1 The Broken Vase & Verses

...Ronke's point of view.

‚Mummy not this time, you can't tell me not to marry Funsho! I"m tired and fed up. Mummy, this is the fifth guy I have brought home since I clocked twenty-five. I have just three months left to hit the walls of thirty and you"re still rejecting every man I bring home. Enough Mum, I can't do this any longer!‛ Teniola yelled and stomped out of the living room. Her mother had just rudely sent Funsho out of her home and I sincerely pity the young couple. Abebi, my childhood friend and Teni's mother, has given her daughter a tough time with the issue of marriage and choosing a life partner. She had called me a week before, to be present whilst she scrutinize him and I did not have the heart to say that I have known the young man for a while now. In my opinion, Funsho would make an amazing husband for Teniola but I cannot blame Abebi for her over- protective behaviour, Teni is all she has.

Abebi had lost Teni's older, twin siblings in a plane crash with her husband fifteen years ago. Teni was just in S.S.1 and was only fourteen years old when the incident happened. Abebi nearly killed herself and it took only the grace of God to restore her and give her the strength to remain alive. She had watched Teniola grow up and ensured she never left her care or the shores of Lagos. She made sure Teniola was admitted to University of Lagos to study law and even when Teni had to serve the country and was posted to Sokoto state, Abebi did everything to ensure she was redeployed to Lagos. Abebi is an amazing mother but she has forgotten or maybe cannot see that Teni is no longer the little child she knew; she has grown into a wise young woman, capable of contributing to her life's matters.

‚Abebi, this girl has a point. You need not emphasize even the littlest flaw in the men your daughter brings to you. Funsho is a handsome young man. He's God-fearing, respectful and works with Chevron as their accountant. He is also from a well to do family in this Lagos; the Macaulay's are very great people, you know.'' I chipped in but as usual, she was being head-strong.

‚Ibironke Oremi, e jo emi na ko (my friend, it's not my fault.) Alagba told me that the guy does not match my daughter's destiny. Won ni irawo won o ba ra won mu (their destinies do not match.)‛ I looked at my friend Abebi and shook my head in disappointment.

‚Ronke, you know Teni is all I have, so I don"t want her to marry into just any home. I know the Macaulay's are great people but Teni's destiny and Funsho's do not match.‛ Abebi said avoiding my gaze.

I gazed at the POP ceiling in the sitting room for a while then looked at Abebi as I tried to keep myself calm.

‚Abebi, 2021 la ma wa (We are in 2021).'' I said trying to pull her out of the past she was seemingly stuck in.

‚Aunty Ronke, please tell her‛, Teniola had come back to the sitting room with her travelling box. ‚Tell Mummy, my life has always been governed by what Woli-alagba says. When I gained admission for Masters in the United Kingdom, it was this same Woli-alagba who said if I go, I won't come back alive. It was the same thing when I brought Mike home, she said Woli told her he is a wizard who wants to ruin my destiny. Mummy, Mike has been married for five years now with twins. I brought Femi, she said Woli-alagba prophesied that if I marry him, I would die during child- birth like the wives in that family. Femi is also married with children and his wife is alive and well, running Gem Events; the same event planner she intends to call for my wedding. I brought Tayo and Mummy said this same Woli-alagba had seen that Tayo will not make it in life. Tayo is the owner of a successful real-estate company as we speak.‛ Teniola lamented, weeping as she called out all the relationships she had

broken because of a prophet's decree.

‚Since the prophet called all of them demons, I left the shores of Yoruba land and met Ifeanyi; mummy chased him away saying I can't marry an Igbo man and Woli added his condiment saying that his mother is a witch. Now Funsho, you're saying our destinies do not match; Mummy when will a man I bring home be right by you!‛ Teniola poured her mind

to her mother who acted like she couldn't hear a word.

‚Abebi, the bible makes us realize wisdom is profitable to direct us in all situations, can we discuss this like adults please?‛ I pleaded with her.

‚Ronke, this same wisdom demands that I don't make the same mistake twice. If I had met Woli earlier, maybe Folabi would not have died in that plane crash with my two girls. WO! Mi o ni ko oro Woli Danu (I will not reject the words of the Prophet), He is my representative in the realm of the spirit.‛ She snapped.

‚I understand the place of spiritual authorities but Abebi, I think you've turned this Woli to a god over your life and that is the scary part of this whole situation. His every word has now become yes and amen, a law you cannot live without.‛ I said to her.

‚Yes, I cannot live without him because the same bible says we should believe in his prophets and we will be successful; that's exactly

what I"m doing‛ Abebi countered.

‚Big mummy, there is no point trying to convince mummy because she won't agree with anybody. It is my fault for sharing a roof with you at this age but it looks like it is time to be on our separate levels. Mummy I will marry Funsho and if you stand in my way, I will leave this house for you.‛ Teniola said and went out of the house, her mother hot on her trail. I followed behind them, praying for insight on how to help the mother and daughter.

‚Teniola, is it me you are talking to in that manner? Ronke, can you hear this child? Is this what that boy, Funsho or whatever he's called has taught you? So, you're going to his house or where?‛ Abebi shouted as Teniola got into her metallic grey Venza car.

‚That is exactly where I am going mummy and I am not returning anytime soon.‛ Teniola answered as she turned on the ignition. Abebi immediately instructed the gatekeeper not to open the gate for Teniola. The argument continued between mother and daughter until I tapped on the window of Teniola's car and asked her to calm down, pouring out promises of finding a solution to the issue at hand. Teniola opened the

door of her car, tears still rolling down her face.

‚Big mummy, how long will mummy continue to allow a stranger play games with my life like this? All my friends are married and I'm the only one that is still single without any obvious reason for my delay. I am even losing friends because their husbands don't want me visiting them since I'm yet to be married, they believe I will be a bad influence on their wives. Big mummy I want to leave, I will return in the evening.‛ Teniola cried harder as I pulled her into a hug and pacified her with her native praise. It took a while before I was able to convince her not to make any rash decisions. It was so difficult to get through to both of them; stubbornness was common between them.

Big mummy, it's because of you I am still here obecause mummy's wahala (problem) is too much‛ Teniola grumbled a bit but stepped out of the car.‛ I shushed her and dragged her with me into the house when she tried to respond to her mother's background nagging. I think I can get a job as a referee with my experience in separating Abebi and Teni's wild

clashes.