Expecting Winter

AUTHOR: JOY ONUCHE PART ONE When I heard Papa telling Mama in a whisper that winter was coming; I drew closer to the door to hear him properly. Half hidden by the darkness, I was sure no one could see me eavesdrop. The bedside lamp was the only source of light in my parent’s room, it illuminated the room, silhouetting my parents in the corner of the room. I could make out Mama’s outline and she had hunched from the information bringing her head to rest on her palm. Papa moved and sat beside her, patting her soothingly on the shoulder. “How shall we cope, with the children and all?” Mama asked suppressing a sob. “We would survive somehow” Papa replied in a tone that revealed he didn’t believe those words too. Mama sighed and made her way towards the door in a bid to shut it. I hurriedly tip-toed back into my room, being caught was the last thing I wanted at the moment. As i settled on my bed quietly, ensuring not to wake my 15 years old younger sister up; I pondered on what could be so wrong with winter. I've watched lots of christmas movies with snow falling in winter and if anything, Winter would be highly welcomed in Nigeria. Why Mama was sobbing was a mystery to me and I was going to ask her in the morning. If she was worried I or Temi would fall sick from extreme cold, then she had nothing to worry about. Papa worked in a hospital and surely there should be enough drugs to ward off cold there. I had barely drifted when I heard my name. "Kike!" Mama called from the kitchen. The tantalizing aroma of akara wafted into my nostrils, filling them up as i approached the area. Her eyes were swollen, I dashed to her side spewing questions in my wake. "Kike your father said Winter is coming in a fortnight" I stared at her in utter shock, how could she have cried so much for a mere change in weather? How come it was only my parents that were forecasting it? Ok this particular 'winter' was definitely going to be disastrous, I concluded. "What's so wrong with Winter Mama? Don't you want to see snow for the first time?" I asked, explaining what winter was to her like she was a kid. It was obvious she had no idea what winter was or perhaps it was I who had no clue.