I still remember that trip we took to Port Harcourt like it was yesterday, me, my siblings, and my parents had gone to visit my dad’s younger brother, my uncle, from the very first day that we stepped into his house, I just loved it, It was spacious, tiled, and had this very cool vibe that made me think, Ah, this is how I want my own house to look one day, the compound was big enough for us to play, and inside was always neat and well-arranged.
But the only problem we faced was Nepa, since we came, it was like they conspired to deny us light, the daytime was boring and dull, and at night it was just generator noise humming in the background, I didn’t complain too much, but honestly, I was craving some entertainment badly.
Then one evening, out of nowhere, the bulb in the parlor flickered and came alive.
Light don come ooo! my uncle shouted, his voice loud enough to scatter the compound.
We all screamed like we just won the lottery, my siblings started jumping around, and even my mom was laughing at us, shaking her head like, See these children.
My uncle, who was a big music lover, didn’t waste time, he rushed to his music player and started shuffling through his CDs, make una hear correct sound today, he said, grinning like he had been waiting for this moment.
And then it happened. The speakers came alive with ‘Kolomental’ by Faze, the very first beat dropped, and my body just switched into dance mode, that song was my absolute favorite back then, and before anyone could even blink, I was already in the middle of the parlor.
Ahhh! This one is my Fav!, I shouted, and I just started dancing as if my life depended on it.
I was spinning, doing waist moves, shaking shoulders, even freestyle steps I didn’t know I had in me, my siblings clapped and cheered like I was performing on stage , my uncle was just nodding to the rhythm, he was clearly impressed, while my parents just sat watching with smiles on their faces like, This girl is just something else.
Treasure o, abeg don’t break my tiles with your leg o! my uncle teased, laughing.
But I didn’t care, I danced until the song ended, completely out of breath but still grinning, my uncle looked at me and clapped slowly.
See ehn, you sabi dance! I no even know you fit move like that, he said.
I laughed, still catching my breath. Uncle, once that song plays, I can’t sit down.
For that performance, I will reward you, tomorrow, only you go follow me to the mall, he said.
Ehn?! Only me? I shouted, my eyes all wide.
Yes o, only you, he said , smiling.
So that night , I just could not even sleep well, I kept imagining myself at the mall , walking beside my uncle, and true to his word, the next day he took me out, just the two of us , I felt so special, and he kept telling me how much he enjoyed my dance the night before, it was so nice to hear that from him.
So looking back now , I realize it was not just about the dance or the mall trip, It was about the joy that comes when family, music, and laughter all meet together , that evening was a fateful one, and till today, I still call it my dance like no tomorrow moment.
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