HAPPILY EVER AFTER: my love story

VII

I narrated everything to her, as we were talking, my eldest sister came in and joined us, they were grinning from ear to ear as they listened to what I had to say. '' I know they will agree, '' my eldest sister said. '' yes, you're absolutely right, I know that mummy and daddy will say yes, they will support you with all they have. Ukpono, this Jade of a guy is God sent, imagine what will happen when you leave, you'll be exposed to the world, and after your studies, you can get a job and probably get married and have cute African American children,'' my second sister added. ''shut up!'' I said slapping her hand playfully.
We agreed that when my mom was back from work and my dad got home from the seminar he attended then I'll ask them.
3 hours later my dad was back, he looked happy and exhausted at the same time, I got his bag, my second sister brought water for him to wash his hands and my eldest sister brought him brought his lunch. My dad looked at suspiciously, "you guys are being too good, who needs a favor this time?" my dad asked and we just smiled and shrugged our shoulders.
He was still eating when my mom got home and again I and my sisters pampered her, I got her purse and the bag filled with foodstuffs she bought, my sisters brought her food and water to wash her hands. my mom reacted the way my dad did, after we've left to our rooms, she called us back and asked, "who needs a favor now?" My sisters pointed at me, my eldest sister placed her hands on my shoulders and nudged me forward,     
"Mum, dad, Ukpono doesn't just need a favor, she needs your approval, your support and encouragement, UK, say what you need to say," she said giving me a reassuring pat on the shoulders.
''So, mummy, daddy, let me first ask you this question. Assuming an opportunity comes that I have to leave the country probably to America or Europe to write a scholarship exams, what would you say?" I asked.
'' I'll say a big fat YES '', my mom said
'' dad? '' I turned to my dad
'' honey, I'll take all the money I have, get you a new suitcase, fill it up with whatever you need, put you in the first bus to Lagos State and personally send you off to the airport, I won't leave until I see your plane take off and then I'll kneel there, raise my voice and thank God for giving my daughter the chance I never had. Does that answer your question?'' my dad replied smiling dreamingly.
Maybe I wanted a simple answer 'yes' but I couldn't help myself, I threw myself at him and said, " is 2 weeks to short for you to do what you just said? ''
''What?'' my parents asked in unison ''remember when I told you guys I was applying for scholarship abroad? I've been called to write exams in a month. The scholarship board knew that most candidates are foreigners, and that they are setting their exams according to the American curriculum of studies which is different from other countries so they have arranged a month class for us," I said. Seriously Ukpono? Is that what you could come up with? I scolded myself.
I was a horrible liar, what I just said sounded so unbearable but my parents were too excited to process it and they had already said yes.
The following day, I woke up early and did my morning chores, I was bubbling with excitement, I couldn't wait to tell Jade about my parents' consent. I was just seeing my mom off when my phone rang, my mom was surprised to see me with an Android phone, to avoid further questions, I quickly hailed a taxi for her and picked the call.
"Hello?" I greeted the smiling Jade, it seemed he just finished showering because his hair was dripping wet and he had a towel wrapped around his waist. Again I couldn't stop myself from staring at his gorgeous body, he had a tattoo on his right breast.
" don't worry, in 14 days you'll get to see it up close," he said smirking.
I raised an eyebrow and feigned annoyance, " you're not that great so stop thinking high of yourself", I said
" say that to your ravaging eyes", he replied. "That aside, with the way you were smiling when you said 'hello' I assume your parents said yes," Jade said. " yeah, so you can continue with your arrangements," I replied feeling giddy.
" great, I'll send you some money so you can start shopping, after the call, text me your home address, I'm mailing your papers directly to your doorstep. Since you're not traveling directly from your state it'll be better if you travel to Lagos 3 days before coming down here. I'll be here to personally pick you up."
" sure, if anything comes up, I'll let you know," I replied and the call ended.
I quickly sent him my address and waited for an alert. About 20 minutes later I received an alert of 2000 USD, I was ecstatic. I and my sisters prepared to go shopping, I stopped by the ATM and withdrew 100,000 Naira to buy some things. my sisters took 40,000 Naira each and went to separate places.
I got myself a big burgundy traveling box and some shirts. 2 hours after our shopping spree, the we met at our rendezvous, an ice cream shop, with their hands filled with shopping bags, I on the other hand had my box stuffed with clothes and shoes.
The shop owner knew what we love getting in less than a minute, we had 3 plates of different flavors of ice cream on our table. We were chatting and laughing about different things we saw as we were shopping.3 days later I received a package with my name on it, I knew what it was and I was eager to unwrap it, I couldn't believe my eyes, this is it, in few days, I'm leaving this place to start a new chapter of my life.
of course I showed my sisters, I didn't want my parents to know that I had everything ready. The plan was that I'll get money from them and let them think I used their money to get everything, when I reach America, I transfer their money to them.
on Sunday at church, during time for prayers, I came out before the entire congregation of about 2000 people and told them that this will be the last time I'll worship here. I told everyone that I'll be leaving to study abroad, I could hear "wow","congratulations","thank you Lord" and all those surprise statement from people.
They all looked at me with pride and respect, when I got to my seat, I received congratulatory messages from people around me, I was on cloud nine.
The evening before leaving to Lagos State, my family organised a farewell party for me, my boyfriend, Esther and a lot of people came. I was crying and laughing at the same time, my mom gave me a digital camera and I took advantage of it. I took a lot of pictures that I'll look at when I get to the US.
I was taking a flight to Lagos with my parents and siblings, our flight was 10am so we ended the party by 8pm. My things went into 2 traveling boxes and a small duffel, I had a small purse hung across my shoulder which had my phone, ATM card, all my documents and some money. I was going to change my money to Dollar bills when I get to Lagos State.