Twee.

Chapter Two.

Was I surprised that after that long flight, neither my mother nor my sister had made an effort to come to wait for the plane I was on to land?

No.

It was not like they had known the time the aeroplane I was on was supposed to land, and honestly, I don’t even think that they remembered that it was today. And I preferred to think that they have got memory issues instead of thinking that they remembered and were too busy to do the needful.

I sighed as I got my luggage out and went in search of a commercial car, Tolu following me closely.

“You do know that we are not headed for the same place, right?”

“Right. I know that.” He replied.

“So, then why are you coming with me, find your cab, yes?” I groaned, already feeling irritated by a lot of things.

Irritated because of the scorching heat of the sun, and the fact that I looked like a sad girl to Tolu— not because of anything, I just generally did not enjoy giving people the chance to see me at any of my lows.

“I am not finding a cab, my siblings are coming to get me. Don’t be stubborn and let me help you get one.”

“They are just over there, it’s something I can—” Tolu interrupted me with a laugh,

“You’re going to Dhinza side, aren’t you?” He looks down at me.

“Well, yes.” I scratch the back of my neck and fiddle with the sleeves of my cardigan tied around my waist. He walks away and I go after him, hastening my steps.

“Dhinza?” Tolu had already reached a large black vehicle.

“You do not see sign?” The man in it grunted at him. “Yes, it is Dhinza. I carry one person only, or two, three people to same place.”

“Blue Stone?” I lean into the car window and narrow my eyes at him. The man’s eyes widen and then he asks in a whisper.

“Family name?” He squinted back.

“De Bruyn.” Told pulled me back and out of the window.

Blue Stone was the name of my wolf Pack, or town, as the few humans who knew of it called it. Family names were used to get into the territory so as to avoid other supernaturals and humans from trespassing.

“What is going on? I hope you are not trying to use voodoo on her?” Tolu starts to go in the older man’s direction.

“Which juju would I use? I was only bargaining with her and she has already agreed.” The older man defended himself. Tolu turned to look at me, and I nodded, wondering why I was answering to him.

“You have my number on your phone–” He paused when I turned sharply to look at him, and my nostrils flared.

“—I put it there. When you gave me your phone and went to use the bathroom, it was unlocked, so I just put it in there.” He said and looked at me. And then at the older man in car who was watching him curiously.

“So, text me whenever you want to. I would text you on Picstagram tonight or tomorrow morning.” He gives me a fist bump, thankfully, I didn’t want a hug.

“Safe.” He said and turned to walk away.

“Thank you for your help, Tolu! Be safe and later!” I yelled back at him in time to watch him turn back and give a grin.

I turned back to see the driver already hauling my things into the car. He grins as he walks to the rear end of the vehicle, chuckling.

“So, you and that boy, eh?”

“Don’t even start it, please.” I groaned as I got into the backseat and started to doze off.

-

Deciding against ringing the bell, I jumped over the small fence and opened the latch of the tiny gate. The driver helped me with my luggage, carrying them to the front steps while I drew the last bag along with me.

“Thank you.” I said to him and gave him his money. As soon as he drove off, I let myself in. The door was obviously unlocked.

Some things that would never change. Dragging my stuff in, I shouted.

“Mother, I am home!”

I heard the clings and clangs of pots and pans and my mother shouting at the top of her voice.

“Mia! My dogter, jy is tuis!” She ran out and gave me a hug, washing away all the resentment I had been holding, the grudges that I had held against her in that moment, with that singular action. I wrapped my arms around her, hugging her too.

I did not realise how much I had missed her face and how pointless my anger had already become until now. She let go of my body and put her hands on my shoulder, looking me over.

“You look so beautiful now, my dogter. How was everything?” Then she held her palm to her forehead.

So beautiful now?

That was when I remembered why I had been so mad in the first place. I moved away from her to go up the stairs to my room.

“Mother, I am sorry, but I do not want to speak to you now.” I said curtly.

“But why, come back here. I haven’t even looked at you properly!” Mother said.

“Mum, I do not want to speak to you now, you— you didn’t treat me right! Why did you do all that to me?” I said angrily, raising my voice.

“Do not raise your voice at your mother, young woman! Tell me what is wrong.” Her voice softened at the end.

“Mother, I had gone overseas for school. And you did not even bother to check on me. Davina did not too, but that’s another issue.” I said, trying my absolute best to not scream at her.

