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•••

Adanma's Pov

"What did you say your name was again?" I ask.

"Joseph but you call me JoJo." He replies with a smile.

"And the other lady?"

"Mum or grandma?"

"Your mum." I say and he sighs. "She's your mum too."

"Just tell me her name."

"Her first name is Helen...our surname is Ezeani." He answers with a small shrug.

Mrs Helen

"And the older one?"

"Grandma? I think Loretta or something. I don't know."

I nod and go back to peeling on the white paint beside my bed.

It was just the two of us in the hospital room. I think the others were getting my drugs and paying my hospital bills. I can't wait to get out of here. The smell of disinfectants everywhere was already getting to me.

I rest back on the wall behind me as I let my eyes roam around.

Asides from the bed I was on, there was one at the other end of the room that was obviously unoccupied. There was also a small tv hanging on the wall opposite the enterance. It was turned on but it displayed "No Signal", accompanied by the low buzzing sound that blended smoothly into the silent atmosphere.

"So you really can't remember anything?" Joseph asks breaking the silence I was already starting to enjoy.

I tilt my head in his direction before replying a simple, "No."

"You don't remember what happened before the accident?" He asks in a small voice.

"No, I don't remember."

"Alright." The door opens and Mrs Helen comes in.

"We're going home now."

Home...

•••
Kene's Pov

"Ding ding ding!!"

The continuous ringing jolts me out of my sleep. I grumble and roll to my side willing the annoying sound the stop.

"Ding ding ding!!" The ringing continues. I reach out for a pillow and cover my ears. "Ding ding ding!!" It still sounds, somehow penetrating through the pillow.

I groan. "Stupid alarm clock."

Once those words are uttered, I sit up with a start. I don't own an alarm clock.

The events of the day before suddenly come rushing in like an angry wave.

I fall back on the bed with a huff. The alarm clock thankfully stops ringing. I check the time and the red neon lights display "6:30AM". I groan once more. Why would she set an alarm this early?

Maybe her school starts by seven. What a life. Going to a tutorial centre that opened by nine o'clock was really filled with perks.

With that in mind, I try to go back to sleep. This bed was simply divine.

Barely five minutes into my sleep, a loud knock comes, awaking me once more. I kick out my legs in frustration.

I check the alarm clock and it read "10:50AM". My eyes widen in shock. Well, this magical bed is to blame.

I rub my eyes and stretch, releasing a loud yawn. I let my legs fall one by one as I drag myself to the door.

I open the door and Rebecca comes in.

"Good morning." I greet her with a smile and she looks at me weirdly before reciprocating the greeting.

"I'll prepare your shower now." She says and heads towards the bathroom.

I stare at her in confusion as she enters into the bathroom.

Oh well.

I sit on the couch there looking into space when she comes back out.

"Your shower is ready madam." She says and I facepalm. "My name is Kene not madam. Anyway come, sit here." I say and tap the spot beside me.

"I'll stand, don't worry." She says and I sigh.

"We're still going shey?" I ask her hopefully and she looks at me for a while before nodding. My face breaks into a huge grin.

I can't wait to get all this cleared up.

Yesterday, I begged/threatened Rebecca to take me home and we planned on going today.

She told me the Senator had instructed I didn't go to school today, making my plan easier.

"Your breakfast would be waiting for you downstairs." Rebecca says making her leave.

I nod and go into the bathroom to get myself cleaned up. After using literally all the soaps and scrubs I could lay my hands on, I come out from the bathroom.

I wear a robe I had seen hanging as I make my way into the walk in closet.

I thought of wearing the clothes I wore to come in but after taking a sniff at them, I changed my mind. They reeked of sweat. I did a lot of running yesterday you know.

Anyway, I was now in the closet trying to pick an outfit. I decide to pick the least expensive looking ones in case of anything. That turned out to be a chiffon blouse and a black skirt. Not my style but what can I do?

After dressing up, I take in deep breaths before opening the exit door. It's the first time I'd be going out since I got here.

I walk quietly, almost tiptoeing down the stairs. I hold the railings as I slowly descend.

Finally at the foot of the stairs, I glance to my left. There, the dining table was positioned. No one was currently seated there, making me say a quick thanksgiving prayer to God.

The dining table was filled with so many things. From cutlery to food to fruits to random decorations. At home we didn't even have a dining table. Well we did have one, but it had long been converted into a multi-purpose table.

It was our library, it was where we kept our provisions, where we dumped our bags, earrings and just anything in general. We even used it as our ironing board sometimes.

Here, there was a plate filled with toast bread and a cup of steaming hot tea. My mouth instantly starts to water. I rush to sit and immediately dig in. This is so good. What's in this toast bread?

Rebecca surely deserves an award.

Once I'm done eating, I carry my tray and look for the kitchen. I find it easily and drop the tray in the sink.

"I could have done that." Rebecca says from behind me, startling me a little.

"Your toast bread is sweet o." I tell her once I had composed myself. "What did you even put inside? Omo I wish I could make toast bread like that." I tell her and she starts to laugh. First time I'm seeing her laugh.

I chuckle. "I'm serious na." 

She nods with a smile before saying, "You've changed."

I don't know what to reply so I just shrug. "What of the others?" I ask.

"Your father has gone to work and Mrs Peters went out. I don't know where to." She says.

I figured Mrs Peters was the Senator's wife. I nod before saying,

"Let's go now."

She sighs, "Where did you say we were going again?"

"Bariga."

"Okay."

When we go out, I expect the gateman to stop us but once he sees me coming, he hurries to open the gate.

I would have gone on my own but if I'm being honest with myself, I didn't know the way. I've hardly ever been to this part of Lagos and linking Bariga from here would be really hard for me. I don't even have transport fare.

When I pleaded with Rebecca to pay my transport fare for me she was like, "Aren't you supposed to be rich?" I promised to repay her and she finally helped me.

After close to three hours of waiting for bus, coupled with the heavy Lagos traffic, we were finally at Bariga.

I'm almost home.

"Do you want to follow me? You can go back now." I tell Rebecca, making sure to look very appreciative.

"What do you mean go back? I can't leave you here." She says looking at me like I had said something stupid.

"No it's fine. I know my way home from here so you can go." I say.

"Don't you get? I can't go back without you. I would get fired." Rebecca says and I wonder what I have gotten myself into.

"Oya follow me nau." I say to her and she does just that.

After trekking and trekking we finally get to my street and I grow very happy. Finally, I'm home.

"Finally." I breath out.

"Are we already there?" Rebecca asks from beside me.

"Yes, I'm finally home." I tell her amidst smiles.

We're walking towards my compound when a taxi alights in front of my gate.

My mum comes out from the taxi first and I smile wider than I already was. She must have been worried sick about me. Don't worry mummy, I'm here now.

I walk gingerly towards her with Rebecca trailing behind me when someone's presence halts me.

My brother. I missed him so much. We were separated for just a day and I felt like it has been eternity. I shouldn't have treated him that way. I over reacted and I'm really sorry. I want to hug him and tell him how sorry I am for overreacting.

I start to walk gingerly again when my steps are halted once more. Rebecca gasps from behind me.

It's her.

She's with them. And she's fine. She isn't dead. I have low-key been thinking she died but she didn't. She is alive.

I watch JoJo help her stand straight. She must be injured. My mum hugs her and she hugs my mum back. She hugged my mum back.

"Welcome home, my daughter." I hear my mum say.

My daughter?

My grandma gives her a peck and she smiles. They walk into the house and shut the gate.

Why is she stealing my life?

•••

A/n

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