Photo source: meta AI
It is often said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with just a step. It was another exciting holiday season, the Christmas season, or what many choose to call the end of the year. A time when many people cease from work to rest and enjoy what they worked for throughout the year. Last year's Christmas Holiday was a very memorable one for Sylvester.
It had been over two decades since Sylvester visited his village. After his national youth service in Lagos, he decided to stay back and look for work. After several attempts, he fuñally got a job. Working in a private company, especially one owned by a foreigner, is so hectic that they hardly allow any holidays for their workers. Sylvester was caught in the web of this company and was working for the rest of his life.
Several attempts from home to make him visit proved abortive. His elder brother James got married two years ago; he couldn't attend because of the distance. Another of his sisters, Abigail, dedicated her child, yet again, Sylvester couldn't attend. Whenever he wants to travel, he will consider the amount of money he'd spend on transportation; hence, in that case, he will rather send money to them.
All arrangements were made this time around to travel to the village, one of the villages in South South Nigeria. “This would be a remarkable travel experience”, he told his fiancée as she was helping him arrange his clothes.
“What makes it remarkable” she asked
“Well”, he responded “, It will be an official announcement of my marriage to my people”, he added. The girl blushed, and they both hugged each other, and by 4:30 am, Sylvester was already heading to the motor park.
Upon arrival, the motor park was already lively as many people were travelling too, as usual, December is usually that time of the year when many people visit home from wherever they are. As Sylvester arrived, the first bus was already filled, and the second started loading. He immediately presented his ticket, and he was allowed onto the bus. An hour later, the journey to Akwa Ibom began.
A few minutes into the journey, Sylvester began to sleep. It's been years since he travelled long distances, even when he had told himself that he wouldn't sleep, that only existed in his mind. Their journey took hours, from one state to another, almost everyone in the vehicle was very active, especially the men, talking about politics, sports, and a little about entertainment. The discussion most times will degenerate into arguments and disagreement especially when talking about the Nigerian politicians. In all of this, Sylvester hardly contributed anything. Though he loves discussing politics, doing so among people he hardly knows is what discouraged him. He listened to the discussion keenly and only nodded where necessary.
It was a six-hour journey, and some people were already tired, so the driver branched into a supermarket, and everyone alighted, bought some snacks and rested for a few minutes.
Sylvester had earlier informed the home that he was coming, so every necessary preparation was in place awaiting his arrival. His phone rang, it was his youngest brother,
“Hello brother”
“Yes”
“Where are you now”?
“We're in Abia state about to enter Ikot Ekpene” he responded
“Brother I hope you bought something for me”
“Yes of course”
“Thank you, sir”, the boy hung up.
By 4:30 pm, Sylvester was on a motorcycle heading to his village.
Every sound of a motorcycle that passes will send a signal of his arrival to the village, their children will come out and check if it's Sylvester.
Soon, the bike drove into the house and everyone came out to welcome him. The entire house was ignited by his arrival. They took his bags and he was ushered into the house. The entire house was filled with people who came to welcome Sylvester.
The following morning, as he came out of his room, his mom was already in the farm close by. Everything has changed since he left the village; first of all, the road has been tarred. A greater part of the entrance to the house has been cut off, leaving a few portions. He looked around and most of the trees that sheltered the house had been hewn down. He looked to the left corner of the veranda, and he could see some of his artworks. The drawings and paintings. All of these brought back memories. He remembered how he used to spend all of his time drawing and colouring.
He walked down a path that led to the end of the house and saw his late father's car with the inscription “repent for the kingdom of God is at hand”. He was surprised to see that what he wrote on the car was still visible. Lots of things brought memories back.
He spent the whole of the day virtually looking at the changes in the house and the memories it brought.
