EXODUS

7

"Ekuule oo!" Grace joyfully greets as she enters the house. Her siblings come in after her and they all sit on the chairs in the sitting room.
"Ekaabo ooo." A manly voice replies and almost immediately, all of them rush towards the direction of the voice.
"Dad!" Deborah screams and jump on their father.
"My baby! How have you been?" He asks balancing her on one arm.
"Fine. I missed you." Deborah whines and pouts. She only behaves like this whenever her father cones home. On other days, she's the big girl she's yet to be.
"Now nko?"
"I no longer miss you oo. Shebi you're here."
Grace intentionally lets out a cough and clears her throat.
"Yes Dad. I'm sure doing well. I'm sure you forgot to ask. And you?" She says sarcastically as she goes to give him a side hug. She only dares to try this with her father. Yes oo, Mrs Ojo will never take this nonsense as she terms it. Talking to her as if they were mates. Dr Ojo returns the hug and faces Eunice.
"How are you my dear. Come and give daddy a hug." Eunice moves to her father and he hugs her.
"I'm doing well." Eunice replies.
"Adupe. How's school?"
"School is fine. Projects have started."
"Okay. Let's go to the sitting room and settle down."
Everyone moves out and take a sit in the sitting room.
"Omo! Daddy your face is shining oo." Grace teases.
"O tun ti de oo." Dr Ojo smiles as he places Deborah on the couch beside him.
"I'm serious jare. What are you eating gangan?"
"Iyan ni oo."
"Won't I follow you back like this...."
  "Yes oo. Go and pack your load. See her mouth. If you're tired of this house just tell me directly." Mrs Ojo interrupts as she comes into the house. Dr Ojo and Grace look at each other and while Grace tries to cover up her laughter, her father lets it out without shame.
"This woman sha. Must you be jealous every time?"
  "This is not jealousy. It's discipline." Mrs Ojo defends. Dr Ojo nods in mock understanding and turns to face the children.
"Hey children. Go and change jare." He tells them.
"When are you going Dad?" Deborah asks.
"Tomorrow's evening. Don't worry you will meet me when you get back from school tomorrow. Okay?" Deborah didn't bother to respond as she runs up the stairs.
    Immediately Grace enters her room, she slumps on the bed and mutters "Thanks for today, Jesus. Good night."

"Good morning children." The familiar loud voice greets as he takes his place beside Grace.
"Morning Dad!" They all chorus. Grace stands up to assist her mother in the kitchen and returns later carrying the soup bowl. She takes her seat again while Mrs Ojo serves the food.
  "Dad!" Grace calls making her father look directly at her.
"Yes?"
"I need somethings."
"What are those?"
  "I need to attend a programme at a friend's church and I need money for my project too."
"When is the program?"
"Tomorrow."
"Which of the friends?"
"Overcomer."
"Okay. That's fine by me. She's a good Christian."
"Thanks Dad."
"Project money nko? How much is it?"
"Since it's a drama and we need custome, I think #3500 should be enough."
"Are you sure?" Dr Ojo asks opening his wallet.
"It should be." Grace nods her eyes following the movement of her father's hand."
  "No emergency calls oo. This is #4500. If it's too much, keep the change."
"Thanks Dad. Much love."
He turns to face the other girls. "You nko Eunice?"
"I collected mine on Friday."
"Okay. Why didn't Grace collect hers then too?"
"I didn't have much on me." Mrs Ojo replies. "Let's eat please." She continues as she takes her seat. Grace abruptly rises to her feet and goes over to the sitting room.
  "You're not eating?"
"Yes Dad. Seeing you is enough."
"You and who? Ojo Grace better return to this table now." Mrs Ojo interferes.
"Mom..."
"Who will eat the food?"
"Eunice will."
"I said come back here." Mrs Ojo states firmly.
"Grace."
"Sir!"
"Come and eat little. Okay?"
"That's your trouble. If you go back now I will be the one battling with ulcer attack."
"Calm down woman. Nothing will happen. Right Grace?"
"Yes Dad." Grace replies as she returns to the table. She takes a few spoonfuls of the meal and runs out of the house.
"You will end up spoiling this girl." Mrs Ojo says and faces her husband. Laughing he stands up from the table too. "She's fine okay? I love her just like this."
"Well I don't. You don't know what I face when you're not home."
"I'm sorry Madam." He replies giving a mock bow.
"Bye Dad. Bye Mom." Eunice greets and makes to leave the house. Deborah goes to her father and gives him a hug.
  "Better wait for me Dad."
"I will shortie." He assures.
"Bye Mom."
"You people should take care of yourselves oo."
"Sure Mom." Eunice responds and gives room for Deborah to pass before she closes the door.

Do you have that parent you're closer to than the other. Which is it?
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Yours In Ink; Bethel ™