It was an orange evening, like that painted picture on the museum walls. The weather was cold and chilly, as it usually was in the rainy season. Temilade watched quietly as the animals greeted the evening before retiring for the day, like workers saluting their bosses’ goodbye.

Temilade watched quietly as Maami made her way to an old rusty armchair standing in the corridor. It used to be her grandpa’s, Thomas Odewole, who was the leader of hunters at Ilupeju in the early 90s. His death too was a painful one — he got attacked by two lions in the forest, after which he succeeded in killing one. He got injured, and that injury led to his death. Then, Thomas’s wife, who had been barren for years, was carrying his baby.

David Odewole was Thomas's only child. Rantiola, David’s mother took care of her son, she never remarried even when she was young enough to marry again. Ranti loved David so much as he was her joy, her love, her husband, her son, and her future. She brought him up in the best of ways and even if it wasn’t easy, Ranti lied deaf ears to others.

Years before, Thomas Odewole used to sit on the rocky chair in the evenings after his daily work, while his wife, Ranti would be stretched out on a long, wooden bench beside him as they chatted.

It has been long. Days had grown into months and months had turned into years. Ranti who is now in her early sixties, had developed a fondness for that chair. Temi dazed at her grandma as she walked out of the heated room to sit outside. She knew her grandmother missed him so much even though fought hard to keep her feelings in check.

Grandma Ranti took off her old slippers as she lowered herself onto the chair with some effort, a sigh escaping her chapped lips as she leaned backward. The old wooden chair cried too as she sat on its almost collapsed body. Grandpa Thomas was lucky enough to buy it from a friend from Ghana, one of the best carpenters in the whole of Africa, at those days.

“Maami.” Temi greeted as she sighted her grandmother, but she replied with a sigh as if she wasn’t happy about something.

Of course, there are reasons for her not to be happy, but Grandma Ranti is a strong woman — She has always been a strong woman. She focused her sight on the sky, listening to the lyric and tune in which the tiny birds on the tree sang. Their chirping gave her so much comfort and the comfort painted green memories of Thomas in her mind.

She wore a gentle smile as both hands went intensively to the back of her head, all resting on the cushion of the hardwood.

Temi silently turned to Maami again, her hand not leaving the large stainless tray of beans (black-eyed-peas) she was picking.

“Dinner is ready, Miami. Should I set the dishes?”

“No... Not yet. I’m not hungry,” Maami began.” I didn’t see you on the farm today. Is everything alright?”

“I’m alright, Maami. I stayed at home to study. Next weekend, I will take my WAEC exams.”

A sharp smile ran through her lips as she sat up in the rocking chair.’’ That’s good to hear from you, my granddaughter. Study hard and be the best. I’ll keep burning my candles in prayer. I know you’ll pass this exam with distinction, just like you do in school but, my greatest fear is...”

“Maami, don’t worry yourself about anything. I know I’m going to excel in life, no matter what. And when we get to that bridge, we’ll cross it.”

“Okay, if you say so.” Grandmother Ranti muttered as Temi continued picking the beans (black-eyed-peas).

“In whichever boat one finds oneself, one must row. I know you’re just saying this to calm me down. Life is bitter, as bitter as a bile in one’s mouth. Yet, the truth is to be said. It’s reality, my dear. I know I’ve grown old and faded. Still, I want to see you become successful. Chasing your dream of becoming a doctor is what’s best. And as your guardian, what I can do is to support you....even if it means selling my body parts.”

“Maami! Stop sounding ridiculous...” Temilade laughed at her grandmother’s words.

“I’m serious, my dear. I’m old already. Who knows when death would come knocking on my door?”

“Iró ni ó! That will not happen. It’s already dark, Maami. No death talk please.” Temi’s voice almost shivered.

“Whatever. As if we wouldn’t die one day. Baba Faronke said he would buy our piece of land.”

“What?!” Temi paused the picking, placed the tray on the bench, and faced Maami with so much concentration.

“That’s our only source of income, Maami! What would we feed on? What about our farm?!”

“The God that created mouth has created what to feed it with, my daughter. God Almighty is our provider. We are healthy and alive today, that’s enough. The God that would make tomorrow would provide what we’ll eat tomorrow as well.” She paused for a while and continued.
“Baba Farounke will pay us high, considering we have a farm on it. He agreed to pay #50, 000 for the land.”

“What?! 50k?... It’s not even worth the farm products, Maami!” Temi’s face clouded.

“Why these again... That man is so selfish! Why don’t you tell me about these first before taking a step? Ehn?...”

The abruptness of Temi’s response irked her grandmother, but she rolled her eyes at her with a stern look. As if she was trying to say Temi wasn’t grateful.

“You should be thankful, Temi. Know that I am not thinking about myself. All I think of is you and how you’ll reach your goal. Every day, I dream of how you would stand out amongst your peers and be the sun of them all. It’s so unfortunate for us, yet I know this life won’t last long. I pray I live to see you successful, and I know you would buy land in the best places, and own a farm or a hospital. And what’s wrong if I have high expectations from you? Tell me Temi... What is bad in selling that land?!” Her voice demanded.

“I have only one dream, Temi, and that dream is you. What is wrong with building your future? Jolaade would have done even more! Only if she was alive...”

“Maami” Temi began in a voice calm. “I know you’re trying your best for me but, don’t bring my mum into this. You are my future as well, and I am always grateful for you being alive. I’m sorry for raising my voice at you but... Frankly speaking Miami, isn’t that too much to sacrifice? What would we feed on?”

“Don’t worry, my dear. Let’s live to believe that as long as there is life, there is hope.”

Temilade finally poured the clean beans into a black poly bag and firmly tied its mouth.

“It’s almost 9:00 p.m... Should I serve dinner already?” She asked before going in.

“Yes, I’m so famished right now. Today has been hectic. Don’t forget to bring my drugs from the shelves in my room.”

“Okay, ma'am.” Temi stood up to set her grandmother’s dinner. It was Ékuru (white- cooked-bean-cake) and Átá Élépó (palm-oiled stew).

This time, there was a nod of affirmation from Maami. She sat forward on the chair with one hand supporting her oval-shaped face, her eyes staring vacantly into the distance.

***
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