The Meeting with Zulu Family
Eunice POV
It's been three days since that small, intimate meetings the kind where truths are spoken softly but linger heavily in the air and now the clock reads 4 PM. The golden sunlight pours through the cracks of our humble window, casting a warm glow over the room. Outside, the distant sounds of construction echoes of metal clanging, hammers, and the rumble of machinery announcing a new beginning, a sign of progress that's both hopeful and unsettling.
I woke up early today, feeling an inexplicable sense that something was about to change. The air in the house is heavy with anticipation. I slipped out of bed quietly, careful not to wake the little ones, and made my way to the hallway, listening to the faint sounds of activity outside. The walls of our home are reinforced, meant to block out much of the noise, but I can still hear the distant hum and clangs a constant reminder of the ongoing transformation in our community.
I glance around my small room, taking a moment to gather my thoughts. Malik and Max, had recently decided to get DNA tests probably to confirm suspicions about their resemblance and origins. I smile softly at the thought. It's strange how bloodlines and family ties can sometimes be traced so easily, yet so much remains hidden, buried deep beneath layers of secrets and lies. I wonder about the results, what they'll reveal, but today isn't the day for that. Today is about family, about connection, about hope.
I step out into the corridor and tiptoe toward the girls' room. As I pass the living space, I see Genie walking out, carrying Little Nathan's lamp an essential UV light for his photo therapy. I nod gently, not wanting to disturb the fragile peace of the moment. Nathan needs his sunlight, even if it's artificial, to help with his treatment. I approach and carefully adjust the lamp, checking the distance to ensure Nathan's delicate skin isn't at risk. Just two hours a day, with his eye patch and diapers to cover his sensitive areas that's all he needs now. It's a small comfort amid the chaos.
Walking into the girls' room, I whisper softly, "Fifi, good afternoon," and lean down to kiss her forehead as she stretches and yawns awake. Fiona's bright eyes meet mine, her innocence shining through her sleepy smile. "Afternoon, Sissy," she replies softly.
Vina, still curled under her blanket, calls out softly, "Maaa," as she slowly climbs down from her bed, clutching her favorite blanket tightly. Eros from his crib hugs his plush elephant, calling out his own "Maaa," as if summoning strength from the familiar comfort of his toy.
I carry Eros in one arm and Vina in the other, gently kissing their cheeks. Their innocence so pure, so untainted by the darkness that often clouds our family's history fills me with a quiet determination. Despite of their mother's unleashed cruelty, betrayal, and pain I see in these children a reflection of hope, of resilience.
I silently vow to shield them from the same darkness. This time, I won't let them suffer because of the sins of others. Their father, despite his flaws, has shown kindness an act I struggle to fully understand but am grateful for. When their mother asked him to kill me after using my body, he refused. Instead, he chose to care for me in secret, risking everything, calling me out under false pretenses to keep me safe from the evil witches and her spawn.
That act of kindness of defiance has saved me on those hard times. It's a complicated gift, wrapped in schemes and survival, but I cling to it. Sometimes, I wonder if he was truly good or just trying to survive as best he could. But today, I focus on the gratitude I feel for his actions, no matter his motives.
Dahlia, my younger sister, walks out of the bathroom, freshly bathed and glowing with vitality. I kiss her forehead and help dry her hair, styling it into twin braids with big bows in front. "Our Dahlia is the prettiest," I whisper softly, helping her pick out her clothes.
Vina, eager and excited, raises her hand theatrically. "Vina too is the Pwettiest," she declares proudly, while her arms are raised Dahlia poked Vina's armpits, causing both to squeal and giggle. Their playfulness is a balm to my weary soul.
I help Dahlia put on her lilac halter top, jumper shorts, and purple Crocs, glancing at the clock. Vina is busy choosing her outfit while Fiona prepares herself for her shower. I call out, "Vina, why don't you pick your clothes now while Aunt Fiona gets in the shower?"
