SUNNY WEDNESDAYS: ATINUKE (Chapter Eight)

 

GARDEN

She had really meant tea when she had spoken to Bugo over at the filling station. What she didn't add was that they won't be alone. She knew Bugo might not be so keen on the idea but knowing the little she could tell from her brief experience with Bugo, she knew Bugo would not hold back from being honest.

As the ladies spread out the picnic mat on the soft grass, their laughter mixing with the gentle rustle of leaves, they began arranging the saucers, teaspoons, and a small collection of teas. Everything was neatly tucked into a beautiful handwoven bamboo basket, its earthy scent blending with the fresh aroma of the garden.

The mat was a bright checkered pattern that added a cheerful touch to the greenery around them. The saucers clinked softly as they were placed one by one, while the tea packets: chamomile, hibiscus, mint, and lemon, were fanned out like a colorful deck of cards.

Atinuke took a slow, deep breath, letting the crisp garden air fill her lungs. The scent of blooming flowers drifted around her, jasmine, rose, and something faintly citrusy. Birds chirped in the distance, and a soft breeze stirred the leaves of the trees, their branches casting playful shadows on the ground. She smiled to herself, feeling a rare kind of calm as the simple beauty of the moment settled over her.

My favourite place to be.

“Ladies, I would like to inform you all that I have a friend coming and I would love for us to extend the sisterhood tea meetings to her also” They nodded in agreement and assured her of what they knew she meant by that, that they would all be on their best behaviours.

Bugo spotted the ladies from a distance, their bright dresses and easy laughter standing out against the lush greenery. She paused for a moment before stepping in, taking in the view. Jumbo Garden & Outing, as it was formally called, was a public space, yet it carried an air of quiet elegance that made it feel special.

The entrance was lined with vibrant hibiscus flowers in shades of red, pink, and orange, their petals open wide under the soft afternoon sun. Their fresh, sweet scent floated through the air, carried by a light breeze that stirred the leaves gently. Just beside them, freshly cut lilies, white and pale yellow, stood tall in trimmed beds, swaying lightly as though welcoming visitors in a graceful dance. The path leading into the garden was a simple stone walkway, bordered by short hedges and tiny clusters of marigolds. Birds chirped from nearby trees, and the rustling of leaves created a soft background hum.

Bugo adjusted the strap of her bag and took a slow step forward, the scent of flowers following her as she made her way into the garden, her eyes fixed on the small gathering ahead.

She had no business in this kind of place.

As much as Jumbo Garden & Outing claimed to be open to the public, its entrance fee quietly told another story. It wasn’t the kind of place you stumbled into casually, it was curated, intentional, and just expensive enough to keep a certain crowd out. Bugo straightened her already ironed, mid-length yellow flowery dress. The fabric clung softly to her, and though it had been worn many times before, it still held its shape and charm. She drew in a steadying breath, then smiled as she spotted five women waving her over from a shaded spot beneath a large almond tree.

“Good afternoon, Madams,” she said, her voice polite but slightly unsure, the nervous knot tightening in her throat. She managed a smile, hoping it looked more confident than it felt.

“Haa, madams ke? We are young ladies o,” Judi Fir, one of them responded with a playful grin, fair-skinned, with a tint of gold streaking through her natural curls. Bugo took a mental note, Oyinbo pepper, she thought, amused.

The ladies burst into laughter, the kind that eased the air and made things feel a little less stiff. A space had already been made for her between two warm-looking women, and she slid into it, grateful for the easy welcome.

“I’m Funbi,” the one on her right said brightly, “And I’m Thambo,” added the other with a gentle smile.

Bugo introduced herself in return, and soon the circle came alive with names, voices, and soft bursts of laughter. She noticed, pleasantly surprised, that no one asked her what she did for a living or if she was married, questions that always felt like small traps in other gatherings she had attended.

As the conversation flowed from tea flavors to shared stories and light-hearted banter, Bugo slowly loosened her grip on caution. The setting sun stretched golden fingers across the garden, brushing their faces with a warm glow. The sky shifted from bright blue to a mellow orange, and the breeze grew cooler, rustling leaves and sending petals drifting lazily to the ground.

As evening gently kissed their cheerful circle, Bugo found herself laughing, leaning in, and feeling, for the first time in a long while, like she belonged. She still waited for the other shoe to drop, but for now, she let herself enjoy the moment.

ππππππ

“Good night, Bugo!” the ladies chorused, their voices light and full of warmth.

Bugo waved cheerfully, the wide smile on her face barely hiding the unexpected joy bubbling inside her. She followed Atinuke to the old, rattling car parked by the roadside, holding back the urge to make a comment. The car groaned a little as the door creaked open, but Bugo said nothing. She couldn’t believe it, she had actually enjoyed herself. Fully. Freely. And though she didn’t want to admit it to Atinuke, the truth wrapped itself around her like the cool evening breeze slipping through her roughly braided cornrows. 

Friendship had always felt like a closed door, something she had given up on long ago. But today, with those ladies, something shifted. She bit her tongue, stealing a glance at Atinuke. She would gloat, she thought, but let me not give her that satisfaction.

Atinuke glanced at her as she turned the key in the ignition. The engine sputtered, then gave in. She smiled as she steered the car through the winding paths of Luwe Community, the headlights bouncing gently against small shops, street vendors packing up for the day, and children chasing each other in the fading light. She didn’t need Bugo to say anything. The way her shoulders had relaxed, the way she smiled without realizing, she knew Bugo had thoroughly enjoyed herself. 

For Bugo to accept a ride home meant she had crossed a personal hurdle, and Atinuke knew it.

The ladies had even made Bugo promise to attend the next meeting, one that would require everyone to show up in a touch of African attire. Bugo had shot Atinuke a glare when they mentioned it. Definitely her idea, Bugo had thought. And she wasn’t wrong.

As they pulled up in front of her compound, Bugo opened the door with a dramatic sigh, “Thank you for the ride. I... enjoyed. It was nice sha. But abeg, change this car oh. My hips dey pain me.”

Before Atinuke could respond, Bugo dashed into her compound as if being chased by the need to pee, Atinuke chuckled, shaking her head. “This Bugo lady sha.”

She didn’t feel like heading home just yet. Instead, she drove slowly through the heart of Luwe, the car humming softly as it glided past quiet streets and dim lanterns glowing in front of wooden stalls. The evening air carried the scent of earth and fried peppers, the sound of distant drums and conversations floating lazily through open windows. The community, simple and full of life, breathed a kind of peace that made Atinuke’s heart feel full.

She wound down the window, letting the wind brush across her face, and smiled to herself. Luwe may be small, but it had a way of holding stories, old ones, new ones, and the beautiful ones still unfolding.