Chapter 1: Chapter 1

The Final Decision.

Chapter 1

Clara

I walk into their home and I notice a very handsome guy standing beside her. They are in the garden talking about God knows what and Tabby is laughing her heart out. She notices me standing a few meters away and she comes running to give me a warm embrace. She tightens it and I groan jokingly making her chuckle.

‘’Who is that cute guy?’’ I whisper to Tabitha who is looking lost at the moment. She is too quiet for life and I don’t like it. I move closer to her to tap her shoulder gently. ‘’You are not listening to me. Everything okay?’’ she nods pulling a beautiful smile. The smile that never fades, the smile that is forever there.

‘’What did you wanna know?’’ she asks quietly. Tabby is my cousin her mum is my Godmother and she just lost her dad. She is here from the city and I know she will be going back soon. ‘’Ooh! Sorry, forgive me, babe. This is my friend Luke.’’ She says and Luke comes towards us. He came here from the city to be with me during my lowest moments and I know he loves my home town. Luke, meet Clara, my one and only beautiful cousin around here.’’

He stretches his hand for a handshake. ‘’Pleasure meeting you, Clara.’’ His hand holds mine for way too long and he brings it closer to his lips to kiss the back of my palm.

‘’The pleasure is all mine.’’ Tabby clears his throat dramatically and Luke lets go of my hand when she does that. His eyes are on mine and I stare slightly above his forehead.

‘’Babe I am worried.’’ She says with finality. She looks worried and I don’t have to be a genius to know that she really is.

It must be the death of her dad weighing her down.

‘’I know, darling. You don’t have to worry about it. God is and will always be in control. I love you sweety, and you know that right?’’ she puts on a smile that is genuine as she nods gently.

My name is Clara born and bred in a humble family with four siblings, I am the firstborn. My dad is counting too much on me and I hope I never let him and my family as a whole down.

My mum, who is very beautiful, has maintained herself so much that people often think that she is my sister. I love her so much. She is the woman who shows me directions. She keeps saying that she has never been what she wanted in life, where she wanted to be or lived how she wanted to live but she is proud of one thing.

The fact that every single day is a step forward, a different and new day with so much to take care of. She gives me the courage that I need and makes me feel like I can always make a difference. I have a dream and my dream is becoming a fashionista. I know I will make it but my parents don’t have any money for my further education.

I am stopping here so that my other siblings can get at least the much I have gotten and maybe just maybe I will help them go further once I achieve my goals.

Dad has a bet that might change my life completely, either negatively or positively. He is going to do it for us and that’s super encouraging. It makes me know that I shouldn’t lose hope after all.

‘’Hey, come back here babe.’’ Tabby calls and I turn to look at her with a smile. ‘’You just snapped out. Don’t you think it has been way too long with you just thinking?’’

‘’Darling I …’’

‘’Have to think?’’ she cuts me off and despite the fact that I am really not happy about her interruption, I nod at the question. ‘’You don’t have to think, babe. Life is a journey and once you start walking the journey, anything can happen.’’

‘’I am listening.’’

‘’Well, you will cross rivers, valleys, mountains and so on but at the end of the journey, you will have reached your destination and that, babe that is exactly what we all want. To finish the journey successfully.’’ I clap my hands dramatically. I am literally doing it to annoy the hell out of her.

‘’When did you become a therapist? You acting like mum right now and it doesn’t suit you.’’ She flashes me a smile. Her usual sweet smile that never fades.

‘’Well, you know I didn’t want anything out of this life but I got you as a friend and a sister, who I never had and one who I am going to have for the rest of my life. When I got a call that dad had died, I knew the only person that I was ever gonna have close to me, consoling me was you. I can always count on you because that’s what we have always done. Count on each other.’’

A hug, a very tight one follows and I smile when Luke says that he is now a brother. He tells her that since she has a sister, then it would be good for him to join the circle and we both nod.

Her dad’s remains have already been buried, her mum, Mrs. Netty is quite sad and it’s so difficult to console her. She says her husband was her strength, pillar and that now that he is gone, she will really miss her. Well, they were a role model in terms of love. They showed everyone that love is action and not spoken words. That one needs to love with all that they have and that it’s not always all about money.

Peace of mind matters a lot.

‘’Tell me about the city Tabby, what’s good about it?’’ she gives me a puppy face look and I shy away. She smiles and I think I have an idea of what she’s going to say next.

‘’You don’t need to shy away from me Clarita!’’

‘’Silly! You call me that one more time and I will jump on you with kicks and some serious punching. What the hell is wrong with you?’’ she always calls me that and trust me, I get so angry at her but it has never been so bad. It’s just a name, right?

We’re friends of all times.

‘’And you shy away from me one more time and I will not take you with me to the city.’’

‘’What?’’

