CONCEIVED IN DARKNESS

Chapter 16

Adanna left for Claire's house the following day with her mum's approval. Thanks to her father no doubt. She was certain her mother had forgotten about her birthday the previous day or pretended not to remember. Still it hurt but it was a kind of hurt she was now getting used to.

Pat joined Adanna in Claire's house and they all prepared for their examinations studiously.

The girls had an interesting time out whilst studying. Claire got to know about the shared kiss between Adanna and Derek and other exciting events that had happened and still is, the same went for Adanna and Patt. Derek called daily and sent texts in the evening; they were actions which aimed not to distract Adanna but show that he cared for her.

All through their exam week, Mrs Rice called them for dinner when it was served and they would go downstairs and dine with Claire's parents who according to Pat,

were really cool and interesting to chat with.

Mr rice came frequently to check up on them also, encouraged them and came bearing gifts. On the last night before their last paper in the morning, he brought Maryland cookies and Hollandia yoghurt.

"daddy, hungry people read better" Claire had told him when the refreshments became a lot.

"not according to my book." Her father replied as he smiled and walked himself out of her room.

Their exams were finally over and Adanna and Patt were set to go back home. Their exams were very splendid. All A's they prayed for and are expecting, everything they all read came out and they remembered. Pat was grateful for the study company she had and this was by far her most prepared exam yet as she really put her best into all her papers including her carry overs.

While pat left the day after the exam, Adanna stayed a few more days with Claire.

After their last paper in class, students of Business Administration graduating set, all gathered to thank God. 49 of them and they all reminisced about their years in school mostly four years while very few spent five. Their fun times, embarrassing moments, best moments and the rest of them. It was too surreal as they all looked at their faces wondering when next they would all see one another. Right there a thought came to Adanna's mind which she shared with the class. She stood up and someone behind her kept shouting "that is absurd, that is vandalism of school property. We can't do that."

"no its not. We are recording history. I am sure vice chancellor Thomas will agree" another countered and others joined in laughter.

Adanna went outside, picked up a stone and carved "set 2014 was here. 10 years down the line, we will rewrite history and this school will be one of its first partakers. Our alma matter. This set will never be forgotten never in history" then she marked and circled it, others joined too in the marking, it wasn't a big one, just something small on the wall. A reminder to all of them and they all took pictures with the wall, a memento to themselves about their set goals. They had become accountability partners to one another.

They all departed afterwards and oddly enough, Isabel participated in the event.

Adanna got home, checked her phone and saw a missed call and message from her dad "hey darling, I am so sorry but I won't be coming home this weekend again. I have another trip to Istanbul to finalize things there. Its for another two weeks."

Her heart pumped so fast as she read the text all over again. She sank into the chair in her room and threw her phone on the bed. oh no dad, why? She cried silently.

Her hands trembled in fear and her lips shook with horror as she fumbled her phone from the bed and dialed her dad's number. At the end of the third ring, he picked "hey sweetie"