Chapter 2

• I opened my eyes slightly as the rays of light flashed on my face from the window
• "Wake up sleepy head"l heard Ariana's voice, she had opened the curtains allowing the rays of light into my room, l sluggishly dragged myself out of the bed, looking at Ariana in confusion wondering what she was doing in my room this early
• She handed my phone to me still staring at me
• "Your dad has been calling "she managed to say, l used to be very close to my dad not until my mom died, and since then I blamed him for my mom's death, my father is always busy and he pays little or no attention to l and my mom, and the night my mom had a crisis he was busy at work, l called him that night without getting any response and by the time he called back it was too late…l distanced myself from him, blaming him for all that happened
• We talked a couple of times over the phone and l hardly visit, since my mom died he hasn't remarried, the few times we talked on phone, he always goes on and on about me getting married which I ignored completely.
• I grabbed my phone from Ariana immediately and dialed my dad's number, I always try to hide the fact that I care and love my dad so much
• "Hello Maya"l heard my dad's voice from the phone, we talked for a while and he asked to see me
• "It's urgent and we need to talk"his voice came again, after we were done talking, my eyes widened trying to figure out what he wanted to talk about, l looked at Ariana in confusion, she moved closer to me still gazing at me
• "My dad wants to see me"l let out, and I guess our time here will be cut short because he said it's urgent….l slowly moved towards the bathroom and Arianna walked behind me
• I packed my bags and was ready to go, l felt bad that the time l was supposed to spend here with my bestfriend was cut short and I won't see the handsome stranger again but nevertheless l was curious to know the reason my father sent for me, l was waiting patiently for Ariana to get ready, she has a thing for tardiness, always late in everything.
• Soon our ride arrived, the driver carried our luggage to the car and we drove off, the drive was a quite one as Ariana had her earphones on and suddenly a lot of thoughts clouded my mind, is he single ?
• What if the girl he was kissing is his girlfriend ?l sighed knowing that the heart wants what it wants, l want him to be mine and l don't care about anything else, l was hopeful that our path will cross again.
• I took a deep breath and rested my back on the car seat, l looked out through the window and admired the work of nature, it's been long l visited home, everywhere was still the same and I easily recognized the route our driver took, not quite long and we we're home.
• We alighted from the car and behold my father's giant mansion, nothing much changed, just some touch up, he repainted the mansion which was quite cool l must commend, the driver took my bags leaving Ariana's at the trunk of the car, he was going to drive Ariana to her house to go see her mom.
• "I know you are nervous Maya"Ariana murmured
• I nodded in affirmation, she assured me that everything will be fine, l quietly walked behind the driver as he took my luggage inside
• Ma Grace, our cook, who has been with us since I was little rushed to the door to welcome me, she has always been a cheerful person…l embraced her and she caressed my hair for sometime before breaking the hug
• "You're never aging "l said to her smiling from ear to ear, the dining was already set.
• "I made your favorite "Ma Grace said as she lead me to the dining table
• "Thank you "l said in appreciation, where is dad?l asked out of curiosity
• "He will soon join you" She replied trying to dish out my food
• I nodded, still feeling unease
• I loved mashed potatoes and black-eyed peas with chicken fried steak and that was exactly what Ma Grace served me, l dug into my plate and moaned as the food touched my taste bud, Ma Grace prepared it just the way I like it…l was half way into the food when my dad came downstairs, he moved towards me, pecked me and sat down quietly without saying a word
• "How is life in California "he finally breaks the awkward silence between us, l was about responding when his voice came yet again
• "Maya your wedding is in two months "l called you here so we can start the wedding preparations , he said sternly with less emotion.