It was one of those times when it felt like the heavens aligned for our sake. That not-so-regular moment when my entire family usually gathers under one roof. My grandma, being a little learned, will always say that moments like that happen "once in a blue moon*. I know that it was from her that I got to hear of such a phrase and its meaning.
God bless her soul.
The last time we gathered together as a family like this was... to be honest, I can't even remember. But I'm sure it's been a long time ago if not years. Everyone seemed to have grown up, moved out and started life in distant lands. Everyone seemed to be too busy to the extent that where I could mistakenly brush into my sibling could be at the wedding of a close relative or even a funeral.
I know it sounds very crazy. But don't blame us, sometimes life happens.
But on this particular occasion, I can still remember it vividly like the back of my palms. We made sure we were all back home to the house we all were given both to, trained before setting off to our different lives and hustle.
It was just like when we were still kids. The younger ones still accorded respect to the elderly ones and the elderly ones still treated the younger ones with love and care. The bond was still there. The laughter, the chit-chat, the silent gossip, and so much more.
"Isn't it ages?" My sister said to me as we helped Mama in the kitchen.
"I swear. But we always talk on the phone na" I replied, careful with the onion I was dicing.
"Zerah, there is a difference between phone calls and meeting your siblings in person. You can't deny that," Mama chipped in from where she was stirring her pot of boiling soup she was preparing.
I couldn't deny that she was right
"Did you even see the joy on your grandma's face? How she beamed with smiles every minute? That's exactly what she's been waiting for", Mama added.
I couldn't argue any further.
Just then, my brother walked in with an empty plate of jello rice. "This is the best rice I've had all year. Can I have more?" he exclaimed.
“It's finished my dear” mama replied
"Seriously mom, you outdid yourself with the rice. What!" I concurred.
"Wait till you taste this soup she's making then. I'm sure you'll bite off your fingers," My sister said, standing up to have a look at the pot of soup Mama was making.
My brother sniffed hard, taking in the whole aroma emanating from the pot of soup while shutting his eyes. "Ah, I can feel it. It's gonna be a bang."
I laughed. My brother has always been a foodie and to see that adulthood didn't change him was funny to me
"The soup is for dinner right?" He asked
"Yes," I replied.
"Then I better save some space in my tummy for dinner", he said, quickly dropping his empty plate in the sink, and then he left the kitchen.
"My boy hasn't changed o!" Mama joked as he walked out of the kitchen.
"Once a foodie, always a foodie!", my sister and I chorused.
Then we laughed hard.
