Just from an African Home.
Welcome back great minds.
Been together with family is the most happiest of my life that I can never afford to miss out.
To lose waking up every morning
To see familia at my side eating together, working together
Being compatible, talking endlessly with ceaseless laughter and being forever.
The house of Banga was a very big building, magnificent and lovely. I could have called it a skyscraper but nah, we don't have much of that in Africa. This is so awesome. As we stepped in through the reception, it seemed they had been expecting us because all relatives and neighbors, staff had assembled.
"Good morning or Otutu Oma(in my local dialect) they said.
I was amused. Early that day before Enoch came, I had woke up, cleaned everywhere, dusted, swept. I did my house environmental. Enoch later came a few minutes after I finished dressing and came to meet him in the living room, and he looked up at me admiringly.
"You are so nice," he had said.
"Thank you," I said.
He stood up and walked up to me.
"Do you know what?" he said.
"What?" I asked.
"I like your outfits," he said.
That made me smile satisfactorily, and he gave me a soft tap on my left shoulder.
Back at the company, I looked at Enoch, using my eyes to tell him what this meant. He just shrugged his shoulders.
"They are greeting you," he whispered to me.
"Ahm, thank you," I said with a smile.
"We are very happy to meet you, ma," one young man said.
"I'm pleased to meet you all too," I said, not feeling shy anymore.
"And we really congratulate you for being a hero in this family," said one lady also.
"It's a pleasure," I said, bowing to them myself.
"Congratulations, sir, " they all chorused.
"Thank you," I said.
I was shown round the offices, each department and machinery. It was all so lovely. Enoch took me to his office last. It was big and very beautiful. Indeed, a boss's office.
"Do you know what I said when I sat on his chair and he at the chair in front of the big table facing me?" he asked.
"What?" he asked.
"I don't really know much of electronics," I said.
And he smiled.
"Though we did some practicals in physics about electricity and all that, but well, not really good about this vehicle and car parts," I said.
"You are an Agriculturist," he said. "So why would you know all what is done in the engineering world?"
"But I ought to know," I said.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because I will soon be part of you, and I must feature in some things that pertains to you," I said.
He nodded.
"I will teach you," he said.
"I think I ought to learn more," I said and stood. I walked round the office.
"I like it," I said. "It suits you perfectly."
He just smiled.
He stood up too and sat at the table.
"Do you know what?" he asked.
"What?" I replied.
"Dad is already expecting us," he said.
"Oh, really?" I asked.
"Uhm, yes," he nodded.
"Then we should go," I said.
"Yes, we should be on our way now," he said.
The house too was enormously beautiful with big trees and flowers, a garden, swimming pool, a shed, the gateman's lounge, and what have you. Enoch was a replica of his dad. Mr. Arogunmaja was very happy to see me. He said I was beautiful, very lovely, and an amazing young woman. He also said Enoch takes after him in everything, not only his intelligence, braveness, and being very industrious, but also having a very good taste like him.
And that was when he spoke of Enoch's mother.
He shook his head.
"Too bad my wife is not able to see you. She would have spoilt you like anything," he said. "She would have been so full of joy to the brim of having such a wonderful daughter-in-law."
We left there with laughs, smiles, and hugs.
Enoch told me in the car on our way back that we should have a drink at the Atlantic restaurant. The wine brought a smile to my lips.
"I also have a confession to make," he said.
"Confession?" I said and giggled. "It's not as if I'm the messiah"
We both laughed.
"Funny you. That's not what am talking about," he said.
"What?" I asked, still laughing at my own joke.
"Uhmm, the carnival," he said.
"The carnival at Egbado at Abeokuta?" I asked.
"What?" I said, widening my eyes.
"Carnival," he said. "Yes, I and my parents once lived at Abeokuta. It was after Mom's death that we came to our house in Lagos."
"So you saw me that time?" I said. "Why don't you come and meet me for friendship?"
"I want to, but I did a very big and terrible mistake that night, and that's what I want to confess now," he said.
I prepared myself now for this confession. He came out like a banger.
"I am the one that threw a knockout at your ankle on the night of the carnival," he said.
As soon as he said this, my hand slipped away from the glass of wine and splashed on the restaurant tiled floor. The people there looked at our direction.
"Am sorry, Jolaade. At least I should have come to apologise at your grandma's place then," he said.
"Why don't you come?" I asked, looking at the glass shattered on the floor.
"I was so scared. I don't know what you could do or your grandma or your cousins could," he said.
"Ayobami too was there?" I asked.
"Yes, and two of our other friends," he said. "Ayo didn't know it was you. If he had known, he wouldn't have proposed friendship. He was as scared as I was too, and we all felt guilty for not apologizing even though we were told to, but am so scared. Jolaade, am very sorry. It was unintentional."
"You did it unintentionally?" I asked, looking up at him now.
"Yes, I was just throwing it for fun. It was New Year's Eve, so..."
"It's okay," I said.
"I really tried to want to apologize that night, but your screaming made me take race, and my friends too followed suit, and besides, you were with your siblings and cousins. They may abuse us, and I have abuses," he said.
I laughed.
I drew out my leg to him to see my ankle where he had thrown the knockout. There was no sign to be seen there.
"Did you see that?" I said. "Not even a little mark. It's erased, so I have forgiven you, but I just used to remember sometimes."
"If you have forgiven, you shouldn't be remembering again," he said. "Does it really come from your heart?"
"Uhm, I nodded," I said.
He took my hand and kissed it.
"You are lovely," he said.
I smiled.
"Is Ayobami still unaware?" I asked.
"He is aware," he said.
I raised my eyebrows at him.
"But you said he doesn't know am the one, or else we won't be friends," I said.
"Yes, that was then, not now," he said.
"Since when?" I asked.
"Two days ago," he said.
"But we talked two days ago," I said.
"After you finished speaking to him," he said.
"Hmm," I said.
The next day in my shop, when I was busy sewing away some clothes and also measuring customers, two federal government officials were sent to my shop and brought forms for me to sign. They were two. Which, when I saw, was the C of O (certificate of ownership) of acquiring a land. I was so happy to the brim that I signed the two forms with my hands shaking for joy. When I asked the officials about how it came about, they said the federal government rewards me for a job well done, and the other land someone bought it for me.
Someone? Who could that be? Or is it Enoch? I called Enoch when they left, and I was surprised when he told me he knows about it. I asked how, and he told me he will see me soon. I sat down and thought if it is really his handiwork. We are getting married in four months' time, and he should have told me if he wants to do any of this. He arrived in the late afternoon and told me to pack.
"Why?" I asked.
"We are going somewhere," he said.
"Why did you buy the land for me?" I asked.
"You asked too many questions, Jolaade," he said.
"The federal government also gave me a land," I said.
"The federal government?" he said, surprised.
"Uhm, really?" he asked.
"Uhm, wow! that's lovely. So what are you planning to do with that?" he asked.
"Farming," I said.
"The two?" he asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Lovely. Too much food for Africa," I said.
He smiled and came near me.
Thanks for reading through.
All images are mine.