THE EXCHANGE
Episode 10
Baba T simply said he liked me from the first day he saw me & he had pestered my cousin to talk to me on his behalf but she kept saying that I had a fiancé. He said I am the first girl he liked who is acceptable to his mum, thar she’s crazy about me & she even told his dad at breakfast “I don’t know why, but I just like that girl & turning to me she said “Tunde, you better don’t let her slip out of your hands”
“I really need to settle down like my cousin & I see that woman in you for my dreams to come true; please give me a chance.” “When I discussed how hard you have been working with the transformation of your Salon, she saw the opportunity to give you a bigger & better project & she suggested the new salon move, so that I can get a big break into the beauty world than uou can never in Abeokuta.”
However, I told her that you are already engaged to another guy, she said “B’óm?dé bá r’óyin a s’àkàrà s’ígbó” meaning when a kid tastes honey, he/she will let go of bean cake.
My cherry, if Tunji is serious you won’t still be single; is he expecting you to wait until you are 30 years old? I deserved a beautiful & comfortable life, which I know I will get through you.
My queen, I’m not looking for a girlfriend but a wife; it’s long overdue. I’m already 35yrs old, an only child & my mum is on my case to get married & give grandchildren.
He promised he would never hurt me & take care of me. He would take care of our children & even my entire family. He does not care what it will cost him to keep his word.
He must have talked for hours, while I just listened not really knowing what to say. It was already evening & I couldn’t return to Abeokuta so Baba T suggested that we went to my cousin’s place to chill. Laide was happy I’m spending the night because it will give us the opportunity to talk some more. We were offered a light dinner after which we all retired to the lounge; the guys had some brandy while we had juice.
About an hour later Baba T left for home but promised to see me tomorrow morning before I left for Abeokuta.
As soon as he was gone, I dragged Laide to a corner to talk. She confirmed everything that Baba T said.
“Na serious matter o” Laide said.
She told me how Baba T’s mum had actually asked to be brought to Abeokuta to come see my mum so they can talk mother to mother bcos she believes no mother will want her child’s life wasted by an unserious suitor.
“But I have a fiancé” I said, putting up a protest, “why can’t everyone understand this? Tunji is working on getting a better job so that I won’t suffer!”
“I know, but you are not yet married to him. They have not broken any laws. They are simply trying to get a seemingly ‘available commodity’. If Tunji had already married you, I wouldn’t even be part of this. Until a woman is officially married, she is not off the market o” Laide responded, as she told me the story of the guy she was dating back in the University. Their relationship started in secondary school & they attended the same University. It was a serious relationship but the guy was always saying he would never settle down until he had made a certain amount of money.
Laide said the guy was her first love but in their 3rd year, he said we would need like 5years to sort things out. She was actually willing to wait for him until Bola came into the picture. She snubbed Bola until the day the other guy told her she didn’t have to wait for him if she can make her life with Bola. That was what made her decide to go with Bola. “These guys can disappoint you at the last minute.”
“Do I need to tell you that you are coming into comfort, if you consider Baba T? Can’t you see it already? I know that money is not everything but it is the main thing; it makes life easier and makes the marriage sweeter. I know you like Tunji, he’s handsome and promising but Baba T is also handsome and he’s got more than promises to offer. Don’t forget the wise saying of our people ‘bà ò r’?ni b’álà, ?là kìí yá’ (it’s easier to make it, when connected to those that have made it). Maybe God is trying to pay your family back for the good deeds of your father through you. I cannot lie to you, uou can never regret choosing Baba T” Laide concluded.
I was more confused after my chat with Laide. “What about love?” I asked; “Hmmm.. love will come by the time you get to know him and I can assure you, Baba T is ready to marry you in a month if you allow him. “Ha! No o!! That’s too fast keep!” I exclaimed.
