The promise between us

Chapter 11

Ifeanyi Family House, Surulere, Lagos

Samantha's POV

Something was wrong, I just couldn't figure out what it was, but for the past four days, Daddy had barely spoken during dinner.

Mummy smiled less..Even Richard had stopped making jokes.

Every time I walked into the room, their conversation ended.

At first, I thought it was because of my health.

But this felt different.

It was as though they were carrying a secret too heavy to share.

That evening, I found my elder sister Sharon arranging baby clothes in the nursery while her little son slept peacefully nearby.

"You've been staring at me for almost five minutes." She laughed softly.

"What's on your mind?"

I sat on the bed. "Something is wrong."

Her smile faded, she dropped the clothes that's she was arranging and sit down close to me giving me her full attention.

"What do you mean?"

"Mummy and Daddy, They've changed. I whispered too tired to talk out loud.

She looked away for a second. I've noticed too,

They think I haven't.

"But I have." I lowered my voice, with my head lowered then look up at her, Do you think it's because of the hospital bills?.

Sharon sighed.

"I don't know, Sammy, I wish I did.

A tear slipped down my cheek, I'm tired of seeing them suffer because of me.

Sharon immediately pulled me into a hug.

Don't say that Baby..

But It's true, I whispered quietly

"No." She gently lifted my chin, You didn't choose this illness and You are not a burden.

I smiled weakly, I wish I believed that."

Later that night…

I sit with my back leaned on the bedborad, my brown journal on my laps, pen between my fingers as I slowly pour my feelings out the way I know how to do, in writing.

My phone vibrated,.on the bedside table, Debbie Calling.. I closed the journal and picked up the called before it end.

"Hello."

"Madam Patient!" She replied sounding like she has been wounded.

I couldn't help laughing, You sound terrible."

"I've been abandoned, Debbie gasped dramatically.

"Excuse me?"

The whole department misses you, Even our lecturer asked where his favourite troublemaker had disappeared to.

I rolled my eyes, You're lying

I swear she laughed, But seriously… how are you?

I'm okay, the same answer I give each time l'm asked that question.

Liar, she said immediately like she was expecting that answer answer from me.

I'll be back soon, I say quietly not sure if l'm telling her or myself.

You better, "We still have plenty of assignments waiting for us."

I laughed again.. For the first time in days… The weight on my chest felt a little lighter.

After ending the call, I walked toward the sitting room.

Mummy and Daddy were talking again, Their voices were barely above whispers.

When they noticed me…

They immediately stopped.. I forced a smile.

But deep down I knew they were hiding something from me

.

And whatever it was… It was slowly changing my family