Wùnmi was happy to be getting married, Mama Wùnmi was busy with the preparations. Aduke told Olubanji about her sister's wedding and He congratulate her.

However, Olubanji was preparing to travel to Niger state for his National youth service Corp. Aduke was worried. She went to Peter's house to see Olubanji.

Aduke told Olubanji that she will miss him. The two were having a serious conversation.

"Don't worry, I'll be back... You should be happy about this." Olubanji said.
"I am happy...and I'm worried... I can't believe I won't see you for a very long time, I will miss you." Aduke said.

Olubanji draw closer to Aduke, "I will come back to see you before the sevice end, I know it's hard but I will come back to see you." He said.

"I know you will since you've said it... But.." Aduke said.

Olubanji stop Aduke from talking as he covers her mouth with his hand.
"I will come back... Hmmm?" He said.
The two were looking at each others face...this gaze... This smiles... What could it lead to?

The next day, Olubanji travelled to Niger state where he served.

Visitors were coming from different places. Wùnmi is getting married.

Mama Wùnmi was busy attending to the guests, Aduke and Bimpe were busy making sure everything is as it should be. Some family members also assist them as they were preparing for the wedding ceremony.

Well, Wùnmi's fiance is related to one of the shop owners at Olorunsogo Plank market, in Ado-Ekiti and Abímbólá is one of the guests, She was invited to the wedding.

When Abímbólá arrived, Mama Wùnmi welcomed her along with other traders. They were lead to a room and Mama Wùnmi really tried. The guests were tired and so they rest.

The next morning, Abímbólá woke up very early, she came to the sitting room and as she was about to sit on the chair, she saw a picture on the wall.
The picture is one of the pictures Aduke took with Mama Wùnmi's family when she joined the family.

Abímbólá could not believe what she was seeing. She move closer to the picture and she saw a picture of Wùnmi and Aduke and other pictures she took with them.
Mama Wùnmi walked to the living room and saw her, fixing her eyes on the picture of both Aduke and Wùnmi, she smiled and said "You are looking at my daughters pictures." Mama Wùnmi said.

Abímbólá points at Aduke In the picture and asked, "what is her name?"
"Aduke, You should have meet her." Mama Wùnmi said.

Abímbólá's face grew pale, her mood changed, "Can I see her?" She asked.

Mama Wùnmi noticed this but was quiet. She call on Aduke, who rushed to the sitting room from the other room where she and Bimpe slept.

Abímbólá couldn't believe her eyes, she turn to Mama Wùnmi and asked.

"I'm sorry to ask this question...but... Are you sure you are her mother?" Abímbólá asked.

Mama Wùnmi told Aduke to leave the sitting room and she did.

Mama Wùnmi answered Abímbólá, "Ofcourse... I am her mother...why did you ask?"

Mama Wùnmi lead Abímbólá back to the chair and the two women sit.

Abímbólá was confused but she continues "I have a child, her name is Aduke, She is 10 year old when she got missing in 1975... I and my husband have done everything to find her but we just can't find her...but now that I saw that picture... That is my daughter... Your daughter Aduke look the same as my missing daughter... Aduke." Abímbólá said.

Mama Wùnmi take a deep breath, then she asked, "Please can you tell me where she got missing?"

"In Ayedun." Abímbólá answered her.
"You are from Ayedun? Mama Wùnmi asked.
Abímbólá said "Yes, but now, I live in Ado-Ekiti."

Mama Wùnmi feel sorry for her, she feel guilty of keeping the child and not taking the right steps when she find her.

"I'm sorry for every pain you and your husband have been through" she pause and start talking again "You are right... She is your daughter." Mama Wùnmi said.
Abímbólá was happy, with tears of joy running down her eyes.

Mama Wùnmi apologize to Abímbólá. "She said she is from Ayedun... And I do not know the precise one... That was the reason I decide to keep her with me and.."

Abímbólá stopped her and said. "You've done more than I expect, thank you for taking care of my daughter... What if she had died?... We thought she was kidnapped? But you..."

Mama Wùnmi call Aduke again.

Abímbólá continue "But you stand by her as a mother even when you do not know her, even when she is a stranger... May God bless you."

Aduke arrived and Mama Wùnmi told her that Abímbólá, the woman sitting beside her is her mother.

Aduke was so happy, the truth is she missed those pamper and attention she gets from her parent when she was young, she throws her arm round her mother and the two cried, not because they were sad but they were extremely happy.

And Wùnmi's wedding was splendid.





To be continued...

Photo credit: dreamstime.com

© Anu Ola