“Aunt Isioma, I‘m thinking of moving to my own place next January.”
“Where will you be moving to? You didn‘t tell me you were looking.”
“Ola is getting married in January and she‘s willing to transfer the flat she is renting now to me when she moves to her husband‘s house.”
Aunt Isioma nodded without saying anything and she continued.
“Also my friend Ayo has said she would share the flat with me.” Ayo lived with her parents but felt it was time she ventured out on her own.
“So what is wrong with my house?”
“Nothing, it‘s just that with the new place…”
“It can‘t be closer to your office because you walk to work from here in just a few minutes? And if it is on the island, I can imagine the rent. You‘re probably getting a good deal by taking over Ola‘s tenancy but circumventing the two years advance deposit is not all.”
Her aunt might be right about why she shouldn‘t move, but the fact was that even after months together, Gladys sometimes still felt like a distant relative just being tolerated in the house.
“It is me isn‘t it? You still don‘t feel completely comfortable staying here…”
“It‘s not that…”
Aunt Isioma sighed and looked away. “You don‘t have to deny it. I can sometimes see the questions in your gaze when you think I am not looking. I heard you talk with Toluwa my daughter the other day and noticed how bumpy the conversation was. I have tried to make you feel settled here as much as I can, but a lot of it depends on you too.”
Gladys took a deep breath and exhaled. The emotions on her aunt‘s face as she talked could not have been faked, but she wanted some answers too. “Aunt Isioma, I came here not sure how I would be received, almost expecting to be some sort of house help. So sometimes I find your consideration very confusing. Like the large private bedroom, having the run of the house and your staff. You‘ve been very generous but ...”
“Gladys, you‘re my niece and that is the way you should be treated.”
“So why hasn‘t it always been like this? Even my mother won‘t tell me anything.”