Married but Single

Chapter Five ( First time Freedom)

April 16, will remain indelible on Nina Pedro's mind. This was the very first day her parents dared to travel miles living her all in the company of her own self.To her, it marked the beginning of the freedom that has been seeking for. Not as if she was in a kind of bondage but she felt that her parents were just being overly overprotective. Her mates always bragged of being home alone, travelling for holidays alone at their Aunt's and Uncle's in towns. But for Nina, she could hardly boast of going to St Michaels Cathedral all alone, not to talk of travelling alone. So, this is a milestone for her and a new chapter too. Maybe she'll just have something to brag about as her mates begin their tale next term.

"Nina, Nina, My Princess, please wake up!," Mr Pedro yelled. "Who's that?" Nina questioned and jerked off the bed. She was sure she heard a voice.... Or was she dreaming? 'It's your Dad, we are about to leave for Abuja, come out and lock the gate.' ''We need to leave early so that we'll arrive early''. Hearing her father's voice again, Nina, knew she wasn't dreaming. She walked to the door of her room, opened it and greeted her parents. Her Mum hugged her tightly planted a kiss on her forehead and began to sob. ''I'll miss you my darling, I wish you could come with us but we wouldn't want to stress you; knowing fully well that school resumes in two weeks time, which is about the same time we will be coming back''. 'I'll be fine Mum,' Nina said boldly and reassured. 'You know I need a lot of growing up.' "I need this time to prove to you and Dad that your Princess is now a big girl so, mum, relax, I'll be fine." Her father also hugged her warmly and they bid themselves fare well.

"Dad, I thought, you are traveling via the airplane? Why then do you want to drive?" Nina questioned.

"Oh! Nina, you are such an intelligent young girl!, I'll park my vehicle at a friend who lives close to the Airport, at least, he can be warming up the car everyday."

" I would have left it behind, but you know that Alex's parents are very busy and may not have time to warm the car."

" Moreover, it will be easier going over to my friend's place to pick up my car and drive it home when we fly back from Abuja."

"Ok Dad, one day, I'll be able to warm your car, so you won't need the services of your friend," Nina responded.

"Ah!! my daughter is such a character," Pedro said and his wife burst out into laughter. Mr. and Mrs Pedro drove out while Nina locked the gate!

Nina went back to sleep, it was just 4.am and since she isn't going to school, there's no need to do morning chores by such time. She laid down in bed thinking about her holiday. Finally, Nina Pedro will be home alone for the first time.The thought of this fills her mind with excitement. She just couldn't wait to share the good news with Alex. She wasn't able to do that yesterday. Moreso,it will no longer have a surprise effect on Alex if she shared the news yesterday. She giggled and smiled. She kept on smiling and finally fell asleep!

What a relaxing sleep after three solid months of early morning wakes! Nina slept till almost 10.am. She wasn't planning on waking up either had her phone not rang. It was a phone call from her parents who called to tell her that they had arrived at Abuja. Nina was so annoyed at the buzzing sound of the phone but at the same time grateful the call came when it did, else she might be in bed eating lunch in her dream thinking it was real.