The Day Before Yesterday

Chapter 3: Funmi

Chapter 3: Funmi

"Mofe wake up. We're here."

Aunty Dami was one of those aunties. The rich Aunty   of the family. The one Aunty that would ask "Have you eaten?" and if you say yes, she would insist on stuffing your stomach until you can't walk.

She was who Mofe hoped to be. Young-ish, beautiful, rich and independent. She was a widow. Her husband had unfortunately died during the early days of her marriage. She had one son that was the spitting image of his father.

The beautiful curvy short fair-skinned woman owned a magnificent home in Maitama. It had a million bedrooms and a bunch of other rooms that Aunty Dami called Activity rooms.

Mofe loved visiting Aunty Dami. From the gigantic pear shaped pool, to the game room to the small library; the house was perfect. Yetunde didn't like visiting Aunty Dami despite all these luxuries.

He claimed Maitama was too... sophisticated. Too rich. He said he felt choked .

Maybe that's why he decided to die that way. Choked.

"Ah! My darling Mofe," she smiled engulfing Mofe into a hug.

Mofe mumbled I'm fine into her shoulder as she subtly admired Aunty Dami's hair. It was long, full and black; almost to her mid-back. Each bouncy shiny twist moving with each kiss she laid on Mofe's cheeks.

"Just look at how much you've grown! Ahn-ahn, see Mofe of yesterday," her eyes began to well up. Mofe was sure it was not because of her."Now," she sniffed,"go inside and greet your mother then go and meet Ibukun, he has been waiting for you."

As she walked inside, leaving the moonlight behind her she heard her shout:

"And make sure you eat!"

The house was solemn. Everyone was quiet. Ibukun's old grandparents only nodded she greeted them in the main parlour, while the uncles only grunted in reply as they continued to speak in hushed whispers amongst themselves.

She found herself at the kitchen door that had a sticker that said 'This Year, My Year of Assurance'. As she was about to turn the handle, she heard a small voice behind her.

"If you're looking for your mum, she's in the other parlour with Aunty Kehinde and the other aunties," Ibukun's younger cousin said.

He was Aunty Dami's only child; his father had died about one week after he was born. Mofe could vaguely remember anything, all she remembered was Aunty Dami wailing in torn clothe on the floor and Aunty Kehinde trying to console her and Yetunde's tiny fingers squeezing Mofe's barely grown ones.

Dara was short for an eleven year old boy. His head seemed bigger than his body, while his arms and legs looked like twigs hanging on to dear life. Ibukun's grandmother always said it was because he was a 'prem' and Yetunde would laugh as Dara chased him.

Yetunde was a bit jealous of Dara. He was jealous of the confidence his younger cousin had to sit in the presence of adults and discuss only God knows what. That was the reason he tolerated Dara; his secret respect for him.

"Oh. Thank you Dara." He was already walking away before Mofe said,"um...Dara wait."

He turned to face her."Yeah?"

She gulped and,still looking at the ground, she said,"I know this may be a stupid question, but are you okay?"

Dara stayed still staring at her intently."You're correct. That is a very stupid question," he turned on his heel and turned away, leaving the image of his blue Minecraft themed hoodie in Mofe's mind.