Episode 8
'Toun, I'm very sorry. I am so sorry for the way I acted yesterday. Its just that you got me really worried and the thought of you being with another man just drives me crazy' he said soberly. Is it just me or am I listening to another psychopath? Did he just say him seeing me with another guy drives him crazy? This guy is going to be really possessive.
'Sit down', I offered him a seat in front of the house. My Mum was peeking out of the window. I could sense it. Is it not my mother?
'Thank you', he muttered then continued 'I was just very paranoid. I told you to call me, you didn't. I called your number, ot was not going through. I left several good mails, no response from you. I was just freaking out. Then you spoke about a guy waiting for you at your house about 10pm in the night...I...it just..it just sounded somehow to me. I felt you were with him and don't want me to feel bad about you dropping me that was why you came up with the story of him beating you. I am really sorry. I spoke to Tiara and she explained everything to me. I am so sorry I did not believe you Toun. I'm so sorry', he said.
Brief moment of silence. I was staring at him but I wasn't looking at him. My stare held different patterns of thoughts as well as questions seeking to be answered. My mouth refused to open, my throat wouldn't give way.
'Toun...', he said slowly looking at me carefully.
'I...I'm sorry. Are you done?', I answered. He was obviously upset but he just had to remain calm cos well...he came here to beg. His eyes gave a statement like, 'Its not your fault, na me fall in love '
'Yes I'm done', he finally said. I was feeling quite uneasy and just wanted to leave. The evening wind was becoming too cool for me and my shorts weren't helping at all. My headache was also gradually coming back and I was starting to hold my head.
'Can I go now?', I asked politely after a few quiet seconds...or minutes. His eyes were filled with surprise. He couldn't hide it, he wasn't good at it.,
'Is your phone working now?', he asked. I got up and said nothing. Just as i was about opening the door, he said, 'I'll call you later'. I ignored him, opened the door and found in front of me, my mother. I gave her a really disappointing look and sigh. Was she eavesdropping on our conversation?
'Adetoun Sheila...', I was about to hear the story of my life. African parents, particularly Yoruba mothers don't just call your full name for nothing. Whenever they do, its about to go down for real. '...you know I like this estate of yours. They don't just let anybody inside, except such a persons name is on your visitors list or they call you...'
'Mum, what are you getting at?', I cut her short
'Who's that guy? Is he your boyfriend? You did not even introduce him to me. Is this how he comes to your house? If I wasn't here now, I'm sure he would have slept here'
'Mum stop! Please! Segun is not my boyfriend', saying this, I went upstairs.
'Just don't get pregnant o you this child. You are almost 25 now. What is wrong with you? Don't you want to get married? Or have I made a mistake by not having another child?', I heard her from upstairs. I literally could not understand Yoruba mothers and marriage. I will settle down when I am ready. Stop monitoring my biological clock and womb already. Marriage is not by force biko!
'I had you early o! Give me grandchildren before I get too old o Omowunmi!', she screamed again. Omowunmi? Really? For real? She had to call my 6th name just because she wants to drive home a point? 'Introduce me to your boyfriend already, iwo omo yii. I won't bite....'
'Mummy!', I screamed as I raced downstairs. She turned back as if she had been talking to someone physically. 'Enough already. You want to hear a story? Fine, you will hear it!'. She gave me a really weird look I could almost swear I had never seen her make such a face. Ever.
So I sat beside her and started my epistle to the Romans. Yes, I told my Mama about Fola and Segun, including what happened two nights ago. At this point, she became really emotional and almost started crying. Behind all the action Yoruba mama is a soft hearted and tender American woman. She knew how to discipline a child the African way and still use her American knowledge and expertise to work her way back to your heart.
'But why didn't you tell me all these earlier? Why didn't you say something?', she said when I was done.
'I couldnt,. I could not explain it to you on phone and you were quite far away', I said amidst tears.
'But you could have called me to come over. You know I'd come. Or you could have called your father, you know he'd listen to you', she said more calmly
'Oh please. Dad is always busy, he doesn't even answer my calls most times'
'But why will Fola come to the estate to beat you? Did you tell him where you live?'
'No I didn't. He even has my number and my office address. I don't know how he got them all'
'Are you dating him?' She asked quietly
'Oh Jesus! Mummy weren't you listening? I am not dating the guy. He only asked me out. I can't even date someone like that. If he slaps me when we are not dating yet, I bet he'll kill me when we start going out and nobody will know'
'Lailai. I reject it in Jesus name. You will not die but live to declare the works of the Lord', my dramatic mother said snapping her fingers over her head. 'Let's talk about this after service tomorrow. Its late already. Pele oko mi'
'Mummy I'm not going to church' I said
'Oo to be' she replied.
Translations
Iwo omo yii - You this child
Lailai - Never (ever)
Pele oko mi - Sorry my husband
Oo to be - You dare not
Thank you for reading. Do leave a comment or a question. Have a great night.
