FALLING PETALS

Teni drove into her great grandfather’s compound with her heart in her mouth. She walked quickly into the house, she didn’t seem surprised at the amount of elderly people in the sitting room as she hurriedly greeted them and turned to where her parents were seated.

“Hello grandpa, great grandpa” Teni greeted politely as they nodded. She sat down beside her mother who took her hand in hers immediately and Teni felt more un nerved.

“Teni, I asked your parents to call you here” her great grandfather started and Teni wore a startled expression.

“Why?” Teni asked.

“For everyone not to see the downfall of the Adebisis’ family, the responsibility has fallen on your shoulders” her grandfather replied as Teni turned uneasy.

“What responsibility great grandfather?” Teni asked.

“You have to marry Bolaji Ladoke” her great grandfather said dropping the bomb.

Everyone looked shocked. The Ladokes’ actually helped them? they wanted a marriage alliance with them? That simple?

Teni blinked her eyes repeatedly at her great grandfather’s reply. Only one word echoed in her ears, Marry. Marry who? Why?

Teni finally found her voice after a while “Great grandpa, why me? There are lots of unmarried ladies in the Adebisi family” Teni replied.

“The old man wanted you” her great grandfather replied stunning not just Teni and everyone in the room.

“Grandpa, are you saying Father Ladoke asked for Teni specifically?” Folakemi asked and the older man nodded.

“Why her?” another man asked clearly surprised. Teni wasn’t the most successful lady in the Adebisis’ family. She wasn’t the most beautiful either. No one could fathom why the old man would ask for Teni specifically.

Teni stood up and ran out of the room startling everyone. Folakemi stood up her emotions in disarray.

“I’ll try to convince her grandpa” Folakemi said before chasing after her daughter.

She knew anyone would jump at the opportunity she was given but she knew her daughter too well. Who were the Ladokes’? they were the biggest family in the whole Nigeria. They had chains of businesses everywhere. They had a strong foothold in the country and the children were spread everywhere in country and abroad.

Folakemi found her daughter crouched down on her corridor staring into space. She bent slowly in front of Teni.

“Teniola” she slowly called as Teni turned to her mom.

“Mom, are you here to convince me?” Teni said her voice lacking emotion.

“No. I’m here to tell you that whatever happens to the Adebisi family depends on you” Folakemi said as she held Teni’s hands.

“I know this is a huge step for you, a rather to huge responsibility but please Teni, everyone is looking up to you. As you know, all other families have refused to help us. The Ladokes’ are only helping us because they owe your great grandfather a favour” Folakemi said.

“Teni please, you are eligible for marriage too” Folakemi said trying to tease Teni.

“Mom, I’ve never seen him before” Teni said looking exasperated.

“I don’t know how he is like. Mom, this is about my marriage, how I am going to live the rest of my life. Why do I have to marry someone I do not know?” Teni asked as Folakemi dropped her hand.

“You married the love of your life and here I am, marrying someone I’ve only seen on the Tv” Teni said as Folakemi managed a smile.

“You’ll be fine Teni. As for you and your husband, you can always cultivate feelings, marriage is for a lifetime, everything will fall in place” Folakemi said as Teni took a sharp breath.

“Besides, Bolaji is a nice guy” Folakemi said as Teni raised an eyebrow at her mom.

“You’ve met him before?” Teni asked.

“Yeah, at a party” Folakemi replied as she bent closer to Teni.

“Really, he’s tall and I’m sure he has six packs” Folakemi whispered and they both burst into laughter before falling into silence.

Teni rose to her feet after a few minutes as she turned to her mom “Saving the family is first” she said as she walked back to the sitting room.

She managed a small smile as she turned to her great grandfather “Tell great grandfather Ladoke that I will, with pleasure” Teni replied as her grandfather nodded.

“You made a great decision Teniola. The Adebisi family will forever remember today that you saved the family” her grandfather said as Teniola nodded.

Her phone rang and her eyes turned moist as she walked outside to take the call.

“Where are you? I’ve been waiting for you” Nifemi said as Teni managed a smile.

“I’m sorry. I got a call from my dad” Teni replied.

“Your dad? Is everything okay?” Nifemi asked carefully as Teni wore a small smile.

“Yes. Tell your parents thank you for helping the Adebisi family. We’ll forever remember their help when everyone turned their backs on us” Teni said.

“Teni, what do you mean?” Nifemi asked her voice taking a higher pitch.

“Don’t worry Nife, everything’s been taken care of” Teni replied.

“Really? How?” Nifemi asked surprised and shocked.

“Just happened” Teni replied shrugging her shoulders.

“Teni, spill” Nifemi said. She knew her best friend too well. Something was up.

“Someone owed great grandpa a favour” Teni said.

“OH. Who is this someone?” Nifemi asked as Teni swallowed her saliva.

“Great grandpa Ladoke” Teni replied as Nifemi gave a loud shrill.

“Ehn? Girl, are you joking?” Nifemi asked shocked.

“Nope. Or who else do you know has the ability to clear those huge debts alone?” Teni asked.

“Yeah, that’s true” Nifemi said as she sighed.

“That’s so…… I can finally heave a sigh of relief. Everything is fine now” Nifemi said.

“Hmmm” Teni said as Nifemi frowned.

“You don’t sound happy” Nifemi said as she went silent for a while “What did they ask for in exchange?” she suddenly asked. She wasn’t an idiot. Whether the owed the Adebisis’ a favour or not, they would still want something in exchange.

Teni smiled wryly “Well, you should stop calling me a single lady” Teni replied as Nifemi laughed.

“As if you aren’t sing……. Wait come again? A marriage?” Nifemi yelled shocked.