MY CHAPERONE

Weekend flew by and it was Monday morning. There was nothing much to do as I had just returned from school. Being a final year student of medicine and surgery, my schedule wasn't always free as I had taken up modelling jobs since my senior year in high school. When I wasn't in class or modelling, I would be baking. My dad was so impressed with my baking that he gifted me a bakery on my eighteenth birthday. I practically had no time to sit idle but today was different. It was that time of the year when the most convenient job was to plan a holiday. I remembered I had not had any in years but, with my light schedule, I tried to risk it. "I will go to Paris or Seychelles." I thought "but I can't go alone, there will be no fun". I sat up, pulled the topmost bedside drawer, brought out my international passport. It was almost filled, I had thought I would get a new one when school resumes but it was obvious I needed it urgently. I quickly made arrangements for a new one. I rushed through shower as usual then head to work. I knew my parents wouldn't hesitate to give their consent since they have been trying to get me to ease up on life for a while. Dad would even say he doubted if he won't match me with one of his friends' son when the time for marriage comes. I had told him, his choice would be better than mine. He would laugh and say; "Just get out there and have fun, enjoy your youth. That's all I ask" my mum wasn't any better. she would go on about a friend's daughter that wasn't married at over forty years of age just because she wasn't interested in life outside work and family.

There was one but, my Dad, even after all the talk about enjoying life. He won't let me go without a chaperone. "I have to get one before I submit my application." I reduced the volume of the music. hummed and swayed softly to it as I pulled to a stop in front of the bakery.

I went upstairs to my office, sorted out some papers, approved a new line of our products, handed the paperwork to my manager and left the bakery. I still had to find a chaperone. My friends; Sinto's semester was still running, she possibly would be too busy with projects and lectures. Orobo joined a new job earlier that month, there was no way she could take two weeks off. Tansho, yes Tansho my best choice but she seems to be suspiciously dangerous. "I doubt her these days." Since the birthday episodes, she had carefully avoided me. Thinking about that, I wondered what she was up to. I called her but she had excuses like I expected. I gave up the holiday dream and decided to check with some agencies I had rejected earlier.

Later that evening, she called to apologize and told me she had to cancel her appointments when she realized I haven't ever had a holiday alone. I was happy and believed her half-heartedly. I convinced myself that she was my friend and would never hurt me.

I waited till my parents got home, had their meals, discussed my plans with them. They were happy I took to their advices and heeded their many pleas. My Mum and l left my Dad to plan my upcoming trip till the wee hours of Tuesday.

The days that followed had my mum too busy planning my holidays better than I could.

My Visa was ready, I was ready, Tansho was ready, everything was in place. We were good to go.