Chapter Eleven

Despite the chilly and dusty harmattan weather, Christmas in my home had always been a cherished and unforgettable time. It wasn't solely due to the delectable delicacies but rather the treasured tradition of Christmas tea, which had endured through the ages, bringing laughter to our lips as we celebrated this special occasion in our village.

The day was filled with beauty as my younger sister, brimming with excitement, washed the teacups. Just as she finished, our grandmother entered the kitchen, adorned in her blue wrapper and white blouse, humming a cheerful Christmas song. She grabbed some firewood from the stack beside the kitchen, which she had gathered from the nearby bush. Despite my uncle purchasing a stove for her, my grandmother insisted on using firewood, claiming that food cooked with it was sweeter. While I couldn't verify the truth of her statement, I found it enjoyable to cook with firewood on occasion. After all, we were preparing our family's traditional tea, so it was only fitting to do everything in a traditional manner.

'Ella, please hurry up,' my grandmother, who had been humming, abruptly ceased her humming and urged my younger sister to expedite her current task. Directing her focus towards me, she questioned, 'Why didn't you inform me that you were inviting your friend over?'

Instead of responding immediately, I placed the freshly washed teacups on the large tray. 'Grandma, Chioma was curious about our family tradition, so I invited her over,' I explained, smiling.

'Well, Eva, it took you quite a while to answer. You looked as if you had seen a ghost,' my grandmother teased playfully.

'I wasn't sure if you would agree to have Chioma here. I know how much our Christmas Afternoon tea means to us. It's special and exciting. I was afraid you wouldn't want a stranger present at this moment,' I replied, giggling.

My grandmother scooped a handful of bamboo leaves into a pot and filled it with water. She placed a metal rack over the fire and patiently waited for the tea to boil. 'There's nothing wrong with sharing our family tradition with others who are curious about it,' she remarked.