BEFORE DECEMBER
Chapter 5
…..it’s been 45minutes I left mom and Edos together,I wondered what they where still talking about,,,,mom was busy laughing like it’s been ages they’ve known each other.i had my bath and changed into something simple,but they were still talking,,,after about an hour,Edos drove off.”Imela Imela,Imela okankan,Imela chineke,Imela oyenoma”,she sang with all joy as she walked to me…my daughter, God is wonderful, good is great, he’s awesome,he has a way of putting smiles on her faces,,just when I had thought our journey to the airport to see that stupid Jackson was a waste, God sent this handsome looking Bobo from the ancient city,chai chineke, Chimamanda,do you know that he is from obodoyinbo,and he actually wants a well trained girl to settle down with, he’s 38,I like him already,I am certain he would make a wonderful husband and a great inlaw, mom,what are you saying,how can you be talking about wedding, husband and son in-law ,for a guy we met less than 2hours….
See Amanda,you don’t need to be with someone for enternity to know them,I have seen the young man,and I like him.
He likes you by the way,,I have told him everything there is to know about you,from your conception to this very day, mom are you for real,so that was what you were busy discussing there with him,,, of course Chimamanda,I was marketing my daughter,since she isn’t ready to do that herself…
Listen Amanda, that young man will make a perfect husband,you don’t have to miss this chance,mother,so you think dressing nicely,wearing good perfumes,being eloquent in speech,is what makes a perfect husband….of course,,,I have been married for 38years now,so I should know husband material when I see one,Edos is a nice person,very nice actually….
Well mother,we have different definition about how to perceive a good husband material, excuse me mom,please I have to do something inside…
The next day ,I can back from work late as usual,only for me to meet Edos in my house,he was with my parents,and they were gisting and laughing like they’ve been family friends since forever,, goodevening mom, good evening dad,omalicha,you are welcome, welcome my daughter mother and father said,, goodevening gorgeous,,,you are welcome,I was looking at him in such a manner that questions what are you doing here,I didn’t respond to his greeting,,, Chimamanda,are you not the one the young man is greeting,dad asked?,I didn’t say a word,,,I bought these for you,he stretched out his hand and tried handling me a bag,but my hands remained by my side, mother collected the bag from him,and handed over to me,you don’t have to be rude,she said,,I took the bag,and dragged Edos outside,
what are you doing here for Christ sake, I thought you were going to Benin today,,of course,I was supposed to go to Benin today,but certain things can wait,while others can’t,,,,I would rather be in Lagos with you, than going to Benin without you,I can see you have gone mad,of course my dear,madly in love with you sweetie,I just stayed to see your lovely face,it’s late, I’d like to head to my hotel,, before I could hand him the bag ,he had turned and left…
Opening the bag,I saw,most of my favorite stuffs,my favourite perfume,my favorite kind of watch,my favorite jewelries and other things, obviously mom had given a full download about me to this young man,I took the bag and went inside,mom, what’s the meaning of all these,what kind of embarrassment is this,so you gave Edos my biography,oh shut up and be grateful,see the way you are treating a young man who postponed his tripe for you,it is obvious you have sworn not to get married,I am doing my best to make sure you get a husband,and you are doing your best to make sure you die single,what really is your problem,do you think you are getting younger,you are 34, almost 35,you should be thankful to God and I,for making you meet someone like Edos,
Mother,i shall get married,but certainly not like this,I don’t want to make any mistake,I have waited long,I do not want to marry wrong,and so you think I your mother will mislead you right,mother,I am not saying you will mislead me,but you are letting the interest of hosting a wedding,make you forget about marriage, wedding and marriage are two different things,I do not want to rush into any relationship, God’s time is the besttt,will you keep quiet,are exactly are you rushing things,you are rather too slow for my liking,you ought to have been in your own home long ago,and you are here saying you are rushing things,,,now listen young woman,if you allow Edos slip through your fingers with these lackadaisical attitude of yours,you will see the other side of your mother you never knew existed…..
My parent wouldn’t allow me drink water and keep the cup because of Edos,I decided to give it a shot,and at least be open minded to him,while I pray.Edos comes to pick me up every morning to work,and he comes to get me after closing,infact,he was always there before our closing time,he buys me things,and took me to all the places I enjoy going, this wasn’t hard for him to know ,since mom had told him all I like.he was into buying and selling,he buys goods from outside the country and sell in Lagos and Benin,he has big shops in both state,he sales electronics and every home appliances,the young man was doing well for himself…..
It’s been two weeks we started going out,when he took me on a very romantic dinner,and asked me to marry him,I was very shocked to hear those words,I had a mixed feeling,I was happy I had heard someone asked me this great question, on the other hand,the fear of not knowing much about him,his personal life and family,the only thing he told me was he’s into buying and selling,and that he had two shops in both states,but I had never visited any,,I didn’t know what to say,he was still a stranger kind of…..
But according to mom, husbands and wives,were ones strangers to each other..
I also knew my parents would not allow me have peace should they hear I rejected a proposal,I was looking straight in his eyes not knowing the exact words to tell him.
Written by
Rejoice Igbinovia Aluyi
