Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders,
Let me walk upon the waters, Wherever You would call me..
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander,
And my faith will be made stronger In the presence of my Savior..

The congregation could be heard singing solemnly with sister Mary as she sang OCEANS 'where feet may fail' by hillsong's. I looked around the large auditorium with lightenings, everyone seems to be in deep worship. With their hands raised towards the direction of the sky. I remember the days when worshipping God was the only thing that made me feel great.

I stared at sister Mary as she sang like she was walking on air, she looked so happy as she sang on the altar. One thing I've noticed about her is, when it comes to worship, she either raises song by Hillsong's, Anthem lights or Dunsin Oyekan. And you should know, tongues can not be removed from Dunsin Oyekan, Dunsin Oyekan can not be removed from tongues. Kabaya.

I am glad she willingly agreed to take the worship session. It would have been an embarrassment for me to stand on that altar with the way mummy pastor styled my dreads, doughnut bun and two single dreads dangling on my left cheek. When I'm not a girl.

"Hallelujah!" sister Mary, sang into the microphone, as she ended the worship session.

***

I cheerfully sang along with the music that emanated from the compact disc player as I drove to my sister's house. I sounded the horn as I arrived at the entrance of the magnificent house. The gateman hurriedly opened the giant green gate for me to enter. Merely seeing the giant duplex building, beautiful compound and lush garden. No one has to inform a stranger the inhabitants of the house live an ostentatious style of living, the sight alone would do justice.

I quietly went into the humble home, but seriously there was nothing humble about this home. Everything had a touch of sophistication and elegance.

The very large television screen that dwarfed a person to the black leather settes, was of course imported. It was plain obvious, everything in the house was imported. My sister just had an eye for good things. Money and my sister's politician husband were like five and six.

"Peace be unto this house," I said in a low voice, as I strolled in with the air of a boss man.

"Dada Ile wa ti de o (The one with dreadlocks in my family is here)." a tiny voice, belonging to my sister said without taking her eyes from the big screen.

"Don't tell me you came into this house, without a lady once again? " My sister a stout chubby, fair complexioned woman about forty years,  on whose face is always housing a smile which indicates she was the always happy type, said in a low voice.

But that's still without taking her eyes off the big screen, her love for Korean movies, needs not to be questioned.

"Pizza!" a babish voice rang across the room, well who alone calls me pizza if not for my jiggala.

"Timi money!" I hailed, as my dark chubby nephew jumped on me. 

"Uncle Longe, who styled your dreads? You actually look pretty." Ore my niece with the body physique that reminds her parents, she's not the same five year old that can finish a pack of biscuit in three days, joked. As she laughed out loudly.

"It's mummy pastor o, before your hair looks like something they didn't finish in the factory." I joked. Giving her the 'burn!' look.

The way she treats her hair can discourage anyone who wants to embark on a natural hair journey. 

"That's not funny," she retorted, sticking out her tongue and making air quotes.

"Glow! glow! glow! auntie Glowria! Why are you looking so fresh" I sang, scooping her small body into my arms.

"You are so tall." she said pinching my cheeks.

"You won't be saying that if you had met your grandpa." I replied, chuckling a little.

"It's the beans, mum said grandpa's best food was beans and dodo same with you"

"That's superstition joor." I said, as I grinned goofily at her.

"Is it true?"  she whispered into my ear.

"Is what true?" I asked looking confused.

"Aunty Ebun is from the lineage of a thief, who caused chaos in Nigerian back in the 70's, her great great great grandfather was shot to death by a firing squad and everyone in her family were....."

"And who told you all about that?" I asked cutting her off.

I stared at her, trying to hide the fact of being aware of all she said. It was clearly obviously she was only looking for confirmation.

"Longe when are bringing a wife to this house? Or do you think you are getting younger ni ?" My sister asked, not taking her eyes off the big screen, one of the disadvantages of watching K-pop dramas.

Well, I was expecting a question like this, Many times, my sister had pestered me about the issue of marriage. I had often brushed her off, saying the time wasn't right. I just wasn't ready to dabble into any affair that might hit the rocks.

But maybe I might have a change of mind, it's not like I'm getting younger. I believe there's a lady out there waiting for me, the one who won't tell me my dreads looks like mopping stick, Chei  she will just be drawn into my eyes and I will just be like babe  'I'm your dodo  come and  fry me, I was made to be your carpet come and step on me with those hot legs of yours.  Omo you are the ribs of my ribs, my personal five alive that I need to stay alive. Come and flood me I'm your lekki.'

