Meanwhile, at the Onuoha household, the aroma of jollof rice and fried plantain wafted through the air, painting a picture of a simple yet satisfying meal. Leonard, his hands calloused from years of janitorial work, stirred his achara tea thoughtfully. Chisom, having just placed a bowl of peeled oranges on the table, sat down with a sigh, the warmth of the day clinging to her skin.
'Son, are you really sure you want to be Audrey's escort?' Leonard asked Daniel, his voice filled with concern. He worked as a janitor in a supermarket here in Abuja and pursued clock mending as a sideline.
Daniel, eyes gleaming with confidence, met his father's gaze. 'Yes,' he replied, his voice firm.
Beatrice, a gentle smile playing on her lips, placed a steaming cup of tea in front of Daniel. Then, she asked Leonard, 'Honey, are you worried Audrey might hurt our Daniel?'
Leonard furrowed his brow. 'Rich folks can be tricky,' he muttered, voicing his anxieties.
Daniel neared the end of his meal, picking up the cup of achara tea in front of him and stirring it with a spoon, the clinking of his spoon against the ceramic the only sound breaking the silence. He then lifted his gaze to his parents, his expression resolute. 'Audrey wouldn't hurt me,' he stated, his voice unwavering.
Chisom, savouring a mouthful of rice, spoke with a hint of apprehension. 'But what if she does?'
Daniel shook his head, his conviction evident. 'She won't,' he replied confidently, placing his trust in Audrey without a hint of doubt.
Beatrice, her eyes flitting between her son and daughter, refilled her glass of water. 'Will Chioma be joining the celebration?' she enquired.
Chisom, still chewing, managed a small nod and a muffled 'yes.'
Leonard, seemingly lost in thought, mumbled, 'Audrey's not even eighteen, and she drives?'
Chisom's gaze hardened. 'Dad, laws are often more restrictive for the poor than for the rich. Once you become wealthy, the rules seem to bend in your favour,' she said, a tinge of bitterness in her voice. 'Here in Nigeria, the minimum age for university admission or enrollment in any higher education institution is sixteen years, but Audrey is already in her third year... Laws are made for the poor,' Chisom shrugged, expressing her perspective on the matter.