The Lagos sun blazed fiercely as Lora stepped off the plane, the heavy air wrapping around her like a stifling embrace. The bustling city sprawled before her, its energy a chaotic symphony of car horns, street vendors, and hurried footsteps. She clutched Andrew's hand tightly, drawing strength from his calm demeanor.
Andrew smiled down at her. "Welcome to Lagos, my love. This is home now."
Home. The word felt foreign as it rolled around her mind. She'd left behind the cool, quiet familiarity of her small town in the East for this sprawling metropolis. But it wasn't just the city she had to adjust to—it was Andrew's family.
The drive to the family house in Surulere was both fascinating and overwhelming. Lora's eyes darted from one sight to another: the crowded markets bursting with colorful fabrics, the roadside food stalls emitting tantalizing aromas, the sea of people weaving through traffic. Andrew narrated anecdotes about the city, his voice warm and nostalgic, but she struggled to focus. Her thoughts were already at their destination.
Mama Bisi.
Andrew had spoken fondly of his mother, her strength and sacrifices as a single parent shaping his character. But he'd also warned Lora. "She can be… difficult," he'd admitted one evening, his tone hesitant. "It's not you, it's just her way of protecting the family. Give her time."
The car pulled up to the family compound, a modest but well-kept house with a high gate and a small garden out front. Lora's heart pounded as the gate creaked open, revealing a stern-looking woman in her mid-sixties. Dressed in a simple Ankara gown, Mama Bisi exuded authority. Her sharp eyes swept over Lora, assessing her silently.
"Andrew," she said, her voice steady but cool. "You're welcome."
"Mama," Andrew said, embracing her. He turned to Lora. "This is my wife, Lora."
Lora stepped forward, her most polite smile in place. "Good afternoon, Ma."
Mama Bisi's lips thinned as she nodded, her gaze lingering for a moment too long. "Welcome," she said simply, turning away before Lora could say more.
The house smelled of freshly cooked jollof rice and fried plantains, a scent that should have been comforting. But the tension in the air made Lora feel like an outsider. She tried to engage in small talk, asking about the family and complimenting the house, but Mama Bisi's responses were clipped and polite, revealing nothing.
Mama Bisi's expression didn't soften. "Let me finish dinner. Andrew, help her settle in." she said rising abruptly
As Mama Bisi disappeared into the kitchen, Lora sank into the couch, her confidence crumbling.
"She doesn't like me," Lora whispered.
Andrew sat beside her, taking her hands in his. "She's just being protective. She'll come around…She just needs time. She'll see what I see in you."
But Lora wasn't so sure. The disapproval in Mama Bisi's eyes had been unmistakable, and the thought of earning her acceptance felt like an impossible mountain to climb. She gazed out the window at the bustling Lagos skyline, the city alive with possibilities—and challenges.
Lora wanted to believe him, but the weight of Mama Bisi's unspoken disapproval pressed heavily on her chest. She stared out the window at the Lagos skyline, the city alive with possibilities and challenges. This was a new beginning, but it already felt like an uphill battle and a losing game….
Will she really gain Mama Bisi's love and attention
We will find out
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