“At least tell Baba T that you needed time to think and figure out what you want to do with your life.” Laide said and then bade me goodnight, leaving me with my thoughts. I said goodnight to Bola before retiring to the guestroom. I couldn’t sleep that night. Everything I’d heard from Baba T and Laide was like a weight in my heart.
On Saturday morning, Laide said I should have breakfast, while we waited for Baba T, once again she tried to convince me to see the positive side of the situation and then at the table, she tried to bring her husband who had tactfully stayed out of the discussion into it but all Bola said is “She’s old enough to make her own decisions.” And. that brought the discussion to a close. Baba T arrived at about 9.30am, we immediately loaded the boot of his Range Rover Jeep with everything we bought and packed yesterday. Since we are the same size in clothing and shoes, she gave me a dress & a skirt suit, a pair of wine coloured shoes & bag, to cover up for the gifts Baba T had given me. She hugged me by the car and wished me a safe journey.
We were soon on our way to the pack where I will charter a vehicle to take me home & Baba T asked if I slept well. Since I understood what he was about to say, my response was not positive. He sighed and said regardless of what I decided, the Salon is still mine if I wanted it. He said his mother was upset I came to Lagos and didn’t care to see her; she sent an expensive looking lace material to my mom, while she sent me 2 well embroidered Senegalese Kaftan. I was busy admiring the gifts, I didn’t realise that Baba T was on the way to Abeokuta. When I saw where we had gotten to my heart missed a beat and I asked him what he was doing and he said “taking my precious home of course. You can’t expect me to put you in a cab with all these load you are carrying; what if anything should happen on the way? My parents won’t even forgive me if I put you in a public transport.
When we got to Abeokuta, I asked him to drive straight to the Salon, where I got everyone to quickly help in offloading the vehicle. My Salon assistant whispered to me that Tunji had just left for the tutorial classes that he organised for some students and I breath a sigh of relief. Immediately we had brought everything out of the vehicle, Baba T gave the boys 500 Naira and gave my girls 500Naira each. We all thanked him. I quickly ushered him to go back to Lagos. He looked at me for a while and said “don’t take too long before you make up your mind.” He gave me a quick hug, entered his vehicle and drove off with a wave at everyone.
Tunji came later to take me home from the Salon, at first he was upset that I didn’t return on Friday as planned because I had everyone worried and unable to sleep but when he saw the things I bought and heard the prices I bought them, he became happy for me and said that at the rate I was going, I was going to become a millionaire very soon. I laughed with him but my mind traveled to the Salon waiting for me in Lagos. I gave him the cologne, set of briefs & matching singlets I bought specially for him, he couldn’t thank me enough but as we were about to leave, my assistant called my attention to the fact that I hadn’t collected the sales for the day which was a little over 8,000 Naira. As I approached her, she quickly pressed an envelope into my hand & said “that uncle said I should give this to you ma” & gave me the sales.
That night, I couldn’t sleep at all. I weighed my options: the thought of being Baba T’s wife sounded interesting & enticing but I had my fears & reservations.
What would Tunji do?
How would I tell him?
Would I be able to get my mum to support it?
I also thought of staying with Tunji but what if he didn’t marry me at the end of everything?
What if he got that job, travelled to Germany & never came back?
Something in me knew he could never do that & I felt I was just making excuse for my wayward thoughts.
But every woman wants & deserves comfort; everyone deserves a shot at affluence & prosperity.
Opportunities usually knock just once, what if this was it?
What if this was my one & only shot?
What if God truly sent Baba T my way to turn my life around?
What if this was my own fairytale come true?
Something in me wanted to be with Tunji but another thing in me kept questioning if he’s worth giving up everything Baba T was offering.
I finally slept off around 3:30 am when I woke up I knew I had to let the matter play itself out. I had to be neutral & try to clear my head & apply sound judgment. Everything Laide said kept playing back in my mind. I couldn’t keep everything to myself anymore so I went straight to my mum’s room
“Maami, I think I’m in trouble…” was my opening line.
To be continued
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