FOREVER IS A LONG TIME

JOYFUL SECRET

JOYFUL SECRET.

I stopped abruptly and looked back at my grandpa. What are you talking about I asked walking back to him. Promise me you will keep it to yourself, I don't want any drama.

Out with it already grandpa I said impatiently.

Nanny Martha is alive he said and I looked at him shocked. You're joking right I said still in shocked.

I'm serious Richmond, after the incident with Raymond your father took care of her and kept her somewhere safe after her recovery. Your dad and I only know about her being alive.

He placed a paper in my hand and I take a quick glance at it. You will find her there, you better start going he said smiling. I gave him a quick hug, picked up my box and stepped out of the mansion

I hailed down a cab and gave him the address, he stopped at the front of a very old garden. I looked at him making sure he knows what he's doing and he pointed at the number beside the gate. I paid him and alighted then took my box and moved towards the gate.

I was about knocking on the gate when a man opened from inside and called my name, I replied with a nod and he let me in. He locked the gate and ask me to follow him, we walked through the old garden for about fifteen minutes, I was getting tired of walking when we eventually come across a tarred road, I stopped abruptly surprised and before I could regain my composure a Benz parked right in front of us.

The man standing beside me opened the door for me and I stepped in, he took my box and placed it in the trunk, he sat beside me and closed the door. The driver started the car and drove off.

He car stopped at the front of a gigantic building, I opened the door and stood there wondering how they managed to build a beautiful building at the back of such an old garden.

The man pointed to the door and I followed, we entered the house and I was shocked at the sight I'm seeing, the interior is so beautiful and homely. I was still lost in my world of fantasy when I heard the voice I have missed for ages.

Richmond she called and I turned around I ran towards her and hug her tightly like my life depends on it. We were there for a long time I guess because I ended up crying in her shoulder. It's fine my boy, I feel your pains and I'm really sorry I wasn't there for you.

I stopped crying and we sat down, I'm sorry sorry about the death of your parent Richmond, I just smiled bitterly. My stomach grumbled and Nanny Martha laughed so hard, you still have the habit of not eating till your stomach grumbles and we both laughed again.

Come on my dear, dinner is served already she said. I followed her to the dinning table and sat down she dished my meal and I'm so happy she still remember my favourite food. Jollof rice, plantain and fried chicken with a glass of pineapple juice.

I ate to my satisfaction and we go back to the living room, she told me how she survived through the help of my parent when Raymond almost killed her. She was at our private hospital, placed on life support system for three months before she regained consciousness.

When I recovered fully, your mother suggested that I shouldn't come back to the mansion so I was brought here. Have been here since then, this building is surrounded by old gardens all around so it's difficult for people to know that such building existed here.

I'm so happy to see you again Richmond, I heard about your wedding from your grandpa, he always visit me always since the death of your parent. I just sighed.

So what are you planning to do she asked seriously.

Nanny, I'm traveling to Italy and I'm leaving tomorrow I said .

We exchanged contacts and she wished me well in the journey. She took me to a room to spend the night and it feels so homely. I gave her a goodnight hug and she smiled heartily.

I wake up feeling a bit tired but I took a quick bath and changed my clothes. I took my box and started descending the stairs. Good morning Nanny Martha I greeted and she smiled so brightly at me.

Breakfast is ready son, you must eat before leaving she said, I didn't object because I know she won't take No for an answer so I followed her to the dinning table. We are in silence and she gave me some words of encouragement, I hugged her tightly and I promised to always be in touch. She instructed the driver to drop me at the gate and I bade her goodbye.

The driver stopped at the gate and I hailed a cab to the airport, the journey wasong and boring but I'm glad it was successful. I stepped out of the airport and my friend June is already waiting outside to pick me up.

My bestie, we both shake hands and hugged tightly, June has been my best friend since highschool before her aunt took her to Italy. We entered the car and started the journey to her house. June runs the biggest club in italy, she has become very wealthy and I'm so happy she has done so well for herself.

We got home and she gave me the best welcome party ever, I want you to feel at home Richmond this place is your home. You did more than this for me when I needed help and now I can repay you wholeheartedly.

She took me to a very big room and I'm so surprised she already designed the lobby for me to paint. Dude, you do this for me I said looking surprised. She smiled at me and pointed to a bag, I opened the bag and was surprised to see a lot of stuffs she has gotten for my paintings. I covered my mouth in shock