Today, the funeral day, the sky was bleak and dark,just like my heart and outfit. My Maama! My heart clenched sorrowfully against my chest, my Maama is gone.
We arrived at Church and the Pastor droned back and forth, I couldn't comprehend a thing, my whole body was burning with anger,venom and bitterness,who hit and killed my mother?,it took all I had in me not to run out of my chair or tear down the building or..... I felt a touch on my shoulder,turning back I saw my cousin, Wale, I wasn't really paying attention to what he was saying, so he tapped me on the shoulder again.
"Hey Ian, let's go outside,the service is over" he said with large eyes. I nodded once and stood up to follow him.
I saw it. Maama was laid in her coffin, I stood dead struck, my while body was on shut down I couldn't process anything anymore. I didn't know I was crying until I saw Aunt Sari wiping tears from my face and moving her mouth. I couldn't understand anything anymore.
My Maama is gone.
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I followed Aunt Sari and my cousins back home and I saw my two chaps, Rex and Dona.
"Damian" they cried out in unison it was almost comical. Almost.
"We are sorry for your loss man, so sorry"Rex said with sadness oozing into his voice.
"Whatever happens, we'd like you to carry on, please, we want the best for you" Dona said also. If it were other times, I would've laughed at this, cause I know how much Dona hate giving pep talk. However, this is not other times, this time my Maama is gone. The realization hits me again. Oh lawd!.
"Thanks guys, well meet my Aunt Sari and my cousins, Wale and Jade.
I turned to my Aunt and Cousin, "meet my two friends, Rex and Dona, we've been close since forever " I said.
Exchanges were made and convo was flowing till my Aunt cleared her voice for the much needed attention and said, "Damian, I think what I have to tell you is pretty important,you've lost your parent and I don't think you can stay in this house by yourself, I think it will be for the best if you come to live with us. You're family and family always have each other's back in times like this. Come stay with us". She concluded pleadingly.
"I can't leave this place, this is the only thing I have left of my mom" I said with despair seeping into my voice, taking my hand through my hair.
"Pretty please, Ian, I promise I'll make it worth your while"Wale said.
Jade was looking at me with her usual blank stare.
"I personally will miss you man, but I agree with your Aunt on this, you can't be alone, it's not even advisable "Dona said with a sad look.
"And besides, the house is a rented place, remember? " Rex added.
I turned my back against them and squeezed my eyes shut, I can't believe this is happening to me. Why me?. I let out out a few heavy breath and turned back towards them.
"Yes, I will. I'll move in with you guys" I said in a rushed breath as I looked from my aunt to my cousins.
And this brethren, is where my story begins.
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Today is the day, I sprang out of my bed and rushed to the backyard where my Maama's special rose garden is, I inhaled the smell and it reminded me of her lilac-y smell. How someone will dedicate her life to roses and choose lilac as her favorite never fails to amaze me.
I felt a presence behind me, I knew it was my Aunt, "She'll be fine and at peace wherever she is and I know she'll always want you to be happy. I want you to be happy too"she said patting my cheeks.
"Thanks I guess"I stuttered.
"Alright, let's get started, the journey to Aleda is two hours, I want us to leave early so you can settle in as quick as possible "she said and walked back to the house.
I took in a deep breath and went back to my room. My personal belongings were already packed. I'm sure Wale was responsible for that. I went into the bathroom,took a piss, then went under the shower, I looked around my bathroom, taking in the mismatched curtains, the feel of the rough tiles beneath my feet, the feel of the water flowing down my face. I felt nostalgic. I will surely miss this place for a very long time. I scrubbed the towel against my body to induce warmth and rushed into my bedroom to put on my clothes(whoever set it out had killer fashion senses, I'm sure Jade is responsible for that?).
