"yes Aunt Rebby, I am so tired of doing relationships, I have to settle down some day, so why not now", Ann said sniffling in some catarrh.
She had never shed so much tears in a long time and the fact that she had no one to fall back on was devastating.
"I understand baby, that's why I am your Aunty, I don't know why Mum and dad treats you that way but remember that Aunty is here for you. Don't cry and go back to sleep", Rebecca cooed her.
"Don't be in a haste to make decisions, aunty will come and see you soon", Aunt Comforted her and They talked for some time before the call was disconnected.
Ann had hardly slept through the night since her heart refused to be at rest and it was morning already. Despite all the consolation, no one could understand how she felt, she felt empty.
There was a greater part of her that told her and whispered to her every moment that she was wrong and was treading down the wrong path.
"Urggh,.... Who is there?", She growled at the person knocking while wrapping herself in the duvet , she had not gone out of her room since the engagement ceremony.
Her dad had kept her under house arrest since her elopement at her eighteenth birthday, six years ago and her return two days ago, when she was already twenty three.
She was still in her pink overall, a soft unicorn onesie precisely and her hair was tattered since she refused the maids from caring for her, her hair was like a birds nest, her face stained with dried up tears, mascara and lipstick smudge. She looked horrible.
"Sweetie it's me, your Momma", her mother replied.
"What is it ma?, why can't you leave me alone?, you succeeded in ruining your child's life, what More can I expect from you?, just go away!!", Ann yelled repulsively.
"I know dear, I know that you are not happy about your father's decisions and I can't do anything about it but Veda us here to see you", her mom informed.
Ann became excited, ran to unlock the door and ran downstairs ignoring her mum's pitiful stares, she hugged Veda upon seeing her.
"Wow you look horrible", Veda exclaimed at her appearance.
"Is that how you greet you heartbroken friend, we'll leave that , let me help you out with this big box of yours", Ann offered with a scowling face.
"Why is it so heavy?, is a human being in there", she asked as she couldn't carry the box a long way and Veda burst into laughter,
"it's more than just a mere human being, it's something you'll love ".
She joined Ann to drag the box up to her room, while shutting the door behind them at her mom's face.
"Wow I can't believe you are here, I'm sorry about earlier", Ann apologized.
"I know sweetie, I'm no longer mad besides I was at fault", Veda said enveloping her in a hug, "help me unpack my luggage", she said smiling slyly.
"Okay", Ann obliged as she unzipped the giant box only to back out in fright which turned to happiness then thereafter, anger.
"What are you doing here Mr cheater?", Ann asked angrily.
"Watch this", Calli ordered, while stepping out of the uncomfortable position he had been in, he handed her a tablet.
"Veda... How did he fit in your box?", Ann asked, still in shock as she sat to watch what he had given her.
Twenty minutes later, she sighed, "so your phone was switched?, ha... I guess I was wrong then", she said smiling dejectedly and bitterly at the truth displayed right in front of her.
"My woman is never wrong", Cali said making her feel better. She hugged him and clung to him like a koala, they stayed in that position for a long time before she came back to her senses,
"I am engaged Cali, I'm sorry but we shouldn't be doing this at all, we can't be together", she sobbed and her tears soaked Cali's shirt.
"No worries baby, we will be together", he assured her.
"Are you sure?", she asked teary eyed.
"Yes", he replied.
"Awwn... I feel so jealous", Veda said, while wiping away the fake tears. They totally forgot her existence.
"Oh no..... Stephen must be so mad at me", Veda said alarmed.
"Why would he be?... I thought you guys settled your disputes", Ann asked confused.
Cali grinned hard and kept scratching the back of his head which made her get even more suspicious.
"What the heck is going on here?.... Can someone tell me right now?", Ann asked.
She didn't want her friend, going around, making silly mistakes all because of her.
Veda sighed as she recalled all that had happened earlier.
...
"You're not going with him Veda and that's fine", Stephen said, looking away from the kneeling Veda.
"Pls baby..... If you let me go..... I'll do anything you want", she stuttered as she pleaded but that only enraged him the more.
Did she like Cali more than him?
Was that why she wanted to go with him?
"No you are my woman and you'll stay with me", he concluded as he walked into the washroom.
Veda brought out the special box given to her by Cali , packing some few necessities in her small leather bag. She called Cali and wasn't aware that Stephen was coming out of the washroom and overheard the conversation between them.
"I will be there Cali, be patient, first....I have to convince him..... I can't just leave.... He will be mad at me... Give me some time to choose who I am going to follow", Veda said disconnecting the call.
After thinking for a while, she decided to follow Cali and console her friend.
She didn't even have time to dress, so she threw a coat over her body con black dress, wore her jewelry, black sandals and some shades.
She wanted to knock at the washroom door but stopped,
"Stephen, I don't want to disobey you, I love you but my friend's life and future is in imminent danger..... I just need two days and I'll come back to you..... Pls forgive me", she said .
She arranged all his clothing according to how he'd wear it before leaving. She was sad because she thought he didn't hear her because of the loud sound of the running shower and he would be mad because of her disobedience but he heard it all.
He was touched that she considered his say in her life, "I love you too babe but you need to get punished when you're back", he said to himself, smirking.....