#unedited
~Uthman~
These memories will stay with me forever. Jade, standing beside me, facing me and laughing at nothing and everything that I was saying.
I was still thinking about her when I got home. I had completely forgotten about the headache I left at home until I walked in to see suitcases and bags at the front door. Moji was sitting on the floor, crying. She stood up and hugged me.
'I don't want to go.'
She cried, holding unto me. I bent to her level and put my arms around her, trying to soothe her. Aunty Wura came out then. She appeared startled to see me. Maybe she was planning on leaving when I wasn't there but now that I've arrived, it must be making things harder.
Maybe she feels guilty about wanting to leave you behind.
'We were waiting for you. I packed some of your clothes. We'd come back for the rest lather.'
I released Moji slowly and stood up, my ears failing to pick up what she just said and my brain refusing to process it.
'What? Where are we going?'
'To my parent's house for now. Let's go. She started dragging one of the bags to her car. Moji grabbed my right leg and moved behind me.
Wait? She's moving out of my father's house and she wants me to follow her, them. Wow.
'I don't think I can follow you.'
She stopped and turned to me.
'What? Uthman, I can't leave you alone here. You need me, you need Moji.' Then she added 'we need you too.'
I heaved a sigh.
'I can't go with you. He is my father, I can't just leave him.'
'Uthman, he never acted like a father to you. How would you survive with him in the house?'
Then don't go. Please, stay, don't go. Please. But I did not say any of this. I only shook my head slowly.
'I can't abandon him like this.'
I can't imagine him coming back to an empty house. I can't do that to him. Mom heaved a sigh and moved closer to me.
'Uthman, I can't leave you here alone.'
I pulled Moji in front behind me.
'You should go now, he might come back anytime soon.'
Moji burst into fresh tears and I picked her up. Mom carried her bags and dropped them in the boot.
'Don't worry Moji, I'll come and see you very soon.'
I said as I placed her on the backseat. She did not let go of my hand.
'I don't want to leave you. Please. Let me stay.'
I smiled even though I was starting to feel the tears in my eyes.
'Moji, we're not separating. Just see it as taking a break. You guys will move in later.'
She let go of my hands and I turned away from her, not wanting her to see my tears. The gateman and the driver were staring at us in bewilderment.
'Adamu, please open the gate.'
Mom said as soon as she entered the car.
'Aah, Aah. Madam, Abeg take am easy. Make Oga come first.'
'Open the Gate, my friend.'
He jumped at the intensity of her voice and he exchanged a glance with the driver before he opened the gate. She zoomed off without a backward glance.
![The Rising Star [Varsity Boys #1] by calumstan](https://img.wattpad.com/cover/246859602-80-k375997.jpg)
'Uthman, wetin happen? Why Madam dey pack comot?'
I ignored him as I walked back to the main house. Hollowness greeted me. I saw our family picture on the wall above the TV, Dad wasn't there. He was never there. It was just me, Moji, and Mom. Look at where your foolhardiness had brought us. You lost a wife and I lost a mother. I was just a child then and I even survived better than you. I climbed the stairs and entered my room. I managed to take off my school uniform before laying on my bed.
I want this to be a nightmare so badly.
*********
~Jade~
Uthman wasn't in school the next day. That was a first. Since SS1, I did not remember him missing school until now. What could have happened?
'What was the last thing I said, Jadeshola?'
Ehn. I stared at the Literature teacher, Ms. Adegoke. I cleared my throat and then cleared it again. The truth was I don't know. I don't even know the topic we were revising.
'This is not the time to start losing focus in class, you guys have less than three months to the start of your external exams.'
She said and dismissed me. I sat down and tried to listen but my mind kept straying. Only God knows what could be wrong. I pray he is fine sha.
During the lunch break, I went to find Akin. I had not spoken a word to him since yesterday. I was still pissed at him for reading that stupid damned letter to Uthman.
'Hey. How're you?'
I asked him once I saw him. He was in the Arts Studio, drawing as usual. He looked stunned to see me and he glanced behind him, he looked at him when he saw that he was the only one in the studio.
'Me?'
He asked, pointing his index finger at himself. I rolled my eyes. No, your invisible twin sister.
'Of course, is there someone else here?'
'Aah, you've been ignoring me since morning so I don't see why you are talking to me now.'
'What you did warranted my anger.'
He shrugged. 'I only read an innocent letter.'
I shrugged and sat down on the stool beside him.
'Why is Uthman not in School?'
He stopped painting, turn to stare at him, and burst into laughter, shaking his head in the process.
'The both of you, ehn. I don't understand you guys again.'
I heaved a sigh and rolled my eyes.
'Will you answer him or should I go and ask Daniel?'
'Michelle is the only one that knows why he is not in school.'
Hmm? I stared at him, bewildered. He burst into laughter again.
'You should have seen your expression just now. God! What a time to be alive!'
If I should kill Akin in this studio right now, nobody would know. Just do it. I smacked the back of his head.
'What? Stop hitting people.'
'You're Akin and not people so tell me, why is he not in school?'
'Dan and I just got in touch with him some minutes ago. He told us to come over after school so we'd know what's wrong with him when we get there.'
