THE LINK TO LIGHT

eri

ure to the US. She had passed the scholarsh

Oluebube called out, peering i

voice echoed from

e out, let's go

kly stood and made for the

e alleyway under the shadow of their comp

Oluebube asked, her right h

in one of the viewing centres." Ifes

a sigh of relief.

ch her sons love watching football. She knew she was in for another banter between her boys and husband after the m

lk about the Nigerian professional football league, the English Premier League, Spanish la Liga, Italia

y that little women-secret-talk which her sons had denied her. Her brothers

ut Ebube chose to follow the long road to have more time with her daughte

h, but her laughter was abruptly cut short when

g our mother and sis

hey said those words to the person who had asked them a question. Ifes and her mother had

hat read, "You said they were

xpression, she replied

uo in frustration. "And wh

ecided to come along," Obinna said, pointing

es?" Ebube asked, arms on her hips, lo

a," Uch

y went to the viewing centres

Sunday. We shall

tion when Obinna uttered the sen

o much. Let's go to

She walked far ahead as her children followed behind her, talkin

. They navigated some of the shops but finally settled in the one Uchenna suggested they enter.

t will fit you." Obinna handed the

n as he said. Seeing that it fit snuggly, they decided to as

naira," the attendant said, lo

ed pale. "That is quite

m selling it to you at that price. If not, I sell each

sisted on getting the Jean skirts at a lower pr

e of the tw

him a glare. "Keep

at N1000," their mother sp

el of you." The attendant's

have to pay fo

. Your son said you

is buying the clothes from you? Me?" E

in confusion. "But

give you the money." Turning to her

the shop, her children behind her

u for N1200. Nothing

r children. She gave in to her children's persuasion. They stepped b

ories, and was close to tears. She was appalled at the way the boys were selecting

er, grinning. Ebube felt like scooping him up, the way he did to

ze to her mother to share her excitement. Her mother forced a s

nd it might be out of her mother's budget. She had been so excited that she didn't notice how it bothered her mother. She

the duo walking towards her with more items in hand. She quic

sed her their items. "We still t

said, not wanting to tell them that

, Ifes and her mother's facia

sister's shoulder, and Uchenn

ose items," Uchenna s

you mean 'we'?"

e pointed to himsel

the look that read, "

ained that they got the money from the menial jobs

urs. Trusting her children, she believed they went to one of their classma

g into space. First, it was Ifes saving up some money, and now her sons. She won

people are watching." Uchenna wiped the

" their mother la

't help but laugh out loud. That drew the attention o

ere." Ebube beamed, nudging her children to the counter. After the payment, they

t day,

e all in the choir unit, and served in different capacities. Ifes was one of the church choristers, Obi

n Rivers State, Nigeria, to hear the word of God from the presiding pastor. Pastor David fi

he reached out to during one of her ev

heaven over a so

o repeat after me,"

rom the dead to save me. Now, with my mouth, I confess you Lord ove

. They all retired to their rooms, but Ifes couldn't sleep, her family couldn't sleep becau

he grace of God. Just then, Solomon Lange's song titled 'Grace' poured into her heart. She raise

he sweetest sound

initely not singing t

ing at the door post. She bowed her head, smiling slightly. "I'm sorry,

the guitar that hung on h

not with

eir sisters' room with his keyboard in hand. "Why d

rb them with every opportuni

Udochi

y sisters." Uchenna

y sisters." Obin

. "I think with the addition of the keyboard and guitar, we will make more

ince this is Uchenna's favorite song, I think he should lead as he plays the

simultaneously. As they sang, they fel

n. As she was about to enter the bus that would convey her to Lagos, one of her twin

head to look a

money could afford." Obinna stretched

ribe the expression on Ifesinachi's face when she saw the Nokia C5 her brother handed

know we love you,

!" Ifes looked into their eyes whil

ed past them all to her father and did likew

nd their father felt their hearts tearing apart. Th

she was told about Lagos, and the journey, with her very own eyes. She saw the River Niger in Onitsha that demarcated Anambra and Delta state.

't eat the food from the restaurant as she wasn't used to eating in a

lled her family to inform them of her progress. She ended the call and used

their food or didn't eat started entering the

" one of the passengers called out to t

passenger came back and saw everyone laughing. He quickly noticed that it was related to him from th

d drove off. The driver didn't stop again ti

sign board that read, "This is Lagos. S