Chapter Eight

Chapter eight

I'm in deep trouble... 

I kept chanting to myself all through the ride. 

The silence throughout the drive from Aunt JoJo's place down to the house was deafening. I was even scared to breathe, I'm sure Laila was in the same situation. 

Yes, that's how intimidating my mom is. 

Once in a while she would mumble things we couldn't decipher. She was really pissed. 

Lola see your life! 

I fought the urge to face palm myself cause I didn't want any death glares from my mom. 

Finally the petrifying ride came to an end as she drove into the huge compound. I stepped out turning to face Laila, she gave a pitiful look,at that point I knew I had to be strong. 

Hardly had we gotten in the living room when mom's voice thundered

"Titilola!" 

"Yes mummy" I answered after flinching a bit. 

"What is it that I have done to offend you?" She said with a forlorn look, with her arms spread out like she wanted to plead with me. 

And here comes the water works... Oh brother!

I fought the urge to roll my eyes at that point.

"Lola is there anything you asked of me and your father that we didn't give to you? Why do you want to embarrass us like this? Do you know what your father would do if he heard that you're going about with a sketchpad?. A Gregg for that matter?! You want to be a tailor?!" She went on and on, wiping fake tears in between sentences. 

The mention of my dad sent minute chills down my spine but I was still unfazed by it, probably because of the fact that he wasn't in the vicinity, all hell would have broken loose at that point. 

"But mummy, Aunty Jojo is a top class designer. How would you get those fancy outfits if not for her? What's the difference?"I said as calmly as I could so I wouldn't spite her but those efforts proved abortive cause she flared up right after. 

"Would you shut up before I slap you hard across that face of yours?!" She bellowed with her signature fierce boss lady look. I actually felt like one of the staffs at her place of work. 

Those people are trying o

"I don't want to ever hear you say anything about it, I would let it slide but if this should repeat itself I'll have to take the case to your father" She concluded with a stern look, walking out of the living room right afterwards, obviously heading back to work. 

I turned to Laila who had been quiet the whole time. We had a staring contest for a moment before bursting into non stop bouts of laughter. We laughed till our tummies began aching. 

"Did you see the look on her face? It was epic" Laila said after cooling off.

"I swear, the fake tears almost had me bursting out with laughter, our mum is such a drama queen" I said with a chuckle

"Someone's becoming rebellious huh?" She turned to me with a smirk 

"Laila abeg free me, but sha I hope you liked the design of the dress?" I asked eagerly 

"Of course I did, I can't wait for Aunty Jojo to finish it up"she laughed

"Let this wedding come and go jare so that you can be free" She said with a sigh.

I know you're wondering, what sort of freedom but you'll find out later.

Laila knew the plans I had, had not been put in place cause I didn't want anything to disrupt her wedding. 

"So are your brothers coming for the wedding?" I asked, changing the topic. 

"Hmm I called them and they said they'll definitely be here a week before, to help us with the preparations" She answered apathetically 

The relationship between us siblings was very complicated right from our childhood and we shared what we called " Tough love" Laila and I weren't very close at first, until a few years back.

We all had separate lives and one sibling never tended to interfere in another's lives. It was just typical for us to act very formal around each other,almost like strangers, same applied to our relationships with our parents. We had never been the lovey dovey family and I always prayed for the love of Christ to dwell in our home.

To be honest I was indifferent about the arrival of my brothers but I was eager to see my niece and nephews(Travis's kids). Grey and I had a stronger bond compared to my very reserved brother, Travis. 

Travis's wife, Imaobong, an Akwa Ibom beauty. A sexy mama, an intellectual and a very good cook.

My brother get eyes o 

She's really sweet and certainly ain't as reserved as my brother. 

*****

"Hello..." I drawled into the phone. 

Who had the guts to disrupt my beauty sleep?! 

"Good evening Lola" A deep baritone voice boomed at the other end. I sat up immediately on recognition of the voice

"Evening sir.... Uh.. Mr Tunji" I spluttered over the phone, face palming myself at my awkward answer. 

"How are you?" He asked amidst a chuckle

"I'm fine...I'm fine" I said ruffling my hair, still feeling sleepy. 

"I'm very fine, thanks for asking" He said with sarcasm dripping from his tone. I giggled. 

"I'm sorry for not asking but I'm sure you're fine" 

"Oh really? I guess you're really good at predicting people's feelings" 

"I didn't say that o" I laughed while he was chuckling at the other end. 

"Uhmm..." He was hesitant, 

I could feel his nervousness from the other end

"I just wanted to know how you're faring" He breathed

"Oh, uh thanks for caring" I said with a small smile. 

Like he could see me

"You're welcome, have a good night Lola" he said with an air of finality. 

He hung up before I could reply 

Talk about awkward... 

I could understand the motive behind his call but I found myself being uneasy. I kept pondering on the fact that there was more to it. But I brushed the thought aside as soon as it came. 

*****

Two weeks on... 

A week to Laila's wedding... 

We were at the airport to receive my eldest brother and his family. Grey had his flight delayed a bit, so he would arrive the next day. 

By "we" I meant, Tana,my sweetheart. My mum, our driver Simeon and of course me. Dad being the ever unaffectionate type didn't bother to come along despite being at home.

