More Than Family

Tega told Greatness not to worry that he will find a way to register him where he can learn that and ensure it does not affect his apprenticeship as a fashion designer. Greatness smiled. He thanked Tega. He felt really happy. Tega noticed the boy was already crying.

“Don’t cry! It’s not like I’m a stranger to you anymore. You should not cry. I take it already as a duty to make sure you achieve your goal. I already take you as my younger brother”. Tega said to Greatness. Greatness nods his head and wiped his tears. If not that Tega was driving, he would have hugged Tega. But doing that now might endanger them.

“I hoped you did enjoy the party? Because from what Eno said, I could guess those people were not nice”. Tega said.

“The boy was nice. Even his mother was nice. Them be good people!” Greatness said. Tega smiled.

“That means you must have had less of a tough time there”. Tega said. He heaved a sign of relief.

True, since Lanre had made Greatness his responsibility, he could barely different Greatness from his own family members. Greatness has become more of a family to him than his family back home. Having been with the boy, he has learnt not to judge every book by its cover.

They got home that night and prepared for the next day which was a Sunday.

Meanwhile, Eno has been arguing with Lanre why it was not a good idea going to the party in the first place. She told Lanre that aside from the celebrant and his mother, she felt like punching every other person in the face.

“Don’t be a violent girl Eno! You are better off sophisticated”. Lanre said.

“But I am like you! Everyone keeps saying that. Chidinma said that, even uncle Tega said the same thing. Greatness thinks it is true”. Eno said.

“Don’t be like me. I’m not perfect”. Lanre said.

“Nobody is!” Eno said. She stood up and told Lanre she was going to go take her bath and go to bed. She told Lanre she was hoping she would follow her to church this Sunday.

“Let tomorrow come first. For now I cannot promise you.” Lanre said.

“Aunty Lanre, why are you afraid of going to church? It is not that you are an atheist. I would have understand if you were one”. Eno said.

“I am not an atheist. Is it a bad thing if I am one?” Lanre said trying to defend herself. Eno told Lanre she did not say she was one.

“Then what were you trying to say?” Lanre asked. Without waiting for Eno’s reply, Lanre told her she would go to church the following day and that she will be the first person to prepare.

Eno smiled and gave Lanre a wink. She told her not to go back on her words. She told Lanre if she did not finish preparing for church before her the next day, she would have not give her some money.

“Deal!” Lanre said.

“Five thousand naira?” Eno said.

“Deal!” Lanre replied before she could realise what Eno had already said. She bit her lips. She could not go back on her words.