THE JOURNEY TO THE VILLAGE

'We are traveling to the village this Christmas, said my mom,as she entered our room, She has just returned from work, freshened up and came down to chat with us 'Mum, you don't mean it right' Junior my immediate younger brother said. 'Wow, am so happy about this , am gonna tell my friends!'Jane shouted. It has being a long time since we traveled to the village due to my parents' nature of work. My mother, Mrs Joyce Nwaeze hails from Udi LGA in Enugu state and my father hails from Aguata in Anambra state but we haven't visited either of their villages for a long while now and my siblings and I have really envied our friends when they tell us stories of their exploits in their villages during the holiday especially Christmas holiday, fortunately this Christmas God has answered our prayer. 'So which one are we going to, yours or Dad's?' I asked excitedly. 'Mine' 'Wow! Wow!!Wow!!!, this is a great news' I said excitedly 'So mom when are we going?' Cosmas asked. Cosmas is the last child in a family of six with four admirable children named Jennifer, Junior, Jane and Cosmas. Cosmas although the last child is a very active and smart kid not withstanding his age, Junior is very brilliant but quiet, Jane is just like Cosmas active, social, intelligent and a great talker always ready to gist and as for me I am Jennifer people describe as quiet, intelligent and responsible person and I am the first child . The stress and responsibilities of being the first child is indescribable, house chores, taking care of the younger ones and others but who are my to complain. Our father is a medical practitioner and mommy, a successful business woman. we have lots of uncle and aunts and cousin and I can't wait to meet them,this Christmas holiday , it will really be fun. 'I don't know yet, dear' mom replied bringing me back into reality. 'Your father just mentioned it to me but we haven't fixed a date yet' 'Jennifer and Jane you will accompany me tomorrow to the market so we can get foodstuffs we will eat in the village' mom said 'Mom, I disagree this time, must it always be sister Jennifer and Jane that will accompany you to the market Everytime, why not the boys like us' said Junior as he display his muscles 'Mom it's true o, let sister Jennifer and Jane stay at home this time' Brother Junior and I will accompany you' Cosmas said supporting his brother In my family you add either sister or brother to someone older than when you want to call them to show respect. ''J....e....a...lo.....usy" Jane said stressing the word 'leave them Jane, they are still children and not girls like us' I said sarcastically Our mom laughed as she watched us argue among ourselves 'It's okay, these children you will not kill me with your juvenile display'. my mom said in between laughter 'Junior and Cosmas, you will have to stay at home and take care of the house '. 'Exactly' said Jane 'Pls Jane let me finish and stop that' mom said sternly 'Sorry mom' replied Jane holding her lips together 'Not to worry my boys I will buys goodies from the market for you guys okay?' my mom said soothingly 'Okay mom we will obey you because we love you right Cosmas?' Junior said turning to his younger brother 'Yes I love my mommy but, we will stay on one condition' said Cosmas 'Which is?' asked mom 'you will allow Collins to come stay with us' answered Cosmas folding his hands across his chest looking steadily at Mom. Collins lives in the next flat with his parents he is Cosmas best friend attend the same school and in the same class with my brother. 'Nooooooooooo' shouted Jane 'They will scatter the whole house, mom' 'No mom we won't' said Cosmas 'Mom let him come I will ensure they don't scatter the house' said Junior 'Isn't that what you guys always say' I said But still scatters the whole place 'Don't worry Collins can come if he is allowed to' Mom said Yeesssssssss but if I come back and see the whole place scattered, both of u know me abi? 'Yes Mom' they answered in unison ' Jenny ' called mom 'Yes mom' What's the time? This is 7:33pm' replied Cosmas immediately looking at the clock 'Yes mom that the time,he is veeeeery much correct o' I complimented looking up from my mom's smart phone smiling at my brother 'Hmm my little smarto, your school fees is not a waste dear' said mom as she praises him and hugs him ' Give mom high five' 'Jenny go and warm the food for dinner your and put......... The doorbell rang interrupting mom and I ran to open the door and it was our father ' Welcome daddy' I greeted, hugged him and collected his suitcase 'Thank you my jewel '. 'How are you?' 'am good Dad, thank you' I answered my dad always calls me Jewel and I so much cherish that name. We walked down to our room 'Welcome daddy' my siblings greeted and hugged him ' How are you all?' he asked 'We are very fine thank you'. He turned to our mom and hugged her tightly 'My dream, how are you?' "Not bad ,missed you though" 'How was your day? asked mom' 'veeeeery hectic and stressful, I had to run back home dear' , replied Dad' 'Dad ,do u want me to massage you' asked Cosmas 'With which hand please ' ? asked Jane sarcsuggeste 'My soft hands of course' replied Cosmas 'Aaaaah Dad's boy, come, I would like that very much'said Dad as he dragged Cosmas, sat down with Cosmas sitting on his lap 'So what have you guys being up to? asked Dad smiling as he looked around us