(MTB) Meant To Be (A Nigerian Story)

28

The next day, around past 12, Kore came over again this time to pick Ayo and Itunu. As they got to the Palace, Ayo turned to Itunu who was playing game on her iPad and said in her stern voice,

"Mister man, make sure you behave yourself and do well to do everything I taught you, okay?"

"What did she teach you?" Kore asked.

Ayo asked, turning to him, "Ki la pe yin si?*"

Kore hissed then advised, "My dear, just be yourself okay? This is my second house. Do anyhow you like."

"Okay." Itunu answered.

Ayo turned to him asking, "Okay what?"

"Okay sir." Itunu said.

"Fist bump?" Kore asked and he and Itunu fist bumped then they got out the car.

As they walked in, Olori Adenike was sitting in the sitting room addressing a maid but as they both looked up, they were shocked. The maid was amazed at how wonderful and out-of-magazine the trio looked while Olori was shocked because of something else which made her thinking faculty to take a pause for some seconds before she said to the maid,

"I will talk to you later."

"Yes ma." The maid said and left.

Then Ayo and Itunu chorused, Ayo kneeling while Itunu prostrated, "Good afternoon ma."

"How are you my dear? And you must be Itunu?" Olori asked.

"Yes ma." Itunu answered.

Olori said stretching out her hands to him, "Come here. Come to Grandma."

He did and she placed him on her knees and said, "You have to tell me all about yourself and I will do the same. And then we will go make some cookies. Deal?"

"Deal!" Itunu replied smiling.

"Mummy, we nko?" Ayo asked.

"You and your husband should go and find something to do na." Olori said as she stood up and left with Itunu, hand in hand

"I like your Mum."

"Yeah. She is likable and good news is that she is now your mum too." Kore said before leading the way upstairs.

Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ

"Mummy, we are leaving ma." Ayo announced.

"Leavimg ke? You have not seen Kabiesi yet na." Olori said.

"We don't know when he will be back and it's going to get dark any moment from now." Ayo said.

"Yeah, that's true but wait small na." Olori convinced.

"Okay..." Ayo was saying when the man in question arrived himself and said,

"Alafia fun yin.*"

Olori said, standing up to hug him, "My dear, you came back at the right time. Ayo and Itunu were just announcing their departure."

"Mo mo rin niyen o*" Kabiesi said as he and his wife took their seat.

"Welcome Dad." Kore greeted as Kabiesi took his seat and nodded at him. Ayo also greeted kneeling down,

"Good evening sir."

"Good evening to you too my dear and who do we have here?"

Itunu greeted prostrating, "Kaaaaabiesi o! My name is Itunuoluwa Balogun."