I tied my sneakers to the hilt, took a long lasting look at my room and a deep breath for support before I went out of my room. With my heart hammering fast in my chest, I tried not to cry but a few stray tears slipped. Oh lawd! This is hard. I went down the stairs running my hand through the banisters and headed to the kitchen. I couldn't help it this time, the tears kept gushing out, my heart was breaking and smashing. I had to hold unto my chest for dear life. I was gasping for air, the pain was just unbearable. I felt a touch at my back, and I turned back and held that hand, I buried my head into his neck holding on tight to him for dear life. I did this for awhile till I regained a bit of normalcy. Till it hit me, Oh ghad! I can't believe I was crying all over Wale's shirt, is he angry at me?.
"No I'm not. Infact, I find it pretty cool that you show emotions like this, I was thinking you were a robot"he said trying to joke about it. And I truly appreciate that.
"Thank you" I replied with a tight smile.
"It's nothing, why are we blood? "he questioned rhetorically and hugged one more time.
"Okay, enough with that mushy shit, the cab is here and waiting, let's get going "Jade said making the chop-chop sign whilst smiling.
"Alright, come on man, let's go "Wale said.
I trudged beside him and went out of the house. I looked back again and stared at the house for a seemingly long time. Then I turned and ran to catch up with my cousins.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The journey to my Aunt's place at Aleda was uneventful. Everyone was kinda bummed out except me. My eyes were glued to the car window and I stared out into nothingness wishing they were different but they were not. I had a feeling everything is about to change and a new chapter of my life was about to start.
After a couple of stopovers, with snores here and there, we finally got to our destination. I had to wake up the rest and they occupied their time yawning and stretching while I got out of the car to check out where I'll be staying now. It was a pretty place at least from the outside with an iron fence and a really magnificent gate.
The lawn was well-trimmed and flowery plants decorates the front of the house,the house itself was a nice bungalow painted in yellow and brown. The house was the definition of cute.
I heard the car door slammed with full force and I saw Wale struggling with a bag too big for his frame. I rushed to his side to help him with the bag.
"Don't even" he said glaring at me, "go take the other bags!"he concluded.
I stared as his back as he walked away—more like waddled away with the big bag—trying to figure out what was wrong with him, I shrugged and turned to continue,
"He doesn't want pity help, he's really self-conscious when it comes to his body frame"Jade said with a look that seemed to be pleading with me to understand why he acted that way.
"Oh!" was all I said and I turned to carry two bags and headed towards the house. Entering the house I was hit with a lilac scent. Wow! I think the love for lilac rums in the family. The sitting room was lovely with two three sitter chairs and a settee and colourful pillows decorating the chair. Family photos decorated the wall and a big plasma TV was plastered against the wall opposite the middle three sitter chair, the dining room was like three /four steps away from the sitting room. All in all, the sitting room was quite homey.
"Soo! Won't you like to see what your looks like? "Aunt Sari said with her eyes glinting.
"Of course, Why not? "I replied looking around awkwardly.
She tugged at my hand and pulled me down a passage then turned to the right and I was met by a door.
"This is your room,open it"she said with her eyes lit up. All I could think of was what so special about the room. I turned the door knob and lo and behold! The room was an exact replica of my former room.
"Wale and Jade thought it will be awesome, so I said why not"she said.
"Do you like it"she continued, looking at me with hope in her eyes.
I rushed towards her and hugged her, "Of course, of course, I do, thank you so much for this" I said with gratitude. The gift was very thoughtful and I was glad for it.
Aunt Sari patted my back awkwardly and told me it was nothing. But it meant everything to me.
I released her from the hug and looked at the room again with wonder in my eyes. Whoever did this was a genius.
"Thank you once again. Thanks for caring "I said quietly.
"You're welcome dear. Lemme give you some time alone"she said smiling and left my room gently closing the door on her way out.
The window was calling to me and I looked out of it. I saw various trees, big and small, with birds chirping. I'm falling in love already.
I went towards the bed and decided to lie down and before I knew it I drifted off.
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Aleda is the location of Aunt Sari's home.
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