Thomas, my younger brother, walks in with Nathan dressed sharply, a small but meaningful sign of normalcy. "Gen said she's done packing the gifts for the Zulu's," he announces, lowering Nathan to me carefully as I kiss the infant's head as a way to greet good day to the little one.
"Alright," I reply, "I'll help the kids get dressed quickly so we can head out. Did you double check if the gifts include basic needs and medicine?"
Thomas nods confidently. "Yes, everything's packed. I made sure to include essentials medicines, clothes, and some toys for the children. We're prepared."
Fiona comes out of the bathroom, looking adorable in her baby pink off-shoulder top and rosy pink skort. She twirls happily, her eyes shining with excitement. "Sissy, can you put my hair up in a bun? And add the flower hair tie like this," she says, holding a tiny tiara.
"Of course, baby," I reply, carefully fixing her hair with gentle hands. I add a few decorative pins and the tiara, making her giggle as she twirls around, feeling special.
Suddenly, Fiona deepens her voice dramatically, "I'm an ogre! I eat stinky children," she declares, making Vina and Eros burst into giggles and run towards me for protection.
"Alright, enough playing around." I say, gathering the kids to head out. I help Vina change into her blue shorts, tank top, and flip-flops, and Eros into his matching shorts and tank top with his Crocs.
"Go play outside for a bit," I tell them. "I'll take a quick shower, then we'll leave."
After dressing, I step into my room for a quick shower. I choose simple, comfortable clothes—jean shorts, a white halter top, and my favorite white Crocs. My hair goes into a messy bun, and I take a deep breath, feeling the heat of the day already building up.
I carry two casseroles one is beef broccoli and the other is chicken curry as a gesture of thanks for Alassane's family members and Thomas carries a box of supplies. The children carry bags of goodies, packed carefully for the younger siblings of Alassane. I remember asking the kids to prepare some treats for the children in the house, knowing they could use some cheer amidst the hardships of life.
The goodie bags, as Fiona called them, were filled with an assortment of treats chocolates, candies, cookies, cake pops, mini bags of chips, and various powdered juice packets in different flavors. Dahlia also added a few packets of flavored oral rehydration solution to help combat the heat and keep everyone hydrated, along with cute water flasks in different colors to encourage drinking water throughout the day. Vina and Eros were tasked with choosing their bags, which were backpacks decorated with fun car prints. Each backpack came with a real car keychain that served multiple purposes: it could be used as a whistle, and with the press of a button, it would start blinking an SOS light to signal for help in emergencies. For the girls, the backpacks featured adorable furry cat designs, with eyes that flashed with blinking SOS signals, and one of the paws was a pullout whistle for emergencies. The children put a lot of thought and care into assembling their goodie bags, carefully selecting items they thought would be both fun and useful. I couldn't help but feel proud of their thoughtfulness and the effort they put into making these small gifts meaningful.
As I finish dressing, we all gathered and went to the floor below where the Zulu family lives. "Can someone knock for me?" I asked since my hands are full with the casseroles of food.
We wait a moment, and then the door opens. The air hits us the oppressive heat, the humidity, the relentless sun beating down. Sweat trickles down our brows, but we wipe it away, smiling through the discomfort.
Alassane greets us warmly at the door, holding Nathan carefully. "Sorry it took so long," he says, handing us cool towels. We thank him and wipe the sweat from our faces and necks.
"Hello, ma'am," I say politely, placing the casseroles on his table. "We brought some food and gifts. Not much, but we hope you accept them." I gesture to Thomas, who puts the box of supplies on the side.
"I also heard you have some children here," I add. "The kids brought some gifts for them, to help them make some friends."
Alassane's mother, smiling kindly, steps forward. "Oh dear, why bother? Come in, come in. You're very kind. Sit, sit. The children are still in their rooms, changing. Come, rest a bit—your skin looks good for this weather. You glow like the sun," she says warmly, hugging me briefly and patting my back.
"It's okay, auntie," I reply gently. "We can wait. Do you need any help with anything?"
