I knew for the fact that things were going to change for me and my family by taking this bold step even if it means sacrificing my education,I was still proud of myself and the fact that Aiden and filora will have a good future.
The following week Aiden and filora returned to school,and I stayed behind and helped mom at her shop and Dad on the farm,after which,I would always go to the counter market and sell some vegetable,fruits with other eatable spices,I had gotten from the farm; it wasn't easy at first but by after spending close to a year working in the farm,I became an expert and sometimes when mom and dad wasn't able to work on the farm I was there,working tirelessly,because I was convinced that I needed to take care of my family,and since mom and papa wasn't looking any younger I had to work hard for them.
Sooner than later,I was looking like my parent's old,dirty and haggard,it didn't bother me,as long as I was helping out the family.Just like a blink of an eye,I clocked twenty,while Aiden and filora got a scholarship to finish their highest grade in the better part of Nigeria,I became a shop owner,well I wouldn't say 'shop owner more like a little standing where I can place my farm product at the counter market,and I was happy.
I was famous for selling good and tasty vegetable and spices,even the local restaurants' owner became my regular customers but despite the fact that things was going fine,its wasn't enough,dads health got worst,and he was stopped from working in the farm,and all the money I had gotten from my sales was used to take care of him,but I wanted to do more and something different for a change,after all I was twenty now.
I meant with one of the restaurant s owners and asked if they needed an extra hand?I,half expected him to say no because of my educational standard,but to my surprise, he agreed.
I then took the news home,but of course mom and dad was against it at first but later allowed me,while they took care of the shop,and honestly working there wasn't what I expected,but I was glad that I was having a new life experience and just like that again,half a year was gone.
...
Signing kayla sat down outside the restaurants lost in her thoughts when someone called
"Clement, is that you?"the voice asked
kayla turned around too fine, a young, neatly dressed lady standing beside her with a curious glance. As she stared at the face of the lady,she started to look familiar,gasped "oh my God!" she exclaimed,"Avia! Avia Berry?"
"I knew it was you."She said and hugged kayla."You are the only one I know of; whose sad expression always makes a scene look beautiful."
"You are stupid," kayla said, laughing obviously she had missed her longtime friend,
Avia was her one-time friend she had made,back in school, but before college,she just disappeared. "Where have you been? After that birthday celebration,you just disappeared."
"Yeah, I know," Avia said with a sad look as she sat down on the wooden bench. "My father came for me.I did tell you about my parents getting a divorce, right?"
"Yeah,I remember you saying something like that."
"Well, it happened, and my new stepfather, for some reason, didn't want me to live with them,no matter what mom told him,so dad came down from London and took me with him.It happened so fast I didn't have time to do or inform anyone,although it was not too easy staying with dad at least I was in a place where I m was wanted."
"Oh! I m so sorry to hear that. I didn't know any of that; I just thought that my best friend abandoned me." She said with a shameful grin
"Nonsense kayla," Avia said with a serious face. "You know that will never happen?"
"Yeah, sorry about that. Thinking about your sudden disappearance as you abandoning our friendship was the only way I could sleep comfortably without worrying about your where about."
"I would prefer you worrying to death and having a sleepless night than thinking of me to be such a person, kayla."
"I know,I know...I said I was sorry,didn't I?"
"Hmmm,whatever. Anyways, forget about me. Tell me what happened to you? I met Dora the other day and asked about you. She mentioned something about dropping out from college.Why I mean, it was hard to believe knowing how much you loved school; what happened?" she asked with a very hard to read expression.
"Oh,It's nothing important,you don t have to worry."
"What? Are you kidding me right now, kayla? Back in grade school,we used to call you freak,you know why?"
"What? Seriously, I didn't even know I had such a nickname.
"Well... I came up with it. Avia said, smiling
"Cool? Are you crazy? How the hell does being called a Freak mean cool? For pIt'sake."
"Well... yeah, that was in the past. Anyways my point is,the reason I had come up with such a name; was because kayla you were obsessed with studying,you were clever and brilliant to the point of you having problems with the teachers because of your kin interest in always correcting their mistakes,when you had the chance. So you want me to believe that someone who loves school,studying, and having a great dream to travel around the world suddenly just dropped out of school for nothing? Please,what do I look like a fool? Tell me the truth kayla,what really happened?"