The Perfection in Love - Part One

Chapter 3 - Quintessential Overbearing

Mrs. Irene Johnson took another bite of her fried rice. Just like everything else in this house, it was amazing. She looked over at her son-in-law and her daughter. It was obvious to anyone with eyes that Oyinkan loved him. But did he love her like she deserved to be loved?

"This fried rice is really good, Oyinkan."

Oyinkan looked up and smiled. "Thanks, mom."

"Is this shrimp you put in it?"

Oyinkan smiled again. "No, mom. I used diced chicken breast instead because of Daddy. I didn't forget that he does not like seafood."

Dele chuckled from beside Irene. "Ose, oyin mi. You know how your mom is."

Irene pursed her lips and said nothing in response. Oyin will not be there when Dele started complaining of upset stomach in the middle of the night, yet Irene was the quintessential overbearing mother for asking.

Irene suppressed a sigh. It was just safer to change the subject.

"Your house is very beautiful. Pictures and Whatsapp video-calling do not do it justice. How many bedrooms?" Irene asked.

Oyinkan looked to Henry to answer. His face reddened instantly.

"Five bedrooms, ma'am." he replied.

Irene narrowed her eyes infinitesimally. There was something about Henry that rubbed her the wrong way, something she could not put her finger on. Oh, she was sure that he liked Oyinkan—at least enough to marry her. But she did not trust him, did not trust his intentions. She decided that she would be watching him very carefully on this trip. She had to. No one else was.

"Hmm" was all she said out loud in response to Henry.

Next to her, Dele narrowed his eyes at her response and spoke up. "So, how is work going, Henry?"

"Quite well, sir." His face slowly began to return to its natural color. "I might be up for a promotion soon."

"Oh, that is good news!"

Dele then turned to Oyinkan accusingly. "You didn't tell us, Oyinkan. We would have been praying along with you."

Henry face reddened, again. There and then, Irene decided that she really didn't like the color red.

Oyinkan's eyes flashed, but she said nothing and just shrugged.

Henry looked at his wife. "I hadn't told Oyin just yet. I just found out recently."

Dele continued. "Oh, that's okay." He waved his hand in the air in a dismissing manner. "These women, they always want us to be telling them everything all the time. What if we forget?" He said with a conspiratorial grin.

Irene harrumphed.

Ose o, Dele. She thought sarcastically.

"There is a reason for that and you know it. How would you like it if the tables were turned?" Irene asked her husband.

Dele leaned closer to Henry, as if to whisper, but not really. "Another thing that they do very well: guilt tripping."

Irene glared at her husband. She wanted to pull him by the ear away from the table.

What was he thinking?

Dele glanced at her with mirth-filled eyes. "Oh no. I recognize that look."

Irene knew her husband was just joking. It was his nature—a trait that Oyinkan inherited. But not in front of Henry. He did not need another reason to disrespect her.

Just then, she felt a gentle stirring in her spirit, as if the Lord were saying: When has he ever disrespected you?

She ignored the feeling. It didn't matter whether it had already happened. The point was that it was bound to happen. Henry couldn't help it if he tried; he wouldn't know respect even if it slapped him in the face.

***

Irene turned the television off and lay back down on the bed. It was almost ten p.m., but sleep eluded her. She had to sleep. Oyinkan had told them after dinner that they had to be in church by 9am. She and Henry had responsibilities in the church and so, they had to be there about 30 minutes before services. She tried to get more comfortable, but she still couldn't sleep. It wasn't the bed—it was probably the plushest bed she had ever slept on. But she still couldn't sleep.

She decided to get some warm milk. Maybe that would help her sleep. She came out of the rather large room and walked into the short hallway. The house truly was gorgeous and big! So big, she and Dele basically had an apartment of sorts to themselves. She was grateful that her daughter would get to live a comfortable life, but she didn't like that it came with Henry. He...just wasn't good enough for her.

Irene padded down the long hall that seemed to go on forever. Just as she was beginning to think she should have paid more attention when Oyin had given them a tour of the house, she heard voices. Apparently, Henry and Oyinkan were still awake. She strained to hear what they were saying.

"...ever." Henry said.

"Babe, I know. Okay? I get it. But we are supposed to be a team." Oyinkan said.

"I know."

"When you feel affronted, I want to know. Whatever you're feeling, I want to know, especially if I can help."

Henry said something that Irene did not catch.

"Did you just find out today?" Oyinkan asked, in a slightly raised voice that Irene knew meant she was getting angry. Oyinkan was a very levelheaded person, and she did not get angry easily. She had always said that anger was not worth all the energy that it took her to express it.

"Yeah."

"That's just very convenient." She spat.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"My parents get here and all of a sudden, Olive is coming here too?"

"Oyin, there is more than enough space for everyone."

"That's not the point and you know it. She is in love with you. Forgive me for not wanting her in my matrimonial home."

Irene's eyes widened.

"Oyin, you are blowing this way out of proportion. We've been best friends since we were in diapers. She is not in love with me. I told you, she is basically my sister."

"Is she now?"

"Babe..."

"Henry don't "babe" me. Anyone with eyes can see that she loves you. I told you I was not comfortable with you guys' relationship and you said she will not be around that much."

"Oyin, I have not seen her since our wedding which was a year ago!"

There was a long silence, and Irene feared they might come out of the kitchen and discover that she had been eavesdropping.

Making an about turn, she tiptoed back to her room.

Irene did not find sleep until 3am.

EndNotes:

Ose, oyin mi – Thank you, my Oyin (honey).

Ose o, Dele - Thank you, Dele