Chapter 3: The Wedding of Wahala

Wedding day reach, drums and noise everywhere, the place sweet.

The air smell of fried puff-puff and camphor, neighbours dey shout, drums dey beat like thunder.

Adeyemi family big red keke come stop for Olumide house gate.

Papa’s friend and neighbour, Uncle Bode, sabi say our family small, come carry him three sons to block door, add to the fun.

As I just finish dress, I hear Bode brothers dey shout for front:

“Hey, hey, groom don come!”

“If you wan carry bride, answer our riddle first, if you try, we go allow you pass.”

…

I think say since Ifedayo head no correct, e go take am time.

But before you know, in less than quarter hour, he answer all.

He answer dem sharp sharp—like person wey drink ogbono soup, tongue no dey fail.

Grandma help me wear bridal veil, happy: “E be like say groom no foolish reach as dem talk.”

I pat grandma hand: “No worry, Grandma. Morayo go dey come visit.”

As I talk, my voice begin shake.

“Wife~ I don come carry you~”

…

Grandma put my hand for Ifedayo hand, warn am:

“My Morayo never suffer before. If she enter your house, abeg, no let her suffer. If not, even if I die, I go wake up come find you!”

Ifedayo smile, squeeze my hand: “Grandma Olumide, no fear. Ifedayo go treat my wife well.”

Na then Grandma gree, let am carry me go.

As I dey step out, I hear my sister dey cry, Koko dey whine for her leg.

I know say dem no wan let me go.

One tear drop land for Ifedayo hand.

Him body stiff, he look me: “Wife, no cry. Ifedayo house get big horse. If you miss house, Ifedayo go carry you come visit.”

As I hear him childish talk, I laugh inside tears.

But as I enter keke, tears no gree stop.

As I dey wipe tears, keke curtain lift.

Matchmaker rush block am: “Young master, you no suppose do that!”

I lift my veil, see Ifedayo hold Koko, dey smile.

“Wife, your sister no fit follow us, but Koko fit.”

He just give me Koko.

I shock.

Among all the rich girls for Ibadan, na me carry dog join my dowry!

All the way, I hug Koko, dey smile.

Maybe, I get luck after all.

The keke bounced over potholes, and outside the window, the whole neighbourhood waved, children dancing and clapping. People even threw handfuls of rice and coins on the roof as we passed. I gripped Koko tight, smelling his warm fur, and whispered, "E be like say you go dey this journey with me, Koko boy." That small comfort made my heart light.