When Love Sprouts

Chapter 21: Distorted Ties

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"Fine," she whispered.

A glare of light broke into the dark room. She quickly hung up the call before she could get caught. The wooded door flung open, and there stood Uncle Tommy. "Hey," he said.
His tie hung loosely round his neck, with the sleeves of his shirt folded and his hands tucked into his pockets. Uncle Tommy leaned against the door frame. They stood in the dark room.

"Mon amour," she replied.

Aunty Deko's burner phone thumped against the wooden floors, disturbing the tranquil atmosphere.

"What was that, are you okay," he asked. His eyes searching the room as he began walking to the window to see what had made the noise.

Aunty Deko kicked the phone underneath the bed. She walked over to Uncle Tommy and held his hand. "Come now. Let's go have dinner," she said.

Uncle Tommy eased up from her words and they left the room. Danika and Joao had set up the table for dinner. "Wow, Joao, you seemed to have grown up, hey. You can set up the table," she asked. "I'm going to dish up the food into the some dishes, so everyone can serve themselves. Don't miss me too much," she said. Then she disappeared into the kitchen.

The dining room was an open plan room, combined with the kitchen. Pictures of the family members were hung on the walls.

"Is that you in a diaper," laughed Danika.

"Yeah, can't you see all those big guns and that amazing afro. Your boy was a star from birth," boasted Joao.

"I do, but one thing for sure is that you still have those baby hands," she said.
They both giggled at the pictures, even staring at little Azania.

Suddenly, it dawned on them that, they here for a mission, and the smiles on their faces faded.

"Dinner is served," interjected Aunty Deko.

"Finally," proclaimed Uncle Tommy. He bounced off the rocking couch, and had a folded newspaper in his hands. Joao broke out of the sadness, and began rubbing his hands with anticipation.

The golden corn cooked to perfection, the aromatic smells of the fumbwa [stew] cascading in the air and the freshly baked kwanga rolls.

Danika was surprised by the different colors decked on the table. She was eager to try the food.  "May we please pray, because this fine haven needs to be in my mouth," Danika exclaimed.

They all laughed. "Who would have thought you'd be jumping for food," Joao said. Once the word amen was said, Danika and Joao gobbled down the delicious goodies that sat right in front of them. "I think you guys are going to have to push me with a wheelbarrow out of the house when I leave," Danika commented patting her stomach.

"I'm glad you enjoyed the food," stated Aunty Deko. She was about to take the dishes, but Danika stood up and said: "No, please, I insist let me."

"I cannot let you do that you're my guest, besides we have a dishwasher I want to put to good use," explained Aunty Deko.

"But," argued Danika.

"No, no, no," Aunty Dekko continued.