'Toun, I'm very sorry. I am so sorry for the way I acted yesterday. Its just that you got me really worried and the thought of you being with another man just drives me crazy' he said soberly. Is it just me or am I listening to another psychopath? Did he just say him seeing me with another guy drives him crazy? This guy is going to be really possessive.
'Sit down', I offered him a seat in front of the house. My Mum was peeking out of the window. I could sense it. Is it not my mother?
'Thank you', he muttered then continued 'I was just very paranoid. I told you to call me, you didn't. I called your number, ot was not going through. I left several good mails, no response from you. I was just freaking out. Then you spoke about a guy waiting for you at your house about 10pm in the night...I...it just..it just sounded somehow to me. I felt you were with him and don't want me to feel bad about you dropping me that was why you came up with the story of him beating you. I am really sorry. I spoke to Tiara and she explained everything to me. I am so sorry I did not believe you Toun. I'm so sorry', he said.
Brief moment of silence. I was staring at him but I wasn't looking at him. My stare held different patterns of thoughts as well as questions seeking to be answered. My mouth refused to open, my throat wouldn't give way.
'Toun...', he said slowly looking at me carefully.
'I...I'm sorry. Are you done?', I answered. He was obviously upset but he just had to remain calm cos well...he came here to beg. His eyes gave a statement like, 'Its not your fault, na me fall in love '
'Yes I'm done', he finally said. I was feeling quite uneasy and just wanted to leave. The evening wind was becoming too cool for me and my shorts weren't helping at all. My headache was also gradually coming back and I was starting to hold my head.
'Can I go now?', I asked politely after a few quiet seconds...or minutes. His eyes were filled with surprise. He couldn't hide it, he wasn't good at it.,
'Is your phone working now?', he asked. I got up and said nothing. Just as i was about opening the door, he said, 'I'll call you later'. I ignored him, opened the door and found in front of me, my mother. I gave her a really disappointing look and sigh. Was she eavesdropping on our conversation?
'Adetoun Sheila...', I was about to hear the story of my life. African parents, particularly Yoruba mothers don't just call your full name for nothing. Whenever they do, its about to go down for real. '...you know I like this estate of yours. They don't just let anybody inside, except such a persons name is on your visitors list or they call you...'
'Mum, what are you getting at?', I cut her short
'Who's that guy? Is he your boyfriend? You did not even introduce him to me. Is this how he comes to your house? If I wasn't here now, I'm sure he would have slept here'
'Mum stop! Please! Segun is not my boyfriend', saying this, I went upstairs.
'Just don't get pregnant o you this child. You are almost 25 now. What is wrong with you? Don't you want to get married? Or have I made a mistake by not having another child?', I heard her from upstairs. I literally could not understand Yoruba mothers and marriage. I will settle down when I am ready. Stop monitoring my biological clock and womb already. Marriage is not by force biko!
'I had you early o! Give me grandchildren before I get too old o Omowunmi!', she screamed again. Omowunmi? Really? For real? She had to call my 6th name just because she wants to drive home a point? 'Introduce me to your boyfriend already, iwo omo yii. I won't bite....'
'Mummy!', I screamed as I raced downstairs. She turned back as if she had been talking to someone physically. 'Enough already. You want to hear a story? Fine, you will hear it!'. She gave me a really weird look I could almost swear I had never seen her make such a face. Ever.
So I sat beside her and started my epistle to the Romans. Yes, I told my Mama about Fola and Segun, including what happened two nights ago. At this point, she became really emotional and almost started crying. Behind all the action Yoruba mama is a soft hearted and tender American woman. She knew how to discipline a child the African way and still use her American knowledge and expertise to work her way back to your heart.
'But why didn't you tell me all these earlier? Why didn't you say something?', she said when I was done.
'I couldnt,. I could not explain it to you on phone and you were quite far away', I said amidst tears.
'But you could have called me to come over. You know I'd come. Or you could have called your father, you know he'd listen to you', she said more calmly
'Oh please. Dad is always busy, he doesn't even answer my calls most times'
'But why will Fola come to the estate to beat you? Did you tell him where you live?'
'No I didn't. He even has my number and my office address. I don't know how he got them all'
'Are you dating him?' She asked quietly
'Oh Jesus! Mummy weren't you listening? I am not dating the guy. He only asked me out. I can't even date someone like that. If he slaps me when we are not dating yet, I bet he'll kill me when we start going out and nobody will know'
'Lailai. I reject it in Jesus name. You will not die but live to declare the works of the Lord', my dramatic mother said snapping her fingers over her head. 'Let's talk about this after service tomorrow. Its late already. Pele oko mi'
'Mummy I'm not going to church' I said
'Oo to be' she replied.
Translations
Iwo omo yii - You this child
Lailai - Never (ever)
Pele oko mi - Sorry my husband
Oo to be - You dare not
Thank you for reading. Do leave a comment or a question. Have a great night.
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