It seems to me the
world would collapse when I meet them. The prestigious Archujes would be
expecting a Tracy. I knew levels have changed but I wasn’t sure I wanted this
level. I became a little more prayerful and called my mum more often. She
started giving me some feminine skills of dealing with mother in law and how to
behave, remember the daughter of whom you are was always the concluding line
like our name was on Google. My pastor in Benin prayed for me through the phone
and told me all will be well. All those encouragements and counseling was about
to be met with the best or worst mother in law to be in the world I told
myself.
Days became faster
and nights quickly faded. It seems the end was coming but I knew if I could
jump this hurdle, life can never frown at me again. It was Thursday, a day to
go and I started feeling I shouldn’t go see them anyways. Lawrence is
practically scared of his mother. All the stories I’ve heard about her, makes
her another Margaret Thatcher. Here I am, a lady that usually loves to play
away in freedom, about to be tied down in matrimony of wealth and honour, thus
I’ll be enslaved for life. With all these pains and thoughts roaming my mind I
was supposed to be scared but I didn’t care. I was ready for the unexpected. Worst of all, she’ll mess the whole meeting up
and I’ll move on with life. I packed our things in the same box but when he
came back from work he told me we have to use two boxes. I asked why that? And
he said we can’t pack our clothes together except we are married. I acted as if
I wasn’t surprised. I made two boxes
available.
I couldn’t sleep
all through the night. I created memories of Mrs. Archuje in my mind. I totally
forgot there was a father in the house. Subconsciously I was working out a
rehearsal on how my behaviour would be when I meet her. All my expectations of
this woman were cut short at our first meeting.
The mansion had a
long lawn of pure green grass set before it. The cars were scattered and I didn’t
want to stare too well for me not to be noticed. Many workers were roaming
around in their uniforms till we got the entrance. We were greeted by two
butlers and one mentioned my name. Is that a good sign? A bad sign? The front
door was opened as we walked into the house. We met the dad with two faces i
usually see on TV. It was later I knew it was Seun Otedola and Mustapha magairi.
I knelt on two knees to show respect as the man told pulled me up. My daughter welcome home he said. How was the
journey? It was good daddy, still trying to pull myself together. The gesture
of welcome made me know I was here to settle. But I messed up, I would have
dressed better.
This is my son’s fiancée
and we are expecting a grandchild soon. With the introduction I knew the family
had accepted me before I even came. All they needed was a meeting. The man in sparkling
white native attire (otedola) asked for my name and I told him Tracy, he went further
by asking for my surname….. Just to check the background. I was not bothered as
he ended up not knowing it. I walked from the lobby intro a stadium size sitting
room, with five settees in different corners. The TVs were like projectors,
with a chandelier denoting wealth. Daddy’s
big picture was hung on the right side and beside his picture I saw the image
of the woman I’ve been scared of meeting. The whole consent of fear was now
gone, with the acceptance accosted me. We walked through the sitting, opening a
door to another passage and saw mummy coming down the stairs. Immediately my sight caught up with her, I got
on my knees once more to greet her and she pulled me up, with a smile saying my
daughter, I’m so happy to meet you. With a soft voice, she said welcome and I suddenly
felt like crying.
I have just
deprived myself all the sleep in the world for a woman this loving. She gave
her son a pat on the back and escorted me into the glorious dining room. All
food was set like I was hungry and she held my hand as we sat next to each other.
Lawrence’s mother had a regal air about her. She looks solid and dependable. She
controls everything in that big mansion and it’s obvious she extends to the business.
She’ll be a good mother in law I guessed. She asks Lawrence to excuse us and he
willingly left the room with a wink as if it was well. She turned to me and the
other door opened.
The father stepped in and sat close to us and I knew I was
about to go through an inquisition. So you and Lawrence are planning to get
married right? I was disturbed by this statement. Were they expecting a no? Yes
I said. You and Lawrence haven’t known yourselves that much, have you? Long enough,
for us to know we love ourselves. Love, she asked with a bewitched smile as she
adjusted her seat. Tracy, to be sincere to you, Lawrence’s news came to us as a
surprise. And of course, he would have told you of Amina? She continued explaining the wealth in the
other family also and salted the injury she was creating in my mind. It lasted
a while, till she said if Lawrence ends up with a stand it’s you he wants, there
is nothing we can do about it. I said a loud thank you and breathed a sigh of
relief.
The moment ended
with the entrance of Lawrence and the family doctor.
He was introduced to me
and I was like what are these people doing. I just had a trip to your house and
you want to do a check up the first day? The doctor called me for counseling after
dinner and gave me rules of carrying a baby in Archuje’s family. From now on,
no more strenuous work, he’ll come up with a diet plan and I’ll have to change
my wardrobe to free the baby in the tummy. I started feeling like Princess Diana.
He laid me on a bed and checked the vitals. He ended by asking for my genotype
and I told him “AS”. He looked at me in surprise and shook his head in
disappointment, and then I knew there was likely a problem…….
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