He left for his uncle's place, carefully he traces the quickest route since his mother, already showed him how to manoveire his way. On getting there, he met his uncle's wife. A dark, bold looking woman. From the way she talks and gesticulate in way, you can tell she is a hard woman." Otofe ma! Prieto greeted her. She replied", how are you and where are you coming from? ". Am fine ma". I am just coming from home and came to see uncle. Ha ha! why is everywhere quiet", where are this girl'?. Where are your daughters ma? she responded; they are inside the house.
The girls over heard Prieto, they started strolling out of the house, one after the other. They were three girls in number, the youngest was nick named "Emidy" by Prieto. The eldest been Ugochi, an out spoken type as such with a manly physic. Prieto! "mine boy". The usual way she calls Prieto whenever he comes around. She came about the name from a novel she was reading, one afternoon at her mother's shop. Situated right at the center of Obi-ikolobie, not far from Prieto's place.
Ugochi and Prieto passed time jisting there. She came outside, "mine boy!" how are you today? Asking Prieto. Has she giggled along, into the hut like kitchen at the backyard of their house. Not saying too much, Prieto was just looking at her, has she demonstrated her walkby to the hut like kitchen. Her other sister, the one next to her "Chika". Followed after her. An introvert by nature, and they were the traditionally cultured types and at the same time, educated. They both schooled at the Delta State University, abraka. They were two humble sister, brought up under the threatening hands of their mother. An enforcer and a disciplined woman, who gave room for no nonsense. They were all together at the backyard of his uncle's house. His uncle's wife told him to be patient, that his brother just went out and he will be back soon. "Take one of the wooden chairs over there", she said. You can have your sit, then Prieto took one of the chairs to sit on.
His uncle's wife asked him; do you care for some cashew fruits?", He replied; I can have one or two. Chika stood up from where she was sitting, on a stool beside the local kitchen. She brought a bowl with water, full of cashew fruits in it. Prieto managed for the two he asked, his Uncle's wife; Prieto out of all the cashew fruit in this bowl, you only managed taken just two?". Prieto", minding the words of the woman "there are enough fruit in the bowl anyway". He thought to himself, to mellow down his uncle's wife curiosity, he asked Chika to bring him a flat plates. When she brought the plate from few steps, she went and came from the main kitchen in the house. Outter, to the local kitchen that looks like a hut. As soon as she delivered the plate, Prieto placed more cashew fruits in it. Clearing her Uncle's wife doubt as regards his interest in it. He took one healthy looking one to his mouth, and squeezed off it juice. Biting off the yellow shaft tainted in red. Really! Prieto exclaimed "this is juicy". He took another one, again and again he kept on to the fifth cashew fruit. He lamented! Is this what you people been enjoying, at the backyard of your house. Just like that". This healthy fruit cost good money at the city. This are really good produce.
The eldest sister bears another name, a name she was often called with. I could barely remember at the moment, so not to cause resentment amongst she, her mother, and the two sisters, he decided not to ask her. It will seem insultive. Asking a family relation he just came to " what is that your name", So embarrassing. He then called her by the second name she bears. Ugochi! the fruit is good, this how you enjoy it anytime at your dispence?". You, Chika and Emidy. How nice. While catching the thrill of the moment with them, Ugochi said; so I hope you are preparing to go to the land of hurricane? Prieto wondered; land of hurrican! What do you mean my dear sister?", the word "hurricane" sounds unfamiliar to me. Before Prieto could stress out more words, their mother applaud", ummh copersion! She meant traveling to other distant states, to get efxpose to unpalatable experiences. As regards his NYSC. Prieto added, oh! Is that what you mean?". Dear Ugochi, this is our country. The struggle will keep been the case of "adaptation, survival and evolving". Yes! there is the place of adaptation my dearest, God in his infinite mercy will help me.
See! your uncle is coming; said His Uncle's wife. Pointing to the direction his husband was coming from. Prieto's uncle walked towards his house, drifting to the side they were. Brother! Prieto's uncle said; I have been expecting you. Did your mother tell you? Excitedly, Prieto said; yes sir. They both excused the ladies, as he ushered Prieto into the inner chamber of the house, so they can discuss on the matter arising.
They got to the sitting room, the palour section of the house. His uncle asked; If he had checked through the brown envelope he was given?", He said; I have checked through sir, even with the *counterfoil" I will be submitting back to the director at the camp ground. His uncle said; that is good. He reminded Prieto, if he is aware about the upcoming " community development" activities he would be practicing for the next one year in Jos. Prieto said he is aware about the challenges, and if paradventure he is ignorant of what he should know, there are coppers at the formost batches, who will be getting closer to finishing the National Youth Corp, that will be there at the camp ground to inform him through. His uncle replied; "that is o.k".
He further proceed, while adjusting himself on the lether sitting chair he was on. Asking his brother Prieto; I hope you are comfortable?", he said; yes sir. I am. For the community development practice you will be going through, on daily basis and some "documentation plus transportation palava", his uncle intentionally said like that. Laughing it off! looking at his brother's countenance, that was about to open him to one of those major experiences in his life. An unforgettable experience. Anyway he know for sure that to his brother, it won't be an experience of a challenge but an adventure.
He made his way to stand up from the lether chair he was sitting on, "wait for me", give me a minute. He said to Prieto". He went inside his room, which was some measurable distance, that shows the house is big and spacious. He got his hands on an envelope, but a white one with #250,000 enclosed in it to support is traveling and other miscellaneous, for the first few months. Prieto saw the envelope, but waiting for it to be handed to him by his uncle. He did. Tony gave his brother the money, before having his sit on the chair. Prieto thanked him, and he promise his uncle that he won't disappoint his effort to support him.