WAZOBIA: A Tale of Two worlds

Fourteen

"This is it," Faustina skidded to a halt in front of another one of the modern mansions in the village.

It was finished but not painted, I was sure I wouldn't say the same for the inside.

I knocked on the door tiredly. Fausti had done a great job, showing me around and talking effortlessly, explaining every detail of every hut and mansion and every man or woman or child that crossed the streets. We would go home from here, I decided.

The door creaked a little, and then swung open.

"Aunty!" Fausti attacked the fairly old woman with a greeting almost immediately.

"Nnọ́!" The woman greeted back, stretching her hands out to embrace me while inviting us in.

"Ah! Simbi! So you've finally come back from obodo oyibo?"

I smiled,

"How was it?" The woman sat herself on the large couch.

"It was fine, aunty,"

She was my father's sister. She'd never supported or tried to defend any of his actions and had had pity on us children for having to watch our dad physically attempt to kill his wife on a daily basis, so she usually took us to stay over at her house when the going was far from good.

"You've grown so much," she commented again.

I could tell Fausti was already bored, shuffling her feet on the ground noisily and playing with a loose strand of thread hair from the old couch.

I choked a giggle.

Remembering the nylon bag of goodies I had bought for my host, I held the bag out to her.

"For you, aunty," I gave it and smiled.

"Oh! Thank you dear," she took the bag and called out to her help,

"Ngozi!"

Ngozi was called three times before she rushed into the living room.
Fausti's eyes lit up.

"Take this bag and get Simbi something to eat," my aunt handed her the bag and she curtsied, turning to leave.

Faustina took the chance,
"I can go and help her.... In the kitchen,"

I grinned and looked at my aunt for approval. She nodded.

"Go, Fausti,"

She smiled and got up immediately.
A smile played on Ngozi's face and the both of them left us and disappeared into the kitchen.

There was a short silence.

"How's your mom?"

"She's fine, doing very well even." I answered.

"That's nice to hear. Your father is battling with partial stroke. He's at the village hospital... I assume your mom has told you,"

I kept a straight face and nodded.

As if I care.

"They went to visit him this morning." I said, picking up my phone to stop the vibrations.

She took a good look at me, as if to search my soul.

"You didn't...go with them?"

"No. I wanted to see around the village again,"

I fiddled with my phone some more, trying to turn off my WiFi, all the while totally aware of my aunt's stare.

She didn't ask further concerning the matter. I assumed she got the message.

Two giddy girls skipped into the living room. I could tell from their facial expressions that they'd just finished laughing uncontrollably.

They both carried trays. One with covered food and the other with a large juice box, groundnuts and three bananas.

They set it on the short stool in front of me.

"Thank you," I said to my aunt and then turned to the girls,

"Thank you too,"

They both curtsied, then smiled and left the room.

I opened the flask and was greeted by the smell of oha  soup and fufu wafting into my nose.

I was glad to be back and finally eat my local food. One could not be living on bacon, eggs, baked beans and bread (because those were basically the only things I personally could eat back in America).

I washed my hands in a basin of water beside me and proceeded to make balls out of the fufu, dipping them into the soup and then popping them into my mouth where they were swallowed with ease. I still had a savory tongue for native food.

I continued this repeated action mindlessly until I came to the realization that my aunt was staring at me, still searching my soul.
I had to speak.

I swallowed hard on the fufu ball and gulped down half the glass of water.

"How is uncle?"

She snapped out if her trance.

"Ọ dị mma. He's been out a lot lately but he's alright. Doing very well."

I nodded, swallowing another ball.
There was one more moment of silence.

"Your brother's chieftaincy is this weekend, the while village would be attending. Actually, there is lace for the occasion, he wants the family to look alike. Red lace."

She seemed enthusiastic about it.

"Oh," I poured myself a cup of orange juice.

Her brows furrowed, "Your mum hasn't told you yet?"

I sipped,
"Oh, no, I know."

Another ball was formed between my thumb and index finger.

"I will not be attending," I looked up at her for a second to take in the reaction, then looked back at my oha.

Of course, she was astonished.

"W...why?"

"I'll be travelling to Lagos that very day aunty, to come back the next," I said.

"Is it very important?"

I looked directly into her eyes, daring,
"No."

I don't think she realised her mouth hanging open, eyes boring into me.

I washed my hands again and covered the flask. Then I proceeded to peel a banana.

"So, how're my cousins?"