Chapter 1: need a way forward
“I have called this family meeting today because things have not gone our way lately,” Mr. Okafor said.
“Yes, and your father and I have been talking about the family's need to step up,” Mrs. Okayfor said.
“You guys are grown now you need to start preparing to stay on your own,” Mr Okafor then said.
"Are you here to talk about me or the family? Because let's be real everyone knows I'm the one old enough to start a life of my own. I'm not stupid, and I'm not blind either." Marshal responded.
“Brother you know you're not true, we're all trying to put our lives together,” Owen whispered.
“You guys own it better, you're sixteen, Mark is twelve, I'm twenty, so tell me who do you think they are talking to,” Marshal responded.
“And that is why we called this meeting to give you this opportunity,” his aaa said.
“Opportunity?” Marshal responded with a shock on his face.
The mother then walked closer to him, “Don't let ur pride spoil your chance of making it.”
“Sorry, Mom,” Marshal said, looking sad.
“My boss allowed me to take one of my sons to study in India for marine engineering, you are going to be a cadet, well respected,” his father said.
“Wow, Dad, for real?” Marshal responded.
“So.. get ready by next month you will leave.”
“I always dreamed of being an engineer, but never thought it would be international,” Marshal said.
“That's why we are allowed to dream big,” his mother, Mrs Okafor.
“The best part is u will be getting paid while Learning, but I don't know how much yet,” Mr Okafor said.
“I don't know how to thank you, Dad,” Marshal responded.
“This will boost the family, as long as you don't forget where you came from,” Mr Okafor said.
“Never, no place like home father,” Marshal responded.
“We are happy to hear that,” his mother said.
“What about us, Dad?” Owen said.
“Your time will come, but for now, it's Marshal, he is the most mature,” Mr Okafor said.
"They all pulled into a tight embrace, holding on as if the moment itself could keep them together. Smiles and quiet tears mixed in the silence, saying more than words ever could. With that, the meeting was gently dismissed."
"Later that evening, after the meeting had ended, Marshal walked quietly toward the place he and Princess always called their private space. She was already there, waiting, her posture calm but her eyes full of curiosity. As he approached, he didn't say a word at first—just stood for a moment, taking in the comfort of her presence and gathering the courage to speak. The silence between them was soft, almost fragile, carrying the weight of what he was about to share. Only then did he prepare to tell her the good news.
“Why are you not saying anything, is there a problem?” Princess said.
“I'm just too excited, I have something to tell you,” Marshal whispered.
“What is it?” Princess Asked.
“I will be going to India to study,” Marshal said.
“For real? And you think it's good news?” Princess said.
“You don't have to be dramatic.”
“Why would I not be, you are going to leave me alone and go as far as India and expect me to be fine with all of it,”
“It's not like that, I promise it's not going to be like that,” Marshal said and held her hands.
“When are you going?” she asked.
“Next month,” Marshal whispered.
“For real? Look, I need to think about this for a little while,” Princess said and was walking away.
“Babe?” Marshal said but couldn’t move.
---
After the painful end of his conversation with his girlfriend, Marshal walked home in silence, each step dragging as if the weight of disappointment clung to him. When he finally reached the house, he didn’t greet anyone or look around, he just went straight to his room. The door shut with a dull thud, followed by the sharp click of the lock. Inside, he dropped onto his bed without even removing his shoes, staring blankly at the ceiling. The room felt smaller, heavier, as if the walls themselves understood his mood. For the first time in a while, he wished the world outside would just leave him alone.
Owen walked in knowing that Marshal was upset to see why.
“Was she again?” Owen said.
“Go away men,” Marshal responded.
“You do know that there are lots of girls out there right?” Owen said.
“f**k off, man, I mean it,” Marshal said.
“Ok if you say so, I was just trying to help, " Owen said and walked out slowly.
---
“A few minutes after Owen stepped out of Marshal’s room, he was met by the concerned faces of their parents waiting in the hallway.
His mother’s voice was the first to break the silence, gentle but probing
‘What’s the matter with your brother?’
Owen hesitated, the truth pressing at the back of his throat, but he quickly swallowed it down. He forced a small, casual smile, pretending everything was fine.
‘Nothing serious,’
He said, his tone light though his eyes betrayed a flicker of unease.
‘Marshal’s just tired, that’s all.’
He added another quick reassurance, weaving a lie to cover him, careful not to let them suspect the storm inside his brother. At the same time, his words dropped hints meant to protect Marshal’s secret, subtly making sure their parents still believed he was with Princess, so they wouldn’t start asking more questions.
Here’s a more detailed and atmospheric version of that moment:
---
Later that day, Marshal kept checking his phone, staring at the screen that showed nothing but silence from Princess. Message after message sat there, unread, and each passing hour only deepened the ache in his chest. He tried to distract himself, scrolling aimlessly, but his thoughts kept circling back to her. Eventually, exhaustion took over. Still clutching his phone in his hand, he lay back on the bed, his eyes growing heavy. The glow of the screen dimmed against his face until, finally, he drifted off to sleep with the unanswered messages still open beside him.
---
Not long after, Marshal’s mother gently pushed open his bedroom door. The room was dim, the only light coming from the faint glow of his phone still resting in his hand. She stepped closer and found him fast asleep, his face weary, as if the weight of the day had finally dragged him under. Out of concern, her eyes shifted to the screen, which hadn’t locked yet. There, laid bare, were the messages he had been sending line after line to Princess, unanswered. Her heart sank as she realized he had been waiting, hoping, clinging to a silence that never broke. For a moment, she just stood there, torn between waking him and letting him rest, her hand hovering in the air before she quietly pulled the blanket over him and stepped.
