“Valentine days were the worst.” Mrs Alache Ogenyi, Ene’s chubby grandma, went on dramatically. “Can you believe your father sold my jewelries behind my back, just so he could buy ice cream and shawarma for Halimah?” Her food had been long forgotten.
The table erupted into fits of laughter and even I couldn’t hold back my small giggle, as it had been from the moment big Mommy opened her mouth. It wasn’t just her stories that pulled us into humor but her facial expressions were always iconic.
However, Mr Ajenu Ogenyi, who had most stories centred around him, didn’t look the least amused. He stabbed down on his meal and grumbled incoherently to himself.
Big Mommy never spared him when it came to these stories, especially the classic tale of how he met Ene’s mother; Mrs Halimah Ogenyi - the northern beauty.
Their love story had made rounds through social media and blogs, and had most Nigerians shouting 'God when’. It was the thrilling journey of two best friends turned lovers and their fight against everything that tried to pull them apart. Not even big Mommy was in support of their union in the past because of tribalism. But they really were proof that love does conquer all.
At least for them.I didn’t think the whole young love thing still existed in our generation.
As for marrying your best friend, unless I could somewhat turn Ene into a boy, then that department remained nonexistent as well.
I picked on the chunky pieces of my catfish pepper soup. My appetite took a fast walk out the minute Mrs Tolani insisted that Denola sat across me on the dinner table. It was anything but nervousness, believe me. I just couldn’t stomach eating around him. I guess it could be dated back to when we were younger, he never went a day without mocking how I ate then. Funny how no one ever noticed the grip it might have had on me.
Thankfully , he was distracted by big Mommy’s talk, with a small amused smile playing on his lips. I didn’t waste any second before I took scoops of the mouthwatering delicacy.
Sometimes, I wondered how he slept at night peacefully, knowing how much of a terrible person he had become. Because I swear, it wasn’t always like this.
