More than a Chance

Mammy market

“I work with Textco Nigeria Limited as a managing director, do you know the place?” Danny asked as he steered the wheel along the road that led to the barrack.

“Is he now trying to impress me or what?" she thought before she answered him.

“No, I have heard of the name before but I have never been there,” she replied.

“Ok, is our family company and we are into construction and general contract," he said.

When they got to the entrance of the Barrack, Aaliyah started to direct the way by pointing. “Have you been to the barrack before?" she asked.

“No, I haven't been here before since I came to “Abeokuta” city,” he replied.

“When did you live before you relocated to “Abeokuta"," she asked.

“I used to live in Lagos before, I married seven years ago, do you know how to drive?" he added.

“Oh, I see. No sir, why did you ask if I know how to drive?" she asked.

“I would have given you the car to drive rather than you directing," he replied.

“Like seriously," she giggled.

“Can I teach you how to drive a car one of these weekends, if you're in town?” he said.

“Sure, I would be glad because I have been craving to learn all this while,” she said with enthusiasm.

“Ok, no problem when next you come to town I will teach you," he said.

“Aww! Thank you my brother," she said happily.

When they got to “Mammy” market, Aaliyah showed him a spot to park his car.

There were different shops made of iron sheet, palm fonts, bamboos where traders sell different kinds of things. Few were built in blocks. But it is well-known for pub.

Danny saw soldiers in uniform drinking beer and some were in mufti. There were many spots filled with people having fun. Danny stole a quick glance at her and noticed that she looked nervous, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress.

"Hey, you okay?" Danny asked.

Aaliyah nodded, but he could tell she wasn't feeling comfortable.

“You don't want me to meet your mum?" he asked.

"No, it's not that," Aaliyah replied. "It's just that my mother doesn't like me hanging out with male friends, especially around her shop because colonel Kola has his eyes everywhere," she said.

Danny raised an eyebrow, “Who's colonel Kola? I hope you don't mind me asking," he said.

“Yes, it's ok. He's my fiancee's father and he's one of the top officer here on the barracks," she replied.

Danny didn't push it, instead choosing to focus on the task at hand. "Look, Aaliyah, I understand your concerns, but we don't have anything to hide. I just want to meet your mother and say hello. If she doesn't like me, that's okay, but I want to at least try."

Aaliyah sighed, looking torn. Danny could see the conflict in her eyes, but he knew that she trusted him. Finally, she nodded. "Okay let's go see my mother."

Aaliyah took a deep breath before getting out of the car, Danny following suit.

Infront of where he parked, Aaliyah tossed forward to greet a woman in one of the shops. And they exchanged pleasantries.

“Well since I have no skeleton in my cupboard,” she thought to herself. She led the way to her mother's shop and he followed behind her.

They passed through some shops before they finally got to her mother's. “Here we are,” she said to him.

The shop's made of bamboo sticks and the roof were covered with palm fonts. There's a big tree in front of the shop, where some customers prefer to sit in the afternoons to get fresh air. The arena was in an ebullient mood, different groups engaged in various conversations and arguments. When it is Friday like this most of them come around to drink and feel Aaliyah's presence. (It's no secret even her mother can't deny the fact that she boosts sales on weekends.)

Her mother's waitress saw Aaliyah, she ran to greet her. “Where's mother?” Aaliyah asked.

Adijah, her mother over-heard her voice from inside, she came out with avidity. She began to hail her daughter with pedigree of their lineage. Aaliyah kneeled down to greet her.

“You're welcome my daughter. How's your journey?” Adijah asked.

“It's great mum,” she replied.

“I was a bit worried when I didnt see you last week,” she told Aaliyah.

“But you know sometimes I don't come every weekend,” Aaliyah replied.

(There's a little silence at the arena as most of the customers were mesmerized by her presence)

“Yes I know, maybe because I've missed you dearly,” said Adijah. They tried as much to keep their voices low as they converse.

Danny stood behind them waiting for Aaliyah to introduce him.

“Good evening ma, he prostrated to greet her."

