CHAPTER NINE
The sun had risen rapidly, shining brightly above the cloud, it was as though the sun was ready for the day's journey. Maybe it knows Nigeria has a visitor and wants to impress her.
The entire family of Adebayo all settled down for breakfast, the very first since Deji last saw them. The feast at the dinner was held once again in honor of Deji and Catherine.
"Miss Catherine please sit. Have breakfast with us"
Tim Deji's father invited.
"I will be honored, Sir"
Catherine proceeded to sit next to Deji.
A short prayer was said before they started to fill their plates. The ritual reminded Catherine of her Mother. The last time her family gave thanks before any meal was when she was alive, and that was a long time ago. A long time but Catherine's pains stayed unhealed.
As Catherine came to learn subsequently, the family was a large one. The Adebayos were rich and influential people in the city. Their fame and influence spread to both private and public sectors of the society, the dominated the business world and their next target was the government. With the marriage of their heir to the Minister's daughter, they conspire to capture the government as well. Chief Tim Adebayo's ambition of emerging as the next governor of the state was to be consummated by his only son's marriage to yet another powerful family in the state.
It was a marriage he looked forward to with enthusiasm. An occasion that must take place at all cost necessary. Already Deji and Helen were betrothed before Deji's study. Now that he was back, Tim didn't hesitate to begin the marriage arrangement between his son and Helen.
Catherine and Deji were the last to grace the feast. At the table cutleries clanged melodically. Dishes Catherine never thought existed were laid out on the table. Perplexed, she could only identify a few dishes she'd shared with Deji in New York. Catherine watched in fascination as everyone dished out what they could onto their plates.
Catherine recollects the first time she witness Deji eat with his hands rather than using cutleries. It was a sight she had found disgusted and embarrassing. But today it only fascinates her. And she proceeded to try it out for herself.
Just like the night before, Abike took out time to explain to Catherine the different Yoruba dishes spread out for her and also helped her pick out the dish she could easily consume without a problem.
"So tell me, my dear Catherine"
Fumi Deji's mother began.
"do you find the place to your liking?"
She inquired.
"Absolutely Ma'am. I couldn't ask for anything more"
Now that she could see Deji's parents in a more casual setting and clothing, she wondered how a couple as young as they looked had birthed him. The couples didn't look a day older than fifty. In fact, they only looked a little older than Deji himself. Now she believed him when he said his parents were still very young when they tied the knot. "Early marriage is a common practice among my people", she remembered him saying. Back at New York, before they left, Deji had shopped for gifts for his parents who celebrated their thirty anniversary a month before their arrival. Deji was only born a year of the marriage of his parents.
"Tell me Miss Catherine, does everyone in your country have hair as long as yours?"
Kate the youngest of the Adebayos asked euphorically.
"yes, everyone has hair like mine, but no. Not everyone's hair is as long as mine"
Catherine explained.
"why not?"
Asked Kate disappointed.
"Choice. Not everyone wants to keep their hair long"
"Oh, I see. However, is your mother's hair as long as yours? Her hair must be, for letting yours grow to this length"
Kate pressed on.
"yes she had"
She grunted. 'Will she constantly be reminded of her pain?' thought Catherine.
Fumi, Deji's mother held the unspoken words of Catherine and the sad expression settled on her face. She is a mother, meaning nothing escapes her eyes nor ears, even when children are unwilling to speak, she'd always find her way around it. Catherine's sudden mood told her, there are to be said.
"Really? That's amazing Miss Catherine"
Fumi heard Kate continue to chat happily oblivious to her partner's pain.
"is something wrong, Miss Catherine? Your mother…"
"she is. She is late"
Answered Catherine.
"Oh, poor thing please do accept our condolences"
Fumi sympathized. Abike touched Catherine's arm as if to say 'she will be alright', for a minute everyone on the table sympathized with her over the loss of her mother.
"Thanks"
"since when? I mean how did it happen?"
Tim asked, despite the signal from his wife not to. He believes talking about loss, helps the person left behind to get rid of the pain faster and heal then hiding the pain and clenching on to old memories.
"Thirteen years now, during child birth"
"and the child? Did it live?"
Late asked again, this time with mouth full.
"Yes she survived"
"then we are mates. Mom, we're both thirteen. I am Kate, what is her name?"
"Raina, her name is Raina"
"Rihanna?"
"no dear, Raina"
"oh, one more question…"
"no, no more questions. You asked too many for one day"
Abike interrupted. Catherine noticed everyone on the table giggled at her conversation with little Kate. They seem to know her too well.
"She never stops asking"
Another member on the table whispered as if he didn't want Kate to hear what was being said.
"she talks too much for her age"
Another said. Catherine couldn't agree any better.
Catherine had been so engaged with Kate she hadn't paid any attention to other conversions going on the table. Especially the whispers between Deji and his father.
"Helen called, I told her you will be free to meet with her at noon"
Tim Adebayo informed Deji.
"I doubt the possibility of that"
Deji replied.
"who is Helen?"
Asked Catherine.
"she is a friend"
He lied