A STORY WRITTEN BY SERAH IYARE
PART TWO
John and Eureka sat opposite Sheila in the sitting room. They wanted
to have a word with her before they head to Sheraton hotel where
Martha was having her birthday party.
She turned forty a few days ago and had decided to throw a party and
celebrate with her family and a few friends and colleagues.
She hopes her parents won't talk at length. She wasn't sure if she
could sit and listen to them for more than an hour. There was a time
they spoke to her for three long hours! She thought she was going to
go mad that day. At times, she wonders why parents like giving their
children lectures.
"We have beaten this same issue to a pulp. I am tired of talking about
it. We are your parents and we love you, but, we will not tolerate
this senseless attitude of yours, " her father's stern gaze drilled
into her blank ones.
"Must you reply anyone, I mean, anyone that insults you? Must you
retaliate whenever someone offends you? Why can't you let peace reign
in your relationship with people?" Her mother's angry tone wasn't lost
to her.
Everybody including her parents feel that she has a bad attitude. But,
they don't understand. A long time ago, she had decided that she won't
allow anyone to take her for granted.
Whoever brings trouble her way must be prepared to fight a war. She
can't just sit back and allow people to walk all over her. She was not
a weakling.
"You used to have good friends at school. But where are they now? You
have driven all of them away with your brazenness. You are going to
graduate from school soon, aside from getting a certificate, you are
supposed to build meaningful relationships. This world is a small
place. You can meet anyone anywhere."
Sheila looked away. What does her father know about her friends?
Ex-friends since the beginning of the second semester. She hopes their
lecture will end soon. What time was the party supposed to start?
"As a born again Christian, you are not representing Christ at all."
She rolled her eyes. Here we go again. Trust her mother to bring God
into the conversation. God himself is not stupid. Didn't he say an eye
for an eye in the Old Testament?
Although in the New Testament, Jesus said, if someone slap you, one
should turn the other cheek. Hogwash! That is being chicken-hearted. A
very dumb response to an aggressive action.
She believes in God and all that, but, at times, following biblical
principles was suicidal, especially in this age and times.
"Are you listening?"
Sheila shifted in her seat and avoided looking at them directly. Why
won't she be listening? She has ears, and the last time she checked,
they were working perfectly. John and Eureka exchanged glances.
"It is your aunt's birthday, we hope today will end in peace," her
mother eyed her.
A frown creased her brows. Peace? Of course, as long as no one
antagonizes her. Do her parents think she goes about looking for
trouble everywhere she goes?
"We have been labelled with bad names among the entire family because of you."
Her frown deepened.
"Just try and avoid trouble today."
Her parents got to their feet. Sheila crossed her arms against her bosom.
"I will stay back."
Eureka placed her hands on her hips, "Young woman, pick up your bag
and let us go. I am not in the mood for any of your tantrums. It is
your duty as a member of the Adams family to attend all the family
functions, except if you are sick. Are you sick? Answer me!"
Her mother rarely raised her voice at her, except when she has lost
her temper. Duh! She was also upset too. She doesn't like when people
assume things about her.
John placed a hand on his wife's shoulder, "It is okay darling."
Sheila picked up her bag and stormed out of the sitting room.
Everybody should just avoid her at the party. If anyone dares attempt
to upset her, heads will roll.
Eureka collapsed in her husband's arms, "I am tired honey. I am so
tired. That young woman… I am at my wits end."
"I know love. I know. God never fails," he held her closer.
****
Sheila and her parents walked into the party hall. They scanned the
room and sighted Martha at a table conversing with her friends. Her
parents approached her while she followed them in slow deliberate
steps.
"Happy birthday big sis," John gave her a peck on the cheek. She
chuckled and leaped to her feet.
"Oh John… Thank you," they hugged briefly.
"How does it feel to be forty?" He winked at her.
"Well… I feel great."
Eureka pulled her into a warm embrace, "So happy for you."
"Thank you."
Sheila watched them at a fair distance. She felt like walking away,
she had not forgotten being slapped by her aunt. The witch must pay!
Although God said one should forgive as He has forgiven, she cannot
let go of the fact that her aunt had raised her hand against her.
Her parents had never hit her, no matter how angry they were. May be
she will just turn around and walk away. She will probably find
somewhere to sit and wait till her parents were ready to go home.
"Sheila…" Her mother's call interrupted her thoughts. She blinked and
noticed that her aunt and her parents were all looking at her. But it
wasn't just them, everyone at the table were also watching her.
She noticed that her grandparents were at the table, her aunt, Dorcas
and her husband, Imabong, with their children, Boma and Edidiong, were
seated together with a few close friends and relatives.
What? Why were they staring at her? Did they want her to wish her aunt
a happy birthday? Lord God! This is pure torture. Why should she? Was
it compulsory? But she knew that if she didn't, her parents would fry
her alive.
She cleared her throat and looked up at her aunt. The woman looked
fabulous in her short white and black body hugging sleeveless dress.
She cleared her throat again, "Happy birthday," she met Martha's
expressionless gaze. " I… I… your dress is … nice."
Martha turned away and pulled her brother and Eureka closer to the table.
Sheila bit at her lower lip. Can you imagine? The witch ignored her.
Why in the world did her parents bring her here? She would have been
contented if they had allowed her to stay back at home.
Her aunt reached out for the hand of a man seated beside her
grandparents. He was clad in a white and black long sleeve shirt and
black glittering pants. When he stood, someone gasped. He was not just
tall, his broad shoulders and muscled chest were quite obvious.
"I will like you all to meet Daniel Oluwadamilere." He pulled her
closer, "He is the man I am getting married to at the end of the
year."
Despite the loud music coming from the speakers and the murmurings of
the guests seated at different tables, a still like calm settled
around Martha and her family.
Sheila took a good look at her aunt's fiancé. He was easy on the eyes
and he looked like he was in his early-forties. Her grandparents will
be so happy for their first child. Finally, she would be getting
married.
Charles grasped Daniel's right hand, "Welcome to the family son."
"Thank you, sir."
As if on cue, everyone at the table got up and started congratulating
Martha and Daniel. Dorcas and Nnese were in tears, John pulled Daniel
close and introduced him to everyone. Boma and Edidiong hover around
their aunt, scheming how to get on the groom's men and bride's maids
list.
Sheila watched them all, a plan was brewing in her mind. The intensity
of its sure success warmth her from hair to toes. This seemed like the
perfect time to make her aunt pay. The witch is going to harvest what
she had sown. Her lips widened in a mischievous smile.
To be continued…………
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