CONCEIVED IN DARKNESS

CHAPTER 12

A gentle rap on Adanna's door woke her up. She wasn't one to sleep deep. She waited and listened again to be certain she heard a knock. It came again. She turned on the light by her bedpost and checked the wall clock above her head. The time said 5:45am. Sleepily, she stood up  and opened the door. Her father stood there all dressed and suited up. "Good morning dad" Adanna said wiping the sleep off her face with her hands.

"sorry to wake you, I just had to say good bye" Mr. Moses said as he entered and they both sat at the edge of the bed.

"Oh you are leaving already?". Her eyes wide and fixed on him.

"Yes" he replied calmly with his head down.

Taking a deep slow breath and licking her lips, "I will miss you dad, call me once you land. How many hours is Lagos to Gambia?

"About three and half hours. I'll miss you too honey and definitely I will this evening. Take care of your mum and don't do anything rash"

"Dad" She giggled "I'll try my best not to."

He pulled her closer and placed a kiss on her hair then stood.

She embraced her dad and followed him outside, her mum behind them and watched as the car zoom off. She felt a little emptiness, a tiny hole in her chest. With folded arms, she walked back inside to prepare for school. She did her morning devotion, cleaned the house then got ready for school. School. Her mind repeated.

Please lord help me in school today. She whispered.

Adanna didn't know what she would encounter in school or what rumors had been flying around. Also Isabel. Shaking her head, she stood and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. She made oats enough for two and took hers and kept the rest in a flask as she does or at least used to.

Her mum came out to the parlor dressed and signaled the driver to pull out of the garage into the driveway.

The driver caught the signal and did so. She got in the back sit and sat comfortably in the owner's corner while Adanna quickly hopped in the front and sat there. Off they went to her mum's office and then to her school.

As they got to her mum's office, Adanna quickly said 'have a great day mum' as she came out of the car.

She wove in response not wanting to give the driver any wrong ideas.

When they pulled into her school, Adanna felt a little shiver run down her spine. The compound and the scenery was no different than a month ago, but she felt odd. Like everyone and everything was staring at her as she alighted from the car. But then maybe she was exaggerating.

"Thank you Sir. I'll call you when I am ready, but then my classes end by 4pm" She said as she bent down and wove goodbye to the driver. He was a nice man and steady in his ways.

He wove in reply and took a bow.

Adanna brought out her phone and texted Claire she was in school and kept it back in her pocket. Then she started to walk to her class, when she saw David. A feeling of relief and comfort washed over her. He approached her and embraced her. Seeing her from afar had been a huge surprise, he hadn't been informed she would be resuming today.

If you had been informed, what would you have done? Put roses on the road for her or prepare a welcome speech? His mind asked him.

"Hi" he said with a streak of excitement in his voice. "it is good to have you back"

"thank you. I hope so" she said wryly "are you on your way to class"

"yes"

"okay then, walk with me"