March 25th
2006
Okonkwo Street.
The sunlight landed brightly over the entire neighborhood.
It was a wonderful Saturday morning,no school,no problems. At least that was what it was meant to be until...
"Kelechi!!"
"Get up before I come there and meet you!" His mother's voice slipped in first before the threat registered.
He immediately got up and started moving.
'Why me?' He wanted to cry but couldn't.
"I'm awake mummy, I'm awake!" He semi-shouted clearly afraid of 'The punishment ' that will surely follow.
"Clean up fast and come eat!" Came her obvious reply.
"Yes ma." He simply said and then began walking out of his room to find the bathroom.
When he entered he found his father there already looking at the mirror while shaving.
"Daddy good morning." Kelechi said with a still sleepy voice as he headed forward and then turned to a lower cupboard and stretching a bit before opening it to bring out a toothbrush.
The paste was already at the corner of the sink.
"Morning nwam,seems like you slept well?" Chikodi said using the corner of his eye to observe his still sleepy son.
"I wasn't sleeping." Kelechi said voice low but defensive.
His father simply chuckled and hurried on with his shaving.
"Hurry up okay, before she comes for you." Chikodi said after drying his face some minutes later before winking towards his son and heading out the bathroom, closing the door with a soft click.
Kelechi didn't reply. He immediately picked up a small stool and placed it in front of the sink before climbing on top with his brush in hand.
He simply looked as his expression briefly before focusing his attention to the mouth scrubbing at hand.
*Grugle... grugle...and finally spit*
It didn't take long before he was done. He simply came down, placed the small stool back at a corner and also his brush before finally washing his face one last time and drying up and then finally leaving.
Breakfast was a smooth and delicious affair. Beautiful looking custard with fried plantains and egg sauce placed beautifully on the table.
He sat down and his mother placed a small bowl of custard for him accompanied by a plate of fried ripe plantain with egg sauce by the side.
He looked up at her with warmth and love in his eyes.
His mother 'bless her beautiful soul' was an exceptional cook. It was at times like this that he looked at his father with an indescribable expression before turning away and shaking his head slightly.
"Hmm?" Chikodi looked up from his food feeling a slight unease before brushing it off as nothing.
Chioma simply looked at her son with a warm smile gently patting his back at intervals tell him to eat slowly.
One would see this scene and one feel love and affection. No one would believe that this woman was a fierce tiger when it came to discipline.
Kelechi shuddered at the thought.
"What's wrong dear? Are you okay?" His mother said voice clearly worried.
"It's nothing mummy, I'm fine." Kelechi simply said like he would be stupid enough to tell her the truth.
Chikodi simply looked at his son and smiled as if reading his mind.
"Alright,after this we'll go to the bathroom for your bath." His mother said.
Kelechi simply nodded in agreement.
After the meal he helped his mother pack up the plates while his father headed out saying that he'll be back soon.
After washing the dishes with his mom -he used a small stool to stand higher and helped rinse only the bowls and plates while his mother handled the spoons and forks with the other sharp utensils- he followed his mom to the bathroom.
10 minutes later he was in his room,his mother helping him put on clothes.
"Mummy,do I really have to go?" He said in a mild complaining tone careful not to overdo it.
"Yes,you do. Now be a good boy and stay still." His mother said in a no nonsense tone.
He immediately became compliant.
"Now that's my boy." His mother said smiling giving his cheek a little pinch.
Minutes later he walked downstairs and sat down looking at the turned off television in silence.
There wasn't any light that morning which wasn't a surprising thing.
He father came back at that moment through the door and sat down near him sighing in the process.
Kelechi copied him leaning backwards at an angle.
Chikodi's mouth twitched but he didn't say anything.
The two sat there in a comfortable type of silence till the soft sound of a door opening echoed.
The man and child immediately opened their closed eyes,looked at each other briefly before sighing once more.
Then the both laughed.
It was at that moment his mother came in dressed in a red beautifully designed native dress with some other colours added to the sides.
"Hmm?" She looked at her husband and son in confusion before turning around and sighing helplessly at their antics.
The journey to the Okereke family's house was a surprisingly smooth and fast one considering that it was a Saturday.
The ceremony was already in motion and with a few glares from his mother kelechi reluctantly participated in a few children games, winning some snacks as a reward.
Once he reached his mother's side he simply dropped his winnings beside her asking her to hold it for him.
All the parents saw him as a very polite and sweet child.
He had a chance to see the baby. She was a small, fragile looking bundle.
He simply observed, throwing in some compliments that made the parents eyes light up with happiness and warmth.
The ceremony took the entire day and by the time they arrived back home Kelechi was carried in asleep in his mother's arms despite his earlier claims of being a big boy.
His parents simply looked at his now sleeping face then each other and chuckled quietly.