Chapter 7: Homecoming and Hibiscus Strength

I don return Aisha house, dey busy clean and arrange, no rest. Hibiscus trees full everywhere for compound. As I dey sweep, flower dey fall for ground. My mind dey calm, my face dey set. Every leaf, every tree dey remind me say I fit start again.

Tunde Garuba uproot him own. I plant my own. Nobody fit stop me again. I gather boys for compound, tell dem, "Plant plenty hibiscus. Make everywhere red with flower." If anybody ask, I just smile.

After ten days wey I no see anybody, Tunde Garuba come knock gate. The knock loud, as if e fit break door. I no rush open. For our side, when woman dey vex, she dey slow every action.

Servants, as I tell them, no let am enter, keep am for outside. I come out meet am. As I step out, wrapper neat, face dey shine. I hold staff for hand, show say I no be small girl.

Tunde Garuba face dark with vex. "Ten days—never do? I go always dey beg you, pet you, before you happy? Why you never prepare Ngozi wedding gown and dowry?"

He dey expect say fear go catch me, but I stand firm. My eye dey sharp, my voice steady, "General Tunde wan marry wife—why e go be my work to prepare am?"

I no shake, I no blink. My voice clear. For this Makurdi, woman wey stand her ground dey gain respect. The day of enduring nonsense don pass. As my mama dey talk, "No be every rain wey fall go spoil farm."