Chapter 19: Dinner At The Osayande Mansion
1059 Words
Ruth stood in front of the mirror, smoothing her simple blue dress for the third time.
“Hope I no go embarrass myself,” she whispered.
Aunty Kate, who had helped her get ready, shook her head.
“Ruth, you are going to meet people, not enter a courtroom. Relax.”
Ruth smiled nervously. “Aunty, these people are rich. What if I don't know how to behave?”
“Just be respectful and be yourself. That is enough.”
A car horn sounded outside.
Ruth picked up her small handbag and hurried downstairs. David was waiting beside his car, dressed in a dark blue shirt and black trousers.
When he saw her, he paused.
“You look nice, Ruth.”
She lowered her eyes. “Thank you, sir.”
“Ready?”
She nodded, and he opened the car door for her.
As they drove away, Ruth watched the streets pass by. She had never imagined that she would one day be going to the home of Chief Osayande as an invited guest.
David noticed her silence.
“Are you nervous?”
“A little.”
“You have nothing to fear. My parents want to meet you because of your work with the scholarship programme. They aren't expecting you to be somebody else.”
Ruth smiled faintly. “I'll remember that.”
---
When they arrived, Ruth stared at the beautiful house.
It was large, with a well-kept garden and bright lights shining along the driveway. She followed David inside, trying not to look too amazed.
A woman in an elegant green dress came forward with a warm smile.
“David, you're finally here!”
“Good evening, Mum.”
He hugged her before introducing Ruth.
“Mum, this is Ruth, the person I told you about.”
His mother turned towards Ruth.
“So you're Ruth! Welcome, my dear.”
“Good evening, ma,” Ruth replied respectfully.
“Please, don't be nervous. Come inside.”
Chief Osayande joined them a moment later. He greeted Ruth warmly and asked about the Ugonoba outreach.
Ruth explained how the scholarship forms had been distributed and how excited the village girls were.
“I was once like them,” she admitted. “I know what it feels like to have dreams but no opportunity.”
Chief Osayande listened with interest.
“That is why the programme matters. We need people who understand the problems we are trying to solve.”
Ruth was surprised by his response. She had expected him to judge her because of her background, but he treated her with respect.
David watched the conversation, quietly pleased.
---
During dinner, David's mother asked Ruth about her family.
Ruth's smile faded slightly.
“My father died some years ago, ma. My mother is also gone. I lived with my stepmother in Ugonoba.”
“I'm sorry, my dear,” David's mother said gently.
Ruth nodded. “It was difficult, but I'm trying to build a better future for myself.”
David looked at her. He knew some of what she had endured, but hearing her speak so calmly about her past made him admire her even more.
His mother noticed the way he watched Ruth whenever she spoke.
She said nothing, but she began to wonder whether her son had invited Ruth for more than the scholarship discussion.
After dinner, she asked Ruth to accompany her to the sitting room while David helped his father with a telephone call.
“I hope you felt comfortable here,” she said.
“Yes, ma. Everybody has been kind to me.”
“Good. David doesn't bring many people home.”
Ruth became a little shy.
“He invited me because of the scholarship programme, ma.”
“Of course,” his mother replied with a small smile.
But she had noticed something in her son's eyes that Ruth did not seem to recognise yet.
---
On their way back to the mansion, David asked, “So, how was dinner?”
Ruth smiled.
“Your parents are very kind. I was afraid they would look down on me because I'm from the village.”
“Why would they do that?”
“Some people believe that being poor means you have nothing good to offer.”
David shook his head.
“Those people are wrong.”
Ruth looked out of the window, thinking about the evening.
“Thank you for inviting me, sir. I won't forget it.”
David glanced at her.
“You don't have to keep thanking me for everything, Ruth.”
She laughed softly. “It's not easy to stop when somebody has helped you so much.”
“I understand.”
He wanted to tell her that she was becoming important to him, but he wasn't ready to put that burden on her.
Instead, he said, “I'm glad you came.”
Ruth turned towards him and smiled.
For the rest of the journey, David found himself wishing the drive were longer.
---
That night, David's mother called him into her sitting room before he left his parents' house.
“David, I want to ask you something.”
“What is it, Mum?”
She studied his face.
“Do you have feelings for Ruth?”
David was caught off guard.
“Why are you asking me that?”
“Because I have eyes, my son. You look at that girl differently.”
He was silent for a moment.
“I respect her, Mum. She's hardworking, and she deserves a chance.”
His mother nodded.
“I know. But respect and love are not always the same thing.”
David looked away.
He still hadn't said the words aloud, even to himself.
His mother touched his arm.
“Whatever you feel, be honest with yourself. And remember that Ruth is a person with her own dreams. Don't make promises until you know what you truly want.”
David nodded slowly.
On his way out, her words followed him.
He was beginning to understand his feelings, but he needed time to be certain he could offer Ruth something genuine.
Meanwhile, Ruth returned to her room that night feeling hopeful about her future.
She had no idea that David's mother had already begun asking questions about her son's heart.
And David was getting closer to discovering the answer himself.
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