“Hello, Auntie Tiwa, Big Mummy has been rushed to the hospital,” Mr. Bode said as Tiwa picked up her phone.
“Calm down and tell me what happened,” she replied.
Blossoming
The following week, Tiwa resumed work, and she and Danton had been talking at least twice a day since their meeting. Business had also been thriving for both her company and Danton’s, and they made time to see each other whenever he was in the country. 
Eight months after their initial meeting, Danton informed Tiwa that he needed to meet her family to begin wedding preparations. Tiwa was shocked by his declaration, but he explained that it was necessary—and quickly—because he was relocating to the U.S. permanently. He didn’t want to pursue a long-distance relationship.
“You could start your own company if you want,” he added.
Danton was very chatty and friendly, but he could also be persuasive—just like Tiwa—though he often outdid her in that regard. Three months later, she finally agreed to his request. However, another major challenge arose, this time involving Tiwa’s mom.
Danton wanted a simple, small wedding since he didn’t have a large family and wanted them to travel out almost immediately afterward. Mrs. Badmos was completely against this idea. She had many friends and acquaintances—from the church, her native meeting, and even loyal customers from her supermarket. With Tiwa planning to move out of the country, Mrs. Badmos couldn’t bring herself to accept a small wedding that excluded so many people.
“But Maami, you wanted this to happen. You’ve always wanted me to find a man, get married, and be happy. I don’t want to believe you’re not happy for me, Maami,” Tiwa said.
“Don’t be silly, Tiwa. Of course, I’m happy for you. I just never imagined it would mean you’d have to leave the country entirely. And you know I hate airplanes,” her mother replied.
This made Tiwa laugh. “So you wanted me to stay here in you-people’s Nigeria, abi? Maami, you’ll be fine. We can talk every day if you want, and I’ll visit from time to time. But you’ll come more often—oh, you need to leave here more than I need to come back down.”
Tiwa and her mom shared a hearty laugh that carried them through the night.
Becoming Mr. & Mrs.
Three months later, Tiwa and Danton had a beautiful wedding. Afterward, she, Danton, Cynthia, and a few close friends stayed at Tiwa’s house for about a week. They ate together, watched movies, and enjoyed each other’s company until everyone eventually left.
A few weeks passed, and Tiwa and her husband had settled into their home in the U.S. Tiwa had already started work, but Mrs. Badmos insisted that Tiwa send her pictures every single day—especially on days they didn’t have a video call.
Life’s Scare
“Hello, Auntie Tiwa, Big Mummy has been rushed to the hospital,” Mr. Bode said when Tiwa picked up her phone.
“Calm down and tell me what happened,” she replied.
Mrs. Badmos had suffered from arthritis pain for a long time, managing it quietly without telling anyone—except Mr. Bode. He knew because he had seen her collapse one day after overworking herself at the supermarket. After that incident, she couldn’t keep it a secret any longer.
A few hours later, following Mr. Bode’s plea, the doctor allowed Mrs. Badmos to speak with her daughter.
“Maami, we need to bring you here so I can keep an eye on you, please,” Tiwa said urgently.
Tiwa was already pregnant and unable to travel, even though she wanted to try. Danton, however, firmly insisted, “No.”
“Please, Maami, I won’t forgive myself if anything happens to you,” Tiwa pleaded.
“Tiwa dear, I can manage. I’ve always managed. And please stop making it sound like it’s your fault,” her mom replied.
After much pleading from Tiwa, Danton, and Mr. Bode, Tiwa’s mom finally agreed to be taken to the U.S. for proper medical care and some much-needed rest.
“Maami, do you realize you’re here to rest? Since you got here, it’s been calls, calls, and more calls. The business won’t fall apart—you have trusted people taking care of it,” Tiwa argued after her mom ended yet another phone call. But as usual, her mom said nothing in response.
A few months passed, and Tiwa was due to have her baby just as her mother was scheduled for surgery.
“T, you need to stop crying. I’ve told you this isn’t good for you, for me, or for the baby. You both will be fine,” Danton reassured his wife gently.
Sweet Sour Twist
After three hours of labor and eight hours of surgery, Tiwa gave birth to twin babies. At the same time, Mrs. Badmos’s surgery was also a success.
Tiwa and Danton had a lighthearted argument about naming the babies. She insisted the boy should be named after her father and the girl after both her mother and Danton’s mother.
“Madam, his name is Chief D Junior. The girl can keep both names,” Danton declared with a teasing grin.
Tiwa playfully threw a pillow at him and said, “You’re so arrogant.”
“Oh, but you loved and followed this arrogant man all the way to the U.S.,” he replied with a chuckle.
They both burst into laughter, enjoying the moment.
The end…
