The Four Daughters' Wedding Code

In the bustling city of Lagos, Mama Adunni was blessed beyond measure. After years of prayers and patience, all four of her daughters had found love and gotten married within the same year. As a mother who had raised her girls with both traditional values and a modern understanding of life, she wanted to ensure they were adjusting well to married life.

Before each daughter left for her honeymoon, Mama Adunni pulled her aside with a knowing smile. "My dear," she would whisper, "don't forget to send me a message about how your first night goes. But remember, use code words – we must be discreet about such matters."

The daughters, understanding their mother's blend of concern and curiosity, agreed with giggles and embraces.

## The First Report

A week after the first wedding, Mama Adunni's phone buzzed with a text from Kemi, her eldest:

**"UNION BANK"**

Mama Adunni chuckled and looked up the bank's slogan online. "Big, Strong and Reliable," she read aloud, nodding approvingly. "Ah, very good. This husband will take care of my Kemi well." She settled back in her chair, satisfied with the first report.

## The Second Report

Two weeks later, Folake, the second daughter, sent her coded message:

**"NESCAFÉ"**

Mama Adunni walked to her kitchen and picked up the familiar red tin. She read the motto carefully: "Fantastic until the last drop!" A proud smile spread across her face. "Eh hen! This one knows how to appreciate good things," she said to herself, mentally giving Folake's husband a seal of approval.

## The Third Report

The third daughter, Bisi, was never one to be outdone by her sisters. Her message arrived right on schedule:

**"BENSON & HEDGES"**

Mama Adunni went to find her husband's cigarette pack, squinting at the small print until she found what she was looking for: "Extra long, King size." She burst into laughter, covering her mouth with her wrapper. "Ah ah! Not bad for their ages at all," she said, impressed by the consistency of her daughters' good fortune.

## The Shocking Fourth Report

But it was the youngest daughter, Tope, who would give Mama Adunni the shock of her life. The message that appeared on her phone made her read it three times to be sure:

**"ARIK AIR LAGOS TO ABUJA"**

Confused by this unusual choice of code, Mama Adunni decided to call the airline's customer service directly.

"Good afternoon, I want to ask about your Lagos to Abuja flights," she said politely.

"Oh yes, ma," the cheerful representative replied. "We have flights four times daily, seven days a week. Each flight duration is approximately 45 minutes."

The phone slipped from Mama Adunni's hands as the full implication hit her. Her eyes widened in horror and she let out a wail that could be heard three houses away:

"IGWEEEEEEEE!!! This one will kill my daughter oooooooo!"

Her husband came running from the parlor, finding his wife fanning herself dramatically with her wrapper, muttering prayers in Yoruba and calling on all the ancestors to protect poor Tope.

From that day forward, Mama Adunni made sure to pack extra vitamins and energy supplements whenever she visited her youngest daughter, always whispering protective prayers under her breath.

The story became legendary in their family, though it was many years before Tope understood why her mother always looked at her with such concerned sympathy during family gatherings.

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*And so ends the tale of a mother's love, a family's humor, and the universal truth that some things are better left uncoded.*