Reminiscence

He knocked on the door and once Ogar opened up he rushed in without saying a word to him. He did not look to the left or the right. Like someone avoiding distraction he kept moving.

"Uncle welcome" Ogar had called out to him.

No response.

"I have finished packing up" Ogar continued.

No response. Uncle Travis kept walking.

Ogar frowned in suprise. He shrugged his shoulders indifferently as he went after his uncle. The duo were now at the door that leads to uncle Travis's room.He folded his hands in front of his chest as he stood behind him, watching him discreetly.

Uncle Travis opened up the door and rushed in the direction of the wardrobe. He raised his feet a little above the ground to elevate himself. He pulled out a black bag where he kept his "relics" from the military.

Ogar wondered what he might be looking for. It was obvious that the item was relevant. This is why he rushed in without saying a word.

He took out his military accoutrements. First he pulled out his camouflage cap, then his sports wears was tossed on the bed, one leg off his boot peeped out and soon it came down crashing to the ground linked by the boot's lace to the other.

His uniform was dropped recklessly on the bed, so was his iodine which of course was expired but uncle Travis had refused to throw it away. Ogar wondered why.

"Was he going to sell his uniform, does he have a buyer yet? Why will he do that when he had always been against it? It was one of the reasons he resigned. While some soldiers sold their ammunitions to those who are not members of the force,some of his colleagues were forced to sew their uniforms or buy them. They were also made to but their boots sometimes. A fate similar to that of the police officers.

Their ammunitions were not always good enough.

Sometimes the police ran away when they met with opposition. Especially when the opposition had more sophisticated weapons.

"Uncle, what are you doing?"

No response. Only panting and sweating.

"Is there anywhere I can be of help?" Ogar asked. Uncle Travis turned to look at him and looked away. He resumed his search. Was this ever going to end?

Ogar felt a bite on his feet and reached out to slap the spot where he felt it.

A little blood splashed about his leg. He looked upas soon as he heard his uncle heave a sigh of relief. He frowned in amazement to behold a crotchet sweater in his uncle's arms. Uncle Travis smiled triumphantly as he brought it close to his nose and sniffed the fragrance in deeply. He couldn't believe he had abandoned this sweater completely. He had her around, he agreed but that was not enough. She knitted it with such dedicatedness. It felt firm and it looked as though he had only recently purchased it.

He shut his eyes as he kept sniffing. He smiled warmly as he recalled all the streamside picnics they had, fishing together for fun, taking trips to the market together....

'Oh Sheila!" He said passionately. Ogar blushed uncomfortably. He struggled to contain his giggles but it was all to no avail. Uncle Travis turned in his direction.

"You. You are here?"

Ogar said nothing.

"What are you....? Give me some privacy please...."

Ogar shrugged his shoulders and made an indifferent face as he walked out of the room.

Uncle Travis can not go in like this. Obviously, he loved aunt Sheila deeply and it wasn't possible for him to get over her anytime soon.

What if they came back together? What will happen to him and Minka? He wanted his uncle to be happy but he wasn't sure it will be healthy enough for his relationship with Minka. Uncle Travis had always put him first. Will he put him first in this situation? Minka and himself already have an understanding. They both know they have feelings for each other even though they have decided not to get intimate or deeply committed anytime soon.

Ogar used the opportunity to wash the dirty dishes.He had finished up the previous chore his uncle had given him. Maybe by the time he is through, uncle Travis will have snapped out of his lovesick situation.

Maybe he will not. Not today. Maybe they will not embark on the trip anymore. He who's to led as he washed. The remaining food in the pot belonged to uncle Travis. His tummy rumbled and he realised he had not been satisfied with the meal he had. He swallowed his saliva. He overheard uncle Travis's voice.

He could tell he was having a phone conversation.

"Where will we meet? I believe the bar will be a perfect fit.Please notify me, upon your arrival, I will be looking forward to meeting you then. Stay safe and enjoy the rest of your day"

Uncle Travis stopped at the kitchen. Ogar could tell because he had left the door ajar.

"Ogar I will be back shortly. I need to pick up a few items from the store. In the meantime take care of yourself and the house. Well done by the way. Keep up the good work" he concluded as he ventured towards the parlour with a smile. Ogar did not reciprocate the smile. Rather, he faced the sink and began to wipe it's corners, a routine job that followed after washing the dishes.

Where was his uncle going anyway? When will he come back home? He had something in his hand. A plastic bag that was transparent. He saw the crocheted sweater and he smiled. His uncle was obviously not rushing back to return the sweater to aunt Sheila. Aside that being childish, it was not typical of his uncle. Look at the way he sniffed in the fragrance as he held onto the sweater. Uncle Travis may most likely be on his way to the laundry. He wants to give the crocheted sweater up for laundry.

Will he be wearing it about everyday? Will it be a souvenir ? Will he wear it to bed? Ogar wondered. He found himself smiling again. Uncle Travis seemed to be a very dedicated lover. He,Ogar had probably inherited his gene.