Episode 8: Welcome Home Grandma
Everyone was busy with their own work when suddenly, someone entered and shouted. Naturally, everyone turned to look at the door.
The person who had just arrived and was scolding everyone was none other than Mr. Kunle’s mother — Tunde’s grandmother.
“You didn’t even think it necessary to call me for Tunde’s wedding? No one cares about me anymore. You all have forgotten me! This ungrateful son of mine… he seems to have forgotten that his mother is still alive. And my beloved grandson, Tunde — where is he? It seems even he has forgotten me ever since he got married. Now that he has a wife, there’s no room for his grandmother anymore.”
It hadn’t even been five minutes since Grandma had arrived, and she had already said so much that everyone stood silently, listening to her.
“Why are you all just standing there staring? I’ve come all the way from Ondo State. Will no one even offer me a glass of water?” she snapped while making herself comfortable on the sofa.
Hearing her complaints, Aisha immediately asked for water, and Kunle handed her luggage to a servant to put away properly.
“When did you come from Ondo State, and how?” Aisha asked, sitting beside her.
“Forget how I came. Just tell me, why did you come here?” Kunle questioned directly.
“What do you mean, ‘why come’? Am I not allowed in my own house anymore? Is this house not mine? Oh, I see — I’ve become a stranger to all of you now!” Grandma said, pretending to be hurt.
“No, Maa, why are you saying such things? This house and everything we have belongs to you, and always will. Please don’t say things like that,” Aisha tried to reassure her.
“Yes, Maa,” Kunle added, “Aisha is right. I only asked because the doctor had advised you to rest and avoid traveling. It’s not good for your health. That’s why we arranged for you to stay at the Ondo State farmhouse, where the air is fresh and pure. But now you’ve suddenly come back without informing us — of course, we’re worried.”
“Yes, Maa,” Aisha agreed. “You should have called at least once.”
“Called? But does anyone even have time to talk to me? And on top of that, the network at that farmhouse is terrible. Ever since the wedding, it feels like everyone has forgotten about me,” Grandma retorted, clearly prepared with her answers.
“Well, we were just so exhausted from the wedding and caught up with all the remaining work that we couldn’t find the time,” Aisha explained, trying to brush it off as fatigue but carefully avoiding revealing the real reason.
“Alright, Maa, why don’t you rest in your room? I’ll call the doctor to come and check on you. It’ll be good to ensure everything is fine after such a long journey,” Kunle suggested and immediately started dialing the doctor.
“I’m perfectly healthy! There’s no need for a doctor,” Grandma dismissed. “Forget all this and tell me, where is my daughter-in-law? I’ve come all this way to meet her. But where are the kids?”
At the time, Gold was out shopping with Bukola, while Tunde and Olamide were at the office.
“Maa, Gold and Bukola have gone shopping, and Tunde is at the office with Olamide,” Aisha explained.
“Who is Gold?” Grandma asked, her confusion evident since she hadn’t met Gold yet.
“Gold is your daughter-in-law — the one Tunde married,” Aisha clarified.
“Gold? But I thought the bride’s name started with ‘A.’ And when I spoke to Tunde over the phone, he mentioned a different name. I’ve never heard of this ‘Gold,’” Grandma said, puzzled.
“Maa, Gold is her real name. Everyone used to call her by a nickname out of affection. Tunde, being young and modern, probably mentioned one of those names. You know how kids are these days, calling their partners by all sorts of names,” Kunle quickly tried to cover up the situation.
Aisha and Kunle exchanged uneasy glances. They both knew it wouldn’t be easy to hide the truth from Grandma — that Tunde had married someone else at the last moment.
But they couldn’t tell her the truth either. Grandma had been unwell for some time and had already suffered a heart attack. The doctor had strictly advised them to keep her away from any stress.
That was why they had arranged for her to stay in Ondo State, where her health could improve in a peaceful environment.
“Alright, whatever her name is. But when will they come home? And until they do, show me the wedding pictures,” Grandma demanded.
Aisha hesitantly showed her the photos, but since Gold had worn a veil in most of them, her face wasn’t clearly visible.
“What’s this? I can’t even see my granddaughter-in-law’s face properly,” Grandma complained. “Alright, forget it. Do one thing — get some chin chin and small chops ready, and prepare a nice welcome drink. I want to give them a proper Nigerian-style welcome when they arrive. And call Tunde home immediately. I want to welcome them both together,” Grandma ordered.
“But, Maa, Gold’s homecoming has already been done. Is this really necessary?” Aisha asked.
“I know that! But this will be my first time meeting her. Let me at least do this much for my grandson and his wife. In our culture, we welcome new family members with open arms and good food. That’s how it should be,” Grandma insisted.
Aisha had no choice but to comply. Smiling, she got to work, instructing the cook to prepare puff-puff, chin chin, and some pepper soup to welcome Grandma properly after her long journey from Ondo State.
Kunle went to call Tunde. Aisha also called Bukola, asking her to come home quickly. Tunde, however, wasn’t picking up, so Kunle called Olamide, explained the situation, and told them both to come home immediately.
Hearing about Grandma’s arrival, Olamide grew nervous. He couldn’t help but wonder how Grandma would react upon learning the truth about Gold.
Olamide rushed to Tunde’s cabin to inform him. Tunde, who was engrossed in some files, looked up curiously as Olamide entered in a hurry. After hearing the news, Tunde was initially happy but soon grew anxious when Olamide expressed his concerns. Without further delay, both headed home…