She thought of what they could have done, all they could have talked about that would make him forget she exist, the Dennis she knows will never ever choose a party over her no matter how stressful the party is, he will still text her even if it is a goodnight message or a I'll call you in the morning message but what happened yesterday night still seems like mystery to her. Even after talking to him she feels like something is missing and something isn't right what could be wrong she kept asking herself. While in her thought she heard a knock on her door.
"Come in"Valeria said
"Valeria, father said he has been calling you but you've been on call. Who have you been on call with? He wants to talk to you."James said giving her his phone.
"Oh sorry about that I've been on call with my friend"Valeria replied as low as possible and James nod before leaving the room.
"Good morning father"Valeria greeted
"How is my scholarship girl doing? How are you?"Her father greeted happily.
"I'm fine father, how are you doing too and how is Mother?"Valeria greeted back.
"I'm fine and your mother is good, I heard about the party yesterday so did you enjoy yourself?"Her father said with hint of happiness in his tone.
"Yes father, I was surprised, I did not expect it."She replied happily.
"You deserve it Valeria"Her father said.
"Thank you father I really wished you and Mother was here to see me collect the award and scholarship"Valeria replied happily.
"We are not there but your brothers were there, your guardian angels were there so how is my baby girl preparing for university?"Her father said happily.
"Oh father! Isn't that early? I got the scholarship yesterday and I'm yet to uncode it, I'll do that on Monday, I guess I'll be coming to the University of Chicago or I can do it on the website"Valeria replied smiling at her father's eagerness.
"Valeria, you're the one feeling like you collected this yesterday, before you know it's the scholarship portal will close, I know you are a special scholarship student but that doesn't mean you should treat your scholarship little. Saying this I want you to come to the city today, travel by train"Her father said leaving Valeria shocked.
"No father, how do I want to book a train ticket right now? it's late already I can leave tomorrow please"Valeria protested.
"That is solved, go to my friend's office in the train station he will book you a ticket and the train will be leaving by 2:00 so go there right now and book your tickets"Her father said.
"But father I still need to pack all my document, my clothes before coming over. How will I make it there before 2:00 when the train leaves? When do I want to book the ticket for the train? This is too sudden so sudden, I don't think I can make it now let me just book the ticket today come tomorrow, the earliest train tomorrow"Valeria replied panicking.
"Okay about the train ticket I would call my friend now and book the ticket on your behalf send all the necessary information to me. While I'm booking the ticket make sure you are packing your stuff and you don't have to pack too much, just two or three clothes and your documents, you won't be starting now, I'll ask James to accompany you to the train station"Her father explained
"Okay father, I was panicking already I don't know how I want to do it, I can't make it today but thank you for the help so I will start packing my stuff"Valeria said going to James' room
"Hurry up Valeria"Her father said before hanging up.
"What does Father wants?"Benedict who is on his way out asked.
"He wants me to come to the city today and right now."Valeria replied opening the door to the boys' room.
"That's sudden"Albert said before Benedict could.
"Exactly what I told Father but wether I love it or not, I have to be there."Valeria replied frowning.
"How will you book the ticket?"James said thinking about it.
"Exactly, he asks you to take me to the train station"Valeria replied holding James arm.
"I won't do that. Ask Benedict he's about to go out"James said removing her hands from his arm.
"Exactly what you said, I am going out not the train station. I'm going to work."Benedict protested.
"Father asked you to take me James because he knows you are capable, you can prove to him you aren't"Valeria said giving James his phone and leaves angrily
"You know you could have taken her"James said angrily.
"And you could have obeyed your father"Benedict fight back before heading to the front door
"Just go to work now"James said walking back to the room
"You don't have to get angry James, Valeria didn't choose who to take her, father did."Albert who has been watching the drama said loud enough for James to hear. Benedict looks back at him shaking his head and leave for work. What a dramatic family they are!
****
Valeria packs all her necessity in a suitcase, she walks out of her room wearing a bum short, a tank top, a sweatshirt tied around her waist, hair packed in ponytail and a flip-flop on her feet.
"James, I'm ready"Valeria called out.
"A minute"James answered from the room.
"You look like you are going to meet your boyfriend"Francis said looking at her from head to toe.
"Don't get on my nerve Francis"Valeria said walking away with her suitcase.
"Sorry, you seem to be pissed about this morning"Francis said trying to calm her nerves.
"James, I will be late and Father will get angry"Valeria shouted ignoring Francis.
"I'm here, let's go"James said and they leave without saying goodbye to Francis who was there.
"Valeria, I don't want you to get angry at Francis, you know he's being childish"James said as they were walking towards the truck he hired earlier for his outing.
"Then he should know when to stop!"Valeria replied walking faster to the truck.
"You are his elder sister, three years older than he is, you are wiser and you should know how children can behave"James said trying to catch up with her.
"Then caution him since he's a child"Valeria replied opening the door to the passenger seat.
"When you are back, we will talk about it."James said collecting her suitcase and putting it in the trunk of the truck.
"Thank you"Valeria replied and board the truck while waiting for James to come to the driver side. James board the truck and they started the journey to the train station which is few minutes away from their house.
"Father should have book the ticket by now."Valeria said as they start the journey
"He should have, his friend works there"James replied focusing on the road.
"How is Louisa?"Valeria asked and James glance at her before looking at the road back
"Since when did you care about Louisa?"James asked knowing she doesn't like Louisa
"Since the last time I saw her at the market with another man"Valeria replied not minding the outcome
"He's her cousin"James fight back
"Yeah, cousins are allowed to display romantic love towards each other"Valeria said focusing on her phone.
"Wait! Did you ask Father to ask me to take you to the train station?"James asked stepping on the break suddenly making Valeria phone drop.
"Why would I do that? Father chose you himself"Valeria replied before picking up her phone.
"That better be true"James said and start the truck back with full acceleration.
"Don't get me killed James. You can visit her parents another time."Valeria said not looking at James who seems to be angry.
"I know you and Louisa are not the best of friends but can you give her a chance to prove to you that she loves me?"James replied focusing on the road
"Big bro, I really don't care about you and Louisa's relationship, all I'm concerned about is you! Stop hurting yourself, everyone knows how Louisa's family is."Valeria said looking at James who is focus on the road.
"You are not the one to judge so why now?"James asked knowing his sister is the sweetest person he knows.
"I'm not judging Louisa or her family, I don't want you to get hurt."Valeria replied smiling sweetly.
"You are hurting me by judging my girl"James said shaking his head.
"You have a lunch date with her family today, I don't think you can make it. Why don't you go for dinner instead?"Valeria said ignoring whatever he said.
"I was planning to do that but giving her a call will be nice"James replied happily
"Surprise her with flowers, chocolate and little food items"Valeria advised.
"That's such a nice idea. Thank you little sis"James said happily.
"You are welcome"Valeria replied.
The journey continued and was silent till the end.
"We are here!"James announced as he pullover.
"Thanks for the amazing journey"Valeria said with a smile while getting off the truck.
"You have fifteen minutes more to get your ticket and leave for the city"James said after checking his wristwatch.
"Good luck with your date tonight"Valeria replied and leave with her suitcase.
James watch her disappear in the train station before zooming off.