FOR LOVE NOT SURVIVAL

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CHAPTER SIX

The night in its spontaneity, was alive and kicking as the moon graced the sky.
Mama Uka was awake on her bed deep in her thoughts. She thought of how blessed she was with six wonderful healthy children. She thought of her business, families, friends and her neighbors.

She turned to her little daughter who was fast asleep next to her and gave out a smile as the thought of her late husband filled her thoughts. Ngo had her father's physique although, fair like her mother.

She laid straight with her back on the bed. She enjoyed the fresh breeze flowing out of the small old table fan which was given to her as a wedding gift from the women's group in her church years ago.

Mama Uka reached for her Bible. She flipped it open and search for her favorite passage and was set to study but unfortunately, the light went out.

''Kai. Ndi NEPA sef.'' She complained.
There was a total blackout in the whole house. She then, stood up to put on the rechargeable lamp. Luckily it was fully charged so it lit up the entire house.

Now that the electricity was out, the mosquitoes came out to sing, bite and play.

Mama Uka opened up the little window in her room to let in natural air. She went ahead to cover Ngo's legs with a wrapper from her box to shield mosquitoes away. She walked to the other room to do same for her other children.

She soon fell asleep for a while after she studied her Bible for a while then woke up again. Songs of praises filled her lips. She sang wholeheartedly and melodiously to God.

After an hour of singing, she woke her children up. It was time for their prayer routine at 5:30am.

''Mma mma diri gi Chineke..... mma...di.. ri..... gi.......... oyeoma.'' Chuma sleepily sang. His eyes were shut and his head swinging right to left.

They were seated in the parlor.

''Chukwuma!'' Mama Uka called out his name.
''Come on sing up. Put more energy to your singing.'' But it was of no use.

''Good morning Jesus, good morning Lord. I know you came from the heaven above...'' Uka helped Chuma out as they clapped their hands in musical pitch.

Emeka was swaying his head around too. Uka, Edu and Uju tried their hardest to stay awake even though they too were drowsy. They knew their mother wouldn't have it with them.

Ngo was still sleeping in the bedroom.

''Go wake up Ngo.'' Mama Uka signaled to Uka.
Ngo was exhausted. It took Uka a while to wake her up. She finally left the bed and dragged her feet to the parlor, sat next to her mother on the couch and dozed off quickly with her head on her mother's laps.

''Amara nke onye nweanyi Chineke n' ihunanya nke Chineke...'' As they shared the Grace, the light came up.

''Up NEPA!'' Emeka said in excitement and they all burst into laughter.
''So now you are awake ko?'' Mama Uka gave Emeka a cautioning look.

For Emeka, it meant he would watch the television all morning, after all it was a Saturday. He loved Saturdays. It was his best day of the week. No school for him.

Edu, Chuma, and Emeka leapt back to their bed whilst Ngo was still asleep on the couch but Uka and Uju helped their mother out with some house chores.

At 8am, the boys woke up to the sound of music playing in the parlor through their tape player. It was Chinyere Udoma's angelic voice.

''Chukwuemeka nwa mo..'' Uju sang on to annoy Emeka.

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