Twenty-three-year-old Eniiyi stands at the black gates of the Falodun family home, which she has avoided for 11 years. Her friend, Funsho, a postgraduate classmate who drove her home, offers to accompany her inside, worried about her recent insomnia and lack of appetite. Eniiyi declines, knowing her family would assume he is her boyfriend, and pretends not to notice the longing on his face.

Slipping through the gate, Eniiyi plans to sneak to her room but spots her mother, Ebun, working on an old Beetle’s engine. Their greeting is awkward and tense. Ebun is surprised by her early arrival and asks if she is in trouble.

Sango the Immortal, the family’s ancient dog, slowly approaches. Eniiyi embraces him, smelling the Elizabeth Arden perfume Grandma East sprays on him. Ebun comments she hopes the nearly 30-year-old dog dies soon to save on vet fees—only spite keeps him alive. Eniiyi chooses not to argue and leaves, with Sango following loyally.

In her unchanged bedroom, Eniiyi looks in the mirror and sees the reflection of her dead aunt, Monife, whom she is said to resemble exactly.