Chapter 71: Chapter 71

CHAPTER 71

SOME WEEKS LATER

TWO DAYS TO SARA’S BIRTHDAY

SARA

“Hello, my love.” Christian’s voice came on the other end of the cell phone, and Sara blushed embarrassingly.

She looked around the almost empty garden at the shelter, wanting if someone was nearby or eavesdropping, but luckily for her no one was around.

The garden was looking almost deserted, and Sara could attribute this to the fact that it was already getting late, and most of them would have rushed into the shelter’s home by now.

Sara had also been preparing to go inside, when Christian had called so she had decided to stay back.

There was no way she was going to put off answering this call, when she knew how much she had missed him.

A smile appearing dreamily on her face, Sara cleared her throat softly, and then answered, “Hello baby.”

“Baby huh?” He asked, his voice cracking and Sara laughed.

Just hearing his voice was enough to give her goosebumps, and make her blush even when he was not here with her.

“How are you doing love?”

“I’m fine, doing great.” She answered sharply.

“Okay, that’s good. Meanwhile happy birthday in advance sweetheart.” Christian said and for a minute her heart seized.

Her birthday…

Her birthday was actually two days from now, as it was already February 27th, and her birthday was on 29th.

She didn’t really remember telling her about her birthday, but she didn’t need to think to much about who had told him.

Of course, Ariel had done the job, and deep in her she sighed.

Ariel, would definitely be the death of her, Sara thought to herself, before finally stammering, “Oh… oh… thanks so much.”

“You seem surprised that I know. You said something once about it, and also aren’t you happy you are clocking a new age?” He asked, and at that question so many thoughts ran through Sara’s head.

She was clocking a new age.

She was turning 17, and with this new cane a lot of responsibility and the near ending realization that her stay at the shelter was nigh.

Not just hers though, but Ariel’s too, as they were age mates.

In the next two years, she imagined herself out of the shelter, and then where would she be?

Would she be with Christian?

Would her and Ariel, still be tight friends and start working on…

“Sara…” Christian interrupted her thoughts, bringing her focus back to the phone call they were having and she blinked twice, a sigh on her lips again as she replied, “Yes?”

“Your thoughts were far off. I’m not sure you heard the last thing I said, or did you?”

Huh! The last thing? She asked herself, and then proceeded to ask him too, “What did you say?”

“I guessed as much, your mind was far off. What were you thinking about?” He asked, and Sara rolled her eyes.

So typical of Christian, to divert the talk from himself to her.

Always wanting to know everything about her.

“Christian…” She paused, “You were saying something, what was that?”

“You were thinking about something, what was that?” He asked, replying her question with a question.

Sara laughed softly, knowing he wouldn’t relent until she have him a satisfactory answer.

“I was just thinking of the future I guess. You were talking about my birthday, my age, and I was just thinking about what would happen to me in two years time, or more maybe.”

“Was I included in that future?” He asked inquisitively, and standing up from the bench where she has been sitting Sara imagined him here with her, his hands on hers, his eyebrows raised inquisitively and she laughed.

“What’s funny?”

“I was just imagining you here with me, and about your question earlier, honestly Christian I don’t know. You know I always have two different views of the future. One where I might not end up with y…”

“Don’t you dare say that.” He interjected harshly, but Sara continued, “It’s just the truth Christian. I need to be prepared because nothing lasts forever. Something could happen, and we might be seperated. I might be with you, and I might not be. We might not end up together, and I have to be emotionally and mentally prepared despite the fact that it’s going to hurt so much.” She finished, and that’s when she realized that she was crying.

Her hormones were acting up again, as she felt a lone tear slid down her face.

She quickly wiped it away with the handkerchief she was holding, and sniffling she composed herself.

She knew she was just overthinking, but he had to know, and bedsides she didn’t know but she had just been having some bad thoughts and feelings lately about her not so but somewhat perfect life.

She went to school happily everyday, she had a caring friend, she had a boyfriend who loved her and took care of her every needs, she was now in peace and enjoying life now, but what if everything just vanished, what would happen then?

“Nothing would happen!” Christian said softly, breaking the silence that had lingered between them, and Sara gasped slightly.

His response was automated, and for a moment she wondered if he could hear what she was thinking about.

At the same time, those words greatly comforted her, and eased her mind greatly.

“Christian…” She broke of, another tear falling down her face and Sara cursed silently.

She was not on her period, and still yet she was becoming such puddle of goo.

Even thinking of it, she had not seen her period yet for this month, just some bloaty spot in her panties some days back but she didn’t think about it too much.

She had an irregular cycle, and this was not the first time she was missing her period in a month so she wasn’t bothered about it.

“I assure you Sara, nothing would happy. Not in my lifetime. I mean the world with you Sara, I don’t know why you’ve refused to believe that.”

“I believe it, but…” She started but he cut in, “But what Sara? What huh? I would take care of you, marry you, you’ll take care of my kids and family, and lest I forget I would also spoil you. But we wouldn’t be able to achieve all this until you put it at the back of your mind that, you’re following me to Seattle next month.”

“What!...” Sara exclaimed, her mind churning at the stark reminder of his Seattle leave came to knowledge again.

