The Adesanyas and the Oladeles were good friends.

Oluwanifemi Adesanya was a childhood friend of Adedoyin Oladele. They both grew up in houses next to each other, and their parents had been friends long before they were born. They had both gone to the same primary school and secondary school, although university had separated them.

Nifemi married first, and being an only child, she made Doyin her maid of honour. By the time Doyin was getting married, Nifemi had already given birth to her first child, so she couldn't be the maid of honour.

Even after marriage and childbirth, their friendship still continued. Although, they now lived apart from each other and couldn't meet all that often.

Of course, as a result of this friendship, their husbands became close pals. Not as close as their wives, however.

To make up for the prolonged periods of not seeing each other, the two families made it a tradition to go visit each other at least once a month.

It was the turn of the Adesanyas to host their friends this month, so the Oladeles had travelled down with their son; Bowofade, to their house.

Fade had been excited. He was going to meet his friends once again. He felt lonely as an only child, so he always looked forward to seeing Tooni and Ara.

Oluwatooni, a boy, was Nifemi's first child. He had come before Doyin ever married. But Araoluwa, a girl, came a year after Doyin birthed Fade. They were as close as distance and phonelessness could allow, since they were still young and their parents hadn't given them phones to use yet. Well, apart from toy phones which really had no use.

As usual, on arrival at the Adesanyas' place, they had spent the whole day together reminiscing about old times and talking about what the future held for them and their children. They also discussed work and how it was getting more difficult to find a good job.

Evening rolled around and they all ate dinner. Tooni, who was twelve years old always tried to behave older than his age, so he had worn his Dad's tie and shoes to the table. His mother scolded him, but the remaining adults laughed it off, especially since it was something Nifemi and Doyin had also done with their mothers' undergarments.

When it was time to leave, it began to rain. It got worse and soon, the electricity got cut off.

Scared, the three children huddled together while their parents tried to calm them down.

Lightning flashed through the sky and soon after thunder rumbled, causing nine year old Ara and ten year old Fade to shriek in fright.

Tooni didn't scream, trying to be brave, but one could see him shut his eyes and clench his fists.

When it seemed like the rain wouldn't let up anytime soon and the children were still restless, Olajide Adesanya and Temilade Oladele suggested that the children tell everyone stories in a bid to keep their minds off the storm raging outside.

It worked.

The three kids perked up, Tooni volunteering to go first. Ara decided to go second, and Fade became the last to say his story.

Now, Tooni's story goes thus...

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