---
While we settle into the cool shade of the house, the conversation gradually turns to the weather, something hung that's been on everyone's mind lately. Someone mentions how the relentless heat has become unbearable, how temperatures are soaring past historic highs this year, breaking records that had stood for decades.
Alassane's mother sighs heavily, her face lined with worry. "The drought this year is unlike anything we've seen before. Crops are failing, rivers are drying up, and the wells are almost empty. The land is parched, and the animals are suffering. It's as if the earth itself is crying out for help."
Others nod in agreement, sharing stories of wells running dry and crops turning to dust. "We used to have a good harvest last year," his father says, voice trembling, "but this year, nothing. The rain refused to come, and the sun just beats down endlessly, day after day. And we have to move here for safety especially now as the old people says after extreme drought comes frightening rain."
I listen quietly, my heart heavy. I think about the fields near our place, the river we used as temporary shelter months ago, now reduced to cracked beds and muddy patches. The drought isn't just a weather anomaly anymore; it's a sign that our climate is changing and we are powerless against it.
"Sometimes, it feels like the earth is punishing us," a Alassane murmurs, almost to himself. "Like we've taken too much, and now it's fighting back."
I nod slowly, feeling the weight of those words. "What can we do?" I ask softly. "How do we prepare for a future that looks so uncertain?"
Alassane's father responds with quiet resolve. "All we can do now is pray and hope for the rains. Lets start collecting rainwater, once the rain pour down. The government says they're doing what they can, but it feels like we're fighting a losing battle. We have to support each other, share what little we have, and pray that the clouds will bring relief soon."
The family discusses possible solutions building small water reserve somewhere in the building, planting drought resistant crops, and supporting each other through these hard times. They speak of community resilience of pulling together, sharing resources, and holding onto hope. They tell stories of previous droughts and how their ancestors managed to survive through ingenuity and unity.
I see the worry in their eyes, and my own heart aches. The drought isn't just a weather pattern; it's a reminder of how fragile our lives are, how much we depend on the mercy of nature. I wonder how much longer our land can sustain us, how much more hardship we can endure.
"Less likely," I whisper, more to myself than anyone else, "I have a feeling this is just the start of an unstoppable disaster."
Alassane's mother reaches out and places a comforting hand on my shoulder. "All we can do is keep the faith, and do what we can locally. We're planting drought resistant crops, sharing water, supporting each other. We must be strong for ourselves and for those who come after us."
The conversation drifts into stories of resilience, of community effort, of hope. The air is thick with worry but also with a quiet determination to survive. As the sun begins to set, casting long shadows over the parched land, I realize that despite the hardships the relentless heat, the drying rivers, the uncertain future our families and communities cling to hope, to each other.
As the evening deepens, the atmosphere shifts to one of reflection and unity.
We sit together in the small, humble house, sharing a simple meal but having talked with people who has more experience in this disaster and sharing insight has inspired me with many ideas. The food is modest, but it's enough. We talk about plans to help the community, how to support those most vulnerable, and how to prepare for even harsher times. The children listen quietly, their innocence untouched by the worries around them, their eyes wide with curiosity and hope.
I look around at the family at the resilience etched into their faces, at the strength in their voices and I feel a renewed sense of purpose. Despite the suffering, despite the drought and the scorching heat, we are still here. We are still fighting. And somehow, that's enough to keep us going.
---
In the dim, cozy corner of Eunice's bedroom, the soft glow of a small lamp flickers gently, casting warm shadows on the walls. Eunice sits cross legged on the floor, with Fiona nestled beside her, both of them focused intently on Dahlia, who is sitting upright on her bed, eyes sparkling with excitement. Her tiny hands holding a bunny plushie, a big blue screen showing a dedtailed map, dotted with dots in various colors, symbols, and markings her special "GPS" map.
Dahlia's face is lit with enthusiasm as she explains her latest discovery. "Sissy, I can find the way to anywhere! Like a real GPS. I just think really hard about the place, and my map shows me the route. It's like magic," she says proudly, her voice filled with wonder.
