Vagrants

Chapter 12

I freshened up and joined the women in the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Throughout the cooking, they were talking about me and Damba.

"If only Jide was as romantic." Aunty Kemi sighed. "I'd have more than one child."

"We didn't do anything, Aunty." I shook my head.

"But you were sha on the same bed." Mother gave me a look.

"And nothing happened. Our fingers didn't even touch." I reminded her.

"It would have if we arrived later." Mother hissed.

"Ahh! Mummy!" Abisola shook her head. "Nothing happened now. And you saw it for yourself."

"And so what? You know you cannot trust boys these days. He didn't touch her on purpose so he would get on our good side and after that..." Mother started saying.

"But Mummy, were you not complimenting him yesterday?" I asked.

"Ehn," Mummy hissed. "That's yesterday. Today I've seen his true colors." Mother looked away.

Aunty Kemi who had been busy chopping onions decided to interfere. "It is like you don't trust your daughter?"

Mother kept quiet as we all watched her and awaited her reply.

"Kinni?" What? She was obviously irked by the way we were staring at her.

"We are waiting for you." Aunty Kemi answered.

"For what? See the rice has boiled over." Mother said.

We all turned to look at the pot of rice on the gas cooker. When we saw nothing, we turned back to ask mother what she was talking about but she was already gone.

"Mummy!" We all laughed and returned to preparing breakfast.

*

We were all at the dining table, eating while Aunty Kemi and Abisola were chatting and I was so sure it was about myself and Damba.

"What are you two talking about?" Uncle Jide asked.

"Ahh! It is Ade..." Aunty Kemi said and I cut her off.

"The food is spicy, I know."

"It is not that..." Abisola took another spoonful of food.

"You were saying something about Adeola. What was it?" Mother asked.

"Oh! I was the one that fried the stew and now I'm saying it is spicy." I faked a laugh.

"Are you trying to change the topic?" Mother glared at me.

"No, not at all. Why would I?"

Mother gave me a 'If I catch you' warning look and continued with her food.

Days later...

Myself and Damba were preparing to go to Abuja as planned. Mother had spoken to and given me an earful the day before. She warned me about all sorts of indecencies and told me to remember the daughter of who I am.

"Maami," Mother. I had laughed. "Don't worry. You'd always be proud of me."

"Sha don't do anything foolish."

"Yes ma." Mother and I shared a brief hug then and I promised her to always be good.

The present day, Damba was busy talking over the phone as Uncle Jide watched him. They both were having a conversation before Damba's phone rang. I was sitting in a corner of the living room scrolling on my phone as usual, when Abisola came to sit with me.

"Adeola," She called out.

"Hmm?"

"You are enjoying oh."

"How?" I raised a brow.

"Stop pretending like you don't know." Abisola pulled a face.

"What now? I really don't know." I shrugged.

"First, you got lucky with a four-year course and then you quickly did your Nysc..."

I laughed. "That's because we are on different paths now. You like Medicine and..."

"And you are having your honeymoon before marriage."

Aunty Kemi and Mother who were watching T.V, turned to look at us. I could see mother's eyes screaming. 'Don't go with him. What will people think?'

I had to do something to clear the air so I laughed. "Ha-ha. You this girl, I'm only going to meet his family, nothing more."

Abisola opened her mouth to say something but Mother stopped her.

"The boy got to know us and so we should give Adeola a chance of doing the same. Don't you think?"

I was surprised that this was coming from Mother but I didn't think too much about it. I was happy that she finally cleared her doubts about Damba. This was a huge relief and I can go with Damba in peace and without any worries.

"But still," Aunty Kemi sighed. "In my own days, all these were not allowed. So I support Abisola saying that Adeola is enjoying."

Sometimes, I wish to shut both my sister and aunt up. They are the ones that keep stirring up nasty ideas in my Mother's head with their constant teasing.

"Alright thank you." I forced a smile. "Please watch your movie."

"Ah-Ahn." Aunty Kemi hissed. "Are you trying to shut me up?"

I really wanted to keep her from talking so badly that I almost wanted to throw my phone at her.

"No oh." I laughed. "Me ke? Why will I do that? I have good home training now."

"Yes, that's true." Mother sighed. "Hopefully, you'd keep that in mind when you go with him."

Mother has started doubting Damba again. I won't even say anything to convince her. I'll prove myself after the trip.

"Yes ma."