'The shadow sister'

"As I sat there, the rain drumming against the roof, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. A part of me was excited at the prospect of spending Christmas in Port Harcourt, away from the familiar routine of our small town. But another part of me was anxious, unsure of what to expect from my dad's new family. "My mom had always been tight-lipped about my dad's life in Port Harcourt. All I knew was that he had remarried and had a new family. The thought of meeting them, of being a part of their lives for a few days, made my stomach twist with nervousness. "I stood up, shaking off the chill that had settled over me. The rain showed no signs of letting up, and I knew I had to get back inside. But as I turned to go, I caught a glimpse of myself in the window reflection. My eyes looked troubled, my face pale. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the feeling of unease that had settled over me." "As I stepped inside the house, the aroma of egusi soup enveloped me, its rich, slightly bitter scent filling my nostrils. My stomach growled in anticipation. Mom stood at the stove, her hands moving deftly as she turned the eba, its smooth, stretchy texture glistening in the fading light. I fetched the dishes from the cupboard, the ceramic plates clinking softly against each other. As Mom ladled the steaming hot soup into the bowls, the sound of the spoon scraping against the pot filled the air." "I settled onto the floor, the cool tiles a welcome respite from the warmth of the kitchen. I moulded my eba into a small, pliable ball, the sticky dough yielding to my fingers. With a satisfied smile, I dipped the eba into the steaming hot soup, the aroma of egusi and spices wafting up to tease my taste buds. Today's soup was a treat – tender chunks of meat and fluffy stockfish added a depth of flavor "Tomorrow, we'll head to the market,' Mom said, her eyes sparkling with a hint of excitement as she licked her fingers, savoring the lingering flavors of the egusi soup. 'Mmmm,' I replied, my mouth still full, the eba and soup mingling on my tongue. I nodded enthusiastically "The room fell silent, the only sound was the muted hum of the TV. I broke the silence, my curiosity getting the better of me. 'Have you ever seen his wife and children?' I asked, my eyes fixed on Mom's face. She shook her head, her expression neutral. 'No.' A pause, then she added, 'But you and his daughter are age mates.' Her voice was matter-of-fact, but I detected a hint of tension beneath the surface. 'They have two boys, that's all I know,' she said, her words trailing off as she stood up to leave. 'When you're through, wash the dishes,' she reminded me, already heading for her room. 'Alright,' I replied, my voice barely above a whisper." "All my life, it's been just me and Mom. Dad left when I was 9, and we thought he'd abandoned us for another family. But now, I realize the painful truth - we were the 'other' family all along. The thought stings, and I wonder, why did he leave? Why did he never ask about me? Why now, after all these years? "I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the warm water and soap suds as I washed the dishes. As I settled into my bed, the soft mattress cradled my weary body. I let out a contented sigh, feeling the tension melt away as I began to rub my feet together. The warmth and comfort of the moment were the perfect antidote to the chore of washing the dishes. I reached for my phone and navigated to my conversation with Ehi. My fingers flew across the keyboard as I typed out my message: "I will be traveling on Saturday to PH to visit my dad. I sent the message off into cyberspace, eager to hear my friend's response. Ehi's reply came quickly, her enthusiasm radiating through the screen. "omo!" she exclaimed. I chuckled at her eagerness, teasing her with a lighthearted jab: "Wish I was you." Ehi playfully shot back with a laughing emoji, and I couldn't help but grin. But then, Ehi's tone turned mischievous. "I will come to your house so I can help you prepare for your journey to the unknown," she teased, poking fun at my upcoming trip to visit my dad. I smiled, feeling grateful for my friend's unwavering support and sense of humor. As the evening drew to a close, I mindlessly scrolled through i********:, watching a few videos here and there. The dim glow of the screen cast a warm light on my face, and I felt my eyelids growing heavier with each passing moment. Before I drifted off completely, I plugged my phone into the charger, the familiar hum of the device a comforting sound. A faint smile still lingered on my lips as I settled into the softness of my bed. And then, in an instant, I was enveloped by the darkest of sleeps, my exhaustion finally catching up with me. The world outside receded, and I was lost in the depths of my own dream I was trapped in a vivid dream, one that felt all too real. In the dream, I saw a fat woman and a girl who bore a striking resemblance to the woman. They were standing alongside two boys, and all four of them were staring down at me with mocking grins. Their laughter was like a cold wind, sending shivers down my spine. I tried to move, to escape their ridicule, but my body felt heavy and unresponsive. And then, in a flash, they reached down and grabbed me, their hands closing around my head like a vice. I struggled and kicked, but they were too strong. With a sickening sense of dread, I felt my head being forced down towards the toilet bowl. The laughter grew louder, more maniacal, as I struggled. hey pookie's what do y'all think?? vote and comments