Chapter Eleven
"So I leave for only a few months, and you've already found yourself a husband?"
Jumoke has been on a three months vacation with her husband, Malcom at Seychelles. Jumoke and Sophia have been best of friends since secondary school, they have other friends in their circle, but they were closest to each other. And even after Jumoke got married, the two are still close friends.
"I'm not the one who traveled, and refused to return" Sophia said in her defense.
They were having lunch, at a new restaurant which just opened, close to Jumoke's house.
"You of all people, know I needed that vacation, especially with all the pressure, and trouble from Malcolm's mother. That vacation was very much needed. It's not like it was a vacation, vacation, considering the fact that Malcom was there for a work related training"
"Is she still giving you trouble?" Sophia asked, referring to her mother in-law. Jumoke's mother in-law, has been mounting pressure on Jumoke, for her to give her grandchildren. She and Malcom has been married for over three years now, without an issue.
"You bet she is, do you know, she was waiting for us at the airport when we got back, just so she could confirm, if I had gotten pregnant on the trip, or not"
"That woman needs to calm down, that's going too far"
"That's her problem, I can't allow her to push me into depression, after all I'm not God who gives children. That is by the way, madam when did you say you met this husband of yours?"
"Few weeks ago" Sophia picked at her food, she wasn't feeling hungry, she has lost her appetite, now Jumoke brought up the issue of her fake marriage. She has practically lost the will to do anything, as the wedding day grew closer, she grew more apprehensive. How was she going to manage being in a loveless marriage for a whole year?
"So you met this guy few weeks ago, and you are already planning to marry him, are you mad? When did you become so desperate to get married?"
"Jumoke calm down, you are shouting" those sitting close to their table were already staring at them.
"Is your mother in support of this?" Jumoke continued, without paying much attention to those staring at her.
"It was even her idea, for me to get married to Tunde"
"Your mother asked you to marry someone you barely know? I don't get this. Did everyone lose their senses while I was away?" Jumoke looked around, as if asking the people at the restaurant.
"That's my mother you are talking about" Sophia warned.
"I'm sorry, but why would your mother ask you to marry someone you barely know? Or was she the one who introduced him to you?"
"Sort of" Sophia went ahead and told Jumoke everything that has been happening.
"This is serious, how can your mom ask you, to trade your happiness for money?"
"My family needs the money Tunde and his family are offering, the family business is almost crumbled, and if nothing is done fast, all my father labored to build while he was alive, will be washed down the drain. And I can't bear to see that happen, when I can actually do something about it"
"Sophie I understand, but don't you think you would be going too far, by choosing to get married to a stranger just so you could revive your family's company? I think there must be other options"
"Like what? And don't even think of saying we should take a loan from the bank, because we already did that, and now we are debt. The last loan that was taken, my mother had to use our house as a collateral. And if we don't pay up in six months, the bank is going to seize our house, and don't forget that's the only house we have left, because they have seized all others, including all other assets my father left behind" Sophia was crying, causing more people to stare at them.
"I'm sorry baby girl, here" Jumoke handed her a tissue for her to wipe her tears with. "Don't worry things would get better, and if you feel getting married to that guy, would help to get your family out of debt, then you have my support"
"Thank you Jumoke, I know marrying Tunde stands against everything I believe in, but that's my best shot at getting my family out of debt. And I'm taking it"
Later that day, when Sophia got home, she found Tunde's mother, and her mother seated in the living room. They both had their heads buried in a magazine they were both looking at. Sophia's first instinct, was to pretend not to have seen them, and tiptoe to her room. But she wasn't done thinking it, when her mother raised her head.
"There you are my darling, come say hello to Tunde's mom"
Sophia went over to were the two women were seated, and greeted them in traditional yoruba culture of greeting.
"Thank you my daughter, I can see you are already learning the yoruba culture. That's very good of you, because once you and Tunde gets married, you automatically become a yoruba woman, and no longer Igbo" Tunde's mother said smiling.
"Sophia come join us, we were just going through some styles, we are going to sew for your wedding, maybe you can even help us to choose a style" her mother informed her.
"Mother the wedding is next week, and besides I thought you already made a dress that you want to put on, on that day?"
"Yes my dear, but when I showed it to mummy Tunde, she suggested I make something else. Besides she says, she has a tailor who can make a new dress for me, within two days"
''She can even make it, within a day'' Tunde's mom contributed, as she continued to flip through the magazine.
Sophia was shocked at the words that came out from her mother's mouth, first of all, her mother doesn't let just anyone, tell her what to do, never has that ever happened. The only person who could do that, was her father, and ever since his death, her mother has always done, and wore whatever suits her, without bothering about anyone's opinion. And she here was, allowing Tunde's mom change her mind over a dress she already paid heavily for? Something wasn't right, and Sophia couldn't stick around to find out so she doesn't cause trouble.
"I'm afraid, I can't join you. I have some calls to make about the wedding"
"It's okay dear, your mother and I, would just pick something nice for her to make"
Sophia excused herself, and went into her room, she would have to wait for Tunde's mom to leave, before she finds out, what was going on from her mother.
"Mother, what is going on?" Sophia asked her mother, after Tunde's mom had left.
"How do you mean?"
"Why are you allowing Tunde's mom tell what to put on, to your daughter's wedding?"
"When you put it like that, you make it sound bad" her mother said calmly.
"Because it is, no one ever tells Mrs Okoye, what to do"
"Sophia my beloved daughter, you won't understand. Let's give them what they want, as long as the wedding goes on"
"I don't get you mother, are you going to allow them control you, because we need their help?"
"He who pays the piper, dictates the tune. They have what we are in dire need of, which is money. So, we would have dance to their tune, every once in a while" Her looked resigned to fate.
Sophia knew her mother has a point, they would have to be dancing to the tune of the Markinde's from time to time, making her family a pawn in their little game of chess.