Christopher's pov
It's been a few weeks since I last heard from Zee and I can't even pretend I'm not in the slightest bit worried. After the night of our last party, my phone has been missing and with my parents cutting me off for using the beach house without their permission, again, I could barely afford to get a new one. Amira on the other hand ghosted a few days after we left the beach house and I haven't been able to reach her. I tried to reach Zee and Amira on Kate's phone but she didn't have Zee's contact and Amira's line was always going to voicemail. Everything seemed to have gone wrong the night of the party and I was still missing the details of what happened that night. It was all fuzzy. If I was partying with strangers I could swear I was drugged but I guess I just had too much to drink.
It was just Kate and I seeing every day as she keeps checking on me like a sick baby.
After a few more days of being helpless, I managed to get out of the house and meet with Zee's and Amira's hostel mate to get Zee's contact from her. I took some money from the swear jar my mom keeps in her room and got myself a small phone. Nothing will stop me from getting in touch with Zee and Amira.
I sent out a message to Zee's Nigerian number but she viewed it without responding even after informing her of who I was. Something didn't seem right. I sent her another message and she asked me not to message her ever again. I kept on sending messages as I was confused about why she was being cold towards me but it stopped going through. I thought she would be excited to hear from me after weeks of nothingness but all I got was the cold shoulder and also got blocked.
"Hi, babe" Kate said as she walked into my room. I slid my phone under my pillow and tried to act calm as possible.
"Hi Kate" I answered, giving a faint smile.
"What are you up to?" She asked as she jumped on my bed.
"Just still trying to figure out how I managed to misplace my phone in my own house and why Amira isn't reachable" I said.
"Look, I'm sure Amira is fine, she's probably away with her parents on one of their sightseeing in Africa" she said trying to put my mind at rest but I was still very much worried about Zee.
"Might be but I still don't understand why Zee was being cold and blocked me" I said unable to hide how I was feeling.
"You messaged her? But how? What did she say exactly? Did she break up with you?" She asked all at once and I could sense something was up.
"Yeah, I found some way, she didn't say much and why in the world do you think she'd break up with me Kate?" I answered her calmly.
"No reason" She said with the most suspicious voice. This girl is up to no good again and I will figure it out. I must!
"I have to go, Chris, see you later" She said as she hurried out of the room.
She never calls me Chris. She is definitely up to something!
***
After the summer vacation with her friends and Kate, Amira met her parents preparing for a trip to Omo valley. She has always refused to go with them on their trips because of her insane obsession with social media. Her parents don't use their phones during their stay in Africa because they like to enjoy the view and their stay as much as possible without work disturbance. They take the trip annually each summer but this time Amira decided to join in, mostly because she would be all alone in the house. Gregory was busy working on a case and it took most of his time. She left her phone at home at the request of her parents but she insisted on taking her little camera to take pictures for her vlog.
"Oh, bloody hell!" Amira shouted as she felt a sharp pain in her ankle. She looked down and there it was, it was long and so fast. The villagers called it a black mamba. In her hurry to take a picture of the sunset she stepped on its tail and it bit her.
"Mom" she winced in pain as she called for her mom and passed out.
"Oh baby" her mom ran to her and saw the bite mark. She gestured to the passerby for some help and they were more than excited to help.
"Oyinbo pepper what happened?" the educated one asked.
"A snake....a snake bit my baby" she cried out. The couple talked in their language and told Amira's mom of a healer down the road. She didn't hesitate to agree to take her there.
After a few hours of administering herbal medicine, she woke up from her long nap and the pain had gone.
Amira's pov
"Mom" I said as I stretched on the air bed.
"Baby, how are you feeling?" she asked with concern in her voice.
"I'm fine mom. Where is Dad?" I asked as I scanned the room for his presence.
"He went to get you some food baby" she said giving me a reassuring smile.
"Ok mom" I answered, smiling back at her.
It was only a few weeks and I've grown fond of this village. The way the villagers appreciate the little they have and help each other in times of need is so admirable. They are happy and content. The view is wonderful. Their ancient historical stories too, at night all the children gather around the storyteller and listen to ancient stories of their forefathers while their mothers sit together to roast corn and keep each others company. Their fathers drink palm wine and talk mostly about hunting and farming stories. This was different from the stories I heard in high school about African countries. These people were happy and educated as best as they could given the situation of the village. They had so many skills and the mothers are so loving.
