Tunde Okeowo was the Head of the Mass Communication Department. He is of average height, light complexion, easy going and accommodating. Of all the lecturers in the Faculty of Arts, Okeowo could be passed as the most intelligent. Students find it very easy to relate with him, both from his department and other departments. Majority of the school events cannot happen without him being the Master of Ceremony (MC).
That evening at the Rector’s Pavilion, Okeowo was the MC, reeling out humorous jibes. Though it was supposed to be majorly an academic affair, Aunty Emily went a step further to invite some of the bigwigs in town. It was a night of fun and honour. Risikatu and I were, of course, in attendance. You wouldn’t believe your eyes seeing me in my newly clothes given to me by Aunty Emily. It was like transformation. She called a makeover artiste to work on my body. I was more or less Miss World that day. As for Risikatu, she smelled of royalty in her native design. Mine was an evening gown, revealing a bit of my back. It was my best colour, black and a touch of white.
Don’t think I will leave Mama Iragbiji out, never. Mama wore this iro and buba made of aran and sanyan. Her long necklace was big and thick with a gold-like mini size letter ‘V’ at the middle of it. She stole the show as her attire was what majority of the strangers, I mean the international visitors, were snapping. And it was the second day that I knew Mama Iragbiji was at home here in Nigeria, but making waves in America. What I meant was that her picture and her story titled ‘Making Culture a Must in an Academic World’ was viral on the social media.
Don’t let me jump the story o jare. That evening, the rector introduced me as part of the addition to the family, I was moved to tears. Ordinarily, somebody of his calibre would have written me off, but he and his family made me popular. My morale was boosted. Of all these, Risikatu didn’t forget to remind me of our normal remnants storage which I giggled on while sipping pineapple juice. In between, we went behind to smuggle beer for the driver and the gateman, Alamu, who had begged us two days to the event.
“The two of you should not forget our discussion even in the midst of merriment galore.” It was Alamu as he handed to us a yellow cellophane paper to pack his most needed items.
“Don’t worry; we would do your bidding,” I told him.
“Or I should bring something bigger,” he asked.
“Longer throat, why don’t you go and empty the 50kg bag of rice in the store for us to pack everything for you,” Risikatu told him jocularly.
By this time, the metallic voices of the Alajasinger voices had rented the air.
“Where are these girls? I am sure I will leave them behind.” The rector’s wife said aloud.
“We are ready Ma,” Risikatu and I echoed almost at the same time.
“This night is going to be evergreen, my instinct keeps telling me, but I don’t know the real reason,” Mama Iragbiji said.
“Mama, you feel the same thing ?” Aunty Emily asked with surprise on her face as she bent down to pick her bag.
“Ladies, I am gonna leave you behind, putting in mind that I am the hosting rector. I keep to time. I won’t let any women clan dragged me to………”
“To what dear?” The wife asked .
“Lateness,” Risikatu said.
“See your big mouth, who asked you to interject?” Mama Iragbiji asked
“So, you don’t want me to have a supporter? Risikatu, thanks a lot my dear”. The rector said as we all sauntered to the venue.
I saw some of the students mostly those in the executive council. They looked at me with much awe. Some of them didn’t have the courage to come to me, but Risikatu told me to move closer to them. It was good advice as it paid off. We became instant celebrities among them. Even the Student Union President who used to be arrogant came very low that night. They all wanted to be my friend.
The night went on and on. The father of the day, Chief Egboro Ogundipe, danced with Mama Iragbiji. Aunty Emily danced with the registrar, the rector danced with the wife of the governor who came to represent her husband.
I was thinking of dancing with the Student Union President when Ramani Ogundipe like I said before, who came in with his father asked for me to dance with him. Gladly, the Student Union President made do with Risikatu. No inhibition that night, no student, no lecturer, no VIP, no lesser souls. We were equal before the sky.
To cut a long story short, that night encounter with Ramani changed my total life. It was while dancing that he told me about himself. He never told me that the man he came with was his father. What he told me was that he shared the same surname with his boss. I cared less about wealth, what I am after in life is to be comfortable. Besides this, I didn’t come to the party to look for a husband.
“I can see that you are having a good time with my daughter, no toasting o,” Aunty Emily told us with her deep sense of humour as she came to us.
In leaps, my affair with Ramani became stronger. Mama Iragbiji and Aunty Emily sat me down one day to talk to me about the guy. And by this time, he had not told me he wanted to marry me. And I didn’t have anybody in mind.
“My daughter, what do you feel about that young man always calling you?” Mama Iragbiji asked
“Hmmmmm…..,” I didn’t say anything in particular.
“Open up and talk to us. We are your parents and we wouldn’t want you to enter a deep gutter while there are pavements left and right”. Aunty Emily said with seriousness. She always says serious things in an entertaining manner.
“Now, what we want to know is that, are you really in love with Ramani? Do you have any other person in mind? Are you ready to settle down after graduation? What are your plans………,” Aunty Emily said again before Mama Iragbiji cut her short.
“Be bold and don’t feel shy. I have good news for you,” Mama Iragbiji said.
I moved forward and knelt down with total humility. I thanked them before opening my mouth to say what I have in mind.