Part Forty

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Daphne's POV

I felt someone tapping my leg and calling out my name. I mumbled a reply thinking it was a dream, but the person did not stop. I got irritated and was about to shout profanities or even scream at that person, when I jerked up and realized that I've been sleeping.

"Ugochi get up," mother called me by my native name. I hated that name, but mom wouldn't hear of it.

"Oo...ooo" I mumbled before sitting up. I wondered was what her reason for waking me up at six fifty-seven in the morning, whatever it was, it had better be worth it.

I sat up straight on my bed, straightened out the pink nightie I wore to sleep before finally acknowledging my mother.

"Good morning ma,"

"Ehn, I have to tell you something, it's important." She started, not even accepting my greeting in a proper way.

Nigerian parents ehh.

"Okay..." There was no need to refuse her or even grumble at her command, else I'll get it hot this morning.

Without any more moment of hesitation, she started "Well, it's about Mr Esan and his daughter, Bella."

I was playing with my fingers, but stopped when she mentioned the name I was beginning to despise so much, with each passing day. I looked up at her, perhaps she wasn't serious, or she was playing me for a fool. Then it crossed my mind that today was the first day in the month of April. I quirked my brows at her.

"What?!" She rasped.

"I won't be a fool in this new month, go and find another victim mummy."

"What do you mean by that, who do you think is joking here." Her voice raised slightly, meaning that anger was about to suffice.

That caused my own temper to start rising. She woke me up, after a long night yesterday just to get me annoyed.

"Is this not April fool that you're doing me?" I lowered my voice, just so the anger won't be noticed.

"Mtcheww_" she began chuckling after that. The tense atmosphere finally clearing off.

"No," she continued "what I meant is that we'll be going over to their place to spend some time."

"What...why?" I asked, fuming in anger.

"Listen, the earlier you learn to accept them as family, the better things can become."

"Don't tell me we're going to spend the Easter holiday with them as well, because it's even too early for that." I was compelled to roll my eyes at her, but I controlled myself not to.

"Bella needs a shoulder to lean on during this period, her father would be away and though she's supposed to leave with him, she can't, because of her exams." She placed a palm on my lap, as though she's comforting me.

"Hurry, pack the few essentials you'll be needing. We might stay until your exams are over, if her dad doesn't come home by then." She stood, walking towards the door, before I called out my next words.

"You don't need me there then, besides, it's not like I get along with her. There's only going to be one problem after another, I will rather stay here with Kachi." I said to her retreating figure.

"I didn't put it up for debating, before I finish having my bath, I expect you to be ready." She walked out of my room after that.

I was fuming as I folded some of my clothes into the ecolag travel box. I didn't even realize the things I was packing into the bag, but I know I put in my toiletries, makeup bag, body lotion and perfume.

Before long, I had my bathe and then found myself waiting for mom in the living room. It dawned on me then, that I really have the fear of my mother, I have always thought otherwise.

"Are you ready?" Mom called out from her bedroom.

"Yes," I mumbled a reply loud enough that she could hear.

Sometime later, she walked out of her bedroom door, dressed in a casual blue jean and blue denim jacket over a white polo. I got surprised to see that she didn't wear her white Nike shoes to add up, instead she wore a pair of black sandal. Mother could really go to the extreme with her fashion style, and I guess I got that side of her.

"Kachi! Kachi!!" She called.

"Yes ma!" Kachi ran out from wherever she was.

"Help us with our bags until we enter taxi. Here, take this one." She handed the purple bag she was holding, to Kachi, before she turned back to lock her room.

"But mummy, what about Kachi. She can't stay here all alone bah?" I started complaining.

"Ehn! Which reminds me...Kachi I want you to be ready before tomorrow, I'll arrange a means of transportation for you to come and join us. Make sure you've done everything you're supposed to do tonight. The laundry, kitchen, bathroom, fill the buckets with water, clean the toilet." She clutched the keys and her small handbag tightly, as she led the way out of the living room.

"Remember to switch off the bulbs, every electric appliances including the television," she pulled her ear to lay more emphasis on the instructions "Kachi, including the television, ehh...I know why I'm sounding like this."

"Yes ma, I know, I know. I go do quick, so I fit join una for there." Kachi replied, nodding like an agama lizard.

I shook my head and rolled my eyes, I felt totally repulsed by her intonation and manner of speech. She was just too slow to pick up, though she's stayed with us for sometime. I chuckled to myself when I thought more into her answer. She wants to come with us, did she think we were going to paradise so she could live to tell the tale.

After the instructions and spending like five minutes or more, waiting for a cab, we eventually got one that the driver agreed to take us to the estate Bella lives in. It was a slow and smooth journey, but not a journey I enjoyed, because the drive was not lively as there was no music. I hated transportation that lacked life or liveliness.

He helped us get our bags when we arrived at the gate to HRH's mansion. Mother settled the bill, they exchanged pleasantries, before mother and I started walking towards the gate. We didn't have to stand for too long before the gate rolled away.

