Chapter 4
1138 Words
Valerie and Heavin joined the Oghenetega's at the dining. Seemed like the both girls are the ones they were waiting for at the dining.
"Omonigho, give us a brief prayer," Mr Oghenetega said
"Okay dad," Ivan replied
"Let us all close our eyes," Ivan mum said
"Heavenly Father..." He began... "We bless and thank you for this food. May we never lack and go hungry for the rest of our life. Provide for those who are financially unstable. In all this and more we pray for through Jesus Christ our Lord," He concluded
"Amen," The whole family chorused as they did the Cross sign
"Em, Omarmerhi, there is Rice and stew with assorted meat plus fried plantain and Poundo yam with Vegetable stew. Which one will you prefer?" Mrs Oghenetega said facing Val
"I will go with the Poundo yam, it's been long I ate swallow," Valerie said shocking everyone
"Really, babe we eat swallow almost everyday in our house," Heavin chipped in
"Wow, that is nice. I can't wait to taste them all. So aunt, I will go with the poundo yam," She said smiling
"Okay Omarmerhi." Mrs Oghenetega said
Immediately Heavin mum dished the food for everyone, the dining became silent that even if a pin dropped, the noise would be heard everywhere.
Not like it is a new thing for Valerie but even back home, they still indulged in some little discussions. Immediately they finished eating, Heavin and Valerie packed the plates to the kitchen.
One thing the Oghenetega's house taught Val is that you do your things yourself. As soon as they get to the kitchen, Ivan dropped his plate but was stopped by his sister's voice.
"And who will wash those plates for you?" Heavin asked angrily
"Kid sis, take a chill pill," Ivan replied her smiling just to annoy her more
"That is how you will be saying and wouldn't wash the plates because you have seen a slave right?" She said dramatically as she placed one hand on her waist
"Not like that Heavin, just please help me to wash the plate," Ivan said pleading
"No, that cool face ain't working on me bro," Heavin said
"Heavin, please assist him to wash it," Val decided to chip in since the siblings started their banter
"Val, you don't know this guy standing before us more than I do. That is how he bully me around. It is because you are here, that is why he is acting so cool," Heavin said smiling
"Omotekoro!" Her brother called out in dramatic way as he placed his two hands on his head
"Did I lie against you, prove it if am lying,"
"Baby sis, please assist your big bro just this once," Ivan said with those pleading eyes
"Someone that sees you now will think that is how he is innocent. Come dey go, I don hear you o(Come and be going, have heard you)," Heavin said smiling
"I love you baby. Goodnight Valerie Gorgeous," Ivan said smiling and flirting
"Good night Cuz," Val replied
"Omonigho, e don do(It is enough), leave the girl alone," She said finally pursuing Ivan out of the kitchen
"So is that how it felt to have siblings?" Val asked as soon as Ivan left the kitchen
"Am telling you my sister, that guy that just left here is nothing but a bully but the weird part of it is that, I still love him," Heavin said smiling
"And that is because blood is thicker than water," Val replied as she wished she had a sibling also
"Yeah babe. Heard you are the only child. It would have been so boring," Heavin said
"You can say that again babe, so boring except for my toys and pets, that keep my company. Until when my one and only friend came into my life three years ago," Val explained as she picked a plate and rinsed it
"So you are telling me, you never had friends until three years ago?" Heavin asked
"Not really Cuz, I am very popular back in Chicago reason being that my dad is the Mayor's close friend, so everyone were my friends but I don't have close friends until I met Jessica Brown," She explained smiling as she thought about Jessie
"Wow, so nice. I wish to meet Jessica," Heavin said placing the plates in the rack
"Don't worry babe, I will introduce you to her one of these days," Val said as she rest in the cabinet
"Okay Val." Heavin said finally
By the time both girls were done with the washing and arranging of plates, it was already past 10pm. They left the kitchen for the living room.
"Good night aunt, good night uncle," Valerie said
"Good night Valerie," Mr Oghenetega said
"Sweet dreams baby," Mrs Oghenetega chipped in
"Yeah and you too Ma," She said finally
"Good night mum and dad," Heavin said as she hugged both her parents
"Good night Princess," Her dad replied
"Okay dad."
Both girls walked to their respective rooms after bidding each other goodnight. Immediately Valerie entered her room, she went to the bathroom for a cold shower.
As soon as she was done, she came into the room and change into the red lacey night gown her mum gifted her on her 16th birthday.
She climbed her bed and picked her phone to check the time and saw it is 11pm already. She made a mental calculations and concluded it will be 4pm in Chicago.
She dialed her mom's number and put a call through to her on Skype. She picked almost immediately.
"Hey Mum," Valerie said happily
"Princess, how are you doing?" Her mum said smiling
"Am fine and you?" Val asked
"Am okay baby. How is everyone over there?"
"They're all good. They are really nice and caring," Val replied happily
"Wow, that is great. I hope you are getting along with your cousins?" Her mum asked
"Yes mum, they are easy going and nice as their parents. What about dad?" Val asked
"He isn't back yet. What time is it in Nigeria?"
"11:20pm Ma," Val replied
"Oh, so what did you had for dinner?" Her mum asked
"Poundo yam with vegetable stew," Valerie replied smiling
"Wow, my brother is really taking care of you," Mrs Howard said happily
"You can say that again mum," Val said laughing
"I have to go now, I was in the middle of something when you called," Mrs Howard said
"Okay mum, take care of yourself and say Hi to dad for me when he is back,"
"Alright baby. Take care and I love you," Her mum said
"I love you too Mum." Val said as they blew each other imaginary kiss
Valerie disconnected the call and dropped her phone by the bedside table, said her night prayer and slept.
- Writer
