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The bike man drove fast on the quiet dusty road, I picked up my handkerchief and wrapped it around my nose.
"Oga take it easy na" I complained for the third time since I jumped his bike. But it seemed like all my complaints fell on deaf ears.
I went back home to my village. This time not for the Christmas celebration with my family but as a punishment by my father for knowing nothing about where I come from or my traditions. I cursed at everything.
One thing is for sure, I hate village life. I don't know why but I just find everything annoying. Maybe it's because there's no internet or because they still did things the hard way. I just can't tell but I just didn't like the village life.
The first person to welcome me was my grandmother. She was outside peeling her melon seeds. I guess she was going to make melon soup for me, which she happened to know was my favourite.
“Nwam nnoo, (welcome my child)!” The old woman welcomed me with a warm voice and a warm embrace.
I smiled. I might be angry for being there but I sure can't be angry with grandma. She was my favourite thing in the village.
She nodded, her face breaking into a smile. “Bia (Come), let me take you to your room"
Just then a voice called out my name “Marriott!” I quickly turned to see a young woman approaching me.
"Ada?" I replied, squeezing my face as if I wasn't seeing my cousin too well. "What are you doing here? Last I checked you hated it here too" I asked surprised.
"The same thing you were sent here for" she replied with a smile and took my bags from me.
"I guess birds of the same feathers get punished together," I joked.
Ada laughed.
"Ngwa (Alright) Take your brother to the room osiso (quick). Let me be quick and come and make his favourite soup so that he can eat "Grandma commanded Ada as she went back to her melon seeds.
"Anyways, don't worry. It seems like we'll enjoy the village after all. Grandma told me about an upcoming festival, and the various bush meats to eat". Ada said, ignoring grandma. She had this enthusiasm on her face which was quite infectious, and for the first time since I arrived, I felt a bit more at ease.
"I hope so".
That evening, we went to the village stadium and of course, there was a whole lot of merriment going on, with live bands and music. I asked why it felt like it was Christmas and was told the village was celebrating the new yam festival. Hence, people from the city travelled home to celebrate it
I found myself in the middle of a lively conversation. The villagers laughed and teased each other in a mix of Igbo and Pidgin and good English. I cursed at Nollywood for making me believe that those in the rural area can't speak good English.
“You must be Ada's brother right?" a female voice asked me as I sat with Ada.
I turned to look at Ada avoiding the face talking at me. "You've already made me popular my dear" I joked.
"Meet Ucha, a friend I made ever since I got here" Ada laughed and said to me.
I turned to look at the face with such a beautiful voice stretching out my hand for a shake, and for a while, I froze. The face that owned the voice was as beautiful as the morning sun. To top it all up she had an infectious smile too and white teeth. Her dark skin shone in the reflection of the moon. I wondered how such beauty lived in the village.
"If I told you that she's single, would you stop staring?" Ada mocked me, bringing me back to reality.
I quickly grabbed a seat for Ucha and asked her to sit with us. She agreed.
We talked about everything from life in the city to Ucha telling us about life in the village too. I got to realise that life in the village wasn't as I thought it was. Again thanks to Nollywood for ruining my image of rural life.
Just then a local drummer started drumming local beats and one by one villagers got up to dance, including Ucha.
"You fit dance? (can you dance?)" she asked me.
“Ah, I fit try (I can try),” I replied, standing up and joining her. Although I felt awkward at first. But as the drummers picked up the rhythm, I let go of myself and moved to the rhythm of the music.
I walked over to Ada and dragged her up. And with that, we danced and laughed till we were tired. Our earlier discomfort with village life melting away. Our feet finding their rhythm. For a moment, we forgot about hating the place.
“You know, sometimes we're the ones that make ourselves feel like a fish out of water,” I confided to Ada on our way home. “That we grew up in the city with technologies and amenities which are so different from here. Doesn't mean here is bad"
Ada nodded
I continued "People here make their happiness from their true selves and one another while we in the city sometimes find that join in the technologies. Sometimes we get lost in technology and forget about really living. Sometimes, feeling out of place is just the beginning of finding where we truly belong. This place looked awkward from what we're used to, but I think we'll find our place"
"I guess tonight was a sign or?" Added looked mischievously at me
"Or what?"
"Is it because of Ucha you're suddenly finding your place here?" She joked and took off.
I smiled and ran after her.
Apart from the rough internet. The rest of my stay was in the village with Ada and our tour guide Ucha didn't feel like punishment. It was a great experience.
