Tiara’s POV
The week felt like it stretched on forever. Jason was deep into his exams, and between studying and prepping for his future, we barely had time for each other. I understood, of course—this was important for him—but it didn’t stop me from missing him. Meanwhile, I was drowning in assignments and deadlines. School was relentless, but somehow, I couldn’t focus. My thoughts kept drifting back to Jason—how he was doing, how he was holding up under all the pressure.
It was Wednesday evening when everything changed. I was in the living room with my aunt, trying to make sense of an economics assignment, when a breaking news banner flashed across the TV screen.
“Business Tycoon Under Fire: Paul Babajide Involved in an Alleged Fraud Case.”
My heart dropped. I froze, staring at the screen as reporters detailed the accusations. The Miller estate had been seized, and the family had allegedly gone into hiding.
“Isn’t that Jason’s father?” my aunt asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and concern.
“Yes,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. My chest felt tight, my mind racing.
Without thinking, I grabbed my phone and dialed Jason’s number. It rang once, twice, and then went straight to voicemail. I tried again and again, but it was the same each time.
“Tiara, it’s late,” my aunt said when I got up and started pacing the room. “You can’t go out now. Wait until morning.”
I wanted to argue, but she was right. It was already dark, and I had no idea where to even start looking for him. Reluctantly, I agreed to wait, though sleep didn’t come easy that night.
---
The next morning, I left as soon as the sun was up. I took a cab straight to Jason’s house, but when I got there, it was eerily silent. The gates were locked, and a large “PROPERTY SEIZED” sign was plastered across the front door. A security guard stood nearby, eyeing me warily as I approached.
“Excuse me, I’m looking for Jason and Janet,” I said, trying to keep the panic out of my voice.
“They’re not here anymore,” he said gruffly.
“Do you know where they went?”
He hesitated, glancing around as if making sure no one was listening. “Madam Joana took them to her family’s house in Ikorodu.”
Ikorodu. I’d never been there before, but I didn’t care. I wrote down their address for me, I thanked him quickly and hailed another cab, my mind racing the entire ride there.
---
When I arrived at Joana’s family home, my heart was pounding. The house was modest but warm, with a small garden out front. I knocked on the door, and a moment later, it was opened by Janet, Jason’s younger sister.
Her eyes were red and puffy from crying. “Tiara,” she said, her voice breaking as she threw her arms around me.
“Janet,” I whispered, hugging her tightly. “It’s okay. I’m here.”
She pulled back, wiping her eyes. “It’s been so hard. I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
“We’ll figure it out,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.
She led me inside, where I was greeted by Aunty Joana. She was a tall woman with a kind face, though her eyes carried the weight of everything that had happened.
“Tiara,” Jason said as he appeared from one of the rooms. Relief washed over me at the sight of him.
“Jason!” I rushed to him, wrapping my arms around him tightly.
He hugged me back, his touch grounding me. “You didn’t have to come all this way,” he said softly.
“Of course I did,” I replied. “I was so worried.”
Jason pulled back slightly, smiling faintly. “I’m okay, T. We’ll be okay.”
He turned to his aunt. “Aunty Joana, this is Tiara.”
Joana smiled warmly, her gaze flickering between us. “So this is Tiara,” she said, her tone teasing. “You didn’t tell me she was this beautiful.”
Jason groaned, but I couldn’t help but smile.
“I’m so sorry we’re meeting under these circumstances,” Joana said, her expression softening.
“It’s okay,” I assured her. “I’m just glad Jason and everyone are safe.”
Joana nodded and gently ushered Janet out of the room, leaving Jason and me alone.
---
We talked for a while, and Jason eventually told me about his plans. “After my exams, I’ll be moving to Abuja with Janet and Aunty Joana. We’ll stay with her family for a while.”
The news hit me like a punch to the gut, but I forced myself to smile. “I get it. You need to be with your family.”
“I’ll finish school here,” I said. “Then I’ll come back to Abuja to be with my mum... and you”
He tilted his head, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Or you could just transfer back to your old school in Abuja. Finish your last year there.”
I laughed softly. “You’d miss me that much?”
"Of course,” he said, grinning.
“Jason, it’s just one year. Besides, I don't want to keep transferring, I should finish here.”
He nodded, pulling me into another hug. “Fair enough.”
When we said goodbye, it felt like a piece of my heart was leaving with him. But I knew we’d find our way back to each other. We always did.
---
Jason’s exams wrapped up quickly, and I couldn’t wait to celebrate with him. I planned a surprise picnic with all his favorite snacks and even wrote him a little note to remind him how proud I was.
While I was prepping, Jason called, and we chatted as I packed.
“I miss you,” he said, his voice soft.
“I miss you too,” I replied, smiling even though he couldn’t see me.
“What are you up to?” he asked.
“Nothing special,” I lied, trying to keep the surprise a secret. “Just thinking about you.”
“Hmm,” he said. “You’re being sneaky.”
“Maybe,” I teased.
We talked for a while longer, sharing small laughs and memories, until I finally hung up to finish preparing.
---
But just as I was tying up the picnic basket, my aunt burst into my room, tears streaming down her face.
“Your mum,” she sobbed, her voice cracking.
Her words were a dagger to my chest.
“What happened to my mum?” I asked, my voice trembling.
Her sobs grew louder, and my world began to spin.
