I watch carefully over Sara for the four days that I spent with her. There was something she wasn't telling me.
I knew, the day after Christmas. We were eating lunch. I wasn't supposed to know. From the way I found out, I wasn't supposed to know.
Aunty Margaret was asking if I needed more jollof rice. Some Christmas song was playing from afar. The food was spicy. But I didn't mind because these days like a pregnant woman I had started to crave spicy food. Everyone noticed. And the day I made indomie for my mum she couldn't eat it because I added too much pepper. Not that it was helping. I just wanted it.
"No, thank you Aunty" I said politely. She looked worriedly at the small quantity of rice on my plate. Sara's was the opposite. That girl loves food, and the annoying thing is her body would never show the fact that she's a glutton.
"Hmm. Me I don't like the way you're looking oh."
"Ahan Aunty what do you mean" I say, smiling.
"You're lost a lot of weight since the last time I saw you "
"That's what I've been telling her, mum" Sara butts in "It's just her bust and bum that's helping her out. All skin and bones. Even with that dark scar on her eyes. Makes her more scary"
I forgot about the origins of the darker eye
Aunty Margaret eyes her. "You too oh. Don't go and add weight when you get back to London please"
London, ke.
"Oh mum" Sara whines. "Dad even says that I added weight"
Her mum hisses. "That one, what does he know"
We both laugh. "And you'd never admit that you're rude"
My curiosity got the best of me "Oh, you're going back there for the summer?"
Suddenly, the place gets quiet. What's this silence. No one meets my eyes.
"What's going on?" I say again, quieter. It then dawned on me
Coming over here. And the way she's been acting like she only wanted to cherish the memories.
Oh my God.
I stand up, slowly.
"Dass.."
"When are you leaving?"
She tries to touch me, but I drift away. Aunty Margaret stares at us. She wants to say something but she doesn't.
"Um, I tried to, but I couldn't-"
"I asked when you're leaving"
"After New Years"
I act as though something doesn't hook my throat. I want to feel something.
"Are you coming back?" I ask, finally able to glance at her sad eyes. The look on her face says it all.
"Oh my God" I cup my face and I am walking.
First Aunty Joyce
Now Sara?
Why's everyone leaving me?
I am sitting there in the room, in the reality that would soon be memories. Sara is sitting beside me.
"It was just supposed to be a summer holiday....I insisted on staying..... Dad took custody..... now he wants me back for good"
I'm not crying. But my spirit isn't at rest. My spirit overwhelms me.
"Will I ever see you again?" I say to her, she's holding my face and her eyes are watery.
"Yes , Dass. I'm not going anywhere. Look, we're friends. Even when I've done things I'm not proud of , you had my back. Your heart is beautiful, and you mean a lot to me. I love you very much"
