CONTINUATION. . . Coming To Lagos. . Ep 8.
“So tell me, what did three days in Lagos do to my daughter?” My mother’s question startled me.
“Mother, have you been standing here for long?” I asked surprised.
“I don’t know if I stood for long but I know I saw you blushing so hard at whatever you two were discussing. So tell me. Is he the one?”
“Mummy stop nau. We just became friends. ”
“Only friends?” Mother kept insisting.
“What do you want to hear, mother? Yes, only friends. Biko leave my room o.”
“I know that face o. You can’t deceive me. You like him?”
“I don’t know, mum. He’s really nice and I like his personality.”
“So you like him?” My mother asked sitting on my bed.
“I’m scared it’s infatuation.” I replied honestly.
“Hmm. I understand. Don’t be pressured to rush things. Yes, I want you to get married quickly but I wouldn’t want you to end up with the wrong man but I just accept him. When I heard him speak over the phone, he sounded so warm and responsible. I’ll need his number.”
“For what, mama?”
“To thank him again. Give me that phone jare.” She picks my phone from the bed and leaves my room. I lay on my bed and began to imagine what my life will be like when I get to Lagos. And then it occurred to me, I haven’t spoken to Anita since then. She had sent a text message still apologising. I really don’t hold a grudge against her but I don’t want to speak to her either.
I don’t know how long I laid staring at the ceiling till I slept off. A very long sleep and I had a very weird dream. I saw Anita calling out for my help. She was trying to stretch her hands to me but I was beckoning on her to come. I realised her feet was stuck to something like a mud which made moving impossible for her then I woke up.
I stretched my hands round my pillow fetch my phone, turning on the screen it was 7:25am.
“Jesus!!”
My mother comes hurrying into my room. “What is it, Ble?”
“Why didn’t you wake me mummy? You turned off my alarm and put my phone in silence right?”
“I wanted you to rest. You know when you start living in Lagos you will start waking up by 5am and coming home late because of traffic. So use this few days to sleep very well.” My mother answered. “Are you laughing? Am I not saying the truth?”
“Who told you all that?” I inquired as I checked my phone to see a missed call and text from Samuel.
“Don’t ask me o. Freshen up let me prepare breakfast.”
I quickly open the text and couldn’t help but smile. He sure knows how to make someone feel special.
“It’s such a bright day, not as bright as your glow and smile. Good morning, sunshine.”
“What is she smiling at?”
“Mother!! Stop spying on me.”
I could have sent a text in reply to his text but I decided to call.
“My day is already beautiful to receive your call as the first call of the day.”
“Oh please.” I giggle and continued. “I believe you slept well, Sammy.”
“I didn’t. Whenever I closed my eyes I couldn’t get your image off my mind and Freda didn’t make it any better.”
“That reminds me. How’s my angel?”
“She’s doing well. She has been asking after you. Imagine what she said to me yesterday but it’s not her fault really.”
“Tell me. What did she say?” I asked curiously because I have come to know Freda as a smart kid who asks shocking questions. Not after what she said the last time.
“I won’t tell you till you’re back.” He replied knowing fully well I wanted to hear what she said. “And yes about the house. I checked it out and it’s really good. How will you go about the payment?”
“You said you’ll send the account number for payment.”
“Oh about that. We’ll talk about it when you arrive. Don’t forget to call me whenever you’re to leave the park.”
We ended our phone conversation and I told mum what he said.
“What is that young man’s occupation?” Mother asked.
“I just know he has about three shops in one market in Lagos. His sister once told me he ships in container from China.”
“Ahh. Importer and exporter?” Mother exclaims. “If he pays for that house, you must refund the money to him.”
“I will, mother.” I agreed.
The few days I had to spend with mummy before I would leave for Lagos was memorable and stress-free. She kept insisting that she wouldn’t want me to start stressing from Abia before I start my life in Lagos.
From the little experience I had that I shared with her, she took it really serious.
We went to the market together to get some clothes and a few items including a new travelling bag.
“So my daughter will leave me for Eko.” Mother said on the night before the day I will leave.
“Mother, you know it’s not like that. I need to make money so that I can take care of you very well.”
“It’s well with you, my daughter. Eko will favour you in Jesus name.”
“Amen, mother.”
“But be careful of those Lagos men o. I heard that many of them are womanisers and even yahoo boys. Please, be careful. And one more thing. . .”
“What is it mum?” I asked.
“Be careful with Samuel but don’t hold back too. Try and see where this will lead you two.”
“Don’t tell me you are seeing a vision o.”
One thing I never knew was that mummy and Samuel has been communicating behind me and I don’t know what Samuel must have told my mother.
I woke up by 5am the next morning, freshened up as mother poured prayers upon prayers on me.
“Evil men will not see you. Married men will not see you. All unserious men shall pass over you. You shall succeed in Eko. Lagos shall favour you. Your oga will like you that he’ll keep giving you promotion upon promotion.”
At some point, I opened one eyes to see my mother seriously praying with her two hands on my head.
“Blessing, I’m not hearing your amen o.”
“Amenn!!” I shouted.
“The Lord is going ahead of you. Go well, my daughter. Don’t forget to call me when your bus move o.”
“Yes, ma.”
“And don’t forget to be calling me o.” She reemphasized after saying same thing last night.
“I have heard you, mum. I’ll be going now so that I can join the first bus to enable me reach Lagos in good time.” Mother walks me to the gate and adds.
“Don’t forget to call Samuel too.”
“Mummyyy!!!!!”
To be continued. . .
