Chapter 2 WHERE'S MOM AND DAD

CHAPTER 2: WHERE'S MOM AND DAD

It is almost 9am and Ayo isn't on her way to school yet. No one wants to answer, she turns to her Nanny for an answer but the aged woman is avoiding eye contact with her.

"Nanny?"

"Oh dear, come cut your cake so yo–"

"Nanny, don't change the subject, where are my parents and where did they go to so early in the morning?"

"Oh child, I–"

"Don't even think of lying to me, I'll find out"

Nanny Ti sighed and held Ayo's both hands.

"They had to leave very early for work, dear, you know how it is wi–"

"Oh please don't make excuses for them,

Didn't you tell them it's my birthday, didn't you remind them or something?!"

Ayo yelled already in tears.

"I did, I really did child, but your dad had to take the first flight to Lagos for a conference and your mom had an urgent meeting at work, she was the one who gave orders to prepare all this" Nanny Ti replied trying to remedy the situation.

"You do know I can tell when you're lying Nanny, right?" Ayo smirks pitifully.

"I- I really am not lying to you" Nanny Ti tried catching her hands but Ayo just waved off her hand.

How could Nanny Ti tell her, She couldn't muster up the courage to tell Ayo that her Dad didn't even come home last night or that her mom completely forgot her birthday and that all this, from the cake to the dishes and the little decorations where all her and the workers idea. She really couldn't see her sad.

"Hmmm, it's okay dear, come here"

Ayo didn't move an inch and just stood there while tears ran down her eyes, Nanny Ti went to her and pulled her into her arms and consoling her.

They stayed in that position for minutes before Ayo who has settled down pulled away from her Nanny's arms.

"It is getting late, I'll be on my way"

Ayo said while picking up her backpack and headed towards the door.

"Wait! just take a bite of something, you haven't tasted anything we prepared"

Nanny Ti told her.

Ayo looked at the faces of the cook and maids who probably didn't sleep enough because they made her something for her birthday. She couldn't possibly tell them she didn't have the appetite for food or that staying here is already suffocating for her.

"Uhm, I'm not really hungry" She lied.

They all knew she was lying, Nanny Ti looked at her with pains in her heart, she felt sorry for the child.

Ayo grew up without the love and care of her both parents that she so craved for.

She tried so hard to impress them thinking 'maybe, just maybe they'll notice her'.

Her Dad, Mr. Bankole, is a Senator and her mum, Simisola, is a lawyer and a politician. They are rarely around, sometimes Ayo don't get to see her dad for a month even.

She's the only child after her mom's two miscarriages, so she heard. 'I wish I have an older or younger sibling, anyone would be fine as long as I won't be alone anymore' she'd always tell Nanny Ti.

Ayo is the top of her, she has multiple trophies and awards, she try her best to stay at the very top just to make her parents proud of her. One time, She thought of cutting classes or skipping school but Ayo isn't one to rebel and at the end of the day her parents still doesn't appreciate her.

Yes, Ayo's Mom and Dad bring back numerous presents from their trip. Her Dad got her the latest iphone 15 and a giant pink teddy bear two months ago from his business trip where he spent over a month in Ghana. Her Mom bought a Zara heels, bag and a portable makeup kit from Italy a week ago, but if they know Ayo very well, they'll know she isn't into all those stuff. She loves music, video games, dancing and exploring.

"Okay, let me pack you something in your lunch bag", Nanny Ti hurriedly went to get a flask to put some of the dishes in for her before she could reject again".

"Thank you Nanny, I'll share with my friend, bye", Ayo replied after her nanny packed some jollof rice, egg sandwich and small chops for her. She is really grateful for her nanny who unconditionally loves her and she doesn't want her to worry.

Nanny Ti waved 'bye' to her as she headed to the car, Ayo got into the back sit of her Dad's Mercedes Benz car, the driver got in, started the car as they went to school. Ayo took one last look at her house and she sighed.

***

She got to school really late and they already done with the assembly, She sighed and went straight to class.

Ayo is a science student and she has biology class right now, she approached her classroom and peeped inside to spot her friends...

"Miss Wale"

Ayo shivered and turned around to see the school headmistress, Mrs Henshaw, folding her arms across her chest staring at her sternly.

Mrs Henshaw is the headmistress of Hyacinth High School, a very prestigious institution, all across Africa. From South Africa, Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana.

Mrs Henshaw is a tall woman of 173cm in her late 40s, she is dark in complexion and on her neck sits a beautiful yet intimidating face. She towered over Ayo with that very popular stern face know very well by the entire school which ends her the name 'Mrs Grim Reaper'.

'Oh boy, I'm done for', thought Ayo.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .