Chapter 6: Musa's Chance

Early the next morning, small car park outside my house. My neighbour for junction peep window, dem sabi my house for wahala.

Teenage boy come down, look at me shyly. Trouser iron well, shoe shine small, but e still show say e come from village.

"Good morning, Uncle Femi."

I nod. "No fear, just feel at home." I clap am for back, small encouragement.

Morayo, wey dey wait for parlour, rush out as she see am. Voice don high: "Daddy, this is too much! Nobody can replace Ajani. I’ll never agree to your arranged marriage!" She put hand for waist, face squeeze like bitterleaf.

I look am, confused. "Wetin you dey talk?"

"Musa get good grades and character. You and him no match at all. Why I go arrange him for you?"

Morayo face turn green with embarrassment. She no believe say I talk that kind thing.

"Even if you no admit, I know you want to break me and Ajani. Why else you bring him to our house for no reason?"

Bullet comments roll:

[I didn’t expect this.]

[The girl is sharp.]

[I swear, the girl papa is the most annoying wahala, always plotting, no let my internet leopard cat enjoy happiness.]

[So annoying. Girl, please chase this third wheel out!]

I just shake head. No energy to argue, my eye dey pain me.

"Musa is the son of the woman that owns Mama Kemi’s bukka near our old house. He stayed with his grandma in the village for some years. Now he’s entering his final year, I want to bring him to town to study."

Morayo roll eyes, mutter under breath: "Abeg, taking in a stranger for nothing. Isn’t it because you hope I’ll fall for him and break up with Ajani? I’m telling you, this village boy no get hope!"

She run out without looking back, slippers dey slap floor.

I glance at Musa, wey look like he wan disappear. "No mind her, my daughter get her own wahala. Just ignore her."

The boy quick shake head. "I’m already grateful you gave me a chance to study." He adjust school bag for shoulder, eye still dey down.