The little girl fell into the room as Barbra snatch the door open.
"Mummy I want" The girl struggled to her feet not minding the bruises on her knees and elbow.
"Your ice cream is in the fridge, ask Cassie to get it for you." Barbra snapped.
"No mummy!" the girl shook her head vehemently.
"Can't you see I'm feeding your brother?" Barbra asked frustrated as Kola's cries filtered into her ears.
"I want...mummy..." the girl's eyes filled with tears.
"I don't know why my own children are frustrating me...am I the first to have kids?" Barbra murmured angrily as she pulled the girl down the stairs with her.
"Here you are! Ice-cream it is! No more disturbances okay? Now run off!" Barbra ordered.
The little girl collected the little container, speeding off her fast as her legs could carry her.
"Auntie..." she wept as she ran into Kemi's room.
"Awww....who touched my baby sister?" Kemi asked pulling the littke girl to herself.
"Auntie...I want" the little girl gave the ice-cream to her.
"I should open it for you?" Kemi asked trying her best to comprehnd what the little girl was saying.
"No...auntie I want!" the girl sobbed some more.
"You want what?"
The little girl pointed at the door.
Letting out a sigh, Kemi closed her books.
"Oya lets go, so you'll show me what you want."
The little girl led Kemi to her room,
"Auntie...I want...see..." she pointed to the ceiling fan.
There and then, Kemi saw it; it was a little colourful bird which might have found its way in through the open windows.
"Auntie...I want..." the girl tugged Kemi who was lost admiring the bird.
"Its very beautiful, and you want me to catch it for you?" Kemi asked and girl nodded.
"But I'm not tall now..."Kemi complained.
"Auntie nao...I waaant."
"Okay then lets try" Kemi placed a stool on the bed, lighting it she swooped at the bird.
The bird squeaked and found its way through the window. Kemi got down to console her sister who was already weeping silently.
"I'm sorry.."
"Auntie ...I want..." she continued to sob.
"I promise to buy one for you." Kemi assured.
The little girl stopped crying, her eyes searching Kemi's face.
"See...that bird left cos it doesn't belong to you, when I buy one for you, it'll be yours forever." Kemi assured once.
"Thank you auntie.." the little girl hugged Kemi gratefully though Kemi never fulfilled her promise.
+++++++++++:
"But how come you remember all these?" Tunji asked looking bewildered.
"Nobody ever forgets evil memories." Sasha smiled sadly.
"You should let go!" Tunji took her hands in his.
"I'm not holding grudges against anyone." Sasha frowned.
"Its all clear...baby girl just let all those hard feeling go. Whatever evil your parents and siblings did; whatever good thing Kemi did, shouldn't matter now. Its all past." Tunji tried again.
Sasha bit her lower lip, that man thought it was all easy to forget all those forever vivid memories.
Not afterall she went through, not after all the endless nights of weepings. She had tried her possible to stay away from them, that frustration led her to the hospital bed in a different country. She was very sure if she goes back home, she would end up in...
"Maybe you should plead with my father, to let me go to Lagos straight from here."
Tunji didn't reply, he was flipping through his Bible pages. He needed some scriptures as a back up to soften her heart. He was tired of the false life his in-laws were living.
Putting up the picture of a happy family in public and eating up each other's heads in their closet. Who would think his father in-law who was so religious would stoop so low to bring a strange woman into his home, or rather his mother-in-law who looked like she's always doting on her kids.
Or was it Sasha who ran back home to save her parents marriage? A family she still held so much spite for?
Barbra took a few steps back, so she could have a full view of the room, its new look was beautiful enough to welcome a new bride.
Was it the Kingsized bed or the wardrobe and dresser, the beautiful flower vase' or the soft curtains. She've spent alot, thanks to her sister's contributions. The dresser was filled with body cream', perfumes, lotions, cleansers of different shapes and sizes, everything a young girl would need. The shame she felt was unestimable when she discovered her daughter's still using petroleum jelly, using cheap perfume, and using olive oil for her hair. Or was it when she went through Sasha's clothes and shoes? She had to change everything.