“ How are you? She greeted him loathly. “I'm fine ma,” he responded. Adijah looked at Danny, her expression hostile. "And who is this?"

"This is Danny," Aaliyah said. "He's a brother."

Adijah snorted. " You know, I don't need any stranger around you, especially not male ones."

“He's the one who helped me from “Ishagamu” town down here.”

“Thank you very much, may God help and be with you too,” the mother said and she walked away.

Danny felt bad and Aaliyah noticed that. “Where would you prefer to sit?" Aaliyah asked.

“Outside preferably,” he replied.

“ Ok, have your seat let me serve you some palm wine to drink," Aaliyah sounded apologetic.

So she grabbed a seat for him at one corner of the spot. She went in to bring a bottle of fresh palm wine with calabash and a plate of pepper soup for Danny. She left him to enjoy his drink while she went about helping her mother to attend to customers. He sipped his drink with briskness as he noticed and feel the aura of hostility every time her mother passes. It's now half past seven in the evening.

The shops around put on their lights but the pubs made theirs fuzzy. Danny couldn't let go of his eyes at the beauty that gives a spark in the dark.

“How I wish...," he muttered as he took a heavy gulp of the wine.

“But I would try my possible," he thought aloud.

“I hope you're having a good time here?” Aaliyah asked abruptly.

“Yes, I am he responded shockingly."

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Of course I am, thank you for the refreshment."

He thought Aaliyah overheard him thinking aloud.

He peeked at his Wrist-watch under the dim light; “I have to take my leave now,” he told Aaliyah. “Okay, I'm sorry for everything that happened," she apologized. He stood up, “It's okay, where is our mother?” Danny asked. Aaliyah was surprised he still wanted to see her after the way she treated him.

“She's in the shop,” she replied. And he went in to say bye to her. He longed his hand into his breast pocket and gave Adijah some money.

“Thank you, but you don't have to bother yourself,” she said and collected it reluctantly.

“No, it's nothing ma. You're welcome," he said.

Aaliyah accompanied him to his car. “I really had a splendiferous time knowing and been around you," said Danny.

“Thank you sir, it's same here."

“When am I seeing you again?” he asked.

“At least you know here now. And please sir, don't forget about my driving lesson,” she added.

“Don't bother about that I would find a way around it," he said.

She waited on him to reverse and she waved to him and hooted back to her before he drove away.

Aaliyah heard a man's voice called her name as she walked back to the shop. She moved closer, “good evening sir," she greeted. It's colonel Kola.

“How's your journey?” he asked.

“It's marveling sir," she replied with a huge smile.

“I sent your mother to you last week and you didn't turn up," he said.

“I'm sorry sir, I didn't come to town last week," she replied.

“Oh, hope there's no problem, and how's work and life in general?” he asked. “Everything is fine sir, I thank God.”

The colonel's son's name's Tunde, he's been in Spain for two years now. Since he finished his master degree, he has gotten a job over there.

He is Aaliyah's boyfriend before he traveled oversea. And he has promised to be there for her even in distance. They communicates through letters, and he used to send her money and gifts through his father. (I guessed that's why colonel Kola asked after her last week.) They loved each other dearly and they're fond of each other before he left the country.

Colonel comes around often just to assure Adijah that they still have interest in Aaliyah's hand in marriage.

“When will you come for the stuff your fianceé sent you?” colonel asked her. She managed to check her wrist-watch in the blur light. It's quarter to eight. “Thank you sir, I would come for it tomorrow."

“Alright take care of yourself my dear and send my regards to your mum." “Alright, I will sir."

It's nine-thirty a.m. on the following day. Adewale advanced to visit his eldest brother, Danny. He had waited for him for so long in the Office yesterday for him to return from the journey. He'd come this morning to make sure everything was okay with him.

The gateman opened the gate for Adewale to drive in. A sigh of relief ran across his nerves when he saw his brother's car in good shape. When he left the Office around five thirty yesterday, he came here and left at seven o'clock. He was worried because he knew his brother doesn't like night traveling.

Adewale knocked on the door, “who's there?" Danny's wife asked. From the fragrance of the perfume coming underneath the door, she could tell it was Adewale.