Chapter 6: Preparing to Leave

Maybe to dodge me, I no see Tunde for days.

He dey stay out, claim palace work. I no send am.

Divorce no be just talk; I need plan—where I go stay, how I go survive, how I go explain to Olumide family so dem no rush marry me off again.

Mama wahala dey fear me. So I buy small farmland, house. Even if Olumide collect dowry back, I no go sleep for street.

That week, I dey practice how to write my name with Mama Ebun for market. Her voice dey guide me: "No rush, Amarachi, every letter get im own wahala." My fingers dey tremble, but small-small, I begin sabi.

The day I go exchange cash, rain fall.

Thunder dey beat like angry drum. I arrange meet for third floor Palm Grove Guesthouse to sign deed. As I waka down to second floor, I jam Tunde and him friends dey go up. Dem tease am:

"Okeke family invite Tunde today—good news dey come!"

"Tunde and Okeke don set marriage since ten years. If no be fate, dem for no miss each other three years. Thank God, true love go finally meet."

Laughter dey echo, careless. Tunde dey centre, face fair, lips red, smile dey shine.

"Uncle Okeke just ask when my papa go return city, so he fit visit. Nothing more. Abeg, no spoil the girl name."

He yarn am play, but eye flicker nervous.

"Tunde—" Miss Ifeoma voice call from second floor.

Her voice sweet, hope full. Tunde quiet.

Everybody know the truth. As dem dey laugh, I waka down, make noise, meet Tunde eye.

Surprise show for his face. He check me, see say I no miss jewel, face normal. After small time, he call my name, "Amarachi."

He call am like person dey find balance, but I smile. "Tunde, congrats. Good things dey come."

I waka pass, but he grab my wrist. "Amarachi."

Im hand warm but shaky. One side—childhood love. The other side—me.

Tunde no even need choose. He no explain, no fit shame Miss Ifeoma, so he leave my hand, turn, hand me umbrella.

"Na small gathering today. I go come back late. No wait for me."

Him words soft, but coldness dey hide under.