Chapter 5: Three

A few days later, Angel junior was officially named Emmanuella Olakiitan Adams. Raymond had spent quite sometime with the baby and he'd found out overtime that Hope hadn't been exaggerating at all. If anyone wanted a direct definition of a crybaby, Ella was one. All she did was cry, feed, sleep and cry. He sometimes wondered what it would be like spending the whole day with her. He had no doubt it would be a whole experience on it's own.

The naming ceremony wasn't anything grand, it took place in their living room and just their immediate family and a few of their friends were present. The whole event only took a few hours and the house soon started to thin out save for a few people, all of whom Raymond was familiar with. There was one person that specifically caught his attention -- a light skinned petite beauty who was conversing with Ama, Sophie's best friend on the other side of the room from him. He'd met her once before at Sophie and Alex's wedding and they'd talked for about a total of five minutes.

As if sensing she was being watched, she shifted slightly and her eyes scanned his general direction. Her gaze landed on him and he knew she must have recognized him because she said something to Ama and then started making her way over to him.

Raymond kept his gaze fixated on her every move as she walked over -- not that he could compel himself to look away even if he wanted to. She'd had the same effect on him the first time he had seen her. There was something about her that mesmerized him and demanded his attention.

"Hi," she greeted as she came to a halt right in front of him.

"Hi, Valerie," Raymond replied, flashing her a pleasant smile. "It is Valerie, right?"

She looked surprised that he had remembered. "Yes, it is and you're Raymond." It didn't sound like she was asking.

"Right," Raymond replied, flattered that she remembered his name. "I'm surprised you remember."

"Yeah, well, it's been a while but I was hoping to see you here," she admitted.

"Really?" He asked, surprised.

"Yeah, well . . . " she let her words trail off with a shrug. "How have you been? Work and all?"

"Very well, can't complain," he replied, nodding. "What about you?"

"Good. I've been alright," she replied with a slight nod. "So . . . You never called."

"Yeah, about that . . . " Raymond's mouth fell open and shut as he searched for an acceptable excuse but couldn't come up with one. How was he supposed to explain to her why he had taken her number but never called when he didn't even understand it himself?

"About that . . . " she mimicked him, wearing a knowing smile that bordered on teasing.

Raymond let out a nervous chuckle. "I don't really have an excuse for that. Let's just say I wasn't in the best state of mind at the time."

"Not in the best state of mind to call a friend? If we can be classified as that?" She asked with raised brows. She was obviously not going to buy that.

"You're right, I don't have an excuse. I'm sorry," he finally conceded.

She tilted her head, seeming thoughtful before releasing a breezy laugh. "It's okay, it's fine. I'm in the middle of my NYSC program and I'll be around for a while. Guess we'll be seeing each other around?"

"Really? That's great. Congratulations." He found it strange how pleased the information made him.

"Thank you very much," she replied, faking a curtsey.

"You're most welcome," he said, returning her curtsey.

"Alright, I just wanted to say hi. See you around."

"Sure," Raymond replied, a bit disappointed that was the end of it.

"Okay. Take care," she gave him a slight wave before walking away to where Alex was holding a surprisingly meek Ella. Raymond watched her take the baby from her father then start to rock her, laughing at something Alex had said.

He found himself smiling along even though he had no idea what was funny in the first place.

•     ~     •

Hope felt detached from her whole body and was just about to take a minute to sit when she got pulled back up from where she'd just sat. She bit her lip to conceal a frustrated groan when she saw it was her mum's doing.

"Mummy, what is it now?" She whined.

"Do you see that?" Her mum whispered, pointing her hand discretely in a direction Hope couldn't place.

Hope looked around but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. "See what?"

"That!" Her mum whisper yelled, pointing a little farther so Hope had an actual idea what she was actually pointing at.

"Uh . . . Raymond and Val?" She asked, looking to her mum for confirmation.

"Raymond and Val? lenu e. Are they your mates? See how you just called their names like that," her mum chastised, hitting her on the shoulder.

"Ow, mummy!" Hope sighed in exasperation. "Sorry ma, I mean uncle Raymond and aunty Val. Is that one okay?"

Her mother shook her head, "Not at all but that's a matter for another day. It's not important right now."

Really now? Hope wondered, mentally rolling her eyes. "And what's important? What is there to see about two people having a conversation?"

"That's not a conversation!" Her mum whisper yelled. "That's chemistry."

Hope resisted the urge to gag. "Che -- what?" What was this she was hearing? And from her mum of all people?

"You're not deaf oo," her mum returned.

"I must be because I couldn't possibly have heard right," Hope retorted. She continued when her mum kept glaring at her, "Fine. So let's say it's what you call it . . . I still don't get how it relates to me?"

"Shey emi lo n ba soro beyen?" (Is it me you're talking to like that?)

The look on her mum's face had Hope shaking her head vigorously. "No, ma. I'm just saying that I still don't understand where we're going with this conversation."

Her mum hissed before replying, "Don't you think they look good together?"

Hope shot her mum an incredulous look. She had a feeling she did know where this conversation was headed. Hesitantly, she replied, "Okay . . ."

"And you agree with me that they'll make a nice couple?" Her mum continued.

"Mummy, just tell me what the point is."

"So I think we should help them," her mum concluded, wearing a proud smile like she'd just solved the problem of hunger in the world.

"Sorry? I don't understand ma. Who help who?" Hope asked, genuinely lost.

"You and me," her mum replied, enunciating each word as if Hope was impaired of hearing. "Help your cousin Val and Raymond get together."

Hope burst out laughing like her mum had said the funniest thing. Her laughter died when she saw her mum's poker face. "You're not joking?"

