Dear Uncle K,
I still remember the night you killed a scorpion that had almost stung me on the head while I was lying in the sitting room after dinner. From that moment, I always felt safe with you. You’ve always filled the gap of an older brother I never had. Whenever you were around, I felt relieved of the responsibility of looking after my five younger siblings.
Uncle K, we have come a long way as a family. We have endured painful experiences together and delighted in beautiful memories. I also recollect Christmas 2015, when we visited Mr. Biggs. You had recently gotten a bank job at Wema Bank. We enjoyed that December, and all went well. It was a tough time when you were laid off the following year due to downsizing. Mom kept saying it was “village people,” but what did I know?
That’s why I’m writing this letter now—because you mean so much to me, and I need to speak my mind. It was nice seeing you last week, and I am glad—though it seems delayed—that at almost 40, you have finally found a damsel who delights your heart. I could see how happy my mom—your elder sister—was. It has been a long time since they wished for this moment to happen, and they had almost given up.
I know how much they have troubled you in the past and the efforts they made. Do you remember when they brought Asake from the village for you to marry? You refused and stood your ground. She was beautiful and knew how to cook. I recollect she helped prepare the pounded yam we ate that day, and she did it well. But her command of English was not up to par for you, as a lecturer who had recently earned his Ph.D.
The main reason I am writing this letter is to talk about your fiancé—the one you brought home to showcase to us. I am sorry I didn’t say anything earlier during the family meeting. It’s because the matter is a serious one.
I understand you are old enough to make your choice and also you know what is best for you but I want you to keep an open heart to what I have to say.
I know Titi from our undergraduate days. Her hostel was just behind mine in Oshekita. I believe she gained admission into EKSU a year after me. She was even more beautiful back then—and, of course, younger. But Titi was wayward.
The first time I came across Titi was during a law dinner I attended with friends. The after-party was at a club, and I went along. I spotted Titi there. Boda mi, you needed to see what she was wearing—she was practically naked. You know I don’t like women like that but I was engrossed by what she was showcasing. I approached her, but she denied me access because I didn’t have her “bill” at hand. I went back to my fold and whispered to a friend, who later spoke to her and had her for the night.
Shortly after that day, I continued to see Titi being dropped off by different luxurious cars in front of her hostel. Most times, she was half-drunk, always carrying her small handbag and high heels in her hand.
It wasn’t surprising when she was exposed on an Instagram account that tagged wayward students. They said her code name was “Shawarma”—buy her one, and you could have her for one night.
I am writing all this because I couldn’t hold myself back from telling you the truth. My conscience won’t let me rest if I know the hideous past of your fiancé and fail to tell you. That said, people grow and change, and perhaps Titi has left her past behind. It’s been years since our university days, and she may have become a completely different person.
You must be desperate at your age and I know you can’t wait to get married and leave this bachelor life alone. I know you can’t wait to return home and have a woman remove your tie and serve you your food. But I want you to look back and think about it. You are 39, educated, a lecturer, is she worth it?
I know you are almost 40, and who knows when you will find another woman who will delight your heart like this one? But I felt it was my duty to tell you the truth, no matter how difficult it may be to hear.
All I want you to do is to weigh it and consider your options, go deep into her past life and arm yourself with information that you need.
You are my favorite uncle and this is to tell you that I will support you with whatever choice you make at the end of the day. Don’t bother to write back as we would be seeing each other at the birthday ceremony of grandpa this December. I love you so much. I want you to know that.
With love and respect,
Your Nephew