2 CHAPTER 2

Tayo pressed the doorbell when we arrived at an exquisite house that only Christy couldn't live in, but my ego wouldn't allow me to ask. I was still angry at Tayo for calling me an illiterate. The door finally opened and a woman screamed in excitement. She pulled Tayo to herself and kissed him before hugging him. Seriously that was gross but what could I say in a city I didn't know?

"You have a company?", she asked with a straight face I didn't appreciate.

"Yeah, my girlfriend", he replied with a smile as he gestured toward me.

"You did not tell me you have another girlfriend", she whispered with a sharp expression.

The woman looked so young that I couldn't pin a role to her. I didn't know what to think about her but I just decided to be calm till it remains only Tayo and I.

"Well, come in. You must be starving already", she invited us into the house.

On getting into the house I saw another woman in a South African attire organizing the maids. I love her the moment I saw her because of the way she carried herself.

"Gogo!", Tayo left his bag and ran into her embrace like a baby.

Seemed it was only me that was out of the space because I felt like a stranger. Tayo knew everyone in the house and I didn't, that was entirely crazy to me.

"See my baby boy growing so big", she fumbled with his hair. "Who is this damsel you have with you?", she asked with a beautiful smile.

"Gogo, meet Patricia my girlfriend", he introduced me.

"She's perfect. You're catholic?", she asked enthusiastically as she observed me.

"Yes ma, I am catholic", I replied shyly.

"Don't be shy my girl. Feel free darling. Tayo has told me a lot about you on the phone ", she smiled. "In case you don't know, I am his best friend in this house even before his mother ", she restructured her dress in admiration of herself.

"Umama will soon be back, you should go up and freshen up", Christy said as she accompanied me up to the guest room.

The room was too luxurious for a guest room but my world was different from theirs and that settles it all. One could start with the beautiful works of art on the wall, the breathtaking pieces of furniture, the luxurious curtains, and the floral printed blanket on the bed. Christy noticed the amazement I had when I walked into the room.

"My aunt is an interior designer. She did the house decorations", she said with a warm smile.

"She is really good. I love the decor", I complimented.

"I know right? She is very good at what she does", she said and went silent for a while before uttering another word.

"I know you don't like the surprise", Christy said as she was about to leave. "Tayo can be boring when it comes to surprises but he did it thinking it would make you happy".

"I agree, he can be extra at times"

"I am glad you know already. And please don't mind Kelita, she can be annoying most of the time but believe me she is a good person when she starts liking you".

"I understand", I forced a smile.

"You are understanding Patricia. I will call your boyfriend up for you because Gogo will not allow him to rest today"

"Is Gogo her name?", I asked curiously.

"Gogo means grandmother, she is my grandma"

"Okay".

I decided to make a video call with Similoluwa since I don't have anyone with me in the room and for her to say we needed to talk about, the matter must be very important. Similoluwa and I have been friends since secondary school and she is one of the people I can't ignore and underrate in my life.

"Hey babe. What's up?", I asked

"I am fine", she replied.

"What took you so long to reply to my text?", She added.

"I am sorry jare. I was in the car with people and I don't want us to talk via messenger"

"Okay", she replied as she searched my face for answers I didn't know what the question was.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Where are you?", She asked calmly.

"Oh! I am sorry about that jare. I am at my in-laws' house o"

"I have been to the Akerejogbon's house a couple of times now and their sitting room was not like this".

"I am in the guest room".

"Whao! But their guest room is finer than their living room o"

"I am not at the Akerejogbon's. Tayo has another family in Johannesburg that I didn't know about"

"Don't tell me you are in South Africa?",

"I am in South Africa. I didn't even know I had been traveling today"

"Opoor, Omo mi ti gbe body"

"Abeg, no whine me jare. What is it you wanted to tell me?"

Similoluwa's countenance changed immediately I popped the question and I could tell that it wasn't good news.

"I called off the engagement. I caught him with another girl red-handed in a hotel", she was about to cry but I know she wouldn't do that.

"Similoluwa, I am so sorry"

"It's not your fault Patricia", she took her time before saying another word.

"I have tried many times to accommodate his infidelity because of my aunties but I can't do this anymore. I deserve better", she added.

"I am happy you did the right thing. Simi, you deserve better, you can't just come a long way like this and settle for less", I said calmly.

"Auntie Bisola called yesterday after I announced that the engagement has been canceled and she lambasted me for being immature. She said a lot of mean words and I couldn't help but give her the insult of her life because I don't know what a marriage is without love. A broken engagement is better than a broken marriage because I stopped loving Fred the first time I caught him in the act".

"Similoluwa, I am so sorry you are going through a lot and I am not there by your side"

"Patricia, I did myself a favor and I am happy. It's much of a break free for me even though it hurt a little at first, I am good now".

"I am happy you are fine and please don't let your aunties dictate for you because I know they will still call and try to persuade you".

"You should have known me better by now. My decision is final and nobody can change it". She forced a smile.

"And I am happy for you babe. Hope the family is cool?" she added.

"You know I am just getting to know them but I will keep you updated".

"Okay, I have to go now. I have a party tomorrow and I want to wake up early tomorrow".

"Alright babe, sleep tight and send my regards to Tomiwa".

It took Tayo like thirty minutes before coming to meet me in the room. He knew I was angry at him but he couldn't pin it down to a thing because the surprise was a disaster itself.

"I am sorry"

"For what exactly?"

"Everything"

"Tayo, who are those people?"

"My family"

"And you did not tell me anything about them back in Nigeria"

"I said I am sorry for everything. I didn't know the surprise will turn out like this"

"Tayo, I am confused and I need answers"

"Okay, fine"

"My mum is a South African woman and my dad is Nigerian"

"So, Laide, Jumoke, and Kunle are your half-siblings?"

"Yes, they are including Kelita and Christy".

"It seems you have a lot of talking to do because Kelita is good at whispering".