Meaning Of Happiness

It was a frisky morning for the family of Biobaku.

Everyone have got beautiful smiles on their faces, I couldn't stop dancing to an unheard tune, the tune that only vibes in my head.

Our hearts were filled with an unquantifiable amount of joy because we will be having chicken for dinner, we actually can't remember the last time we made chicken on our own and not those we get served at parties or those we randomly get from neighbors during festive seasons.

How did we come about having chicken for the night? I know that's the question that pops on your mind.

I actually won a game, should I say lottery? No!

I won a game of Dare (This is better).

While coming back from an half day work at the site with my dad, most times we trek home despite being loosened out and drowsy after work. In fact, I think we've only avoided trekking home just once due to fact that we were given a free ride by the only son of the man who owns the house we are laboring for.

"He seem to be a good guy"; I often say.

So, while footing it home I saw a large crowd which was dominated by kids, it actually interest me to know what they're doing but I was not alone, I was going with my dad, perhaps, my heart branched but my body couldn't. After which we passed the scene by, suddenly I heard the call of my name by someone I am yet to identify as that time.

"Ayo Biobaku"!

"Ayo"!!

"Biobaku"

Who could this be?

I solemnly asked myself while dad utterly asked himself.

It was my school mate, Soyinka!

Soyinka is a very noble girl whose parents provides adequate comfort to. They buy her cloths, books and necessary needs. Sometimes, while I was still going to school, she does shares her food with me. The comfort her parents provided; she used it well. She is one of those kids the school was proud to have.

So, soyinka approached our paths with an alluring smile. I welcomed her with a hug for it's been a long time I last saw her.

"I missed her".

"Good afternoon sir", she said this while she went on her kneels to show custom and respect to my dad.

At her age (7), she already know how valuable culture is to Africa.

"How are you Soyinka?", my father asked.

"I'm very fine sir, thank you". She replied.

"I can't imagine what you'll be doing here", I amusedly said.

She replied and said; "My dad and I drove to the market to help mom get some groceries, so while dad is doing that in the market I decided to join the kids here and try my luck for the lottery.

"Which lottery?"; I asked.

"The lottery for kids, to encourage them in their academic progress in school, I believe you know this community values education"; She said.

"Oh, true". I replied.

While dad is standing and waiting for me to cut the long story short and to let us proceed home. My interest in the lottery grew higher because I realize that for Soyinka to have failed it then every other kids will also find it difficult..

Soyinka really wants me to try my luck in the lottery game, her gestures said it all. Dad might find it hard to say no.

"Dad, please can I try my luck?", I asked.

He said; "errhm, errhm, okay. Just 5 minutes".

I said; "No problem. Thank you dad, you're the best dad ever."

Soyinka was filled with joy as she never let go of my hand, she was happily jumping just like when the Cinderella finds her missing prince.

I got to the scene and raised my hand that I want to try..

Its a three section question, current affairs related questions.

"Are you ready?", the organizer said.

"Yes I'm", I replied.

"Mention 10 countries in Africa and their capitals", I was asked.

My dad was wowed, he was harboring the feeling that the question seems too much for my age, I looked at his face while trying to manage my time.

I continued.

Nigeria - Abuja

Angola - Luanda

Cameroon - Yaoundé

Ghana - Accra

Kenya - Nairobi

Ethiopia - Addis Ababa

Egypt - Cairo

Seychelles - Victoria

Rwanda - Kigali

Senegal - Dakar.

The crowd applauded..

Dad couldn't resist his joy, he jumped up like a proud father and couldn't stop clapping.

Section 2

List 5 European countries and their capital.

I took a deep sigh, this seems to much on me, I was just 8 years old. But I never allowed that pressure to take off my courage.

I continued,

France - Paris

Germany - Berlin

Spain - Madrid

United Kingdom - London

Errhm, errhm, I started stuttering. I needed one more to complete this section.

Suddenly, I forcibly said;

Portugal - Lisbon.

Yeeeeeeeeeee, everyone cheered..

My dad was the life of that gathering, he buried his tiredness and got fulfilled that he is a father.

"That's my boy"

"That's my boy"

He continued saying..

"Now, the last section to cart away the prize of the day", the moderator said.

"What is the name of the immediate past president of USA and the immediate past president of Nigeria"?.

The crowd chorused; "Ojoro", which means "Sentiments". Majority have given up that this section will deprive me the opportunity to win this prize, even Soyinka and her dad were looking sobered.

Immediate past president of USA is - Barrack Obama married to Michelle Obama

Immediate past president of Nigeria is - Good luck Ebele Jonathan married to Patience Jonathan.

The crowd couldn't believe it, they all were filled with joy, it was more like a scene where the president is being celebrated. My father carried me on his shoulders singing and dancing while jubilating. Everyone was happy, I was blown away by the amount of love I was showered by people.

My father proudly came out with Soyinka and her dad too while I received my prize for the game.

I was given, two big chickens, a school bag, a food flask and lots of goodies in the bag.

Dad tried offering one chicken to Soyinka and her dad but her dad honestly refused with a friendly smile on his face. He gave a warm handshake and encouraged me to keep it up, that its promising I'll be a great person.

These words relieved my dad and placed him abreast that no matter the struggle, he will have comfort someday soon.

I never let Soyinka go without sharing little out of my goodies with her.

We both waved goodbye.

Myself and my dad left the scene like celebrated celebrities. This time, we arrived home with happy faces and not tired faces.

I narrated everything to mom and my siblings, it was a weekend after all, everyone was home.

Mom was proud of me, she had a happy tear dropping down her cheeks.

Sade warmly hugged me, she was all by side all day.

Layo who seems to be an introvert unleashed her shields and had lots of cracks and chuckles on her face.

Aduke the little angel was so happy, she was just caressing every corner of the room with her happy plays.

"It's been a long time my family had been this happy", so I mumbled to myself..

Its going to be a chicken day, dad had tied one at the balcony while he and mom with my Sade had lighted up the stove to make chicken soup as the delicacy for dinner. Everywhere smells good, I can't resist the cooking prowess of momma, she is just the best cook, best ever..

While momma, Sade and Layo were busy in the cornered kitchen planning to make food for the family, dad humbly asked me; "Would you want us to share this goodies with your sisters?".

"Why not dad?"

I replied.

He found a shoe in the bag, which he handed over to me because it was outrightly my size, gave the school bag to Sade, the eldest sister. And shared the goodies equally between us all.

"Days like this are uncommon"; Sade said..

As we happily enjoyed our dinner for the night, dad asked me;

"Son, how were you able to give perfect answers to those questions despite being off from school in recent times?"

"Football top leagues helped me with the names of the European countries. Anytime I hear the name of a new African country in the radio, I do note it down, in fact I know 20 countries." I replied.

Everyone was wowed..

"But you were barely grown when the former presidents was in government". Dad said.

"Yes dad, I know. Anytime I'm home, anytime I don't go to school or work I do read the abandoned newspapers in the house, that was how I got to know that". Everyone got amusingly dazed.

They all clapped for me.

It was a great day for me, one of those days I'll never forget. A day I know what being 'Happy' means.