Made - Episode 11

 

After the winning, the board immidiately assigned Philip on the project. Despite the boards suggestion for him to work with Maggie he declined and instead requested for me.The board had no option but to allow Philip choose whoever  he wanted to work with. That was now settled. In two weeks time we were to begin the intial steps of the project sensitization then offer loans for start-ups to the farmers. In some fleeting moments i found myself wondering  how teaching a bunch of strangers would wind down for us. It's not like i had any training to be a tutor in any sort of way . I just hoped for both our sakes everything would be fine.

I glanced at the bare road ahead of me. It was Saturday and i had decided to go see my parents upcountry. As i left the main road from the city i could feel the sudden change of atmosphere. It was soothing and calming in its own way. I had wanted to come see my mum the day before but work had eaten up most of my hours so i resigned to Sartuday. I left very early at 5:30 am to avoid traffic and also be able to catch them before breakfast. As night  quickly got enveloped in the breaking day so did the greenness of the country side come into view. A breathe of fresh air

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/made

. Within 3 hours i found myself diverting on the road leading home.

As i honked at the old gate i couldn't help but feel gladness in my heart. I closed my eyes and all the memories of childhood came back. A time when there were no gates, only large fields of maize plantation. The sounds of children playing hide and seek and the sound of workers and there tools in the farm working. Nostalgia was creeping in. Those were the good old days.

I honked again and i heard Alicia's voice bark at me.

"Can't you wait a bit!"

I chucked to myself. This young one had grown to have a sharp tongue.  My sister opened the first side of the gate as i watched. She had a floral dress on and her hair was plaited in thin, neat cornrows.  She finished openning the gate, stood beside it one arm akimbo and used the other one to gesture me in. A mischevious grin plasterd on her face like she had something up her sleeve. She always had that on as long as i could remember. I shook my head as i drove ahead to park my car. From the side mirror, i could see my sister jumping up and down like a looney while closing the gate.  

I parked besides dad's old toyota corolla car. As i eased myself out of the car i saw mum running to where i was. My heart swelled with warmth. It was good to be home.

"Welcome dear sister," Alicia hugged me making alot of funny noises to exagerrate the point of missing me. That didn't hold for long.  She released me then headed straight for the car trunk. I don't blame her. She had learnt from the best. I alway did that when my big brother visited while i was growing up.

"Welcome mama." My mum said as she pulled me into her motherly embrace and i had been waiting to feel that warmth. We hugged for a whole minute before Alicia barked at us.

"I always say you are mum's favourite. Look at you two hugging each other like it's the end of the world_Do you even have some greetings saved for dad?" I looked over my mum's shoulder. Alicia was standing am crossed but her eyes were smiling in match with her open mouth revealing a beatiful gap between her front teeth.

"Oya lets go!" She piped trying to mimick a Nigerian slang she must have picked from the numerous afro movies she watched.

"We both laughed and went to pick what was left on the trunk. Chatting exitedly we made for the house. My dad stood towering at the main entrance of the house wearing a broad smile. I gave my sister the bags i was carrying.  She had already placed the others inside. We were so much delaying her. I ran for a bear hug from my dad.

"I hope everything is fine with you my daughter." Lifting his hand, he patted me slightly on the cheek.

"I am fine dad and i hope you are too."

"Yes, come on in."

Like i had planned, i was just in time for breakfast. Breakfast wasn't breakfast when eating my mum's food. It was simply the best. Soon we were all settled for a family filled breakfast. I wished Lloyd was here to complete the family. Dad wanted to know how work and my business was doing. Mum on the other hand was trying to pry on my love life. 

"Darling would you leave her alone. She is 23. She should be thinking about continuing with her studies not marriage." Dad defended me

"This ones nowardays run around too much. Have you seen how the number of single mothers double over every year? I dont want you to end up like that." Concern was clearly written on her face though i could sense she said those sentiments as a general point of view not necessarily adressed to me.

"Mummy _ you dont have to worry. When the time is ripe i will bring prince charming. As for me misbehaving trust that your raised me well." I reassured her while stroking her arm lightly on the process.

"Now that you are done asking her about business and my inlaw. Can i ask if you brought the clothes i asked for." My sister who had been quite all this while chimed in breaking the flow of conversation to much of my relief. 

"All right little sis. Everything you asked for is in the _ red bag." She was off like a bolt before i could finish. When she didn't come back to hear the rest of what i said i knew she had clearly heard everything i had said. She must be constantly high on glucose or something. That energy she has must be always keeping mum and dad on toes.

"Phew! So much energy that girl has." I said lifting the cup i was drinking from to my mouth.

"She is a good girl. I don't know what we will do when she is gone off to high school."

"What you alway do.. " Immidiately i said those words i almost stretch my hand to catch them mid air. I coiled in my seat wishing they would let that part slide. Please let it slide. Dont make me have to say it.

"What is that?" They both asked dad putting his mug down while mum hanging bread half way to her mouth. All their gaze directed to me. I felt conerd like to tell on her siblings after letting a word slip. Looking at them i knew to well they would not let it slide even if they had to tickle it out of me.

"Loving each other and church."

"Loving each other?" they chorused the question like i had just spoken french. It made the whole scenario more funny. 

"If i start i wont finish _even though you hide it we always see you dotting on mum." I directed my gaze towards dad.

My parents were high school sweathearts. They must have had their hurdles but we were a living proof that their love was beyond what we could imagine. It would take a special kind of power to seperate them. My dad was the perfect example of the man i wanted to marry whilst my mom being the woman i wanted to become. Current status: Failure on both ends.. Red... blaring... light..

Read " So We Got Married " by the same author ( DORSILA ANYANGO )

. Alicia made a point of texting me whenever she sneaked to watch mum and dad dancing to their favourite song at night thinking she was asleep or of dad kissing mum. I had heard my own share of those while growing up. Through them i had come to believe in happy endings though my share in the worlds cake had done nothing but to slam that faith on my face.

We finished eating  and i proceeded to help mum in the kitchen. She proceeded to update me on all the happenings in the village.

"Sis can i have your phone?" I didnt see Alicia coming in.

"It's  in my purse." I responded shaking my headed

"Make sure you charge it!!" My mum shouted at her back.  She had already zoomed off.

"Power here can be unreliable sometimes and i know she just wants to play games." Mum explained.

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Hello readers. Hope you enjoyed this episodes.

Special thanks to Gracious and Esther. Your comments are wonderful. Thanks so much. I hope you enjoyed meeting Daniella's family especially Alicia who's my favourite in this scene. Let me know your thought in the comments section. Till next time. 

Dorsila