Scene – Roadside, En Route to IbadanThe van screeched to a dusty stop beside a suya stand, smoke rising from the grill as the vendor sliced sizzling beef.“I told you to eat before we left!” Helena said, turning around from the passenger seat.“I did,” Leo replied, leaping out the side door. “But that was pre-road hunger. Totally different hunger.”Greg leaned back in the driver’s seat, sunglasses on, one arm resting on the open window. “Should we just set up camp here? Leo’s already flirting with the meat.”Tessy was in the backseat, giggling with her legs up, scrolling through a playlist. “He’s not flirting. That’s his face whenever he smells pepper.”“You’re just jealous,” Leo called from outside, waving his skewer like a trophy.Helena laughed. “Jealous of what? Your ability to inhale calories like oxygen?”“I’m a growing man!” Leo grinned, hopping back into the van with a triumphant smirk and enough suya to feed a village.Scene – Ibadan Guest House, Late AfternoonThe guest hou
Scene – Greg’s Flight Academy, Mid-MorningGreg stood by the wing of the training plane, clipboard in hand, reciting each step of his pre-flight check like second nature. His headphones hung around his neck, and the morning sun caught the edge of his grin.He loved this.But something felt missing today.He squinted toward the gate and did a double-take.A figure in a denim skirt, sneakers, and oversized sunglasses was walking across the tarmac like she owned it.“Helena?”Helena lowered her sunglasses dramatically. “Surprise, cadet.”Greg laughed in disbelief, jogging toward her. “How did you even—?”“I may have threatened your roommate with legal jargon until he cracked,” she said smugly.“You’re unbelievable.”“And yet here I am,” she grinned. “Ready to watch you flirt with the sky.”He kissed her cheek. “You just made this the best flight of my life.”She handed him a small, woven bracelet. “For luck. And to remind you that your biggest fan is always grounded—but watching.”Greg’s
Scene – Law Firm, Monday MorningHelena adjusted her collar in the mirror outside the courtroom. Her crisp blouse, subtle lipstick, and pinned-back curls gave her the look of confidence—but inside, her nerves tangled like tightly knotted ropes.“Relax,” said Mrs. Onari, her supervising attorney. “You're not arguing the full case. You’re just presenting the motion. The judge won’t bite.”Helena exhaled. “Unless he’s the one funding the landlord who evicted a single mother without cause.”Mrs. Onari grinned. “Now that’s the Helena I recruited. Fire with reason.”They stepped into the courtroom, and Helena’s eyes fell on the woman they were helping—Mama Ejide, seated quietly in the back, clutching her purse like it was her last defense. Her toddler sat on her lap, drowsy and warm against her chest.The opposing counsel arrived—tall, sharp-suited, and smug.Helena took her place beside Mrs. Onari, flipping open her notes.When the judge finally called the case number, Helena’s heart stead
Scene – Greg’s Apartment, Early MorningThe sun poured in through the blinds, casting long golden lines across the room. Greg stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of his crisp white shirt. His dark blue blazer was already laid out on the bed, next to a leather-bound notebook filled with aviation notes.Today was his first day at the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology.He inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, trying to shake off the nerves bubbling beneath the surface. His phone buzzed on the nightstand.Helena: You’re going to fly higher than all of them. I believe in you. ❤️A soft smile crept across his face. He typed a quick reply.Greg: Thanks, counselor. Hope you’re not terrorizing your law professors already.He slipped into his blazer, grabbed his bag, and stepped into the morning light—ready to chase the sky.Scene – Aviation Campus, ZariaGreg stepped onto the tarmac where a small fleet of training aircraft waited under the morning sun. His sneakers crunched ag
Scene – Helena’s Room, Monday MorningThe morning sun peeked through the soft curtains, casting warm gold light across Helena’s desk. Stacks of books—some new, some dog-eared—sat beside a crisp acceptance letter from Crestfield Law School.Helena stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the collar of her white blouse. Her heart thudded quietly beneath it. Not from fear—but from purpose.Tricia leaned against the doorway, watching her daughter with pride dancing in her eyes.“Still hard to believe,” she said softly.Helena turned. “That I got in?”“No,” Tricia said, walking forward to smooth a wrinkle on Helena’s sleeve. “That you’re walking into this next chapter with so much grace after everything.”Helena smiled. “I’m ready.”“Good,” Tricia whispered, brushing her curls back. “Because the world needs girls like you—loud, brave, and unbending.”Scene – Brentford Café, Later That DayThe café buzzed softly with morning chatter. Helena sipped from a mug of chai while flipping through he
Scene – Zuma Rock, Abuja – Late AfternoonThe wind swept gently across the plateau as Helena stood at the edge of a lookout point near Zuma Rock, the towering monolith rising like a silent guardian behind them. Greg came up beside her, wrapping his arms around her waist.“We’re leaving soon,” he murmured.She nodded. “I know. I don’t want to think about it.”Behind them, Tessy and Leo were posing for pictures, laughing like they had no care in the world. Their smiles were easy, untamed—like kids who had finally earned the right to be happy.The golden light of the sun kissed their skin as the group stood side by side for one last photo, the rock looming in the background, the horizon stretching into forever.Scene – Wuse Market, Day Before DepartureThe market was a chaotic dance of sound and color. Tessy was bartering for Ankara fabrics while Leo admired handmade jewelry from a vendor. Greg held Helena’s hand tightly as they navigated through the crowd, stopping at a roasted plantain