Dawn's Joy

Intro

"Amen" they all chorused before opening their eyes. Mr. Segun Olabode started the greetings by hugging his wife. "Good morning dear," he murmured in her ear.

Their three children repeated his greeting to each other and to their parents before heading towards the bathroom.

It was another monday, which meant it was school day for the younger children, Annie and Joshua. Morning prayers were the norm, regardless of weekday, but they'd had to wake up especially early this time because their father had to catch an early morning flight to Abuja.

"I'm bathing first!" Joshua declared.

"No you're not!" Annie countered. "I am."

"But I said it first!" the boy insisted. "First come first served!"

Segun just shook his head and veered towards his room - he was too old for all the drama as far as he was concerned.

Mr and Mrs. Olabode watched and listened happily to the ensuing melee.

"I'll drive you to the airport," Grace Olabode offered, as they walked toward the door together. "Since the official driver has chosen today of all days to be late."

"Thanks dear," her husband replied as he mentally ticked off all the items he'd packed for the two week conference.

He was a comfortable accountant in the employ of a prominent Auditing firm in Lagos, but since his promotion three years earlier, he had been among the staff frequently sent to Abuja for trainings and workshops, and his wife had had to adjust to the new schedule. She eventually suggested he get a house, to save the cost of lodging in hotels in the expensive city. She was supposed to take this particular trip with him but he'd only been able to procure the last available Bellview Airlines return ticket.

"Children!" she called out as she grabbed his only suitcase. "Come and say bye bye to Daddy!"

Twenty minutes later they'd come out of the estate and climbed the bridge crossing over to the other side of Gbagada Expressway. Traffic was incredibly light upon joining Ikorodu road, and in less than an hour, Mr. Olabode was checking in at the airport, in Ikeja. They were just in time too, as he was told to hasten so as not to miss his flight. He remembered to wave at his wife though.

That was six years ago.

That was the last time she saw her husband alive.