Another big hindrance for them.

How would she successfully leave for Seattle with him, when she hadn’t gotten any permission from the shelter to leave.

“Christian, you know that’s almost impossible. Or have you worked everything out for me already. You’re leaving next month, which is just two days from now and…”

“Shhh… Sara love, you worry to much.”

“But there are so many things to consider. I need to be prepared to go with you, but right now Christian I am not.”

“Huh? And why’s that?” He asked, “I just don’t know. I don’t know. I’ve been in this city all my life. I just need to arrange myself. I’ll be leaving Ariel, and I’ll be leaving the family I know here. It’s just a lot to grasp in, in such a short time.” Sara said worriedly.

“You would be with my family, and we would create our own family together Sara. As for Ariel, we would make out plans to visit, and she might come join us too with Daniel who knows.”

“Still yet… I just don’t know if I’m prepared for this Christian. If God wants me to go with you, then I would, but if not then… Besides I’m still scared, and I don’t want to hold you back from this…” She paused, not knowing what to say again and she heard Christian sigh heavily on the phone.

“As much as I am tempted to tell you to finish that sentence, I wouldn’t pressurize you to say anything you don’t want to say. It’s okay… And as for our leave to Seattle love, I totally understand your fears and everything. Besides I’m leaving next month, or just three weeks from now so there’s enough time for you to think about it. I just want what’s good for you okay.” He finished reassuringly, bringing the topic of Seattle close for today.

She couldn’t be more grateful, and at the same time happy that he was so understanding.

Where had this loving man come from?

Where had he been all her life? Sara asked herself as they continued talking about other things, and he also tried his best to bring her mind down in the best way possible.

Fuck! She loved this man, she thought to herself, but still…

At the back of her mind, these fear of something bad happening lingered and Sara just couldn’t shake it off.

Oh well… It was just her hormones.

…….

CHRISTIAN

“Bye love…”

Christian sighed, as he ended the hour long call with Sara, and at the same time heard his mother’s call from downstairs.

“Christian, come and take your dinner.”

His stomach grumbled, almost instantly too and taking a good look at the mirror, he was standing in front of Christian ruffled his hair, arranging himself and trying his best to remove the worried look from his face as he headed downstairs, and straight to the kitchen.

“Mom.” He smiled, walking behind her and giving her a back hug.

The smell of chicken stew, grizzled vegetables, and rice filled the air, and his stomach grumbled again.

“You’re hungry?” His mom asked, and nodding his hands still wrapped around her, and she hissed, “Yet you waited for me to call you for dinner.”

“Sorry ma. I was on a call.”

Disentangling from her, he walked around the kitchen picking up a chicken leg as he crunched on it and asked, “Where are those brats? Why’s no one helping you here?”

“I sent your sister to get some things from the store, as for your brother Kevin, I have no idea where he is.”

“Oh well…”

Silence lingered for a moment, and Christian watched solemnly as his mother dished his food out.

She was sweating profusely, the heat in the tiny kitchen suffocating them up, and coughing slightly Christian opened the little back door that led outside, wanting some breeze to come in.

“Why did you…?”

“Some breeze…” Christian interrupted, “You’re heating up.” He added, his expression changing as a lot ran through his mind.

Soon all these would be over.

Thankfully their house in Seattle was a big and better one, and he just couldn’t wait to make his mother proud by catering to all her needs.

Lord knows, this woman had tried since the death of his father.

“What is it son? You seem far of? Your face is clouded with so much worry.” His mom asked, and Christian sighed.

Trust his mom to know when something was bothering him, and he knew he just couldn’t hold his thoughts to himself.

“I was just thinking about everyone, and Sara too. She’s adamant to follow us to Seattle.” Christian said after sometime.

“What? Why? Does she know about the shelter’s approval?” His mother asked and Christian nodded negatively.

“You’ve forgotten that it’s a surprise for her, but I’m scared she would still refuse to go with me. Ever since I brought up the topic of our leave, she has been so adamant, and negative about the whole thing. For a while I’m beginning to doubt her love for me, because if she does, she wouldn’t think about this much. This is our future mom.” Christian sighed, rubbing his hair furiously.

His mother putting on a weak smile on her face, walked up to him and then placed her hands on his shoulders, “Don’t think too much son. You should know that she’s right to have her fears, and be adamant despite loving you. That girl loves you so much, never you doubt that. She’s just scared.”

“But ma…” He started to say, but she placed a finger in his lips, and rubbing his jaw tenderly, she said, “Don’t think too much. I’ll try and talk to her okay. Probably after you’ve told her, and everything is settled. Maybe during the birthday party I would talk to her. She would be in a good mood too, don’t you think?” His mother asked.

She knew about the surprise birthday party he was planning, and had even helped out.

Now thinking about it, her idea really sounded nice and knowing how much Sara listened to his mother he had the faith that she would be able to finally see everything in a good light.

“You’re right mom. That’s a good idea. Oh… thank you so much.” He sniffled, hugging her affectionately and she just smiled and patted his back.

“It’s okay son. Everything would be fine son.” She said reassuringly, and Christian’s mind softened a bit.

For now, he would bank on those words.

‘Everything would indeed be fine…’