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Little Beginnings – Prologue
In Nigeria, not having a stable power supply is a regular occurrence, especially when it has been raining consistently and all you see is a very low current, insufficient to enjoy a television program. It would have been much more comforting if there had been light, as this would have prevented Baba Ibeji from sweating profusely after being smacked. But when his wife couldn’t stand the torture any longer, she had no choice but to summon the one who had kept her in such a state.
Baba Ibeji rose to his feet as if ready to fight after being hit with a hard slap strong enough to make a bite of fufu stronger than it is.
After his little show of power in the room as a result of the slap, he took no further time in realizing that his wife was in labor.
Adebimpe, affectionately known as ‘Iya Ibeji,’ his wife, was having her third child that night, and there was no one to call except her husband, who was lying next to her. “Her reaction was extraordinarily exaggerated”. Baba Ibeji had gleefully shared his experience with his Okesuna neighbors.
These two lovebirds, you see, have been on a long journey of love. Even the enmity between the two lineages was not strong enough to separate them. They were only twenty years old when they both left their hometown for Lagos in search of a brighter future and, hopefully, a lasting relationship. The rift had existed between both households, originating from a broken promise committed by the Alarade family, to which Baba Ibeji belonged.
Adebimpe and Oladele could not afford to let each other go; hence, they both decided to leave their hometowns without their parents’ blessings.
It is spread among their people that marrying someone against one’s parents’ wishes is taboo, especially after what happened to the child of ‘Baba elemu,’ who departed with a gorgeous teacher from the east. No one in Adepele town could determine whether it was because Omolade started speaking Igbo or because Emeka started eating amala and ewedu and also spoke Yoruba well that it was regarded as taboo for anyone to marry without their parents’ permission.
Adebimpe and Oladele, on the other hand, choose to break this taboo and flee to Lagos in quest of love. They eloped and moved to Lagos a few years ago. They arrived in Lagos during a time when youngsters from Lafiaji and Okesuna could freely stroll the streets of Lagos Island, when mothers could read to their children at midnight, and when teenagers could dream of someday sitting in government seats.
When Adebimpe arrived at the hospital, two nurses ran out to help her to the labor room. No drama compares to that of a woman in labor. Every other display is performed in line with pre-planned activities, but a lady in labor demonstrates the genuine, imminent position she is in.
In less than an hour, the doctor was on his way to congratulate the expectant father.
Watch out for Chapter One of Little Beginnings!
