To have and to Hold

Chapter one

“We're getting married!” Jumoke couldn't stop the ringing of her younger brother's excited voice in her head. It was almost an hour later and she was still pacing around her room, stepping over the ant hill of clothes on the floor she almost slipped but caught herself quickly with the edge of her dresser table knocking over the cup of green tea that has grown roots sitting there longer than a week, it released a faint fermented smell, she lifted herself up and continued pacing "Jide is getting married?" even hearing the words come out of her mouth left a bitter taste at the back of her throat, reality had slapped her right across her face "you're getting old, you need a man" it felt like her mind had taken shape and become her mother, oh she will never hear the last of this.

“What did you say?”

“Jide is getting married”

The loud banging of metals and the supposedly energetic music muffled the great news Jumoke had to share. Deji sat on his mat breathing like a he chewed yellow pepper, grabbing his water bottle he took a splashing gulp of water "wait o" trying to get a hold of his racing breath "So Jide don get wife and the only babe I can get to talk to me is you" Jumoke threw darts at him "all I can think of now is how my mom would be on my case now with this marriage thing, with the whole you and I aren't getting any younger" she drew air quotes, grabbing a kettlebell Jumoke took the position of a sumo fighter holding the weight at one end and lifting it to her chest "since when did you graduate to 26lb?" Deji tried to mock “That's not the bowl of contention now" she rolled her eyes concentrating on her work out "but if you must know, Steven helped me get to this stage last week" she smiled slightly looking straight ahead, trying to avoid eye contact with her best friend

“back to what we were talking about, what should I do about this whole thing?"

“I think it's the right time to call all those lover boys back, at least getting into a relationship now would ease the pressure from your mom” Deji shrugged.

The place smelt of unwashed socks, body dour and a hint of axe body spray, men really tried a whole lot to keep supress their smell; turning to Deji she saw that he had stopped his bench presses and now had his eyes glued to what she would describe as Wonder Woman, Jumoke's attention was snatched too "Keke, you dey see that babe?" Deji moved to Jumoke without taking his eyes off what seemed to be fresh meat for him “What is that" Jumoke masked her 'God when' face with an unimpressed one "You obviously know what I'm talking about you just want to form like you can't see" Jumoke was like the back of Deji's right hand to him. They both watched, Jumoke still rolling her eyes like she could do better and Deji gawking like she was a loaf of fresh bread, still oblivious to what was going on behind her, Wonder woman moved to the power rack and it was like she had taken the form of incredible hulk as she began to lift, up and down, jaws dropped, mostly Deji’s and every other thirsty man around, Jumoke’s 'God when' look rolled out unapologetically, this woman knew how to skilfully hand pick the attention of men

“Okay! It's time to go!” Jumoke grabbed Deji by the hand and pulled him towards the exit

“Haba, we just got here”

“And we have work, so let's go”

The loud honking of cars filled everywhere, impatient and angry drivers yelling from their cars "Oga you no go move?!!" the smell of carbon monoxide danced through their nostrils as they sat in traffic, everyone went crazy when they were in traffic, people hopping in and out of cabs, bike men swerving between cars like they have nine lives "you no dey see road?" it was obvious that the passenger knew she didn’t have nine lives. Chaos.

“Guy you get 100 naira, make I buy pepsi abeg” Deji turned to Jumoke who was holding on to the stirring wheel for her dear life "check my gym bag at the back" turning back to reach the bag "Are you collecting plastic bottles? Why do you have a truck load of plastic bottles?" Deji's eyebrows frowned "and what's that smell?" it smelt like a mixture of aged cheese and fish "Oga why you dey ransack my bag, ahbi you don turn police?" Jumoke snapped "take the money and leave the rest for God" Deji’s hands flew up in surrender and he sat upright again.

Jumoke's braids danced to the rhythm of the warm breeze as they hit the highway, nothing but the sound of the whistling air and faint car honks were heard, the road was clear as expected as it was a Wednesday afternoon traffic wouldn’t build up until later in the evening "Guy, guy, guy, guyyy" She tapped Deji who was dozed off on his side of the car, resting on the door he used his knee to support his elbow looking like a five year old after a long play day "Eh ehhnn" he sluggishly opened his eyes

“what is it?”

“Take my camera from my camera bag at the back and help me take pictures of the sky”

“ehn? Take pictures of the sky keh?” Deji clearly looked annoyed “You woke me up to take pictures of the sky?” His mouth shut up into a pout

“Oyah give me the camera, I'll take the pictures myself”

“Ah but you're driving”

“Oh so you know I'm driving, ode” Jumoke knew just what to do to get Deji to help her

Click! Click! Deji clicked the shutter button a few times with his head hanging out the window “I think I got a few good shots” he came back in almost bumping his head at the edge of window “l'Il check them when we get to the studio”.

