You And I

Neveah stood by her bedroom window, her fingers brushing the soft curtains as she looked at the Johnson’s sprawling garden. The sun was lowering itself behind the tall palm trees, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. Everything looked calm and perfect, yet her heart felt anything but. In just a few days, she would leave Nigeria for Canada, leaving behind her mum, her dad, her best friend Eliora, and the life she had always known. Her mum’s voice called from the living room. “Neveah, darling, can you come here for a minute?” Neveah sighed, pulling herself away from the view, and padded down the marble staircase. Her mum, Dr. Martha Johnson, sat on the cream sofa, looking at her with a warm smile. “Sit with me,” she said, patting the seat beside her. Neveah sat, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. “What is it, mum?” Dr. Martha smiled. “I was just thinking about how soon you’re leaving. Your father will be back from his work trip in Lagos soon, and then we’ll both drive you to the airport. Just you and me.” She paused, squeezing Neveah’s hand. “It feels strange, doesn’t it? Our little girl… flying across the world.” Neveah laughed nervously. “I know… I’m excited, but I’m also scared.” “You’ll be fine,” her mum said, tucking a strand of braid behind her ear. “And Nayla will be there in Canada. You’ll have each other. You know she’s in her third year now, studying at the University of Toronto. She’s already settled, so you won’t feel too alone.” Neveah’s eyes lit up. “Yeah, I’m really looking forward to seeing her. It’ll be nice to have a familiar face waiting for me.” “And don’t worry,” her mum said with a wink, “you’re going to love it there. The University of Toronto is huge, and the city is amazing. You’ll meet new friends, learn new things, and maybe have a little adventure or two.” Neveah smiled, feeling a bit better. “I hope so. I’m just nervous about leaving everything behind… and Eliora.” Dr. Martha laughed softly. “Eliora will be fine, I’m sure. And you two will still be texting and calling. Nothing will change between you two, okay?” “Okay,” Neveah whispered, hugging her mum. The next morning, Eliora arrived, full of energy as always. “Neveah! Today’s the day! I can’t believe you’re leaving!” “I know,” Neveah said, trying to keep her excitement and nerves balanced. “It feels… surreal.” Eliora flopped onto Neveah’s bed. “Surreal? More like terrifying and thrilling! You’re going to Canada!” “And you’re still sitting here like nothing’s happening,” Neveah teased, laughing. They spent the next hour chatting, laughing, and packing. Eliora had brought a bag of gifts: chocolate, lip balm, a friendship necklace and a notebook she insisted Neveah use for “Canadian adventures.” “Promise you’ll call me every day,” Eliora said, hugging her tightly. “And send pictures!” “I promise,” Neveah said, laughing through tears. Finally, it was time to leave. Their driver took Dr. Martha , her husband, Engr David and Neveah to the airport in the black family SUV. The city passed by in a blur, the cafés, boutiques, and streets that Neveah had known her whole life. “Abuja International Airport here we come,” Neveah said, gripping her suitcase. Her das chuckled. “I’m proud of you, darling. At the airport, the usual chaos surrounded them: people hurrying, announcements blaring, luggage carts rolling by. Mr and Mrs Johnson helped check Neveah in, making sure all her bags were correctly tagged. The security checks, boarding pass, and passport control felt overwhelming, but Neveah kept smiling, holding onto her mum’s hand. “Remember to stay calm, breathe, and enjoy the experience,” her mum said. “This is a big step, Neveah, but it’s your adventure. Make it count.” “I love you sweetheart " her dad added. Neveah nodded. “I will, mum and day" Thank you for everything.” After a long hug, Dr. Martha finally let her go. “Go on, darling. Canada awaits.” They both stared as they watched their little girl of yesterday who just turned 18 few months back take a big step that'd make Impact in her future. Walking toward the boarding gate, Neveah felt a mix of excitement, nerves, and a little sadness. She thought about Eliora waving goodbye, about her mum smiling at her from a distance, This was real. Once on the plane, she settled into her seat, staring out the window at the clouds. The flight was long, about eight hours to Toronto. She could feel the plane lift, her stomach doing a small flip. But the excitement outweighed the fear. She watched movies, read, and tried to sleep, thinking about what her new life would be like. She thought about Nayla, already living in Canada, probably studying hard in her apartment, maybe even exploring the city on her own. Neveah smiled, thinking how comforting it would be to have her sister waiting for her. And she thought about Eliora, back home, sending frantic texts every hour. By the time the plane began its descent into Toronto, Neveah felt a mix of exhaustion and excitement. She was ready. Ready to start this new chapter, ready to explore, ready to live a life that was hers alone, but still carrying the warmth and love of home in her heart. The wheels touched the runway, and Neveah took a deep breath. Canada. Here she came.