CHAPTER 1
The front door swung open. Tofunmi and Tolani rushed in jumping up and down in front of Mrs Adenike as they chorused.
“Grandma, guess what?"
“Kini?" The older woman stared at them over the reading glasses perched on her nose as she continued sorting beans on the tray.
“Talk now. Wooo, See I have beans to pick before night.” She said, looking from Tofunmi to Tolani. They ignored her curious stares and sat down.
" By the way, what took you two so long if you won't tell me why you're so excited? Kilode?"
“Grandma,we saw our school friends and decided to hangout with them before coming home," Tolani answered.
“You mean all the gossip you were doing with Cynthia throughout the walk home " Tofunmi corrected.
“See pot calling kettle black. What were you doing then?”
" Meee?!” pointed at herself.
" It's okay.” Adenike cut in glaring at her granddaughters. " How did it go now? Abi you want to keep the news all to yourself “
On noticing her stares, they stood up and sat on each side of their grandma.
“Grandma,we just wanted to surprise you. But anyway a surprise is still a surprise," Tofunmi said, hugging her.
“What surprise?" She asked.
“We've been promoted to SS3!!!" The twins chorused.
“Ah! You don't mean it my dear?" Adenike gaped at them.
“Yes Grandma. We made it to our final year, see!" Tolani exclaimed, bringing out their result sheet from her small bag.
Adenike stood up and started dancing after reading it. “Otise o Baba tise o " she sang as she moved her body.
“Amin o! Baba ti se o” The girls sang along standing up to dance with her.
“You two don't know how happy I am. How I've wished to see this day come to pass. Now finally you two will be in SS3 __ your final year in secondary school." Adenike said, fighting back her tears.
“Grandma, we're in SS3, not soon to be. We're just waiting for school to resume, that's all" Tolani whined.
"Abi ẹyin o ri ọmọ sisi eko kekere ti o ga yií?"
" Yes ooo. I'm about to graduate in less than a year from now, “ Tolani bragged.
" You mean we Madam" Tofunmi glared at her sister playfully.
“It's okay. I'm sure you're hungry abi?"
“I'm famished!" Tolani exclaimed.
" Always the foodie “ Tofunmi mocked.
" Toor!”
" I just finished warming that small remaining rice from this morning. Let's manage it for tonight, you hear?” Adenike said.
“Yes grandma" They answered.
“How was work today by the way?" Tofunmi asked, as they all followed Adenike to the kitchen.
“It's stressful as always my dear. Mrs Helen can't even offer me water, talk less of food. After all the piles of laundry I did plus washing all the plates and tidying the house, she couldn't even offer me anything since I'll be paid tomorrow or the day after “
" That woman is stingy o. What kind of madam is she sef? And for how much she's paying you sef? Mtchwww.” Tolani clicked her tongue in annoyance.
" Leave that woman. Carry your food let's go "
They talked about needing past question textbooks for their compulsory subject and other things concerning the girls school.
“Grandma, is there more rice? " Tolani
“No, It's finished. you're not okay?” Adenike asked, staring at Tolani’s almost empty plate .
She nodded but then shrugged. “It's fine, I'll just hold this one in my stomach"
“Why not have mine," Adenike suggested.
The girls shook their heads .
“No grandma, you need to eat more since you're going to work tomorrow and you'll need your strength," Tofunmi said.
“Yes grandma,Fumi is right," Tolani agreed.
“You know what, have some of mine instead," she said, reaching for Tolani's plate.
“Sis, no nahhh. I can manage just fine" she said, trying to pull her plate back from tofunmi.
" Manage Keh? Have you forgotten that you have an ulcer?”
" But, that's not an excuse for me to eat your__”
Tofunmi cut her off " Am I complaining? No.”
Tolani went silent.
" Take jare. In fact take everything. I need to meet up with Ayo. We didn't get the chance to chat today because he came with his parent. So Grandma, I want to go over to his place and know if he passed “she got up on her feet and pushed her plate to Tolani.
"Make sure you're back before it's late o” Adenike warned.
" Yes Grandma" And she left.
Adenike stared blankly at Tofunmi's departing figure. It puzzled Tolani, but she assumed her grandma was just lost in thought.
“Grandma?" Tolani called out softly, pulling her out from her thoughts.
“Okómi, what is it?" She asked, brows creased.
“N… Nothing. I wanted to tell you that Fumi and I met Mr Osas on our way coming back home"
Adenike’s stilled. Tolani noticed and felt confused at her sudden demeanor.
“He’s been meaning to talk to you in person, but you're always giving him excuses or you're not picking up his calls"
“I don't have time ni”
" But, Grandma that's my class teacher we're talking about "
“I've told him when I have chance, I'll call him. Woo, maa ni mi l’ara o”
“Grandma, I'm not stressing you. I'm just worried" Tolani said.
“It's fine. Sheybi it's Mr Osas that I know. I'll call him when I have recharge card on my phone. You don't worry yourself."
“Okay, Grandma" she smiled and continued eating.
The room went silent after that. As Tolani rose to take the dirty dishes to the kitchen to wash, Adenike's voice stopped her abruptly.
“Oluwatolani Makinde"
That made Tolani pause and look over her shoulder.
“Grandma, is everything okay?"
“Come, Come and sit down. I want to talk to you." Adenike patted the empty plastic white chair beside her.
Tolani obliged and waited. Finally. Adenike spoke.
"Tola, your sister is and should be your top priority in everything you do. The bond you two share is stronger than any kind of sisterhood I've seen. People envy how Tofunmi dotes on you. Forget you two are twins who don't look alike __ even twins who do look alike don't have this kind of bond." She adjusted in her seat and placed both hands on Tolani's.
" Now listen to me carefully. In anything you do, don't let anyone __ whether family or outsider __ come between you and your sister. Don't let anyone separate you from her. The sacrifice she's willing to make for you to be satisfied is something no one else on this earth will do for you.”
" Grandma, I know Fumi loves me alot, but don't you think it's too much? I'm beginning to think I'm selfish for always putting my needs above hers,” Tolani confessed.
" No, don't put it that way. Aside from me you're all Tofunmi has. She's willing to do anything to please you. But don't ever use this against her. Your sister might be soft to you, but she hardly forgives, especially when you hurt her badly “
" Grandma, how do you know all these?” She asked.
Adenike shrugged. " I raised you two with my own hands. I don't need anyone to describe how my girls behave “
" Tolani?”
" Ma?”
" Promise me you'll always stand by your sister. No matter the obstacles, you'll always be with your sister.“ Adenike’s voice dropped to an octave.
" I promise. But Grandma, why are you sounding like this? You'll always be by our side during does obstacles, right?”
Adenike let out a dry laugh. “ Young woman, you seem to have forgotten that I'm an old woman. I'm not getting any younger “
" I know, but I pray God blesses you until you're 120 or 150 years old “
That got Adenike laughing.
" Grandma, I'm serious" she said sternly.
" Mo ti gbọ́ ọ. Go and wash the plates fast so you come and help me and sort these beans.“ She gestured at the half-sorted beans on the tray.
" Okay Grandma, I'm coming “ she stood up and carried the dishes to the kitchen.
Adenike just sat there, staring blankly out the window as the sun painted the horizon in shades of orange.
