Chantel returned to school with new dresses for the girls. She and her mother had gone shopping over the weekend to get all those dresses. When they got home, Chantel could not wait for Sunday to come so that she could return to school. She loved being home, at least, being home helped her spend time with her dad. Her father, Mr Asare, cancelled his meetings for the two weeks his daughter will be home just to spend time with her.
He and Chantel enjoyed each other's company to the fullest, before it was time for her to go back to school. Soon, Sunday arrived in such a hurry. She began to pack her clothes into the medium sized travelling bag. Her mother walked into the room, to help her pack. She noticed the necklace around Chantel's neck again, and pulled closer to her daughter.
She stretched her hand and held the necklace which was wrapping itself around Chantel's neck and brushed her thumb over the thunderbolt locket.
"Ever since you came home, I have seen this locket around your neck. Can I know who gave it to you and why it is so important to you?" she enquired.
Chantel's facial expression suddenly changed. She had not expected her mother to ask her about the necklace. She looked at her mother momentarily and looked away quickly.
"A friend. A friend gave it to me," she quickly said and continued packing.
"Hmm? And who is this friend? He must be very important to you to have given you such a nice necklace," her mother mocked her.
Chantel was still for a while. How did her mother know it was a boy who gave her the necklace?
"Mother, I-I did not say a boy gave it to me. Why would you think that?" she laughed nervously.
"I did not say anything o. I was just guessing. Why are you suddenly defensive?" her mother looked at her with a suspicious look.
She looked over at her mother and saw the look on her mother's face. "Fine. A boy gave it to me. But, he and I are just friends, that's all." Chantel tried to defend herself.
"Okay, if you say so." her mother replied and helped her pack.
They were done in no time. Chantel sat down on the bed, when her mother went out to check on the food she was making. Chantel did not want to lie to her mother. But, she could not tell her about Kevin yet. She wanted to do so at the right time. But now was not the right time. She jumped up playfully and headed towards the kitchen to help her mother with lunch.
"What are you making, mother?" she asked, when she perceived the sweet aroma in the air.
"I am making rice with beans, stew and chicken." her mother replied, stirring the contents of the stew.
"Mmh, that's delicious. Let me help you mother. What should I do?"
Mrs Asare chuckled. "I am almost done. Maybe you should just go keep your father company."
"Let me stay here with you for a while, mother. I want to help serve the food at least." Chantel whined.
"Go on, I will finish with this soon. Don't worry. Tell your father lunch will be served in the next ten minutes." her mother managed to get her out of the kitchen. Chantel was laughing throughout.
Chantel sat by her father at the living room, where her father was already seated, watching the afternoon news.
"Hey, baby girl. How are you?"
"I am fine, father. Mother said lunch will be ready in ten minutes."
"Okay, sweetheart. Come, come closer." Chantel shifted closer to her father, while he placed his arm around her. She leaned into her father, and held her close to him, making her feel so protected.
They were both watching TV, when her father suddenly asked her a question. "Your mother told me you will be returning to school today. Did you already tell me about it?" her father quizzed her.
"Yes, father. I told you last week. And also last Saturday after we came back from the mall. Did you already forget?" chantel replied, sounding surprised her father could have forgotten such an important thing.
"Sweetheart, I am so sorry I forgot about it. Anyway, what would you want me to give you? I hope you have enough allowances. Or, should I just give you more?" her father asked her.
"Oh father, the money you gave me is enough. I have not even finished it yet. I don't think I will need more." Chantel laughed.
"Come on, baby girl. You know you are the apple of my eye. I want you to be as comfortable as possible. I don't want you to lack anything while you are in school. So just allow me to spoil you a little," Chantel giggled. She loved it when her father always wanted to spoil her.
They were having a hearty chat when Mrs Asare announced to them that lunch was ready. They all headed towards the dinning hall and sat down around the table. They shared a word of prayer and started to eat.
Chantel was outside putting her bags into the car, when her mother walked up to her. She was already in her school uniform. Her mother held her hand, while she said goodbye to her.
"Take care of yourself and please don't forget to pray at all times."
"I won't forget that, mother. Thank you. And please take care of yourself too." mother and daughter hugged each other.
Mr Asare later came out of the room, in a simple top and jeans, and hugged his daughter right away. "Take care, princess. And don't forget to call me if you need anything, okay?"
"I won't forget that, father. Thank you." her father smiled at her.
Chantel hugged both her parents again, and sat in the car, with a waiting Roger behind the wheels. They drove away as soon as Chantel sat down. Her parents watched till the car was out of sight, before disappearing into the room.