Moonless Night (Preview Edition)
Page 4
CHAPTER 2 : BACK AT HOME
"Sister Sarah is back!” exclaimed Tunde.
He was Sarah’s immediate younger brother. He was playing football with Samuel, his only and younger brother when she was brought home by their Mum and Dad in their family car. He was excited to see her after fifteen whole days. He rushed to embrace her. Sarah was glad to see her siblings. For two weeks she had been away from them. Life on the Island was very sweet for her, but no place could be like home and nothing could be more exciting for her than being around her siblings. They too had missed her greatly and had felt incomplete in her absence. She hugged them both as soon as she disembarked. Tunde and Samuel both helped to carry in her luggage.
Sarah's family was a very happy one. Theirs was a home, a three bedroom flat owned by her dad. Stepping into their large sitting room, an observant could easily perceive the love for flowers in the family. Aside the family pictures hung on the wall, flower vases were prominent at various places. The room, about 30 feet by 50 feet in size was equipped with exquisite furniture and other household items, including a 30 inches plasma TV connected to a huge satellite dish hung on the rooftop outside the house. They had executive bedrooms, too, that were as beautiful as the gloriously endowed garden they had at their backyard. Sarah felt exhausted after the return journey. She rested for a while, after which she took a nap, stepped out of her bedroom and went to the backyard through the kitchen door. She walked into the very beautiful garden in which she had planted many of the flowers that gave it its glory.
She stopped and stood under the one and only big Mango tree in the garden to take refuge under its shade and to enjoy fresh, cool air. She observed the Lilacs she had planted before she attended the holiday program and was glad to see them growing faster than she had anticipated. Beside the Lilacs were hibiscus flowers and roses planted by her mother. Sarah was surrounded by beauty and happiness. She realized how lucky a child she was. She had a lovely family, a lovely garden and she lived a lovely life. Despite trying hard to focus her mind on the flowers and trees, she frequently got lost in thoughts about her stay on the Island and the gainful moments she had with her new, lovely friend, Matthew. Her stay under the mango tree was soon ended.
"Sister Sarah, mummy is calling you," called Samuel.
"Oh, I would go meet her now."
Her mother asked her as she stepped into the sitting room, “Where have you been?”
"I was in the garden, replied Sarah.
"Okay. The lilacs you planted are growing fast. "
"Yes mum, I observed that."
"Professor Sola's children are coming to spend the rest of their holiday with us. They are coming tomorrow."
"Wow that would be great. I would defeat them in the family quiz this time," boasted Sarah.
"Hmmm, I hope so,” said her mum.
"Meanwhile, you would follow me to the market to buy some food stuffs and presents for our visitors."
Sarah and her mum were soon off to the market.
Sarah was glad that Professor Adesola's two children, Jessica and her elder brother, Israel were coming to spend the holiday with her family at last. It was to be the fifth time they would do so, but there had been initial doubts about their coming on this particular holiday.
The market was just a fifteen minute drive from Sarah’s home. However, their hope to return home in about an hour was stalled by a traffic gridlock that lasted for more than an hour. It was an unexpected delay. Sarah and her mother were surprised and disappointed.
"What's the problem on this road?" asked Sarah.
"I wonder,” said her Mum.
They did not have to wonder for too long, as they soon became aware that the obstruction was caused by an accident: two trucks collided. Accidents occurred often on the roads of populous cities like Lagos due to the ever increasing number of users. Vehicles were trapped in the static, acute traffic and the scorching sun added monstrously to the discomfort experienced by car owners, drivers and passengers. Petty traders took advantage of the situation to hawk soft drinks and fast foods. Mrs Olusanya’s car had a faulty air conditioner. She bought two chilled bottles of Pepsi- one for herself and one for Sarah from one of the hawkers when the heat in the car became unbearable. A few law enforcement officers arrived at the scene later and were able to clear the road to ensure free flow of traffic.
Sarah woke up as early as 5a.m. the next morning, said her prayers and opted to spend some time reading her books after taking her bath. She stopped reading as soon as the sun rose to help her mum do the house chores. Being a Saturday, Mr Olusanya, Sarah's father was still asleep even at 7:00 am. During the week, he always woke up as early as 5:30 am to prepare to go to work but on weekends, he woke up anytime he liked except when he wanted to travel very early.
