A taxi pulled into Chief Churchill's compound and came to a stop. The gatekeeper, Cornelius, hurried forward as a young man stepped out, adjusting his sunglasses with a smile.
"Ah! Oga Arinze, welcome back o!" Cornelius greeted, his voice full of excitement.
"Thank you, Cornelius. How's work?" Arinze replied warmly.
"Work dey fine o! Make I help you carry your bag inside," the elderly man said, switching into cheerful pidgin as he lifted the luggage toward the house.
Arinze paid the taxi driver, waved as the car drove off, and followed Cornelius inside.
"Is everyone home?" he asked.
"Yes o! Dem don dey wait for you since," Cornelius replied, grinning.
Arinze smiled as he took in the familiar view of the compound where he'd grown up. Not much had changed since he left for the States — the same flowerbeds, the same sturdy front porch, the same calm air of home.
As soon as he stepped into the sitting room, two excited screams pierced the air.
"Brother Arinze!" Esther and Oluchi cried, racing toward him. They jumped on him at once, laughing and hugging him so tightly he almost lost his balance, steadying himself against a chair.
"See my big girls!" he said, laughing. "How's school?"
"School is fine! We missed you!" Oluchi replied quickly.
"I missed you guys too!"
Their parents came down the stairs just then, beaming with joy.
"My son!" Chief Churchill exclaimed, spreading his arms wide.
"My son is back home!" his mother echoed, her eyes glistening.
"Mummy m!" Arinze said fondly as he hugged her.
She looked him over proudly. "Just look at you — all grown up! You've become a real man."
He chuckled. "Mummy…"
"Arinze," his father called.
"Dad!" Arinze turned and embraced him tightly.
"Look at my Opara," Chief said proudly. "You're looking good, son."
"Thanks, Dad. You all look amazing too," he said, smiling.
"Brother, what did you bring for us from America?" his sisters asked eagerly.
"Let him rest first, don't disturb him," their mother scolded gently, and the girls groaned.
"Don't worry," Arinze laughed. "I brought plenty of goodies for you guys. But first, I need a shower. That trip was long and stressful."
The girls squealed in excitement.
"I know, son," Chief said. "Go upstairs and freshen up. Lunch will be ready soon."
"Okay, Dad. It's so good to be home."
---
The family sat together later at the dining table, enjoying a warm lunch. Arinze's mother watched him with quiet pride as he ate heartily.
"I know they don't cook our kind of food over there," she said with a smile. "So I took my time to make something special. I knew you'd love it."
Arinze nodded approvingly, taking another spoonful. "It's really good, Mum."
She beamed.
"So this is what you people have been enjoying all this while?" he teased.
"As if you weren't enjoying yourself in America," Oluchi said, rolling her eyes playfully.
"Don't mind him," Esther added. "Before long, he'll start saying he wants to go back."
"No, no," Arinze laughed. "Come on, I'm back to stay."
"For real?" Oluchi asked, eyes wide.
"Yes. So you all better get ready for me."
"You people should eat and stop talking," their mother said firmly. "You can gist after lunch."
"Yes, dear, I totally agree," Chief said.
Oluchi giggled. "Of course you do. You always agree with whatever Mum says."
Their mother shot her a mock glare, and everyone laughed.