‘’You heard me. We are going to the city with you. There is nothing good about this village and just so you know, you have a potential Clara and the best you can do is to explore.’’

‘’And you think I will just leave all that matters to me to go with you to the city?’’

‘’Show me your options, babe.’’

‘’Darling, you know very well that I don’t have many options but I have people I love here. My mum, godmother, dad, and siblings. I love all of them and I am sure they may not allow me to leave.’’

‘’Good! I wanted you to identify that. Now, do you also know that these people want you to grow? That they want you to be big and maybe, be able to help them?’’ I shake my head.

‘’Not to an extent of leaving my beautiful home town to go to the city. I don’t think there is ever anything good about the city. Prove me wrong.’’

‘’You are right, babe. There is totally nothing good about it.’’ She says with a slight smile. ‘’But guess what!’’ I turn to look at her fully when she says that. ‘’You, babe. You are going to be the only good thing about that city okay?’’

I swear I have been in a state of confusion before but it was nothing compared to this current state. This beauty here can make things very complicated for me some times.

‘’What do you mean?’’

‘’I mean you are beautiful, so hardworking and ambitious. I can’t forget to mention the fact that you are selfless and outgoing. You are like how many years old? Fifteen?’’

I sneer before responding to her. ‘’I am Nineteen! Tabby. Don’t be quick to reducing my age. Otherwise, I will hit your …’’

‘’Big head?’’ she smiles when she cuts me off but I don’t say or do anything. ‘’Please note that my head isn’t big anymore.’’ Luke and I laugh at that. This girl is crazy.

‘’I wasn’t gonna say that though. Your head is actually smaller compared to mine, so, you can relax.’’ She claps dramatically.

‘’Congrats, babe. You have for once said something that the both of us agree with.’’ Luke smiles. I wonder why she would be friends with him. The best that he can do is to smile around I have noted that. While the best Tabby can do is to parrots like she’s being paid to do so. She’s a great girl though and her heart can accommodate many.

‘’Should I say ‘thank you?’ I ask and she sneers.

‘’And by the way, you shouldn’t forget that I am older than you Clari…’’

‘’Clara! And you are just a few months older than me because you just turned twenty the other day, right?’’

‘’Well, that’s right. Can you imagine I saw the sun before you?’’

‘’Tell my mum that. She should have conceived before your mum but she delayed.’’ We burst a peal of hearty laughter when I say that. I didn’t know that it was going to come out in a funny manner.

I stand up from my sitting position when my godmother walks towards us. I walk towards her and give her a warm hug. She had gone to see mum and I took that moment to come talk to Tabby, who was really excited to see me.

‘’Godmother how are you doing?’’

‘’I am good my daughter, how are you?’’

‘’I am good but I want your opinion on something.’’ She nods eagerly and flops on the bench opposite us. ‘’Tabby here is asking me to come with her to the city. What’s your opinion?’’

She frowns then tilts her head to the side. ‘’It’s not a bad idea to go to the city but what are you gonna do there? You know Tabitha is working for my friend’s friend but I am not sure about you. Who would you go to work for?’’ I have no idea. In fact, I had not thought about it so I keep quiet. ‘’Your mum may not appreciate the idea either, don’t you think?’’

I nod. Mum is so overprotective but she gonna have to let go. I hear the city if fucking expensive so getting a room to spend a night will be hell on earth. However, I am starting to feel like going to the city. I may bring changes to my family if I do.

‘’Tabby, where will I sleep and what will I do if I go with you to the city?’’

‘’A friend to mum’s friend, the one I work for was looking for a house help. Would you wanna try babe?’’

_‘Say yes bitch! This village will not bring anything good out of you! Got it?’_ my bitchy subconscious reminds me and I smile before saying a big yes to Tabby.

She jumps towards me and gives me a big hug.

‘’Godmother, you will be tasked to say a word to my parents. Please let them know that it’s important to do this.’’ I say to her because I know that she is trusted by mum and she might be able to convince them

‘’It’s going to be so hard to do this. And I know Marcella will be mad at me for supporting your decision but I see the sense. You are old enough! Done with school and now should be helping whenever you can.’’

‘’That’s my godmother. Thank you.’’

‘’Any time, my dear girl. Now, get going. You have lots of explaining to do.’’

‘’Thank you.’’ I say courteously before standing up on my feet. I glance at the cute creature that is supposedly Tabby’s friend and I smile secretly. He is damn handsome. I feel like he is busy throwing glances at me so I keep blushing.

We walk towards our home. Mum is busy making some vegetables and dad is listening to his radio. Life in the village is usually very beautiful.

I have no idea how it feels to be in the city though, but maybe I will get to know in a few hours or days.

Who knows?

‘’Mum,’’ she leaves her work to give me full attention. ‘’There is something I need to talk to you about.’’

She raises her brows and dad reduces the volume of his radio.

This is going to be hectic.