I overheard my mom and her younger sister speaking about a man she had just met, but I couldn't join the conversation, nor could I go closer to them. It was one rule I dared not break; whenever my mom spoke with her siblings, I mustn't interfere except she called me.
Knowing that Aunty Rose would stay the weekend with us made me sure that the gist won't pass me by because we share my room whenever she's around and talk about many things.
I waited patiently till they finished their conversation, and even though I didn't get their discussion in full, I heard my mom repeatedly telling Aunty Rose to tread gently because all that glitters is not gold.
Aunty Rose was single at 34 and she was beginning to think someone had cast a spell on her. Every effort she put into relationships ended up in vain, but at the point of giving up, someone came into her life.
According to her, they met at the motor park and he requested her contact. She reluctantly gave him her number because she had lost count of the guys who had taken her number.
As expected, he called and they had a serious chat for about three consecutive days getting to know each other better. The man finally requested that they meet physically, and he invited Aunty Ros to one of the best lounges in the city.
She insisted on just going somewhere small and private, but the man refused. After her persuasion failed, she agreed to meet. To her surprise, he came with another friend.
It was expected to be a date, and she wasn't expecting a third party; he introduced the person as Mr. Dapo, his best friend.
She wasn't comfortable but didn't worry because she had fun.
The man decided to drop her off after their date and that was how she knew he had a car. On their way to Aunty Rose's place, she started praying that the new man would stay for good.
They've been seeing each other for three months and she believes he must be the answer to her prayers. I was smiling and feeling very happy for Aunty Rose because she deserves the best. She was still narrating the journey so far when her phone rang.
"It's him," She whispered and quietly went to the corner of the room before picking up the call.
I didn't hear the conversation, but from her expression, laughing uncontrollably every time she spoke, I could tell that Aunty Rose was really in love.
"We should be planning a wedding soon?" I teased Aunty immediately after the long call ended.
"By God's grace. I just can't wait," She replied and our chat shifted from that to my studies.
Several months passed and I didn't hear my mom speak about Aunty Rose. I felt things were being too slow just because of everything she said the last time.
"Mom, isn't Aunty Rose getting married anymore?" I asked my mom, and I almost wish I didn't because the death stare she gave me nearly gave me a heart attack.
I gently left her presence but she called me back some minutes later.
"You see, we need to be always careful in this life. Not everyone is what they present themselves to be," Mom said immediately after I joined her in the room.
"Rose doesn't listen to anyone and it's a bad thing. She told me about a man she had met the last time she came, and I warned her to be careful after she couldn't answer my question about the kind of job the man does," She added.
"She said he's a businessman," I replied.
"It's a lie, he's not. She started discovering the real person he is after she got pregnant," Mom replied.
"Wow, she's pregnant. That's good news," I said happily.
"How is that good news when this man doesn't even have a job? He has been living off his friend all this while, and Rose won't know the truth if not for the misunderstanding that happened," She replied.
"But she said the man has a car? I thought he was okay," I replied.
"He doesn't have a car, and the shocking part is that Rose discovered that he has two daughters, but his wife left him a long time ago.
"Who wouldn't leave someone like that?" Mom asked, and I sighed heavily, feeling sorry for Aunty Rose.
Mr. Dapo was the rich one; he had been funding all the outings and Aunty Rose's lifestyle. They had a misunderstanding, and Aunty Rose's husband stopped being the big spender anymore.
No more outings, ice cream, and catfish pepper soup. She was pregnant already, and the whole family awaited her decision because she was confused about the future as well.
"I am surprised she still fell for petty things like that, she's not a kid anymore. I just pray whatever decision she makes is good in the end," Mom felt sorry for her, but there was nothing she could do.
"I told you that these are because I want you to know that not everything that glitters is gold," She warned about being deceived or distracted by petty things disguised as luxury.
After a few months, Aunty Rose had a small parlour engagement and she had to live with a man because she wouldn't get rid of the pregnancy or raise a child alone.
It was a small celebration, yet beautiful. Life after wasn't bad because Aunty Rose had a good job. She set up a business for her husband and they are living happily today.
