It was exactly three weeks after the speech and prize given day. Rebecca was preparing Bunmi and Alex for their academic resumption. Alex already wrote his common entrance and was awaiting his result. It was no doubt that he did great, but his parents were planning to change his school from a private to a public one.

As it was, living was already tough and gradually changing, unlike before when Bunmi’s parents were around and alive. It’s been two months since they last received a salary. Mr. John was on a job hunt while his wife, Rebecca, planned on opening a provision store in the residential area where they lived. That afternoon, Mr. John gave it a rest, working on his computer system, drafting more emails to send you companies that were in need of security officers. He also purchased a pile of newspapers, doing research on other job opportunities.

Rebecca just arrived from Wuse market, which was the biggest and most common market in Abuja. It was located in Zone 5 of Wuse district. Rebecca woke up very early in order to purchase the best goods at the cheapest price. She returned with two Ghana-must-go bags. Once they walked through the door, the children ran to embrace her in.

“Welcome mummy.” Alex yelled.

“Welcome Aunt.” Bunmi greeted.

She always referred to Rebecca as Aunt because her mother usually called her sister. And they related well like blood siblings, though they weren’t.

“Thank you.” She smiled at the kids in appreciation.

“Wow! You bought a lot from the market. What did you buy for me?”

“Can’t you see I am famished? Why don’t you get me cold water from the fridge first?” Rebecca sniveled her son, rubbing her temple.

Without words, Alex scurried to the kitchen.

“Such a naughty boy.” A tired yawn whooshed out of her while Rebecca stared off in her son’s direction as he strolled into the kitchen.

Alex picked a clean glass cup and placed it in a sliver tray. Then he walked to the fridge and got a bottle of water for his mother. Alex positioned it on a stool before her head, back, and parted lips.

“Good.” Rebecca smiled at him with satisfaction as she gulped the content drown her throat. “Water is life, indeed.”

She puffed out a whiff of relief.

Energized, Mrs. John then pulled the bags closer and unzipped the first. She brought our a laptop backpack for Alex. “Here, mummy’s boy.” Rebecca faced her son with a black laptop bag. “This is for you.”

And Bunmi, a pair of sandals and socks. “I hope that is your size. Put it on.” She instructed, worried if t wasn’t her size she might have to return it.

“Wow, beautiful! Thanks so much, ma.” Bunmi chuckled while putting it on. It was exactly her size.

“Wow! This school bag is perfect. I always wanted this, and you bought it for me? Thank you, mum!” Alex have her a soft side hug.

She pushed him away, still feeling hot. “Wo, leave me alone jare. Just make sure you take care of this bag because you’re going to use it throughout your secondary school.” She clarified, pointing at him with her index finger, so he remembers.

“Definitely, mum. I won’t spoil my new bag,” he agreed.

“Better.” She rolled her eyes at him and rested her back on the sofa chair. “As you can see, we are managing things now. I need the both of you to concentrate on your studies, so my effort too won’t go to waste.”

“Okay, ma.” They smile, checking out what she bought for them.

“I bought a dozen of new exercise nooks for you, Bunmi but I won’t hand them over to you, today. I’ll give you when you resume, okay?”

“Okay, Aunt.” Bunmi chipped returning the sandals and white socks into a black leather. She peeped into the big back to check what was there. “There is a lot of provision here. Is Alex going to a boarding school?”

“We don’t know yet. But we plan to take him to junior secondary School, Life Camp.” Mrs. John pointed out.

“Where is the school?”

“It’s at Jabi and it is an all boys' school. My friend told me that the school fees are affordable. Meaning, you would stay in the hostels with other boys. But these are not your school provisions. I want to open up a provision store before the end of this week.”

“Really? That’s exciting. I would help you sell whenever you’re tired.” Alex searched hers in anticipation.

“You’ll soon go to your school, Alex.” Rebecca warned in her authoritative voice. “It would be better if you would pour all that energy into your studies.”

“I am a smart kid, mum. I got the first position out of Greater Kids Academy, remember?” some crumpled copy of smile crossed his face in self appraise. 

