Chapter 1
Tunde walked briskly alongside his father as they made their way through the bustling streets of Lagos, the midday sun beating down upon them. Baba Adewale clutched the crumpled lotto ticket tightly in his hand, his heart racing with anticipation as they approached the bank.
"Tunde, I'm still not sure about this," Baba Adewale said, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Shouldn't we tell the bank about the lotto winnings?"
Tunde shook his head firmly, his expression resolute. "No, Father," he replied. "We have to be careful, remember? If we tell them about the lotto, everyone will know. It's better if we keep it between us."
Baba Adewale nodded in understanding, his trust in his son unwavering. "You're right, Tunde," he said, a hint of gratitude in his voice. "We'll do it your way."
As they entered the bank, Tunde took charge, leading his father to the nearest available teller. The bank was a hive of activity, with customers bustling about and the sound of phones ringing off the hook.
"Good afternoon, sir," the bank teller greeted them with a friendly smile. "How can I help you today?"
Tunde stepped forward, his posture confident as he addressed the teller. "Good afternoon. My name is Tunde Adewale, and I would like to open a bank account for my father."
The teller nodded, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she pulled up the necessary forms. "Of course, Mr. Adewale. Do you have all the required documents?"
Tunde nodded, handing over the necessary paperwork as his father looked on nervously. "Yes, everything is here," he replied. "My father doesn't have a job, but I've recently started working as a sales agent for a mobile phone company. I want to be able to help my family financially, so I thought it would be best for my father to have a bank account."
The teller smiled warmly, impressed by Tunde's initiative. "That's very thoughtful of you, Mr. Adewale," she said, her fingers deftly filling out the forms. "Your father is lucky to have such a caring son."
Baba Adewale beamed with pride as he watched his son interact with the teller, his heart swelling with gratitude. Together, they completed the necessary paperwork, and within minutes, Baba Adewale had his very own bank account.
As they left the bank, Tunde couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction wash over him. He had taken the first step towards securing his family's future, and he knew that with a little bit of caution and a whole lot of determination, they would overcome whatever challenges lay ahead.
"Thank you, Tunde," Baba Adewale said, his voice filled with emotion as they made their way back home. "You've done a great thing for our family today."
Tunde smiled, his heart full as he looked at his father. "We're in this together, Father," he replied. "No matter what happens, we'll face it as a family."
Chapter 2
Tunde worked diligently at the mobile phone repair shop, his nimble fingers deftly tinkering with the delicate circuitry of a damaged smartphone. It was a job he had grown to love, combining his passion for technology with his natural talent for fixing things.
His coworker and friend, Chidi, grinned mischievously as he watched Tunde work, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Hey, Tunde, did your father win the lotto or something?" he joked, nudging Tunde playfully.
Tunde looked up, caught off guard by the unexpected question. "What? No, of course not," he replied, a nervous laugh escaping his lips. "Why would you even ask that?"
Chidi shrugged, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Oh, I don't know," he said casually. "I just happened to pass by the market over lunch, and I saw your father there, looking all sharp in a fancy suit. And your sister—wow! She was dressed to the nines, carrying all those shopping bags. I never realized how pretty she was until I saw her in a dress for the first time."
Tunde's heart skipped a beat as he processed Chidi's words, a sinking feeling settling in the pit of his stomach. So much for being discreet, he thought to himself, his mind racing with the implications of his family's newfound visibility.
"Ah, well, you know how it is," Tunde replied, trying to play it off coolly. "My sister just wanted to treat herself to a little shopping spree, that's all. And as for my father... maybe he had a job interview or something."
Chidi raised an eyebrow skeptically, his grin widening. "Sure, Tunde, whatever you say," he said teasingly. "But if your family suddenly starts living like kings, don't forget to share the wealth with your old buddy Chidi, okay?"
Tunde chuckled nervously, his mind whirling with thoughts of how to handle the situation. As he returned to his work, a sense of unease gnawed at him, the weight of his family's secret becoming heavier with each passing moment.
Chapter 3
Tunde hurried home from work, his heart pounding in his chest as he raced through the crowded streets of Lagos. The words of his coworker, Chidi, echoed in his mind, fueling his sense of urgency.
