Chapter 2 Chief Adekunle and Kimora's Mother

Chief Adekunle was a very fat man, he had a pot-belly that is very prominent with rich men in the eastern part of Nigeria. The pot-belly made him look like he is nine months pregnant. In Fact he looked as if he would deliver a set of twins the next morning. He had a big compound which was big enough to contain all his wives. He had four wives named Mimi, Gloria, Ajoke, and Sikiru. Each of the wives and their children had their own apartment in the compound. Mimi was the senior of them all, she was a very Jovial woman, who wore a permanent smile on her face.

She was also quite friendly to everyone.

As soon as Kimora's mother arrived at their compound, Mimi came out to welcome her.

"I hope you have come with a message of peace," said Mimi as soon as Kimora's mother was seated on the chair that was offered to her.

"My sister, I have come with a message of peace for your husband. How are your children?" She asked happily.

Everyone is fine, except that hunger is dealing with us ," said Mimi heartily.

"How can hunger be dealing with you? The problem with you rich people is that you never admit your fortunes so that we the poor do not envy you," said Kimora's mother, laughing heartily.

Mimi laughed and muttered a proverb in their native language. She then went on to narrate all the problems she was facing as the senior wife of chief Adekunle. She complained that the other wives were lazy, and that all their children were stubborn. She also said that no matter the quantity of food cooked in the house, there was never any leftovers, because chief Adekunle's children ate like a cow.

"So you see my sister, it's not easy to manage such a large family, with so many wives and children, " she concluded before calling out to one of her children. She asks the child to inform the man of the house about Kimora's mother's presence.

A few minutes later, Mimi's husband appeared from his room, which was located in the middle of the compound.

"I greet you, sir, " Kimora's mother said, rising to her feet, as the huge man drew near.

Chief Adekunle cheerfully acknowledged her greetings, and welcomed her to his home. He then instructed his wife, Mimi, to give her a crate of eggs as a parting gift when she was ready to leave.

Kimora's mother could not hide her excitement. She jumped out of her seat and started to dance. She was too poor to afford eggs, so the thought of her going home with a crate of eggs excited her. She danced and danced, and thanked Chief Adekunle for his generosity.

Chief Adekunle asked her what her mission was. She cleared her throat, and began to tell him that she had a very important message for him. She shifted uncomfortably on her seat and cleared her throat again. She opened her mouth to speak, but she only muttered something inaudible to herself. Chief Adekunle had a clue that she wanted some privacy, so he asked his wife, Mimi, to excuse them.while they discussed.

As soon as Mimi was out of earshot, Kimora's mother explained her real reason for coming to him. She told him that her daughter, Kimora, who he has been admiring for some years, was now fully ready for marriage.

Chief Adekunle was happy with the news. He smiled and became more interested in the subject being discussed.

"You know we women can be jealous when it comes to matters concerning marriage, especially if our husband is involved. That is why I didn't want to disclose my mission in the presence of your wife,"Kimora's mother explained.

Chief Adekunle welcomed her again, and thanked her for keeping her promise, which she made two years ago when he approached her for her daughter's hand in marriage. Kimora's mother had told him that Kimora was too young, and that as soon as she came of age, she would consider his proposal.

Their discussion continued, and eventually they arrived at a date for the proposed marriage ceremony. The man said he would come with his kinsmen to pay the bride price for kimora in two weeks time. However, he said he would be at kimora's mother house the following day, to indicate his interest in the traditional way.

As soon as they finished the discussion, chief Adekunle searched his trouser pocket for some money. He counted some money, and gave it to his guest, and promised to keep to their appointment. He then called out his wife, Mimi, to come and see their visitor off.

Kimora's mother departed a few minutes later after she was given the crate of eggs promised to her. She was very happy and excited that her mission appeared to have been quite successful.