Chapter-4
1694 Words
“Keke, stop us here!”
“Wait Oga, go front small abeg. That compound wey get green color,” Avva pointed.
“But you just say make I stop here,” the driver grumbled.
“I wan enter the compound because of our things,” Avva explained.
“You go add money o.”
“Add money for what?” Jasmine snapped. “Which kind talk be that?”
“Make una come down if una no add 1k join.”
“Jas, stop,” Avva whispered. “He won’t back down. This is not Bolt ride or your prince-charming Kelvin’s car.”
“Do for us na, we be your pikin,” Avva begged.
“I be like una papa?” he barked.
He finally rolled forward, following Avva’s hand.
“We’re here, sir.”
“Thank you. Your account number?” Avva asked.
“915925…” he rattled out as they dragged down their luggage.
“Sunday Sunday?” Avva asked, checking the name on the bank app.
“Yes.”
His phone beeped. “Na 4k you send?”
“Na wetin we bargain,” Avva replied.
“No use me play o. Add that 1k.”
“Oya carry us go back then! Because we no get,” Jasmine shot back.
“We honestly don’t have it,” Avva added softly. “Abeg.”
“You dey joke? Una no know me for this town!”
“Mmmm… oga please, no dey drag like woman,” Jasmine muttered.
“JASMINE.”
Avva’s eyes warned her.
“If he misbehaves, I go drop license teach am,” Jasmine whispered.
But before the drama could grow, loud chanting burst from inside the compound:
“Mama Doctor! Mama Doctor!”
The old green building at Olomu suddenly glowed. Wooden windows, peeling paint—but decorated like a festival ground.
“What is this?” Jasmine blinked.
“Transfer his money,” Avva said, nerves rising. “I need to check something. I hope my mother didn’t do what I think she did…”
FLASHBACK — Earlier that morning
“Your fiancé outdid himself,” Avva teased, dragging her big travel box. “After the sermon your parents gave him? Kelvin get mind sha.”
“ but Avva,He didn’t tell you, why?
so I wouldn’t run my mouth,” Avva laughed.
“Are you sure? Or your licky-licky mouth no fit keep secret?”
They burst into giggles.
“That man loves you,” Avva sighed dramatically. “God when!?”
Avva’s phone rang.
“Migwo mummy.”
“How far? You’re still coming today, abi?”
“Yes.”
“Wear your uniform,
both you and Jasmine.”
“Mummy please! What kind of joke is that? We can’t wear uniform na.”
“So no?”
“No. You want to kill us? We never even start life.”
““Nooo,” mummy objected. “It’s been long everyone saw you here. Please come.”
“Everyone? Mummy nobody cared about us when we struggled. I’m coming home for YOU, and to greet Mummy K.
Don’t go and be telling everybody you’re Mama Doctor o!”
“I will o, na my struggle,” mummy fired.
“Our struggle, mummy. Let’s be grateful to God. No showing off, please.”
“Okay. Safe journey.
BACK TO THE COMPOUND
The gates swung open—drums exploded.
“How did they know you’re back?” Jasmine whispered.
“Sonia!” Avva called. “What is all this?”
“We’re celebrating you!” Sonia beamed. “Mama cooked banga soup with chicken—your favourite! Everybody that admired you is here. Even the children you taught in church. Their aunty is now a full doctor!”
Neighbours rushed to help with the luggage.
A little girl ran forward and placed decorative flowers on Avva’s head.
“Thank you, Oro,” Avva smiled.
The compound looked transformed. Decorations everywhere.
At their house entrance was a giant tag:
“Dr. Avva, Congratulations! More Wins!”
A tear slipped from her eye.
"Congratulations!” echoed from every corner.
What was meant to be a small compound thing had become a full celebration.
“Doctor never dey your family before?” Jasmine teased.
“No ma,” Avva side-eyed her.
“Ohhhh,” Jasmine laughed. “No wonder.”
Inside the house — Boom!
“Surprise!!!”
Her mum’s siblings.
Church members.
The Reverend.
Mummy K and her husband.
Cousins.
Everyone.
Avva thought the drums were the surprise — she didn’t know this part was coming.
During the cake moment, her mother held her hand:
“I dedicate this celebration to God and to my lovely husband, Johnson Oyibo. God kept me. He didn’t leave a widow in the darkness of grief. Today, I thank God for everything. My blessings are many. I celebrate my doctor — my pikin no fall my hand. I pray for more achievements in Jesus’ name.”
“Amen!” everyone chorused.
Food flowed. Warm hugs. Endless congratulations.
Avva hugged her mum over and over.
“Mummy, this is too much! You didn’t have to! Even daddy’s brother is here—ahhh!”
“Mummy…” she gave her a playful glare.
“Anyway Mama Doctor, your doctor dey hungry o!” Avva teased her mom.
“Where’s Jasmine?” avva's mum asked
“She’s already attending to a case somewhere. Aproko doctor.”
“When is her wedding again?”
“Two months from now — October 17 and 19.”
“Good. How long are you staying before internship?”
“One month. I want to help her plan.”
They talked as Avva ate her favourite banga soup — chicken nestled in a black clay plate, oil floating beautifully, starch perfectly shaped for Avva's stomach.
She didn’t hesitate.
She devoured.
---
Jasmine’s Wedding Day
The sun dipped low, painting the garden in honey–gold. White roses lined the aisle, lavender brushed the breeze, and soft drapes swayed like gentle clouds.
Ava stood at the side, pride filling her chest.
God bless this union, she whispered.
Mrs. Okotie dabbed tears behind her lace handkerchief.
Kelvin’s friends teased him, telling him to breathe.
Then—Jasmine appeared.
Kelvin almost shouted for joy.
Is this my bride? My Jasmine? My doctor?
She walked with the calm of a woman who had survived storms and chosen love with clear eyes. Her gown shimmered—a fitted bodice embroidered with silver threads and glass beads, an off-shoulder neckline, and a cathedral skirt that floated like worship.
At the aisle, she paused in wonder.
Her eyes found Ava.
Ava nodded—Go on. You fish head.
When reached Kelvin,
Kelvin stepped forward without thinking, drawn to her like breath.
He held her hands like he’d never truly held them.
When the officiant said, “You may now be joined forever,”
heaven felt close.
They exchanged rings.
A seal.
A yes.
Ava clapped first—loud, unfiltered.
Everybody did the same.
Kelvin’s friends screamed,
“One man down!”
Jasmine took Kelvin’s arm as they walked back—two stories folding into one.
“You look beautiful, doc,” Kelvin whispered.
“I can’t wait. Let’s close the ceremony already.”
“My husband,” Jasmine laughed, “calm down. Everything is yours.”
Meanwhile…
Avva was busy arranging chairs when she felt a presence behind her.
“Hi, Dr. Avva.”
“Hi,” she replied, still working.
“I want to help,” he insisted.
“No sir, I’m fine.”
He took the chairs from her anyway.
“What do you want?” she finally asked.
“At least ask my name first,” he smiled.
“I’m Edesiri Godwin… and I want to be your friend.”
Avva froze.
Friend was not a small word for her.
Before she could respond, Jasmine’s mum shouted her name and she walked away.
At the Toast...
The best man raised his glass.
Everyone fill your glass "let's make a toast to what love cannot do, doesn't exist '
Laughing filled the place.
“To long life!
To prosperity!
To children that will become doctors too!
To good health—until even death fears them!”
Laughter erupted. Glasses clinked.
To be continued...
- Writer
