Best Buddies

    I looked around her small sitting room and chuckled at how she arranged everything in order. She is a very neat woman and little things matter to her.

  She is not that old, I think mom is three years older than her. She lives here alone with the twins, Mitchell and Michael while her two other kids, all grown, live outside the neighbourhood. She is a single mom.

  Nothing really changed, it's almost the same as it was the last time I came here.

  I heard noises and looked up to see the twins running towards me with excitement.

   "Auntie Jenny, you decided to come to visit us today. We have missed you"

They both said and jumped right on me at once. I circled them in my arms and giggled.

 "I missed you both so much, how are my prince and princess doing?"

  "We are fine"

They both replied and released me then each sat by my side.

   "We are starting our new school soon and we were hoping that you would go with us to see the school"

Michelle said looking hopefully and my heart shattered because I would not be granting that request of theirs.

"I am sorry pumpkins but auntie will not be around to do that for you now nevertheless, I will do it soon"

Michelle had tears in her eyes when she heard what I said. I pulled her to me.

  "Don't cry. Mummy will take you both and that's enough. When I return, I will not hesitate to visit your new school"

She wiped her tears and smiled at me,

"Alright, we are looking forward to that and you will be owing Michael and me a big time."

  Both of them smiled and left.

I sighed and looked at Celine.

  "They seem excited about their new school"

    "You can say that again. You needed to see how Michelle was singing it to everyone who came here. Sometimes I wonder if they are three years plus. They act like grown-ups."

She was smiling.

   "They are smart and I am proud of them. I am sorry I did not buy anything for them, I did even plan on branching."

I muttered and she chuckled

    "It's fine, Jenny. You said you will not be around. Where are you going"

Her smile had dropped by now 

 "My mom wants me to go stay with sis for a while"

   I said and she stared at me,

  "How are you going to cope with having Zain under the same roof, Jenny?"

She asked worriedly.

  "I don't even know. I have asked myself severally how I was going to but I have no answers to it. Mom would not hear me say no and you know I can't possibly tell her why I don't want to go. I will just find a way to deal with it. I believe it's just for the moment"

  She came to my side and sat down.

"You are such a strong girl. Many girls of your age will not be as strong as you are. I believe in you and I know what you can do. Zain will realize how foolish he is when the time comes. Do it for your sister, alright"

  "Sure, I will. Thanks so much. You are so helpful to me. I am thankful"

She smiled and pulled me to herself.

   "Don't forget to call if you need to. The twins and I will be praying for you"

   We chatted for some time and I left her place after I left some money for her to use and get things for the twins.

 She bid me goodbye and I walked home with a lot of thoughts running through my mind. It was getting late and I had thought of going to Tasha's place to spend some time with her but mum wouldn't hear it. She would nag me if I returned home late into the evening.

   The entrance door was a bit open so I walked in wordlessly and this aroma hit my nose. Mum was making dinner and guess what, I knew what she is making. It's kind of her to make me my favourite grinded beef and noodles meal before leaving.

  I know what she is trying to do. She is trying to buy me with a meal.

 She is doing her best so that I don't feel bad. 

   See, there are so many things about my mom. As much as she wants you to do something for her, she would order you then at the same time persuade you and you will be confused about whether she is being real or not.

 In my years of being with her, I have come to understand that when she tells you to do something, do it to avoid problems. It's not that she doesn't love me, in fact, she loves me so much, she can do anything for me. I have been able to understand her and for that, we have lived in peace for so long and we are best buddies.

   I walked into the kitchen and hugged her from behind.

  "Good evening mom, I see you are making dinner right"

"Yes dear, I am making your favorite meal. It's really going to be lonely, only me here. I know you are just going away for some time and you will be back and besides, you will be going to school soon so I should better learn how to live alone in the big house"

She took a breath. 

   "I can't believe that you guys are all grown. Your sister is married and very soon you will be married too."

  I can tell you she is sad but she doesn't want to show it.

  "Mom, please don't talk like this. I am still here and besides, I am not marrying soon. You know that when I get into school, I will be here every weekend"

   "I know, don't mind me. Go freshen up and come have dinner"

  "Alright Mom"

I said and walked off the kitchen to my room to shower.

   Guess what? I left my phone. I did not go out with it and loads of missed calls will be right there waiting for me.

  I walked to the bed and picked it up and I was right in that missed call thing. Ten missed calls, all from one person and that's my sister, Susan. I wondered why she was calling me.

  She had not left such several missed calls on my phone before.

  If she calls twice and I did not pick up, that will be all.

   I sat down on my bed to call her and know why she called me.