MORE THAN A CARVING Chapter 6(contd)

MORE THAN A CARVING
Chapter 6(contd)
“She will join you shortly; I just want her to help me with something.” He said to them. Ireoluwa pleaded with her eyes but he didn’t succumb, so he took her by the hand and led her into the house. Iwalade saw all these and followed them. Fullhouse took her into the room they lodged in, she sat down quietly, and then they heard a knock. “Come in.” He said. “Is she okay?” Iwalade who entered asked Fullhouse. “Yes, she is. I just don’t want her to overdo things.” Fullhouse replied her. “I’m fine ma. Thanks.” Ireoluwa added and Iwalade nodded. “You shouldn’t have allowed her come at all.” Iwalade said. “Why?” Fullhouse asked. His wife was also taken aback. “I know she’s pregnant.” She said and the couple looked at each other surprised. They did not tell anyone about the pregnancy and she’s not yet showing. “Iwalade, what planet did you come from.” Fullhouse asked jokingly and they all laughed. “Don’t mind me. I just know how to spot a pregnant woman when I see one.” She turned to Ireoluwa “Your husband is right, you have to take it slow, you need to see the way you were dancing out there.” “Okay ma. I’ll just stay back inside and rest.” She said. “Better. Fullhouse, you can go join the rest outside, I’ll stay with her so that others won’t suspect anything.” “Thanks Iwalade. I’ll head out now.” He then walked up to his wife and held her face. ”Aunty, do… not… come… out. You’ve done enough for today.” He said and she nodded. He kissed her on the forehead and then left the two. Iwalade asked Ireoluwa to go shower first because she was all sweaty, which she did. She came back and lay on the bed. Ireoluwa slept for some minutes and then wake up to see Iwalade still in the room with her. “You are still here ma.” “Yes, hope you slept well?” Iwalade asked. “Yes ma.” “Your husband called to check on you, I told him you are sleeping.” “Okay.” She said and the two started gisting. Ireoluwa do watch movies written by Iwalade and she started asking her questions about her writing profession. She asked her what inspires her to write and how she got into her acting profession and Iwalade answered all her questions. Iwalade’s phone rang; it was Fullhouse that was calling. “How far?”“She’s awake.” Iwalade informed. “I’ll come check on her now. We are through here.” He said and ended the call. Few minutes later, Fullhouse joined them, he thanked Iwalade and then gave them the gist of some funny dramas that happened outside and they all laughed. “Let me go and get us food.” Iwalade said and left the room. She met her mum and her siblings sitted with the caterers, she greeted everyone. Fullhouse’s Mum asked after Ireoluwa, she had noticed her absence but Iwalade told her that she is fine. Iwalade instructed the caterer to help her dish food in three places, she also took three plastic drinks and table water and call a young girl who she saw around and ask her to help her carry one of the trays where she placed the food while she carried the other tray herself. When they got to the room, she collected the tray from the girl; she thanked her and gave her two hundred naira note. “Ese ma.” The girl said in Yoruba. (Thank you ma) “Oluwa seun” (Thank God) She replied in Yoruba too and the girl left. Fulllhouse and his wife thanked Iwalade as the three settled down to eat. The next day, Saturday was the burial ceremony, everything went well as planned, despite the short notice people still turned out for the ceremony. Gbotemi, Fullhouse’s friend came alone, his wife couldn’t come. Kayode and Temidun, Iwalade’s friends also attended the burial ceremony. All the guests were served and they all enjoyed themselves. Reception commenced after the church service and it was lit. The musician that played started calling names of the children and grandchildren of the deceased to come to the stage and dance. Fullhouse and his wife were also called upon to the dance floor; Ireoluwa danced so well that all the family members came up on stage to dance with her and sprayed her lots of money. It was really fun, everyone had a nice time. Gbotemi left around 4:00pm because he had to return to Lagos that day. Kayode came in his car, Iwalade persuaded by Temidun to go with Kayode which she reluctantly agreed to. The two were not that close again after the break up, in fact, it only took the grace of God for Temidun to let go of the past. Some hours later, they started receiving calls from their guests, they all arrived home safely. Around 8:00 pm, everyone has retired to their rooms. Fullhouse and Ireoluwa ate dinner together and then went to bed. The next day, they all dressed up for church, for the burial thanksgiving. The whole family returned, they prepared lunch and they all ate. Some of the family members who are to resume work on Monday started packing their bags and that includes Fullhouse. Fullhouse started packing their things, when he was through, he told His wife to wait behind for him to get their things into the car first. He then left the room. Iwalade went to the room where her Mum and her Mum’s siblings were staying, by the time she got there, she met them packing some food items in sack bags, each sack bag contains foodstuff and that includes the leftover meats among others.“Eku ise ma.” (Well done ma) Iwalade greeted the four women in the room, Mummy Adeyinka, Mummy Alade, Funke and her mum. “Ose Oko mi.” (Thank you) Her Aunts and Mum replied her. While Funke said “Thanks dear.” “Thank God, you are here, come and carry your own and please call others to get theirs before they go.” Mummy Alade said. “I’m not going today ma, I’m leaving tomorrow.” Iwalade replied her. “I trust you.” Mummy Adeyinka said. “Thanks for waiting behind sis.” Funke added and Iwalade smiled. “It’s nothing; at least I can fill in for those that will be resuming back to work tomorrow. You know my house is my own office.” She said and they all laughed. “That’s why it is good to be self employed jare.” Mrs. Alade said and everyone attested to it. “Some people are already leaving, I saw them outside, let me go and give them theirs.” Iwalade notified the women and carried two sack bags. “Okay, you can as well call others that are still in the house to come and carry theirs.” Funke said. “Okay sis.” She replied. “Please, help me call Ireoluwa to come and carry theirs, Fullhouse will not come, I know him.” Fullhouse’s Mum, Mummy Adeyinka said. “There’s no need for that, I’ll pick theirs as well.” “No o, they are your younger ones, just tell Ireoluwa to come get it.” Mummy Adeyinka declined. “Ko mean nau….” (It doesn’t matter) If she is willing to take it over to them, then let her take it.” Iwalade’s Mum replied her sister. “Ose oko mi.” (Thank you) Mrs Adeyinka thanked her. “Yes….. ma.” Iwalade said and pick another pack with the ones she had carried before and left the room. By the time Fullhouse returned to the room, Ireloluwa was on the floor groaning in pains. “Ire!” He rushed towards her and grabbed her. “What happened, I left you just now.” He said checking her temperature and looking all over her body, and then he saw blood flowing down her laps. “Jesus! Ire! You are bleeding.” He said but she didn’t say a word, she just kept groaning in pains. “Let’s take you to the hospital.” He said hastily.

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