December 20
Egba Family Home
6:30 am
The Thursday morning sun was bright yet the chilly air fought a winning battle over the heat.
Christmas songs were already being played in the house as the house was already filled with the sound of bustle.
Kelechi stood in front of the mirror with his old companion the mini-stool who has been with him through thick and thin.
Not that he still needed it that much but he just enjoyed the feeling of being tall and looking down at everything.
Chikodi opened the bathroom door to see his son posturing in front of the mirror smiling to himself,chest puffed out and head raised high.
He shook his head in bafflement and smiled wryly wondering as he turned around and closed the door gently behind him who taught his son that kind of behavior.
Thinking to himself 'I was never like this when I was his age.' and shaking his head once more.(A/N: Someone seem to be forgetting something).
Kelechi heard the door closing and turned to look for a brief moment before deciding that looking at himself was better.
As he brushed his teeth he humming to himself and also admired himself on the mirror.
After rinsing his mouth two times he gave himself a toothy smile proudly showcasing prealy whites.
Satisfied with his great work he finally went to bath.
His parents weren't too worried because their son was a natural at picking things up quickly.
Though they left the bathroom door unlocked so they can check up on him at all time just like what his father did earlier.
After he was done he simply picked up his own towel from the rack and gently dried his body still humming as he moved.
Why was he so happy you might be asking?
Well it's Christmas season! Who wouldn't be happy?
Plus today was the school's annual Christmas end of the year party.
Games,drama and so many school activities. And to top it all off his father took special leave as he always did to be there for his moment.
He had a role as one of the lead singers of the Christmas carousel which was a presentation that was to be made by his entire class.
He quickly yet carefully put on his underwear with a single for his age before stepping out of the bathroom.
"Daddy good morning!" He greeted happily to his father who he passed before happily bouncing off to his room.
His father responded with a smile and even chuckled watching his son's antics.
The entire family had already done their morning devotion by 5 am in the morning which was the reason the house was already active by that time.
Kelechi was fully dressed in a fine looking black shirt and sharp white trousers accompanied with his favourite special occasion black shoes.
There was light currently which was a good thing as Kelechi sat with a bowl of sweet smelling and delicious looking custard in his hands while using a plastic spoon to carefully scooped moderate spoonfuls of it into his mouth, careful not to let any on his clothes.
He was watching a Tv cartoon program to pass the time while waiting for his parents to finish up.
Some minutes later after he was done,he carried the plate and spoon to the sink where he immediately washed them before hanging them on the rack to dry.
He then used a towel to dry his hands and finally went back to the sitting room to continue his time passing activity.
After watching for a bit he once again checked his school bag which he used to carry his change of clothes for the school presentation.
'Everything is accounted for.' He thought to himself in relief before finally closing the bag once more and settling down on the couch.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Umm...?" Kelechi looked through one of the windows facing outside towards the sound of banging that was being done on their gate.
"Nna ehh...who is that kwan?" Kelechi immediately began grumbling in a low voice as he opened the door and began approaching the gate.
The outer space of the house was quite spacious as it held two cars;the Nissan Pathfinder belonging to his father after he left the Mercedes at the village.
And the Toyota Highlander (1st Gen) that belonged to his mother.
Each carried different colours of black and white.
He passed the two cars and finally reached the gate.
"Who's there?!" He shouted while opening the peephole that was on the gate to identify the person.
The moment he saw who it was he nearly jumped in excitement and immediately wanted to open the gate only to realize that the gate was still locked.
"Nna ehh!" He shouted inwardly blaming his forgetfulness.
"Kelechi is that you? It's me Nneka." A soft and childish yet unmistakably female voice cut through his inner tormoil from outside the gate.
"I'm really sorry okay. I forgot that the gate hasn't been opened yet, I'll go rush inside and get the keys now. Just wait a bit!" Kelechi said, shouting the last part as he had already started running back in to get the keys.
2 minutes later he came out panting slightly as he jogged towards the gate the jiggling of keys sounding from his hand.
"Good morning and welcome." Kelechi immediately said after opening the smaller gate with a red face or what was closest to one since he wasn't fair-skinned.
There was a beautiful girl with fair skin and dark brown hair who looked of similar age standing in a white beautiful dress with a school bag on her back.
She was no other than Nneka Umudike his childhood friend and birth mate.
He was still looking at her when he heard the beep of a car horn prompting him to look past her and see her parents Kelechi and Chiamaka both looking at him with different expressions.