Valiant

Is that salt??

...
Mr Austin held a bottle of expensive champagne in his hand and ready to pop it in the air... The white buba outfit and his white cap with his neck full of beads of different kinds gave him a cool cultural look representing the western attire... The smile on his face knew no bound... He gently stood up from the sofa and drew the hand of his big dress up to his shoulder.... He faced a few number of very important personalities that he invited all dressed in expensive attire and all smiling
" this is the happiest day of life.... Infact am short of words... Two months ago,  my daughter here Damaris, sat for the final paper of her Junior WAEC exams. Frankly speaking, I never knew she could make me stand here today inviting all of u for this party... " He stopped and looked at pretty Damaris who was dressed in a long red gown with gold chains and bangles for beauty decoration,  she looked exceptionally pretty.. And smiling all the time..
" my daughter wrote the exam and made us proud,  not only did she pass,  but she was among the best 3 students and as that, she was given the award by the Markdev oil company for secondary school students"
The sound of applause filled the well decorated parlor and some people present stood up and made funny sounds while clapping....
Mr Austin raised his hands up and the clapping died down...
" wait... Wait... Hahahaha... Not only that... More good news on the way... Listen... " He cleared his throat...." the Markdev oil company promised to give scholarships to the best 15 students to study in the best secondary school in the country built by them... And you all know what that means,  no fees and free hostel accommodation till end of schooling.. And my daughter being the second best student, is qualified for the scholarship "
Another session of applause. And this time Betty stood up and couldn't hold her excitement any longer... She clapped till her bangles fell off and Damaris had to pick them up with laughter...
Mr Austin raised his hands up again....
" wait... Wait.... Hahaha... It's not over oo... GOD has really blessed my family... A bigger news is about to be told.. " He adjusted his buba once more...
" you see that wonderful woman over there?? " He pointed at a direction and every eye followed....  Grandma...  Grandma was seated on a sofa of her own with smiles on her face.. She too was dressed to match with her bright white wrapper and blouse,  upon her head was a neatly tied white headtie and gold necklace that made her beautiful and look younger.
"she is a brave woman who fought death over life... Nobody thought she would be here now with us.. But God, being so kind, made it possible for her to be alive with us... Though she may be physically challenged from stroke and not be able to walk perform some activities that we do,  but her smile tells me that she is happy and also happy for her  granddaughter's success... And I pray that she will live long to see more and more of the blessings thereof... Amen" Mr Austin concluded as he finally popped the champagne in his hand and everyone shouted and clapped till the atmosphere was deafening... Grandma smiled
Betty stood up and dragged Damaris and Sandra to the kitchen, ready to serve hot spicy meals to the guests...
"take this tray Damaris... Hold it well and make sure no guest is left unattended..." she said as she placed another plate of fried rice with a sizable piece of chicken on the tray

"yes mom" Damaris said as she held the tray carefully and walked away

Betty cleaned her hands on a small towel... She looked at Sandra
"and you Sandra... Continue dishing the foods... Let me go gather drinks upstairs.. " she said and walked away without waiting for a reply from Sandra...

" what kept you Damaris?.. you stayed so long" Sandra asked Damaris who dropped the empty tray on the marble tiles ready to fill them with already dished plates of rice
"sorry,  I had to go serve Mohammed the gatekeeper. Hey, there are only 4 people left unattended, you can return the remaining two plates there" Damaris said while putting just four plates out of the six that were there, on the big tray

" wait... What about grandma, has she eaten? " Sandra asked..

" emm.. Not yet.. But her food will surely be one of these..