A Christmas Competition.

CHAPTER 1: 12 DAYS TO CHRISTMAS

“The Bigger, the better!” Mrs Omode says.
“The Bigger, the loudest, the most beautiful the better!” Ruth replies her mother, gesticulating dramatically.
“The whole town will be here to marvel at our Christmas display, they won’t even take a look at the Raimo’s.”
“Hehe!”
“They think they can always throw the biggest party every Christmas?..”
“This time around we no go carry last!” Ruth hails her mother.
“What are you guys shouting for again?” Ife asks tiredly as she enters the house from the market with huge nylon bags in her hands.
“Welcome, my daughter. Is everything inside? Did you get the lights?”
“Yes, ma.”
“What about the stuffed reindeers?”
“Yes, mum”
“Did they deliver the golden stars? The floating bells? The first ever golden leaves??”
Mrs Omode continues to ask as they proceed to rummage through the nylon bags.

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THE RAIMO’ HOUSE
“We have to give our A Game as usual. In the whole of this town, we are known for being the best in doing anything. I am still receiving compliments and gratitudes from the last Christmas party. We are here once again!”

“You are right my wife, just let me know how much is needed this year. A lot of my friends will be coming. They haven’t stopped talking about the last Christmas party we threw, my boss at work keeps reminding me that I have to throw a bigger one. They will all be here.” Mr Raimo says.

“Don’t worry my husband, you don’t trust your wife again?”

“Mama Mama Haliya! I trust you!” Mr Raimo hails his wife.

“Wait, aren’t we worried about what the Omodes will pull off this time around?” Haliya interrupted the couples’ moment.

“My daughter, no matter what they come up with I will give them double! In fact, make sure you go around and find out what every one is up to as usual so that we will have an idea on what everyone is planning and they will stand no chance against us, especially the Omodes.”

“Yes..”
The door opens and Ike rushes in carrying plenty nylon bags.

“Welcome, my son.” Mr Raimo says as he moves from the window blinds.

“I hope they didn’t break any of my decorations from the waybill?” Mrs Raimo says as she stands up to meet her son.

“No mum. That’s not even what I’m about to tell you. Guess what?”

“What??” Haliya asks with her hands spread open.

“I just heard that there are some visitors from Abuja in the estate. They are going door to door to make known that there will be an award for a family’s grand Christmas celebration. It seems they want to cover everything about a particular family on Christmas day for their magazine”.

Mrs Raimo screams in excitement. Mr Raimo nods his and heads back to the window.

“Mummy, do you know what this means?” Haliya’s eyes brightened as she looked at her mother.

“We are going to be featured on that magazine, because we are throwing the biggest, better and grandest Christmas party again this year. Hehe!” Mrs Raimo responded as she dances around.

“Well, we better do something about it and fast because the Abuja visitors are already at the Omode’s house”. Mr Raimo announces as he looks twice at his family and back to the window.

“What?!!” Mrs Raimo and her daughter screams as they rushed to the window.

WRITTEN BY ~GOODNESS FELIX-ADEBAYO