Conference call

I went straight to my room after aunty Jane was done cleaning. I clumsily threw myself to the bed facing up with my eyes shut, feeling my bed one more time. I just realized that I've missed it. Ever since I relocated to Agape, I haven't slept here even when I visit Aunty Jane. Most times she would beg me to spend the night.

      Leaving everything again to relocate to Deli is something I don't want to do. I can't continue to hide for the rest of my life, but still, I can't stay back either for my safety. Dave said he will handle his father, how will he do it? Will he be able to stop his father from coming after me?

       I got up from the bed and went to take my bath. Luckily for me, I didn't pack all my clothes to Agape, I left some behind.

      Just as I was about to doze off, the thoughts of my friends hit me. Oh my, I almost forgot. I got up immediately and went to aunty Jane's room.

      "Aunty" I called out softly with a knock.

      "Yes, Meena baby" she answered as she opens her door. Thank goodness, she hasn't slept yet.

      "Sorry for disturbing you"

      "It's okay, you need anything?"

      "Not really...you told me on the phone earlier that my friends brought my stuff right?"

      "Oh yeah, sorry I forgot...let me bring them," she said and went inside her room.

      She came back and handed them over to me.

      "Thank you so much, goodnight," I said while heading to my room

      "Goodnight my love" she responded.

      Now sitting on my bed, I decided to make a conference call. I checked the time and it's already 9. pm.

      I dialed Mandy's number and added Jeb and Rose immediately.

      "Meena!" Mandy screamed, "Oh my God where have you been?"

      "Why are you guys still awake? And Rose, for the records...you go to bed on time, when did you start staying awake but this time?" I asked teasingly.

      "It started the moment you decided to scare the hell out of us. Like, how do you expect us to sleep when you were missing." Rose replied.

      "And that brings me to the question, what happened? We have been searching for you to no avail. We intended to go to the police station tomorrow morning to make a report" Jeb said with a sad tone

      "Sorry guys, I was equally worried for you guys knowing that y'all will be strained"

      "Guess what Meena? Jeb was crying like a toddler yesterday," Mandy jokingly mocked Jeb

      "Mandy, are you serious right now?" Jeb said feeling embarrassed.

      "Hahaha..." I laughed so loud

      "But for real Jeb, you were crying like a toddler," Rose said, teasing him too "I've never seen you tear up, never knew you got some emotions too"

      We all laughed so loud. It has always been like this anything time we're together or on a conference call just like this.

      "I don't blame you both, if I was crying like that then how were you both crying ugh?" He tried defending himself.

      "I thought men don't cry? Mandy said as she burst into laughter again.

      "I thought...I thought so too, not until the Almighty Jeb proved us wrong" Rose said trying to hold the laughter.

      "I can see you girls are having fun...continue," Jeb said sounding defeated.

      "Don't mind them Jeb dear, you are simply sweet" I said as I chuckle.

      "You can say that again girl!" Jeb responded.

      "So Meena what exactly happened?" Mandy asked in a concerned tone.

      "It's not something we can discuss on the phone, so maybe if you guys are to come tomorrow then I'll tell y'all everything. Cause aunty Jane and I will be moving to Deli in two days"

      "What!" They shouted in shock.

      "Bad news yeah I know," I said trying not to get emotional.

      "But why? I can't believe this. I'll be at Beldine first thing tomorrow morning, I don't know about others. I don't mind missing a day at the office" Jeb said

      "I won't be going to work either, Jeb, come pick me up so we leave together," Mandy said

      "You know my boss can be impossible at times but I'll come after work," Rose said.

      "Alright, guys, see you tomorrow. Goodnight"

      "Goodnight,"

      The call didn't end well cause of the news of my relocation. I know they'll feel bad about it.

      I got awoken by the sweet aroma coming from the kitchen. It happens that aunty Jane is making my favorite breakfast, what a good way to start my day with.

      I checked the time, it was 8:51. I freshened up and headed to the kitchen.

      "Good morning aunty"

      "Good morning my baby, how was your night? Hope you slept well?"

      "Yes, I did, and  you?" I lied. Was waking up consecutively all through the night

     "Same here. I decided to make your favorite breakfast...breaded fish and fried potatoes, with scotch eggs, just the way you love them"

      "You are the best, aunty," I said while kissing her and she smiled.

      "If you don't mind can I take one of these?" I asked as I point at the fried potatoes with a pleading look?

      "Just one"

      "Thank youuuu"

      Just as I was taking a bite, the doorbell rang.

      "That must be my friends, let me go check"

      "Alright, I'll be done in ten minutes"

      "Okay, I'm starving already"

      I peeped at the window gently to confirm my instinct. Just like I predicted...it was them. Jeb and Mandy. They rushed into my arms for a hug immediately the door was opened.

     "You scared us," Mandy said still hugging tight with a weeping voice.

      I ushered them in and I went straight to the kitchen.

      "Aunty, it's Jeb and Mandy"

      "Yeah I know, I heard their voices"

      "Will the breakfast be enough for us?" I asked in anticipation to hear a positive answer.

      "I think they are lucky"

      "Yesss!" I said cheerfully and left"

      "I wasn't expecting you guys this early, thought you were kidding when you said you would come early," I said sitting close to Jeb.

      "You gave us depressing news last night, what do you expect. Besides it's not that early it's 9:46 am now, we left Agabe at 6:30 am" Jeb said as he adjusts for me to sit.

      "Still it's early" I insisted

      "Meena, are you serious about what you said?" Mandy asked

      "You know me too well that I can't joke with things like that" I replied to her as I watch their sad expression.

No one could utter a word, we stared at each other speechlessly before Jane came to call us for breakfast and we head to the dining table.

       As we were dining in silence, the doorbell rang. At first, I kept quiet until the bell rang again.

      "Could that be rose?" I asked anxiously

      "It can't be, Rose said she won't be able to make it, why the tension?"