But then, she wasn't sure if the girl would appreciate her efforts. Each time she tried to imagine how she would welcome her daughter; fear grips her heart, the fear of rejection.
Her daughter would be with her in less than 16 hours, after all the preparations, she's still nursing the fear. Whatever is going to be would surely be, all she got to do is hold on patiently.
Her tensed up muscles relaxed as she tried to console herself that her family would be happy once more.
Happy? Something was still missing. Joyce is still in her home! The woman isn't back from wherever she went for two days, and she secretly wish she'd never come back.
Barbra waved the issue of her mind, resuming her thougts about Sasha.
"My baby...I'd be the best mum I can be...I promise." she smiled at the empty room.
***********
"my beloved PH. City hasn't changed a bit." Sasha noted looking out of the window.
"You're just absent for a few weeks, you shouldn't expect a change." Williams replied.
"Yea..." sasha smiled.
Williams smiled too, he was enjoying every bit of her conversation. This was the Sasha he never knew, he's yet to know why she became so nice overnight, or was it the thought of coming back home? And that knowing look she and Tunji exchanged from time to time; something is up.
"Uncle Tee Jay...that's my school..." Sasha pointed out.
"Before I was bundled the Lagos!" the words came out swiftly beyond her control.
"I mean..." she looked sober. The look Tunji gave her just made her melt, or was it the guilty look on her father's face.
Tunji let out a sigh, the girl wasn't prepared to let go.
He looked away, as she shifted closer to him.
"Sorry." she whispered.
His lips curved into a smile...Sasha using the word 'sorry'? Unbelievable.
"Just a few metres drive and you would be home again." Tunji took her hands as the driver turned the Car into the street where The Williams reside.
Sasha tightened her grip on Tunji's fingers, her heart beat soared. Just a few seconds and she'll be facing them? Her family? How would they welcome her? Would her mother snob or hug her? Would Kola run to hug her? What about cassie? Would Kenny be there too? Or has he forgotten her? Would...?
The gate waved at them as he opened the gate, she waved back with trembling hands. Her throat was dry, her eyes moist and her heart threatening to jump out of her chest.
Tunji squeezed her fingers, giving her an assuring look.
Yes, Sasha tried to assure herself, everything would just work out fine. If her family rejects her this time around Kenny would never reject her, and if he does; Kemi and her husband won't, her newly found faith in God won't fail her.
"Welcome back home Dada mi..." Williams cooed as the car came to a halt.
Sasha swallowed as she watched her them alight, her buttocks was still glued to the car seat.
"Madam oya bo sita jare...that car looks comfy, but I tell you your room would be much more comfortable." Tunji teased.
Williams laughed but Sasha didn't, instead she pursed her lips into a thin line. Her feet trembled as she made to get down.
'don't worry Sassy...be strong.' she gripped her dress.
"Sasha! Ekaabooo..."
Her ears pricked, her head jerked to the direction of the voice. She was too scared to look at who own the voice, the giggling sounds shows it was not just one person.
She turned to see her family rushing to meet her, faces lit with smiles.
"Who's gonna get your first hug?" Tunji whispered.
"Whom do you think deserves it?" she whispered back.
"Make your choice." Tunji laughed.
Sasha scanned their faces as they approached her, the joy on their faces was unmeasurable. She made her choice, her Mother. She took a deep breathe and ran to meet her mother half-way.
Barbra held unto her tight, they both trembled.
"Welcome back...I missed you." Barbra sniffed.
"I love you momma." Sasha whispered, tears stinging her eyelids as she buried her face in her mother's neck.
After much shedding of tears, tight hugs and patting of backs, Williams spoke up.
"The girl is not strong enough to carry all of your weights o, you people should leave my daughter for me."
"Abi o...all of them are just releasing their 100kg weight on her." Tunji added.
"the both of you should not start o, you've been with her since o!" Jide frowned.
"Don't mind them jare. Sasha Temi, oya give me another hug jor." Ashley hugged her as tight as she could.
"What do you mean by 'Temi'? Sasha is not your own o, she belongs to me jor!" Cassandra pulled Sasha away.
"Errm.." Kenny cleared his throat.
"stop talking gibberish jor! When the original owner of Sasha is here..."
