scarred

Memorial

beeeeeeeep!..

Raelle turned to look at her phone, the rain had miraculously come to a halt, she gave a sigh of relief and rolled over to see a popped up SMS from Kayla on her phone's screen 'see you at the memorial mass, it's by 10am tomorrow' Raelle dropped the phone and closed her eyes, if she was going to get through the next day then she needed her sleep because it was going to be a really long day.

****

it was a rather cloudy Saturday morning, the cool weather soothed the congregation at St Francis cathedral Festac, it was the memorial mass in honor of late Kelvin Olumide. The whole family occupied a single pew in front of the church as they all wore white outfits in respect of the occasion. Raelle stared at the photo of her brother on the podium, he was all smiles,that had been one of his favorite pictures from when he visited Benin republic, if only he knew this was going to be an obituary picture. she could hear the priest as if from a distance talking about her brother and how much he impacted to the church community. " I remember how Kel would go to the market and shop for me and still help clean the parish house, he was a blessing to us all and I believe he's dwelling with the Lord, and so brethren we pray he continues to rest in perfect peace with his creator" she could hear faded Amens from the congregation as she stared blankly at the picture frame as it held the face of the man whose death has continued to taunt her even after thirteen years.

after Mass Raelle rushed to catch up her mother's pace as the rest of the family were busy having chit-chat with other people who had attended the mass. "mum... mummy"Raelle nervously tapped her mother who had been muttering strangely to herself, " oh Elle... I didn't think you would make it"her mum turned to look at her with a forced smile playing on her lips, "you look so malnourished, have you been skipping meals honey?" "I could say the same about you, what happened to all the fat in you" Raelle looked at her mother's eyes, they looked tired, she understood her pain but couldn't understand why she was still unable to move on after all these years "will you spend the rest of the break with us? her mum asked all of a sudden knowing fully well that she liked to spend all of her breaks in kaduna with Kennedy's family, it was her way of escaping the drama at home plus Kennedy was always on calls as a Navy officer so she kept his wife Sarah and the twins company whenever he was away. she could hear the underlining plea in her mother's voice so she gave in "okay mum, shall we go home now" she smiled as she opened the car door for her as she was about to get in, she heard familiar voices the duo were laughing at something one of them said, she turned and saw her sister Kayla with an old acquaintance, her breath caught, it definitely was George Adeyemi . George was her three years senior back then at Brimsley, he used to be the dream of all junior girls and even most of the senior girls had a crush on him then, she and her friends had a bet one time on who would be the first to get close to him and she won the bet, not because he found her attractive but because she was Kayla's sister, he treated her like a little sister because Kayla was his best friend. one time she asked Kayla if they were in a relationship "No way, I can't think of George like that" Kayla laughed it off. so she thought it was alright to have a crush on him, when she told her friends they made her write a love letter to him, and he acted as though he never saw a letter from her, it made her feel embarrassed everytime he was around and soon she started to avoid wherever he was, Kayla never knew about this.

seeing her high School crush with her sister brought alot of memories she wasn't proud of, Raelle suddenly thought of entering the car and zooming off with her mom but Kayla already saw her and that was why they were headed this way "look who made it to the mass" Kayla teased when she got close enough to Raelle who stood rooted on her spot smiling nervously "you know I'd never miss it if it wasn't for something serious" Raelle rolled her eyes and then a heart felt smile crept to her lips as she walked into her sister's embrace "I've missed you terribly" she whispered "then stay this time, there's alot of catching up piling for us" Kayla said with a pout making Elle laugh "I Will" she said " oh where are my manners" Kayla said turning towards George, "Raelle you do remember George, don't you?" "of course, hello George" Raelle said with a tight smile on her lips. " long time no see Elle" he had a playful smile on his lips and oh those gorgeous lips... Raelle quickly averted her gaze but George already noticed she was staring at his lips and his smile widened, 'the jerk must be enjoying seeing her in this dilemma . " I heard from a little birdie that you are done with your houseman ship so I guess congratulations are in order" Elle managed "oh please it's old news now, he works at the federal medical centre as a resident in the cardiology department" Kayla chipped in earning a smile from George " anyways thanks Elle, how have you been by the way I hear Asaba favours you more than Lagos" he said with a wink that sent Elle's heart racing,she turned away only to find that her mum has spaced out again, putting her hands around her shoulder "I totally love it here but Asaba does have a certain feel to it that's different here , you should join us at home we're hosting guests" Elle said "of course he will I'd drag him home if I have to " Kayla laughed earning her a raised brow from George "you better start going home mum needs to rest " she said in a lower tone exasperation laced in her voice, as if brought back by the sound of that their mother gently smiled at the three of them and said "George you came" "of course I did, how's your health these days mum" George said tenderly touching her chin, she had lost some good amount of weight since the last time he saw her, he'd have to go over and do another check up on her " I'm fine son I look forward to seeing you at home" she said patting his hand on her chin, their exchange warmed Raelle's heart as she looked up to him with a grateful smile, one that he returned