"Marriott! Marriott!"
I heard someone scream my name from the house. It was a full house. Every member of our family had returned to the village for the Ịgba nkwụ (traditional marriage) of my elder sister. The laughter and shared moments were enough to tell a stranger how *closely knitted my family was.
"That's my name. But whoever that's calling can you at least call it with respect? " I yelled back, my hands still focused on the dirty plastic chairs I was cleaning and setting up in the garden. I thought it was one of my junior ones.
"I thought you'd forgotten your name?" The voice said, closer this time.
I smiled because the moment I recognized that voice, it was Charles my cousin's brother. Finally, he was home to join us for the preparation. I stood up and wiped off the sweat on my face with the back of my hands and asked
"Nwokem (Guy) I thought you said you weren't going to make it. Wetin come to change now? (What changed?)"
"Mba o (No o). I wasn't going to miss it for anything in the world " Charles replied getting closer to hug me.
I retreated "Guy I'm sweaty"
Charles picked up a chair and sat down "You're going against my dear uncle, your father's rules are actually about family" he said with mischief on his face.
I grabbed a chair too and joined him. I was tired from all the cleaning and work I'd been doing. I decided to take that time to rest. "What rule?" I asked.
"Nothing should come in between the "closeness*** in our family. But sadly you're letting a small sweat come between you hugging me after we've not seen for a while now" Charles joked.
I playfully stood up and slowly walked towards him with arms stretched out "Ngwanu (Fine), you want a hug? Come get some"
But as I drew closer. Charles pulled back laughing. "Guy I'm joking. You no sabi joke again (Can't you tell when I'm joking)"
I laughed and sat back down.
"Nice to see you again bro," he said
"Same here" I replied.
There was silence for a minute. Then Charles asked.
"What about the girls?"
"They're in a *closed door" meeting," I said making sure to stress the closed door. "Rehearsing on their dance step, which they plan on dancing when bringing the bride out." I stood up and got back to cleaning and arranging the chairs.
"Ụmụ nwanyị (women)" Charles smiles. "And our parents?"
"Well, you know how my dad and his brother, your dad, uncle Eke can be too close coupled. They're helping cut up the beef needed for the party in the backyard" my hands wiping up and down on each seat with the tiny rag I had.
"And our mother's?"
Just then Charles's mum walked out to the backyard. "Well, that comes from your mum. With a tray of chin chin?" Immediately I abandoned my duty and walked towards Mrs Eke, Charles's mum with Charles following me behind.
We stretched out our hands for some of the goodies on the tray.
"Chere nu (hold up young men)." She raised her hands to stop us. "Before I give you guys this chin chin. I know I made sure to close out this chin-chin in a separate room. Who sneaked in there to steal from it?" She asked.
We raised our hands in denial. It wasn't me, I had been busy with work. And Charles just got in a few hours ago.
Mrs Eke shrugged "Must be the little ones" she said. Scooping a handful, she gave us a handful each and as she turned to walk back into the house. "You guys got to hasten up. Our inlaws are here". She added.
I looked at Charles and pointed to a spare rag lying on the floor. "I believe you've had enough rest from your trip. Now, you've to help me with the chairs". I gave a quirky smile.
With that, we cleaned and set the remaining chairs together. Reminiscing about life and everything we could remember. Then we rushed back into the house to shower, dress up and join the others.
The rest of the day was filled with work for us. Serving guests and making sure our inlaws were okay. And when every last one of them had gone with their new bride, my sister.
We all gathered in the garden like a family. The little kids chasing after each other and Uncle Eke true to his form had everyone on of us in stitches. He was the highlight of the evening.
And just before the sun retires. My mum signalled everyone to gather for a family selfie " Bia nú! (Come on, everyone!)" She yelled "Squeeze in close" she said, trying to fit everyone into the frame.
"Everyone ready? Uncle Eke asked with the camera
"Yes!" we all chorused
"Say, To family"
"To family" Everyone echoed.
Then he let the shutter click.