“Anuoluwa, I’m so proud of you.” Her phone is loud, I can hear her dad.
“Thank you, daddy.”
“Marie will send your package out today, unless you want to add anything else to your usual list.”
“No, daddy.”
“I hope you are okay and still planning to be here in two weeks.”
“I’m fine, and I’ll be there; I just need to set a few things up.”
“Okay. Call Marie when you are ready and she’ll book your ticket. I can’t wait to see you. I’ve missed you.”
“Missed you too, daddy. Is Derin joining us?”
“He said he will, but you know him, that can change.”
“I know. I have to go, daddy.”
“Okay, dear. And I hope everything is okay with you. Remember your promise.”
“Everything is fine, daddy.”
“Okay, Anu mi, I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye, Daddy.” She hangs up and turns to me.
“Let’s head to my place. The restaurant is close to my building.”
“Before we leave, can I ask about the name your dad called you?”
“Were you eavesdropping?”
“Your volume was loud; you were practically on speaker.”
“And you won’t be a gentleman and act like you didn’t hear the conversation?” she challenges.
“Maybe another day, but not today.”
She stares at me for a moment.
“He called me by my middle name, Anuoluwa.”
“What does it mean?”
“Mercy of God.”
“Nice, so can I call you….”
“Anuoluwa,” she finishes for me.
"You want to call me Anu?" she asks, her tone questioning, but her gaze filled with unspoken yearning.
“I would prefer to, if that’s okay with you.” My voice is almost pleading for her to say yes.
“Fine, you have to say it right. Only people close to me call me Anu, and they always say it right.”
“Okay, teach me the correct pronunciation.”
