June 10, 2000

　　The castle grounds were gleaming at the sunlight as though freshly painted, the cloudless sky smiled at it self in the smoothly sparkling lake,the satin green lawns crippled occasionally in a gentle breeze. “It was summer’.

　　By the side of the roads, were white blossoms cascading like a wedding bouquet with fragrant petals opened to greet the day.warm breeze swirls on the sun-kissed skin of a pretty little girl not more than 6 years old . Her face carried the cutest smile as she crossed the road in her estate playing with her doll.a speading car appeared all of a sudden making the girl to halt ,only to be dragged to the opposite end of the road by a boy who is probably not more than 10 years of age.the car driver drove pass them caring less to check in the two .

　　It was not a funny incident to the girl because all she did was give way to her floodgates, ignoring all the boys effort to silence her. Her tears intensified after she noticed the blood gushing out of her saviour’s arm.

　　“Blood” she cried pointing at his arm.

　　“Hey little one don’t cry. It doesn’t hurt at all.”He smiles at her .

　　“Mum told me it’s very bad to lie .” She poured and that cracked him up.

　　“I am not lying see.” He got up and played a bit with his arm attempting to hide the extreme pain.

　　She untied her scarp and and helped him tie it around his wound .

　　Mum always ties a piece of cloth around brother mahmud’s wound . He is always hurting himself since our dad died.mum will tell him ‘your dad get angry with you when you hurt yourself , will your dad also get angry with you ?. She asked innocently

　　“No my dad will not get angry at me . He will be happy I saved a cute little angel like you “ he smiled.

　　“Really “!? She yelped with delight

　　“Sure”

　　“ sir ,

it took a while for me to finally find you .it was not easy, your father has been calling you .

“the boys driver uttered panting .

　　“I am sorry Mr Moses bring the car let’s go”

　　“

Ok sir

” the driver proceeded towards the car that was few feet’s from where they are standing .

　　“Please don’t go ,meet my mum first” she pouted.

　　“ I will meet her next time”.

　　When ? She asked ! And he dramatically pretended to be think.

　　“June 10,2017 . 17 years from now ,deal?”. He smiled pointing her with his index finger.

　　“Deal “. She shook her head .

　　“You will wait for me , won’t you “.? He said and she nodded in affirmation.

　　“Pinky promise” he extended his pinky finger and she entwined with hers.

　　“Stamp” and they joined their thumps.

　　She stood there and waved until the boys car was out of sight before she ambulated back to her home. She found her home in a great disarray as her mum and three siblings are trying to knock down her bathroom door thinking she hid in there after smashing mahmud’s laptop screen.

　　“Mum” she called out and everyone came forward to lecture her .

　　Will the memory of today ever fade out in the girl’s mind ?

　　December 1st, 2016.

　　Sofia

　　The fields were dry , the dawns bellowed with cold ,the sky is gray and the air is pale.the streets were covered with dust and leaves withered and drop;it is harmattan.

　　Sofia slipped on her comfy bathroom slippers as she got out of the warm jacuzzi tube.the bathroom was appareled in Marygold. Her bedroom is luxuriously furnished in different shades of purple and pink.it has two single beds owned by her and babi . A lous shag carpet spread through the room with a colorful chandelier hung above it .their vanity table looked like a makeup studio which it wasn’t.her closet is not a grand walk-in closet. But it is a closet goals.by the far end of the room is her mini fashion design studio which was decorated by her and babi .by the other is babi’s book shelf having not less than 50 novels .

　　She slipped into a flare gown,did her makeup and sprayed her favorite Christian Dior perfume .she have quite a collection of perfumes which are mostly gifts from her brother Umar . Perks of having brothers.

　　She met babi in the mini living room they shared. The living room is simple yet very well equipped. Mum, mahmud and Umar worked hard to make sure they had all the luxury they could afford after their dad died.

　　Sis sofia ,sis sofia ,he is coming home .Babi yelped in delight.

　　“Who?.”

　　“Talal ripper” he is coming home for holiday after living in Paris for 10 years.look, it’s him on the tv .”

　　“Shut up you bunny ear . Talal my foot! Like I give a heck about him.” Sofia fired.

