BRIDE FOR HIRE

BRIDE FOR HIRE – CHAPTER 5: MEETING AUNTIE

BRIDE FOR HIRE – CHAPTER 5: MEETING AUNTIE

*6:00 AM. Wednesday. Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.*

The car smelled like leather and nerves.

Tobi drove. I sat in the passenger seat clutching the ₦50,000 cash I withdrew for Auntie’s hospital food and meds.

*Me:* “You didn’t have to come, you know.”

*Tobi:* “Yes I did.”

*Me:* “Why? So you can tick ‘met the in-laws’ off the fake husband checklist?”

He glanced at me. Not angry. Tired.

*Tobi:* “Because you said yes when I asked you to try. And trying means showing up. Even when it’s messy.”

I looked out the window.

He wasn’t wrong.

But having Tobi Bolanle meet Auntie felt like bringing a lion to meet a goat. Too much money, too much drama, too much _him_.

*Me:* “If you say one word about Canada or immigration in there, I’m walking back to Lagos.”

*Tobi:* “Deal. I’m just Tobi today. Your friend.”

*Me:* “Friend, huh?”

*Tobi:* “For now.”

We drove in silence after that.

The kind of silence that wasn’t awkward. Just heavy.

---

*12:30 PM. UCH Ibadan – Oncology Ward.*

Auntie’s room smelled like antiseptic and fried plantain.

She was sitting up in bed, thinner than I remembered, but her eyes were bright.

*Auntie:* “Chinaza! My baby!”

I dropped the bag and hugged her. Careful. Like she might break.

*Me:* “Auntie, you look good.”

*Auntie:* “Lie. I look like a lizard. But the doctor said the tumor shrunk. God is good.”

She pulled back and looked past me.

*Auntie:* “And who is this fine boy? You didn’t tell me you were bringing a boyfriend!”

*Me:* “Auntie, no—”

*Tobi stepped forward, bowed slightly.*

*Tobi:* “Good afternoon, Ma. My name is Tobi Bolanle. I’m… Chinaza’s husband.”

The word hung in the air like smoke.

Auntie’s eyes widened.

*Auntie:* “Husband?! Chinaza, you married without telling me?! After all I did for you?!”

*Me:* “Auntie, it’s not—”

*Auntie turned to Tobi.*

*Auntie:* “Sit down, son. Tell me how you met my daughter.”

Tobi sat. I stood like I was about to run.

*Tobi:* “We met in university, Ma. Uniport. I was engineering, she was literature. She stole my seat in the library for 3 years before I convinced her to marry me.”

Auntie laughed. Loud.

*Auntie:* “That sounds like my Chinaza! Stubborn! So when is the real wedding? I need to dance before chemotherapy kills my knees!”

*Me:* “Auntie, please—”

*Auntie grabbed my hand.*

*Auntie:* “Chinaza, look at me. Is he good to you?”

I looked at Tobi.

He wasn’t smirking. He wasn’t performing. He looked nervous. Like my answer mattered.

*Me:* “Yes, Auntie. He’s good to me.”

That was the first true thing I’d said about us all week.

Auntie smiled.

*Auntie:* “Good. Because if he hurts you, I will come back from the grave and fight him. Even with one breast.”

Tobi choked on air.

*Tobi:* “Noted, Ma.”

We stayed for 2 hours.

Auntie made Tobi promise to bring me for Christmas.

Tobi promised.

I didn’t correct him.

---

*4:00 PM. Hospital Corridor.*

*Auntie:* “He loves you, you know.”

*Me:* “Auntie, it’s not real.”

*Auntie:* “Real or not, the way he looks at you is real. I’ve been married 40 years to your uncle before he died. I know the look.”

*Me:* “He married me for papers, Auntie. Canada papers.”

Auntie stopped walking.

*Auntie:* “And? You married him for money. Love is not always clean, Chinaza. Sometimes it starts dirty and becomes clean. Sometimes it stays dirty. But you won’t know if you don’t try.”

*Me:* “What if he leaves after Toronto?”

*Auntie:* “Then he leaves. But you will know you didn’t let fear stop you. And you will have the ₦500,000 for my treatment.”

She touched my face.

*Auntie:* “My baby, live. Even if it breaks your heart. Live.”

I cried.

First time since this started.

Tobi was waiting by the car. He saw me and started walking over, then stopped when he saw Auntie hugging me.

He gave us the moment.

---

*7:00 PM. Ibadan – Roadside Suya Spot.*

Tobi insisted we eat before heading back to Lagos.

*Tobi:* “You can’t cry on an empty stomach. That’s my rule.”

We sat at a plastic table, eating suya, ignoring the stares.

*Me:* “You didn’t have to lie to Auntie.”

*Tobi:* “I didn’t lie. I said I’m your husband. That’s true on paper. And I want it to be true everywhere else.”

*Me:* “Why? You barely know me.”

*Tobi:* “I know you walked into a fake marriage to save your auntie. I know you stood up to my mum. I know you lie badly but love deeply.”

*Me:* “That’s not enough to marry someone.”

*Tobi:* “Maybe not. But it’s enough to try.”

My phone buzzed.

Dreame notification.

*“Chapter 4 hit 150,000 reads. Top comment: ‘AUNTIE WILL KILL TOBI IF HE HURTS CHINAZA!!!’”*

I showed Tobi.

He laughed.

*Tobi:* “Auntie’s got an army.”

*Me:* “You better not mess this up.”

*Tobi:* “I won’t.”

He said it like a vow.

---

*11:00 PM. Back at Ikoyi Mansion.*

Mrs. Bolanle was waiting in the living room.

*Mrs. Bolanle:* “Where have you been? Toronto interview is in 36 hours. You need to practice!”

*Tobi:* “Mum, we went to Ibadan. Chinaza’s auntie is sick.”

Mrs. Bolanle’s face softened for half a second.

*Mrs. Bolanle:* “Oh. Is she…?”

*Me:* “She’s getting better. Thanks.”

Mrs. Bolanle nodded.

*Mrs. Bolanle:* “Good. Now go upstairs. We rehearse tomorrow. No more delays.”

As we walked up, Tobi whispered:

*Tobi:* “She almost sounded human.”

*Me:* “Don’t get used to it.”

In my room, I sat on the bed.

Tobi stood in the doorway.

*Tobi:* “Are you okay?”

*Me:* “Yeah. Auntie’s strong. She’ll fight.”

*Tobi:* “You’re strong too, Chinaza. Stronger than me.”

*Me:* “Why do you say that?”

*Tobi:* “Because you chose to love someone even when it might break you. I’ve never done that. I’ve only chosen to protect myself.”

He stepped closer.

*Tobi:* “Can I stay? Just tonight. No kissing. Just… not alone.”

I looked at him.

And said yes.

He slept on the floor.

I slept in the bed.

Neither of us slept much.

---

*6:00 AM. Thursday. 24 Hours to Toronto.*

Phone buzzed.

*Officer Martins:* “Reminder: Final interview tomorrow 9 AM Toronto time. Bring proof of relationship. No delays.”

Tobi read it over my shoulder.

Tobi:“We have the joint account. We have photos. We have Auntie.”

Me:“We have a lie.”

Tobi: “No. We have a start.”

He held out his hand.

*Tobi:* “Toronto tomorrow. Us after.”

I took it.

*Me:* “Us after.”