Chaos and blessings

Jumo was a dummy. Jumo, the boy she fell in love with, was a very big dummy.

...

"Alright, newly engaged young woman coming through!" Ayane shouted as Sakuya and the girls rushed down an aisle of the supermarket, pushing a shopping cart in front of them.

They were gathering resources. Pink beads. Red dress. Makeup. New flats.

What was he thinking? What was Jumo thinking? Proposing out of the blue like that. No buildup. No sort of preparation or setup. Just a straight-up will you marry me?

Big dummy. Of course she was going to marry him. But the fact that she had limited time to get ready for the unofficial engagement tonight—that’s what made her a bit annoyed.

"Okay, that's everything on the list," Nika Z said, glancing at a piece of paper she was holding.

"Then let's get back to the beach house and dress her up for her man!" Ayane shouted again, causing Sakuya to swallow a nervous lump.

***

"You are blessed, my dear," my mother said, praying for me like she normally did, whenever anything happened in my life—no matter how little. I held the phone up to my ear as she continued.

"You are blessed, she is blessed, and your union will be blessed."

"Amen, Mama," I responded, mostly pacing alone in the room while I listened attentively.

"No evil set upon the both of you shall prosper."

"Amen, Mama."

"Like Ogun, the both of you shall forever trample upon your enemies."

"Amen, Mama, thank you," I replied, smiling a little.

"You are welcome, my dear," my mother said. "Sakuya is a very nice girl. I'm happy you are proposing to her."

"Honestly, Mama, you cannot even begin to imagine the kind of things this girl has done for me."

"Ah, ah. I remember now. Fighting the gods themselves to keep you safe," my mother replied.

"Yes, Mama. She would have easily died, but she still chose to fight for me instead. Apart from that, she also lost her title because of me, also lost her family's main source of income, resource donations, and financial support, Mama. This girl basically lost everything, just because she wants to be with me."

"I am proud to call her my daughter," my mother said. "I will allow this engagement party hold even as I am not there, but when next you come back to Nigeria, we are having a bigger party ooo."

I laughed.

"Okay, Mama, it's almost time. Let me be getting ready."

"Okay, my son. Don't forget to send pictures."

"Alright, Mama. I won't forget. I will talk to you later."