Bats in the Day

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I resisted the urge to skip as I gleefully hurried down the path leading to Grandma's house. No, she wasn't my real Grandma. I still had both alive though, kicking, affectionate, caring, generous and of course, annoying as as adorable.

This Grandma was a different one, it was what everyone in the village called her. Although Mama told me her name was Nene. Nene Ejiofor. I always assumed that was short for Nkechi, but Grandma would never tell. Remembering her mischievous grin with that devil's glint in her eyes as she says 'Just call me Nene', adding a wink for effects purposes, I couldn't help but stiffle a giggle. She really was a handful. But I loved her, everyone did.

You see Grandma was the village's beloved. The elderly ones admired her for her wisdom and age and the younger ones, well, let's just say there wasn't a better tales by the moonlight, story teller.

And oh! Was she playful. Full with spirit, always going about activities with vibrancy. She enjoyed telling tales, folklore and of adventures she had had, when she was young and wild- her words... Honestly!

For 18 seasons, I have sat by her feet and listened, danced with her, sung with her, enjoyed doing chores with her. Mama had to give up her envy as she realised Nene had a special place in my heart. There was always so much to learn from Nene. Courage, bravery, strength, love, and most of all, Hope.

I have never seen any of Nene's seeds. But the townsfolk said she has about three of them. A boy and two girls. Mama insists that I met them when I was little, but was probably too little to remember. Well, I refuse to be bothered. All that I knew was that ever since they left, they never came back.

Nene tells me stories of them, with a sparkle in her eyes that sounds her profound love for the ones she had bore in her womb. She never spoke ill of them, and she never lost hope of their return.

Nene would, with all the happiness her heart could muster, say, 'Ndubisi and his sisters are well in the city. I know this because I am a Mother. Soon, they would come for me. But I won't go oh. I have too many children here', the affectionate look she would bestow upon me before she continued, always melted my heart.

'I'll remain here, but will give them good wishes as they go back, and a safe trip back, when they decide to return. I know this, because I am their Mother'.
I would smile and nod in agreement, even though we all knew her children had forgotten her, no one could make a pinch in those hopes. We loved her too much.

You would never guess that Nene was ever unhappy. She smiled and laughed too heartily for that. But once or twice, I see the forlorn look on her face. At first I used to think I imagined it, for it was always gone as soon as it came. But with time, I got to realise that the wise old woman, just had another trick up her sleeves.

Leaving her to go to the city had not been easy. I had cried and she had laughed and said 'Oh you silly girl', as she patted my back, while I held onto her. Only when I had entered the ferry, did I see her wipe the edge of her wrapper, against her eyes. I smiled as she caught me looking at her, and gestured to the wind as if saying something got into her eye. Then I had thrown my head back in booming laughter, as she mirrored my act. With smiles on our faces, and with a promise to look out for her children, we waved as the ferry took me farther from the dock.

Now I was back and I couldn't wait to see her. And to tell her of all the wonderful things the city has. And how amazingly different, life there, was. Those three moons with Aunty Obianuju had been bliss. But I have missed the village life, most especially, Nene.

As I neared her big beautiful hut which the youths had built for her, I couldn't help but be suprised by the commotion I heard coming from that direction. I hurried my steps, eager to find out what was happening.
The sight that met me, had my jaws dropping, as my eyes competed.

Machines, what the city people called cars, were parked outside Nene's hut. Fancy ones too like the ones Aunty said only the rich people owned. This only meant one thing, Nene's children were back. Finally! They had come! Nene had said they would, and they have!

Before I could jump for joy, I noticed the black dresses and the grim looking faces. Dread, and a horrifying kind of hollow hole, found their way to my chest. But I refused to believe, as I looked for proof to tell me what my heart thought, was naught.

However, one glance at the ceramic graveyard with stone, inscribed 'Nnena Ejiofor. Wife, Mother and Grandma', told me all I needed to know, confirming my deepest fears.
Too many emotions hit me at once, as my knees gave way and I crumbled on the floor, too numb to react.
I looked around and recognised each of them that were not village people. My eyes landing first on Ndubisi, then Chioma and finally, Ebere. Indeed, Nene's children had come. But she was dead.

Another of her wise sayings flashed through my mind, as the dam finally broke, letting my tears flow free,
'When you see bats flying in the day, you should know a hunter is around, and that one of their own, has fallen'
Again, Nene had been right about that.

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Post created and written by @zizymena, Edited and posted by @camzy

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Images was gotten from PIXABAY

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