MY BODY GUARD, MY BOYFRIEND

THE DEBT

GRACE'S POV

As I stood up to see who was calling my name, I heard the voice again ; "Grace, Grace wake up".

"Wait, I know that voice. Is that you"?. I said

"Yes, it's me. Wake up". I heard the voice again.

Oh my Gosh, I couldn't believe it. The voice sounded exactly like my Mother's.

Immediately, I jumped up in excitement.

"It's you! It's you! Is that really you!" I exclaimed

"Is that you, Mum?" I said, and just as I was about opening the door, I saw that it was Cynthia and not my Mum.

"Grace, you must be delusional. How can it even be Mum ? She's dead and you heard her say it to you in your dream". I said to myself

"Hi Grace, Good morning. I came to see you". Cynthia said as she grabbed me by the waist and hugged me tightly.

"Yeah, Good morning Cynthia". I said, feeling disappointed

I had really hoped that it would be my Mum knocking on my door, or standing in front of me.

"Hey, don't do that. Don't you welcome my visit, or should I leave now ?". Cynthia said, feeling sad.

"No! Of course, no". I replied, as I held her hands.

"It's just that I miss my Mum so much. Most times, I hear her calling me, and when I turn to look, she's gone". I said as I held the pink teddy bear my Mum got for my four year old birthday.

"I know dear. I know the feeling quite too well". Cynthia said

"When we lost my Aunt. It was really bad for me, because she was my favorite amongst my mother's siblings. But it was much more worst for her children, they couldn't eat nor sleep for days. But as time went bye, they began to put it behind them and finally, they moved on". Cynthia said

"What you're feeling now is totally normal. Don't worry, just give yourself the whole time you need. I'll be right here waiting". She said

"Thanks so much Cynthia. Sometimes, I ask myself what I did to deserve someone like you". I said

"You did absolutely nothing, this is fate. Our friendship is fate". She said

"Hmmm, fate. Well, if you say so". I added, as we both laughed.

"Cynthia there's something I need to tell you. It's about my Mum". I said in a lower tone.

"Your Mum, what about her ? What happened ?". Cynthia asked

"Okay, I had a dream where my Mum appeared to me. She said so many things including how much she misses me. But she said something that seemed pretty serious". I said

"Really? What did she say?" Cynthia asked

"Well, she said I should be strong for what lies ahead of me". I replied

"What lies ahead of you ? What could that be ?". Cynthia asked

"I don't know. I tried asking her but she disappeared, I couldn't find her. And that was when you started knocking on my door". I said

"Wow Grace, this sounds pretty serious". Cynthia said

"Yes I know. And that's why I've been trying to figure out what she meant by that". I said

"Well, don't think about it too much. The most important thing is that you heal as quick as possible, so you can return back to school". Cynthia said, as she stood up to help tidy my room

"You're coming back to school right?". She asked curiously

"Sure, of course I am". I replied faintly for I wasn't too sure.

Earlier before, I overheard my Dad talking with some of his business partners to assist him. So it's not wrong to think that the possibility of me attending West Wood College seems pretty slim.

"Well, Josh sends his greetings by the way". Cynthia said as she had a little smile on her face.

"What is with that look Cynthia ?". I asked

"What ? This smile ? No, it's nothing". She replied

"Anyways, let's hurry up with this and go prepare something for your dad. I'm sure he's hungry". She added

"Woah! When did you become a chef Cynthia ?". I asked

"Well, my best friend needs me. So if I have to cook to make her happy, that's exactly what I'll do". She replied

" I love you so much. God bless you for me". I said hugging her passionately

"Yeah I know. I love you too". She said, as we walked downstairs together

"Hey! Good morning darling, I see you look happy today".

"Who's voice was that ?". Cynthia asked

"Well, let's find out". I said

Behold, it was my Dad. He had already woken up early to prepare breakfast.

"Good morning Dad. Wow, you made breakfast ?". I asked

"Yes, your favorite. Anything for my darling".

"Oh now I feel jealous!". Cynthia said as we all laughed

Later that evening, my Dad called me into the living room to discuss something important.

"Yes, Dad. You called me". I said as I walked into the living room

"Yes my dear, I did. Seat down". He said

"I want us to have a discussion. You see, I and your mother didn't want to let you know until you were old enough to know". He began

"Know what Dad. What are you talking about?". I asked in curiousity

"Before your mum died, she took a loan from her Bank so we could pay your tuition fee up to your final year studies before this tragic incident befell us". He said

"And now, the Bank is asking for the loan payment". He added

"Dad, that wasn't necessary. I told you guys not to collect the loan. Why did you ?". I asked feeling very frustrated and at the same time guilty

"Yes I know, but you know your Mum. Whenever she sets her mind to do something, she always see to it that it is done". Dad said, holding a picture of Mum in his hands.

"Okay, but there's got to be a collateral. What did you use as collateral ?". I asked

"The house, we used the house as collateral. And we have only one month to pay up". Dad said

"My God! This is bad, really bad". I exclaimed

"So what are we going to do now ?". I asked

"We ? No my dear, this is all on me. I just decided to let you know what was going on".

"Don't worry I'll handle this". He said

"Handle it all by yourself ? Hell no Dad, we will handle it together". I insisted

"Oh my darling, what can I do without you". He said patting my head gently

"Absolutely nothing!". I said as we both laughed

Later that night, before I went to bed I spent hours thinking of the dream I had yesterday. Although, Cynthia had advised me not too think about it, I couldn't help but wonder what my Mum meant by those words.

"What could she have meant ?" I asked myself.

"Was she trying to pass a message across ?". I whispered

"Wait, does it mean I'll have to drop out of school? No, that can't happen. Dad won't let that happen". I said to myself

"What about my friends, my teachers, my grades ? What about my future ? No please God don't let this happen. Please come to my rescue, I don't want to drop out of school". I prayed to God as I slept off......