WHEN LOVE WAS STILL YOUNG

Chapter 3 — Aunt Brenda’s Sharp Mouth

If gossip were an Olympic sport, Aunt Brenda would have retired with ten gold medals, a national award, and probably a street named after her. The woman had a PhD in neighborhood matters — she didn’t just spread stories; she gave them wings, drums, and background music.

That particular morning, she was in her element. Her wrapper was tied tightly around her chest, her hair net was in place like a battle helmet, and beside her sat a steaming bowl of pap. She had stationed herself on her favorite plastic chair right in front of her house — her official “broadcasting station.”

Every passerby was a potential audience.

“Come o!” she called out, waving to a neighbor. “Did you people see that fine bread boy that came to Grace’s compound yesterday?”

Before anyone could even reply, she continued dramatically, “If love was rainfall, that boy’s smile alone would flood the whole street!”

Her laughter echoed so loudly that even the hens nearby paused to listen.

A few moments later, Mrs. Grace Brooks — Amelia’s mother — stepped out of the compound, shaking her head in disbelief. “Brenda, please! Stop spreading unnecessary news before you turn our street into a radio station.”

Aunt Brenda placed her hand on her chest, feigning innocence. “Eh, unnecessary news? My sister, this is not news — this is prophecy! That boy is carrying destiny on his shoulders and sugar in his words!”

Grace rolled her eyes. “You better mind your business before your mouth gets you into trouble again.”

But Brenda just laughed loudly. “Trouble? My mouth doesn’t enter trouble. Trouble enters my mouth willingly!”

The neighbors around laughed, clapping their hands. Aunt Brenda smiled proudly — attention was her favorite breakfast.

Inside the house, Amelia was pacing back and forth in her room, pretending to tidy up her desk but secretly straining her ears to catch bits of her aunt’s drama from outside.

Her cousin, Bella, lay lazily on the bed, phone in hand, chewing groundnuts and scrolling through social media.

“Abeg, Amelia,” Bella said with a teasing grin, “just admit it — you like that bread boy.”

Amelia spun around, pretending to look shocked. “Who told you that?”

Bella smirked. “Your smile told me. You’ve been grinning like somebody who found ₦10,000 under her pillow.”

Amelia threw a pillow at her. “Stop it, joor!”

Bella dodged it easily and began singing in a childish tone,

🎵 “Amelia and Daniel sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G…” 🎵

Amelia burst out laughing and covered her face. “I hate you!” she said, though the shy smile on her face said otherwise.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Daniel was fighting his own kind of embarrassment.

At the bakery, his father — Mr. White — couldn’t help but notice the sudden joy on his son’s face. Daniel had been smiling since morning, whistling while packaging bread like someone who just won a lottery.

“You’re smiling too much these days,” his father said suspiciously, his hands covered in flour. “Did we increase bread prices?”

Daniel chuckled nervously. “No, Papa. It’s just… good weather.”

His father narrowed his eyes. “Good weather? Since when did weather make young men smile like goats eating yam?”

Daniel nearly choked on laughter but managed to grab a tray of bread and escape before the questioning deepened.

By afternoon, Aunt Brenda had already upgraded her gossip from “news” to “headline.” Every neighbor now knew about the fine bread boy who shared roofs and hearts under the rain.

When Amelia stepped out to fetch water from the compound tap, old Mrs. Adah, her mother’s friend from next door, spotted her immediately.

“Ah, our lovebird is here!” Mrs. Adah shouted cheerfully. “Amelia, please tell that boy to bring more bread next time. His love is rising like dough!”

The whole compound erupted in laughter. Amelia almost dropped her bucket in shock. “Aunty, please stop!” she cried, covering her face.

Before she could even recover, Aunt Brenda’s voice rose again from her chair. “Eh, let her stop what? I’m already planning the wedding! We’ll use bread instead of cake!”

The laughter doubled, spilling from one house to another. Even little children who didn’t understand what was happening joined in.

Amelia shook her head helplessly, wishing she could disappear into thin air.

That evening, when the street finally quieted, Amelia confronted her aunt in the sitting room.

“Aunty Brenda, please stop talking about me and Daniel everywhere!” she said, hands on her waist.

Aunt Brenda raised both hands dramatically. “Ah! So it’s true? His name is Daniel, ehn? I knew it! You’ve confirmed it with your own mouth!”

Amelia groaned, pressing her palm to her forehead. “Aunty!”

Brenda leaned back on the couch, smiling mischievously. “My dear, calm down. I’m only helping you advertise. How else will love grow if air doesn’t spread it?”

Amelia gave her a look. “You’ll never change.”

Brenda winked proudly. “That’s what makes me interesting.”

That night, Amelia lay in bed, staring up at the slow-turning ceiling fan. Sleep refused to come. Her mind kept replaying Daniel’s playful words —

“Too late. My heart has already paid half.”

A shy smile curved her lips, but she quickly frowned, hugging her pillow. “This boy will not kill me with words,” she whispered.

Across town, Daniel lay on his own bed, staring out through the window at the same glowing moon. He was smiling too, lost in his thoughts.

“If she smiles like that again,” he thought, “I’m finished.”

And somewhere between the loud laughter of Aunt Brenda and the quiet sighs of the night, something small but powerful began to grow — a young love, fragile yet fearless.

A love that would one day bring both laughter and heartbreak.

To be continued… 💞😂💔