The Road That Leads To You

CHAPTER EIGHT

Sundays in my house were church days. Mum and I would go to church, leave after two hours for the market and cook when we get home. But that particular Sunday was different, I woke up on the left side of my bed and I didn't feel like going anywhere at all. Mum came into my room and to her amazement, I was still lying down.

“Why aren't you up? We'll be late for church Tura, get up.”

“Mum, I don't feel like going today. I feel… I dunno how to explain it but I just want to stay back.”

“That's why you should go. You'll feel better and gain clarity on why you're feeling this way. Did you have a bad dream?”

“Not that I can think of. I just woke with zero vibes and chill.”

“Okay then, you can stay back. But make sure you do something, you know, exercise, house chores, you can dance too.”

“You're not going to force me like you always do whenever I feel this way?”

“I don't have the energy for that today. See you when I get back.”

“Bye mum.”

I looked at the heart shaped clock on my wall and it was 7:30AM. I dragged myself out of bed, brushed and showered and went back to bed. An hour later I woke up and I felt much better. I skipped, danced and did the house chores. I didn't feel like cooking so I went out to buy food. On my way to the bakery, I met a French man who could speak very little English. It was hard to understand him because his accent kept getting in the way. Luckily for him, I knew the nitty gritties of French.

“Salut,” he said, “tu parle francais?”

“Oui monsieur.”

“Ah! Je suis tres contente. Où est la banque?”

I giggled. The bank was right behind him, he just had to cross the road. I pointed it out to him and he laughed so hard that his glasses fell.

“Merci beaucoup, bonne journee.” he said before crossing the road.

I bought strawberry ice cream, doughnuts, banana bread and a bottle of orange juice. When I got home mum was sitting on the rocking chair in the veranda, waiting for me.

“Hi mum.”

“Where did you go to?”

“I went to the bakery mum. I didn't feel like cooking.”

I opened the door and we went inside. Uncle Ezekiel came by thirty minutes later with fresh tomatoes and peppers.

“The peppers are from my little garden. My babies are growing well.” He beamed with pride and satisfaction, like a proud father.

“They look healthy and sumptuous uncle,”

“Thank you dear. What do you think, Vera?”

“They're appealing to the eyes but they'll look better in my stew.” Mum said laughing. Uncle Ezekiel helped mum wash the tomatoes and pepper and he helped her blend them. I didn't need to do anything, he had it all figured out. He was so willing and eager to cook with my mum, he just wanted to be around her. She was his happy and safe place. Miriam called to remind me that I have a date and she was coming over to help me pick an outfit. Uncle Ezekiel and my mum were still cooking when Miriam arrived.

“Girl, uncle Ezekiel and your mum would make a great couple.”

“If wishes were horses, beggers would ride. Uncle is a priest and he is not allowed to get married or have any kind of intimate relationship with anyone. Their love is like a forbidden fruit, it breaks me when I see them pretend to want only friendship. They're good friends but I know that they want more.”

“Yeah, it's sad. But he can leave the priesthood, right?”

“I don't think mum will allow him to do that. She cares too much about what the church would say and how "embarrassing" it would be for her.”

“I wish them goodluck. Let's talk about you girl, you're the one who has a date with the LOML. Have you called or texted him?”

“No. I wanted to but I didn't want to look too pushy.”

“Girl, call him.”

I called thrice and texted twice but there was no response. I didn't think much of it, until I called again and got no response. I began panicking because Jaden has never not picked my calls or replied my texts.

“There's a first time for everything. Maybe, this is a side of him that you haven't seen yet or maybe he's busy with something.”

“Are you sure? Because I don't feel the same way.” I was restless and sweating all over. My legs and hands were shaking and when I tried to reach him again, the same thing happened and I began to cry. I was so worried, I didn't know where he lived yet and even if I did I wouldn't go because I wouldn't want to appear desperate or too eager.

“Tura, I believe you have a date, right?” Mum shouted from the kitchen.

“I do mum, but I don't think he's going to show up. I've called and texted a lot of times but I got no response.”

Mum came into my room and sat beside me, “I know you're worried Tura, he's fine.”

It was 5:30AM already, I called again and he picked.

Jaden: Daisy, I sincerely apologize.

Me: what happened? You didn't return any of my calls or reply my texts. I was so worried.

Jaden: I know Tura, I'm sorry. Something came up.

Me: what happened? Look, you can't just tell me “something came up” and expect me to just figure it out myself. What happened Jaden?

Jaden: we found out today, that my Dad has a brain tumor. He fainted yesterday, we revived him but he insisted that he was fine and that he doesn't need any medical attention.

Me: oh my God. Jaden, I'm so sorry. How's he doing? What are the doctors saying?

Jaden: he's in the ICU, the doctors said he needs an emergency surgery ASAP. He'll have the tumor removed next week Wednesday.

Me: ah! Thank the heavens. Will you come to school tomorrow? I think you should stay with your dad.

Jaden: nah. I'll come, I need to see you.

Me: seeing me isn't important right now Jaden, staying with your dad is.

Jaden: you don't know how I really want to see you, you're my happy place Daisy, I need that in this moment.

Me: okay Jaden, just rest and take care of yourself. See you tomorrow.

Jaden: I will Daisy, take care of yourself too.

“Jaden’s dad is ill.” I said to everyone when I went to the living room

“What happened?” Miriam asked

“He has a brain tumor. But, don't worry, he'll have it removed next week.”

“Oh, the poor boy. I'll put them in prayers.” Mum said

“Well, I need to go home Tura.”

When her ride came, I walked her to the gate.

“Will you call him tonight?”

“No. I want him to rest and I don't want him to think about it too much. Jaden is a big softie, I can only imagine what's going on in his head right now.”

“Okay babes. Don't stay up all night worrying about him, sleep babe.”

“I will. Bye.”