Chapter 2

Three months earlier

   That very cold evening, one could hear the drizzling rain as it made light noise on roofs forming a rhythmic sound. The forest animals made all kinds of low noises, maybe because of the cold. The small town was very quiet as people were already in their houses for warmth, and enjoying the company of loved ones.

Viana could be seen putting finishing touches,as she was packing up to leave the next day for college.

"Coffee and cookies" Mom came in putting down the tray, containing the light food down on a nearby stool in the room.

Viana turned around giving her an innocent smile as usual. She dropped the handy bag that one would use to pack toiletries, on her bed.

"I would definitely miss your cookies when I am gone"

" Truth because you won't find the best elsewhere. 

Viana Picked up the tray and sat down on a chair, with the tray on her laps as she helped herself with the cookies in front of her and had a sip from the coffee.

"Always having the right taste." she said, giving her toothy smile.

Mum who was standing, came over and took a seat beside Viana on the bed, using her hand to shift her luggage also lying on the bed.

She gave Viana her signature smile, while Viana placed her head on her shoulder.

"I will miss you, my little one" she said, stroking her silky long hair. A hair that everyone in their small town admires and wishes to have. " I don't want harm to befall you" 

Viana  smiled at those words because that has always been her mother's words.

She wouldn't have allowed Viana  to leave if not for the town's chief persuasions that Viana needs to go to college and become  a qualified medical doctor and get legal backup to treat people as that has been her dream.

If the town had a college, surely that would be where Viana would have gone.

Viana has been her reason to live and smile as she always said. She loves the young intelligent woman she is becoming.

Viana's Mother has always been the one she has known ever since she came into this Earth. They both literally did everything together, shared secrets and mini gossip.

To her Viana is her comforter ever since her father died in an accident, which she never specified.

She was a great medicine woman,who heals all kinds of ailments suffered by living things both plants and animals,humans included.

The town respected her and loved her. Viana learnt a lot from her but needed to go to college. Many times, mother would tell her she would teach her everything she needs to know more than any professor knows, that her going to college is just for certificate recognition.

   Viana was a girl loved by all in the town. Her politeness and quiet ways made parents and everyone use her as an exemplary child. Her beauty was none to be compared to. She was the most beautiful girl in the town, some said she was a goddess of beauty in human form. She was always the envy of some that would still not harm her but be charmed by her beauty and innocence.

After a long silence between the two, Mother  stood up yawning signifying that she already wants to sleep.

" I need to leave you to pack all you need, and have enough rest for tomorrow's journey".

Viana smiled and nodded, stretching herself." Mom's way of saying goodnight" she rolled her eyes.

" No damn way," her mother replied. " I need you to finish packing and rest for the journey ahead tomorrow". 

She walked towards the door, turning again.

" Don't forget to finish it up," she said, pointing at the coffee and cookies.

She knows Viana is not a heavy eater but said for saying sake.

"Goodnight " Viana said as mother left her room

She could hear goodnight my love and something about covering up as her  mother responded back, immediately she left.

She had enough cookies and finished the coffee, covering the remnants. She brought down the bags, dressed her bed,and turned off the lights.

"Tomorrow will indeed be a hard day," she said as she slumped down on her bed.

Immediately her head touched the bed,she slept off.

         Finally the next day, it's time to go, as John, the driver that would take Viana to the city, came to the house. Mother had insisted that he take a meal, but he said he was kinda in a hurry but not without having some snacks, as her food is usually hard to resist and John wouldn't want to make Mother  sad by turning down her food. At least it's a way of saying thank you for driving her little daughter to the college in the nearby popular city. Well-wishers surrounded Viana as she stepped out to put her luggages in the car trunk.

The town chief, her only friends she got along with though a few times, Rose and Juliet were there as they took her in a warm embrace.

"Remember to write to us when you get to college,and tell us how college is," Juliet muttered as she hugged Ariana.

" I will," she replied, looking at them. She was not happy she was leaving them behind.

They are not so close, since Mother has always monitored her every step, but they had gone to school together, the same church and more to say playmates. 

They were good girls and would come to college next year,since Viana entered college fast enough. Perks of being extremely brilliant.

"Don't forget the cute college boys" rose whispered to the hearing of the two, in order to avoid Viana's Mother from hearing it.

"Don't be silly, Rose!!" Julliet  blurted, earning them a look from mother.

Viana laughed and thought about how she would miss her friends.

Having heard a lot of advice from the village chief, well wishers and most importantly her mom, it was time to finally go, tears filled her eyes. She tried to wipe it in order not to make Mother feel she is not grown up enough to go to college and surely that is appearing weak.

" I hope you are not forgetting anything" she asked looking sad.

" Not at all," Viana replied. she looked down and tugged at her dress.

Mother has already filled her bag with enough snacks and food.

Friends and well wishers gave her food and little gifts to wish her well, encouraging her to make them proud.

She had a lot of luggages with her.

"Alright then time to go Viana" John said walking to the driver seat and starting the engine of the car.

Viana  looked at the faces once more and waved at them before entering the car. Mother held the door to the passenger seat where Viana sat for a while before letting go and shutting the car.

"I will miss you" Mother whispered.

Viana could feel the tears almost coming out she just gave a weak smile.

The car reversed and made its way down the streets towards the outskirts of the town. They all waved at her as she looked out from the window and waved back. It really was a very sad moment especially for her mother. How would she cope? She has no friends and more especially hates looking weak. Viana knows she is a strong woman but it was really touching because all her life it has always been two of them.

Viana waved back till she no longer saw them. She felt a tear fall out as she is all alone again away from the company of her dear mother and friends.

She has always been uncomfortable near men but John was like a big brother, he sold local food items to the city and brought back some city products to sell here in their town.

The car so to say was the vehicle he uses mostly for his business.

The journey was not so much a smooth one, the city in question was far but that is the nearest to them.

Mother would never allow her to go to a place very far away from her.

The journey was progressing as they passed through the forest. Viana could see the beauty of the tall brown trees beautified with pine leaves and greenery branches. Nature is really beautiful.

John was playing country music, as he sang along with it.

Diana knew some and also sang alongside when the one she knew could be heard from the radio.

" Don't worry you would love it in the city" he said to ease Ariana's anxiety as if he knew what was going on in her mind.

She slowly nodded.

Traveling to the city is all new to her. How will she cope? Will she make good friends?

Mother always warned her of the dangers of keeping bad friends.                

"How long till we arrive there?" she asked, nodding to the sound of music.

"It's really a quite long journey but you will enjoy it" he said smiling.

Viana nodded and they talked a bit before she continued watching how the trees disappeared and how they tend to be in motion, until she fell asleep.

        Waking up it was really night time, she was startled at first until she realized that she was not at home and with her lovely mother dawned on her.

She looked around not seeing anyone, but she's still in the vehicle.

Where's John? Has she reached the city? She can't see any college. She looked out of the window and saw street lights and tall buildings. It was nothing compared to her small town.

Truly they are in the city but where is she?

Teaser:

What do you think happened to Viana? 🥺