The day I bought a designer bag with 'exposure' money and my mother didn't even blink

Last year during harmattan, I got my first real brand deal. A skincare company wanted me to post three videos for them. They offered me ₦80,000. I was so excited I called my mother immediately. She just said "okay" and hung up. I thought she didn't care.

Fast forward to December. I had saved that money plus some extra from other gigs. I bought myself a Michael Kors bag from the Balogun Market. Not original, but fine enough. I carried it to my family house in Mushin for Christmas. My mother saw the bag, looked at me, and said nothing. No question. No comment. Just stared at it like it was a cockroach on the floor.

Later that night, I heard her on the phone with my aunt. She said "Temitope don buy bag wey cost more than my first sewing machine. She don turn oyinbo for Lekki." I laughed so hard I nearly choked on my jollof.

Now I look back and I understand. She was proud of me. She just doesn't know how to say it. She shows love by cooking my favourite egusi soup when I visit. That's her language. And I'm learning to read it.