Wormwood

Static sounds

The sun barely came out today, covered by dense clouds and little rain drops trickling from time to time. Lightening bolts raced through the clouds with loud thunder claps following. Udoette and his sister were as quiet as a graveyard anticipating what will happen next. Mrs Ntekim was in the kitchen preparing dinner, while the men cleaned their weapons and surveyed the house for weak points through which we could be attacked. I just stayed in my room upstairs, peeping onto the empty street below through my army green blinds. Edna and I had built this house together; she picked out all the furniture for the house, Mmaette and Udoette weren't born yet. This one time I went out to get her a present to celebrate our two year anniversary thinking she had forgotten but when I got back I was in awe.
Edna had turned off the power and lit the living room with scented lavender and strawberry candles, in the center of the room she spread three layers of thick duvet with colorful furs then she spread another plain color duvet on top as a cover; round it were candles and at the head were the pillows lay, two glasses of Madeira stood with a burgundy as standby. She melted chocolate into a dish and had strawberries dipped in them with whipped cream sprayed on it. I just stood there gawping for a few seconds then I called out to her, 'ufan' 'friend' as I fondly called her. Swaggering out of the dark corridor on her six inch heel and her ravishing army green lingerie which complimented her glittering dark skin. She languid towards me and laid a passionate kiss on my lips then dragged me towards the furry covering and whispered into my ears gently, 'our first child will be created tonight on these sheets, we've waited two years like we promised each other.'

'Ufan let's use the bedroom, the maid can walk in anytime.' I suggested

'I sent her home and I picked here because the hard floor signifies our child will be strong and the chocolate and wine is to bring sweetness into his or her life.' She said dragging my head towards hers slowly laying on the duvet and locking her legs around my waist. Nine months later Mmaette was born, a facsimile of her mother; from the bulging eyes and long lashes, shape of a model mannequin, dark skin and plain as bottle.

'Why are you guys so quiet?' Capt Udeme asked the kids who just sat on the dining without even playing with each other. Vincent walked into the living room from the garage; looking at captain Udeme

'What's going on, why is everywhere so boring and quiet?'

'I just asked the same question and didn't get a response; they have been so quiet since the neighbors four blocks away were attacked.'

'Major! Major!' Vincent called

'What!' I answered

'Can you please come down sah.' He walked to the library to pick up a deck of cards

I would say I'm a huge man, towering over everyone at 6'6 with a caramel skin tone and stiff ebony hair. My voice texture was sonorous and deep--sometimes or maybe all the time I looked like a bully from high school. My abs were like evenly made road bumps, and complimenting balloons for chest from rigorous workout sessions. I was sometimes referred to as the Nigerian super man.

'Ette nso ke de di? Mr. Man what is it?' I asked walking into the living room.

'Sah i don't enjoy how quiet the place is, at least we should be happy we're all alive. So I just wanted us all to enjoy a game of cards together while we wait for dinner.' Vincent suggested giving me a signal to agree for the sake of the kids. I quickly understood, smiled and motioned silently that the cards be arranged on the center table; I then tiptoed to the dining and hijacked Mmaette and Udoette to the sofa. They giggled loudly and the laughter heightened when Mrs Ntekim joined us in the living room at different intervals while watching the edi-ka-ikong soup on fire. As we played further, she signaled that the table was set, we all migrated to the dining salivating profusely and forgetting we didn't even finish our game. Just as she brought in the last dish from the kitchen a loud bang came from outside, we all fell flat on the ground including the soup which was all over the ground now. A cold chill ran down everyone's backs, as well trained men our next gesture was to get to our weapons and take positions. I tiptoed to the main door to use the peephole while Vincent and Udeme took window positions.

Hi everyone, hope you had a great weekend? Happy new month 😊