PART TWO
Present Day
It is Aunty Joyce that picked us up at the airport. In the haze of everyone arriving or departing from the airport, amongst other people that waited to receive those that had just arrived from the just landed early morning flight.
There she stood, behind her the sky a shade of purple, announcing the dawn. She was wearing a long Ankara dress, her hair tied in the same Ankara pattern as the dress. I knew she would be here. I had told her, that I didn't want any convoy or escorts or anything to come with me. But still, one of the officers stood by with her, and in his hands a car key dangled.
She sounded almost apologetic when she hugged me. "Your father insisted"
"No problem" I said honestly. I really didn't mind. At least I wouldn't be too embarrassed by the continuous Airport officers with hungry eyes , always asking "Anything for the boys?" Like you had them in mind when you were coming back to Nigeria.
They led us to a Range Rover that was parked amongst other cars, at a special section marked VIP. I guessed this is where they picked up and dropped off my father. Aunty Joyce got to the front, while Jacob sat in the back with me, each of us holding the sleeping children.
I was glad that for the car ride back home everywhere was quiet, and I had avoided the thought that everyone in the car was scared, and waiting, for me to say that I saw mum driving the car, or I saw her standing outside bargaining with a taxi driver or something else.
This was the first thought I had of home, of people asking if I was okay , but searching with their eyes, to see if I really was. I doubted for a fact that I would hallucinate about mum like I did when Daniel died.
When I got home, no one was in the living room. Everywhere seemed too quiet.
"They're at the village" Aunt Joyce informed me. "You missed the wake keeping, which was last night. But you need to take a rest. We would begin our journey, at 1:30pm. That's why the driver is here, because he is driving us to the village. Go and rest. When all of you are awake, please let me know. The butler would cater to your needs"
Even when Jacob and the twins slept their lives away I could not sleep. Instead, I had thought about what perhaps, mum had been thinking about before her death. If she would curse me. If she even remembered me. I sneaked out of the room, and went to the family study.
I opened the cupboard that creaked, it had not been used in years, and I pulled out all the family albums, straight from my parents childhoods to their courting stage, to their wedding, to I and my siblings birth. Daniel's pictures were nowhere to be found. I was outraged, flustered, but I had tried to see from their view. After all, Daniel's large framed picture was still in the living room. His baby pictures still in my parents room. I felt a squeeze in my heart, and caressed my chest. It burned from the emotions that I have tucked in. I had assumed that it was the reasons the migraines kept coming back , because I had refused to open up. To express what was going on when I lost my mind.
When noon rolled by I knew I wouldn't be getting any kind of sleep. I walked into the room and woke the twins up, getting them ready, and giving them kisses from time to time. Jacob had stepped down to assist with the breakfast. I used the opportunity to freshen up as well, and change into a black free dress that I loved to wear when I didn't want to look too serious. I smoothed out my braids and was just powdering the dark circles under my eyes when Jacob walked in.
"We're leaving with two cars, babe. I'm driving the other one" He said, and I wasn't surprised. He loved to do something with his hands.
"That's really thoughtful. I was beginning to think the car seats were a waste of energy." I said, still looking in the mirror.
