"Ejovi!"
Jovi's ears perked up, not unlike a dogs’. The voice rang out again.
"Ejovi Omonite Akulubiko Ewikenafe Joromi Agaracha Oromopiopio!"
Jovi's mother always did that. If after the first call Jovi did not answer, she would call his whole name for the whole world to hear. I found it amusing, much to Jovi's chagrin.
"Yes mama!"
"Come here!"
"<grumble... grumble.. this woman and her wahala sef!>"
"What did you say?"
"I said I'm coming ma."
Jovi turned around "Gaga, I'll meet you outside church just after father Munoz starts the first prayer."
I nodded my head. It was New Year's eve, and as per tradition, our respective families would be attending Midnight Mass to usher in the New Year. In the past couple of New Year's eves, Jovi and I had started our own little tradition which soon caught on with all the other neighborhood kids. We'd stock up on "bangers" which people annoyingly term now as "firecrackers." Bangers were more like deadly mini-explosives which operated like matchsticks. You'd strike a banger on a matchbox and get rid of it immediately.
The sound it made when it exploded was, no kidding, like that of a small grenade. Jovi and I would carry our nuclear stockpile and go from house to house (especially those homes which had parents who had offended us during the year) and throw bangers into their yards and sometimes even into their verandas if it was open enough. What can I say? T'was fun.
"Ogaga!" I heard my mother's voice. "I'm coming!" I quickly responded before she brandished my entire name before the whole community. I ran home and entered the house through the kitchen.
"Gaga, you are coming to church with me today." I was stunned. My mother didn't go to Midnight Mass at the Catholic Church within our community. She attended Oritamefa Baptist Church and for any other occasion I would've treasured the opportunity (for her pastor was quite fun), but this was the one night I couldn't miss out on Midnight Mass. One of the first things you learn as a youngster is never to argue with your mother, especially when she's cooking. That wooden paddle can be an effective persuader, one must note. I nodded my head and feigned excitement "Good... good..."
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