Bab 22: A memorable Christmas

When Moses and his wife finally came out of their rooms, the couple were glowing. They seemed to have just taken a bath.

And with a big smile on his face, the man of the house finally announced the big news officially.

"Everyone, today, we're not just celebrating Christmas, we're also celebrating Sam getting his first professional football contract".

"What?" Sophia stared at her dad; confusion written all over her face.

"Sophia, we're celebrating!" Mrs. Moses jumped to meet her daughter. "Sam is about to begin making money from football".

In the sitting room, Ian and Sam stayed silent, staring at the woman like she was an entirely different existence.

Sam was flabbergasted. 'Is this really my mom?'

Sam looked at his dad who winked at him, giving him the 'told ya' eye.

Ian shifted closer to his best friend. "Women are scary". He muttered.

Sam nodded in agreement. "They're even scarier when money is involved".

The day was already dark but their Christmas celebration was not over yet.

Due to the good news today and since he was in a happy mood, Mr. Moses decided to splurge some money on his family to make today even more memorable as he took them out to an acclaimed restaurant in Abraka.

After eating, they watched a nice movie in a cinema before finally dropping Ian off at his home.

Today was truly the best Christmas day of Sam's life.

…

The next day, waking up, there was a lot of house chores for Sam and his sister to take care of since he was not going to work today.

It was while they took care of the dirty dishes that his phone rang.

Looking at his android phone screen, Sam's eyes widened.

{Incoming call from Coach Yemi Daniel!}

Cleaning his hand immediately, Sam took the call. "Hello," he spoke into the phone.

"Hey champ, how was your Christmas celebration yesterday?"

Hearing that question, Sam smiled. "It was the best Christmas day of my life. Getting my first professional contract already made it so, but my dad did even more as he took the whole family out".

"Ah, so coochie smoochie," the middle-aged coach chuckled. "Speaking of your dad, the way he was haggling yesterday baffled me. Is your dad by any means a barrister?"

Sam smiled proudly. "Yes, my dad is a certified lawyer".

"No wonder he easily took preceding over all the contract stress. You can make him your agent you know, after you become big".

"Coach, do you think I can become big in football?" Sam smiled cheekily and asked.

"Of course, definitely". Coach Yemi answered immediately, then he continued. "Anyways, I called to send you the matchday 1 fixtures of the Nigerian professional football league".

Sam was startled. "The league season is just starting?"

He heard an audible sigh from the phone. "That's Nigeria for you, it's complicated but a lot of things are holding the league back".

"That doesn't concern you now though, what concerns you and I is making sure that you settle into the club to play your first professional football game".

"Never stop training, I want that belly fat gone before you resume".

"Yes, Coach".

"Our first game of the season is on 14th next month; I want you to report to our club building at the very least by 9th January. You're our newest signing, your unveiling to our club fans is scheduled to be held on 10th January".

"About your accommodation and feeding, don't worry, the club will take care of all that, its specified in the contract".

"By the way, the first league game of the season is on 8th January".

"Don't worry Sam, I'm already communicating with your dad on WhatsApp, we'll make sure you come to Abia State and settle down comfortably".

"All I want from you is to focus on getting back to tip-top condition".

"I'll try my best coach".

"Good, that's all. We're still in a festive period, so enjoy yourself".

And with that, they ended the call. Shortly after, Sam's phone beeped; opening it, he found the matchday 1 fixture of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).

(Matchday 1:)

>Akwa United – Bendel Insurance<

>Date: 08 Jan, 2023<

…

>Nasarawa United – Enyimba<

>Date: 14 Jan, 2023<

…

>Enugu Rangers – Abia Warriors<

>Date: 15 Jan, 2023<

…

>Plateau United – Shooting Stars<

>Date: 15 Jan, 2023<

…

>Kwara United – Gombe United<

>Date: 15 Jan, 2023<

…

>Remo Stars – El Kanemi Warriors FC<

>Date: 15 Jan, 2023<

…

>Bayelsa United – Dakkada<

>Date: 15 Jan, 2023<

…

>Wikki Tourist – Niger Tornadoes<

>Date: 15 Jan, 2023<

…

>Doma United – Sunshine Stars<

>Date: 15 Jan, 2023<

…

>Rivers United – Lobi Stars<

>Date: 15 Jan, 2023<

"Can you really play against the players of these clubs with those tiny legs of yours?"

Sam looked up only to see the spying eyes of his sister, he chuckled. "My haters can keep on hating, your hate got nothing on me".

And with that, he accelerated his work, finishing in no time.

Immediately after the home chores were done, before his mom could come out to give him more work, Sam wore his workout clothes before quickly jogging out of the house to complete his daily system quest.

Even after playing the Christmas Game, the daily system quest continued.

Almost an hour later, after he was done completing all the tasks of the daily system quest, Sam jogged to his best friend's place.

Of course, he didn't go inside since he reeked of sweat, only greeting Mr. and Mrs. Wealth from their gate.

His best friend came out to meet him and without hesitation, excitedly, he told Ian of his conversation with Coach Yemi Daniels this morning.

"Wow! They're preparing an unveiling for you? That's cool man, really".

He had a hearty conversation with his best friend, excitedly discussing various topics about football, including the current situation in the top 5 leagues of Europe. It was after their conversation that Sam finally jogged back home.

Entering the house, his mom conveniently ignored the sweat on his body this time as Sam went to his room to bath and freshen up.

Once he was done, he came out to eat and as soon as he saw his father, Sam threw the question that had been niggling in his mind since. "Dad, why is the Nigerian professional football league just starting next month?"