Chapter 3: University Love, Family Secrets

Me and Ifedike na university sweethearts.

Na so we start—innocent love. I remember those days for campus, we go chop bole and fish near main gate, dey gist about future.

We dated for three years for school.

Na so our love strong. Everybody for my department know us. We no dey hide am, even small quarrel, na for class everybody go settle am.

When I first meet am, he dey do part-time work for the school library.

Na there I notice say him no dey like spend anyhow. Sometimes, I go see am dey arrange books, sweat for forehead, but he still dey smile. I think say na humble guy.

During our relationship, he always act like say money no dey reach him.

He go dey complain say school fees wahala, hostel dey leak. Me too go manage small garri, dey share am with am. I dey think say na real love, nobody dey fake.

It was only after graduation, when we started talking about marriage, that I found out Ifedike come from big money.

Na shock catch me. This boy wey dey wear one shoe for three years, come from house wey fence dey tall pass PHCN pole. You go just dey wonder if na movie you dey act.

The first time I met his parents, I was nervous.

That day, my body dey shake. I dey pray say make dem no look down on me because say I no get name for town.

Because I know say rich families dey get wahala for their daughters-in-law—especially if you come from ordinary home like me.

My mama even call me that morning, pray say make God touch their heart. You know Naija mothers and their fear for in-law matter.

But to my surprise, Ifedike’s parents liked me well.

Dem even serve me correct jollof rice with chicken. His mother hug me, say she like my smile. I come dey wonder, ‘Maybe this one no go bad after all.’

Back in school, to make Ifedike strong, them dey give am only small pocket money every month.

Dem sabi say money fit spoil pikin. So dem dey run am street, dey teach am hardship small. I no know say na test dem dey test am.

They no expect say, even like that, one girl go still date their son.

If to say na movie, people go clap. Dem think say I be real, because I follow Ifedike for hard time.

So they thought I wasn’t with Ifedike because of money, and that made them happy.

His papa even tell am for my front, say, “Na real woman dey follow man when he no get shishi.”

Three years of dating, I get boyfriend, find out say him get money, and his parents still like me.

That time, I felt say all the good things for this world don land for my head.

You go think say na jackpot, abi? E shock you.

Until, the night before our wedding, I mistakenly overheard Ifedike talking with his friends.

Na so wahala start, just like old Nollywood film.