'Show off.'

I rolled my eyes at the gate, but I was actually referring to the Esans.
I admit she's living more comfortable than I live with my mom, but at least, we don't run off to other people to help fix our problems, or make our lives intolerable.

"Good morning ma," the gatekeeper, whom I remembered from before, greeted my mother.

I looked at my watch, 11:42am. It was actually still in the morning.

"The boy!" Mom hailed while struggling with her bags "how are you?"

"I dey ma'am, you and your pikin say make una come over?" (I'm alright ma'am, you and your child decided to come over?) He asked, baring his yellowish teeth at us.

"Yesoo, abeg help me with this bag." She pleaded with him.

He obliged readily and carried her big purple bag, heading towards their large door. My eyes followed his every action, even as he lifted his hand to click the doorbell, I saw that the arm of his grey polo had torn, showing his very hairy armpit.

I made a puking sound and mom looked at me.

"What's the matter?" She asked.

"Nothing ma, just felt sick." I replied.

"Please respect yourself, Daphne...I won't beg you again." She eyed me in total disapproval before the door opened.

Her royal highness decided to do us the honour of letting us into her humongous palace herself. She was putting on a loose orange blouse that showed her flat tummy, which said 'Don't play me', and navy green shorts.
She hugged my mother.

"Welcome ma,"

"Thank you my dear. How have you been?"

"I'm alright." She replied, while very carefully avoiding meeting my eyes. She must not be in the mood for any fake greetings, as I wasn't prepared for one either.

The sitting room still looked the same like it was last year, the only difference was that, all the Christmas decorations that was put up, have all been removed. The setting was back to normal.

From the corner of my left eye, I saw Mr Esan's reflection in the wall mirror, placed in the dinner. He was fumbling with the neck of his shirt. Then he suddenly stopped, he turned and looked at us.

"I thought you wouldn't meet up." He said as he came closer to where we stood with our bags, in the parlour.

"I thought I wouldn't meet up either." Mother replied, while they shared a special moment only known to them.

I sighed softly before sitting down on one of the sofas, Mr Esan looked at me then.

"Good morning Sir."

"Morning dear, how are you?"

Before I could reply, Bella beat me to it, by announcing that she was going to change her clothes. I don't remember telling her I cared to know.
When she came back, wearing a black dungarees in place of the green shorts, she followed my mom and her dad out of the house.

"Baby, you're sure you don't want to come with us to the airport?" Mother asked me the second time, when they started leaving the house.

"No, thanks. I'm tired and still sleepy you know." I told her.

Then the three of them left me in peace, in the big house, alone with Miriam. Looking at Miriam, who was busy clearing the dinning table, reminded me of Kachi. Thankfully, by tomorrow she'll be here with us, and I'll have my own companion.

Staying in the house alone was beginning to bore me, so I felt it's because I'm still new to the place. I tried to keep myself busy by going through my social media handles, surfing the internet news and watching the TV, but none of it worked. I needed to talk to someone about how I felt.

I sent a message to Timmi on WhatsApp, immediately she received it, the line doubled showing that she's online. I waited for about five minutes yet no reply from her, I called her number.

Bestie🧟: Hi D, wassup?

Her voice sounded too cheerful to be true. I didn't miss the nervous tone behind it too.

I'm good, you know we've left the house.

Bestie 🧟: why...since when?

This morning, my mother just woke up and decided we move to...

I suddenly remembered that I haven't told Timmi about my mom and Bella's dad, yet. It's not something I should tell her on the phone, I have to talk face to face with her.

Bestie 🧟: Have you guys left this area for good?

There was fear laced deep in that question. Noticing her fear reminded me of mine, if we have actually left for good, then I'll be leaving Tims alone and she's my best friend. I realized I can't do that to her, I needed her as much as she needed me, though we would never admit it to ourselves.

No silly, we're coming back. This is just temporary.

Bestie 🧟: Okay, okay. D?

Yes?

Bestie 🧟: Can you come over?

And that was all I needed to hear to know just how much my best friend needs me right now.

Now?

Bestie 🧟: yes...if you can.

I told Miriam that I was going to see a friend and that I would be back towards evening. I took a cab heading towards my estate. I had to go over the same journey I ended not too long ago.

'The things we do for friendship.' I mused to myself.

As usual, Timmi's house was eerily quiet and dull, as it always is whenever her brother isn't at home. I walked to her room quickly, because I knew every part of their house like it was my own. Once I moved the door to her room aside, I called out her name.

"Tims?!"

She jerked in surprise, and something white fell off her hands. It spun on its own and stopped at my feet. I bent to take a good look at it.

"What is this?" I asked my best friend, who was still in shock. But deep down, I knew what that white stuff was.

A pregnancy test strip.

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Daphne finally wins for the character with the highest word count :: 2100+

I'm trying, aren't I?

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