Chapter 1
"Micheal set the table and call your father and brother, dinner is ready" said Mrs Mary Obi. Micheal chuckled "dad is already seated at the dining table, oh you thought he was joking when he said his body is shaking because of hunger? i will go call Ray in his room, i'm sure he is so engrossed in playing PS5 that he forgot about dinner."
Micheal sat at the edge of the bed in Ray's room looking at the television screen as he watch Ray play PS5, he was right about his brother being engrossed in the game. It is Ray's favourite thing to do at his leisure. Though he joins him most times in playing. it is part of their bonding times as brothers. "Ray, mum and dad are already waiting for us at the dining, you can pause this and continue after dinner" Micheal said. But Ray didn't seem to pay attention to him, so he tickled Ray making him to twitch and lose focus. "oh no! why would you do that? i was about scoring the winning goal!" Ray cried out in annoyance. Micheal laughed as he said, "you needed to see your face now, crybaby." "I will kill you today and you will know what being a crybaby looks like!" Ray shouted while chasing Micheal down the stairs as they headed to the dining.
The Obi's family is a happy and peaceful home. The father, Mr Philip Obi who is in his early 60's is the CEO of Philip Obi Construction Company. He is a principled man who believes that life treats you the way you treat others. The Mother, Mrs Mary Obi who is in her late 50's, is a retired chef. She decided to retire, stay home and take care of her husband and sons, that way she can bond more with her family because she believe that one's family is their greatest source of joy. Micheal Obi is 30 years old, a civil engineer who works in his father's company and hope to take over the company soon when his father retires. Ray Obi is 28 years old, a photographer, though his father wanted him to study engineering and work in the family company as his brother, Ray stubbornly chose to study creative art in the university because of his passion for photography. His father had no option but to support him and get him his own studio.
"Klara my friend's daughter is coming back tomorrow. She is done with her studies at Cambridge university and is coming home to work in one of her father's hospital as a Paediatrician" Mrs Johnson. "Wow, so Dr Peter Ume now has a medical doctor daughter, i can imagine his joy, it is satisfying to have at least one of your children follow in your footsteps" Mr Obi said as he nod his head in satisfaction. "Remember her Micheal?" asked his mother. "mum, the last time we saw her was 8 years ago, she must have changed so much now" Ray retorted. "Why do i have to remember her?" asked Micheal. "It's been a long time our families came together, everyone is now very busy, but i will invite Klara over very soon, she must make out time to visit me her godmother" Mrs Johnson sighed.
She has always hoped that her son Micheal would marry Klara someday and now that she has graduated as a medical doctor, there is no better woman for Micheal as a wife.
Klara Ume is a 24 year old only daughter of the famous Dr Peter Ume, she is a beauty to behold, people always assume her to be a snob because of her beauty, intelligence and who her father is, but in reality, she is a very kind and humble girl who doesn't like any special treatment from people around her because of her looks or family status. Her father, Dr Peter Ume is a renowned doctor in the medical field, he has various hospital branches across the country. Her mother, Rita Ume is also a medical doctor and Mrs Mary Obi's childhood friend. She has a 28 year old brother Luke Ume who studied business administration, he handles the administrative part of his father's hospitals.
Because of the friendship between Mary Obi and Rita Ume, the two families became close. Even though they live far apart across the country, they always bond whenever one visits another, but the last time there was such bonding was 8 years ago when the Ume family visited. Mary Obi was present the day Klara was given birth to, she carried her that day and call her 'daughter-in-law' jokingly which made everyone in the hospital room to laugh. From that day, she has loved Klara as her own daughter since she doesn't have one. Peter and Rita Ume made her the godmother of their daughter Klara because she was so fond of her.
On the evening the next day, Mrs Obi was on phone with Mrs Ume as they were chatting and laughing. "Oh she is out of the bathroom now, Klara come over here and speak with your godmother!" She said. Klara rushed over, took the phone and sat beside her mum with a smile on her face "hello aunt Mary, how are you doing?" "Hello my baby, i'm fine thank you, i heard from your mother that you returned in the afternoon, congratulations dear, it felt like it was just yesterday that i held you in my arms as a tiny cute baby, you are now a big girl and i can't wait to meet you again after so many years" Mrs Obi said on the other end of the line.
I can't wait to meet you too aunt, i've missed everyone, uncle Philip, Micheal and Ray, and i can't wait to meet them again. I will be coming to Asaba for a medical seminar in 3 days time and i'm hoping I could stay at your place" Klara said excitedly. "oh that's very good, we can't wait to have you honey, you know that this is also your home and you are always welcome anytime. just send me your flight schedule so i will make arrangement for your pickup from the airport" said Mrs Obi. "okay aunt, byeeeee" klara said.