My New Home

Chapter Two

I haven’t travelled much in my entire twenty-five years of living. I had my Pre-primary, primary and secondary education in Kwara state, where my parents reside and I only moved to Ile-Ife for a four-years course in Theatre arts at Obafemi Awolowi University, Ile-ife.

I sometimes travel with my dad to Ekiti State for Eid Celebration and also accompany my mum to her home town in Ondo State, during New Year festivities. That totaled four states I’ve travelled and lived in, out of the thirty-six states in Nigeria. Though, I’ve always wished to visit and live in Lagos due to the numerous stories I’ve heard about the magical city.

I heard that it’s a cosmopolitan city that showcase the benefits of human diversity, it's a land full of opportunities and riches, where indigents become givers, streets are well illuminated that the night is as bright as the day, where you can get the best education, superb healthcare and a living standard so comfortable you’ll forget your home town.

Being privileged to live there with my spouse and raise my children in the well enabling environment so described is a dream come true, so, during our trip, apart from the wedding jitters, I can’t wait to get home and see for myself what had been engraved in our memory several times in decades.

Jamal was an amazing tour guide , he didn’t make my journey boring at all, he showed me several locations as we’re driving through and I’m as happy as a little kid high on sugar.

Five  hours later, Jamal informed me that we’re in Lagos State, Berger to be precise, although, he’s been showing me some places that he said were parts of  Lagos State, places like Mowe, Ibafo, Kara and the likes but I chose to start viewing Lagos from Berger to do my expectation some justice.

Finally, we reached home, then, alighted from the car and we stalled a little bit. The estate in which the house was located was around Amuwo area and I was told that most of the buildings in the area is government owned including ours.
so, we don’t have to pay rent since it has been sold to the owners.

The areas consisted of several blocks of flat, mostly two-story’s each in which my in-law owns two of the flat at the top floor.

After about ten minutes of sitting idly while quivering on the inside, some women came out and flanked me on either side as we made our way towards the entrance. Their neighbors stared unashamedly and even gave creepy smiles and waves.

On getting to the entrance, we removed our shoes and chorused Salam while everyone within reciprocated.

My mum in-law, Hakeemah Mahmood but popularly called Iya ewe (mother of children ), due to her fondness of children, moved forward and showered me with praises, thereafter she gave me water to perform ablution.

At the conclusion of my ablution I was shown the way to my room and on getting there, I sat on the single sofa that was available in the bedroom. I looked around and seeing no familiar faces, I immediately felt nostalgic. Soon, three ladies entered and sat on the bed probably to keep me company while I could hear the shuffling of feet of people moving up and down. I wondered what they were still doing after all, the party was over.

The first lady that I guessed to be the eldest introduced herself as Ameera, the second, Qoriah, while the third is Faria, I recalled Faria’s face, she is Jamal’s younger sibling and a very jovial person, judging by the little I know of her.

“Iyawo (wife), Faria began, don’t be shy, feel free to mingle with us and please don’t ever feel left out. As you can see, this is a very large family and it’s always fun in here. You’ll love us so much you’ll wish you married into our family sooner”.

Ameerah continued, “Faria has said it all, in fact you’re going to love me the most because I just understand everyone and how to relate with them".

Qoriah interrupted, “Hmmn they’ve started again with the stories of their perfect life”

“No, that’s not what I mean”, Ameerah argued.

“What do you mean then”? Qoria challenged.

Ameera glared at Faria, “facing me she continued, don’t mind her, she could be a brat at times”

They continued their back and forth banter but I’m still glad they were able to keep me company. Eventually, they brought a meal of jollof rice with beef and chilled water. My stomach growled immediately I saw the tray of food and I realized I’m famished.

After setting down the food tray, I dig in and ate to my fill while my companion put on the tele to watch a program.

My tray was cleared and I was called later to take my bath in the ensuing bathroom. After bathing, I had a change of clothes.

When I got back, the trios have left and I was alone again. I gave a huge yawn as it’s already night time and I’m totally spent, Jamal entered the bedroom at that moment with a sly smile on his lips.

“What’s that smile for, and where have you been?” I queried.

“I saw our guests off and about the smile, he paused dramatically, I’m happy and it’s showed in my expression”

“Oh! I mumbled how I wish it’s we women that marry the groom to our home and not the other way round and you would have realized how lonely I felt”.

“Moving with you isn’t the problem but staying with your parents? Thank you very much, I would rather stay single”.

“My family isn’t that horrible, but I get where you’re coming from”.

“Of course Fatee, your family isn’t very accommodating”. I rolled my eyes at this.

  “I’m sorry about that, he apologized. They are your new family anyway. You’ll get used to them one way or the other”

“Aren’t you tired?” He asked.

“Do you need to even ask?”

“Alright, let me take my bath and join you so we can...". He deliberately left the sentence incomplete and winked." "Hope you’ve observed your Salat because I’ve done mine”.

“Of course, i lied”.
I’m too exhausted to pray and i can do that tomorrow. I thought.

“Alright then, I will join you in a few”.

He closed the door and went for his bath. I stood up from the sofa and changed into my night clothes ready for sleep. Jamal soon finished his bathing and changed also. We moved towards the bed and said some prayers which I repeated after him.

Thereafter, we put off the light and went to sleep. That was until….
Jamaal turned me back to face him.

“We can go to sleep yet, we have a major task ahead if you get what I mean”.  *wink*

The house was still a bit noisy but I soon forget about my surroundings and enjoyed the bliss.