THE GIRL IN MY DREAM

Chapter One: Strangers in the Same Dream The afternoon sun poured through the sheer curtains of the Okafor family’s living room, laying long golden stripes across the tiled floor. Somewhere beyond the compound wall, a generator coughed to life, and an okada horn blared twice before fading into the hum of the street. Joshua sprawled on the sofa with the remote in his hand, half watching a football highlight he had already seen. The sound of quick footsteps on the stairs made him glance up. Rita was coming down in a fitted cream top and her best jeans, her handbag swinging from her shoulder, lip gloss freshly done. She looked like a girl with somewhere to be. “Hey, bro,” she sang, not slowing down. “Hey, baby sis.” Joshua’s eyes narrowed playfully. “Where are you off to, looking like that?” “Pearl and I are hanging out.” “Wow.” He sat up, already reaching for his car keys on the side table. “You mind if I take you there myself?” “No, no, it’s fine.” She waved a hand. “I’ll just take a cab. I don’t want to stress you.” “Come on, Rita.” His voice softened, the teasing gone. “You’re my sister. Taking care of you is not stress. I insist.” She opened her mouth to argue, saw the stubborn set of his jaw, and rolled her eyes so dramatically that he laughed. “Okay, fine. You win. Let’s go.” “Good.” He jingled the keys at her. “That’s my girl.” The front door closed behind them, and the house settled back into its quiet. The quiet did not last. That evening, the living room felt different. The light had gone amber and heavy, and the silence had a weight to it. Rita sat curled at one end of the sofa, thumbs flying across her phone screen. Across from her, her father sat very still, his hands clasped between his knees, the way a man sits when he has rehearsed a speech and still doesn’t know how to begin. “Rita.” “Yes, Daddy.” She didn’t look up. “I have something to discuss with you.” The phone slipped from her fingers and landed on the cushion. Her heart gave a small, cold jump. “Okay,” she said slowly. “I hope everything is fine?” Her father let out a long breath. It sounded like it came from somewhere deep in his chest. “Yes, everything is fine. It’s just that I am worried about you. Ever since your mother left us, you have refused to go back to school.” There it was. The name nobody said out loud in this house anymore. Rita felt it land in her stomach like a stone. “Daddy, I’m fine.” She forced a bright smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m doing perfectly fine. And besides, the university isn’t even running now.” “I know, my dear.” His voice was gentle, but firm. “But you need to finish your degree. You can’t stay at home forever.” Rita went very still. “Daddy, are you trying to tell me I’m no longer welcome here?” “That is not what—” The front door swung open. Joshua stepped in, his shoulders tense, as if he had heard the argument from the gate. “That’s not what Daddy is trying to say.” Rita rose slowly to her feet, her eyes moving from her father’s face to her brother’s. The hurt in them was sharp and bright. “Oh. You too.” She laughed, but it cracked in the middle. “So you knew about this.” “Rita, you’re my sister—” “And I haven’t forgotten that.” Her voice trembled. “So are you guys trying to throw me out?” “No, my love.” Her father’s eyes were wet. “We just want the best for you.” “Rita, please.” Joshua took a step toward her. “Don’t think of it like that. And don’t let Mum’s death stop you from going back.” The words hung in the air like smoke. Rita’s lips pressed into a thin line. She grabbed her phone and held it against her chest like a shield. “That’s good,” she said quietly, “but I’m sorry. I’m not going back to school. Period.” She walked out. Her footsteps echoed up the stairs, and a door slammed somewhere above them. Joshua let out a shaky breath. He rested a hand on his father’s shoulder. “Dad, just relax. She will come around.” His father stared at the empty staircase for a long moment. “I hope so,” he whispered. The night was thick and warm at Roland’s house, filled with the smell of frying onions and the chirp of crickets from the garden. Rita sat at the dining table with her chin in her palm, staring at nothing. She had been like this since she arrived, a girl-shaped silence in the middle of the room. Roland came out of the kitchen with a steaming tray of food, his sleeves rolled up, a dish towel slung over his shoulder. He set the plates down with a flourish. “Babe, food is ready!” “I’m not hungry,” Rita said softly. His smile faltered. He pulled out the chair beside her and sat, studying her face. “Babe, what’s wrong? Since you came, you haven’t said a word. You’re scaring me. And now that you’ve finally spoken, you say you’re not hungry?” “It’s my dad.” “What about him?” She sighed. “He wants me to go back to school.” Roland went quiet. His fingers tapped once against the table. “And?” he asked, carefully. “I don’t want to go. I’m fine at home. School is stressful.” Something flickered across his face, too quick to name. Then his voice dropped, wounded. “So you want to leave me?” “No, my love.” Rita reached for his hand at once. “I’m not leaving you.” “Promise me.” “I promise. Not now, not tomorrow, not forever.” Roland’s shoulders relaxed. He smiled and squeezed her fingers. “Okay. So let’s eat before it gets cold.” Rita laughed, the heaviness lifting from her face. “Okay!” She didn’t see the way his smile stayed a second too long after she looked away. The swimming pool shimmered under a lazy afternoon sun, the water sparkling in a hundred shifting diamonds. Music drifted from a distant speaker and the air smelled of chlorine and sunscreen. Rita and Pearl lounged side by side on white plastic chairs, tall glasses sweating in their hands. “I feel like staying here and not going home,” Rita