Lola was finishing up packing, preparing to head back to her condo since she'd be resuming work the next day.
As she was zipping up her luggage, Bummi suddenly walked in and wrapped her arms around Lola from behind, pulling her into a warm hug. "I'm going to miss you, girl."
Lola paused, leaving her luggage half-zipped, and returned the hug with a playful grin. "Oh please, B. Don't be silly. I won't miss you."
Bummi pulled away, pouting. "Why not?"
Lola chuckled and straightened the luggage. "Because I'm not dying, and we'll see each other again soon." She dropped the bag to the floor. "Besides, I should be the one talking about missing someone. You're the one off to London."
Bummi rolled her eyes, brushing off Lola's words. "Yeah, well, it's only for a week."
When Lola didn't reply but just shrugged, Bummi wrapped her arms around her once more, gently caressing her back. "I'm sorry I haven't had more time for you while you've been here."
Lola pulled away, smiling teasingly. "You're something else, you know that? Now, stop before you really make me cry."
Bummi smiled and squeezed her tight before pulling away. "Make sure to call me as soon as you get home," she said, grabbing a few of Lola's bags. "Let me walk you out."
******************
Inside a penthouse in Zürich, Switzerland, a beautiful, slender, brown-skinned woman was setting the dining table for her children's breakfast.
In the blink of an eye, four kids dashed into the dining room, each claiming a seat with excitement.
They were always like this—eager whenever their mom made the meal.
Though the woman was on the phone with another woman in her early fifties, her attention was split.
After finishing the table, she asked one of the maids to help feed her eight-month-old baby while she took care of a mountain of chores in the other room.
Supporting the phone with her shoulder, she gathered up the kids' dirty clothes and made her way to the laundry.
With more than ten staff members in the penthouse, she could have easily asked someone else to do the laundry, but today she wanted to be helpful since she had some free time.
"Oh!" she cursed under her breath, placing a palm to her forehead. "I almost forgot, mom. Happy anniversary."
The older woman, sitting in the living room knitting a baby sweater, pretended to pout. "You're too late. Your brother already wished me earlier. So, any extra gifts for your late congratulations?"
Thandeka rolled her eyes, groaning. She knew all too well how much her mother loved gifts. "Alright, alright. I'll send something later."
The older woman's voice softened. "Just don't bring me any more signature handbags or designer purses. I've got more than enough of those. But you can bring me wool. I need a lot of it to knit more clothes for my grandkids."
Thandeka laughed so hard she almost choked. "Clothes? Seriously, Mom? I might as well open a boutique for you! Do you know how many beige outfits these kids have? All thanks to you! I'm still trying to find space for some of the luggage."
Zanele chuckled on the other end of the line. "Okay, let me knit some for my future grandkids—"
"No way, Mom," Thandeka interrupted, rolling her eyes. "Darin and I are done having kids. You can pass them on to Mr. Katlego Dlamini. I'm sure my brother won't be stingy with your wish."
Zanele smirked. "He already has three girls, triplets, right?"
"Of course," Thandeka said with a sarcastic smile. "But what about me? I've had twins twice and a bonus singleton. What does that make me? Mother of a community, right?"
Zanele pouted. "Well, I only had two kids—you and your older brother. I was hoping for more grandkids. Don't blame me."
"I won't," Thandeka chuckled.
"Oh, and before I forget," Zanele continued, "Guess what happened during the anniversary?"
Thandeka groaned, knowing she was terrible at guessing. "Mom, just tell me."
"Hmm, your dad took me to the newest fancy place in town," Zanele teased.
Thandeka raised an eyebrow, playing along. "Really? Did he?"
"We even had a romantic candlelight dinner on his cruise ship in Paris," Zanele added, clearly savoring the memory.
Thandeka gasped dramatically. "You've got to be kidding, Mom!"
Zanele exhaled with a sweet sigh. "I just wish we could go back in time… it was so romantic, Deka."
"Hmm, I can almost picture it," Thandeka replied, smiling.
There was a brief pause before Zanele spoke again. "Are my grandkids around? Pass the phone to them, I want to say hi."
"They're having breakfast. Maybe later you can chat with them," Thandeka said, already knowing her mother would be eager to speak to the kids.
Zanele nodded. "You didn't let them stay for long during the summer break, though."
When the laundry machine stopped, Thandeka started rinsing the clothes. "Mom, you know the educational system here is different from London's. Summer break is over, and school resumes next week. I had to bring the kids over early so they could rest and adjust. Plus, I had to make sure they were okay because the change in climate and environment affected Henri and Rex."
Zanele placed a hand on her chest, her voice filled with genuine concern. "Oh, my poor grandbabies. How are they doing now? Are they feeling better?"
"They're fine now. Don't worry, Mom," Thandeka reassured her.
There was a brief pause before Zanele spoke again, her tone more serious. "Deka, dear?"
"Yes, Mom?"
"Are… are you and Darin fighting?" Zanele asked carefully, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Thandeka was taken aback by the question. "Fighting? No, Mom, why would you think that?"
Zanele hesitated before continuing, her voice softer. "Well… you haven't mentioned him at all since you left Nigeria. And whenever I ask about him, you avoid the subject. Why?"
Thandeka let out a small laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. "Mom, Darin and I are fine. We talk all the time, every day."
Zanele wasn't convinced. "No, no, no." She shook her head. "It's been almost a year since he went to Nigeria. Isn't he coming back to see the kids? Deka, I can tell how much my grandkids are yearning to see their father. And it seems like you're holding something back. Why won't you let them see him?"
"Mom, Darin will come when the time is right. He's just very busy, you know? He has so many responsibilities—"
"Family comes first, Thandeka," Zanele interrupted, her voice firm. "Your father was always busy, and we missed out on so much time together when we were younger."
"But you two made up for it once you were older," Thandeka muttered, a little more quietly.
"Yes, he's making up for it now, but nothing compares to when we were young. That's when life is fullest—when we're still vibrant, full of energy. So, tell me, if he doesn't get it now, do you think he'll understand when he's older, like your father and me?"
Thandeka sighed, her patience thinning. "It'll be fine, Mom. He'll come soon." Then, her eyes brightened as a thought crossed her mind. "Wait, speaking of Darin, do you remember when I was in Nigeria and you asked why I was calling from a new number? I told you my husband accidentally broke my phone and got me a new one?"
Zanele nodded, her curiosity piqued. "Yes, I remember."
"Well," Thandeka's tone shifted to one of excitement, "guess what? I ran into Darin's mom at the mall. I didn't even recognize her at first, but we ended up talking for a while. We exchanged numbers."
Zanele's eyes widened in surprise. She'd always wanted to meet Darin's family. "Really?"
Thandeka nodded. "Yep. Turns out she was the former first lady of the country. And honestly, I could tell right away. She's so elegant, Mom. You would've been amazed. She's so stunning and full of life. If you saw her, you'd probably think she was Darin's girlfriend, not his mom."
"I know, dear," Zanele sighed gently.
"But…" Thandeka's expression darkened. "I don't think Darin and his mom are on good terms. An informant told him about me running into her, and the next thing I know, he smashed my phone, saying it was an accident."
Zanele was quiet for a moment, processing what Thandeka had said. "That's strange. Could that be why he's been away for almost a year?"
Thandeka exhaled deeply, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "Mom, I don't know. But something's definitely wrong. And I'm scared—scared that something bad might happen to him. That's why I went to see him in the first place."
Zanele's voice softened with reassurance. "It's okay, my dear. Nothing is going to happen to him."