I had just opened my laptop when I heard the hearty laughter from the sitting room.
“Mama! She’s cheated!” I heard my cousin shout in agony. I sighed, my fingers caressing the CV before me. My eyes were glued to my laptop screen. I wished I could join them but I was stuck with preparations for this interview I had coming up soon.
It was Christmas. A season to live, have fun, and share your time with your loved one. But for me, it felt nothing like Christmas.
Although the compound was alive with people and fine activities. Even our parents made sure to participate in the games. Although the aroma of Grandma's stew teased my nose and laughter rang out from every section of the house. My eyes stayed on the glowing screen of my laptop.
It was different for me. I could only imagine joining them. I needed to pass this interview because it meant studying in a foreign land with a fully paid scholarship. My chance to leave the shores of my country for the first time and travel overseas.
I shook my mind off the temptations to join them and continued with my reading. It wasn’t the time for fun and games. I had to stay focused.
I sat on the floor there in the small room I shared with my younger brother. I returned to editing my CV in detail as the fan above me hummed weakly. But then came the second noise—this time, a knock. Rapid, determined.
“Marri!” It was Mama's voice I heard.
I turned
"You've been on that laptop ever since we came back for Christmas. Don't you think you should come join us to relax a bit!”
“I wish I could. But this is important,” I called, turning back to my laptop.
"More important than the time you'll spend with family?" She asked. "Remember it's just in Christmas you get to see us all gathered this way. Besides, that interview is still in two weeks."
I looked at her again. "I know, but..."
"It's fine. You can stay buried in that. We're just worried about you. I mean, your little cousins miss you. They say you used to be fun and filled with games, but ever since you got that email, you've just learned to lock yourself indoors. All work with no play makes Jack a dull boy."
Before I could turn, Mama had already left the room. I sat there in deep thought. Mama's words echoed louder than the fan above me. It wasn't just the way she spoke; it was the look in her eyes,too. That concerned look. She was right, I needed a break. I've been locked down indoors studying for days now.
The only time I ever went outside was to bathe. I had missed several outings with the family. And my little cousins are beginning to gossip about how I have forgotten them.
Christmas was supposed to be time spent with family. But somehow I've decided to spend it studying. Hard work replaced hide and seek. Reading replaced racing. Denying the ppeople wholoved me a little bit of my time.
Not that I was the most important person in the family. But somehow they missed that laughter, fun and colour I added to everything. Be it dinner time, game time etc.
"Just today wouldn't hurt." I mumbled. Closed my laptop and walked out to the sitting room where they were all gathered.
The moment I stepped into the sitting room, a loud cheer erupted from my little cousins.
“Uncle Marriiiii!” Adaeze,the closest one to me screamed, running up to hug me. “I thought you're going to just vanish on us!”
Chisom, the youngest of the house rusged over to me and looked me into the face. "Uncle, are you coming to play with u"
I nodded.
Immediately, he grabbed my hand and pulled me into the circle they had gathered in. “You’re just in time for the next tournament!”
Before I could even sit at my designated position, someone tossed me a card. And in a few minutes we were reeling in laughter of who won and lost. The joy was contagious, bouncing off walls to one another. Even Grandma clapped from her chair, shaking her head. I felt like a kid again wild, free, present and free from the weight of the interview for a moment.
I smiled. For the first time in days, I laughed without worry. My laptop could wait. I'll be just fine without it for a few days.
The joys and laughters from our families cannot be compared to anything and sparing even some few hours in a day wouldn't hurt as we could always return to our work again. I believe you had such an amazing fun and games with them.
Work absorbs every minute of our lives, and we often forget about our loved ones. Luckily, your mother made you reflect, and you shared moments with your family on that special day.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Good Saturday.