Sasha couldn't help but laugh, this was truly the home she belongs.
"Okay..." she put her hands up.
"I belong to everybody, we're one family right? So can I run a bath now...I feel so weak after the flight"
"You see what I'm saying...come jare before they drain all your energy for me." Barbra led her upstairs.
"You should dress up o, the guests would be here soon." she called over her head.
"Guests?" Sasha whispered.
"Yea...your siblings organised a small party for you, and a small surprise package." Barbra winked.
"Hmm" Sasha was trying all she could not to look nervous.
"i'm in the wrong room." she muttered as her mother led her into the room.
"No baby, this is you room, just a little change." Barbra searched her eyes.
"Hmm" she looked around her, feeling the sheets and curtains.
"You like them?" her mother asked.
"yes...thank you." Sasha whispered.
"The colours..." she paused as she saw her mother's pained expression
"I meant to say they are beautiful," she quickly concluded.
Actually the colours made her feel sick, what's with the pinkish stuff.
"That large teddy is for me too?" she asked walking up the bed.
She was trying hard to suppress the laughter coming up her throat. A pink teddy? For whom? Pink of all colours? What ever happened to brown or even green.
"You like it?"
"Yea...yes...its beautiful...and thanks." Sasha beamed as she hugged the teddy. From the corner of her eyes she saw her mother smile, it made her happy.
"Lemme clean up right away." She tossed the teddy.
"okay...I'd be out here should incase you'd need me to scrub your back." Barbra called after her as she ran to the bath room.
The girl chuckled softly.
Barbra pulled out two dresses from the wardrobe. One was pink with white flowers, the other was green with silvery designs.
She had chosen pink while Cassie chose green, after much arguement they decided to take both and let the girl make her chioce.
She brought out a silvery six-inch peep-toes with its purse to match, then a silvery ballet shoes which was Cassie's choice.
"Wow...that dress belong to whom?" Sasha asked excited from behind her.
"Which of them?" Barbra probed.
"That green..." Sasha picked it from the bed.
"Oh my...its so beautiful"
"All yours...What about the pink?"
when I'm not a doll- Sasha almost laughed.
"Its beautiful too"
"But I'll put on the green." Sasha quickly added.
"Thanks to Cassie." Barbra smiled.
"The shoes?"
"Good Lord! Who's to put on these heels?" Sasha's eyes popped out.
"Try them on." her mother urged.
Sash pulled them on, not minding her towel loosening.
"I look like an Iroko tree" she laughed. She tried a catwalk but came crumbling down on her mother.
The both burst into fits of laughter.
"While guests are waiting, mother and daughter are here having a lovey-dovey session." Cassandra walked into the room, smacking her lips to even her lipstick.
"Can you imagine?" Kenny walked in adjusting his tie.
"You guys are looking good." Sasha slipped into her dress.
"I knew she'd take the green!" Cassandra said excitedly giving Kenny a high five.
"Mummy...Kenny and Cassie refuse to help me knot my tie...they said I should go and wear bowtie." Kola complained holding his tie.
"Come lemme tie it for your." Sasha offered.
"Sassy help me put this pin in my hair." Cassie went on ." Cassie went on
"Sassy help me button my jacket..." Kenny added.
Barbra watched with admiration as Sasha fixed them up.
"The guests are here already o..." Ashley came to drag her sister out.
Sasha felt nervous as she walked in company of her siblings to the living room, her shoes were worsening the situation. She was welcomed by different types of voices singing melodiously.
"Happy birthday to you...happy recovery to you...welcome back Sasha..."
"What todays date?" Sasha whispered.
"Its your B-day sweerie.." Kenny chuckled
"Surprise number one, wait till you see your cake." Cassandra gave her a peck before walking to the dance floor.
Sasha stood surprised, so she was eighteen? Wonderful.
"Wanna dance with me?" she felt an arm around her.
"Micheal?" she gasped.
"Happy recovery."
WATCH OUT FOR THE FINAL EPISODE AT 5PM.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL, AS YOU READ.
YOU CAN AS WELL DROP YOUR COMMENTS IN THE COMMENT BOX BELOW.