"Kai," I whispered, the romantic part of me has been asleep for a while. I need to be someone's Ferrari so they can be riding me to the moon and be blocking me like third mainland bridge.

"The boy from America," a voice belonging to no one but my sister's husband snapped me out of my thoughts.

The tall able politician, spotting a goaty beards  said as he walked closer to me , repeating his previous word over and over again.

"Pepper!" I hailed "Show them the Pepper! Shinko pepper! Chili chili pepper! Without chili in my noodles, please what is indomie? " I hailed, dramatically stumping my feet on the hard tile, everyone in the room started laughing.  Including my sister's husband, the man was just plain yellow, no spots. Fresh like today's bread. I still wonder how he managed  to trip my sister off her feet, cause she had  always been  shipping for a tall dark husband only for her to end up with a  light skined one.

The atmosphere was the usual one, no dulling moments in this house. 

"Alonge, don't tell me you didn't bring any stew to this house, where's the stew? Don't tell me ladies are scarce in this country? Or is it that non of them meets your taste? " My sister's husband asked, as he moved to sit on one of the single sofas in the room. 

My sister immediately inclined on her seat, shifting her gaze from the large screen to me. 

"Longe, I'm telling you. The day you bring a woman to my house, I Salewa will go and give personal testimony in church. It's like you don't know you are getting old," 

Her voice vibrated through the walls of the sitting room, women! When it comes to the matter of marriage, their blood will just become hot. I cracked my knuckles consciously fully aware of the irritating sounds it was making, and the effects it had on people. I thought of what to say, I couldn't just promise them when I know the stew hasn't appeared yet. My delicious stew is yet to set.

"Uncle Longe, why don't you marry her," little Timi asked, pointing to the direction of the dinning table that was almost set for dinner.

I raised my eyebrows, laughing crazily in my mind. I was tempted to tell the boy is head has knack tree. But that will only make my own head knack tree by the time his mother is done with me. 

"Who?" I asked, even though I could see the person clearly.

"Aunty Ebun na, she's fine." he said, dropping the surprise bag he was holding  to claps his little hands.

Everyone in the room kept quiet, their eyes darting from me to Ebun, suddenly my sister broke the silence. 

"Ebun! wan bi bayi o  (Come over here)." She called out, rubbing her hands together.

I sat down immediately on a low brown stool with golden edges, i drew it closer to where she was sitting. 

"Alonge, the reason I called you here is because of Ebun." she paused a bit, allowing her statement to sink in.

I jolted immediately it sank in, What is she saying? 

"Me!" Ebun shouted. 

"You want me to marry Ebun?" I asked, facing Ebun. 

I stared hard at Ebun, the way she was looking turned my intestines, one of the things I hated, number one; women tying wrappers around the house, and Ebun could be seen tying an old ankara wrapper on her  waist loosely. The oversized T-shirt she wore on it made her look older than she was. I would have preferred only the T-shirt on he 

"Ebun is writing JAMB this year, abi mo puro ni Ebun?(or I'm I telling a lie?) "She asked dramatically slapping her laps which made a  Po! Po! Po! sound

"Rara ma. (No ma) Ebun replied scratching her head uncomfortably.

"And how is that my business, sister? " I asked, crossing my arms. Trying to figure out the scheme she has up her sleeves.

"Oh! That's simple," She said smiling mischievously.

"Very simple." Her husband echoed. 

I raised my eyebrows, staring at both husband and wife and their children, Ore was already engrossed in the End Blyton's book she was reading. Well the Famous five series had that same effect on me back in the days. Timi the one who started all this, was busy sucking on those mix mag tasting  sweets they put in those surprise bag packages. 

"She's starting JAMB tutorials lessons and she needs a place to stay." she said trying to feign a serious look.

"What happened to this big house? " I asked, my eyes darting between both husband and wife. 

"Actually, your house is nearer to the place, Ebun! once he's about to leave tomorrow you follow. That's the relative I said you will stay with" she pronounced with an air of finality. 

I scoffed, "You know you guys could have gotten a place more closer" I asked, getting up furiously, the last thing I want in my house is a woman tying wrapper around in it. 

"You want me to leave alone with a lady?" I asked. 

You are both grown ups Alonge, matured enough! Who knows you might thank me later. 

I sighed heavily, pinching my nose. I really don't know the rationale behind this, but is she trying to set me up with Ebun ? Or is she trying to get rid of Ebun? 

Raising up my head to stare at Ebun, her weary gaze met mine,  her eyes were dim with tears. My heart went out to her, then I made up my mind. I had to do what I had to do. 

~~~~~~~~~

🙇🙇🙇