Waves Aligning
Page 23
*
One fine afternoon, Rufus alerted Chinny of a courier asking to see her. Her hands shook as she accepted and signed for the mail. Global Women’s Network Worldwide (GWNW), a non-governmental organisation in partnership with the First Lady of the United States of America, had invited Chinny to not only attend a seminar, but tell her story to other ladies aspiring to rise above constraining factors like poverty, early marriage, rape, neglect and low self-worth. If she accepted the invite and informed them via her electronic mailing address, the visa, tickets and itinerary would be arranged.
Awake in bed and reflecting on the events of the past couple of months, Chinny Ona shuddered at how far she and her family had come. Though not deluded into thinking about life as one big tea party, since there were still issues to surmount, her heartfelt gratitude to Donald Utah as he now insisted on being addressed, remained undiluted. She and Dubem now actively researched schools and were also taking relevant examinations to aid their admission into the university. Life seemed to have finally lifted the sledgehammer off the Onas – or was it merely time and chance at play?
EPILOGUE
The calm November breeze played with the sand and trees on the Burj Al Arab beach, Jumeirah. Holidaymakers idled in the evening sun, enjoying the natural luxury which Dubai’s iconic hotel offered.
“Phone call for you Dr Clarke,” the waiter’s voice rang through the cool ambience. It was 4:30 pm and the conference convener called to confirm that the event would begin in two hours. It was a good thing the meeting would be held in one of the hotel’s many auditoriums. Taking the last sip of the decadently delicious fruit cocktail, Dr Clarke settled for a quick nap. The alarm tone of the mobile phone could rouse anyone out of slumber, however unwilling.
At 5:35 pm, the alarm went off and an unconscious arm stretched out to hit the snooze button. Ten minutes later an even more annoying ring-tone blared from the phone and Dr Chinny Clarke gave up.
Many years ago, as a little girl, Chinny dreamt of a day when she would be able to sleep for as long as she liked without a zealous cock crowing or her father clearing his throat in warning for her to wake up or else… Today, the cock was her infinitely annoying alarm clock and her husband’s adamant phone call now served as her father’s warning.
“Hello Eji,” Chinny purred.
“Hi wife. Get your lazy bones up. There are thousands of ladies waiting for you to breathe life on their dying dreams”, Ejiofor jabbed her in that way only he knew how. With eyes crinkling at the sides in soundless giggle, Chinny got up from her cabana and sauntered towards the hotel block, wondering if or when her dream to sleep for as long as she liked would ever become a reality.
It was not the first time and held no promise of being the last time that Chinny would receive a standing ovation after a presentation. As she stood on the podium amidst loud applause, she closed her eyes briefly to savour another one of her humbling moments, knowing that the eyes of the grand master of this orchestra called Life remained wide open, and would always align her waves for a perfect sail.