Flawless

THE PRESENCE

Dedicated to @amiserablewallflower, @taylormoon123

THE PRESENCE

"Ta-da!!! I can now operate a phone. A Samsung Galaxy for that matter! " I screamed, holding the phone in my hands.
Sonia has taken her time to teach me how to use the phone Joshua bought for me after laughing at me for minutes. She claimed to have laughed because she was a good friend. Dumb.

Sonia giggled." Thanks to me uhn. "

Joshua shook his head and balanced himself on the couch. " see these girls oh. Your mates are busy with I-phone, you are - "

Sonia pouted." Daddy wa (our daddy) you can buy for us oo. Which phone are you using sef, that you don't want us to hear word. Ehn? "

" I know you will talk. I know. You can never keep quiet," Joshua replied her as he pinched her cheek.

Sonia scowled and pinched him back. That was how the pinching game started o. By the time we stopped, Sonia's light skinned body turned red.

"seriously Joshua. I'll kill you an-"

Sonia was interrupted by a very loud and long hiss. We all turned to see Kath standing by the door. She looked so disheveled. She must have been crying because had mascara had washed making her look like a sad panda.

Joshua sprang to his feet, startling Sonia and I.
"Kath, what's wrong?" he ran over to her and his eyes searched her body as if he kept some hidden treasure there.

"what do you care? Just leave me!" she threw her bag on the chair, screaming like mad woman.

You would not want to see her cry, she looked like a hungry masquerade ready to flog everyone. I heard Sonia laugh beside me but I was concerned, I've never seen Kath like this.

"Kath we can talk about it but not here. Acting won't help and - " Joshua was saying when Kath's sharp scream cut him midway.

" Just shut up! Shut up! " she sprinted up the stairs with her hands over her head.

I looked at Joshua and he looked away. For seconds, his eyes traveled up the stairs and he let out a ragged and frustrated breath.

" Go after her. "

It took me sometime to realize I was the one that spoke. Joshua shot me a grateful look and dashed upstairs.

Why was he acting like he needed my permission to follow her? What did they want to talk about? What was between them?

" Ewo! Wonders shall never cease. What was the drama about? Argh,"  Sonia shouted making me jump. "wait ohhhh... Karleen, there is serious colabo between them abi?"

Damn her and her curiosity. I blinked away the nonsense thoughts flooding through my mind, I couldn't let that get to me. I have no business with them, I've got a murder case on my neck.

I ignored Sonia and was on my way outside when Mom walked in. She was on a call and with the way her brows were furrowed, I knew the call was serious and I was the only serious matter in this house.

She hung up and faced me.  "where's Sonia?" her voice was low.

"she's inside. What's wrong?" I asked, collecting her bag.

Sonia came out with an amused look on her face and she greeted Mom. "Mommy, welcome ma."

"Sonia you have to go home now. Karleen and I need to go somewhere," she strolled into the living room and threw herself on the three - sitter that was opposite the television.

"is something wrong?" I pressed feeling my heart beat faster.
This wouldn't be good.

Mom held her head in her palms for seconds before finally speaking.  "We're leaving for Ibadan right now."

Sonia and I exchanged worried glances. "for what?" I voiced.

Mom shook her head. "You'll be facing the council. I tried to keep everything under control. Ohhh"

Mom punched some numbers on her phone and dialed.  "hello Ade, the Council called... Just now, they want to see her... We'll be leaving soon... Okay."

She had called Dad. A part of me badly wanted to talk to him while a part of me didn't care and that's the part that prevailed.

I shrugged my shoulders. "what's the council?"  I asked further.

Mom looked up to meet my gaze. "the Council of the NAVE."

WHAT???

My eyes dilated in shock. What nonsense council? Must the NAVE be so complicated? I felt Sonia's hand on my slumped shoulders as she whispered some words I didn't bother to sink in.

Mom continued. "There are four members. All crime experts. Sonia, your mom will be here soon to pick you. Karleen, get dressed and call Joshua. "

Mom looked so worn out yet she tried to handle the situation. She removed her neatly tied scarf and told Sonia to put on the AC. I could imagine how she felt, it wasn't even hot yet she wanted the AC on. I wanted to tell her I'll be fine but I couldn't. I wasn't fine.

I swallowed. It's finally happening. I would be officially labeled a killer. My legs wobbled in fear as I went up the stairs.

" you're strong, Karleen. "

F's voice couldn't comfort me this time. " I'm not, " I whispered back, feeling the threatening tears.

" No. You're strong. We're strong. You are not alone, Karl. You were never alone, it only took you so long to notice. "

I nodded my head languidly. F's voice was supported by a feeling that stirred up inside me.

" I'm there, Karl. I'm here. "

The stirring was more intense and I felt my intestines muddle up but most of all, I felt a presence within me.

*
The journey to Ibadan was long and nerve racking. I felt uncomfortable but it wasn't the car, it was the deafening silence that hung inside the car.

Joshua kept his gaze on the busy traffic, his hands held the steering firmly and I wondered what was on his mind.

Was he thinking about Kath or...me? I shook the thought off my head as mind drifted to the earlier drama with Kath.

Mom had never stopped making calls since we started the journey. She was trying to get through to the NAVE obviously and she was so angry that Dad had just diverted all her calls.

I watched the busy traffic. The ill-looking children hawking things. One of them had almost got hit by the bus in front of us.

"unku e ra dodo(uncle, buy fried plantains) " she was about 10 years, she stuck the tray into the car.

Joshua hissed loudly and pushed the tray out." kilo se eleyi baii (what's wrong with this girl?)

That was mean. Joshua rolled up the windows and put on the AC. That was the first time I'll hear him speak Yoruba.

My mind wandered endlessly till I found what I searched for - sleep.

" we're there, " Joshua tapped me softly.

I scratched my eyes and opened them. I yawned softly and turned, planning to sleep again when I suddenly remembered.

I was to face the face the Council!

A:N
The Council. I wonder why the NAVE is so complicated too.
Wanna say a big shout out to all my loyal readers @everyone reading this 😆
We'll meet at the council, you'll meet my star there too.
Vote, comment n share.
Much love,
LHONESATRRH 😜