Uyo was bubbling with the Yuletide excitement, streets and shops were decorated with christmas lights and trees, with cartons of gifts underneath it, christmas songs sung everywhere one entered and so many gifts being sold in almost every shop; it was like the Yuletide season was just meant for them.

Selah's parents took time out of their busy schedule, with the nagging voice of her younger sister for a christmas tree to go shopping for decors for the house. Selah grumbled at the thought of going shopping but she followed nonetheless.

They entered every shop they saw with decors and prized gifts like it was ariaria market or bend-down-select. Feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable, she walked away from them it's not like we're poor she said quietly.

They were able to get the socks, mistle toe, christmas lights and cards for the house. They also got foodstuff like frozen chicken, goat meat and spices for pepper soup and stew. Selah thought of all the visitors that would come uninvited, and give her the stress of washing plates and scrubbing pots.

'So children,' her mom called one Saturday evening, when they were sitting on the varandah of their house enjoying the view of the setting sun and the wind blowing softly

'I was thinking of what to cook for christmas. Any suggestions.'

'Ehm...,' Selah cleared her throat, 'how about bread and tea?'

Her mom looked at her and she knew the look would come with a shout or a slap but neither came up.

'amesitang ndisime,' her mom spoke in ibibio language.

'Mummy how about rice and pepper soup or rice and stew but we'll fry the chicken?' her immediate younger sister Uwana said.

'Let's see,' her mom replied, 'we'll add fruit salad to it and fayrouz or any drink for appetizers.'

Next thing I'll hear is pounded yam and white soup, like it's marriage sef Selah thought and walked inside the house.

'Where are you going?' her mom asked.

'To pee.'

'When we start discussing important things for the benefit of everyone, you want to pee, shit, produce album too. Stop this your cunny attitude.'

'Mummy it's just pee, I will come back.' Selah added.

'Meaning what?' her mom retorted, 'so this is how you'll behave in your husband's house abi?'

Here we go again she rolled her eyes and walked away.

'Pee forever, iyeh and when I mention husband, behave like you won't get married.' she heard her mom shout as she disappeared through the corridor curtain.

Selah stayed in the toilet for more than an hour, chatting and playing games on her phone; she could also hear her mom scream her name with much force and vigor.

'Mummy I'm still in the toilet.' she shouted back, voice echoing so loud.

'Sleep there o. When we finish cooking food, you will eat.'

Mummy leave me jhor she said and frowned. I can't wait to go back to school.

As she flushed the toilet and stepped out, her phone rang and it was Ese.

'Hello!'

'This one you called me today, who died?'

'Must someone die? I called last week but your sister picked. She said you were asleep.'

'She didn't tell me. How are you sha?'

'I'm good. Just wanted to say hi. I miss you.' he added.

eyeh, story for the gods she said and laughed

'That's so sweet, you've touched me.'

'Where?' he said with a soft, sexy voice.

'Guy calm down o. I didn't mean it that way. Anyways, my mom is calling me. Thanks for calling, will call you later.'

It was christmas eve and the streets were more busy than before; parks were crowded due to travelers going for christmas gbedu, knockouts were being heard on streets and roads, tyres burnt by the roadside and decorations on the street lights.

Selah had gone to the market that morning, ignored by her mom for her frowns and rolled eyes.

'Write list for Afang soup and items we need for the house. If you like, hit your head on the wall; you will go to that market today.'

Different traders constantly touched her and urged her to buy from them. She vividly heard one woman tell her after dragging her to her stall if you buy garri from me, you go come buy am again...the garri too sweet. check your list na, nkor garri asene? put hand for me na, customer.

She smiled and said no, thank you with a fake smile. She managed to get everything on the list; she even priced somethings to have extra change from the original change for call card. I'm not doing this again till I go back to school she hissed.

'Ho!Ho!Ho! Merry Christmas!'

It was Christmas morning finally. She received texts and calls from friends and strange people who had gotten her number. She had saved their numbers based on where she had met them; road side guy, supermarket man, body odour guy, quarter past three eye, fat belly guy, trekking man.

She picked her phone and posted on her status.

Hoe!Ho!Ho!
Merry Christmas to everyone including them... Let's do fast and enter 2015 jhare...

Her family including her would go to church for Christmas service, then come home and start preparing food for invited and uninvited guests. so much work to be done.

************
Hello everyone. I thank everyone who has been reading, voting and commenting on my book. I am so lucky to have your support and love. Thank you so much.

This chapter has a native language, Ibibio precisely in one of the sentence.

*Amesitang ndisime* means you can talk nonsense.

*Nkor garri asesne* means shey garri is in the list.

Please read, vote and comment.

One love ♥️ ♥️

Joy Akpan 😊