LOST

"Take that broom May! That dirt should be cleared. I want everything done before he arrives." "Okay mum. Oh! I almost forgot. The tea there must be boiling. Would you mind helping me?" May asked her mum. "May... you know I can't multitask. An old mama like me needs to concentrate with this. You know our church Pastor will be here any minute. I have to grasp a few Bible verses now to avoid a scold when he arrives." May took the broom and cleaned the remainders of chaff and green maize leaves that stood nearby. She looked around and confirmed that the compound was well kept, before leading her way to the outdoor kitchen. The tea was inches away from pouring. May grabbed the sieve and mixed the tea to her satisfaction. She did not know how much sugar the pastor took, and therefore, May decided to feed the flask with the hot tea with no sugar. She stood and stared at the boiled sweet potatoes that were placed on the cupboard. She took a huge plate and covered the sweet potatoes before leading her way to the main house. Everything was in order. The house was clean. The verandah was well swept, and the compound was with no spot. May came out of the house and stood at the main door. She stretched her arms to relax a little bit, having worked for an entire morning without a break. She checked her wrist watch. It was almost 11.30am. (Hooting) "May my daughter! He is here. Go and unlock the gate. Grace be to God." (Running steps) The compound was huge, with enough packing, but the family had not purchased their first car. "Good evening Mrs Ntua. Receive blessings from God. The last time I was here, these flowers were not this tall. When was that? Last year I guess. Bring me tea." "Welcome pastor. We are grateful to God. When you visit us, we always feel rejuvenated. May hurry up and bring the tea." "The word of God tells us that where several people come together, his presence is always guaranteed. He is in our midst." "Amen. I was reading this book, and..." "Which one Mrs Ntua?" "The book of Revelation." "Oh that one. Leave it to me. I will take you through slowly. Where is the tea?" "She is on the way pastor. May! Hurry up!" "I asked for the tea not her. Hehe." May was making sounds in the kitchen, trying to gather enough plates and cups that were enough for them. She would later clean them after the meal and prayer session. It was the culture at Mr and Mrs Ntua's homestead. "Today the pastor was harsh on me. I do not know why." Mrs Ntua said. "It's his new norm. He is getting overwhelmed by the project in the church mum. To handle everything including his sheep is not an easy task." "Very true May. Let me read my last verse before I go to sleep." Sleeping at 8pm and waking up at 6am was the routine. Mr Ntua was always asleep at 7.30pm, after a huge day of activities. The latter would receive very many cases in his office, and as the area chief, people demanded a lot from him. This day, he had a land dispute involving the Chanians and Musonians. The Chanians had crossed the line of their neighbors who were furious after warning them repeatedly to stop watering their cattle in the yard. Mr Ntua did not know if the yard belonged to any of the two, since what he knew differed with their explanation. He handed over the positive side to the Musonians, and now, he had started a war that would not end anytime soon. May was taking time to read her novel, 'The New Times,' a gift she received from her dad. However, she gets bored at the epilogue, and started dozing off. The next day, May wakes up early. It is a Church day. She prepares breakfast. Her mum is scouting the goats in the just harvested maize farm, just before 7 o'clock. She tethers them around artificially made poles and returns to the main house. Mrs Ntua finds May preparing breakfast, but today, she decides to help her. "My daughter, hold the roller. I will work on the pan." "Thank you mum. Careful. I lit the cooker a while ago. Now, you see how perfect I am nowadays. My dad is liking my cooking nowadays." "I know! But what happened the other day?" "What mum?" "The sweet potatoes." "Come on mum! I can't control that. They just overcooked. You know I can do better than that." "I know. This cooking will help you. You know men love a woman who can twist the dough and the pan perfectly. You are now approaching the peak." "Mum no! Stop. I can see where you are heading." (Voices of someone on call) "Is that your dad? When did he wake up?" "You know dad. A busy man. He can be asleep but still communicating with his phone." "Oh! What a poor compliment?" "Mum!" "Don't show me that look. Bring that last piece." (Voices of someone on call..."Do not threaten me. I am the chief of this place. I do what is right. I work for my people.") "What is dad talking about?" May whispers to her mum. "Do not be silly. I am with you here. Go and warm bathing water for him."