Chapter 1
Chasing Butterflies: Imagine 2200
Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
This book is dedicated to all environmental activists who tirelessly strive to save the world from its impending breakdown.
Chapter One
Today, being Saturday, I woke up to the gentle rose-coloured strokes of the sun painting the sky, accompanied by the delightful chorus of melodic songbirds serenading their morning melodies. It brought immense joy to my heart, especially because I had a date planned with my adorable boyfriend. Knowing I had many chores to accomplish, I swiftly rose from my bed and slipped into my work dress. First on my list was tending to my potted plants in the backyard, ensuring they received their much-needed hydration. Yesterday, after returning from school, I had taken the time to wash and style my hair, anticipating this special day.
While some people find happiness in material wealth, others find it in the warmth of a welcoming community. For me, it is the simple pleasures like the morning sun streaming through my window, donning a white, flowing dress with a daisy or any beautiful flower adorning my hair, witnessing the beauty of flourishing gardens and fruit-laden trees, swaying on a tree swing, listening to the cheerful melodies of birds perched on branches, observing the harmonious coexistence of animals and humans, chasing butterflies, lying on the grass, or sitting on a boulder overlooking the sea or a mesmerising waterfall stream. These aspects of nature bring me genuine happiness. They may seem ordinary to some, but to me, they are extraordinary sources of joy.
As Obinna Chukwu, my boyfriend, and I enjoyed our little picnic in our beloved sunny spot, nestled behind an old Iroko tree in a flowered meadow, I couldn’t help but share my thoughts. ‘If I were rich, I would love to have a garden. I find immense pleasure in nurturing plants,’ I expressed, gazing into Obinna’s eyes. We lay on the blanket he had brought, facing each other, with a basket of fruits and a bottle of delicious fruit juice between us, savouring the treats intermittently. I relished the sensation of the grass tickling my toes and the sun gently caressing my face. The afternoon sun cast its warm glow upon the meadow, while fluffy white clouds lazily drifted across the beautiful blue sky, carried by a gentle breeze. The aroma of nature filled the air, delighting my senses. ‘I would also dream of having a pond adorned with water lilies and home to delightful goldfish,’ I added dreamily.
‘A white painted summer house tucked away behind a trellis covered in blooming roses,’ Obinna interjected, knowing my thoughts all too well. ‘And don’t forget the beautiful rock garden,’ he teased, prompting an eye roll from me. After a moment, he glanced at me and remarked, ‘Honestly, Ure, I have never seen anyone radiate such pure happiness when it comes to gardening. Not everyone is fond of getting their hands dirty.’
I raised an eyebrow playfully. ‘I didn’t ask for your opinion,’ I retorted, reaching into my bag to check the time. However, before I could glance at my phone, Obinna playfully snatched it away from me and placed it out of my reach. He looked handsome in his white shirt and beige trousers, the epitome of perfection.
‘No checking anything, Ure,’ he asserted. ‘Whenever we come here to relax, let’s disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature.’ He leaned back, placing his hand behind his head, and flashed me his dazzling smile.
I couldn’t contain my laughter at how handsome Obinna looked when he flashed that sweet grin. The ringing of my phone momentarily interrupted the moment, prompting me to roll on top of him in an attempt to reach it. Just as I was about to roll away, a flurry of exquisite butterflies appeared, swirling around us. Entranced by their beauty, I gazed at Obinna, whose face was now in close proximity to mine. It was clear that his smile was meant solely for me, not for the butterflies. My smile, however, was a blend of delight for both him and the enchanting creatures.
‘Even the butterflies want you to drop your phone and focus on me,’ Obinna remarked, his eyes filled with mirth.
Rolling my eyes playfully, I pinched his handsome face before rolling away from him. ‘Silly you,’ I scolded in a lighthearted tone. Grabbing a grape from our picnic basket, I tossed it at him and happily set off to chase the butterflies.
Obinna chuckled and settled down, leaning against the tall tree as he observed my exhilaration in pursuing the graceful creatures while cradling a beautiful swordtail butterfly. Meanwhile, Obinna plucked a couple of blades of grass, admiring their simplicity. Near his foot, a little daisy caught his eye. He plucked it and sprinted toward me, tucking it affectionately into the back of my ponytail and wrapping his arms around me from behind. ‘Hey, Ure, you’re as beautiful as Monarch butterflies,’ he purred, using his thumb to trace the word ‘butterfly’ on my neck.
I let the swordtail butterfly soar free as I spoke, ‘Hey, Obinna, you’re as charming as... I don’t know,’ I shrugged, playfully pulling away from him and flashing a sweet smile.
He laughed and closed the distance between us. ‘You look cute,’ Obinna whispered into my ear.
‘Cute, huh?’ I giggled, turning to face him.
‘Yes,’ he laughed, encircling me in his arms once more, lifting me off my feet, and placing a light kiss on my lips.
Playfully, I poked his nose and moved away from him. Obinna chuckled, his eyes fixed on me. I had been in love with Obinna since our Pre-nursery days, and as we progressed through senior secondary school, our bond grew even stronger. We did most things together, sharing meals during breaks and often coming to this meadow for our special picnics. We were the epitome of childhood sweethearts.
At times, we would go horse riding, and on other occasions, we would join forces to pick up plastic waste. Ever since we became aware of climate change, we made it a point to contribute in any way we could, aiming to reduce our carbon footprint. We understood the impact of plastic pollution on aquatic life, as discarded plastics often find their way into rivers and oceans, causing habitat destruction and endangering marine animals. Witnessing their suffering moved us deeply, compelling us to take climate action, much like dedicated climate change activists.
Obinna and I didn’t just rely on carrying reusable water bottles to reduce our impact; we actively engaged in plastic cleanups. We would pick up littered plastics from the roadside or forests, doing our part to make a difference. Additionally, we embraced climate action by planting trees and flowers, knowing that every small effort counted.
‘I still have homework to finish,’ I looked up at Obinna and remarked.
Just as I was about to leave, Obinna grasped my hand and pulled me closer to him. ‘When we get married, I’ll buy you a large piece of land to fulfill your gardening dreams,’ he stated, his eyes locked with mine, causing a blush to spread across my cheeks.
‘I’d rather marry a wealthy sugar daddy,’ I joked playfully.
He sighed, chuckling. ‘Well, I hope you find a generous sugar daddy then,’ he replied, leaning in to kiss me, igniting a desire for more and making me reluctant to go home. ‘Do you want to meet up tomorrow?’ he asked a few minutes later, his voice muffled as his eyes focused on the butterfly that had just landed delicately on my shoulder. ‘You truly are as beautiful as a butterfly, Ure.’
Playfully, I pinched him, and he laughed. ‘I’m a butterfly, and you’re a butterfly breaking out of its cocoon,’ I teased, and he joined in my laughter. It brought me joy to see him laugh.
Just then, a bird’s droppings landed on Obinna’s head. I burst into giggles, and he joined me, finding the situation amusing. I laughed so hard that I struggled to catch my breath. It was a combination of the joy I felt from watching the butterflies, the bird dropping on Obinna’s head, the promise he made to get me a large piece of land for my dream garden, the pleasure of being in the sun with my boyfriend, and the birds flapping their wings and squabbling over the leftovers we purposely left for them. We always made sure to share our picnic with the birds whenever we visited this spot. Knowing that birds enjoyed a variety of food, it brought me immense happiness.Start writing here…