Her mum raised her brows in response.

"Mummy! You want me, your sweet and innocent daughter to play matchmaker? Do you want to corrupt me?" Hope demanded, feigning shock.

"Corrupt kinni?" her mum hissed out. "It's like you don't understand, I'm not asking oo. I'm telling you."

"No, it can't work, mummy. It's not in our place to meddle in anyone's affairs like that. And if you must, do it by yourself," Hope scolded.

"What can't work?" Sophie asked, walking over to them and joining their conversation. "What is mum doing by herself?"

"Mum wants us to play matchmaker between Raymond and Val," Hope responded, ignoring her mum who was eyeing her to shut her up.

"Raymond and Val?" Sophie asked, seeming confused. "How did that idea even get into your head?"

"She saw them talking and boom, she's already picturing their babies," Hope replied, shifting away from her mum to avoid getting hit.

"Don't mind your sister," their mum said to Sophie. "Valerie has asked to stay with us for the meantime pending the time she'll be done with her youth service. It's just her first day back and she's already bonding with Raymond. If this isn't a sign from heaven, I don't see what is."

Sophie seemed to consider it for a second. "Yeah, well, when you say it that way . . . but I agree with Hope, I don't think it's a good idea. Raymond's ex really did a number on him and I don't think we should push anyone on him if he's not ready."

Hope gestured to her mum as if to say, 'you see?'

Her mum ignored her. "You have a point and I'm not saying we should force anyone on him. A few coincidences here and there won't hurt. You never know, he might need the push to be ready," her mum finished with a wink.

"God, I can't believe I'm witnessing this," Hope groaned, dramatically blocking her ears with both hands.

Sophie chuckled, shaking her head. "Mum, I know you care about Raymond like he's your son but I really don't think this is necessary."

"I still think he needs a shove in the right direction," their mum insisted then continued, facing Hope. "And you . . . You still don't want to move in with us abi?"

That definitely got Hope's attention and she slowly dropped her hands. Cautiously, she replied, "Yes?"

Her mum smiled mischievously. "Good, you can stay in the house."

At any other time, Hope would be excited but she knew there was a catch. Unenthusiastically, she replied, "Really?"

"Yes, but on one condition. You agree to help me with this and I'll let you stay in the house with Val. If not, you're moving in with us and that's final."

Hope's jaw was on the ground when her mum stopped talking. "You can't manipulate me like that."

Her mum gave her a look that said, 'try me."

"Unbelievable," Hope muttered, turning to Sophie who shrugged, wearing a helpless look on her face. Their mum was stuck on the idea and there was little either of them could do to change her mind.

• ~ •

"Your mum what?" Tayo burst out laughing. "Oh my God, this is premium."

"I swear, it's not funny," Hope said, laughing along with her friend. "I was speechless ehn."

"So wait . . . What did you now tell her?" Tayo asked, shuffling on her seat to get more comfortable. Hope was currently in her house, giving her an account of what had gone down at her niece's naming.

"What do you think? I don't want to stay with them so that just leaves me with one choice so from now on, call me matchmaker Hope." Hope replied.

"Wow. Your mum is something else, really," Tayo declared, laughing.

"Tell me about it," Hope replied, shaking her head. She still found it hard believe herself.

Her friend tilted her head, studying Hope's expression before shaking her head and chuckling.

Hope frowned at the unusual action. "What is it?"

"Nothing oo." Tayo continued when Hope raised a questioning brow at her, "It's just that you used to have this huge crush on him so wouldn't it be weird if you . . . you know?"

"Oh, that," Hope waved it away like it was no big deal. "The functional word is had. I'm over it."

"Really?" Tayo teased.

"Yes. This thing was over two years ago," Hope insisted then burst into laughter at the look her friend was giving her. "Stop it jor, you're a clown."

"Okay, okay, whatever," her friend conceded, raising her hands in a show of surrender. "I'm patiently waiting for how this will go down."

"Nothing is going to go down," Hope insisted, air quoting 'nothing'. "The only thing that scares me is the thought of whatever my mum is cooking up in her head right now."

Tayo chuckled and Hope did the same.

"That aside though, how far about the job you said you were going to help me with?"

"Yeah, about that . . . " Tayo started, "You're actually to go for an interview on Friday but that's just formalities really. I know a guy who has strong connections with the manager so trust me, it's yours."

"Really? Thanks babe, I love you so much!" Hope declared, grabbing her friend into a bear hug.

"Of course you do, but don't forget we have a deal," Tayo said, pulling away so they were eye level. "You get this job and you tell me why you're working and hiding it from your family."

"Yes ma'am," Hope replied, throwing her a mock salute. "Thanks babe."

"Yeah yeah."

"Now that that's settled, I'm hungry abeg, wetin you get for house?" Hope asked.

"You like food too much, Hope," Tayo said, rolling her eyes. "You know the way to the kitchen. Go in and whatever you see that's edible, eat."

"Anything? Even your mum's numerous walnuts?" Hope asked, raising both brows at Tayo.

"Of course, you already know she'll kill the both of us if you touch those so . . . " Tayo shrugged.

Hope chuckled, standing up and making her way to the kitchen. She called back to Tayo, "At least I'd have eaten it before she kills me!"

"Then you'll die a very painful death," Tayo replied, following Hope into the kitchen.

After what seemed like forever, Hope settled for making noodles for herself. It definitely beat getting killed over walnuts.

~   •   ~   •   ~

Lenu e - from your mouth

Hey guys, whadduyuthink?

Is Hope's mum seeing right or just seeing what she wants to see?

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