Sarah anticipated the early arrival of Israel and Jessica highly. The two families had been very close for many years. Sarah and her two brothers had spent holidays with the Adesola family a couple of times, too. The Olusanya family had hardly finished eating breakfast when the sky that once glowed sunshine suddenly became heavy with the dark clouds of a possible rainfall. A downpour began a few moments after and it lasted for about two hours.
"What kind of rain is this? I doubt if Jessica and Israel would make it today,“ said Sarah.
"If they can't come today, they would come tomorrow. Besides, we should thank God for the rainfall. Didn't you hear about the drought in Pakistan? " asked Mrs. Olusanya.
"No, I didn't. I just came back from the camp and we had no access to television there."
"That's no excuse, Sarah. I thought you often read news online.”
"Yes mum, but I was too busy to do so."
Sarah's mother looked surprised, wondering what kept her daughter too busy at the Island.
"Too busy playing?” She asked.
"No mum, a new friend I just met taught me Mathematics most of the time.”
"That's good. A boy or a girl?”
"It's a boy but that doesn't matter.”
"Shut up!" exclaimed her mother.
"It's of me to decide whether it matters or not.”
Sarah was startled by her mother's reaction.
"Well. It may not matter. Since I have told you to let me know who your friends are, it's best you tell me all about him,” said Sarah’s mother. Sarah heaved a sigh of relief at her mother's reconsideration. She told her much about him and how he advised her to always be a good girl. Mrs Olusanya was highly pleased to hear Sarah's assessment of Matthew. She knew Sarah would not lie to her.
"That's a good friend you have got. Heed his priceless piece of advice, but be careful. A boy would always be a boy. "
"I will mum,” said Sarah.
The rainfall soon subsided. Sarah and her mother were in the sitting room, watching television, her two younger brothers were in their bedroom enjoying the cold weather and Mr Olusanya sat at the balcony, reading a newspaper when a Sport Utility Vehicle stopped at their gate and horned. Theirs was a short fence secured with metal bar extensions; Mr Olusanya immediately recognized it was Professor Adesola’s car. Sarah and her mother also saw it through the window and they all dashed out as the gateman opened the door for the vehicle to come in. Jessica and Israel brought bags full of various stuffs. Sarah was delighted to see them. After the usual greetings, the three children carried in the luggage, including a sack of yam.
"I feared the rain would prevent you from coming today,” said Sarah.
"It could have, but we were already on our way when it began,” said Jessica.
"How was your holiday on the Island?" asked Israel.
"Oh! It was special,” replied Sarah happily.
While the children chatted in the visitor’s room, Mr and Mrs Olusanya, and Professor Adesola discussed in the sitting room. The Professor's voice was the most prominent. The children could hear him loud and clear without eavesdropping. He had a terrifying voice and a huge stature. Being a Professor of geography, he was always respected am
ong his friends and the Olusanyas were proud to be associated with him.
All the children listened as Sarah narrated her wonderful experience on the Island.
"You really enjoyed your holiday. I wish I went too. Too bad you brought nothing for us,” said Jessica.
"I am not selfish," said Sarah.
She brought out some coconuts and sea shells from where she kept them. "I brought you these coconuts. These sea shells are souvenirs. "
"Wow! They are very big,” said Israel. Jessica also thanked her and they all shared the coconuts.
"We wanted to go too, but daddy would not hear of it. He said we would not be able to study on the Island," said Israel.
"Yes, Israel is right. It was daddy's fault," added Jessica.
"Remember, your daddy is a Professor, so he wants you both to become Professors too,” said Sarah. She had hardly completed her sentence when the children overheard Professor Adesola telling Mr Olusanya to ensure the children studied well and to organize a quiz competition for them. He promised to be present on the quiz day.
"There he goes again. Everything he talks revolves around study,” complained Israel.
Sarah was rather excited about the quiz idea.
"Hmmm, we shall do our best. We all love the quiz. Don't we?” asked Sarah.
"Yea, we are looking up to it," replied Jessica.
Unlike Israel who was less enthusiastic about the proposed quiz, she was fully confident that she would win as she often did.
Sarah had a great time with Jessica and Israel.