OMARI

33: YANDI

Early the next morning, Yandi got ready to leave for Hoover Hillside. She wished to have gone as soon as her conversation with Malik ended, but time was clearly not in her favor. Her hands had been trembling, her chest tight, and though her body begged for rest, her mind still kept her awake. She wasn't even sure how she'd drive back in the state she was in, but she was determined.

As she closed her bag, she wiped the stray tears that rolled down her face, saying so many prayers she could muster up in her heart, hoping Omari was okay.

Just then the door creaked opened, her mother walking in, still in her nightgown.

"Yandie- honey what's wrong? You're leaving already?"

Yandi sniffed, attempting to throw on a smile but failing miserably. "Um... I have to get a head start for H.H."
"Did something happen? Talk to me sweetie," Mrs Tembo asked, her voice laced with concern, as she walked towards her trembling daughter.

Yandi hesitated at first, hiccuping as she struggled to hold herself together, "Yeah, I um... I have been meaning to tell you but right now might not be a good time and..." she broke down, unable to control herself.

"Oh my baby,"her mother embraced her, "Shh... shh, its okay my baby. It's okay," she cooed, rubbing circles on Yandi's back.

Her mother didn't know everything that was going on in her daughter's life, but she didn't always need to. She was assured that Yandi would eventually open up.  She knew she'd be there for her regardless.

"I... I'm seeing someone and ..." Yandi pulled away and wiped her tears , "I need to get to the hospital because he was involved in a car accident and I need to leave now."

Mrs Tembo's face softened but her tone was firm, "My baby, but you can't go there like this. You need someone around."
"I'll be fine I promise-" Yandi's voice cracked.
"No my baby, I will go with you. Pack your things I'll drive you there, okay?" Mrs Tembo said as she cupped Yandi's cheeks, wiping her tears.

Yandi simply nodded, grabbing her things as her mother waked out the room to get ready.

In a matter of minutes, Yandi and her mother were on the road, back to Hoover Hillside. The drive was spent in silence for the first few minutes, but Mrs Tembo made sure to have the radio on.

"Mommy?"
"Mhm?" Her mother glanced over at her.
"Thank you. For... for going with me," her voice was rasped as she spoke.
"Its alright. You're my daughter, I know you're old enough but I couldn't bear to see you crying like that and then expected to be on the road for hours. If I told your father you were crying the way you were, he'd be just as upset. He might have even said to stay a day to gather yourself."
"I hear you," Yandi sniffed. There was a brief silence.

"His name is Omari," Yandi confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Oh?" Her mother's brows raised.
"As in Omari Saidi. I'm seeing Omari Saidi," she rephrased.

Her mother sighed, as if waiting for this moment. "I know."
"You know?"
"His mother called as I left your room. She explained what happened. I just put two and two together," she explained with a shrug.

"Does it bother you that I'm seeing him?" Yandi asked after another brief pause.

"Does he make you happy?" Her mother asked, a gentle yet probing question.
"He does," Yandi answered with a sad smile.
"Are you at peace?"
"I am," she replied.
"Then it doesn't matter if im bothered or not. If you are at peace then I am at peace."

Her mother smiled at her for a moment before turning back to the road for the rest of the drive.

By mid morning they arrived at the hospital, Yandi walking faster than she normally would, her heart pounding as she approached the ward where Omari was. There she found Mr and Mrs Saidi along with Laurie and Amir, as well as Malik, Zion and Luca.