I may never visit any person's house ever again. Why? I'll tell you.
These relative's of ours came by the house years ago. I was very much a little girl then. They looked well. They were rich. While the parents conversed in the living room, the kids went outside to play with myself and my siblings. When they asked that I bring out all of my toys so we could play with, I told them I didn't own any. So for fun, I taught them my kind of games; making fans off paper, shooting catapults, skipping and hide-and-seek.
You could see from their giddiness that it was a whole new experience for them. They told me of all the toys they had, how big their house is, imported stuff they owned, candies and foreign goodies they ate and the likes.
While we were playing, I was halfheartedly plotting a means of going back with them. I couldn't tell my mum that I wanted to else she'll change it for me. I called Clara aside -my closest friend of the three kids- and told her that, if they are about to leave, she should tell my parents that she wants me to join them. She agreed. When it was time for them to go, Clara did not say zilch. I was both angry and nervous. I stood opposite her and was making signs with my eyes but she did not react. Ha!
I drew close to her and tugged at her blouse, then she yelled, "Amaka stop! why are you dragging my shirt? After you've finished eyeing me, you want me to help you tell your mummy that you want to follow us to our house. Leave me alone" You can only imagine how I felt. My mum shot me daggers with her eyes but I cared not. Fortunately, my aunt took the cue and asked that i be brought over during the holiday.
Fast forward to about three weeks later, my bro took me to my aunt's place, a big estate, very beautiful and serene environment with steady power supply. We were welcomed warmly, then served; white rice, chicken curry sauce, with eggs and juice to go. Seeing how nice the place was,- as we only see in movies- my brother refused to go back home, like, if it were you, would you go?
Now before I go on, here's where the problem lay. What's wrong with rich people? Whrever did they learn their feeding habits? Cause...
Next morning, we were given three slices of bread, boiled egg and a cup of tea(very small cup o). In my mind, "ah! This people are enjoying o, see how they served us tea this early morning so we don't get hungry before they finish preparing morning food.......Olololo buga o!
After bathing and all, we waited and waited but no food was forthcoming. My bro and I were hungry but home training did not allow us voice our feelings, especially as the other kids were not saying anything about food but just playing around.
But, think about it...three slices of bread. Only. When we normally have to share one loaf between two people and make giant tea with big cups back at home and eat at whatever time we wanted.
What was most annoying was that we ate too early. Way too early. Breakfast by 7am, lunch by 11am, dinner by 5pm. Just imagine. Worse still, the portions of food were not sizeable. By 10 at night, our stomachs would be holding a drum concert.
We couldn't even soak garri as it was prohibited. We couldn't go out to get food either as the distance from the house to shops outside the estate was too far. Even if we visited a roadside restaurant, food prices there were expensive(what do you expect of a big man's area?)
My bro couldn't endure anymore. He lied to them and went back home, but I couldn't. What would be my excuse? Shey na me wan go holiday for big man house? By my third week there, my neck was longer than a giraffe's. If you wanted to know accurately how many ribs a human body has? Just call me.
Annoying enough, these people would be calling me a model, meanwhile, hunger was destroying the linen of my stomach.
Holiday soon finished. With joy and relief and proper brain-reset, I packed my bags and went back home; my home. First thing I did back at home was to eat in order to restore all that had been lost. I knew better then. I know better now.
When last I went on holiday? I promise you, they've invited me over a coue of times since then, but me, go again?
Affliction shall not arise a second time, my dear!
Thanks for gracing this post.
Greetings!
