ALWAYS AND FOREVER

Chapter 1.

Fenna

“Daddy... Mummy...”
I call my parents one morning after breakfast.
They're preparing to go to work.
I've not been lucky at all. Getting a job in this country has proved to be a tussle, having graduated with a bachelors degree in a field my parents forced me to specialise in.

“Yes Fenna, what is it baby?”
Dad asks as he straightens his tie in the mirror.

My mum is busy combing her hair into a ponytail, a style she has rocked since time immemorial.

“I’d like to travel back home,  to our country. I've not been able to get a job here, unlike Vadim who has a well paying job...”

“And the answer is still no!”
Mummy chips in, cutting me short.
She has never liked our country. She's the reason dad settled abroad.

“Mum, you're being unfair here. After all you've built a house back home and I won't worry about accommodation...”
I try to reason out with her.

“Baby, we'll think about that then give you a reply tonight. Let's rush to work, we're getting late.”
Dad, who has always been the most understanding says, picking his car keys from the table.

“Lets hurry honey, today is Monday and traffic is usually heavy!”
He says to mum who's still checking herself out in the mirror.

“Thanks daddy..I love you ..have a good day..”
I say as I hug him goodbye.

“Take care of yourself Fenna... You know you're all alone. Vadim won't be back till next week..”
Mum says as she briefly pecks me on the cheek.

“Okay mummy, good day.”

As I keep myself busy in the kitchen, I can't help but think about my life in my own country.
To be sincere, I've never stayed over a month there.
The only time I stayed longer is when my grandpa died.
We stayed for two weeks then left because dad, mum and Vadim were supposed to resume work.
For a moment, I wonder how Vadim will take the news of my travelling back home.

*******
“Baby...Fenna...we're home...”

Daddy startles me from dreamland.
I'm actually snoring on the couch, having exhausted stuff to do in the house.

“Welcome dad, welcome mum..”
I says as I sit up, heading to the kitchen to bring their coffee.

“Baby, we've decided to let you go....”

“Really dad?”
I cut him short, jumping up in joy.

“However, we won't hesitate to drag you back here if you don't land a job in two months time!”
He threatens.

“Trust me dad... I'll get a job as soon as possible. I promise you that. With the kind of credentials I have, who wouldn't want to hire me in my own country?”

I assure him joyfully.

“When are you travelling Fenna?”
Mum asks me. She doesn't seem happy at all. I'm sure dad convinced her to let me go.

“On Friday.. ”
I reply happily.

“It's okay baby, everything will be set to enable you to travel!”

Dad always refers to me as 'baby'. Mum on the other hand calls me ’Fenna'.
I'm not complaining though!
Each of them has a right to address me in any name they want.

“How will you find your way around the big city? You know it's risk especially when you're from a far away continent!”
Mom asks.
She seems to be deep in thoughts.

“Don't worry mummy, Tess will show me around. I'm sure she'll be glad to!”
I assure her.

Tess is my cousin, mum's sister's daughter.
We've been chatting, skyping and calling each other oftenly. I knew she'd one day come in handy.
And that day is Friday!

I'm over the moon with joy.

I place a call through to my brother Vadim later that evening. He's still enjoying himself in the vacation fully paid by his boss in a neighbouring state.

“Hello Pretty sis, how are you...don't tell me you miss me already?”

He roars over the phone, mimicking a harsh character in a movie.

“Me Fenna...miss you? Hell no! I love my company the most...”
I tease him.

“If you haven't missed me then, why are you calling me at night?”

He asks and I swear I hear him chuckle.

“If that makes you sleep at night....Guess what bro?”

“I'm poor at guessing angel. Spit it out already!”

He sounds anxious.

“Well bro, I'll be travelling back home this Friday....and this time...for good!”

I hear him cuss from the other side.

“You're kidding right? This must be one of your petty jokes. You know what, I'm not interested!”

He says absent mindedly.

“If you doubt me then, ask mum or dad!”
And I hung up, swallowing dryly.

I thank heavens that dad didn't consult him first before allowing me to travel.
I know how overprotective he is.

He would have refused blatantly.

I'm so engrossed in thoughts such that I don't hear my phone ring.
I just see some light coming from the nightstand where I've placed it because I've already switched off the lights.

I pick it and after putting the receiver against my ears, I'm met by Vadim's angry voice.

“So you've already made up your mind huh?”
He asks angrily.

“Yes bro dearest...and nobody is gonna stop me, not even you!”
I retaliate in anger too.

“Can't I convince you otherwise?”

“No chance!”
I refuse blatantly.

“It's okay Sis, I know how stubborn you are and reasoning out with you will be useless. Travel safely. I'll come visiting...”
He says in surrender.

“That's my sweet bro. I love you... Thanks for understanding!”
I say, grinning from ear to ear.

“Goodnight sis, we'll talk tomorrow. I might decide to come before Friday so that I may see you off!”

He adds.

“That'll be so sweet of you bro dearest...good night!”

I then place another call to Tess. She picks on the third ring.

“Cousin...”
Her tired voice is heard over the phone.

“Sleeping already?”
I ask her, feeling guilty for disrupting her sleep.
We're in the same age bracket and we tease each other a lot.

“Not really honey....just resting. It's still early here!”

Oh I had forgotten we're in different time zones.

“I have some good news for you honey!”

“Spit it out already. You're getting me anxious!”
Her mood seems to have lit up.

“Well, I'm coming back home this Friday....this time to live there for good!”

“Really darling? These are the best news of the millennium. Hope auntie has approved of it!”
She asks happily.

“Mum and daddy are cool with that... Vadim too...”
I assure her.

“Okay honey, I'll pick you up at the airport. Sleep tight. I'm sure you're already sleepy!”
She chuckles over the phone.

“Good night too cousin. See you then!”

As I lie on bed that night, I hope beyond hope that my stay in my home country will be worthwhile.....