Chapter 32—Strange Connections

Chief Otunba sat on the couch with his legs crossed together, listening in all attentiveness to the News anchor displaying 32-inch flat screen TV hung up on the wall of the living room as Aunty Bukky watched from a distance by the corridor with wary eyes. He had gone up for a quick shower and a change of clothes shortly after Mide had left but had refused to eat anything until Korede was presented before him.

What was it about Korede that made his brother want to see her so bad? Had he taken a liking onto her already without even seeing her yet? She wondered.

Still, she knew it was her brother's pride and stubbornness standing in the way and that he was actually hungry; even a hundred years in the US couldn't change that about him. She chuckled as she went into the kitchen and emerged with an orange juice.

"Since you don't want to eat anything yet, you might as well have this to keep your strength," she said as she bent down to drop the glass and the saucer on a mini table.

"Mhmm, thank you, Bukola," he replied, collecting the glass from her hands just before it touched the table and sent it straight to his lips.

"Still as stubborn as ever," she tsked as she watched him gulp down a handful of the nourishing flavored drink. "See what you're doing to yourself? All because you're too keen to seeing your son's fiancé," she muttered as she sat on a single chair.

Chief Otunba laughed, guilty as charged and not looking to evade judgment. "She was one of the major reasons I came, you know," he confessed as he dropped his drink.

"Why?" Aunty Bukky inquired with a stare.

"You don't see it, too?" Chief Otunba asked, but when she didn't respond, he continued. "Well, I guess you will find out in due time."

"You know, one thing that marvels me is how he was able to get her to say yes to him after only a year of courting…And I hear she had only just been out of a relationship," Chief Otunba remarked.

"That's because your son inherited that keen eye of yours, and if he sees something he wants, he goes for it with all determination and perseverance until he achieves it—just like how he did with the company," Aunty Bukky added.

"Relax, Bukola. I know very well that this is all your handiwork—the act Mide has on right now has your signature all over it."

Aunty Bukky scoffed. "So are you saying you have written off your own son, then?" Aunty Bukky glared. "You've condemned him already, and he is now a nonentity?"

"I'm not saying that." Chief Otunba shook his head. "I came here to see how much my son has grown, and that includes seeing how he struggles through his imperfections to make a man of himself. But from the onset, the two of you are trying to make it seem like all it takes for a complete reformation is two years and that I now have the perfect son I've always wanted. That's what I am condemning." Just when Aunty Bukky thought he was done, he continued. "Or do you think I don't see through your schemes?" A light chuckle escaped from his lips at the end of the question. "I know you, Bukola, and I know what exactly what you are after."

As confronting as Chief Otunba's statement was, he knew it wasn't enough to shake his sister—not on the surface, at least.

"Really?" Aunty Bukky voiced as if his statement had only been amusing and nothing else. "So what exactly am I after?"

The echoes from blaring horns of Mide's BMW came ripping through the walls of the room, drowning Aunty Bukky's voice as soon as she spoke.

"It seems Mide is back. Let's leave our discussion for another, shall we?" Chief Otunba asked.

"Sure." Aunty Bukky forced a weak smile in response.

They both fell back to silence, staring at the TV until they heard the door swing open.

"Daddy, meet Korede Aboyegi, the love of my life," Mide announced brightly with a hand placed firmly on Korede's waist. "Korede, meet my dad, Chief Otunba Oladapo."

"Ekaale, sir," Korede greeted in a kneeling gesture. Chief Otunba rushed to his feet as quick as he could, holding her hands to help her up as he fixed a steady gaze on her face. "It's nice to finally meet you in person, sir."

"Ekaabo, Korede. The pleasure is all mine," Chief Otunba replied. He seemed speechless for another moment before he continued. "Please sit." He led her to seat beside him before he finished his sentence.

A mental picture of his late wife, Sade, flashed in his head he continued to gawk helplessly at her face.

How could Bukola not see this too? The resemblance in character was too uncanny, reminding him of his Sade. Ever since he began talking to Korede on the phone, he had felt that way, and now, seeing her in person brought back a lot of warm and joyful memories that he relived in her presence.

"Welcome back, Korede," Aunty Bukky chimed in, pulling him from his thoughts. She glanced at Mide, commending him with her eyes before shifting her gaze back to Korede.

"How are your parents?"

"They are fine. Thank you, ma," Korede answered, shocked by Aunty Bukky's sudden warmness, but she didn't think about it much as she turned back to Chief Otunba. "How was your flight, sir? I hope you have rested well. No, I'm sure you haven't. Have you eaten?"

Chief Otunba chuckled. "No, I haven't."

"Daddy here refused to eat anything until he saw you," Mide chipped in with a smile.

"Oh, wow." Korede gaped.

"But it's all settled now that you're here…You can bring the food now, Bukola." Chief Otunba turned to his sister. "Korede and I will eat together while we get to know each other."

"Whoa, easy, dad. If I didn't know better, I'd be saying you're trying to hit on my girl." Mide grinned, and they all burst into a round of laughter.

"Don’t mind him, Korede. We will all eat together at the dining table," Aunty Bukky assured her.

"Great, I'll come help you in the kitchen," Korede offered as she sprung to her feet and followed after Aunty Bukky.

"Okay, then," Chief Otunba said as he watched them head for the kitchen, leaving him and Mide alone.

Mide puffed out a sigh as he slumped to his seat. All his riding around in his efforts to bringing Korede back had taken their toll, and he was tired. Resting his head on the chair, he closed his eyes and drew a deep breath into his lungs as he drifted off into his thoughts. In three days, all of his worries would be over, and he would have it all: he would be married to the beautiful Korede, and he would have proven to be a worthy successor to his father.

"Olamide," he heard Chief Otunba called.

He opened his eyes sluggishly and looked at fixed a stare on his father.

"Yes dad?"

"Korede is an amazing woman. I really am proud of you."

Mide couldn't believe how long he had waited to hear those words. And now that he did, it was because of Korede. What was so special about Korede that his father was drawn to her?

"Are you sure you're not trying to hit on my girl, dad?" Mide grinned, and together, they let out a round of laughter. "Thanks dad," Mide said as soon as the laughter died down.

"You're welcome, son," Chief Otunba replied.