Ilejeun Jadesola Morning (part 1 Of 9) - Nigerian Village Square

Oct

2009

	By *Derbrah* 09 October 2009

Ilejeun Jadesola Morning (Part 1 of 9)

Dedicated to the loving memory of my brother, Olu.

Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning… Psalm 30:5

E ka san, e ma wole (Good afternoon, welcome) – The waiter at Jadesola’s restaurant greeted the people as they came through the door. I was sited at the farthest table with my back to the television screen, enjoying meat pie and a cold bottle of malt. I had two hours to spare and I wanted to enjoy the spiritual ambience of mama Jade’s while attempting to finish this book that I’ve had for over a year! It was late lunch time when traffic was low at mama Jade’s. The problem was the book was poorly written. I was having a hard time concentrating. The temptation to leave and do something else arose and without planning to, I began to observe and listen, I guess once a researcher, always a researcher. I call it the scientific gene in me.

Two ladies and a gentleman chose to sit down in front of me. He reminded me of my brother who had passed on many years ago. They began to chat, their voices were a little raised and without mentally scheduling to, I eavesdropped. They had just lost their mother. That means they were a family. Soon I found out that the male and female were siblings. The other lady with them was a friend. She was not Yoruba. The siblings were twins and they were Yoruba. They had recently returned from Nigeria where they had attended the funeral of their mother. Apparently they were still grieving. I’ll call the non-Yoruba lady, Anu, the female sibling, Bimbo and the male sibling, Seye. I was a little distracted from my reading anyway, being in the science field for over 20 years has made research a second hand habit. Below is the conversation I heard;

Anu: How long are you going to grieve? It’s been six months. You can’t bring her back. Find a way to move on, even if it is hard.

Bimbo: How do you move on from the only true love you’ve ever had? Nobody can fill mummy’s shoes.

Seye: My mother was the best. I can’t begin to tell you how much she suffered for us.

Bimbo: “Iya mi o,” she sobbed, “ o digbo se, sun re o.” (My mother, until after life, sleep well).

Anu: What does that mean?

Bimbo: I was just remembering how good she was. Thanks for taking us out Anu, especially to a Nigerian restaurant.

Anu: I tell you, I love your food. It’s different, but I love it. I have eaten everything on the menu. This place is the best in the area. They started two years ago in May. Food is ready in exactly ten minutes. The other places I’ve been to, I’ve had to wait up to thirty minutes.

A waitress came to receive their order and soon left.

Seye: I wish you had met our mother. You would have loved her. She was fair-skinned, with long eyebrows, slender, with bright eyes. Sweet Lord! She was beautiful.

Anu: Now I see where you got your charming eyes. Well, pity she had to raise you herself. Why didn’t she ever re-marry?

Bimbo: There is a shortage of good men in Nigeria. There were two men that seemed promising but they were all after what she had. She decided to raise us and forget about marriage.

Seye: Why did she have to die now? She was just 65 years! I’ve just finished residency. She didn’t get to enjoy the fruit of her labor. She didn’t get to see my children. Why? Why? Why?” Tears rolled down his face. As he wiped them he muttered, “Excuse me.”

Bimbo: Mummy was there for me when I had my miscarriage. She was there when I had my daughter. She was there when my ex-husband betrayed me. She was there when I wasn’t sure of my career. She was there when I needed advice. Now she’s gone, why?

I could hear their gentle sobs. I could feel their pain. The compassionate-empathetic Derbrah was touched. I prayed for them softly under my breath asking Adonai, my Heavenly Father, the only True Comforter to comfort them. The verse, 2 Corinthians 1: 3 surfaced in my mind. I was emboldened by the gracious work the Holy Spirit had done in my own life. A waiter returned with their drinks and after a little pause, the conversation resumed.

Seye: At least she was there for you, now she won’t be there for me. All my wife and children will see are photographs of her. His voice was deepened with emotion.

Anu: Do you have a woman?

Seye: What?

Anu: You heard me, do you have a woman, a lady, a girlfriend?

Seye: I’m talking about my mother’s demise. What’s that got to do with anything?

Anu: Sex, sexual healing. Let your woman help you through the grief.

Bimbo: You mean like Rachel comforting Isaac after the death of Sarah?

Anu: I’m not into that bible stuff but I know that sex helps. When my mother died, my husband helped me through the process. He not only listened but he took time off work and we had a vacation. I returned with closure.

Bimbo: Seye is a strong Christian, he’s not married, that’s not an option for him. In fact, he’s still a virgin.

Anu: You’re a virgin? Her tone was deep with surprise.

Seye: Bimbo, stop telling everyone I’m a virgin. The term to use is celibate. This is America, not Nigeria.

Bimbo: O, excuse me, he’s celibate (laughing sarcastically).

Anu: How old are you?

Seye: I’m not telling you.

Anu: Wow Shay, I’m impressed, let me guess your age, about 29 or 30 years right?

Seye: You’re not too far off.

Anu: And you’ve never done it! Are you on the down low?

Seye: No! I am a Christian, I am not married and I am not having sex until I’m married. Also, I’m not attracted to men either.

Anu: Like I said, I’m impressed. I need to come to your church.

Seye: Any time. It’ll be my pleasure to take you.

