CONJUGAL BLISS. EPISODE ONE – MOTHER ADIRA.

On a crisp, starlit evening, two adorable sisters, Sabella and Stella, sat on their veranda, exchanging words with bright eyes and easy smiles. Their voices rose above the quiet of the evening, and even the passing lizard paused at their lively presence. The veranda was their usual spot, especially when it was the time to talk heartily – those girly chats.

“Boom-shakalaka!”A familiar, masculine voice cut in.

“Max! What are you doing here? How did you even locate us?” Sabella asked, turning to her brother in wonder.

“I don’t even know… I needed to have my meal fixed but you both were nowhere in view. But guess what? Luck brought me right to you!” He laughed sarcastically_ “Ah ah ah ah!” then faced them right.

“So.. where’s my food, eh? he asked, beaming as he jumped.

“Chai! This lastborn will definitely not drain us someday”. Stella said to her sister as they headed to the kitchen.

On their way, they quickly decided what to cook – it was already getting late, and they needed to start immediately. Hence, it will be an entire family uproar against them.

They stepped into the kitchen quietly and started gathering ingredients for potato porridge – their brother’s favorite. Hopefully, it will keep him busy so he doesn’t say too much to their parents.

While they were gathering that, Sabella’s left hand headed straight to the pot near the gas burner. It was her turn to wash the dishes, so she intended to clean it quickly and hand it over to her sister so they could start cooking. But the moment she lifted the lid, she was bumped. True to her nature – she couldn’t hold it back. Immediately, she grabbed her sister’s arm and pointed into the pot, gazing in shock.

“Ah-ah, where’s this boy now?” Stella asked, her hands clenched tightly. She held her nervousness because they still had it in mind not to make their parents aware of their late entry into the house. Just as she was trying to figure out what to do next, their aunt, Teresa walked in.

“What are you both still doing here? We’ve been waiting for you” Aunt Teresa said as she walked in. “And, what’s with the look on your faces?”

It was like they had been expecting the question.

Stella and Sabella answered in unison, “Auntie, please, who came into the kitchen before now?”

Stella quickly added, “It’s not a big deal, oh, I just wanted to confirm something.”

Aunt Teresa glanced at them, slightly confused. “Well, I thought it was you two in there. That’s who I assumed I saw”.

“Where’s my Mother?” Stella asked.

“I really don’t know, I haven’t seen her all day”. Aunt Teresa replied.

The sisters exchanged glances. Without a word, they turned and left the kitchen. But instead of heading to the living room, they quietly slipped into their room. As soon as they stepped in, their faces said something wasn’t right.

As expected, Sabella couldn’t hold her thoughts to herself and she cuts in, “Wait.. what’s going on here? I thought we agreed to tidy up the room after our chit-chat. So, who cleaned it up?”

“Dad should be in his room, and Mom should be out for her meeting. Or, could it be that smallie? Let’s call him out. All these strange surprises – I’m not feeling it again.”

They stared at each other, waiting for who was to bring Max in. Without much delay, Sabella stepped out to do the necessary.

While she walked down to bring in Max for questioning, she bounced at her mother – Mother Adira. “Hi, Mom,” she said excitedly, Why not? Her mother hadn’t been home. She’s unaware of their movement, messy room, and maybe more.

“Darling, how are you? Heading somewhere?” Mother Adira, asked.

“Yeah, Mom. I was just going to see Max”.

“Oh, please spare me some minutes. Let’s go into your room. I hope your sister is also there. Mother Adira said as she made her way inside.

She sat close to them at the very edge of the bed.

“My sweethearts”, she began. I couldn’t attend my meeting today and thought it could be a plus to our time together.

The sisters glanced at each other. If only they could whisper their thoughts to themselves at the moment. But right now, everyone – for- themselves.

“I am a mother, your mother.” she continued. “Your upkeep, well-being, and growth are my top priority. So, I wanted to remind you of this and let it sink in”.

“Thank God.. Oh, we mean thank you, ma” they stammered, correcting themselves instantly. “We love you”.

Then, turning to themselves in relief, they both shouted, “Yes, thank God!”

Mother Adira chuckled slightly, then said as she prepared to move out.

“Don’t forget to eat the food I kept in the pot for you and when you are done, you should have enough strength to face your punishment. I’ll be with your father. Come and get the lists of tasks waiting for you. And you, Stella, wash your lingerie. It is dirty!

She smiled sweetly and said, “Love you, girls!” as she headed out.

The two sisters stood frozen in disbelief when Sabella suddenly whispered,

“Stella, no matter what I say… just answer, ‘Mother Adira!’”

Sabella: Who sat and watched our infant’s heads?

Stella: Mother Adira

Sabella: Who watched us stay out till dusk and filled our space to feed the home?

Stella: Mother Adira

Sabella: Who gave us a meal alongside tasks?

Stella: Mother Adira.

Sabella: Say it again – “Mother Adira”

Stella: Mother Adira

Sabella: Louder!

Then Stella burst out laughing.

“Naughty girl. Let’s go and eat, those tasks won’t handle themselves. Our mother, the angel with both love and the rod, is waiting!”

And with that, they disappeared down the corridor, giggling as they left.