Adaobi 22

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My father was a big man and like all big men, he never missed out on any opportunity to show that he was a big man. He was tall and handsome and looked classy.

So it was just the two of us going to the village for the occasion, my mom had this fear about the village filled with people of ill intentions. So she did her best to always keep us far away from the village, she had only agreed to my father going because of the need for him to be there.
 As we drove to our destination, the constant thought on my mind was Ada, what she would look like, how she would feel on seeing me and what her reaction would be.
After several hours on the road, we hit our house in the village around 6pm. My father didn't want much people knowing he was  around, i loved the decision, it also saved me the work of bringing kola and others for visitors. We unpacked and soon i was out in the neighborhood, strolling around in hope of seeing Ada. Every footstep, every shuffling of leaves, every breath i tooth and every scent i inhaled seemed like it was hers. I was tempted to go and look for her in her house but i wasn't ready to face her parents.
The night passed without any sight of her. I only hoped she was in the village.

The next morning was the D-day. The day for the occasion that had brought us home, brought my father home actually, Ada brought me home. I was still asleep when my father left the house, he passed all messages he had for me while i was on the bed. I drowsily repeated "yes sir" to each one. He left some money on the bed for my breakfast.
"Make sure you eat and come over there for your lunch in the afternoon"
"Yes sir"
"And don't walk all the way to the palace, take the small car, you are a big boy and shouldn't be seen patrolling the village "
" Yes sir"
"Good"
"Yes sir"
"And don't knock people down"
"Yes sir"
He left and i continued my sleep.
I woke up around nine and cleaned myself up. I took a walk around the house before going back in to change from my pajamas.
Through the back gate, i went out again, i was headed for Ada's house, i was determined to see her, come what may. I went in through the gate made of rusting aluminum roofing sheets, the fence was thatched.
I walked silently to the front of the building, the door was open and revealed a dark room, i clapped my hands together and called Ada, no one answered. I turned my back to look around the house.

"Quincy, Quincy! "
I heard my name and turned to see who  was calling me, from the direction of the open door, Ada ran like she was mad, her hands flung wide in the air and coming for me.