Simi heard quiet laughter coming from the kitchen the next morning. Still bearing the scars from her encounter with Gbolahan the previous evening, she stretched and rubbed her eyes. The air was heavy and oppressive with unresolved tension.The scent of Abosede's cooking filled her nostrils as she walked to the kitchen, where she could smell plantains sizzling in a pan and jollof rice simmering on the stove. Temi's tiny hands moved with unexpected dexterity as she assisted her grandmother in washing vegetables while perched on a stool."Happy morning!" Simi forced a smile as she said hello as she walked into the room."Mommy, good morning!" Temi's face lit up and she chirped when she saw Simi. "May I help you with the cooking today?"Do you think I could help you out in the kitchen today? Simi responded with a heart full of love for her daughter. "What do you want to make?""Pancakes!" Temi leaped in her chair and cried out."Pancakes it is," Simi said with a hint of warmth despite the lingering anxiety. She went to join them at the counter, but before she could get the ingredients, Temi's expression changed.She said, "Mommy," slowly, her voice growing hardly audible. "I saw you depressed in my dream."Simi's spine tingled at Temi's words. She laughed lightly and dismissed it, trying to ease the tension that had suddenly seized them. Honey, dreams are just that—dreams. I am not depressed.Temi's wide eyes searched Simi's face for reassurance. She insisted, her little brow furrowed in concern, "But you were crying in my dream." "And there were shadows all around you."Simi knelt down to meet Temi at eye level, forcing herself to maintain her composure despite the uneasiness that was starting to seep into her heart. My dear, it was just a dream. Sometimes our minds can trick us.Temi nodded reluctantly and pouted a little. "Okay, but I do not like shadows.""I understand," Simi said in a whisper. "But we are safe here." She ruffled Temi's hair affectionately and then went back to help Abosede make breakfast.While they worked together in the kitchen, Simi was still feeling cold from what Temi had said. The shadows in her daughter's dream mirrored Simi's worries about Gbolahan and his contacts with dangerous people.The shadows in her daughter's dream mirrored Simi's worries about Gbolahan and his contacts with dangerous people. She whispered, "Is everything okay?"Simi hesitated before responding. "I had a depressed dream, Temi. There seems to be something looming over us.Abosede paused, considering what Simi had said. "Children often sense things we don't," she said thoughtfully. "Perhaps it is simply her way of expressing how she feels during this uncertain time."Simi felt her stomach tighten as she nodded. Simi felt her stomach tighten as she nodded. Childhood innocence felt fragile against the backdrop of their family's struggles.Simi tried to put her worries aside and focus on enjoying this time with her family when breakfast was ready and everyone was seated at the table with a variety of vibrant dishes spread out in front of them."Is it acceptable if we go to the park after breakfast?" In between pancake bites, Temi asked with excitement."Definitely." Abosede smiled at her granddaughter's enthusiasm.As they finished their meal and washed the dishes together, Simi felt that tension remained; it was a reminder of Gbolahan's past anger and their unsolved issues. She knew that after their outing they would have to ask him again about his business dealings.Simi turned to Abosede and took a deep breath after finishing breakfast and putting away the dishes. "We need to talk about Gbolahan again."Abosede nodded solemnly, both of them aware that this conversation was inevitable. She firmly said, "We must not allow him to exclude us."Just then, Temi returned from helping with cleanup and looked up at them with innocent curiosity. "What are you talking about?""Just some grown-up stuff," Simi snapped in response so as not to wake her daughter up with their worries.Temi pouted a little but accepted their promise for the moment.Simi could not shake the feeling that something was brewing beneath the surface as they prepared to go to the park—a storm that would soon threaten to upend their tenuous tranquilly.As they strolled hand in hand towards the park, the serene, bright blue sky seemed to mock their anxieties. Temi skipped forward, picking up fallen leaves and whirling around as if nothing could bring her joy.Simi and Abosede exchanged glances as they followed. "I only hope Gbolahan can see how serious this is," she said in a low voice. "He will," Abosede said confidently, but there was a hint of worry in her voice. "He simply needs time to realise that he is not capable of doing it alone."When they arrived at the park's entrance, Simi saw Temi run joyfully towards the swings, serving as a reminder of what was most important despite all of their problems. heir troubles. However, Simi felt a burden on her heart despite the laughter that surrounded them.Temi's dream and Simi's mounting concerns about Gbolahan's decisions persisted later that afternoon as they sat on a bench and watched Temi play with other kids in the park."What if he associates with individuals who are truly dangerous?" As she leaned in closer to Abosede, Simi asked softly.Abosede put a firm but gentle hand on Simi's shoulder and reassured her, "We will handle it together," as though to ground them both against the uncertainty that lay ahead.Simi inhaled deeply and nodded; she was aware that they had one another, and that connection would be their bulwark against any obstacles that might arise. However, Temi's words—shadows—reverberated deep within her heart, and she could not help but wonder what darkness might be lurking just out of reach.They watched Temi swing higher and higher into the air, her laughter resonating like music, and Simi was caught between wanting to keep her daughter safe and letting her enjoy this carefree moment of childhood joy."Mother!" As she jumped off the swing and landed gracefully on her feet, Temi let out a sudden cry. "Look at ME!"Simi clapped enthusiastically alongside Abosede as they celebrated Temi's impressive feat. Even in that moment of joy, Simi could not shake the feeling that something was lurking beneath the surface—a storm gathering strength as they played under clear skies.After a few hours of laughter and games in the park, where time seemed to stand still, the three of them decided it was time to go home. As they walked back hand in hand along familiar streets lined with vibrant flowers swaying gently in warm breezes carrying scents of spices wafting through open windows beckoning them forward towards home sweet home waiting patiently just beyond horizon stretching endlessly before them beckoning gently towards new beginnings awaiting discovery just beyond horizon stretching endlessly before them beckoning gently towards brighter days awaiting discovery just beyond horizoOnce home again, surrounded by walls filled only by sounds echoing from nearby streets bustling alive under stars twinkling overhead illuminating paths leading towards uncertain futures waiting just beyond horizons,Simi found herself lost in thought again; worries swirling around inside like leaves caught up in autumn winds threatening chaos everywhere around them all right now seeking solace found only through love shared between family members united together facing whatAs evening settled over Lagos like a comforting blanket wrapping around everything within its embrace invitingly urging forward into new beginnings awaiting discovery just beyond the horizon stretching endlessly before,Simi gathered Temi close beside her on sofa nestled comfortably against warm cushions invitingly surrounding them both reminding how much life existed beyond walls surrounding them all right now waiting patiently until the next round came around again offering str.With each passing moment spent together surrounded by warmth radiating invitingly against cool evening breeze greeting warmly against skin reminding how much life existed beyond walls surrounding them all right now,Simi knew deep down that no matter what challenges lay ahead—together they could face anything life threw their way—even if it meant confronting shadows lurking quietly behind closed doors threatening peace found only within hearts yearning desperately for resolution amidst chaos swirling around them all right now seeking solace found only through love shared between family members united together facing whatever storms lay ahead willing courageously fight back against darkness encroaching ever closer threatening engulf everything they held dear reminding how much life existed beyond walls surrounding them all right now waiting patiently until next round came around again offering strength resilience built upon bonds forged through trials faced along journey ahead guiding light shining brightly illuminating paths leading towards brighter days awaiting discovery just beyond horizon stretching endlessly before...