murmured, sliding her sunglasses up into her hair. “Me too,” Pearl said, stretching. “It’s cool and warm at the same time.” “Yeah.” Rita swirled her straw. “But I’m scared.” Pearl sat up straight. “Scared? What’s going on? Did you and Ray have a fight?” “No. That’s not possible.” “So what is it?” “My dad wants me to go back to school.” “Wow!” Pearl clapped her hands, beaming. “Congratulations! That’s good news.” “What’s good about it?” Pearl blinked at her. “Why are you not happy?” “Because I don’t want to go, and I’m scared Ray will leave me for someone else.” “Ray won’t dare.” Pearl scoffed. “Is he mad? After everything you’ve done for him?” Rita threw her a look. “Guy, chill. He’s not your boyfriend.” “No, but you’re my friend, and I care about you.” The sharpness drained out of Rita’s face. “Okay, fine. Thanks for caring.” She tilted her head. “So you want me to go back?” “Yes, baby!” Pearl grinned. “I will be so happy. Then I can come and be visiting.” “Promise?” “I promise to always visit whenever I’m less busy.” “Okay, that means I’ll have to think about it.” Rita caught Pearl’s flat stare and burst out laughing. “Eheh, don’t give me that look!” “Promise me you’ll go to school.” “Okay, fine, I will.” Rita turned her face away, smirking. “I won’t.” “I heard that!” “Sorry!” Rita was giggling now, and for the first time in days, the sound was real. The next morning, a soft knock rattled Rita’s bedroom door. She lay across her bed, thumbs scrolling her phone. “Come in!” The door opened, and a familiar grin appeared. “Hey, sis!” Rita’s head snapped up. “Oh my goodness! Who do we have here?” She leapt off the bed and threw herself into her brother Caleb’s arms. “Welcome, bro!” “Thank you.” He laughed, patting her back. He glanced around the room. “Why are you alone in your room?” She pulled back, eyebrows raised. “Were you expecting anyone to be with me?” “That’s not what I meant!” “So what did you mean?” “Alright, alright. Let’s leave that aside.” He held up his hands. “What’s up?” “I’m fine.” “I can see. You’re shining.” “Hmm, please.” She smiled, pleased in spite of herself. “That’s because it’s been a while.” Then her eyes sharpened. “So, what did you buy for me?” Caleb’s face went blank. “I didn’t buy anything.” “What? Why?” “You didn’t ask me to!” Rita pressed a hand to her chest, wounded. “Oh wow. So people who travel and come back will need permission before they buy something for their sister? You must be joking.” Caleb’s shoulders drooped. “Okay, I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.” “How?” “I’ll cook for you.” She folded her arms, fighting a smile. “Hmm. It seems you went abroad to learn how to cook.” “Not really.” “Alright then. I’ll wait.” “Okay.” He grinned, backing toward the door. “I’ll leave first.” A few hours later, there was a knock at the front door. Sonia stood on the doorstep with a glossy handbag and a polite smile that looked slightly too practiced. Joshua let her in and gestured to the sofa. “Hi, Joshua. Long time no see. Good afternoon.” “Good afternoon. Have a seat. I’m guessing you came for my sister.” “Yes. Is she around?” “She is, but she’s busy now. What can I offer you?” “Anything is fine.” “Give me a minute.” He disappeared toward the kitchen. Footsteps sounded on the stairs. Rita appeared on the landing, and the moment she saw who was sitting in her living room, her whole body went cold. “Sonia,” she said flatly. “What are you doing here?” Sonia blinked, her smile wobbling. “Of course I came to see you. Or are you not happy to see me?” “Of course not. It’s just surprising that you came without letting me know.” “Okay,” Sonia said quietly, her eyes dropping. “I’m sorry.” “Anyway.” Rita hooked her bag onto her shoulder. “I’m going out.” Joshua came back in with a glass of juice and stopped short. “Oh, you’re here. She came to see you!” “Yes, I’ve seen her.” Rita lifted her chin. “It seems you’ve already offered her something. I’m going out.” “Hey.” Joshua frowned. “I just thought you had a visitor.” “I don’t have a visitor,” Rita said calmly. “She didn’t tell me she was coming. I’m off.” The door shut behind her with a final, polite click. Sonia stared after her, bewildered. “What’s wrong with her? Did I offend her?” “No, no, just relax.” Joshua set the glass down, watching the door with worried eyes. “I’ll talk to her when she’s back. Please, have a seat.” He had no idea how deep the problem went. The kitchen was bright and warm, filled with the smell of frying plantain and coffee. A sleepy morning light slanted through the window, and a radio hummed softly somewhere in the background. Andrew stood at the stove in a white T-shirt, humming to himself. Footsteps padded in behind him, and he turned to see Rita in the doorway, her hair tousled, her smile soft with sleep. “Good morning, my love,” he said. “Morning, babe.” She leaned against the door frame. “You’re already in the kitchen!” “I wanted to surprise you, but you’re already awake.” “Don’t worry. I’ll go back to bed.” They both burst out laughing. “You’re funny,” Andrew said, shaking his head. “Oh, really? That’s nice.” The scene melted, bright and golden, and suddenly they were in a living room scattered with open books, sharing a bowl of sliced mango and oranges, studying and playing and laughing all at once. Then the light cracked. Andrew jerked upright in his bed, gasping. The room was dim and plain, the ceiling fan turning slowly above him. His heart was racing, and for a moment he could still feel the warmth of her laugh in his chest. He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Why do I keep seeing her?” he whispered to the empty room. “Who is she, really?” He stared at his trembling fingers. “She’s so beautiful. And why do I always dream of her smiling, playing, studying with me?” The fan ticked on, giving no answer.