FAMILY TIES

Zaire looked at her wristwatch, She had been waiting for him for over four hours. He had told her to come by 10:00am, and it was almost 2:30pm now. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, and the secretary gave her a tired smile. She had left her business, to be here today and it seemed that was another mistake.  A man walked in carrying a carton of noodles, and he went to the secretary and whispered. The secretary gestured in her direction and he waked toward her.

"Please are you Zaire?" the man asked.

"Yes I am"


"My Oga said I should give this to you, that he is too busy and he would call you later" with that, he dropped the carton by her side and walked away. Zaire's chest became heavy with tears, and she struggled to control herself. She picked up the carton, and walked out of the office with the secretary shaking her head in pity.

Zaire had to walk a long distance, before boarding a bus that took her through the last lap of her journey. She gave the conductor a tired looking fifty naira note, and came down at her bus stop. She got to her compound, and there was no light. It was almost 6:00pm. Jaja ran to greet her, while Deso was in the sand crying.
"Who beat Deso"Zaire asked her brother Jaja.
"I don't know" he replied, taking the carton from her and running towards their room.
"Deso sister bought us noodles" he screamed at the top of his lungs. Some of the children running around in the compound, ran towards him looking at the carton he bore. Deso's eyes widened, and she stood up going towards him.

Zaire got to their room, and opened the door. Christy was on the floor with her books, probably doing her assignments with a dim torch.
"Sister welcome" Christy said.
Jaja came in with the carton, and Deso followed after him, sucking her thumb.
"Sister would we eat noodles this night" Deso asked.
Zaire went to the bed, and sat her weary frame. The bed creaked. Christy packed up her books, and sat up looking at her sister.
"Sister.... how far?" she asked.
Zaire smiled, looking at the faces of hr siblings. She didn't know what to do, but she knew she had to make sure they were okay.
"Sister" Deso whined.
"Yes... you can eat noodles for dinner" she replied. Jaja and Deso jumped up and down happy, and ran out of the room, probably to share the news with their friends.

"What did uncle say?" Christy asked her when the room was quiet.

"I didn't see him. He was busy..." Zaire replied.

"Again? because of him we did not sell this morning.....and he gave you noodles to bring for us abi? Why is uncle so wicked? " Christy answered standing up and going to the door.

"I told you it was a waste of time.... Noodles.... that is what he could give us. After all we are dying of hunger." Christy left the room, slamming the door behind her.

Tears rolled down her eyes, and she sobbed quietly for a few minutes. Then she was blinded by bright light.
"UP NEPA!!!" children outside screamed. She quickly wiped her tears, willing herself to be strong for her siblings. She had no other choice but strength. She stood up, to prepare for tomorrow's business.



One morning over a month later, she was serving her customers food while Christy washed plates in a corner. Jaja and Deso had eaten and gone to school, but Christy helped her till almost 8:00am before leaving for school.
"Madam abeg do quick quick...." a customer yelled.

"I want extra beans" yet another yell.

Which meant Zaire was having a normal morning. Then the car pulled up, causing a stir.
"O boy see machine" one man said to another pointing.

Others exclaimed at the car, but Zaire didn't even look up. She served her customers on auto pilot. Five minutes later, a very fancy food flask was thrust in her face.

"I want rice, beans and plantain" a voice said.

Zaire grabbed the flask and asked how much food he wanted. In three minutes she had finished serving her new customer. She checked her apron to give him his balance, but he had gone. Strange Zaire thought. Nobody ever leaves their balance for her.




That evening, when she got back from her trip to the market, she met her uncle standing by her door.Christy was seated on a small stool with Deso on her laps by the door.
"I have been waiting for you" he said.
Zaire handed her bag to Christy, who kept it inside their room, and came back out hastily.
"Welcome" Zaire replied.
"Yes yes.... So how are you faring?" he asked.
"We are alive... If that is what you mean" Christy answered.
Zaire shot her a look that shut her up.

"We are fine... Why are you here? You have not been here before, I cant even believe you know this place" Zaire replied

"Zee."
"Don't call me that!" Zaire cut him shot. Her late parents had called her Zee. She didn't need that name on his lips.
"Ok... ok. Ehm I have come to apologise about not seeing you that time you came, I was very busy" he said quietly.

"Uncle you didn't come here just to tell me sorry, Why would you want to tell me sorry? That was not the first or twentieth time it had happened, so why do I need your sorry?" Zaire asked him.

He smiled and looked at Christy who hissed at him.
"I have come to take you all out of here. I would change their schools and open a better business for you" He said to them. Christy stood up and walked away hissing again. Deso looked at them uncertain as to who the man was. Jaja ran towards them, and stood by Zaire.

"Uncle I do not understand what you are talking about. It has been six years. Six years since we lost our parents. So why are you here all of a sudden?" Zaire asked.

"Better late than never, I would make it up to you" Uncle Gideon said.



Later that night, when Deso and Jaja were asleep, Christy made it known to Zaire that she felt something was fishy with their uncle's appearance.
"I  think so too... But we just have to be careful and watch out. Deso and Jaja need a better life. I need to give them a chance at the life they ought to have."

Zaire lay in bed, remembering her parents. Tears rolled down her face, she missed them so much. She looked around her at the room they lived in. The only thought on her mind was how life had been so unfair to them. Deso had been one year old, and Jaja three when their Parents died. Christy had been 10years old, old enough to remember the life they used to have. Old enough to be bitter at the life they live now. Zaire decided to give her uncle a chance to make things right.


........to be continued



LIFE IS A CHOICE MY FRIENDS
SO CHOOSE WISELY
ENOUGH SAID



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