On the easter holiday, just as school closed for us to go home and celebrate, I was skeptical about joining them to travel home. I wanted to stay back and enjoy my holiday and allow them to travel alone, but I couldn't because it was going to be my grandmother's burial. There was no excuse I could come up with as school had closed. It wasn't a high institution that I would lie that I had practical, so I wouldn't make it.
I traveled down by force with the rest of the family for burial. It was a very long journey, and I was exhausted. When we got home, there were a lot of things to do that night, like the rooms were dusty, the curtains, and even the floor; I was allergic to dust, so if everybody could manage, I couldn't. I cleaned everywhere that night, mopped the floors, removed the curtains, and washed some of the kitchen utensils.
When I was done, I was called into the living by my aunty for a family meeting; everybody came out. My father, being the first son, started the meeting.
I called you all here, so we can discuss what tomorrow's wake keep will look like and to find out how far we have gone in buying things that are needed for tomorrow and the burial day, to make sure we will all work in one accord to make this burial a success, let's put whatever we have against each other behind, my father said scanning everybody faces
That's all I have to say, does anybody have anything to said, my father asked
Well, everything has been bought and paid for except to get firewood, which the children have to go and carry Tomorrow, Aunty Amaka said
Ok, wait, where are your children? Are they not coming for the burial, my father asked Aunt Amaka.
They will come on the burial day; they have something that they are doing in school, Aunt Amaka answers.
I hope whatever they are doing won't stop them from coming on time to assist in the work because my children had something to do, and I asked them to leave it and come along, my favorite aunty Nnenna replied.
What are you trying to say? Please out with it. I just explained to you when they would be coming and why; Aunt Amaka was upset with Aunty Nnenna's question.
I don't care how you understand it, but I just hope it is not one of your cunning ways of trying to stress other people's children; why your children come and enjoy where they didn't sow? Aunt Nnenna replied yet again while glaring at her with I dare you kind of look.
It's alright, I told you all to let bygones be bygones. Amaka tries to ask your children to be here tomorrow, it's their grandma's burial, and there is a lot to do, my father said, dismissing everybody to avoid further argument and disagreement between my two aunties.
The following morning, being the wake-keep day, was the most stressful day of my life. I had to go with Aunty Nnenna's children to carry the firewood, and I also went to the market to buy something that was forgotten. I had my breakfast that day by 2pm. I was so stressed, but as the favorite granddaughter of my late grandmother, I had to be up and doing. Suddenly my cousin disappeared.
My aunt wasn't making it easy for anybody; she was just busy dishing orders out for everybody. At some point, I was tired and had to go inside to take a nap, when I heard her voice shouting and calling my name and that of my cousin too.
Nnenne!, Amara!,Nnenne!!, Amara!! , aunt amaka kept shouting our names.
Ma, I answered from the room, I was already fading up with her constant disturbance. She won't allow someone a moment of peace always looking for house chores she will send someone to do.
I walked out of my room, still feeling drowsy, as soon as she saw me, she started shouting
Nnenne, who did you leave that meat to fry and who is going to break the firewood? Chairs are dirty, and they need to be cleaned she barked at me.
At this point, I was very angry, I wasn't going to go back to that kitchen to do anything. I was about to answer her when I heard my father's voice rang out very angry.
Amaka, will you let my child have a moment of rest? What is it? Since morning, she has been working, and you never care to find out if she has eaten. Now you are calling her to continue work. What happened to the women we pay to do the cooking? Won't they fry the meat? Let me sound this as a warning, nobody should ask my daughter to do anything again. If you want someone to send on an errand , ask your children who you feel are eggs to come down and leave my daughter alone. My father scolded aunty Amaka without holding his back and then turned to me.
Go inside and sleep, my father ordered me
I was very happy, and my aunty was speechless, as my father walked me into the room and covered me. I felt proud and comfortable with my father's actions. I lay down snug as a bug in a rug. The rest of the burial day went smoothly without anybody bothering my life.
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