Two ladies dressed in Nigerian garb walked into the restaurant. One of them was loud, talking at the top of her voice. The other picked a table and sat down. The loud lady yelled, “Aunty Jades?la, is my food ready? Make you no waste my time o. I have to be at a party later tonight and I must to take care of some business. I don call since an hour ago. Where is my food?” For a minute or so, everyone in the restaurant quieted to watch her and listen.

One of the waiters came out of the kitchen and attended to her. “Sister Aduk?, welcome. You called just twenty minutes ago. We will soon have your order ready. Please sit down.”

“Okay, mo ti gbo (Okay, I’ve heard)” She responded and placed her purse on the table by her companion. “J? kin lo toilet (Let me use the restroom)”.

As she made her way to the restroom, she looked up and saw the trio in front of me.

“Ah. Seye, Bimbo! E ti de lati Naija. E ku ti mama o. Eyin iya a da.” (You’ve returned from Nigeria. My condolences on your mother’s demise, things shall be well with you).

“Ese ma.” (Thank you ma) Bimbo and Seye responded.

The lady left for the restroom.

Anu: Is she a family friend?

Bimbo: No. Just one of those people you meet. I like this dodo Ikire, I’m going to finish it all.

Anu looked through the glass mirror (which was all around the restaurant) and stated, “The lady with her is pretty. Seye, you could make a go for her.”

Bimbo looked up and shook her head. Otio! Born again brother mi o fe asewo. (My born-again brother is not marrying a commercial sex worker).

Anu: Pardon me?

Bimbo: That girl has slept with every color, shape and size. My born-again brother will not be marrying her.

Seye: Marriage is the last thing on my mind now, I’m grieving the death of my mother!

Anu: Well, how do you want to recover without sex? I told you that’s the only way to get over it. Loss of one’s mother is traumatizing.

Bimbo: You can say that again.

Anu: The lady’s getting up. I think she’s coming over here.

Bimbo: Over here ke? Tani jeun taja nduru? (Who is eating that the dog is wagging its tail)

Anu: Say what?

Bimbo: I don’t see why she’d want to come here, we’re not friends.

It turned out that the lady went to the restroom.

Anu: You’re right, she’s not Shay’s type. Her stride is not graceful. I still wish you’d try sexual therapy though.

Seye: I’ll get over it by God’s help. I’m just so disappointed, I prayed for her to live. God has never failed me before, why now?

Anu: Maybe it’s not God’s fault, maybe she prayed to die. God will honor her prayer before yours.

Bimbo: It’s the way she died that still hurts me. Allergy! A wizard or witch is behind it and I curse that person!

Their meal arrived and they settled down to eat. Bimbo’s cutlery fell down. She pushed her chair backward in order to retrieve it from the floor. In the process, she bumped my table. Realizing what had happened, she apologized and I smiled my forgiveness. She sat down to continue her food, then turned back and queried, “Excuse me, are you Derbrah?”

I confirmed that I was and her face beamed. “It is such a pleasure to finally meet you. You don’t know me but I know you. You have a teaching ministry, you sing, write, act and you love children. I have a copy of your confessional. Anyway, TC, Tito, is my very good friend. She has shared some of your resources with me.”

My face lit up. “TC, Tito Craig? Well, you must be Bimbo S?san.” I offered my hand in greeting.

“Yes, I am.” Bimbo responded shaking my hand warmly.

“I never really picked up your looks.” I stated. “Anyway, I guess you’ve seen many of my photos knowing how many Tito and I have taken together. I’ll let her know I met you tonight.”

Bimbo: I see you’re eating alone. Are you waiting for someone?

“Not really,” I responded, “I’m alone for now. My friend won’t be here for another two hours and I was planning to finish this book before she arrives.”

Bimbo: I see. I’ve always wanted to tell you, your children are so cute. They look just like you. Tito showed me their pictures.

“Thank you.” I responded with mama pride gleaming through my cheeks.

Bimbo: Well, It would be delightful if you could join us. This is Seye my twin brother and Anu, my good friend. If you can join us, we’ll be glad.”

“How can I refuse when you asked so sweetly?” I responded. “Sure, I’ll join you. This book would have to wait. I was getting distracted anyway.” As I sat down, Anu asked after my children. I showed her some photographs from my purse. We discussed parenting for a while then Bimbo sought my counsel.

Bimbo: How do you deal with grief?

“The godly way.” I responded.

Seye: Which is?

“Grieve in faith based on God’s revealed wisdom.”

Bimbo: Grieve in faith based on God’s revealed wisdom. I have to break that down to understand what you mean. What is faith and what is God’s revealed wisdom?

- End of Part 1. Continuation in part 2.

Derbrah writes courtesy of Agape for All Ministries. Author retains copyright.

Jadesola’s restaurant is a drama ministry of the Yoruba Christian Women (YCW), an international faith-based non-governmental, not-for-profit organization. Similarity of names and stories are coincidental. Feel free to copy for non-commercial use. Commercial use requires permission. For more information on YCW write Jesutoyin Ajike-King (toyinking@yahoo.com).

NOTE:

Due to software issues, Yoruba fonts do not display very well on NVS, this is the reason why Yoruba sentences are anglicized.

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