(MTB) Meant To Be (A Nigerian Story)

4

     After Ayo explained all what Kore suggested to her grandmother, she said,

"What do you want?"

"Well, I don't know. I want to go back to school. I also want to provide for Itunu. Who is going to stay with you?"

"Ayodunmomi, just as you came alone to this world, that's the same way I came. Mind your own business. Let's assume you go to this school, you get a good work and a good man, you will still come back to take care of me, even more than you are doing now. I want the best for you. I will suggest you go but to clear every of our doubts, we can check with his parents at the palace."

"Okay Mama."

"And you need to inform your Dad about it."

"Do I?"

"You know you do. It's not his fault that the woman he calls a wife is a wicked being. Call him and inform him now."

Ayo brought out her phone and called her father. Her mother died at childbirth and she had had to live with her grandmother since then but when she wanted to start her OND, she had to move in with her father and his new wife and her step-siblings. The new wife immediately made it known that she wasn't welcomed and it was quite heartbreaking but her Grandmother's words were what kept her strong till she got pregnant.

Her father did not like the idea of her going with a bachelor to the city all in the name of studying and he made it clear.

Her grandmother told her to keep calm that she would talk to her father which she did the next day.

"Hello Maami*."

"Ayinde, Bawo ni (how are you)?"

"I am fine Maami. How are you too ma?"

"I am doing well o. How is my wife and your children?"

"They are all fine."

"Okay, not to waste your time, I wanted to talk to you about Ayodunmomi."

"What has she done this time?"

"Stop that, Ayinde. She has done nothing wrong. She told you about the Prince who is willing to sponsor her education, didn't she?"

"Maami, how can you even let her think that? The man obviously wants to sleep with her. Very soon she will be pregnant and this time I will completely wash my hands off her."

"Ayinde, you forget the person in question is a matured woman who has a son already."

"But she is still my daughter."

"Not all men who want to help a woman wants to impregnate them and I feel this is a rare opportunity. I want us to support her in her decision to go back to school."

"Maami, are you sure about this?"

"Yes and I want you to go to the palace with me so we can thank the Kabiesi and his family."

"Maami, you know I am always busy over here?"

"Too busy for your daughter? Ayinde, you know you are the only one she has. Do you think Funke would be happy with you if you can not act as her father?"

"Maami! Okay, I will come over in two days time."

"I will be expecting you."

"Okay ma."

"Send my greetings to your wife and my children. Take care. O dabo (Bye)." She said and ended the call then proceeded to go on with the chore she was doing before she remembered she had to call her son.

Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ

Somewhere in the palace, Olori* Adenike approached her younger son who was working from his laptop and he put it aside to listen to his Mother.

"Adekorede mi*, you told me you wanted to inform me about something important yesterday night. What is it?"

"Yes Mum, that's true. I totally forgot." Kore said tapping his forehead then he explained,

"I met a lady the day I came into town. I was fortunate to get her contact and get close to her and I want to sponsor her education."

"Adekorede, so, you have been eyeing our town's maidens and you didn't tell me?"

"Mum, that's not what I said. Nobody is eyeing anybody. This is simply a platonic arrangement. She wants to go to school. I have the money. Why don't I send her?"

"And who is this so-called Lady?"

"Her name is Ayodunmomi Bankole. I think she sells fruit in the market. She lives with her grandmother at the turning before this one."

"Ah ah ah, I know the girl you are talking about. Adekorede, that girl is after one nao?"

"Mum, what is after one again?"

"She has one child already. A child that does not have a father at that."

"Mum, are you judging?" Kore asked, getting irritated already.

"No o. I am just trying to look out for you."

"It's fine. I just wanted to inform you. She might go with me to Lagos and live in my house if her folks accept."

"Live in your house? Adekorede, are you sure there is nothing between the two of you?"

"Mum, if there was, I would have told you."

"And are you sure this girl will not stab you in the back later? Because helping someone these days is hard o."

"Mum, I will be fine. I am doing my own for God. If she thinks or do otherwise then it's between she and God."

"Okay. God will help us. He will continue to bless you as you lift others up."

"Amen." Kore said to her prayer and she left him alone to go do something else.

Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ

Hello Boos and Baes,

Four is up!

Starred Words

Maami - My mother

Olori - Queen

Adekorede mi - My Adekorede

It looks like Ayo and Itunu will be going to Lagos, what do you think about that?

Leave me a comment, let me know what you think.

PS: In Nigeria, as a man, your mother, relatives and friends can refer to your wife as their wife because it is believed especially in the Yoruba tribe that when a woman marries a man, she also marries everyone in the family this becoming their wife but of course, the man is the only one that performs the husband duties 😂.