“Aunty, Aunty, Aunty”, I hear three excited voices chanting
through the door. I groan as I wake up,
remembering where I am. I’m spending some days with my sister’s family. The
chanting are her three very hyper kids, they couldn’t even wait for my alarm to
go off. I can’t deal with all that just yet, I need coffee. You remember me and
my small coffee problem right? Yes, I gave in to it, figuring one a day is not
a bad thing. Is that what addicts say?
Anyway back to the kids, 2 nephews, one niece who I am meeting
for the first time. She’s been in the family for a few months, but I’m only
just meeting her due to time & the rules. She’s 3 years old and one of the
most adorable kids ever, goes around calling everyone gorgeous in the cutest
accent. So when she says, “Aunty I love you, let’s go jump”, it’s hard to
resist. All I say is, “Ok baby, let Aunty have her coffee first” as I trudged
to the kitchen and find the biggest mug while three little people run around me
excitedly telling their mum, “Aunty is going to jump”. She looks at me with joy
and pity, grateful for a few minutes reprieve I’m sure.
Coffee done and it’s time to jump. Up the trampoline we go.
“Jump higher Aunty”, they scream. Now I have no issue with jumping, it is great
fun but there are things that I’d rather only bounced during one certain
activity, this is not it.
I beg for a break and they reluctantly agree. Summer in
London has been good so I’m sweating already. “Good exercise”, sister says
laughing at me. I side-eye her but secretly agree.
“Aunty, Aunty come watch us ride. Aunty, Aunty come play
hide and seek”
I love the little ones, I truly do but I can’t wait to go
back home. Go and sit with some vodka and talk to some big people.
Luckily my big people are more than happy to oblige, also
looking forward to some big people drinks tonight.
Oh, and that big decision? Kinda worked out alright :)!
*written for the 3six5 Nigeria project @ http://the3six5ng.wordpress.com/
