Dangerous Love

Chapter 37

Ara stared back at the woman standing by the door. "Mommy."

"Bawo ni?" Ara's mom gave Ara another look before moving away from the door. She didn't utter another word the moment she moved out of Ara's way. She looked tired. The allback hairstyle on her head had lasted more than a week and it was starting to look rough. The smell of smoke surrounded her with a bit of sweat covering her forehead. She just finished cooking dinner after a stressful day at work. It was a bit dark inside, giving Ara just little to see. But the moment Ara stepped in, an heavy shout came up from both outside and inside the house. It was a shout of...Up Nepa!!! The jubilation made Ara feel like she had left home for years. Being long she heard that or even shouted that herself.

"Up Nepa o!!!" Omoh ran out from the room straight to her sister's side. She carried Ara with joy, dropping her immediately before they ended up falling together. She was happy to see her sister, but more excited to see the light that had been gone for two days. "Sis, your leg is good I swear." Then she ran to the extension box sitting close to their Television space. When Omoh saw the missed calls from her sister, she was about calling back when they all heard people greeting Ara from outside with their loud voices. Overjoyed, Omoh made a move to the door but their mom sent her back which she dare not obey.

"Ekale sir." Ara greeted the man whose two legs were brought forward resting on their small wooden table. He paused and looked up at Ara from the church book he was holding. His eye glasses didn't let Ara see his expression well and couldn't tell if her dad was pleased seeing her or not.

"How is work? And how is palace? Welcome home." Ara's dad said and returned to what he was reading making it obvious he wasn't expecting to receive Ara's reply. Ara didn't bother to speak again. While she was about sitting down, her mom appeared with a large tray in her hand. Ara thought it was for their Dad until her mom was finally standing before her. She instantly stood on her feet. "Mom."

"This is your food. I just finished cooking." Ara's mom said. "Will you take a quick bath first. There is water inside the bathroom."

Ara was so happy. She smiled, but her mom wasn't smiling back. Instead, she collected the tray from her mom and carried it straight to the same room she was sharing with her sister, Omoh. Ara wasn't sure what was happening. She was expecting her mom to scream, shout and yell at her for leaving the house all this while. Though she had told Omoh to tell them, but she knew her mom didn't call because she was angry at her.

"Whao!" Omoh burst into the room. "Is that really mommy?" She quietly drew the curtain from inside to watch their mom who was staring at the television with a calm face. "Whao!" Omoh peeked into Ara's egusi soup. "I can't believe mom gave you one fish and one meat. Sissy, you these prodigal children ehnn..."

"I will break your nose if you don't let me eat in peace." Ara protected her tray with one hand, dragging Omoh away from her. Omoh couldn't help laughing at her sister. She had really missed Ara scaring her with words she wasn't capable of doing. Omoh decided to give her little trouble again.

"Sissy, remain small fish for your younger sister nau."

Ara looked up at her. "This one you are reminding me who you are, something must be wrong with my mouth. But cut it only after I finish my fish and meat." Ara dragged her food close to her, unwrapping the semo she had in her hand.

Omoh laughed. "Aunty Ara. I've missed you ehnn. When you are done, I want to show you some of my videos on YouTube. Today today, you will like them all and follow me."