Toyin was now much freer with him. They shared everything with each other.

He was shocked when she told him she was actually Igbo and her father was from Abia. He just assumed she was Yoruba because of the name.

But, It is her Mum that is Yoruba, she was named after her maternal grandmother who passed away a week before she was born. Her Igbo name is Amara while her English name is Maryanne.

He said his sister is married to an igbo man too then showed her pictures of his nieces proudly.

"So you are the black sheep of the family?" She laughed

"At this point I think I am worse than a black sheep, look at me, I quit my job and I am squatting with a girl, in Lagos" He dissed himself.

"But why did you really quit everything like that, that was very bold of you?"

He told her about how his mother died just 1 year after her cancer diagnosis despite the fact that she did chemo and was recovering. Her death shook him to his very core and changed his view on life, he started questioning everything, he lost faith in God, he was numb emotionally, he just wanted a break so he quit everything and started travelling.

*******

On one Monday evening, he came home around 9pm with his street food. This time It was Port Harcourt style Boli (roasted yam, plantain) and fish. She was so tempted to join him because its been ages since she had it. The Lagos Boli was dry and boring, where did he even find a PH joint.

She followed him to the kitchen where he was already entering the thing with beer. The delicious aroma of the grilled fish in pepper sauce and the Utazi and onion rings garnishing gave her heavy nostalgia.

"Where did you get Port Harcourt Bole and fish?" She cried.

"It's from a rugged street corner in Ebute metta" He smiled proudly as he sandwiched a piece of yam, plantain and fish then took a bite... He was even eating it with his hand! he knew how to run it lol. This one would have been an agbero if he grew up in Nigeria she thought.

"Damn its late I can't eat now, i wish I could go there tomorrow to get some for lunch" She whined her eyes glued to his plate.

"Do you even know where Ebute metta is? Don't try it o, they'll rob you. Ajebutter "

"Look at this IJGB, me and you who is ajebutter, how many Nigerian food do you even know?"

"You know we have like 40 Nigerian restaurants in Toronto right, also while growing up my Mother made sure we had a steady supply of African foodstuff....."

"It's not the same!" She laughed.

"I can save some for you in the fridge for tomorrow" He looked at her seriously.

"No its better when it's fresh off the charcoal like this, OMG" Her eyes widened as she drew closer.

"Then just eat now! It'll be a one-time violation, common"

She pouted "No, I gained 0.4kg last week"

He looked at her in disbelief "I swear and you're perfect, I love your thick thighs and your....."

"Stop" She glared at him.

"Okay why not eat tonight then run with me tomorrow morning to burn it off"

"Tah! I have work tomorrow" She hates working out.

"Ok we can burn it tonight then" He winked at her and licked his lips.

She shot him a death glare when she realized what he meant by that and he laughed cheekily.

"But seriously, run with me tomorrow morning I'll wake u up by 5am"

"Nooooo" She whined. "I love my sleep"

"5:30?" He was already bringing a juicy piece of fish to her mouth.

"Okay"

He did not let her put her hand in it so he could feed her himself. He claimed he liked her new nails and he did not want the palm oil to mess them up.

After eating, they gisted for about 10 more minutes before he left for his room to start working on the Indian guy's job. She knew all the jobs and projects he was working on.

She thought it was unwise that he was being paid in equity instead of cash for this particular one but he said the guy is his friend from college and the startup was cash strapped so he had to do it.

******

On Friday evening that week as she packed up her bags to leave work, she got a call from her Father;

"TY baby we just landed in Lagos, send your home address"

"She should come and pick us from the Airport now" She heard her mum's voice in the background.

She almost fainted from the shock. The last time they surprised her like this was during her masters in the UK. She should have seen this coming.

She tried to stay calm so she could strategize. Okay It will take them at least 1 hour before they get to the Island because of Ikeja traffic. She rushed out of her office building as she dialed Osaze's number but he was not answering!

She sharply ordered an uber home. Luckily for her he wasn't home and the house was clean, there was no trace of him in the living room. Now only had to clear out the guest room. She quickly packed all his clothes in a box and took them to her own closet. The computers! She didn't know what to do with them, she didn't want to mess up anything so she left them there.

