CHAPTER 4
1525 Words
The next day, neighbors, friends, church members and even the pastor gathered outside the Makinde's compound. Somewhere crying, some had long faces, some consoled others who were crying. Tofunmi sat beside Stella. She was a very close friend of Adenike and treated the girls like her own.
Tolani wasn't among them because she had cried herself to sleep.
Ayomide and his parents were among the mourners including Ebun. She was consoling her mother Priscilla, using a handkerchief to wipe the tears from her eyes.
Pastor Enoch prayed then the main discussion began.
“My people, we gather here today not just because we lost a fine woman of God but also to come together as a family to plan the burial of late Mrs Adenike Akintunde and to sort the welfare of grandchildren she left behind.”
" Is there no other next of kin to Mrs Adenike that needs to know about her death?”
Stella shook her head and said.
" As far as I know, she's an orphan,got married to a pauper and only has one child.”
" Speaking of the child, where is she na? Shouldn't she be with us here as we discuss things for her mother's funeral?”Mama Ada said.
" I tried calling her with both her mother's number and mine but she didn't pick up so we used an outsider line to reach her,”Stella said.
" And?"
“She picked but when I told her about the News of her mother's death she hanged up"
That word scattered Tofunmi's hope. She had been hoping she would atleast show up after she learnt that her mother was no more. Even if she didn't want to see her own children. What about her own mother that carried her in her womb for nine months?
“Chaii! Kasala don burst" Mama Ada exclaimed.
" Mama Ada!!!” Two neighbors threw scornful glare at her.
" Wetin happen? Why una dey Mama Ada me,eh? Mama die pikin no fit come see her Mama confirm the whole news but she dey this Lagos. This same Lagos wey her mama kpai na em she dey. Come house she say no na em una dey call my name. Bia, make una dey respect una self o" She warned.
“That's enough ma. When do you think we can conduct the burial, Stella?” pastor Enoch asked.
" Pastor, that question is meant for Tofunmi to answer. It's the reason she's here with us. Tofunmi?”
" Next week is fine by me,“ Tofunmi answered weakly.
“It'll have to be let's say Thursday for the service of song and Friday for the final burial. What do you all think?"
Heads nodded in agreement.
“The church will take full responsibility for the funeral service. Now the welfare of the girls. They need to be under someone's care" pastor Enoch said, staring at everyone.
" I agree with you, pastor," Mama Charity said.
Mama Ada mimicked her words. “You fit take care of them? You don get six children that one never do you, you won come add more to em abi?"
“Mama Ada,ah ah?!"
“Make una leave me you o. Tell me why this one wey dey leave for one room self con with six children and husband dey put mouth for this matter? Mtchwww “ she glared at Mama Charity.
“Mama Ada, wetin be your own na? No be everything you go just open mouth dey talk like say you be parrot even if you be parrot respect the man of God and all these people wey leave their business come here." Iya Bukola said.
“Tufiakwa!" Mama Charity spat doing a God forbid sign with her hands.
“Tufiakwa to you too” Mama Ada repeated the sign.
" Please, it's enough. Now back to what we were saying. Who will take these girls under their care? “ pastor asked.
Everyone murmured among themselves in group until one man stood up and suggested.
" Why not take them to an orphanage home?”
" At seventeen? No naa!” Someone said.
" It'll traumatize them and besides, they'll be writing their West African certificate exam in about 8 months from now….”
" All the more reason why they need to be under someone's care“ Pastor Enoch pointed out.
“I would have but I'm a single mother struggling to raise four children in this hard economy with one of my sons already in University adding these two is like a burden to what I'm facing” Stella said.
A tall slim woman with pale dark skin stood up and said.
“I can't put them under my care o. Before I start hearing Yemi is maltreating somebody else's children"
“Ah ah, Yemi. Why will you say that na?" Someone said.
“I will say it o. I don't want problem for myself"
“Nor mind em. Pesin wey if dem shake em now 5 naira two no go commot for her body. You don forget say you dey owe four months' NEPA bill?" Mama Ada sneered at Yemi.
“Uhhm…is there no one else here that is willing to take the girls under their care?”
" Pastor, I think my sister and I can manage just fine”
" Who will take care of the two of you? Feeding and providing for the things you'll need in school,”
Tofunmi shrugged. " I can drop out and start working”
" God forbid. I reject it. You know what?” Stella stood up to address everyone. " Why don't we provide the little we have to them so they won't starve since no one is willing to take care of them atleast let's do that one thing for them. Please!”
The crowd murmured among themselves.
" Ejoor, edakun.” Stella went on her knees.
" Even though, kinds are hard but I will support them with what I have to ensure they are okay “
" Me too”
" I'll support with a half bag of rice"
They kept chiming in while Stella wrote down the names of people who were going to support the girls with their upkeeps.
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Later that Evening
Ayomide stayed by with Sister Ebun after the meeting ended and his parents left.
Ebun was in the kitchen making dinner while Stella was inside the girls room trying to console Tolani. She was awake now but has refused to eat and Stella was worried it might affect her ulcer.
Ayomide and Tofunmi sat in the living room. Tofunmi's head was resting on his shoulder as she stared at her Grandma's favourite chair which was now empty.
" I still can't believe she's gone," Tofunmi's voice cracked.
“Me too. I didn't believe this day would come so soon"
“It still felt like a nightmare to me and I'm more worried about Tolani than anything else right now. My poor sister has done through alot"
“You both went through it together. It took a strong girl like you not to crying upon hearing your Grandma was no more"
“I cried o ayo"
“No, you didn't. Let me guess you're trying to be strong for Tolani's sake”
" Yes. I have to " she stared at her feet as if there was something new there aside from her flip-flops.
“Tofunmi, look at me “
She did.
" You don't have to be strong all the time “
" I can't do this to her. She's all I have left and I'm trying my best not to break down even though this news is eating me up “ she sniffed back her tears.
" I'm sorry. I'm sorry about your Grandma but I'm also worried about how you guys will cope. Mostly you Tofunmi “He said,gently caressing her palm.
" I'll be fine “ she nodded to punctuate her word.
" No, Tofunmi. Beneath this facade of yours is a girl looking for an arm to lean on and cry out the pain, the grief, everything.”
" I know but I'm not ready yet. Atleast not now that I'm trying to figure out how my life will be from this day moving forward”
" I understand. Remember you're not alone from this day moving forward “ He gave out a small smile.
" I know you've always got my back” she smiled bitterly.
" I always do…. Period!" He gestured with his hand as he said period in a girlish tone.
Tofunmi forced a laugh, trying to hide her inner turmoil.
“Dinner is ready!" Ebun sing-songed from the kitchen.
“Oya,stand up let's go and eat your majesty iron lady" He said with a hint of sarcasm, standing up and lifted Tofunmi on her feet.
" Me iron lady abi?”
Before he could respond she punched him below his ribs and he shrieked playfully.
" Ouch! My waist “
" Serves you right “She walked past him to the kitchen.
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