— A trip to New York
Chapter nine little beginnings – The week Iya Ibeji arrived at Ikoyi was the same week Temidun scheduled her flight to New York. It was time to visit Temitope, who was faring well and had also adapted well to the environment with the help of Kehinde.
Temitope had written letters to her aunt about Kehinde and her family and how the family seems to like her and accept her as one of their own.
Temidun had already promised her sister that she would visit Temitope soon after receiving her letter. Temidun’s husband had left before Iya Ibeji’s arrival at the house for a business trip. Iya Ieji once wondered if overseas were someplace around Nigeria where people visited anytime they felt like.
The last time someone traveled out to Okesuna turned out to be a funny moment for her, as the man only said he would be back in a month’s time. And now Temidun was saying the same thing to her.
‘’Do they really think America is a small place?’’ she wondered. The only way to satisfy her curiosity would be to visit there someday.
Temidun arrived at Laguardia Airport with Temitope and Kehinde there to welcome her. The trip was special. Temitope was already a grown-up lady, and she had even grown to be more beautiful. She was no longer the little girl who left Nigeria a while ago with a slim body.
Also Read CHAPTER EIGHT Little Beginnings
”Aunty, you are most welcome, ma!” ”Ekule o!” Temidun replied to her. Surprisingly, the two girls went on their knees to greet her. The feeling that accompanied this act was that of royalty. ‘’ If only Baba Ibeji were here to see his daughter upholding his culture, he would affirm once again that Temitope was his true daughter.
Kehinde’s family prepared a special delicacy for Temidun. Temidun was served amala and efo riro for dinner to make him feel at ease. ‘’Knowing we can still enjoy our very own delicacy here, why should we return to Nigeria?’’ Temidun teased after the meal.
Everyone had something to say to each other after the meal. The twins at the table could not wait to hear stories about their father’s land. Temitope was eager to hear everything about her family. Kehinde’s mother was also curious to know about the recent developments in Nigeria’s educational system.
However, there was one particular person at the table who could not get his eyes off Temitope. Having gone through that stage herself, Temidn knew there was more to the look Temitope got across the table.
Ben Adeleke, a medical student in Washington and a cousin to Kehind, was interested in Temitope. It was quite easy for Temidun to grasp the look coming from the handsome chap being a woman. If Iya Ibeji were present too, she would have seen the same thing she was seeing.
The only person without surprise at Ben’s consistent look was Kehinde; this was so because Kehinde had said so much about Temitope to Ben and had suggested he come over for dinner. Ben was excited to see Temitope in person and also happy to see Temidun, whom he believed would help make the process an easy one.
Everyone moved from the dining room to the parlor after the meal, and once again, the conversation about Nigeria was back. The children were happy to have their questions answered. The twins were used to what their parents said about Nigeria and what they had read and heard from others.
Temidun’s arrival satisfied their curiosity. The girls also excused themselves from the parlor in order to have their personal conversation. After playing a successful role in bringing the two together, Kehinde excused herself.
The Yorubas will say, ‘’bi oko ba mo oju aya tan alarina a ye ba (it is expedient for the matchmaker to relieve himself once the lovers have grown accustomed to each other).