“That was greater kids, not a public secondary school. In this school, there would be changes and competition. Just study hard and make us proud.” She glared at him with fierce eyes.

‘Tap! Tap! Tap!’ Someone hit the gigantic gate with a stone from outside.

‘Bang Bang Bang!’ The knocking heightened from earlier.

Mr. John, who fell asleep in his room from searching for a new, reliable job, jolted up from his slumber.

“Who could that be?” he asked once he stepped out if his room.

‘I don’t know. Should I check?’ Rebecca raised.

“No, stay with the kids. I’ll go and check.” Mr. John responsibly responded while he rushed out, putting on a white polo t-shirt and jean trousers. 

‘Boom! Boom Boom!’ The banging came on and on until Mr. John reached out to the gate. Peeping through the window to check who it was.

Mr. John recognized them to be the family of Mr. Williams.  He didn’t hesitate to open the gate.

“How many times do you expect me to knock on the gate before you open it? Have you forgotten your job?”
Felix, Mr. William’s elder brother, reminded Mr. John. “You are to be at the gate, dummy!” Felix glowered.

“I’m s...sorry, sir. I was busy inside... That, that was why-” Mr. John tried to explain, but Felix interrupted him.

“Sorry for yourself! I wonder why my late brother employed a lazy stammerer like you! He kept a lazy dog by his gate so long that the dog forgot what it was. Well, I don’t blame you.”

“Imagine the nonentity.” Yemisi, Mr. William’s younger sister, hissed with spite in her eyes. She was so disrespectful, but she was closer to Mr. Williams than Mr. Felix was. She usually visit her uncle a week before Christmas and leaves a week after New year celebration.

Yemisi put her hand on her hip and turned around to Mr. John. "And how long will it take to close the gate? Open the door to the main flat right away and carry those bags in!" she commanded.

“Okay, ma.” Mr. John nodded and bowed in defeat before he moved swiftly to get the keys from his room.

“Who are those?” Rebecca asked once her stormed in.

“It’s Mr. Williams' family.” Mr John replied. “Yemisi came too.”

“Why are there here? That which, why is she here? Is it urgent? What do they want?” She raised again.

Like a tortoise, her husband shrugged and showed her his palms. “They seemed prepared for a fight. I don't know, but things aren't alright. Give me a minute.” he tiptoed out and scurried away to the main house where the guests awaited.

“Sorry for the delay.” Mr. John fajed a smile and opened the main flat.

“Welcome ma, welcome, sir. How was the journey?” Rebecca asked with a smile as she calmly greeted them. As if she was a moving ghost, they all turned a blind eye to her.

“The journey must be long? What should I serve you before we discuss the issue on the ground?-”

“Hey, shut up there!” Yemisi shushed her. “Who called you? You and who want to discuss? Perhaps, who are you to talk to us?”

Maranda, Mr Felix’s wife, too, was present. She didn't hesitate to call Rebecca names. At least, she should know she had no business in their family matter. After thirty minutes of heated argument, Mr. Felix’s family agreed and discuss with the Johns.

“Our parents died of waterborne-disease twenty years ago, leaving me behind with two younger siblings." Mr. Felix stated as his fist slammed against the soft sofa. “I was just 15years old at the time. We barely had any family or friends to help. I learnt a skill to train Williams in school.”

“As fate will have it, Williams had to go through the same fate as our parents.” Mr. Felix clarified. “We never planned for this to happen, but it did. Well, what I have you say is that since Williams, my late junior brother didn’t have a lawyer. I think it’s time I sow the fruit of my labour because I sacrificed myself just for him to become educated. I farmed and sold my only inheritance, so Williams would study abroad and suck from the nipples of success. And he did, but death snatched him away from us. All he was, and all he achieved, was because of me. Now, I think its right time that my family and I start living here.”

“But.. But sir, Mr. Williams had a lawyer before he died.” Mr.  John managed to say.

He glared at the gate keeper with his burning, coal eyes shooting bombs. “What? Does that mean Williams trusted you than his only blood brother?” he blasted.

“Sir, I... I have his lawyer’s contact.” Mr. John reported. “I can call him now and he will be here. The lawyer’s name is Mr. Frank Solodu.”