23/04/2022
I sat very still, being the youngest in the room. My eyes glistened as I looked with q***r admiration at the young lady that is to be my sister-in-law. She was tall, slender, and beautiful. A glance at her wristwatch might just blind a person — the bling bling was just too much. Did I mention her obviously expensive wig that sat perfectly on her well rounded head? What about her bag that could buy ten of the blouse I had on at this dinner?
_"Oshey… Boss Lady!"_
I whispered to myself.
To top it all, she has her own house and car.
What else can a man want?
This question could have been unanimous to all at this table. The smiles and giggles proved this—everyone was happy to have this lady.
My elder brother, Chika, has always had high tastes. He was all for the _'big guns'._ Sure enough, he landed into trouble a couple of times, but he never learnt his lesson. I just hoped this wasn't one of those times.
_"May he be right this time around."_ I sighed.
I caught my to-be-sister-in-law's eyes, and all my reservations seem to disappear.
Who wouldn't want something good on the face value? I have often been told that I am pessimistic. Was this me being pessimistic? Or was there more to this than meets the eye?
She smiled at me.
I smiled back.
There was lots of laughter all over the room.
_'You worry for nothing.'_ I sighed yet again. This time around, I leaned back, making myself more comfortable on my chair.
My parents, who are detectors of _evil-doing-from-afar_ were happy. Who am I to complain? Let's get the drums rolling! Brother Chika was finally getting married. My folks didn't have to wait anymore for their grandchildren.
I took a sip of my cold juice, enjoying the chatter going around.
_"...hustler"_ Came as a reply to a question my mother or father asked.
Just what did this ' _ASA_ ' mean when asked what she does for a living? Hustler? Was that like a new job description that I am not aware of?
With a slight frown, I looked around to see who else was concerned like me. But no, the laughter went on. She may as well have said, _"I am Otedola's daughter."_ I made a mental note to update my vocabulary on that word. She would have to explain to me as the tatafo of the house. Maybe there is something I missed. Because from what I know, one needs to be very careful these days.
I know money is good. I have seen the evidence in my brother's life. He is so fresh he looks ten years younger than his 35 years. But the nagging feeling was back. I cannot pretend I like that he is dependent on this elegant lady for almost everything. His fiancee earned ten times more than he did.
Before you call me a bigot, hear me out. I am all for female independence and career, but at least let's know the career. Isn't that fair enough? When we first asked brother Chika what his fiancee does for a living, all he said was that she's old enough to answer for herself. On his part, all he knows is that he loves her and wants to marry her. Period!
No be juju be that?
Money e good eh…
But what is the price people pay to get it eh? I sha know that money is a good slave but not a good master.
Anyways, let me hold my conclusion to myself. A little more patience will solve this equation. Till I ask my to-be-sister-in-law what her line of work is, I will hold my peace. Hopefully, she'll explain what she means by, _"I am a hustler!"_