“But I called regularly to check up on you. I even called during global holidays as well.” Mother said, raising a perfect brow.

“Yeah, did you ever think about me except during those times? I was gone for over four years, and not once did I return, but I can count the number of times you had called me on my fingers and toes. And you are wondering why I am not so happy?” I spat out.

She looked like she had been hit by a bullet. Her eyes widened.

“Mia, I am sorry that you felt left out. I promise, I did not mean to make you feel that way. I’m sure Davina did not mean to either. Your sister loves—” My mother stopped abruptly and sighed.

I looked around the house. “Nice decor. This year’s theme is good.” I said with a nod, hoping for a change in subject.

“Thank you. It’s worth all it cost.” Mother nodded and turned to look at me. “So, why did you come today?”

I turned to look at her in shock.

“Ma?” I asked in disbelief. “Should I have gone to Zuri’s house instead? Am I not welcome in my father’s house anymore, mother?”

She rolled her eyes. “You are just as dramatic as your father used to be. Of course, this is your house, but I’m surprised that you are home on this day.” She paused to take a short, deep breath and came to stand directly in front of me.

“I thought that the flight back would be tomorrow, not today. Did I set the wrong date then, or did you reschedule?” Mother asked me, patting my head.

“No, mum. You set the wrong date.” I said, feeling a tinge of happiness in my stomach.

So it was not that she did know that it was today and she had just refused to come because she was too busy, she had been planning to come, but then set the wrong date. The smile on my face probably looked stupid to her.

“Are you alright, my liewe?” She asked me, I smiled some more at the term of endearment.

“I am just fine, ma.”

“Good, she clapped her hands quickly. “You must be so hungry now. You will eat a lot of good food now that you are here, I promise you! But the food is not even done yet, so come here and have some mangoes!” Mother dragged me into the kitchen.

“But I want to take a nice bath.” I complained, low key enjoying the feeling.

“You can do that after having three mangoes.” She said with a tone of finality. I went to wash my hands a get a knife.

“Oh, and mother?” I asked, my voice small.

“Yes, my liewe?”

“Where did Davina go? O-or is she home now?” I asked, my voice shaky. I knew that Davina and I had no real bond, we were only joined by blood, but it would still hurt if I had returned and she did not bother to come and say hi, even after not seeing me for years.

Mother looked like she understood and smiled. Her smile reached her eyes. “Don’t think that your sister would do that, Mia. At the moment, she is not even at home. She went to stay at her fiancé’s for a week.”

“Woah! Davina had found her mate? And she did not even need to travel abroad to do that?” I gasped.

“You asking that would only imply that you have met your mate.” Mother said, turning the broth with a large, long spoon.

“But no, Davina has not found her mate yet. And she is tired of waiting for our mother, Mawu, to reveal her true one to her. She decided to date one of our males, in the same manner a human would.” Mother gave a tiny shrug.

“But Davina never even liked males. She always spent her time ignoring them whenever they tried to get close to her.”

“Well, she is turning twenty three this year. And she is lonely, so of course, she would need someone to even things out for her, you understand?”

Of course I understood, I was lonely too. It was a bummer to find out that although, I had gone overseas with the main purpose of finding my soul mate, my other half, Davina had got a partner before I did. Regardless of the fact that the current were was not her true mate.

“Mum? Don’t you think that there might be complications when her real mate eventually arrives?” I asked.

“I have thought about that, but thing is, not every wolf gets to find their mate. So it might just be a safe bet.” Changing the subject, she asked.

“So honey, would you like to eat before you go up to take your bath, or take your bath before eating?”

I shook my head. “I would eat some food first. Then I would take my bath afterwards.”

Mother had served me some Biryani with some juice before going off to make a call. Knowing her, making a ‘short call’ as she had said only meant that she was going to be away making business calls for over an hour, at least.

I was eating my food in silence, looking around the place. Most of the pictures that used to hang on the wall were gone, and all that was left was a photo of mom, Davina and I when we were seventeen.

Finishing up my Briyani, I went up to my room and checked my phone. I already had a text from a ‘tolu.SA’ on Picstagram. Deciding to check it later, I went in to wash off the grime and sweat of the day.

Afterwards, I left a ‘Stick it!’ note on my mother’s door, telling her that I would be gone for a while, and that I was headed to her restaurant.

With my headphones playing upbeat music at maximum volume, I walked out of the house, tapping my fingers to the beat.