1 The inevitable

[Voiceover]

I heard a strange noise from my room. Standing up from the bed in my sleepy state, I head towards the direction of the noise. I could hear it coming from the living room. It sounds more like a wailing noise.

"What's happening" I thought.

I turned from the hall into the living room only to find my father, grandparents (maternal), Aunt Rita and Aunt Sophia who happens to be my mum sisters. The women were crying. My grandpa tried consoling my grandma while my Dad just stood there with a blank expression. None of them seems to notice my presence.

"What's going on" I asked but no one seems to hear me. Still in my confused state, my eye darted to the box in the right hand corner of the living room. "Is that a coffin? " I screamed Yawning, I moved closer to the coffin. Still can't believe I'm still sleepy with all that's going on around me. It just seems like everyone chose to ignore me. Well, I walked closer to the coffin since I haven't seem anyone up this close, I couldn't help but run my fingers on it. I got curious and decided to open it.

In it, I meant the shock of my life... "Nooo" I screamed

I woke up from my dreams covered in my own sweat looking like a dog drenched by the rain. My body aches all over especially my eyes. I touched my face as I could feel tears streaming down my eyes. The dream felt so real and I couldn't stop trembling.

"What a stupid nightmare" I cursed. How could my mother who is hale and hearty die. I picked up my phone to check the time. "6:47am". I gathered all my energy to get out of bed and walked into the bathroom. I began brushing my teeth sluggishly like I have no more strength in me. I thought about what happened the previous day. It was just like every other day but how I'm I feeling this weak like I worked myself out the previous day. I push the thought out of my mind and focus on my image in the mirror. What I saw didn't help either because it looked like I didn't sleep a single wink the previous night. "I have to cover this panda eye if I don't want to be laughed at in school" I thought.

I rushed up to take my bathe and got dressed. Still in the middle of trying to conceal my eye bag, I heard a knock on my door.

"Tiana, you gonna be late for school" I heard my mother called.

"I'm up already mum" I replied. I heard her open the door and process in. I turned and saw her smiling at me "You got up early today" she said still retaining her smiling face.

"Yes mum, I'm getting older now plus I don't want to keep hearing that loud bang you give my door every morning. I will be done for breakfast soon" I replied her with an happy expression on my face because I don't want her to notice the bad shape and mood I was in.

My mum left me after hearing my reply and I was alone to do my thing. I rushed up the remaining concealing process. I took my school bag and the file my home teacher gave me to work on. I will be submitting it today since I'm done with it. I took a look at my room to see if I'm leaving anything important behind, since there was none I walked out of my room down the hall then into the living room. My father was already having his breakfast with a newspaper on his hand.

"Good morning Dad" I greeted him with a kiss on chin. "Morning Angel, how was your night. You're up early today" My father replied

'What's up with being up early today? Do I sleep that much?' I thought. I sat quietly with my breakfast of simple jam toast, blueberry pancake and an orange juice while my parents had coffee in place of juice. The family of three all sat and enjoy the silent breakfast. The only sound that could be heard were sounds of munching. We finish our breakfast and I help taking the plate for cleaning. After cleaning the plates, I took my school bag and hug my Mom goodbye as I tailed behind my Dad.

"Honey, have a great day in school and be careful on your way back" she called behind me.

"I will mom" I replied and blew her kisses....