It was Hectic but Fulfilling.

Before Saturday came, a friend informed me of her cousin’s wedding. She had been put in charge of taking care of the bride’s ladies and was also responsible for cooking for them. She was given money for the food but had very few helping hands. So, she asked me to come over by 5 a.m. on Saturday to assist her.

Saturday arrived, and I woke up early, got ready, and left for her place. When I got there, I was told she had gone to the market to grind coconut and afang — the two main dishes we had to prepare. While waiting for her, I began washing the big pots to get them ready. I also washed and sliced the waterleaf, cut onions, pounded pepper, peeled seasoning cubes, and fetched water.

Soon after, she returned and we started cooking. We began with the soup, seasoned the stock, added the waterleaf, and later the afang. That was done without much stress. I parboiled the rice while she extracted the coconut milk. Once it was ready, I drained the rice and added the coconut milk and other ingredients, then set it back on the fire.

My photo

While I monitored the rice, she stepped out to fix her nails and eyelashes. When she returned, she bathed, and by then the rice was done. I poured it into the cooler and spread sliced onions over it. She called the keke man, dressed up, brought out the coolers, and once he arrived, everything was packed and sent off.

After they left, I tidied up the remaining things, locked her door, kept the key where she instructed, and went home to freshen up. Thankfully, I took some of the food home — both rice and soup. That kept me going through Saturday and Sunday.

I arrived home around 3 p.m. Cleaning everything on my own had taken a lot of time and energy. I was exhausted. After freshening up, I watched my favorite movie Merlin to relax. I dozed off and woke up exactly at 5 p.m. I got ready for choir rehearsal and was in church from 6 to 7 p.m. Later that night, I had dinner, ironed my choir uniform, and went to bed.

It was a long day, but one filled with meaning. Helping my friend felt good, especially knowing how often she’s been there for me. That weekend was hectic no doubt but it left me fulfilled.

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