The Pain – Chapter 16

“Abayomi, what happened between you and Motun?” Abayomi’s mum, Mrs Ige asked without preamble.

“Mum, how do you mean? Who told you something happened?” he replied wondering what on earth Motun had told his mum.

“I just finished calling Motun, and asked after you. She sounded like you haven’t been talking” she said. “Ki lo sele?(what happened?)”

Abayomi sighed as he rubbed his eyes. “Nothing mum. We are fine” he said. “What exactly did she say?” he asked. He felt like he was on an emotional coaster ride.

“It was not what she said, but what she did not say” Mrs Ige replied. “What did you do Abayomi? Ki lo se fun Omo yen? (what did you do to that girl?)”

“Mum, if she did not say anything, then there is nothing.” Abayomi said “I don’t understand how what she did not say is the issue here.”

“Ehn ehn, emi lo n basoro beyen abi? (Am I the one you are talking to this way Abayomi?). I’m asking you a simple question, o de n fi mi t’ayin (and you are replying me anyhow)” she said “Motunrayo is a good girl, real wife material. You are now 31 years old, and no girl in sight. Morunrayo ti mo ti fokan si (that I have set my heart on) is who you are treating this way. Ki l’omo yen see fun e? (What did that girl do to you?) I do not understand why you have not proposed to that girl!” she exclaimed “Se o like e ni? (Don’t you like her?) Eyin omo isin yi sha (children of nowadays though).”

Abayomi sighed again as he stood up from his desk to stare across his window. His office was on the 5th floor of a high-rise building at the city centre. It was almost close of work and he needed to finish up some pending work. He had finally received the report from Tina, and because of all that had happened between them, he was just getting around to reading them.

“I’m sorry if I sounded offensive mum. But how many times do I have to tell you that myself and Motun cannot be together that way?” He said “I have long settled that with God and I know for sure that she cannot be my wife. In fact, I have prayed about it again and it’s not possible.” He reiterated firmly.

“So, who would be that person? Ta lo fe fe? (Who do you want to marry?)” she asked “All your siblings got married before the age of 30. Instead of following in their footsteps, at 31 years old you are not married neither do you have a girlfriend!” she said exasperatedly. “Ti tie naa ni mo n se (I am actually making this effort for you).”

“Ok mum, thank you. Your prayers have been answered” he finally said as he leaned across the window frame. He figured out that his mum would not stop bugging him till she got a favorable response. The earlier he dealt with this, the better for everyone.

“Praaaiiissseeeee the Lord!” she shouted “Ha! Abayomi, you should have said this since” she continued excitedly. “So, who is this lucky girl? What is her name?”

“She hasn’t agreed to my proposal yet ma. So please pray along mum” he replied.

“Wait o. You proposed to her? Just like that? Omo bi baba e (Like father, like son).” Abayomi’s mum said as she laughed. “Is she someone I know?” She asked.

“No mum, I don’t think so” he replied “I don’t want to talk about it now till I’m clear where we stand. Just keep me in your prayers ma.”

“That’s no problem. Your father and I would ensure we pray about it as well.” She said. “If I may ask, what is her name?” she prodded.

“Christina Jacobs” Abayomi replied. “She lives in Lagos.”

“Is she related to Chief Gbenga Jacobs? The one who owns that Engineering and Construction Company?” his mum asked

“Yes ma, she is his daughter” he replied

“Iyen naa daa (that is good).” she said happily “You know, Chief Jacobs is your dad’s new friend. This world is indeed small.” she reminisced “They recently met at the new club your dad now attends. He is such a humble man. Won da bi awon bale iyoku (he is not like the other married men) who carry all those small small girls half their age up and down.” she continued “In fact, he recently invited us for a bible study program holding next month at his church. Your dad and I plan to attend” she said.

“That’s great news mum” he said smiling, as he walked back to his seat. “I just need you and dad to pray along. I will discuss details with you once I get a response from her”

“Don’t worry Abayomi. She will say ‘yes‘.” she said with conviction. “Glory to God, My baby is going to be a husband soon” she teased and chuckled.

Abayomi laughed “I hope so mum. Amen” he replied. They exchanged closing pleasantries as they ended the call.

Abayomi reclined his chair and cast his mind back to that fateful night with Tina. I really messed up he thought. Since that day, Tina had been avoiding him. Their correspondences via email also seemed forced. Like the report she had sent, her tone had been so formal that it felt like he was corresponding with a total stranger and not someone who he had just proposed to. Whenever he tried calling to visit, she always had one excuse or the other as to why she was unavailable. She had less than a week to return to Nigeria, and he wasn’t about to let her go without having a good discussion with her. He picked up his phone and dialed her number.