The Okocha compound was unusually lively that Sunday afternoon. The aroma of goat meat pepper soup floated from the kitchen, mixing with the smoky scent of plantain roasting on a makeshift grill outside. Children darted about noisily while Chituga tried in vain to keep Manu from toppling over a bucket of water.
Glory was sweeping the veranda when the creak of the compound gate made her pause. A tall figure stepped in, pulling a black suitcase behind him, his crisp shirt glowing white in the afternoon sun.
"Chi-bu-ru-oma!" he called in a sing-song voice, his Bayelsa accent warm and lilting.
Chiburuoma dropped the ladle she was holding and rushed out. "Damini! Finally!" She ran straight into his arms, laughing as he lifted her off her feet.
Glory blinked in surprise. So this was the famous fiance her friend always bragged about — the forex trader who called from faraway Bayelsa at odd hours, talking about "market signals" and "pip counts."
He set the suitcase down and kissed Chiburuoma's cheek before turning to greet the rest of the family. "Good afternoon, everybody. The house is looking the same, but the faces… ah, more beautiful than before." His eyes settled on Glory, and he grinned. "You must be the bestie. Lagos has polished you well."
Glory smiled, shaking his outstretched hand. "Welcome, Damini."
---
The family gathered around as he unpacked small gifts from his bag — packs of chin-chin, tins of milk, even a bottle of perfume for Mrs Nonso (Chiburuoma's mom), who clapped her hands in delight. Baby and Manu fought over who would get the biggest pack of biscuits until Damini laughed and gave each of them their own.
Over lunch, the conversation flowed easily. He told animated stories of his trading adventures: the nights he stayed awake staring at charts, the morning he nearly lost an entire month's profit because of one careless click. Everyone laughed at his hand gestures and sound effects, even Mrs Nonso, who didn't understand a word about forex but enjoyed the performance.
"You should see me that night," he said dramatically, pounding the table for emphasis. "My heart was doing gbim-gbim like generator plug. I almost sold my phone to pay the broker!"
Chiburuoma rolled her eyes, swatting his arm playfully. "Don't mind this man. He exaggerates everything. That loss wasn't even up to what he's saying."
He leaned toward her with a mock-serious face. "My dear, whether one naira or one million, pain is pain."
The table erupted in laughter.
---
After the meal, Abraham arrived quietly, carrying a folder of documents for Chiburuoma. He hesitated at the gate, hearing the bursts of laughter inside. For some reason, his chest tightened at the sound.
When he stepped into the compound, Damini was the first to notice. "Ah! The famous Abraham. I've heard this name plenty from my woman." He stood and offered a firm handshake. "I'm Damini Treasure, from Bayelsa. Glad to finally meet you."
Abraham nodded politely. "Welcome."
Damini studied him for a moment longer, then gave a slow smile, as if he had already read more than Abraham intended to show.
They all sat in the shade of the veranda, sipping palm wine while the younger ones played in the yard. Damini dominated the conversation, telling more stories, this time about life in Oloibiri, his hometown. But every now and then, his gaze flicked toward Abraham and Glory, who sat at opposite ends of the group.
---
Later, when the others had gone inside, Damini pulled Abraham aside. They stood near the mango tree, the afternoon heat pressing down around them.
"You're quiet," Damini said, folding his arms. "Quieter than they make you sound."
Abraham gave a small shrug. "I prefer listening."
"Good. Listening is good. But silence… silence can also make you lose what you want." Damini's tone softened. "Forgive me if I'm speaking too directly. I've only been here a few hours, but I've already seen something. You and Glory."
Abraham stiffened. "There's nothing between us."
Damini smiled knowingly. "If you say so. But the way you look at her… it's not the look of nothing. And the way she looks at you when you're not watching… hmm." He shook his head. "Let me give you advice. Life doesn't wait. Markets don't wait. And women, especially good ones, don't wait forever. If you love her, don't sit on the fence."
Abraham swallowed hard, unable to respond.
Damini clapped him on the shoulder. "Think about it, my brother."
---
That night, as Glory folded clothes in her room, Chiburuoma leaned against the doorframe, smiling.
"So, what do you think of my fiance?" she asked.
Glory chuckled. "He's… lively. He fills the whole house with his voice."
"Yes," Chiburuoma said fondly. "That's what I love about him. He makes even small moments feel like a festival." She tilted her head. "And he noticed something today. Between you and Abraham."
Glory froze. "Not you too."
Her friend laughed. "Not me. Damini. He has sharp eyes. Be careful, Glory. Because now, even outsiders can see what's in your heart."
Glory sat in silence, staring down at the neatly folded wrapper on her lap. For the first time, she wondered if she could keep denying what was slowly becoming undeniable.