Chapter 8: Groom’s Test

As groom, I dey room with Morenike aunties and cousins, all of them dey pamper me—give me tea, fruits, dey yarn anyhow, sometimes I no even understand.

Dem dey tease me with all those marriage proverbs: "Groom wey dey smile dey plan pikin." One small cousin dey sing old folk song, the kind wey mama use dey chase evil spirit.

Finally, I get small break, look window, my eyes dey pain me. From the house, I see yard. Morenike dey talk with Kunle for gate. Dem no dey shout. Morenike dey use hand talk, Kunle just dey nod, face no clear.

For my mind, I dey wonder: why she still dey talk to am? E pain me, but I no wan cause scene for family house.

After about five minutes, Morenike look my side, see me, smile sweet, come back inside, sit near me.

Her smile dey bright, but for her eyes, small fear still dey hide.

"Wife, wetin you dey yarn with Kunle?"

I no fit hide my jealousy again. I dey expect her to dodge, but I just ask.

"I tell am make e behave. If e try nonsense again, I go send am comot."

She talk am straight, her voice strong. For that moment, I wan believe her.

"How you dey cope with all these people? For dinner, dem go force you drink o."

I dey try change topic, but still dey look her face for sign.

"You know say I no sabi drink, but with all the elders, I no fit dodge. Maybe I go find person drink with me?"

She laugh small, then sigh. She dey tired.

"Of course, you be groom—na you dey control."

I nod, point outside. "Let Kunle drink with me."

My voice cool, but my eye dey monitor am.

Morenike pause. "Let am? No, how he go be your drinking padi?"

She frown small, like say she dey fear wahala fit burst again.

"I just feel say we dey same age, e go free."

I yarn am like joke, but I dey serious. I wan test wetin dey his mind.

"Uncle, table don complete? If e never, make Kunle join. Morenike just slap am—I go use this chance apologize."

I no wait make Morenike answer, I just face her uncle directly.

Before Morenike fit talk, I ask her uncle direct.

Her uncle count. "We need one more—make Kunle join."

He agree sharp sharp, maybe to avoid more drama.

"See, Morenike? You marry enter better family. See as Yusuf get sense. Next time, no dey slap person anyhow."

The other elders dey nod, one mama even tap Morenike, "Respect dey important, my child."

Morenike just reason am. After small, she say, "I hear, uncle."

She try smile, but e weak. She just hold my hand tight.