After so much of the pep talk, we gave Okiki and making sure she got comforted. Okiki had finally agreed to wear her cloth and getting prepared for a face glam, she didn't bother booking a makeup artist because she was good at make-up herself so there she felt no need to hire one. We made sure to cheer her on and ensured she laughed. I still couldn't help but believe my baby sister was getting married, I literally raised this geh o. I was her second mother too!

"Look how gorgeous you look." I gave her a little hug behind her as we both stared at each other from the mirror.

"Lemme jor!"

"No, really, you have never looked this amazing before."

"Oya be going," she rolled her at me whilst dabbing the makeup brush softly around her cheek.

"Ah ahn, small play o." I chuckled.

"I want to see how you will eat when it's time for the wedding," she threatened.

"Seriously, I am happy you are finally going to be with him," I made sure not to make it obvious that I was about to cry. There was a slight sadness at thought of not being able to come home to my sister. The truth was, we weren't that close-close. Our relationship has mostly been involved around being the second mother who reprimanded or scolded them for the slightest things and I couldn't see myself outside of that kind of relationship with her and the rest of my siblings.

She turned to me swiftly. "Wait, do you want to cry?" I hit her on the shoulder jokingly whilst we both chuckled.

"It's just... I'm scared, is he the right one for you?" I let out a concerned look.

"Wow... that sounds specific," she cooed, dropping her makeup brush and turning to hold my hands.

I was grateful no one was in the room with us, at least they wouldn't have to witness me being a crybaby. I took the chair behind me and sat in front of Okiki and then gave her a sad look.

"I don't like that you are almost going away."

"I am not getting married soon, it's just the introduction party," she said with a sardonic smile on her face.

"I know, it's just..." I heaved a sigh.

"Is this about Tunde?"

I raised my eyebrow at her with a quizzical look. "This isn't about me."

"Did he break up with you?" A bright smile appeared on her face, I could tell she was hoping for that to happen.

"What? No?"

Her disappointed look was visible as I broke the news to her. I mean... Tunde and I were still cool right?  Also, what was it about Tunde these people never liked?

"Nawa o."

"We had a slight argument but we are going to get back on track soon."

"Ugh! Whatever, I will pay billions to make sure he leaves you."

"Okay, that's enough. Oya stand up let's go meet our in-laws." I ushered her to get up as I made it the opportunity for us to change discussions.

"You run from your problems a lot, you and I both know..." as more words were about to come from her mouth, my phone chimed loudly. She peeped through my phone to check who was calling. "Dem don dey call you," she averted her gaze back at me, ushering me to pick up the call.

It was Tunde. Why was he calling?

I feigned a smile at her and gave her excuses about today being her joyous day as all attention was only going to remain on her and Jason but Okiki did not look convinced. She only nodded in defeat and sauntered outside of the room. There was no way I was going to tell anyone of them about the huge fight we had that night, moreover, I wasn't in the mood to talk to him about anything.

"Pick it up nau..." she ordered, the look on her face showed how eager she was for me to answer Tunde. "I thought as much," a smirk cornered her small lips as she gave me one last glance before strutting out of the room.

***

Almost two hours since our in-laws were here and the introduction was going well, I got to meet with Jason's parents and three other siblings. They made plans about bringing lefe for Okiki as it was their custom and tradition but Iya Yeside had declined and told them her daughter wasn't for sale. Okiki would get married to Jason soon and celebrating was all that mattered to her. His family seemed to be understanding with that since it was no issue for them.

I would throw a glare at Okiki and Jason each minute I caught them whispering and giggling at each other when our Olori ebi was introducing other families to our in-laws. We ate, drank, and discussed for the rest of the hours we had left till the introduction party was over.

Slowly, Iyunade and I helped in clearing up the used plates we served our guests. We got to our verandah to get some fresh air outside, it was a bit cold but I could manage. She pulled out a packet of cigarettes from her pocket to pull the one she wanted and ignited the cigarette with a lighter. I disliked this about my cousin, she was a chain smoker. Everyone in the house knew about her addiction and it was no surprise to us at this point. Well... perks of being raised abroad I guessed.

"You smoke?" She turned to me whilst we both sat on the bench, I rolled my eyes at her offer.

"I get annoyed when you do that."

"I won't bother you, I promise," she let out a mischievous laugh.

"What are you doing in Abuja?"

"Nothing much, just one dangerous undercover," she shrugged it off like it was nothing as she puffed out more smoke into the air.

"I won't forgive you if you die."

"Oh, please!" We both chuckled loudly as we stared at each other. My ringtone broke into our laugh loudly and I sighed in frustration, I knew who it was. I didn't want to pick up any of his calls and so I switched off my smartphone and placed it beside me. "You are still with that man, I see," Iyunade uttered, I was surprised because she never knew about Tunde.

"Who-"

"Fiyin and Jolayemi told me," she chuckled.

Those little swine!

"It's nothing serious, I just need space away from him."

Iyunade nodded her head in pity, puffing more smoke from her mouth, and looked right into my eyes. "You are a delusional idiot. That man doesn't love you and you and I know that. He treats you like crap and looks at... even everyone around you can sense the zero connection you both have."

"You people are just being cynical," I replied.

"No, your father left you. Sounds harsh but he did and now you are afraid this Tunde will do the same but you constantly need to keep up with his bullshit because he's the only man in your life you are holding onto. You are with him because you don't want to end up like your mum." I laughed loudly when Iyunade said this, it was hilarious.

"Iyun, you have been away."

"Duh! I keep tabs."

"You got it all wrong."

She stopped smiling and gave me a quizzical look. "You are always afraid, you are still with Tunde because of fear."

"Okay, enough about Tunde."

"You know I am right."

"When are you leaving?" I asked her in hopes to change our conversation.

"I'm staying permanently this time, you can't run away from your problems forever," she threw what was left of the cigarette on the floor and matched on it to quench the smoke. How I badly needed to rub off that smug from her face as she left to go inside.