Uncle Simeon’s Visit

Ugochi was lounging with Chimaobi one evening when Uchechi found them. They were in a secluded part of the garden in Chimaobi’s home. That was where they usually spent their evenings getting to know more about themselves.

“There you are,” Uchechi said. “Hmmm! Ugochi! When we ask you what is going on between you and Chimaobi, you say you are just friends. This one that we do not see you in the house anymore, don’t come back one day with belle oh!”
“Ah ah, Uche,”Chimaobi said trying to stand up for embarrassed Ugochi. “Don’t you trust your sister?”
“Surely not with someone like you. You are irresistible,” she added the latter flirtingly. Then she turned to Ugochi who had hurriedly stood up and dusted the sand off her jean trousers. “Uncle Simeon is here. Daddy wants all of us to greet him. He came with Cousin John.”

The mention of Uncle Simeon made her forget Uchechi’s earlier statement. A smile lit her face. Uncle Simeon’s visit meant they would all have pocket money. She hurriedly joined Uchechi to head for the house.
“See you tomorrow, Chimaobi,” she said as she departed.

The whole family was in the living room when she and Uchechi walked in. Their father had brought out his best drinks, which she thought must have been sold. Their mother had prepared yam and peppersoup for the Uncle Simeon and cousin John. Her entrance caused a moment of silence. It was her greeting that brought the living room back to life.

They spent the evening catching up on old times. Cousin John went out with Adaeze and Uchechi to chat briefly. He was years older than all of them. Ugochi did not feel she was mature enough to partake in their discussion. She remained in the living room with chatterbox Ogechi, their parents and Uncle Simeon who kept appraising her from time to time.
“Your daughters have all grown well,” Uncle Simeon said as he was leaving. He doled out huge sums of money to all of them. “Your daughters are very beautiful,” he added with his eyes on Ugochi. “My friend, let’s go out and talk,” he said to her father.
When her father came back from seeing off Uncle Simeon and Cousin John, Adaeze and Uchechi jumped on him asking, “How many of us are going? Who is going? Who is going?”
Going to where? Ugochi thought.
“What are you talking about?” their father asked with a trace of amusement in his tone. He sat on his favourite seat in the living room and let out a breath of relief.
“John told us. He told us that one or two of us will be going to America,” Uchechi said.
Their father looked at their mother before speaking.
“Yes, someone will be going to America. They said it is Ugochi. You and Adaeze are already in school and it will not be nice to disrupt your education. Ogechi is too young. So Ugochi goes.”
“Oooh!” Both Uchechi and Adaeze expressed their disappointment.
“What are you all talking about?” Ugochi had to ask.