Restless

1 year ago

Restless

Prologue

I cannot remember when it actually started: I mean when events took a drastic turn in my life. I was a regular Girl growing up in a regular urban environment in Enugu. Abakpa Nike is Urban at least when compared to the likes of Ngwogo Nike, Ibagwa Nike and numerous inaccessible Villages in the State.

I was born the fourth successive female Child to Mr. and Mrs. Felix Chinedu. I have three younger siblings and the only boy being the youngest. His name is Chinedu but we call him Junior.
Daddy was a contractor supplying Materials to Companies like ANAMCO and EMENITE. He was always on the move attending meetings and interviews on week days and social functions at weekends.

Mummy taught at Army day secondary school, now Command day secondary School Abakpa Enugu.
The Family had four Cars: A Mercedes Benz 200 series, a 504 Peugeot Saloon Car, a 404 Peugeot Pick-up van and a Hiace Bus. We lived in our own House, a twin Duplex at the Federal Housing estate Abakpa Nike, Enugu.

Growing up was fun, we were many in the House, seven Children, two maids, extended family members always visiting. Our House was always a haven for meetings and parties as our parent belonged to several associations. Mum belonged to the Catholic association of Christian Mothers, Association of Ikwere women, Prudent Women association which is a credit and thrift society. She is also the P.R.O of the State Chapter of the Nigerian union of teachers.

Daddy belonged to about seven social Clubs. When he is not attending any social or serious function, he plays Golf on Thursday evenings or Saturday mornings. Dad always told us that Golf playing is a link to People that mattered. Most of the Contract deals he got were sealed on the Golf Pitch and delivered in the office the next day. Dad never misses and appointment and is the most time conscious person I have seen in my life.
Most last Saturdays of the month, Dads Driver would take the Children in the Hiace Bus to Polo Park along Abakaliki Road for pure amusement. While we run about the Park catching fun, Uncle KC, Dad’s driver would be trying to ensure that we do not stray out of his sight. To Us Kids it was like playing hide and seek but to him, he was protecting his Job! The amusement park is located adjacent to the state owned Polytechnic, The Institute of management and Technology.

Our Parent met in that Institution popularly known by its acronym, I.M.T. Dad graduated with upper credit grade in Building and Quantity Survey department while Mummy graduated with lower credit grade in Secretarial Studies. They said their love story started on the stair case.
Dad would always reiterate on how they normally steal glances at each other whenever they met while one is ascending and the other descending the stair case to and from their Lecture rooms both upstairs on the same Building at Campus 3 independence layout Enugu.

On this fateful day, Daddy would boast: when they met as usual, Daddy blocked Mummy from passing through and challenged her: Come! Why are you always stealing glances at me whenever our Paths cross? How do you mean? Mummy had asked. Any time I am on this stair case, you are here too, anytime I turn around to stare at your back side, you do the same too! Why? He asked her. Mummy had blushed and was very embarrassed. How can you say I turn back to look at your back side! She said. Then why do you turn around? To look at my long head? I don’t know! She had said, maybe it’s just a coincidence! Good! Dad said, At least you did not deny turning back to stare at your husband even though he has not approached you for that yet… My name is Felix Chinedu Amadi, HND 1 Building Department, I am from Rivers state and Ikwere by tribe. She replied, I am Ogbonna Ada OND 1 Secretarial studies ,I am from Unubi in Anambra State.

Daddy could go on telling the same story over and over while Mummy interjects intermittently to affirm or oppose him. They never got tired of discussing their relationship. Even the day Daddy died on his bed at the University of Nigeria teaching Hospital Enugu they had been discussing and laughing till he died with a smile on Lip…….That is the only sane and sweet part of my Life and it died with my father. My name is Deborah Adanne Amadi.

Full Story Start Tomorrow

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