THE JOURNEY TO THE VILLAGE

CHAPTER THREE

Today is Christmas Eve 24th of December , the day we are to travel to the village I have already bade my friends good bye. Our loads have been packed and Everyone is already dressed except my mom and I . My siblings and I could not sleep the previous day due to the excitement of traveling the next day and when we finally slept we woke up as early as 3:00am and Cosmas went to wake our parents who sent him back to go and sleep but sleep refused to come , we stayed awake till 5:30am when our mom came and knocked that we should start preparing.

'Mom I will be back in a bit' Jane said heading towards the door

'Where are you going?'

'Am going to Mirable's house I haven't seen her since to tell her we are traveling and I can't leave without telling her ,she will look for me'

'Must you go there? we are already running. late'

'Mom please you know she will do same if it was her' Jane pleaded.

'Alright go you have five minutes o, don't say I didn't tell you' mom said

'Alright mom ,thanks'

"If you like sleep there o "said Junior

"We will leave you and go" said Cosmas

'I Know you guys love me too much and can't go without me' she replied

'It will shock you' replied Junior glancing at the book he was holding

'Are you still there? your five minutes is going o!! my mom shouted from her room

'Tick tock says the clock' l commented

'Ewee it's true o!!shouted Jane as she ran off.

I was ready and went to check up on my mother, I knocked and entered

'Mom are you ready?' I asked

'Is mommy ready?' asked Cosmas from our our room

mommy is still tying her wrapper o' I replied laughing

'You are laughing at me , don't worry when you become a mother you will understand' she said smiling

'Mommy Mommy' I hailed her

'My dear , women's dressing wahala no be here o'

'Just come and help me tire this wrapper at the side very well.'

'Okay mom ' I said in between laughter as I go to help her

'I hope the whole rooms have been tidied up?'

'Yes Mom'

'Pls you and your younger brothers should take the bags outside am coming to open the car booth okay'?

'Alright mom'

I went out and beckoned on junior and Cosmas to help carry the bags outside . Jane came back with Mirable who wanted to assist Jane pack bags into the car, she is Jane's besty no two ways about it, though not taking my place

'Madam you are back?' I teased my sister

'Hi Mimi , how are you?' I waved at Miracle

'Am fine sister Jennifer' she replied

'You guys are traveling without meeeee 'she said babyishly

'I will miss all of you'

'We will too' I said hugging her. Soon all the bags was brought outside, my mom came downstairs after locking all the doors

'Good morning Mommy' Miracle greeted my mother. She always call her mommy

'Oh Mimi, how are you my dear?'

'I am very fine ,thank you'

'I will miss you '

'I will to , take this money for Christmas' said mom as she gifts her 2k

'Make sure you show it to your mom'

'thank you ma' she jumped excitedly

'You are welcome dear'

'Oya everyone let's arrange the bags in the boot' said mom

as she open the car booth , after some minutes we were done packing, we entered the car as we drove off we waved at Miracle promising to bring back lots of udara( Star apples)for her.

Remember my father promised earlier on to

give us Christmas gifts, this morning before he left for work he suprised us with gifts. He bought a nice gown and wristwatch each for my sister and I, shirt ,trouser and canvas shoe for each of my brothers and a Lovely necklace for my mom and also gifted her 25k. we thanked him profusely, he hugged and kissed us goodbye promising to be keep in touch

Junior led in prayer on our way seeking God's protection and guidance. we chatted, sang, played , counted how many beautiful edifice we drove past, mom answering questions coming from my inquisitive siblings especially Cosmas. Mom bought soft drinks and Snacks when we became hungry and tired

three hours later we arrived at Nightmile, few minutes of traveling through Nightmile something happened