°°°°°•°°°°°

"Hello Tina, I'll be at the airport in an hour."

"Yes, I know."

"Of course, I've got it packed. You've asked me for like a million times already."

"C'mon. I'm not a kid anymore; I know what I need and what I don't."

I laughed as I paused, putting my clothes into the box on my bed, and focused all my attention on Tina, who was at the other end of the call.

"I'll see you in an hour, Tina."

Without giving her a chance to reply, I hung up – laughing almost immediately.

Tina had been calling me non-stop after I refused her help in packing for my stay in the United States. Even though our stay would be ambiguous, I've got enough experience with moving and leaving to know how to handle myself and my luggage.

After the incident with Rita Zee, Index made a decision to stand by both of us, surprising me and shocking Rita. She had gone all over the internet and television media accusing me of being violent, but the majority of whom she had hurt or taken advantage of in the past countered her, and she had to back down.

Yes, it was obvious that we could no longer work together, but that did not end my contract with Index. They simply changed whom I shared the contract with.

Now, I don't have to keep up with Rita's shits as now, I was on my way to London to work with the famous Cupid – London's brightest pop singer.

I have never met Cupid but I could tell that he was a whole lot easier to be with than Rita, and anything apart from Rita is perfect for me. This is a new start for me, and a chance to prove to the world that I am worth Mr. Griffin's and Trail's confidence.

Ensuring that I had taken all necessities and some other extras, I sealed my bags and boxes, and with the help of some workers from Dan's agency, we carted the baggage to my car.

After loading everything into the boot, I brought out my phone – waiting expectantly for Enitan's call or text.

This was hard for him, I knew, and it wasn't going to get any easy for either of us, but we had to try. On telling him about my move, Enitan wasn't too thrilled, but he seemed to understand and he promised to be supportive, but now, I'm leaving and he is nowhere to be found.

"So, you're leaving?"

I almost jumped on hearing Enitan's voice behind me, and I spun around to him with a wide smile stretched over my face.

"Thought you'll never come," I said.

He laughed once. "And, miss my chance to say goodbye? No, thank you."

My eyes lingered over him longer than I wanted, as I watched him as though this would be the last time that I'll see him. He had a small smile on his lips, but the sadness behind his eyes where too obvious to be covered up.

A mild pain filled my chest as I looked at him, suddenly questioning if this was the best.

Can I really survive without my best friend?

How was life going to be without Enitan there to watch me or just be there for me? What's it going to be like without a brotherly figure?

Unable to answer the questions in my mind, I moved to him and wrapped my arms around his body – taking in his scent one more time. His hands slowly came over my back, hugging me back, lightly.

"You're going to be fine, Keji."

His words echoed in my ears as I recalled the years we spent together, and flashes of all our moments together flew by my face, and I couldn't hold back the outburst of emotions as I felt something trickle down my face.

"Promise me you'll be fine, Enitan," I said.

For a while, he remained quiet, before his voice came up as a whisper, saying.

"I promise, only if you'll do the same, Keji."

I looked up and met his eyes, and I smiled.

"I promise."

Someone cleared their throat behind us, and I cocked my head to see that it was the driver who was going to convey me to the airport.

"Miss Keji, we need to leave now," He pointed out.

I gave him a small nod and he returned to the car, while I returned my eyes to Enitan.

"You are coming, right?"

His lips pulled out into a thin smile, and I knew at that moment that he wasn't, even without him saying it.

"Why?" I pouted.

"Keji," He said as he cupped my face in his palms, bringing his eyes closer to mine. "It's better this way. It's best I bid you now. I have to learn to be away from you, right? So, take this as me putting on my big boy pants."

Laughing, I said, "Oh, Enitan."

"I know you're going to be okay. You're one of the strongest women I've gotten to know," He paused and his tone dropped a notch as he continued, saying, "But, Keji remember that I will always be here for you, come what may. We cannot be separated by the oceans of time or the space of distance. I'll always just be a call away."

My heart warmed up at his words, and my smile deepened.

"This cannot be goodbye, Enitan, because no matter what, we are stuck together," I said, and he laughed.

"Oh, we are, and forever we'll be," He said and placed a kiss on my forehead. He then cocked his head to the side of mine, and whispered, "Never forget, Keji, that I love you and I'll always be with you."

I couldn't ever forget this, even if I tried.

"Enitan, I love you too. You'll always be my one and only bestie," I confessed.

His eyes crinkled as his smile became broader and more real, and he pulled me into himself – capturing me in a bear-tight embrace.

________

On getting into the Boeing 206, I took my seat beside the window, as I always did – ever since I was a little girl – my eyes instantly wandered to the outside. I could feel my eyes getting heavier as I stared out the plane's window.

Here I was, leaving the land that I had initially come to escape, but ended up falling in love with. This was my father's land, and although my parents never had the opportunity to share with me their memories while in the land, I managed to make some of my own in the eighteen years of being in Nigeria.

I had come to Nigeria when I was just six years old – this was weeks after my parents' demise. At that moment, as a little girl, I felt as though the world hated me, and I was alone. I could barely comprehend the fact that both my parents had been snatched away from me by the cold hands of death, and then, adding salt to injury, I had to leave the land I shared with them to come to Nigeria with my aunt.

However, Nigeria turned out to be great for me. This was a land that helped me grow, helped me rise, and helped me hope again. From the bustling streets of Lagos filled with angry drivers and angry cars to the thug life of survival and struggles to the traditions, customs, festivals, and lifestyle of the people, and finally to the accommodating nature of the friends I made – their friendships and love, all these added up to fasten my healing process.

Tell me how I could forget such a land?

"Already missing home?" Tina asked, and it was then I noticed that she had filled into her seat beside me.

Even though on a normal day, I'd probably lie or give her a sarcastic answer, I found myself admitting the truth.

"Yes," I muttered – returning my eyes back to the window.

Her hand came over mine that rested on the arm of the chair, and she smiled.

"You are going back one day, you know. But, guess what?" Her smile deepened, "You'll be better than you've ever been."

She was right, I said to myself. I would return home one day, but till such time comes, I'd keep the memories fresh in my mind, and keep my faith that one day I'll be back.

Yes, I will.

🌻🌼🌻

🌻🌼🌻