Chapter 108 Summary: A Father’s Offer
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
The chapter opens with the protagonist lying in her room, listening to Little Simz’s ‘Hello, Hi’. A light knock on her bedroom door, followed by two more in a distinct rhythm, signals a visitor. Sango, her massive dog, lifts his head then lowers it, indicating the person is not a stranger. She calls out “Come in,” and Osagie enters, filling the doorway. She is surprised but realises he likely wants to say goodbye.
She studies him with a daughter’s eyes, noting his slow, purposeful movements, the way he flexes his hands, and the gentleness in his speech. She sees herself in him, understanding that she is now not just Yoruba but also Edo, since Osagie is Edo. She wonders if he speaks his language and whether the similarities she perceives are real or imagined.
Osagie sits on her stool, which disappears under his bulk. He wears a dark green linen kaftan, his arms marked with pale patches of vitiligo. She considers how his condition might have shaped his life and how hers might differ if it had left more of a mark on her.
He asks about her interest in genetic counselling. She explains her reasons, describing the fears and uncertainties families face, and he listens attentively, interrupting with questions. She realises she has never had this conversation with her mother or grandmothers.
Osagie tells her he wants a relationship but respects boundaries. He shares that he plans to be in the UK in three months and offers her a place to stay and a visit at her job. The knot in her chest unties; she had not known she wanted him to stay until now.
He answers her questions about his vitiligo, his family (middle child of three boys), his side business distributing water, and his favourite colour. When she asks if he can forgive her mother, he says he thinks so eventually. She admits she is not sure.
He reassures her that her mother raised her well. He stands, groaning, and cracks his back. She does not know what to call him. He suggests “Dad” might be too weird, and she agrees for now. He offers “Oba” as a less intimate alternative, and she repeats the word.
Key Events
- Osagie visits the protagonist in her bedroom, surprising her.
- She observes his physical traits and mannerisms, connecting them to herself.
- He asks about her genetic counselling studies; she explains them thoroughly.
- He reveals plans to visit the UK and offers practical support.
- She questions him about his vitiligo and his ability to forgive her mother.
- He suggests the nickname “Oba” as a way for her to address him.
Character Development
- The protagonist (the daughter): For the first time, she actively studies her biological father, searching for herself in him. She moves from passive acceptance to engaging with his offer of a relationship. Her internal conflict about forgiveness and belonging becomes central.
- Osagie: He presents himself as a kind, vulnerable man. He is nervous but genuine, offering practical help without pressure. His willingness to discuss his past and his condition shows emotional openness. He acknowledges his anger but prioritises her well-being.
- Sango: The dog’s relaxed reaction signals trust, reinforcing Osagie’s safety.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Identity and heritage: The protagonist redefines her ethnic identity, adding Edo to her Yoruba background. She sees her father’s features and gestures as clues to her own nature.
- Forgiveness: The chapter centres on the possibility of forgiving Mo’s unilateral decision. The protagonist is uncertain, while Osagie leans toward eventual forgiveness.
- Physical markers of difference: Osagie’s vitiligo becomes a symbol of visible otherness that he has learned to own. The protagonist considers how her own body might have been shaped differently.
- The weight of unspoken words: The conversation fills decades of silence. The discomfort of calling a stranger “Dad” highlights the awkwardness of late-in-life reunions.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in the protagonist’s emotional arc. For the first time, she meets her biological father as a conscious adult, not just as a name or absence. The conversation establishes the possibility of a real relationship, while also confronting the pain and anger of his absence. The themes of forgiveness, identity, and choice resonate with the novel’s broader exploration of family secrets and self-discovery. The chapter sets up future developments in her relationship with Osagie and her plans to move to the UK.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does the protagonist feel a knot untie in her chest when she realises Osagie is not there to say goodbye? She had not consciously acknowledged that she wanted him to stay. The relief shows her unspoken need for a father figure and her fear of being rejected again. His offer of a relationship, even on tentative terms, meets that need.
2. How does the author use physical description to convey the protagonist’s search for identity? The protagonist watches Osagie’s gait, hand movements, and smile, looking for traits she might share. She notes his vitiligo and wonders how her own life would be different if the condition had affected her more noticeably. These observations mirror her attempt to understand who she is through the man she has just met.
3. What does the suggestion of the nickname “Oba” reveal about both characters? The word “Oba” is a title, less intimate than “Dad.” It shows Osagie’s sensitivity to boundaries and his desire to let her choose the pace. For the protagonist, repeating it signals a tentative acceptance of the relationship without fully embracing the father term. It reflects their mutual effort to build something new without forcing old roles.