—
Chapter Four Little Beginnings – The children had woken up early to arrange the house, and since their mother decided to stay in the house that Saturday so as to meet the woman who dropped her daughter, everyone had to work in order to make the room neat.
Baba Ibeji did not wish to trade this opportunity, so he swapped his morning shift with his colleague. In less than two hours after having a breakfast of ogi and akara, the woman arrived.
The family of Alarade was out to receive their distinguished guest. The entire compound knew someone significant had visited Alarade’s family.
With a big, warm smile, Baba Ibeji ushered the woman and her family inside the room just to prevent Iya Ibeji from shouting. They stared at Iya Ibeji, who kept shouting for everyone to come and see without knowing there was more to her enthusiasm.
She held tight to the woman’s children, shouting, ‘My children.’ Concluding she was unstable, her husband moved her aside before she caused more embarrassment.
It is true that there is no smoke without fire. This was the case of Iya Ibeji, who, upon seeing the woman, realized that it was her sister. With the tenacity of her voice, some concerned neighbors rallied around her, but only to discover that Iya Ibeji was actually okay.
Temidun was happy to see Adebimpe, her sister, whom she last saw twenty years ago.
Temidun explained to the family how she also left the village for Lagos a few years after her sister eloped with Oladele. She had been in Lagos for a while and was unable to reach Adebimpe. She was glad that a day finally came for her to meet her sister.
Temidun’s husband, Adeniyi, a businessman, was also happy to meet Adebimpe and her family. ‘’Adeniyi is a business mogul, an engineer, and the father of my children.’’ Temidun joyfully told her sister.
It was a happy moment for them all. The joy of the sisters knew no bounds; the joy of meeting one’s sibling in a place like Lagos, which people consider to be a land of opportunity, is truly a blessing.
Neighbors and friends from the street kept coming until past seven to greet them. Well, who wouldn’t do so after seeing the new car parked in front of the compound?
Time indeed flies and waits for no one. Little wonder why man is encouraged to cease the day and make hay while the sun shines so as to get the best of every opportunity.
Time has no replacement, no substitute; nonetheless, it offers everyone the same offer to exploit.
Mrs. Victor, the vice principal of Government College, would always remind her pupils to ‘take your time and work very hard for the days are rolling by; once an opportunity is lost, it may never be regained; do not waste your golden time for the days are rolling by.’
Most students who performed well in school were undecided if it was the fear of losing a golden opportunity or just the zeal to succeed that fueled their success. Whichever it was, it paid off in the long run.
The academic board issued the final-year student results, and students were urged to contact their respective universities to verify theirs.
Proceeding to the school to check hers, Temitope met two of her classmates who were already heading towards her house to congratulate her on having one of the best results in Lagos State.
She was elated; in the same spirit of joy, she ran back to the house to inform her brothers, who were already back home from their break at the university.
Her parents were proud of her feat and even happier after hearing from Temidun. Temidun had made preparations for Temitope to study outside the country and had assured her parents of full support during and after her studies overseas.
All that Temidun asked for in return was Temitope’s concentration and determination to do more than she did in her senior school’s certificate examination.
Oh, the mystery of life! Who would have thought that Oladele and Adebimpe would find success in Lagos? The genesis of a man should never be used to determine his end.
Baba Ibeji knew within himself that he had only been fortunate to receive wonderful opportunities in Lagos, which some never had. Leaving his hometown was a difficult but necessary decision.
The day finally came for Temitope to continue her journey in life. Adebimpe wondered if the twins were next to leave. Grateful that her neighbors were around to see Temitope off, she joined the Mallam’s new bride to serve the people with a northern delicacy: tuwo shinkafa.
The rice delicacy was served with a chilled hibiscus drink known as zobo. Everyone present there that night enjoyed the refreshment served and the ambience, except for the traveler herself, who could not eat due to the anxiety of traveling by air.
