie and some parents having a good time. Everyone was busy spraying money on them as they danced. Even Deji and Nina danced with them.

Michael had no choice but to join in the fun. Jenny was not such a good dancer and that made him laugh at her.
Finally, he could see something that she was not good at. She danced slowly when he got to her side and it was such a beautiful moment for him. Enjoying the switch in the dance songs, he began remembering his mother's words.

The cryptic words of his mother lingered so much in his heart that he did not realize when he pulled Jenny close to himself in that crowd and he whispered into her ears.