Round professor?

Secretly sighing in relief, she strode across the room, towards the sleeping beauty. She stopped and took a moment to admire her child's features. Then nodding her head, seemingly in affirmation, she moved closer to shake him awake.

"Wake up. Aunty Bisola brought food."

"Hmm…okay…did she bring chicken?"

Hàoyû raised his head and then rested it on Tejumole's shoulder before responding sleepily.

Tejumole glanced at the fluffy head and felt her hands itch. A second later, she extended her hand to touch his hair. Then, in a voice akin to a parent coaxing their child, she said:

"I don't know. Get up, we'll find out when we reach the kitchen."

"Alright." Hàoyû was now fully awake. He held Tejumole's hand and led her to the dining area, where Aunty Bisola had served the dishes and was currently waiting.

"You finally woke up, ehn? Look at the time. Is this how you'll behave when you get married? Or do you want to live with Teju forever?"

Hàoyû and Tejumole each dragged out a chair before sitting down. The two remained silent as Aunty Bisola spoke. Tejumole because she wasn't much of a talker and Hàoyû, well, he just didn't care much for her nagging.

Still, when he heard her ask if he wanted to live with Tejumole forever, he raised his brows and turned to look at the lady opposite him.

Tejumole had her attention on the varieties of food before her, and she only raised her head when she felt an intense gaze trained on her.

She tilted her head in question and wondered why the child was staring at her.

"Haai, you two should be more responsible. Teju dear, don't spoil this boy any more alright? He's a big boy now. And you, you're all grown up. Make sure you take care of her. Don't let her starve."

"No need to remind me. I'll take good care of her. Tsk, aren't you worried about me starving too? Hmm…"

"You're a man. A few days without food won't kill you."

Hàoyû: "…"

'What kind of reasoning is that?'

Aunty Bisola turned to face Tejumole, ignoring the pitiful child, and said to her while reaching for her handbag by the side.

"I'm leaving now. My last born is coming home to visit, and I want to get home before him. One of these days I'll introduce you both. You're not young anymore. At this age, you should have a hus…"

"Ahem…!"

Hàoyû gave a loud cough and then looked away as though nothing happened. His cough interrupted their conversation and caused the two to look at him.

While Tejumole passed him a glass of water, Aunty Bisola rolled her eyes at the child before she went on speaking.

"Dear, you should visit me sometime in the future. Hopefully, soon. I want you to meet my family. They haven't seen you in a long time. And don't worry, you can bring him along."

The 'him' obviously referred to Hàoyû who was eating and listening in on their conversation. Aunty Bisola said this last minute when she saw Tejumole looking at her with a gaze she knew all too well. If she hadn't said anything, Tejumole would have used the excuse of not wanting to leave the boy alone in the house.

Sometimes Aunty Bisola wondered if Tejumole was conscious of the fact that there was only a five-year difference between her and Hàoyû.

'These two are so sticky. Haai, to think an old lady like me would be fed with dog food…'

"Okay." Tejumole replied with a nod.

Aunty Bisola then moved closer to the girl and hugged her. When she did, Tejumole visibly stiffened, seemingly resistant, but she didn't push her away in the end.

Still, her hands lay limply by the side like she didn't know what to do with them.

Then in a slightly exasperated tone, Aunty Bisola said:

"You brat. How many times have I told you to hug back when I hug you?"

Only then did Tejumole raise her hands and wrap them around the elderly woman's thick waist.

"Good." Aunty Bisola separated herself from Tejumole the walked over to hug Hàoyû.

"Now that you're in the university, make sure you do well and come out in flying colours."

"I will," Hàoyû responded in a deep voice while reciprocating her actions. With a smile on his face, Hàoyû said teasingly;

"My goodness, Aunty Bisola, you're being even more nag… lecturing us more lovingly today. What? Is this a farewell?"

Hàoyû changed his wordings when he saw her raised hand. For such a small woman, her hands were surprisingly painful. He didn't want an abara.

Haai, bless the children who had to grow up with this.

Aunty Bisola lightly slapped his shoulder and hissed before turning her head towards Tejumole, who was looking at them both.

Aunty Bisola subtly released Hàoyû while thinking;

'Is she curious or does she think I'm going to steal her child away…'

Sighing, Aunty Bisola spoke in a voice that was unwilling and sombre.

"Yes. I'll be travelling tomorrow. I'm going to Enugu with my husband to bury his father. We need to prepare for the funeral, so I won't be back anytime soon. It could take a month or two."

The room was silent. Tejumole watched the middle-aged woman with a clear gaze like she was unaffected by the news. A moment later, she said in a soft but articulate voice:

"Safe journey. Come back safely." These words, though touching, were said casually and with a poker face.

"My condolences. Go home and don't worry, we'll be fine. Remember, we're both adults."

Hàoyû stated before standing from his seat and moving to hold the elderly lady's hand.

"Do you want us to see you off tomorrow?"

"No, no. That isn't necessary. Tomorrow is Monday. You have to be in school and Teju has to work. I'm just worried about you…"

"I already said we'll be fine, hmm? When you return, you'll meet a very round and healthy professor."

The professor in question: Round? Why round…?