A MOM IN SIX MONTHS [ONGOING]

2◇SETTLING IN

'I'm so proud of you darling, look how well you've managed to handle everything so well in just six years. Your mother would be proud too.' She said, her tone falling at the last part. My parents have always been a touchy subject to discuss. My mum, with her crazy love for money and shiny, material things, and my dad, the drunk. Apparently, he'd been trying to give up drinking, but at this point, I really don't care. They were never there. I would've been kicked to a deserted orphanage if not for Abeke. My mother had tried to reach out once, and I allowed it, but what she kept going on and on about was how she'd boast to all her friends that her daughter owns her own company, how she'd boast to them that her daughter is in the States. She didn't apologize, she didn't ask if I was alright, she simply wanted to know how much I had, to know what extent of show off she'd been doing, and since then, I cut all ties with them.

'Arike, I know how what they made you pass through, trust me I do. But they're still your parents...' Abeke starts, 'your father was here...'
I sit upright when she says that, to listen to what my father had to say.
'He asked of you, wanted to speak with you, and when I told him you're no longer in Nigeria, his hands shook and he fell on his knees, crying. Arike, his guilt is eating him up, he looks so haggard and lean, like one who is suffering- he is suffering, from guilt. And he begged me, Arike, you remember how egoistic your father was? He'd never beg anyone, even if it was to save his life, but he pulled at my feet and cried, and begged me to let him know if you ever come back, and that he's sorry.' It isn't until a tear dropped on my laps that I realised I'd been crying. I'm not ready for this, I don't know if I can get rid of all the hatred I'd built up for the both of them over the years. 'You don't have to rush it, Arike. Take your time.' Abeke whispers. I nod and stand up, trying to get away from it all.
'I'll be in my room.'

●●●●●●●●●●

Sunday, 12:30pm.

A knock on the door of my room wakes me up from my peaceful sleep, and I groan and ask whoever it is to come in. Bolanle pokes her head in, and after apologizing for interrupting my sleep, she tells me one of Abeke's friend is here to see me, and that Abeke sent for me. I tell her I'll be down in ten minutes and reluctantly drag my feet to the bathroom to wash my face.

  I can already hear Iya Alero-as Abeke calls her-talking before I even get downstairs, her deep, male-like voice booming over Abeke's tiny one.
'Ekasan ma'[good afternoon ma] I kneel and greet her. Her judgemental eyes immediately size me up, probably in search of something to criticise.
'How are you, my daughter?' She asks, a fake smile plastered on her face. The woman reeks of jealousy, over what, I have no idea. 'I'm fine ma', I answer her with an equally fake smile.

'Now that you have come, I hope we'll all get invited to your wedding soon..'. A triumphant glint appears in her eyes, as if knowing she finally found some sort of weak spot? Of course, she'd go through that angle. Typical Iya Alero. 'Very soon ma... How's Alero? I heard her husband now drinks heavily, I hope she's okay?' I retort sweetly. The colour immediately drains from her face and she simply nods stiffly. Abeke's face turns red from trying to hold her laughter in, and she coughs lightly. Wunmi enters at the point with a large tray, Mide walking behind her with a smaller one.

'Grandma, where are your car keys? I need to get something for Tinu, I can't meet her empty-handed tomorrow...' Abeke points me to where she keeps her car key, and I take it and head out. I'd get something for Tinu, and seize the opportunity to look around, since I haven't been out ever since I got here. Baba, Abeke's hausa gateman smiles and greets me when I tell him I need to go out, and he starts telling  me how he killed a lion that attacked his household with his bare hands back in Kaduna, but my phone rings and I am saved. I check the contact, and it is Audrey. Is everything okay?