PROLOGUE

Mirabel just sat there,gazing at the curtain.It was an old curtain that her father used to say was for his mother,her grandmother. At first,she didn't want it in her room,but soon grew fond of it and loved the way it livened up the room,the way the light bounced off onto the walls.She then wondered how her father,a man, would be so sentimental as to choose to keep a curtain that was to be burnt when his family was moving to the city,and for such a long time.

She spent so much time with her father,and they had built a connection over the years. She had been trying to make him join her church as a devoted member,which seemed a difficult task,although he had gone with her a couple of times.

According to her father,her parents were catholic faithfuls before she was born and that was when she was christened 'Elizabeth'.He stopped attending church not long after,but since they moved to this neighbourhood a year ago,she had been going with her friend,Ufoma and her family to a Pentecostal church.And she realized that it was a good thing to know and rely on someone who,although you can't see ,can be trusted. And since she agreed to christianity,her life had been somewhat balanced.

Her mother on the other hand, was so distant. She hardly ever smiled at her or talked to her.It always seemed as if she

was angry about a particular thing that I did.They had shared nothing intimate unlike with her father.She always thought she would understand better as time went by.

Unlike most sixteen-year olds,Mirabel was still uncertain about her future goals and career.Even she was a stranger to herself these days.

Her father was out of of town in the mean time and she couldn't wait to show him her test scores.

She got up and went for her school bag.She picked out her mathematics note.But a leaflet fell . She knew what it was .It was a note from school on the art materials she needed for art class.

Ever since her father traveled, he never picked up his phone calls,which left Mirabel more worried after every ring.And it was no different this time.