Dera was still sitting when the wide gate was flung open by Jerry,  the security personnel. A dark blue Toyota Highlander jeep drove in. She could rightly guess that it was Clem’s parents.

The security personnel also signaled her that Clem’s parents were back. Dera quickly adjusted herself and got ready meet Clem’s mum.

When the two occupants of the car alighted , Dera was surprised that she couldn’t recognize any of them.

Dera quickly whispered to the security personnel,”What of Clem’s mum?”

“Is it not Clem’s mum that just alighted from the car?” He answered him.

“No, I mean  the one that gave birth to her,” Dera explained.

“Madam, I don’t know what you are talking about. That woman standing over there is Clem’s mum,” The security personnel informed her.

“What of the woman I met the day I visited?”Dera asked.

“Are you talking about Madam Gold, the cook?”the security personnel asked.

Dera became paralyzed in shock.

“Did you just say the cook?” Dera asked in wonder.

“Yes. The person that was hugging and greeting you the day you came is the cook.”

“It’s like you don’t understand me. I am talking about Clem’s mum. The one that owns the red car over there. She wanted us to go out with the red car on that day but Clem insisted that we will go with his own car. She took me out shopping on that day,”Dera explained.

“Maybe you have been here  twice. But the woman that met you the day I saw you here does not even keke napep (tricycle). In Fact he does not have a bicycle.”

“Are you sure of this? She persuaded me to come back to the house and eat,” Dera explained further

“Cooking is her work. Why can’t she tell you to come and eat?” Jerry asked.

Dera started shaking even as tears filled her eyes.

Dera’s mum was about entering inside but she decided otherwise and asked to know who the security personnel was with.

“Ma, she is here to see Clem. She said that she is Clem’s fiancee,”Jerry explained.

“What nonsense! Who are you? What are you doing in my house?”

“Good afternoon mummy,”

“Is that the answer to my question? I requested to know who   you are  and what you are doing in my house?” Clem’s mum thundered

“My Name is Dera. I came to see  Clem,” Dera responded.

Her husband heard her voice and came out to know what was going on.

“My dear, what is happening?” Clem’s dad asked.

“It’s nothing too serious. I am handling it, please go in and relax,” his wife told him

“It is nothing serious and you are shouting. Please I want to know what is going on,” he said as he was drawing close to  them.

“Good afternoon sir,” Dera greeted. Her lips were trembling in fear.

“Good afternoon young lady . How may we help you?” He asked Dera.

” My name is Dera. I am Clem’s friend in school. I came to see him,” Dera answered.

“Have you been here?”

“Yes sir. Clem brought me here few months ago?”

“Liar. This lady is a criminal!” Clem’s mum 

“Mummy please, I am not lying ,” Dera pleaded  in tears.

“Please, allow me to handle this,” Clem’s dad told his wife. He turned to Dera.

“Who did you see when you came?”

“I saw the security personnel and a woman that Clem told me was his mum,”

“This lady is mad. Have we ever met?” Clem’s mum asked Dera in anger.

“It’s not you ma. He showed me another person. He told me that the person was his mum.” Dera explained.

“My dear please let’s chase this lady away. She is speaking gibberish. I think someone has paid her to tarnish our image,” Clems mum pleaded with her husband”

“Don’t worry . I must get to the root of this. Jerry!” Clems dad called the security personnel.

“Sir”

Jerry ran to meet him.

“Have you met this lady ?”

Clem’s mum was giving Jerry signals to say no but Jerry ignored her. She bit her lips in anger when Jerry agreed that he knew her .

 Yes sir” Jerry answered.

“Who brought her here?” Clem’s dad asked.

“Small oga brought her”

“Jerry, how many times have I warned you concerning calling anyone small oga. I ask again, who brought this lady here?”

“Clem brought her “

“To do what?” Clem’s dad queried

“I don’t know. But when they came, madam Gold was waiting for them. Madam Gold was holding her. I don’t know what she was telling her. they later entered Clem’s car and drove out”

“Woman have you heard it. Your innocent son was the person that brought her and presented another person as his mother. Young lady please follow me.”

“Where is she going to with us? Is she following us inside?”Clem’s mum asked.

“No. She is following us outside. Woman be careful. I am not in a good mood,” Clem’s dad warned.

Clem’s mum had to seal her mouth but continued to hiss at Dera.

Immediately they went in, Clem’s dad summoned Madam Gold.

 When she came out and sighted Dera, she frowned.

Dera pointed at her,” She is the one  that I met . Clem introduced her as his mum.”

What is this lady talking about? Have we met? I am not Clems mum. It’s my madam that is Clem’s mum,”Madam Gold defended herself.

“Madam Gold, do you know this lady?” Clem’s dad asked.

“No sir o. I have never met her. I have ever seen her, may I not use my two legs to walk out if this house alive.”

” If you wish to die, you will die but not in house. Madam Gold, I will ask this question again. Think very well before you answer. Have you met this lady?”

“Hmm! Yes sir ,” she answered with fear.

“Where did you meet her?”

“Clem brought her.”

“And you made yourself an imposter and introduced yourself as my wife.”

“No sir o. I did not tell her that I am your wife. I can never try that sir.”

“What is the difference between saying that you are my wife, and saying that you are Clem’s mum?”

Madam Gold kept mute.

“Tell me exactly what happened,”Clem’s dad demanded.

“Clem told me that there was a mumu girl she was dating in school that want to know her mum. He doesnt want to lose the girl and he cannot introduce the girl to his mum because he already have a fiancee,”

“Why didn’t you ask her what she wanted to do with the girl since he already has a fiancee?”

“He told me that he want her to be his lover until he graduates from school. Then he will get married to his fiancee.”

“Ha! Clem it will not be well with you!” Dera whispered in tears.

“So what happened later?” Clem’s dad asked again.

“He begged me to pose as his mum and tell her that I have accepted that Clem will marry her.”

“What! Madam Gold I am so disappointed in you. You connived with a  boy that is the age mate of your children to commit this kind of crime. If not for your age, You would have slept in the police station tonight. Get up,  and get out of my house. I don’t want to see you near my family ever again.”

“Please forgive me sir. Clem forced me to do it,”Madam Gold pleaded.

“If you are still in my house in the next 3 minutes, you will have yourself to blame,” Clem’s dad threatened.

Madam Gold quickly ran out like someone being pursued by a dog. 

Clem’s dad turned to Dera.

“Young Lady, what is the purpose of your visit? Do you want to see Clem?”

“I am pregnant sir. I told Clem but he refused to take responsibility,”Dera explained.

Clem’s mum flared up and attempted to beat Dera.

“What nonsense is this lady lady spitting? My son is not responsible for whatever is in your womb.”