Fiona claps her hands excitedly. "Wow! Dahlia, you're like a superpower girl! Can you show me how it works?"
Dahlia giggles. "I'll show you, Fi. It's easy. First, I think about where I want to go, like the market or the river, and then I look at my map. The map shows me the best way like a secret tunnel or a hidden path."
Eunice leans in, smiling softly. "That's incredible, Dahlia. You really do have a special gift. But we need to plan carefully you remember how tricky some routes can be, especially with the drought making some roads impossible or dangerous."
Fiona tilts her head. "What kind of places do we need to visit? Can Dahlia find the water sources?"
Dahlia nods vigorously. "Yes! I can see the water wells and the rivers. But I need to remember the best paths sometimes, the roads change because of the drought, or there are blocked paths from the construction or fallen trees. That's why we need to plan well."
Eunice places a gentle hand on her sister's shoulder. "That's why we're making a plan. We need to visit the water sources, check the markets for supplies, and see how the roads are holding up. Dahlia, your map can help us avoid the dangerous spots and find the safest routes."
Fiona pipes up eagerly, "Can we go to the river first? I want to see if the water is still there. Maybe I can see fish swimming!"
Dahlia grins. "I think the river is still there, Fi. My map shows a shortcut through the trees, away from the construction site. We just need to follow the path I marked."
Eunice nods, thinking. "We'll need to master the routes know which paths are safe, which ones are blocked, and where the water and food are. Dahlia, we'll practice with your map every day, so you can get better at 'reading' it."
Just then, Thomas enters quietly, holding a small bag of supplies and a serious expression. He listens for a moment and then speaks, "That's a good plan, Eunice. Dahlia's map could be our greatest asset. But we also need to learn how to adapt when the routes change unexpectedly."
He steps closer, kneeling beside them. "You see, in times like these, it's not just about knowing the routes you have to master them. Sometimes, roads are blocked, or the land shifts from the drought. We need to learn to identify new paths on the fly, and remember the key landmarks to avoid getting lost."
Dahlia looks up at him, eyes wide. "Thomas, how can I learn to master the routes better? I want to be the best GPS ever!"
Thomas smiles softly, ruffling her hair. "That's the spirit, little sis. First, practice your mapping every day add new routes, mark the landmarks, and remember the main paths. Then, when you're out there, use your memory to adapt to any changes. Think of it like a game every new route you learn makes you stronger."
Fiona nods seriously. "So, Dahlia, you're like a map hero! I want to be a helper too. Maybe I can spot the water or tell if a road is blocked."
Eunice chuckles softly, proud of her sisters. "You all have special gifts. Dahlia's map, Fiona's keen eyes, and my plan together, we can find our way through anything."
Suddenly, Dahlia's eyes sparkle with an idea. "What if we make a special map just for the water sources and safe paths? We can put stickers or draw symbols. Then, whenever we're ready, I can look at it and tell everyone which way to go!"
Fiona claps excitedly. "Yes! And I will help find the water! I'll be the water spot finder!"
Eunice nods, feeling a surge of hope. "That's a wonderful idea, Dahlia. We'll work on that every day. And Thomas, you can help us practice the routes you're great at remembering things."
Thomas smiles warmly. "Absolutely. We'll make sure everyone knows the paths. Mastering the routes will be our secret weapon. We'll become expert explorers, no matter how hard the land gets."
They all share a moment of laughter and excitement, their bond strengthened by the challenge ahead. In the midst of their hardships the drought, the construction, the uncertainty they find joy in their teamwork, their shared goals, and the belief that their combined efforts can make a difference.
As the evening shadows lengthen, Eunice looks at her sisters, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "We'll keep practicing, keep learning, and keep moving forward. No matter what, we will find the water, the safe roads, and a way to survive. Together."
Fiona and Dahlia nod vigorously, clutching their handmade maps and stickers as decoy, ready for their next adventure.