The promise

Part 29

He drives off as my parent drive in. They are just returning back from church. Thank God they didn't see Mason and I in the car. I could tell from his voice that he wants to meet my family, but I can't. I was willing to go public with him, but not to my parents. That would be the end of us, and I don't want it to end.

"Amira, how was your camping?" My mother ask as she enter the house.

"It was great! I had lots of fun with Kim family." I smiled through lies. I hate lying to my mother.

"Where is dad?" I ask as he didn't enter the house with everyone.

"Oh he is attending the Nigerian men meeting. What did you do? " My mother asked.

"We just sat around the fire, went hiking all those stuff." I lied again. All I have been doing to them since I started seeing mason is lying. I am not lying because he wants me to, I am lying because I need to save him from myself. I was brought up on family. I always choose my family. It sad, but I never been the type to disappoint them. "I miss you Amira." Hazel hugged me, interrupting my thought.

"Me too sweetie." I hugged her back.

"Do you have any pictures?" My mother asked, taking her earrings and jewelry off. She seems tired from her voice.

"No, they had a no technology rule. It was suppose to be all nature and earth. You know white people." I made a joke and she laughed with me.

"I know, do you mind cooking something for Sunday dinner?" She said stretching her hands out and yawning. I am filled with guilt from lying that I will do just about anything to make the feeling go away.

"Yes I can. What do you want." I ask her as she walked towards the stairs to her room.

"Whatever you want to cook." She holler down the hall. Crystal is hanging out with Chidi so it is just me doing all the cooking. I decide to make baked chicken, plantains and fried rice. Since we are a large family it takes a while to do all the cooking. I finish at around 6pm and check my phone.

Mase: "I love you ♥ :)"

I quickly reply back.

"I love you."

I take a shower and head down for dinner. It is pretty uneventful. My father decided to stay for November and go to Lagos in December and stay there until we are back from Christmas break. After dinner the boys and Hazel clean up and I head upstairs.

I set my hair in it roller, do my face cleaning ritual, and brush my teeth. I lay in my bed and I miss Mason bed and his scent. I quickly dial his number and call him.

"Hi Mira." His voice is low and full of bass, like he was just about to fall asleep.

"Hi Mase"

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have acted the way I did. I pushed you. I know you are trying. You have all rights to be angry with me." He said, with regret in his voice.

"Mase, I wasn't angry at you. I was angry at myself, my parents and having to have to hide you from them, because I know they won't accept you with as open arms as your family had to me. "I quickly added after him, as far as I know his family has no problem with me at least what he has told me. I don't need him feeling more guilty. When I am the problem. "The truth is I am saving you from me." I can't help the tears that start rolling down my face. "I don't want to choose between you and them.." My voice cracks through the phone.

"Mira..fuck" he sighed "Mira, don't cry"

"No, it is not a Nigerian parent thing. It is a my parent thing and what nt father say goes."