A Very Sticky Situation (Completed)

33: Fam

Ana's POV

"Why didn't you shed your sneakers?" Mom polls as she sights Oluchi's muddy shoes, did I tell you it was drizzling? Sorry, my bad.

Hearing this I secretly retreat to the foot match and discard my sandals before I get caught.

"Sorry," Oluchi murmurs sheepishly and removes hers, stunned to see my feet bare.

"Hey mom," I greet quietly, not staring her in the eye.

"Hello daughter," she responds, snatching me into a motherly hug, one that lets me exhale heavily as if all my problems are fading into thin air. "It's okay, baby."

"Thank you," I whisper emotionally, sniffing into her shoulder.

"That doesn't mean I'm not disappointed in you," she informs, still clutching me.

"I know," I sigh. "I'm sorry."

"I understand," she beams and disentangles our embrace. "You've got this okay? Now smile for momma."

I nod, and force a little smile, wiping my nose with the back of my index finger. "I've got this."

"Oshey!" Oluchi exclaims in excitement and I whirl to discern the motive behind her outburst.

To my surprise, I catch sight of Elvis my favorite cousin. His fair, 5foot 9inch sculpture emerging from the kitchen, a plate of food in hand as he scoops grains of rice to his lips.

"Couldn't you have waited a bit?" Mom queries, glaring at him. He shrugs, knowing she won't harm him hence she takes him as her own son.

Elvis as I've stated is my favorite cousin, years before I built this house I and my parents and brothers lived in our extended family compound which was constructed by my father.

We lived there with one of Dad's younger brothers (Elvis's Father) and his children, consisting of Elvis, his senior sister, and also his younger sister. He's the middle man as you can see.

The rest of Dad's brothers and sisters are scattered all over the country so it was just us, (me, Mom, Dad, Nuel, Maxwell, Elvis's father, Elvis, and his two sisters)

We all behaved like direct siblings and not cousins as there was a strong bond, though Elvis and mine were stronger than with the rest thus we are almost the same age.

Oluchi met him through me, and so they became instant friends. Don't ask how, she's got the people's charm.

"Olubabeh," he cheers, his pet name for her creating a smile on her lips. "How have you been?

"Good, good, how's work?" She asks as they do a weird handshake, one Elvis and I taught her.

"Fine," he grins, dropping his half-eaten meal on the mahogany dining table that coexists with the wooden single chairs around it as they all sit on the right side of the room, giving space to contain the four black couches, four glass tables, and a center table that faces the sixty-four-inch flat-screen TV positioned on the green wall.

"Watsup sis," he calls, spotting me as I walk towards him. He doesn't let me reach as I'm lifted in the air generating giggles at the thrill of it all. "You know I can still carry you, pregnant or not."

"How did you find out?" I quiz, laughing as he spins me.

"I heard the news," he conveys. "I can't believe my little cousin is carrying a child."

"Hey, I'm not little," I pout, my feet meeting the ground as he lowers me. "You are my senior by only a year and some months."

"Two years," he argues.