Chapter 5: Family House Tension

As custom be, we suppose go her papa house the next day.

For Yoruba side, that tradition na must. New couple go greet elders, chop kola, collect blessing. My suit dey tight for body as I dey reason yesterday wahala.

When we reach, everywhere dey bubble. Na so children dey run up and down, people dey carry gifts and wine. As groom, my body dey sweet me, but I still dey nervous.

Jollof rice dey burn for pot, children dey chase each other with puff-puff crumbs for hand, Fuji music dey leak from old speaker. Jollof aroma full everywhere, live band dey play Ebenezer Obey.

"See the new couple!"

Kunle show, wear correct suit. For everybody front, na the same style as my own.

He pose as if na him be best man. Some people dey snap picture. I just dey observe.

Morenike punch am playfully.

She try form normal, but the punch get small pepper.

"Why you wear suit? You wan show yourself?"

Kunle hold chest, act like say arrow touch am. He step back, look me, laugh:

His fake pain make everybody giggle. Small children dey clap.

"My padi dey marry—how I go dress anyhow come disgrace una? Besides, the groom fine well well, he no dey fear anybody. Abi, Yusuf?"

I nod, joke with Morenike, "Wife, abeg, suit no be show off. Na packaging."

My voice loud, so that the elders go know say I dey in control.

"See am? Yusuf dey reason well. Morenike, learn from am," Kunle reply, voice full of sarcasm.

Even one of Morenike's aunties eye am, like say she don tire for his wahala.

I add, "But Kunle, you for no wear the same thing as me now. You know wetin dem dey talk? ‘To wear the same cloth no be wahala; na who fine pass matter.’ I sure say you fit go change."

The crowd burst laugh, gist start fly.

Kunle face just change.

His smile disappear. For him eye, small jealousy dey show.

"Yusuf, you dey talk say I no fine reach you?"

I just laugh, carry one small pikin wey dey pass, squat down.

Everybody dey look the drama. I know say I go win am for fine boy challenge.

"Guy, who fine pass—me or that uncle for there? Talk true, I go give you sweet!"

The pikin point me sharp sharp.

The whole compound shout, "See correct answer!"

"You fine pass! Uncle Kunle don old."

"You this pikin, who born you?" Kunle act like say e wan beat am.

Even elders dey laugh. One aunty hug the pikin, "No fear, my child, na true you talk."

I laugh, give the pikin sweet, let am go.

"Kunle, plenty things dey today. We go gist later."

I hold Morenike hand, waka pass am. Kunle face just dey red.

People dey murmur, "Make this Kunle rest."

He no fit shine pass me—even for fine boy matter.

"Kunle, abeg go change. No come disgrace yourself!" Morenike shout.

Her voice loud, e carry authority. Even elders nod.

Kunle just bite teeth. When he show again, na casual clothes e wear.

He come back try form cool, but pride don already wound am for crowd.