　　“That hurts you know but I will let it slide because my MCM is coming homeee “.okay naw she was singing.

　　“Not like you are gonna see him when he comes . I am so done with you babi .my girlfriend’s are waiting ,see you later .”

　　“Good luck convincing brother mahmud to let you go.”.

　　“I needed that, let’s see. Sofia uttered proceeding to the living room where mum and mahmud where watching news.

　　“Brother mahmud”. Sofia wrapped her arms around his neck from behind .

　　“Hello cupcake. Missed me that much?. Mahmud asked . It would hurt if she tell him it’s her way of making him let her go .

　　“I missed you .you are not going back any time soon

　　Huh?”.

　　“I am still not sure if I ‘ll be staying .anyway,shouldn’t we have fun now that am here .”He grinned and she appeared in front of him.

　　“Sheggs, you is so smart .” She clapped ,her face as lit as ever.

　　“Did you just say sheggs?.” Brother mahmud asked .

　　“No,yes , I mean it’s a slang meaning bravo. Yes bravo .” Ok wow. Trouble is knocking at her door.

　　“Oh really , I’ll keep that in mind .sheggs “ he kept repeating the word.

　　“You are in trouble sofia if he finds out the meaning “. Sofia murmured.

　　“Did you say something ?”

　　“ no, I was just humming a song .”

　　“I’m I the only one thinking I’m invisible?” Mum spoke.

　　“No , not at all sweet Mum . I am leaving “. Sofia whispered the last part.

　　“Already ,? My regards to hameeda and haneefa then “.

　　“And where is she going ?” That is brother mahmud

　　“She normally hang out with her friends one the first day of every month to talk about random stuff” Mum explained.

　　“But Mum.” Mahmud spoke and she cut him.

　　“Don’t worry, it isn’t a big deal just let her go.i had such kinds of outings with my friends too when I was young .”

　　“Ok mum, but I’ll drive her there then .”

　　Brother mahmud:;

　　Sofia’s over protective 28 year old big brother.he is the exact definition of strictness . He was 10 when their dad died.being the eldest child ,he is more matured than his age .he took all of dad’s responsibilities . He just returned from the US a week ago after being there for almost five years . One thing about him is that he never says no to mum.

　　Mahmud drove Sofia to the cafe where she’ll meet her two best friends.

　　“Want to eat something with us ?” Sofia asked .

　　“I am okay , will pick you up in an hour . ?” Hope you guys would round up by then .

　　“Okay”she nodded,not because she was done by then .

　　“Pack the clothes baby, we are dry by now “.

　　Hameeda shot Sofia a hot glare .

　　“Guess I am already ironed “. Haneefa also glared.

　　“ chill girls I am sorry. Brother mahmud is back you know .sofia uttered pulling a chair to sit .

　　“Swear” hameeda yelped.

　　“Crush alert” haneefa clapped.

　　“Hameeda quit crushing on my brother , I reject having you as an in-law , No I deny it”. Sofia protested.

　　“You are so stingy with your brother . I give up on you girl .” Hameeda scowled.

　　I give up .

　　“6 more months girls, 6 more months,.” Sofia snapper her finger

　　“What?” Haneefa shot her a dubious stare.

　　“Him “

　　“ who?” Haneefa still didn’t grab

　　“Her unknown first love . Believe me ,this girl is crazier than me . Guess who is pushing all men and waiting for someone she doesn’t know .” Hameeda rolled her eyes.

　　“Sofia, you seriously need to come back to your full senses. Are you even sure the boy is alive or are you even sure he still remembers ever meeting you “. Haneefa said .

　　“Girl’s, let’s stop taking about this. My instincts tell’s me he will definitely come for me .”

　　“I pray he comes for you baby girl’” . Hameeda stated.

　　“Big news girls , my cousin is also coming home after being away for years . We are throwing a welcome home party for him on Saturday at my dad’s guesthouse. Will be expecting you girl’s.”Haneefa informed.

　　“Guess all Nigerians living abroad are coming home for holidays”. Sofia shook her head.

　　Well, attending Haneefa’s cousin brother’s welcome party Is a mission to be accomplished hanan needed brother Umar and babi to help her with brother mahmud .

　　End of chapter.