The Life of Eniola (rewriting story)

Chapter 22

Without camomille or sleeping pills, I was able to fall asleep right away as if it were any other time. Tonight, however, was different. I stirred restlessly in bed. I tossed and turned.

I could not shut down my mind when the promise of sleep taunted me. A flashback of my mother and my last encounter with her came to mind. By turning my body, I was now facing the bedside table, which had my mother's picture on top. Putting it between my arms, I reminisce about a delightful memory that occurred when my mother was still alive. As my eyes became heavy, my body relaxed. At dawn, I awaken to its light seeping into my room. I rubbed my bleary eyes and walked to the window. In the sky, there was a pearly glow. A mesmerizing view was in front of me, so I looked at it for a long time.

Mornings can be pleasant, I guess.

Then I put on my dressing robe, take the tablet from the chest of drawers, and head downstairs to the kitchen. I make my own coffee and read a book on my tablet while I enjoy it. My aunty Aaliyah appears when I hear steps coming down the stairs.

"Oh dear, why are you up so early, Elena? It's not like you." She says, looking puzzled.

"I couldn't sleep. It was a real struggle." I turn toward the tablet.

"She's the reason, right?" I nod.

I feel her embrace me deeply as she walks closer to me.

"I completely understand your pain, sweetheart," she replied.

Having broken the hug, I drink the coffee. It makes me feel a bit down talking about my mother, so I shift the conversation to something else.

"When are they supposed to arrive?" I ask.

She states, "They will be here at 8 in the morning."

As I had my coffee, my Aunty and Alessia joined me for breakfast. Due to the fact that my Aunty and Uncle are coming here, they would expect me to prepare food for them, therefore I decided to make fried plantain and yam with scrambled egg, then I will make Akara, then I will prepare an Italian breakfast. Prior to starting to cook, I turned on the music in the living room and the speaker at a moderate volume. Since the neighbours may be disturbed, I did not wish to inconvenience them. Back in the kitchen, I wash my hands and prepare the ingredients for the fried yam, plantain and scrambled egg. While my Aunty peels and washes the yam and cuts it into the preferred shape, I peel the plantain and also cut it into the desired shape.

I put oil into a pan, wait for it to heat up, then place the plantain inside and it starts to fry. The yam, on the other hand, is cooked by my Aunty by boiling it in water. Alessia is given the task of cracking the eggs in a bowl, checking for dirt inside and then whisking them. Waiting for Alessia to finish whisking, I prepare the frying pan, pour oil, chop the tomatoes, onions, and pepper. I receive the egg from Alessia, but first I pour the vegetables into the frying pan, then I add the egg. I use seasoning cubes and spices in the cupboard to enhance the taste of scrambled eggs.

I remove the bowl from the fridge with the peeled beans for Akara and place it on the counter table while the egg is frying. I get a chopping board and a knife out of the cupboard and set them down, then begin gently chopping the scotch bonnet and onions without touching my face or eyes. Because too much water would result in it being flat or no Akara, as my mother used to say, I blend the beans with very little water. I use a wooden spoon to integrate air into the bean batter prior to frying, and I control the temperature of the oil while frying. Considering that if the oil is excessively hot, it may burn the bean fritters and cause false cooking, resulting in uncooked insides.

 I thank my mother for this knowledge or else what could I have cooked?

Indomi?

Certainly not.

"The yam is ready, Elena."

"Okay, Aunty."

I turn back to what I am doing.

 I place a frying pan on medium heat, and add about two cups of oil and heat till hot. I make sure to test the oil by dropping a small amount of batter into it; if the oil sizzles and the batter floats to the top, the oil is ready to use. I drop batter in little chunks into the hot oil, reduce the heat, and cook each side until golden brown, then continue the process until the batter is gone.

I pause for a second and I look at the time and I realise that I have not made Pap yet and I still need to make some Italian food and I only have an hour left until my Aunty and Uncle get here. My Aunty notices me and reassures me that she already made it yesterday.

"Thank you, Aunty. I am grateful for that."

"It's no worries, Tesoro." She smiles and looks over at Alessia who is playing a game.

I take croissants and brioche out of their separate bags and put them on a plate and lay it on the table. I tidy up the kitchen and get ready since they will arrive soon according to my Aunty.

A while later, there is a knock at the door and I open it, and in comes Aunty Olufunke and Uncle Lanre with suitcases in their hands.

"Aunty and Uncle have come oooo".

"Hello, Aunty. Hello, Uncle."

Alessia bows down to greet them which is part of African culture.

"Look at you, you are a big girl now!" My Uncle exclaims.

She giggles in return.

"Now tell me what you have been up to.Oya, let's go to the living room.They go to the living room.

"My beautiful sister! How you dey?"My Aunt Aaliya asks my Aunty.

Sometimes I forget that she stayed in Nigeria for 4 and a half years.

"I am fine ooo. Life is not easy sha." Aunt Aaliya excuses herself and goes to the livingroom.

"And you, my fine girl,what happened to your face, my dear?Hope everything dey alright, eh Elena?"

I did not put any makeup on so that must be why she is asking that.

"I am fine,Aunty"I look down.

"Are you sure? It's Mommy, right?"I nod.

She embraces me.

"Don't worry. It will be okay, eh."

"She wouldn't be happy seeing you like this, oya come on, let me see that beautiful smile of yours."

I smile.

"Eh,eh that's what I'm talking about. So what did you cook for us?"