CHAPTER ELEVEN
Two months back, before Tayo left New York to Nigeria. Deji had tasked him with finding him a suitable house in Victoria Island, an estate name after Queen Victoria. It was part of Deji's backup plan from the beginning. It was to keep Catherine safe and away from his parents' wrath.
Tayo took Deji on a tour around the estate and the house he'd acquired. The house was not as grand as the family house. But for Deji, it was good enough. It was all he needed. A fresh start with his wife. A place where they will both live in peace out of his parents' sight.
The house didn't stand out like other houses in the estate, it was well hidden in the estate. 'Away from preying eyes' Deji thought.
A few days back he was confident but now he trembled at the thought of what would happen if things don't turn out as he had planned.
It baffled him at his parent's insistence and lack of understanding. In this age and time, parents still stick to the old tradition of finding partners for their children. He dread the thought of being paired with Helen, he'd conceded to the arrangement in the past. But that was before he met Catherine. With Catherine, he envisioned an optimistic union, in her presence he felt peace and at rest. A feeling he never experienced with Helen.
No, he'd never throw it away or give it up. A marriage of love with a woman of his choosing is what he desires. Not a marriage of convenience forced on him by his parents. 'What happens to falling in love? Doesn't his happiness matter? What is marriage without friendship and love? His head buzzed with unanswered questions. His heart ached from the trouble he'd gotten Catherine involved in. Once again his stubborn nature has played a fast one on him.
***
A walk at the park, sight seeing and appreciating nature from a good view does it trick on a person's mind.
There has been so much tension in the house, Catherine couldn't help but wonder if she was the cause of the feud between Deji and his parents.
Though Deji had promised it wasn't her, Catherine couldn't believe him. And there was the name 'Helen'. Who she is to Deji remained a mystery to Catherine.
"Who's she?"
Catherine asked finally.
Abike had a flair for nature and a die-hard fan of Fela Kuti, a trait she shared with Catherine. Both women had spent the day touring the town and browsing through beautiful art work at the Fela Shrine. And made a final stop at Maroko, a community located a few kilometers from Victoria island.
Appreciating the view and enjoying the cold breeze that blew at their direction. Catherine constantly brush her hair from her face. From a distance she sighted the locals pulling their boats out of the water, and women hovering over them with woven basket at their side. Among the throng, were young boys and girls. The boys assisted their fathers with fishing nets, while the girls assisted their mothers with baskets.
The scenario reminds Catherine of the moments she visited the dock with her sisters, the fishing adventures with her father. She'd always wondered why she never caught any fish. 'maybe there are scared of you' Betty would teased. 'Those were such happy moments' said Catherine.
From the distance Catherine perceived struggle between the women, she wasn't quite sure of what the problem was but the sight seem like a fight over some fishes. The women had arrived late, and there wasn't enough fish to satisfy their wants.
The feud reminded her of Deji, and whoever the woman was. Apparently Deji is the fish. And she has to fight whoever Helen was to keep him, and to stay married to him.
By her side, Abike roared out in laughter, it was a sight she enjoyed watching. A sight that always leaves her with a message.
"first come, first serve"
She mused.
"Who is she"
She heard Catherine break the short moment of silence between them. Abike wasn't sure if she meant the woman strolling towards them with a basket hung by her side or Helen.
"A trader, she's coming to market her wares"
Abike answered, honestly but cunningly.
Soon the trader reached them and dropped her basked of fish. After a long bargain, Abike held out a few notes to her in exchange for some fishes.
"Not her. Helen. Who is she?"
"She's a friend of the family. Her parents and mine are business partners"
"And Deji?"
"what about him?"
"she is more than a family friend to him, isn't she?"
"Catherine"
Abike called, in a bid to calm to her nerve.
"Helen is just a childhood of Deji, like Tayo is. Those trio have been friends since ever"
"Abike…"
"gbo temi. By that I mean 'listen to me"
She translated the moment Catherine raise her brows to protest.
"Do not put yourself in that situation, whoever Helen is, doesn't make any difference. It doesn't stop your marriage neither does it stop the love you share with your husband. Your husband"
"Abike, your parents…"
"My brother is not a fool. You should trust him"
Abike let her last statement sink in. She'd seen the look in Deji's eyes, the affection that Deji shows Catherine. When he's with her nothing else matters, theirs was a love story like no other. Never had she seen her brother so happy and complete. And there is only one person who made him feels that way and that one person Abike knew was Catherine not Helen. It has never been Helen.
Trust, Catherine reflected. There was a time she would have leaped without looking, now she wasn't sure if she had made the right decision. It pained her to admit, Betty was right, here parents marry for their sons…
"kọja siwaju, it will get dark soon"
Abike called, interrupting her thoughts. Even though the beach was only coming to live with people, Abike insisted they live for security reasons she explained on their home.
"Yoruba is an interesting language. if you stay long enough, and open your heart to it, you will learn"
Abike began on their way back home.
"O dara"
Catherine respond tongue tied
"See, that wasn't so hard"