March 17

I was still half asleep a couple of hours after mid-day when I woke up to the sound of persistent knocking on the door. It was Goodness.

"I will be there in a second," I said.

I felt my heart beat faster as I stood up from the bed to open Uncle Max's house for the outside world to see. 

"Good afternoon," Goodness greeted.

"Good afternoon," I replied.

Goodness stood in the centre of Uncle Max's living room, an infectious welcoming smile flooded his face. 

"Come and sit down," I suggested.

"I did not come here to sit down," Goodness' voice was loud.

"What do you mean by you did not come here to sit down?" I was surprised.

"I am going to answer your question when you have answered mine first. Why did you not come to school today?" Goodness asked.

I scratched my thick black hair. "I was tired," I said.

"Tired? Is that reason good enough to make you miss your elder sister's marriage?"

"I said th