AWAKE

CHAPTER ONE

Thursday evening 7th February 2019

Keki picked up her phone. Went to her contact list to look up her dads number. He has four numbers but she only knew one by heart. She had dialed that one but it was switched off. After trying several times, the line started to ring.

"Hey ma'am", thats how her father refers to her sometimes. "Whats up?", He asked. With the way he sounded, you wouldnt believe he was a few months shy from 70. He had a boyish look to him and even a swag when he walks. He was Mr. Popular. Her dad was well known.

She smiles, happy to hear his voice. They exchanged plesantries and she went on to tell him why she called.

Dad, I need a job. I can't continue like this asking Morris for money everytime. I need my own. She complained.

Her dad could feel her pain. She had complained several times to him about a job. He knew lots of people in high places in his field of work. He is retired though. Asking for favours was not really his thing but when it comes to his daughter, he could move the world.

"Okay, lets see". The line went silent. She knew he was thinking. After a few seconds, he says, "send me your CV tomorrow so I can send it to a friend of mine in Abuja. He owes me big time. He was one of my boys". Her father replied. When she heard the name of the company, she knew that the end to her troubles were over. Money or the short of it would be a thing of the past.

"Okay dad, I will send it to you tomorrow". Thanks dad. They went on to gist or should I say father daughter gossip.

After the call, Keki drops her phone and heads off to the kitchen to start on dinner. Her husband would be home soon from work. Not that he was much of a foodie. Left to that man, she thought to herself, the way to his heart is not through his stomach at all. Her daughter was just like that too. The too people in her life could careless for her cooking. Not that she did not know how to cook. In fact, if she could say so herself, she was one of the best if not the best 😁. She was jolted back to reality by a sweet little girls voice.

Mummy mummy, her daughter called out to her, jumping up and down with excitement. Dad is back. Adura called out.

They say you never marry far from your dad. Her husband was every bit like her dad except some twicks here and there.

He was a loving husband no doubt. Had value for married and family. Always putting the family first. Hard working and he loved God. Very important. Every couple you know had their moments but today was a good day. She smiled when she heard the news of his return from work. She picked up her daughter, kissed her on the cheeks as she walked towards the front door.

"Yippe, she spoke in a child like voice. Daddy is back. She wondered if she should tell him about the discussion she had with her father. No, not yet she thought. Let it all work out and it would be a pleasant surprise. Mother and daughter opened the front door and walked to the gate to open it for her husband to drive in. He looked so tired. She could tell. Likely the pressure of work and the traffic.

Oh please, the traffic situation in Lagos was another story entirely. If you dont speak horn, am sure you would go mad. Then again, who speaks horn really? Is that a traffic language? She thought it was. Why? Cause some people seem to have Degrees, master's and even PhD's in horn language. Clearly, you see the road is totally blocked but you just keep hearing horns blaring left, right and centre. The one that amazed her more was when the road was free, people still blast their horns as if to say, am coming out don't enter. That's if you understand horn. She wondered if she was alone in this thought? She wondered if they were normal. She wondered alot of things. She came to the only conclusion she could come to. Indeed, those that spoke horn and understood horn were mad. Everyone was in a rush. Her husband always said, the were in a hurry to waste time.

As he drove in, he had a look on her face sorta saying, dont worry you are home now. No stress. "Welcome hon" she called out. He just managed to raise his hand up in greeting.

"How was work dear? Keki asked as Morris gets down from the car. She hugs him. He mutters under his breath, "thank God". She knew better than to ask more questions. He was obviously fagged out.

Adura, the ever playful attention seeker jumps all over her dad. Excited to see him not caring if he was tired or not. I mean, whats her business. She is his daughter and she demanded the attention. Morris had no choice but to pick her up and carried her inside.

Keki, looked on. Her heart swelling inside her chest. She thought to herself, thats her family and she was grateful to God Almighty. He has been merciful. How God has blessed her. She was not from a Christian background. Never lived a christian life. Had done somethings that would make you open your mouth in amazement. But God still had mercy on her and blessed her so. She looked to the Heavens and gave God a thumbs up as she slowly walked into the house where her family waited.

They ate dinner in front of the TV as usual. Morris was typing away on his phone. Adura had dominated the TV watching cartoon. It seemed Keki now knew all the cartoon songs. She was not complaining. So many mothers looked for the opportunity to watch cartoon with their children but God had not blessed them yet. Again, she was grateful.

As usual, as soon as they finished dinner, she packed up the plates for washing. It was time for bed. As they layed on the bed, Morris asked Keki to pray for them. "Babe, pray for us". Prayers were said good night kisses were shared and it was off to sleep. Adura loved to cuddle her mum. You would always find her by her mum's side arms around Keki's tummy. A mother's life.