I'm happy I came with my parents on this trip because I got to see and learn more about Africa. It's where I am from after all. I wonder how my village is, I hope it's just as wonderful as this place.
I got bit by a snake just a night before we leave for home, it was as if the snake was bidding me farewell. I smiled at my silly thought. I will miss this place a lot and miss their local delicacies even more. I can wholeheartedly say I like spicy food now.
After dad came back, we all had dinner and I joined the children at the village square for one last story.
*****
Zeenat's pov
It was the night before I leave for London and I can't think of a better person to spend my night with.
"I want to be as happy as you someday sis Zoya" I said to her.
"Oh darling, you will be even happier inshallah" she said giving me a bright smile as she fed her son.
"I'll miss you" I said sadly.
"I'll miss you too darling, don't be sad we'll see again soon enough"
"Okay sis" I answered.
"I've been meaning to talk to you about something and I think now is a perfect time. It's just us so be honest" she said with a straight face and for a second there I got scared, but, it's Zoya, I can tell her anything. Then again we've never spoken about boys so I'm not entirely sure what her reaction to Christopher will be.
"Okay" I answered, sitting upright.
"Do you like Khalil?" She asked.
I was not expecting her to ask that so I was taken aback. I thought she will ask if I was dating any boy in London.
"What?" I asked innocently but I wasn't convincing anyone.
"You heard me" she answered.
"Erm...I don't know, I'm not sure. I mean.....I think so" I said stammering.
"I want a specific answer. Common, I've seen how you look at him and how he looks at you" she said.
"Yes I like him and he told me he likes me a few months ago" I answered.
"Okay but...?" She asked as she sensed I was holding something back.
"I like someone else" I replied.
"Oh, in London?" She asked.
"Yes, but it's complicated. There is this girl that loves him and won't let him breathe but recently I got to know he's dating her" I answered painfully.
"Hmm, what I'll advise you to do is to decide if you are capable of handling both, that is, your education and dating. If you can't, then focus on your studies until you can. This London boy sounds like heartbreak and bad news so I'll advise you to stay as far away from him as possible. I've met my share of men like them who don't know what they want, they want their cake whilst still having it. A man who loves and cares for you will make his intention known and won't beat around the bush" she said.
"Ah" I said laughing.
"What's that?" She asked not knowing what made me laugh.
"It's just that I was expecting you to tell me to stay away from all boys till after school. I wasn't expecting to hear you say this " I answered. She smiled.
"I know I'm supposed to tell you that, but I know what it was like, being your age and liking boys with no proper understanding. With or without my advice you will end up doing what you want but at least I can help you make the right decision for yourself by telling you what is what" she said as she laid her sleeping son in his crib next to his sister.
"If it were up to me, I'd prefer you finish schooling before dating, and even then you'll have a lot of options and meet well-to-do men. At this age, it's just all fun, and too much fun isn't good for an eighteen-year-old. Are you understanding me, darling? She continued.
"Yes sis, I understand you and I assure you that my education is my priority, always" I answered.
"That is good " she said with a sleepy yawn.
"I'll leave you to sleep sis and we can continue our conversation in the morning" I said.
"Okay, goodnight darling " she said kissing me on my forehead.
In the morning, Zoya and I talked some more and I knew exactly what to do. Zoya's driver took me to the airport to board my flight and Khalil was already waiting. If I'm being honest, I dread seeing Christopher and Kate cosying up. I alighted from the car and made my way to the airport.
"Zee I'm here?" I heard Khalil call out. I turned around and saw Khalil smiling.
"I'm so sorry for the delay. Have you been waiting a while?" I asked as I hugged him.
" I've been waiting here for almost thirty minutes" he said.
"Ah, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting" I said sitting beside him.
"No it's fine, you had no idea I'd come early. Well let's go then" he said and we left.
When we got on the plane, we talked some more and watching him talk so passionately made him even more attractive. I kissed him and he kissed me back. We exchanged glances for the rest of the journey in silence.