Skip to main content

MUSTARD IV – Ch. 2 | KT OLLA

NOW the heavy rain that poured wasn’t Morrow’s worry, that first time in ’79.

He’d built his house with strong reinforcement. Something solid here and there, to withstand the elements.

He was a learned man, a thorough-bred civil man. So, he planted stout trees in the yard lot since he bought the ground and drew a plan.

He’d taken grounds on lease to grow crops, leaving his late brother’s farmland.

Then he grew crops on fertilizers and supplements. So he used that knowledge to grow trees in small time.

Yes, there were wind breaks everywhere in his backyard. Tangerine tree, orange and young mango.

But the storms that raged defied him. They left those things, and went for him.

Yes, tropical rainstorms were the kind that would shake things, root out trees and electric poles.

Then they could throw a shelter about and drown hut buildings, too.

But Banji’s villa home was a solid green wall. Built to last and outlast him.

So, with the rains arriving, everyone went inside their houses – and Morrow, too.

Now he led bedtime prayer, and chose that hymn.

Well, that song was simply an evening anthem for a Christian home. And there were a few more songs chosen in his church.

So, Banji had simply led this hymn ritually. That night of ’79.

Now those dense clouds broke all at once. They poured torrents of water, with rumbles and lightning.

And at times torrents of wind.

Suddenly, the noise was heavy as everyone cowered in the living room.

Nobody left Banji’s sitting room after that goodnight song... nobody.

Everyone stayed there to feel secure. To find company.

For the noise soared till it was deafening ears. It landed with a huge crash on Morrow’s roof.

That sound got everyone startled, as eyes went up to ceiling that instant.

And right about then, the whole ceiling caved in under weight of something huge.

Suddenly, waters poured in from everywhere...

Morrow’s bedroom, Maria’s room, Comfort’s place, and Sarah’s. Everywhere had sagged down low...

As low as those clouds before they tore.

Morrow stood up and went around. He gazed up when he turned a corner, felt downcast when he turned around...

A heavy weight was over his head.

That first time was 1979. And it wasn’t a tree that fell over his roof, weighing that heavy.

It wasn’t street posts, concrete poles, or logs.

But then it was something quite odd that it got Joshua bothered when it happened again...

On that night of 1980.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sons of the Flaming Throne 2 – Ch. 9 | KT OLLA

ABISHUM wasn’t done speaking. So she picked up on the matter as things were bound to change. She spoke: ‘See, it was a bedroom cry for Aleph. But not until the day things were shoved in her face… ‘And that day she gave up on hoping! ‘Well, what Aleph thought was the reason why Beth couldn’t marry, was different from what it was with people. ‘She used to think it was because there was no man in her house to ask the daughter from. As is our customary practice in Israel.  ‘But when a drunken man shoved it in her face one night, it hurt her too much what people say. ‘“No one will marry your daughter, woman! Why will anyone do? When death hides in her bosom like it hid in yours. Or why did your husband die? ‘“Look, if you don’t know it – your family is cursed! You only have one child in a nation of plenty. ‘“God has prospered Israel with many children like the sea sand. But what do your family bear? Only one! ‘“So, who will want your cursed daughter for his son to love? You really don’t...
Post a Comment
Read more

MUSTARD I – Ch. 7 | KT OLLA

NOW it had rained all morning this day. And the sun was finally tearing through clouds to take the day’s glory. It was a brief break for the villages of Ede’s farmlands. As they rested from taking turns in harvesting yams. The town’s harvest season of yam and cassava tubers were in the rains... So they worked double to get them stored in barns and sold in markets – to avoid early rot in the wet weather. Yes, the crops were sources of flours and flakes for main foods. And several kinds of yam – like the ewùrà, ebòlò and the white yam, were also prepared as meals. So, everyone was out going about their own business those rest days... The farmers would go for a routine check on their farm every morning. And return earlier than the time to gather for talks by evening. Every evening, the men would sit under the shade of trees, and play board games amid talk and drinks. They’d talk about everything. From the ruler to their people. And to their wives and children. The young Moro chose to go a...
Post a Comment
Read more

MUSTARD II – Ch. 8 | KT OLLA

NOW Oji and Daleka went in to meet their brother as his wife hurried out of the house. ‘You meet me well, brothers,’ Morrow smiled as he dished his food. ‘Care to join for breakfast?’ ‘Oh we just had ours, big bro,’ Oji answered for them. ‘Thanks for the offer.’ ‘In that case, will you—?’ ‘Oh never mind,’ their youngest smiled, ‘we can sit and talk while you go on eating. We also have things to share with you.’ He looked to his partner for agreement and Oji nodded back. Yes, it was the culture there for someone to invite their guest to table when the latter meets them dining. Then, it was the right ethic for the guest to decline with thanks. Morrow glanced at them. ‘Oh really? Have your seat then. ‘And meanwhile, you did a lot helping last night – I appreciate it. Please tell your wives, too, we’re grateful.’ ‘Well, that is nothing,’ Oji waved a hand. ‘We are grateful that you returned! That you came home alive!’ Morrow looked at them and smiled. He had just finished dishing, so he smi...
Post a Comment
Read more