GOODBYES

The next morning, Valeria woke up to the call of her father.

"Good morning father" She greeted with sleepy eyes

"Good morning dear, how was your night?" Mark asked

"Amazing" Valeria replied with a yawn

"You will be following your mother to the city today" Mark said

"So fast?" Valeria asked rubbing her sleepy eyes

"You have to come early so we can know what we will be getting for you especially in your hostel" Mark replied

"Okay father, I will start packing my stuffs" Valeria said

"Do minimal packing first and we get other things later" Mark replied knowing she's going to pack her entire room

"Okay father" Valeria replied and her father end the call from his side. She stand up from the bed and start packing for her journey to the city. After packing she went to her mother's room to confirm if she knows they are leaving together.

"Good morning mother" Valeria greeted

"Hope you've packed?" Geraldine asked

"Was about to ask if you know I will be following you to the city" Valeria said smiling

"Your father never decides without telling me" Geraldine boasted

"Obviously you are his wife" Valeria teased and they laugh

"We will leave soon, just get ready" Geraldine said

"After dressing up, I will like to visit Aunt Zarah" Valeria said

"Be fast about it" Geraldine said and Valeria rush out to dress up. After few minutes, she was done dressing, her crop top fits her perfectly and her high-waisted short stays perfectly on her open stomach, she check herself in the mirror before leaving for Daisy's house.

****

Few minutes later, she was there.

"Aunt Zarah" Valeria greeted hugging her

"Good to see you" Zarah said hugging her back

"Same here Aunt" Valeria said with happiness

"Where's Daisy?" Valeria asked looking around

"She went to the market to get foodstuffs" Zarah replied

"Are you scared to go with her?" Valeria asked

"No, I had things to do" Zarah replied

"Things like?" Valeria asked knowing she's lying

"Fine I am but only for now" Zarah replied

"They won't hurt you anymore" Valeria assured

"I know but I don't feel like going today" Zarah said

"Fine" Valeria replied with a smile

"You seem overjoyous today" Zarah said examining her

"I just gained admission to University of Chicago" Valeria announced happily

"Congratulations dear" Zarah said hugging her

"Thank you Aunt Zarah" Valeria said smiling happily

"Is that why you are all dressed up?" Zarah said looking at her fit

"I'm leaving for the city" Valeria broke the news that made Zarah sad

"Leaving today?" Zarah asked sadly feeling it was too early

"It was impromptu" Valeria replied blushing

"I've always known your father to be a quick man, he does his things immediately" Zarah said smiling

"He's worse now" Valeria said teasingly

"I will miss you" Zarah said hugging her sadly

"I will too Aunt Zarah" Valeria said hugging her back

"Take care of yourself and be the good girl you've always been" Zarah said holding her tears

"I will. Take great care of your health, business and Daisy" Valeria said smiling to cover the tears. They hugged and Valeria said her goodbyes.

****

On her way back home, she met Daisy who was coming back from the market.

"Hi girl" Daisy greeted with a smile

"Hello errand girl" Valeria teased

"You look extraordinary today" Daisy said looking at how dressed up she is

"Thank you" Valeria replied smiling

"Were you coming from my house?" Daisy asked

"Yes, came to say my goodbyes" Valeria replied

"Goodbyes?" Daisy asked with a puzzled look

"I gained admission to University of Chicago and I'm leaving for the city today" Valeria replied smiling

"Wow! My hearty congratulations" Daisy said hugging her

"Thank you" Valeria replied happily

"I'm so happy for you" Daisy said happily

"Thank you" Valeria replied happily

"I'm sure Mom is crying at home" Daisy said sadly

"Take great care of her especially her health, she needs more healthy food and weight gain meals" Valeria said

"I will" Daisy replied and they hug before saying the final goodbye.

"Be the Valeria you've always been, the one that spreads joy everywhere she goes" Daisy said with tears

"Don't cry Daisy" Valeria said hugging her

"This past few days, you've made me realize how much you love me and our friendship. I don't know how I want to cope without you around especially with mom" Daisy said crying

"I'm one call away girl" Valeria said consoling her

"Thank you and safe journey" Daisy said and she walk away. Valeria understands her and leave too, she knows it must be hard for her to see her leave.

****

She got home back and her brothers were waiting for her.

"Good morning brothers" Valeria greeted joining them on the dining table

"Good morning" They chorused

"Mother said you are leaving today" James said and Valeria nod stuffing a toast bread in her throat

"This is so soon" Albert said

"You know how Dad is" Valeria replied

"We were even unable to get you a gift" Benedict said sadly

"What matters is your words if encouragement and prayer" Valeria replied trying to make them comfortable

"We will miss you kid sister" James said sadly

"I'm sure going to miss you too" Valeria replied trying not to be sad

"Be the best girl you've always been, avoid trouble and stay pretty always" James said smiling

"Don't let the thrill of university get to you, there's nothing fun there, be focused and continue to be the Valeria we know" Albert said

"Being the only girl in the family you know how protective we are of you, don't let any boy ridicule you, you have the most handsome boys at home" Benedict said protectively

"I'm looking up to you and I pray you don't flop" Francis said sadly

"In everything we are proud of you and we love you so much" James added and Valeria burst into tears.

"I never knew goodbyes could be this hard" Valeria said with tears

"Don't make us cry" Benedict said

"I promise not to let you down and be the Valeria you've always known" Valeria said and they stand up to hug each other. Geraldine who has been watching was so happy to see her children this united and happy.

"Time to leave" Geraldine said and Valeria left for her room to get her luggage. She looked around her room once again and wave at it.

"Let's go mother" Valeria said rusging out of the house, she knows spending one more seconds in the house will make her cry more. Her mother and brothers understand her so well so they follow her outside and James took them to the train station in his company's vehicle.