“Olúwa mà seun o,” Fikayo’s mother said for the umpteenth time as they walked through the front door of their house, shaking her waist and lifting her hands in a dance.

“Ah, Fikayomi,” she said, dropping into the nearest sofa. “God will bless that family. Pastor Nnadi and his wife, their pockets will never run dry.”

Fikayo put a hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter. Her mother had pronounced ‘Nnadi’ as ‘Eenadi’.

“Mummy, it’s Nnadi, Nnadi not Eenadi,” she corrected, stressing on the first ‘N’.

“You will not keep your mouth shut. I’m just so grateful. God had wiped away my tears.”

Fire walked out of the kitchen and hugged her sister before sitting beside her mum.

“So how did the meeting with the Nnadi’s go?”

“Firefunmi, I bless the day your sister met them. What would have become of us now? God, I thought you had forgotten us but you remembered us. Olúwa mà seun o.”

“Mummy, God never forgot us,” Fikayo said to her.

“Ìwo lo mò. Me, I’m just happy because God has favoured you. He has taken my troubles away.”

She jumped to her feet and began dancing and singing Yoruba praise songs. Fire joined her and Fikayo took a video of them, grinning from ear to ear. Her heart was full of joy that knew no bounds.

“In fact, I will start going to their church as from this Sunday. I’ll be the first person to get to Church.”

“Mummy,” Fire drawled, shaking her head at her. “All of a sudden, you want to go to church.”

“So you can impress them, right? Mummy, there’s no need for that. Worship God because you truly want to. Go to church because you truly want to fellowship, not to do ojú ayé for people to love you more. Look mummy, I know Pastor Nnadi and his wife very well. You going to their church will not impress them neither will you not attending their church make them think ill of you.”

“Is it me you’re preaching for? Before you were born I have been reading the bible. You better keep your mouth shut. In fact, go inside that kitchen now and make dinner.”

Fikayo squeezed her face in annoyance. Fire laughed, sticking her tongue out at her.

“Óyá óyá o, Fire óyá, both of you, I want to eat so I can sleep early today.”

“Ah ahn mummy, I have been washing pots since. I’m tired now. Fikayo can handle dinner now.”

Her mother shouted, “Stand up, both of you!” She pointed to the kitchen. “Alele, to the kitchen, I want jollof rice.”

***
“Aunty B, you can’t follow me to Èkó market to shop now. You are too heavy for that,” Fikayo said, snacking on meat pies and orange juice. Service had ended an hour ago and they were in Pastor Nath’s office while he was in a meeting with other pastors.

Aunty B laughed and clapped her hands in amusement.

“See this smallie, we are going shopping in malls not Èkó market. You think I have the energy to walk the whole of Balogun market? Sweetheart, I’m not about that life.”

“The prices will be way higher in malls. Just give me the money and my sister and I will do the shopping by ourselves. I can’t let you waste your money.”

Aunty B shook her head, placing a hand on her protruding belly. She grinned suddenly and beckoned to Fikayo to come to her. She took Fikayo’s hand in her other hand and placed it on her belly.

“Can you feel him?”

Fikayo squealed in excitement as she felt the baby kick.

“Oh my God, he kicked.”

“Yes, he did.” Aunty B’s face mirrored hers.

“Aw,” Fikayo lowered her head to Aunty B’s stomach.
“Can you hear me, baby? Aunty Fiks loves you.”

She rubbed Aunty B’s stomach before straightening up.

“I can’t wait for the baby to be here. I might be in school when he comes, though.”

Aunty B grinned, excitement dancing in her eyes.

“Let me let you in on a secret, sweetheart.”

Fikayo raised a brow, a smile forming on her lips.

“Okay?” she said warily

“His name is Ifeoluwatobi.”

A full blown smile displayed on Fikayo’s lips.

“Ìfé olúwa tóbi, God’s love is great. That’s a wonderful name, Aunty B. I have never heard it. I have heard Ifeoluwa but not Ifeoluwatobi. It carries depth mehn. Am I allowed to share this secret?”

“It’s a secret for a reason, Fikayo. Don’t you dare!” Aunty B warned with a mock stern face.

Fikayo laughed, throwing her head back slightly. Just then, a knock came in and the door was pushed open revealing Ike.

He greeted them before announcing that Pastor Nath was done with his meeting and was ready to go home.

“Okay sweetheart. Please help me with my shoes. I can’t bend to pick them up.”
Fikayo picked up her shoes and helped her wear them.

A hand firmly placed on her waist and the other on the office desk, Aunty B lifted herself from the chair and sighed.

