That I got a grand homecoming when I got back home was an understatement of the century.
My mother screamed when she saw me. You needed to see the excitement in her eyes.
I was her only daughter who she hadn't seen in years, the reasons, she was slightly a part of, hence she couldn't stop showing how much she has missed me.
If she had not decided to join my father in whisking me away in marriage, like some loan collateral, I would probably be unmarried but In her house, watching the sun set with her as we joyfully prepare dinner for the family.
My father on the other hand showed a little bit of enthusiasm seeing me. I saw that beyond the joyful facade he had on as a cute mask, a lot of questions concerning my homecoming was eating him up.
"Hurry kids, let's go make your sister her favorite meal.", My mother hurried my younger siblings and nephews out of the living room to the kitchen.
Every one had a specific chore to do for dinner and they set to it immediately.
"Hemmm...", My father's throat clearing broke me from my reverie. I was so long gone in my thoughts. I was imagining how life was simple and sweet before that day I was whisked away as a bride.
I looked at my father's face, and I could see him struggling to not ask me why I was home, without my husband.
His gleaming stares threw the questions at me, but his mouth didn't open to ask.
"Father, I'd like to join Mother in the kitchen", that wasn't me asking for permission. That was me finding an escape out of the spacious room, that had began to choke me with every second I spent alone with my father.
As I joined mother in cutting the vegetables, I knew it was a matter of hours before a meeting would be called.
Dinner proved to be a very recuperating session for me. I immersed myself in the dining jokes and banters that I had missed in my life.
I threw a banter or two at my mother, and laughed a lot in between bites and swallows.
My version of the world that had my husband in it faded as I became happy and free once again.
Dinner ended and the younger ones trailed off to bed one after the other on a full round belly. Each child hugged me goodnight and made me promise to still be there by morning.
"Sebalo, you knew this moment was coming. I particularly have been waiting for the perfect time for you to tell me why you are home..", my father's husky voice broke through the silent night.
"Kamshi, she just arrived. These interrogations can wait till tomorrow. At least allow her rest tonight.", Mother cautioned Father gently in her feathery voice.
"Woman, you don't tell me when it is right to have a conversation with a child I sired with the sperm in my loins. Don't!!!!"
"I am sorry, Kamshi..." Mother begged, lowering her head in apology.
"You had better be sorry. And you, why are you here, without your husband. Even if he wasn't going to come with you, at least he would have messaged me to tell me about your coming. What is wrong?"
"This is because dead men don't send messages..... And before you ask any further questions, I killed him."
In the silence that ensued after my proclamation, I could see mother's shoulders dropped, her gaze still fixated on the floor.
My father's eyes widened like they were trying to pop out of their sockets.
I stood and left for my former room, not bidding them goodbye.
I knew tomorrow was going to be a long day.
Aderonke Adeyeye 2023
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