CHAPTER 3

Tayo's mum was very pretty that I started doubting if she was really his mother. "You are really silent and reserved Patricia. Is that how you behave back in Nigeria", she had asked earlier before going to the dining room. Gogo served all of us on the table cheerfully.

"Do you like it?", Gogo asked after I had a bite.

"Yes ma, it is so delicious"

"That's Tayo's favorite dish, we cook it almost everyday when he was living here"

"So, what do you do Patricia?", Tayo's mum cut in.

"I am a fashion designer ma"

"You designed what you are wearing?"

"Yes ma"

"It's nice and simple", she was impressed. "What's your degree?"

"I have B.Tech in Chemical Engineering"

"That's cool. You are quite brilliant, aren't you?", she asked rhetorically as others laughed.

"A chemical Engineer turned into a Fashion designer. That's a huge turn around for you, isn't it?"

"Not really ma, I love fashion designing", I replied solemnly because I couldn't feel my feet again.

"Are you scared my darling? Please don't be", she said with a wicked smile.

"It's obvious your country Nigeria is not suitable enough to accommodate your kind of course. That's why I advised my children to study practical courses that they can start on their own without suffering on the streets looking for jobs".

"Mummy, Patricia loves fashion designing that's the reason she is doing it", Tayo stood up for me.

"Indodana, let her do the talking." She said affirmatively.

"Melokuhle! Let these children eat and rest. You can continue tomorrow", Gogo interrupted her.

"Umama!", she exclaimed.

"Let them rest", Gogo repeated.

The dinner was longer than I thought. Melokuhle and Kelita were not helping matters. It was boldly written on their faces that they didn't like me but at least I had two people on my side, Christy and Gogo. We watched a South African movie after dinner but I couldn't understand the language. Melokuhle seemed to always want to leave me out of every conversation.

"I am sorry for the way Umama acted"

"It's nothing Tayo, your mother is just looking out for you"

"I don't know why she has to be so mean to you but I promise to fix it as soon as possible"

"I heard your mother mention Lesedi's name while talking in Zulu"

"Look at me Sugar", he drew my face to his.

"Lesedi is just a high school crush. That was when I was stupid and immature. You are my real girl whether they like it or not", he kissed me softly.

"You should sleep now babe, we are going to have a long day tomorrow".

"I still have few calls to make. Laide called earlier but we were at the dining, I could not pick her call".

"Okay babe", he said before kissing me good night.

Laide and I were on phone for like an hour and I enjoyed the fact I had someone to talk to. She didn't really know a lot about the Siyambonga's family in South Africa since she was not their child.

"Tell me something joor. How is the place?", Laide asked excitedly.

"The place is cool. I love it here to be sincere"

"Don't tell me you are planning to stay?", She asked jokingly.

"No now but if I have the chance I will gladly do so"

Laide laughed hard for a while before saying another word, "You can't do that now. it is possible except you want to split yourself into two".

"That decision is mine and Tayo to make"

"You can't probably take my brother away from home. Nigeria is his home and not South Africa".

"Okaaaaay".

"Don't do that please. Tayo spent a better half of his life in South Africa already. We need him here too".

"Laide, I know how you feel but you know I can't make decisions for Tayo. I can only try my best to convince him".

"Okay, I need to go to bed now. Talk to you tomorrow".

Christy woke me up the next day. "Wakey, Wakey, upy, upy", she said with her sweet voice as I fumbled up from the bed. "I wish I can wake up everyday to your sweet voice". She smiled as she draw the curtains to allow ventilation into the room.

"So, what are you wearing because we are storming the town today. We have Gogo's card, all bills on her", she smiled as she raised the card up.

"Where exactly are we going?", I asked excitedly.

"Trust me I am taking you to the beautiful places in Johannesburg. Don't worry, I gat you".

Christy made her way to the wardrobe and we selected a cloth together for the outing.

Christy was just so lively and seems to understand me more. She has a way of reading meaning to my expression but she is not violent at all.

"How did you meet my brother?"

"We met at a friend's place back in Nigeria. His friend was my friend's boyfriend then. So she had a birthday party and her boyfriend invited his friends who Tayo was one of them".

"Love at first sight, is it?"

"Not at all, I saw him as much of a stalker then but along the way I started have feelings for him"

"Umama has a lot of plans for Tayo"

"You mean your mum?"

"Yeah. She has a lot of plans for Tayo including a life partner"

"Whao"

For a moment I felt like why was she telling me all these because I seemed not to appreciate it. Everything depends on Tayo and it was his decision to make.

"Tayo really likes you and he is damn serious about you. Don't let Umama frighten you. She is a scary cat"

"Okay".

"Finish up your food and let's go on shopping spree"

I quickly finish up my food and went touring around Johannesburg. Christy was fun to be with and I enjoyed the little moment we had together without drama in the house.

"Gogo suggested I take you out because of Umama and Kelita. But she promised to talk sense into them before getting home."

On getting home we saw another car parked outside the house. "Whose car is this?", Christy ruminated. "It might be a family friend or something. Let's get going". We entered the house to meet another lady sitting right beside Tayo in the sitting room.

"Oh no! What's Lesedi doing here?", she asked confusing as the girl looked back at us standing by the door. "Christy, long time no see".