She quickly changed the sheets, scanned his room, cleared the bathroom, she searched the drawers and found a pack of cigarettes. "Jesus!" she exclaimed, if her parents find that one then she is dead.

.

Her phone rang, it was Sofi; "My driver is on his way to your house with the your asoebi. Pls don't make us late tomorrow o"

"My parents are in town babe so I might be late; in fact just go without me I'll meet u there"

"Awww when did they arrive" She cooed.

"This evening o! Babe let me call u back I need to cook something for them"

"There was no food in the house and there was no time to go to any market now so she went on IG and ordered from one of those IG soup caterers. Luckily, the vendor had one last bowl of fresh Afang.

They finally arrived 1hr 45mins after her father's first call.

"This is too much for a single Lady now, you should have just stayed with your aunty" her mother said as she gave them a tour.

"This is not too much, back then the Expatriates had duplexes and mansions all paid for by the oil companies, this is nothing!" her dad defended her.

Her Dad also worked in the industry before he joined civil service so he understood how things worked. In fact, he was the one who steered her towards a career in oil & gas.

Unlike her though, her Dad was mostly a contract worker, most of the contract workers were underpaid and didn't have any job security compared to their counterparts who were fulltime permanent IOC employees. But at least he was able to feed them and give them a comfortable life.

Toyin's father was so proud of her and she loved making him the happiest dad in the world.

She loved seeing him beam with pride the way he did during her convocation ceremony; she received eight awards including highest overall CGPA. That day her father had tears in his eyes that was the first time she saw him crying and it was tears of joy, because of her.

She loved him dearly because he gave up so much, worked his ass off for them with his little OND.

While her parents bantered over the appropriateness of her living alone in a two bed her phone beeped it was a Text from Osaze. She sent him a text earlier.

TY: Hey my parents are here, stay 1000000000km away from the house!

Osaze: Woah! Okay lol.

TY: Where are u gonna go?

Osaze: I'll go to Seyi's don't worry about me I'll be fine. Take care of them.

She smiled as she put the phone away. She could finally relax.

They entered the guest room.

"Why do you have so many computers?" It was her father this time.

"I am working on a side project," She said with confidence.

"So you are still working even at home, no wonder you yet to bring out a Husband" Her mother eyed her.

"It's just temporary Mummy," She laughed.

"You are coming with us to the wedding tomorrow!"

"Where is this your wedding sef, I also have a wedding tomorrow" Toyin asked them.

It was the same wedding.

Turns out the bride's father worked with her Dad way back in the days before he started his own oil company. She could not believe her dad knew the 'rich man' wedding they were going for.

Their own IV was even VVIP and they had free hotel accommodation at Radisson blue. apparently, the hosts provided accommodation for guests from outside Lagos. She was impressed. Sofi was right it was going to be THE WEDDING of the year.

"Where is your aso ebi? I hope you didn't sew one of those your mary-amaka styles" Her mother eyed her.

While her mother inspected the Aso-ebi her Dad ate at the dining area. She was satisfied with it but still complained about the low neckline. This woman oooo!

She dropped them off at their hotel around past 8pm. When she got back in her car, she called Osaze.

"Hey they're not sleeping over you can come back" She said.

"No don't worry, that's too risky and I'm having a blast here with Seyi and some old friends," He said cheerfully. There was loud music in the background. "I'm good, I'll be back Sunday evening"

"Okay. Osaze thanks for understanding," She said.

"No, Thank YOU for giving me a place to say Toyin. I could never repay you I'm the one who is forever indebted to you" He said sounding very serious. Wait why does he sound serious right now?.

"Are you drunk?" She asked because obviously he is at a party or club or something. Plus that Seyi guy looks like one of those Quilox permanent resident.

He chuckled "A little. haha you know me too well"

When she woke up early in the morning and started preparing. Her Mum was forcing her to come with them to the Church and reception. Their plan with Sofi was to attend only the reception and after party.

Just when she was about to leave the house, Osaze called. He said he wanted to come get his black loafers because he had a wedding to attend......

A/N Arrrgh i was very busy today but we made it!

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