Stepping in to the reception they were greeted by a crowd of kids and their parents, a couple who stood at the corner with their fingers interwoven smiling from ear to ear, it was obvious they were newly-weds, Jumoke was immediately reminded of the news she got only a few hours ago, the thought made her insides squeeze.

"What the heck is going on?" Jumoke spoke through her internal megaphone as she made her way through the maze of people "Good day ma, it's apparently this lady's son's birthday and she decided to have group pictures taken, that's why we have a lot of kids here" Rayna looked disoriented “Oh and there's a newly-wed couple that need pictures for their court wedding" She pointed, starting to sound like she was about to cry, she only started working there 2 weeks ago so it was too early for a mental breakdown Jumoke thought as she looked at her from head to toe, why was she dressed like she was presenting a case in court? Black pant suit with a white dress shirt with a small satin scarf tied around her neck, wait, was it grey? Oh it had stripes, Jumoke looked down at her shoes, they were nice and shinny "well then settle it! I can't have my studio looking like I'm running a day care" Jumoke said dryly as she and Deji walked towards the office.

“But you know that was a bit much, the babe is doing her best” Deji spoke coolly

“Her best is not enough! Imagine how that place looks” Jumoke bounced her gym bag on the floor “What is she here to do if not her job”

“But she didn't study to do this! She studied chemical engineering for God's sake, how will she know how to manage a photography company? Take it easy” Deji sat on the cool black leather chair that faced Jumoke's desk, he traced his fingers over the fake sunflower that sat in a white ceramic vase he swiped his index and middle finger over the desk, dust, “When last did you clean this place?” his eyes scanned the room as he noticed the tiny specs of dust dancing around the rays of sun that peeked through the blinds filling everywhere “I've not had time to, I'm hardly even in here as you know it's either I'm in the studio or I'm doing an outdoor shoot—“ “Then pay someone to do it” Deji cut it “You have the money so do it” Deji’s words fell right to the ground as Jumoke paid no mind to them she had her eyes glued to her phone as it rang “My mom is calling” color drained from her face.

“Jumoke!!!!! Jumoke!!I!!! Why have you come to disgrace me in this life? Why" Mrs Adejumo wailed not even giving space for pleasantries

“Why will you allow your younger brother get married before you?!!” the wailing continued, Jumoke knew she had it coming and there was no running from it “You know you're the first child, you're supposed to tie the nut first. How can you let lide who is not serious with his life get married before you? It just shows that you are even more unserious with life! AHH Jumoke?!! Why??”Jumoke sat moping, Deji knew what was going on immediately he saw Jumoke's face, He could also hear her mom wailing from her phone.

“When will you bring a man home? You and I are not getting any younger!!” Just like her mind told her

“I already told Mr Tobi, eh you know the head usher in the church, to give the list of names and numbers of all the young men between the age of 37 and 40 " Jumoke gasped

“Oooo Mommy I don't need a man to take care of me, doing just fine alone, what is all this"

“Will you shut up!! Just listen to yourself, you are 35 years old for God's sake!! 35!!! Aren't you

ashamed?!”

“Mom listen, I will definitely get together with someone but at my own time”

“My husband come and hear oo, Come and hear what Jumoke is saying!” Mr Adejumo's voice is heard faintly on the other end of the call

“What is it again?” “Is it not Jumoke? She wants us to wait until she's ready before she brings a man home. Can you imagine?!” She knew her mother was dramatic so she just shook her head, she walked over to the door to take a peek, the reception was still rowdy and Rayna looked like she was in search of somewhere to hide

“hello Jumoke? What is going on?” Her father sounded tired

“Daddy you know how mommy is, trying to get me married even before I'm even ready” the soft laugh of her father resounded coolly in her ear, walking back to her chair, she sat placing her palm on the dusty table, she noticed the dust

“But you should understand that she's only looking out for you, she's sees a need and is eager to fix it. She's your mother and she loves you, even though it looks like she's crazy but she does what she does out of love for you” Her father just know what to say to melt her heart, maybe that's why she hadn't gotten together with anyone, maybe it's because no one treated her like her dad did, no one knew how to calm her down and make her reason like her dad did, she sighed

“If you say so Daddy”

“Look, just bear with her” She could feel her father smiling.

“Deji what kind of pictures did you take, I said take pictures of the sky and I'm seeing the road, how now?” Jumoke mocked

“So now you're mocking me? After waking me up from sleep to take pictures you expect them to look professional” Deji's eyes danced around their sockets

“I can't use any of these” she sighed slapping her palm on her forehead “One job! I gave you one job Deji, you're useless” hissing she turned around and walked out of the office, almost slamming the door behind her, without any reaction to Jumoke's outburst Deji plumped himself on the couch releasing village of dust trapped underneath