CONCEIVED IN DARKNESS

CHAPTER 15

David waited for Adanna to come in to school and the minute she did, he rushed towards her "hey Adanna please just let me explain" he uttered, waylaying her.

"Don't worry, Claire already did and I forgive you." She replied walking on.

Stunned, he stood frozen. Adanna turned, saw him standing and smiled briskly "are you okay?" she inquired.

"you have forgiven me?" he asked again to be sure he heard correctly.

"yes I have, because of that incident I am happier today. My story changed because of that mockery" she replied smiling "c'mon now, I don't want to be late for class."

He hurried to catch up with her and they both walked into class smiling.

Isabel was surprised and raged when she saw them walk in side by side that she began fidgeting on her seat. Her crew same. Adanna noticed their looks and walked up to meet them "hey guys, how are you doing today? Keep it coming" then walked back to seat with her friends. David sat behind her.

"Hey girl. How you doing?" Pat asked her

"better. You?"

"okay. I need rest. I don't get a free day like you because of my two carry over classes. Argggh, no more carry overs man, this semester going forward."

"aww, that's the spirit girll. Don't worry, the semester is almost over. It is well with you"

"amen, thanks"

Lectures were over for the semester and Revision classes had begun as exam starts in three working days.

Adanna and Claire both decided not to go to school for the revision and study together instead, even though they weren't studying the same course. Adanna was studying business administration while Claire Economics. Both on a first class.

Pat asked to join Adanna in her reading. She said she told her parents she wanted to leave the school hostel and come home to study with her first class friend. Of course her parents agreed. Who wouldn't want their child to rub off with a great mind?

Derek didn't call that night but while Adanna was doing her chores outside the following day he was working in the garden. He walked up to her and they both talked briefly.

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Adanna's birthday was on Tuesday and it came so fast. Early in the morning, her friends called to wish her a happy birthday. Then as she relaxed, she walked down memory lane. Thinking about how Condolesa would come to her room on her birthday, beat her then pour water mixed with toothpaste on her. She recalled the count downs the family did for her and how joyful everyone was on birthdays. Sighing she laid back on her bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling as she rewound all her memories. She missed Condolesa dearly. Her death had conceived a certain darkness in the family. The thoughts and dear moments they had shared hunted her.

Her dad also called to wish her a happy birthday then asked her what she wanted as a present and prayed for her. Her mum on the other hand didn't say anything to her as she left for work.

Derek called too and ordered her two beautiful velvet cakes which bore 'you are precious inscription'. Glad he remembered I don't like vanilla cakes, she smiled.

Claire and a few friends came by to visit her and brought gifts. They gave her a nice time. They saw movies, talked, cried and consoled.

After they all left in the evening, Derek called her and asked her to come out. He wished her a happy birthday again and she thanked him for the cakes. "There were beautiful and thankfully not vanilla. My friends and I enjoyed it very much." She told him as he led her away to his family garden.