As he reached the familiar sight of their shack, his worst fears were confirmed. His father stood proudly in the yard, adorned in a bright new suit that gleamed under the afternoon sun. Beside him, Nkechi twirled in her new dress, her laughter ringing out as she drew the attention of all the boys in the neighborhood.
"Tunde, look!" Baba Adewale exclaimed, his face beaming with pride as he caught sight of his son. "Do you like my new suit? And look at Nkechi—doesn't she look beautiful?"
Tunde's heart sank as he watched his family parade around, oblivious to the stares and whispers of their neighbors. With a sense of urgency, he rushed forward, grabbing his father and sister by the arms and pulling them into the house.
"We need to talk, now," Tunde said, his voice urgent as he closed the door behind them. "It's too late—everyone already suspects."
Baba Adewale and Nkechi exchanged worried glances, realizing the gravity of the situation. "What do we do, Tunde?" Nkechi asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty.
Tunde took a deep breath, his mind racing with possibilities. "We go with it," he replied, his voice steady. "But we need to get out of this neighborhood—fast. We can't stay here, flashing around cash like we're some kind of celebrities."
Baba Adewale nodded in agreement, his expression determined. "You're right, Tunde," he said, his voice filled with resolve. "We'll do what we planned. We'll go to Victoria Island and find a new house—a fresh start for our family."
Tunde sprang into action, pulling out his phone and dialing the number of a real estate agent he had saved in his contacts. "Hello? Yes, this is Tunde Adewale," he said, his voice urgent. "We need to find a new house, and we need it now."
Meanwhile, Nkechi grabbed her phone and called for a taxi, her fingers flying across the screen as she relayed their location to the dispatcher.
Chapter 4
Tunde, Baba Adewale, and Nkechi arrived at Victoria Island, the bustling heart of Lagos' upscale real estate market. Towering skyscrapers and luxurious mansions lined the streets, a stark contrast to the modest neighborhoods they were accustomed to.
As they stepped out of the taxi, they were greeted by a sleek, modern estate agent, her designer suit and polished demeanor a sharp contrast to their own humble appearance.
"Good afternoon," the estate agent greeted them with a polite smile. "I'm Adeola, your real estate agent for today. Welcome to Victoria Island."
Tunde returned her smile, his confidence unwavering. "Thank you, Adeola. I'm Tunde Adewale, and this is my father, Baba Adewale, and my sister, Nkechi."
Adeola nodded, her gaze flicking over their worn clothes and simple demeanor. "Nice to meet you all. So, what kind of property are you looking for today?"
Tunde took charge, his voice firm as he outlined their requirements. "We're looking for a spacious house with at least four bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom. We want a big pool and a big kitchen. But most importantly, we want privacy."
Adeola nodded, jotting down notes on her tablet as she listened to Tunde's requirements. "I think I have just the property for you," she said, leading them towards a grand mansion nestled behind high walls and lush greenery.
"This house ticks all your boxes," Adeola said, gesturing towards the impressive façade. "It has four bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom. There's a large pool in the backyard, and the kitchen is state-of-the-art. And best of all, it offers complete privacy."
Baba Adewale's eyes widened in awe as he took in the sight of the magnificent mansion. "It's perfect," he said, a hint of wonder in his voice.
However, Adeola's demeanor shifted slightly as she glanced at the Adewale family. "But, I must warn you, this property is quite expensive," she said, her tone condescending. "I'm not sure if it's within your budget."
Tunde bristled at the implication, his jaw clenching with frustration. "Don't worry about that, Adeola," he said, his voice firm. "We'll be paying cash."
Adeola's eyes widened in surprise, a hint of disbelief crossing her face. "Cash?" she repeated, her tone skeptical.
"Yes, cash," Tunde replied, his voice unwavering. "And if you doubt our ability to afford this house because of how we look, then we'll find another agent who respects their clients a bit more."
Adeola's expression softened, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, Tunde," she said, her voice filled with contrition. "I didn't mean to offend you. Please, let's go inside and take a look at the house."
If you enjoyed Fortunes and Follies,
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