Wrong Injection

Chapter 65

As we settled into our cozy home, Dream remained wide awake, and I was at my wit's end. I sat her on the bed, and she immediately reached for the noodles, but I playfully snatched them away. "Not so fast, Dreamy... this is mine," I teased, and she let out a wail.

"Oh, mama's sorry... don't worry, we can share," I said, relenting and handing her a portion of the noodles. We sat together, slurping down the tasty treat. "No wonder Esi eats it often," I thought to myself, savoring the flavor.

After our snack, I began to rock Dream to sleep, my own eyelids growing heavy. But I couldn't rest yet – Dream was still awake. Just as I was starting to drift off, my phone rang, shrill in the quiet room. I picked it up, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw Sultan's name flashing on the screen.

"What the...?" I muttered, taking a deep breath before answering. "Hey," I said, trying to sound casual.

"Hey, uh... how are you doing?" Sultan asked, his voice warm and familiar.

"I'm okay, what about you?" I replied, attempting to sound normal despite the turmoil brewing inside.

"I'm good. And how's Dream doing?" he asked, his interest genuine.

"She's okay," I said, glancing down at my little one, who was now snuggled up in my arms.

"Is she sleeping?" Sultan asked, his voice low.

"No, she's not," I replied, feeling a pang of tiredness.

"Put her on the phone," he said, a hint of a smile in his voice. I nodded, even though he couldn't see me, and put the call on hands-free. "Okay, you can talk to her now."

"Dream, I... I miss you so much," Sultan's voice cracked with emotion, pausing for a moment before continuing. "I didn't get the chance to see you again after your mom left the penthouse with you. I haven't forgotten that today is your birthday, princess. I didn't miss your birth, so how can I forget your birthday?" Dream giggled and suddenly took the phone from my hand, and I was left standing there, on the verge of tears.

"Oh my God," I mumbled, choking back my emotions as I watched Dream babble away on the phone. Sultan's words had touched a deep chord within me, and I felt overwhelmed.

As Sultan's voice continued to speak sweet nothings to Dream, I couldn't help but grin from ear to ear. "Happy birthday, Dream," he said, his voice filled with love and affection. "I didn't call earlier to wish you a happy birthday because I wanted to be the last person to say happy birthday to my princess. Happy birthday, Dream."

My heart swelled with emotion as I listened to his words. Just as I was about to take the phone back, Dream's tiny voice chimed in, "Dada!" I froze, my heart skipping a beat. The sound of her calling out for Sultan was both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.
~~~

"Bye Lani talk to you later," mom say on the phone.

"Uh hold on mom I forgot to tell you something," I say quickly so she doesn't hang up.

"What is it?" she asks.

"Dream called Sultan dada yesterday."

"What?!" she exclaim, "you mean she didn't say mama?" She is just as shocked as I am.

"I've been thinking about it the whole of last night mom," Dream says and calls everyone that comes around her mama, so for her to call Sultan dada last night is really bothering me.

"We shouldn't take it too serious, maybe last night was when she began to say dada," mom has a point.

"Yeah sure."

"Okay then bye," she say and hang up.

We will be leaving for New York City next month and I can't wait though, I've really missed mom and Bella. Matter of fact I've missed everybody, even though I'm going to miss granny and Esi a lot, I still have to go because Dream has to start daycare.

It has been a month already and today is the day we are leaving back to America, I really had a great time in Ghana especially with my family, it's so sad to leave.

We are currently at the airport and granny is obviously so sad about our leaving, I completely understand her because I am too. I'm really going to miss Ghana a lot, especially Labadi beach and the good people of this amazing country. Also, I'm going to miss Ghana jollof and waakye and shito so much, even though I will be able to prepare them in America, they wouldn't be as great as cooking and eating them here in Ghana.

"I will miss you too granny," I says hugging her so tight, "make sure to take your medicines on time okay?" She nod slowly, not trusting herself to speak.

"Hey Miss chubby I'm going to miss you a lot," Esi says and pecks Dream's cheek before giving her to me, "I promise to visit you guys as soon as I get the chance."

"We cannot wait to have you there Esi," I say and we hug.

"Alright guys you have to get going," granny says and we pull back.

"Bye," I says walking towards the departure, New York City here we come.