Chapter 8: Area Boys and Surprises

Group of colourful area boys dey sit for my sofa, dey chop watermelon. House smell of ripe fruit and sweat, carpet stain everywhere. Empty pure water sachets and suya sticks scatter everywhere, watermelon juice dey drip for my rug.

When dem see me, dem pause, then all greet at once, dey grin like say na party:

"Uncle don come back? Abeg, come sit, your daughter dey cook for kitchen, food go soon ready." One even shift for settee make space for me.

"Who be una? Wetin una dey do for my house?"

But once I see the yellow-haired boy for middle, I know. Ajani wey dey shine like Fanta bottle.

Skinny guy with grey hair nod at Yellow: "We all be Brother Ajani’s guys. Today Brother Ajani come to see his future father-in-law, and we, as the bride’s family, follow support."

"Comot from here."

I stare at his nose-ring, voice cold, make all of them hear.

"Wetin you talk?"

"I said comot from here."

"Enough." Yellow, still for sofa, cut in impatiently. "Morayo!"

Morayo, wear apron, hold spatula, rush out. Oil stain for shirt, face still fresh.

"Wetin?"

Yellow nod at me. "You no tell your papa we came to discuss marriage?"

Morayo freeze, mumble, "I wanted to surprise him." She dey look ground, voice low.

"Ha, surprise? Your papa still wants to drive my guys out."

"Sorry, sorry, I no mean am." Seeing Yellow frown, Morayo quick run go apologise, voice soft like rain wey never start.

When Yellow calm, she turn to me. "Daddy, this is my boyfriend, Ajani. We’re serious now, so I brought him home to meet you. From now on, we’re family, abeg take care of him."

House full, my head just dey turn. Na so life be for Naija—sometimes your own pikin fit surprise you pass NEPA—today, I just dey pray make my own heart no cut.