The Abuja night was warm, the December air heavy with spice and smoke. In the Moses family garden, a bonfire crackled to life, sparks drifting into the sky. Chairs circled around it, the family gathered, laughter louder than the flas.
A JBL speaker was set at the corner, playing a perfect Christmas song that enhanced the ambience of the mont.
On the first day of Christmas
My true love sent to
A partridge in a pear tree
...
On the second day of Christmas
My true love sent to
Two turtle doves and
A partridge in a pear tree
...
On the third day of Christmas
My true love sent to
Three French hens
Two turtle doves and
A partridge in a pear tree
Ian and Sophia sang alongside the lyrics, causing Sam to roll his eyes at them.
Though he long accepted the fact that his best friend was dating his sister already, sotis, watching them act all lovey dovey still bugged him.
’F*ck! Why am I even thinking about them?’
Kayla sat close to Sam, her head on his shoulder.
As soon as the song changed, Sophia sat back on her chair, bouncing restlessly and scrolling between jokes on her phone and teasing her brother.
Mrs. Moses passed roasted corn around while Mr. Moses poured drinks. Ian, of course, held two sticks of suya like a man who had discovered fire itself.
"Look at us," Sam said softly, watching the flas dance. "Feels like old tis man, the good ol’ days in Abraka".
"Old tis when you were running barefoot in Abraka," his father chuckled. "You think we didn’t notice when you sneaked out for night football?"
Sam’s eyes widened, mortified.
Sophia cackled. "Mummy used to chase you with a cane!"
Sam groaned as he avoided his wife’s teasing gaze. "Why is every story about getting beaten?"
Kayla laughed so hard she almost spilled her drink. "I need details, mummy, tell , please!"
Mrs. Moses shook her head fondly, feeling self-gratified at being begged. "Hehe, your husband was stubborn like a goat. Football, football, football, that was all this brat here knew".
"If not for God, I don’t know where he would have ended up."
Sam just smiled, eyes reflecting the flas. ’Right here, mum. I ended up right here’. He thought with a smile.
Sophia clapped suddenly. "Let’s dance!" She said, quickly grabbing the speaker remote and changing the song.
The song started playing.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
She jumped, clearly happy, as she dragged Sam, Ian, Kayla, and soon everyone into her cadence.
They had no choice, they danced and sang.
A few minutes later, still bubbling with energy, with a mischievous smile on her face, Sophia suggested sothing else. "Let’s play a ga! Truth or Dare."
The groans and protests were loud, Sam especially against it but she was relentless and like all lastborn children around the world, they always win. Soon enough, the circle grew noisy with laughter.
"Daddy, truth or dare?" she began.
Mr. Moses grunted. "Truth."
"Did you ever lie to mummy when you were dating?"
Mr. Moses almost choked on his drink as he stared at her, mortified.
Sophia grinned mischievously as the garden erupted.
Mrs. Moses squinted at her husband, who cleared his throat under he glare. "Next question!"
"Ugh, that’s cheating!" Sophia complained even as Mrs. Moses kept on glaring at her husband. "No food for you tomorrow!" She eventually said.
"C’mon," Mr. Moses almost cried. "I never lied".
"As if!" She snorted.
Kayla leaned into Sam, smiling. "Your family is insane. I love it".
When Sam’s turn ca, he smirked. "Dare."
Sophia grinned wickedly. "I dare you to..."
"No, no," Sam cut her off, pointing at Ian. "I’m daring him. Swimming competition. Right now."
The garden exploded in shouts. "Yes!" Mr. Moses whooped excitedly.
Chairs scraped and cheers erupted. Sophia scread, "Go Ian!" while Kayla and Mrs. Moses instantly sided with Sam.
The pool glistened under the moonlight, water shimring as the family gathered poolside. Ian stripped down to his shorts, stretching like an Olympian. "I was born for this," he declared arrogantly.
Sam smiled and shook his head, unzipping his tracksuit calmly. His muscles glead in the night, and Kayla whistled playfully. "My money’s on my husband."
"Traitor!" Ian yelled, diving into the pool with a splash.
Sam followed, sleek as a knife cutting through water.
"On your marks!" Sophia shouted.
"Get set!"
"GO!"
The water churned.
Ian thrashed with wild determination, pushing himself forward with big and powerful strokes. Unlike him, Sam’s strokes were smooth and powerful, cutting through the pool like he was gliding.
Within seconds, he touched the other end.
"Winner!" Kayla scread excitedly.
Ian surfaced, panting, splashing water, then he stared, wide-eyed. "I lost? Rematch! That was practice!" He said and Sam laughed.
The second race began with even louder chants. This ti, Sam deliberately eased up. He swam hard, but slowed halfway, letting Ian pull ahead.
Ian reached the edge first, slapping the wall with both hands, water flying everywhere. Then he leaped out of the pool like a madman, arms raised to the sky.
"YESSSSSSS! C’mon! Champion of Maitama!" He shouted, running laps around the pool as if he’d just scored in a World Cup final.
Everyone laughed until their stomachs hurt. Even Mr. Moses cracked a rare smile, clapping Ian’s back.
Sam climbed out, towel around his shoulders, shaking his head. "Shaless."
Ian grinned, teeth flashing. "A win is a win, a professional football player like you should know. Don’t hate the player, hate the ga," he laughed.
They returned to the bonfire, hair damp, and hearts light. The fire had burned low, but the warmth lingered in the air.
Kayla curled against Sam. "I’ve never seen you this relaxed, it’s nice".
Sam gazed at the flas, the laughter of his family echoing.
For one night, there were no trophies, no caras, no pressure. Just love, fire, and the crackle of ho.
Tomorrow would be Christmas. Tonight was perfect.
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