Typical

Mum cared a lot for Travis, I think he's always been her favorite child, so it was no surprise when she kept fussing over his arrival after he had been away for two years, owing to the major fall out he had with my dad during Christmas that particular year. Travis left in anger afterwards and refused to visit for the holidays (which was a norm), thereafter. They never actually sorted it out, and I prayed they would put their differences aside for the sake of my sister's wedding. 

Speaking of which, Madam was at home and couldn't come with us to the airport cause she had to "put everything in order".

She just dey form blushing bride, it's sha her turn, make she enjoy am. 

I turned to look at mom, who had her glasses perched on her pointed nose. This light skinned woman didn't look her age at all, too pretty for her own good. People usually mistook her for myself and Laila's older sister. 

Crazy right? 

Her eyes kept searching the crowd for signs of my brother and his adorable family, as the flight had landed already. Suddenly her eyes lit up in excitement and I turned to gaze in her line of sight, Tana did the same. 

And there they were. They must have seen us too as my brother's kids came scurrying towards us, grinning from ear to ear. I found myself wondering where they got such energy from after such a long flight. 

Kids sha.... 

Their smiles were infectious and I couldn't help but spread my arms awaiting their embraces. I spotted my sis in-law smiling too from behind them. My brother trailed farther behind, carrying their luggage, his face with the signature blank expression. 

Oga show some emotion na... 

Mum nearly shrieked when my first nephew Tobi ran into to her, she was smiling. I wished she always had this smile on her face but the opposite was the case whenever she stepped into the house, the place we were supposed to call home. 

Tana hugged my niece Arinola, Arin for short. Of course Tana has been my friend for ages so they were familiar with her.

The rascal of their cute family Ayo ran straight into my arms, making me jerk backwards a little bit. Ayo's the last born as well(or so his mother says) so he's very attached to me. 

Tobi, Arin and Ayo were ten,seven and five years old, respectively. They're the most adorable kids ever. Their mum never failed to inculcate the African way of training on them, so they weren't the typical spoilt rich kids as many expected. But they were quite naughty though, they gave me hair pulling experiences anytime they were around. 

Shout out to mothers, una dey try o. 

Ima would make sure I babysit them , she was always elated to come back home because she'd take a break from her kids by handing them over to their grandma and very loving aunts, as she'd call Laila and I. 

I hugged Ima, right after the kids. She was all smiles as usual. 

"Ah Sister Ima see as you're shining, show me the way o" I teased and she giggled. 

"See this one, I'm supposed to be asking you sef, it's as if you have a boyfriend that's making you shine like this, gimme gist nau"

I looked wide eyed at her. 

You people will not kill somebody

"Abeg put me down o, I'm single for now, the only thing that is making me glow now is God o" I answered with with a chuckle

"Typical Lola, shey you know it's your wedding we're attending next?"

"Ah Sister Ima!!!" I exclaimed

You people and marriage sef, na wa o! 

Tana just stood by the side laughing at my plight. 

Yeye girl! 

Luckily the voice of my brother interrupted the embarrassing moment. 

"Lola and Tana, I'm right here, did you even notice my presence?" He said calmly with a small but obviously tired smile. His glasses made him look super cute. I went over to give him a side hug with the words... 

"Brother Tolu, you're welcome"his name is Tolu as well, the Travis sounds too formal. 

Tana did the same. 

"How are you girls doing?"he asked

"We're fine,thank you" I replied, immediately u , helping him with the luggage, Simeon joined along with Tana and with that we all started trudging our way out of the airport to the Sienna parked outside. I could tell my nephews were giddy with joy, My niece on the other hand looked like she could sleep on anything at that moment, she looked exhausted. 

My poor baby... 

The car was filled with comfortable silence, it was obvious that they were worn out, catching up would come after they had settled in. Tana was to stay over at my house throughout, to help us with the preparations. 

Perks of being self employed... 

She's such a darling

At least I wouldn't have to get bored out of my mind as I had to request for a leave.

Of course, The Oluwoles' were going to be in attendance. My dad had invited lots of people. From his caliber of course. The wedding was strictly by invitation. Even the traditional engagement was to be the same and that was to come up two days to the white wedding. We all had a busy week ahead of us. 

"Lola did you tell Martha what to prepare for dinner?" My mum asked looking up from her cell phone

"Yes mummy, I gave her the roaster for the week as you instructed" I answered slowly

"Remember you'll have to supervise her as She's still new to the house" She stated

Haba! with all the chores and errands I have to do, you still want me to supervise her?! 

Lord lemme do and marry too nau 

"Yes mummy" I said trying not scream my thoughts out. 

"Mummy I'll help, seems like Lola has a lot to do already" Ima voiced out

Life saver... 

"Anyone you people want to do o, my own is that the meals should be well prepared" mum said giving her a warm smile

She doesn't smile at me like this o

"No problem ma" We both answered. 

I blew my sister in law a kiss, making her giggle. 

The kids joined in and soon the vehicle was filled with laughter. 

I wished it could always be like this, but sadly it wasn't

****

Author's Note:

Okay the wedding is coming and there's gonna lots of drama afterwards

Stay tuned