“Take it easy, ma,” Ike said, moving to pick up her hand bag while Fikayo packed her food container and water bottle in a plastic bag. They headed to the car park and dropped Aunty B’s properties in the back seat of her car.

They hugged her goodbye and turned to make their way back into the Teens Church hall. They made light conversation as they walked. Then Fikayo stilled and faced him.

“Lolu, I don’t think I have thanked you face to face for what you did for me. I still tap myself to see if I’m dreaming. You took my problem to your parents and convinced them to help and they did. Only God can reward you for your kindness.”

She felt her eyes moisten as she looked into his. He smiled softly and made a face.

“It’s okay jo.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Her heart began racing. “Stop thanking me. You’ve been thanking me non-stop throughout this week. What happened, did I die for you?”

She laughed heartily and pushed him lightly. “You’re not serious. I’m just very grateful.”

“I know. You don’t have to keep thanking me. I’m just happy you’re coming to my school.”

They resumed walking and she took a quick glance at his handsome face.

“I’m excited but kinda nervous. I can’t believe I won’t eat meat for months. I love meat; I don’t know how I’ll cope.”
He laughed.

“You know you can buy meat right? There are students that sell meat, turkey, sharwarma and the likes in the halls. It’s illegal but they do. Plus they sell meat in the guest house. It’s just that it is quite expensive. But not to worry, you just tell me when you crave meat and I’ll sort you out.”

Ike greeted some people as they reached the entrance. Only a few of the teens were still around.

“There’s no way I’m going to let you do that. After everything your family has done for me, I cannot put anymore burden on you.”

“How is buying you meat a burden? Fikayo, nawa for you.”

They settled down in a corner at the back and continued chatting until it was time to go home.

***
Aunty B and Fikayo bought mostly corporate shirts and skirts in variant colours, patterns and styles. Aunty B also bought some makeup for her despite her protests and pouting. They only bought two black flat shoes and one pair of heels she knew she was not going to wear. She did not bother protesting, knowing that Aunty B would get them anyway. After shopping, they ate at an eatery in the mall and left immediately after. Aunty B drove to Fikayo’s house and entered the house with her. After exchanging pleasantries with her mum and some small talk, she rose to leave.

“Ah, ìyá ibéjì,” Fikayo’s mother called. Ìyá ibéjì meant mother of twins; pregnant women were usually called that by Yoruba people.

“You will eat o. Our baby needs food o.”
Aunty B grinned, shaking her head.

“Rárá ma, Fikayo and I have had something to eat. I need to rush home before my husband returns from work.”

“Kò burú. No problem, osé gidigan my dear,” her mum expressed her gratitude. “God will continually bless you and your family. Your pocket will never run dry,” her mum prayed in Yoruba.

“Àmín ma,” Aunty B retorted, bending her knees slightly.

Fikayo walked her to the car. She engulfed her in a hug and Fikayo felt the baby move. They pulled apart, laughing.

“Baby Ife loves me already.”

***
Fikayo was on the phone with Tani when her phone beeped. She pulled it from her ears and saw an incoming call from Ike. Her heart began racing and she put the phone back to her ear.

“Hey Tani, can I call you back?”

“Alright, later,” Tani replied and disconnected the call.

Fikayo accepted Ike’s call gingerly, turning to lie sideways.

“Hey Lolu, what’s up?”

“Hi Fikayo,” he sounded off and she was about to ask him if he was okay before he spoke again.

“Where are you? Are you home?” His voice was low.

“I’m home. Where else would I be at this time of the night? Are you okay, Lolu? You sound somehow.”

“Fikayo, are you alone?”

She furrowed her brows.

“Ike, why are you asking me Jamb questions?”

He sounded exasperated. “Just answer.”

“I’m alone in my room,” she answered, wondering what was up with him.

“Go to your sister’s room,” he stated simply.

“What? Why?”

“Please Fikayo,” His voice was unsteady.

She let out a breath and shrugged slightly.

“Okay,” she agreed, getting out of bed and walking to her sister’s room. She found Fire watching a movie on her laptop and sat beside her in bed.

“What’s up?” Fire asked, turning her head to her.

She shrugged and said into the phone, “Okay sir, I am now in my sister’s room. Why am I here?”

Fire gave her a questioning look.

Ike let out a harsh breath and sighed before speaking, “Fikayo, Aunty B is gone.”

She froze. “Wh-what? Gone to where?”

“Gone, Fikayo. We lost her this evening.”

Fikayo let out a scream. Her phone slipped from her grip and hit the tiled floor.

...
Aunty B 😭😭

E shock you?😂