“She is the one.” He nods
“Now I get why you were so angry and willing to lose millions,” he says, closing the door.
I chuckle to myself and bring the Tupperware. Now, I can enjoy my wife’s pastry and get back to work. Hopefully, I have shut down any talks about our baby. Which I’m both happy and scared shitless about. I can’t lose Anu. This pregnancy isn’t going to be easy for her. I do believe that we will pull through.
Chapter 75
Anu-Ms K
We made it to London, now standing at the door of my father’s house. It’s been a week since we got married in New York. I told him that I couldn’t wait any longer; we needed to let my dad and brother know. I called them both, telling them I’d be in London by Friday, and that I had something to discuss with them. My dad sounded concerned and worried, but I let him know that I’m okay, I made my brother Derin promise to show up.
Dad asked to make travel arrangements for me, but I refused, and let him know I would be safe.
When I press the bell and my brother opens the door to our house, he looks surprised to see Daniel behind me. I hug him and he shakes Daniel’s hand. I’d taken my ring off, knowing my dad always does a quick inspection of my whole being to make sure I’m okay. I don’t blame him, he is just a concerned dad. We step into the living room and dad pulls me into a big hug. A good thing, I’m not showing yet.
“Anuoluwa,” he says, kissing my forehead. “Welcome home.” Dad is dressed in his usual comfortable clothes: a T-shirt and sweatpants. He says he’s too old not to be comfortable, but he likes to present himself well. He’s probably ticked that I didn’t tell him I would be bring a guest.
“Daddy, this is Daniel,” I say.
“Welcome, Daniel. You must be a friend of Anu. Welcome to our home.”
I hide my smile and notice my brother is watching me. He knows Daniel and I live together, so he knows we aren’t just friends, if I’m bringing him home. But what he doesn’t know, he’s about to find out.
We move further into the living room and sit. My dad is happy, but I know we are about to rock his boat. I nudge Daniel to speak.
“Mr. Kuti, I have come to ask for Anuoluwa’s hand in marriage,” Daniel’s says. He sounds shaky. My dad and brother sit up straight. Their eyes drone into me, ignoring Daniel. I remain quiet and I see the wheels of doubt spinning in my dad’s eyes.
“No!” he shouts. “I don’t know you, and you think you can walk in here and I will hand my daughter to you?” he scoffs. “No.” he says again. My brother is staring deeply at Daniel with clenched jaws.
This is not good.
Chapter 76
Daniel.
The room is eerily quiet the moment her dad shouts “NO” to me marrying Anu. I want to tell him she’s already my wife, and that he can’t do anything to stop that reality. I can also tell it will cause a rift between her and her family. I don’t want that for her. Her dad seems adamant that not vetting me means it’s an affirmativeno. I almost want to scoff at that, knowing his vetting process is quite weak, but I remain quiet.
We remain staring at each other, all four of us quiet. I know I’m not leaving, if that’s what he’s expecting. The only answer he can give is a yes, but it is clearly difficult for him.
“Daddy, Ayanmo mi ni Daniel.” Her voice is barely an octave above a whisper, but it has strength. Her words send a chill across the faces of her dad and brother. They both stare at her, their eyes widened, and posture stiffened. The unsettling quiet of the room was nothing compared to the palpable tension in the air and the shocked expressions, as she became the focus of every gaze. Her daddy stares at her, mouth agape, his shock evident. Even without knowing the language, I can sense herwords had a powerful impact. She meets their shocked gazes head-on, sitting up with defiance in her eyes, refusing to look away.
In Yoruba, her dad says, “Ki lo we?”What did you say?That, I understand.
“Mo ni, Ayanmo mi.” (I said he’s my destiny, my fate).
“Sho da e loju?” (Are you certain?) His words questions. Her response is a nod.
“Mo gba.”I accept,he says to my surprise. I let out a freight ton of exhale. She’s dissolved our standoff. Putting his arms out, she rises and goes to hug him. He whispers in her ear. When she pulls from him, she’s teary and I rise.
“I accept; you can marry my daughter,” he says, rising to his feet to hug me. Relief washes over me. He saidYes.It’s a yes that I will forever cherish. “I still need to speak to your parents,” he firmly states.
“I’ll have my dad call you,” I answer, smiling.
He returns to hug Anu again. She smiles at him. That happy smile tells me everything is okay.
Derin stands for the first time and shakes my hand. He leans into me.
“My sister called you her destiny, her fate. Don’t ever sour that or I will destroy you,” he warns.
