THE NEW NEIGHBORS

The story begins with a five-year-old child, Dayo playing alone with his small toy car in front of his house. The year was 2006. Suddenly, a blue 1998 Toyota Camry drove in and parked. A man neatly dressed in Nigerian native attire came out, followed by a woman in a matching outfit. Behind them were their three children: Joshua, their twelve-year-old son; Esther, their nine-year-old daughter; and Daniel, their five-year-old son. Mr. and Mrs. Oromoni both glanced at the house and smiled warmly at each other. Dayo realized that the man he saw two weeks ago with Mr. Obinna, the landlord, was the same man. But now he had a wife and three children. While staring, Daniel noticed a child about his age watching from a distance. It was Dayo. The boy's eyes remained fixed on Daniel and his family, filled with quiet curiosity as he studied the unfamiliar faces arriving next door. Dayo stood silently, following their movements as they made their way into their new house. Later that evening, Dayos mother Ana, returned from Ogbe Market, sweating while carrying a big black nylon bag. Dayo saw a figure through the window at the compound gate and recognized it immediately. He ran outside shouting, "Mommy oyo yo!!" "Mommy oyo yo!!" He hugged her tightly and said, "Mommy did you buy anything for me?" She smiled and said, " yes I did my sweet Dayo" He smiled, snatched the nylon bag from her while struggling to carry it with a serious yet playful face. She asked, "Where is your father?" Dayo replied, "He's inside" while still very focused on carrying the nylon bag inside. At the same time, Ana walked in after Dayo only to see her husband, Richard the mechanic, sleeping on the parlour couch snoring loud. His big belly was rising and falling. Today was his only day off. Seeing him like this, she was furious and irritated by his loud snores and said nothing. She dropped the other bags and yelled, "Papa Dayo! Have you seen the new neighbors?" Richard opened one eye, frowned, and turned on the couch. "Oh, you're back. What new neighbors? Why should I care?" His voice was rough from sleep. Ana was more annoyed by his "I don't care" attitude, but she ignored it. "I heard from mama nosa that they are a family of five and the husband is a Deacon in a big church." Richard scoffed mockingly, turned, and scratched his belly. "Ohh, this woman, leave me with this your wahala naa. You and aproko. She cuts him off immediately. "Abeg e, look at you. See how fat your belly is. Always drinking and eating like a pig. Even on your day off." Richard eyes became clear. He sat up angrily. She rolled her eyes, picked her bag, and walked into the kitchen without looking back. The house went quiet while Dayo was staring at both of them. Richard grabbed his dark purple oversized shirt from the couch, wore his brown slippers, and slammed the door. Outside, the evening was already dark. He didn't go far. He just walked to the buka across the street where his friends were playing draft and drinking beer. One of them asked, "Oga mechanic, wetin happen? You look vex." He took a long sip of his beer before replying, "It's nothing. Na my wife. You know women and their wahala." The men laughed, and the conversation soon drifted to football, Nigeria's corrupt government, and work. But even as they talked, Papa Dayo's mind remained at home. The next morning.... One Monday morning, Mama Dayo helped her son get ready for school. She adjusted his uniform, made sure his sandals were properly worn, and held his hand as they walked down the street. As they approached the school gate, Dayo noticed two familiar faces standing nearby. It was Mr. Oromoni and his son, Daniel. Dayo stopped for a moment. The same boy who moved in with his family was now wearing the same school uniform as him. Mama Dayo also noticed Mr. Oromoni and his son. Still holding Dayo's hand, she quickly walked over to greet them. "Good morning," she greeted with a smile. "My name is Ms Femi, Dayo's mother. We live in the house beside yours." Mr. Oromoni looked surprised for a moment before smiling warmly. "Oh, my name is Weyinmi Oromoni, and this is my son, Daniel." He looked down at Daniel with a proud smile. "I came to enroll him in this school. We just moved here, and we wanted him to continue his education somewhere close." The two parents exchanged a few more words, getting to know each other. Mr. Oromoni, being a devoted church member, politely asked, "If you don't mind me asking, which church do you and your family attend?" Mama Dayo paused briefly before answering. "Emm... actually, we're not attending churches for now." A small look of surprise crossed Mr. Oromoni's face, but he quickly returned to his polite smile. "I see," he replied. After their conversation, Mama Dayo directed Mr. Oromoni toward the principal's office. Before leaving, she looked at her son dayo and said. "Finish your food, oh Dayo. I made your favourite dish," she said warmly. "And make sure you listen to your teacher today, okay?" Dayo smiled and nodded after her. Inside the school compound, the sound of the morning assembly filled the air. The pupils stood in straight lines as they sang and listened to announcements from the teachers. After the assembly ended, the pupils settled into their classrooms. Dayo sat at his desk with the other children while their classroom teacher stood at the front of the classroom. A few minutes later, the classroom door opened. A tall woman walked in. She was another teacher sent by the principal. She wore a neat, well-ironed blouse and a long skirt that matched the school's formal appearance. Her hair was neatly arranged, and she carried herself with confidence as she stepped toward the front of the class. The students became quiet. Standing beside her was a familiar face. It was Daniel. The entire classroom stood up to great in unison "Good morning, ma," they replied together In a gentle and warm way she said. "Good morning, pupils." She turned slightly toward Daniel. "Today, we have a new student joining our class. His name is Daniel Oromoni. I want everyone to make him feel welcome." Daniel looked up at the teacher, then turned toward his new classmates nervously and waved. The class watched the new student quietly as the teacher said. "Alright, Daniel. You can take the empty seat over there." As Daniel walked toward his seat, Dayo stared at him intensely.