Yet to Know [MORE CHAPTERS LOADING...]

- 29 -

DANIEL's POV

"I have such an intelligent son, the best student in his school. I'll buy him anything he wants," my dad tells the storekeeper, pointing to a black leather bag.

"Do you have this in another color?"

I grin. My dad is determined to pamper me today after seeing my exam results. We've just finished our first term in school.

The moment I showed my family my results, my dad insisted on getting me a gift, and we rushed to his friend's shopping mall. We spent the next two hours shopping. I was giddy as we strolled out of the mall until the sight of a certain pair of sneakers reminded me of Sam.

Ever since her apology, I'd built a wall between us that she couldn't cross. We haven't spoken to each other. Today, she surprisingly congratulated me. I couldn't get over her smile, but then again, I also couldn't forget her wrongdoings.

Lord, help me forgive her and let go.

"What's wrong, son?" my dad asks when we settle into the car.

"Hm..."

"Be free, son. Speak to me," he says, igniting the car engine.

"Is there something we forgot?"

I heave a sigh. "What would you do if someone you cherish hurts you badly but later becomes remorseful?"

"I'd forgive and try to rebuild our relationship."

"What if it's hard to forgive?"

"It's hard. However, by God's grace, we'll have the courage, strength, and mercy to forgive. To err is human, to forgive is divine. God forgives our sins; we should do the same."

"What if the person has the tendency to hurt you again?"

"I'm definitely against toxic relationships. Sometimes, people don't intend to be unbearable, but their background makes them adopt traits harmful to others. I remember Kate. She was like the villain in my story. She was obsessed with me and harmed me. Forgiving her was the hardest task in my life, but I thank God I did. God used your mom and me to give her a chance to experience God's love."

"Aunty Kate? Mom told me the story. I'm still amazed you named your daughter Kate. Why?"

Dad chuckles and shrugs. We drive in silence for a brief moment before he asks, "Did someone hurt you?"

I nod.

"Is the person remorseful?"

"Yes. She anonymously does things for me. She got exclusive tickets to the international robotic conference my club attended last month. She sponsored the printing of my study materials. Our teacher claimed it was a gift, but I didn't know it was from a student..."

I pause and draw in a long breath. "She?"

My dad teases. "Is there more to this story? Who is she?" He glances at me with a smirk.

"Well..."

I lower my head, hiding my sheepish smile.

"Just tell me. We have a father-son bond. Let's be open, no secrets."

I burst into peals of laughter. "Daniel, I'm serious. Feel free around me."

I nod and say, "She's my crush."

His laughter fills the car. "I knew it. You were blushing the moment I asked for her identity."

" Hmm... She... She was my crush."

"Was?"

"Yes."

I reply. "Is that so? Hmm... Okay." He slows down at the sight of a traffic light.

"Would you like to talk about your experience?"

I shake my head. "Maybe next time."

He nods. We fall silent, and I look out the window, noticing the drizzle. The clouds hover with lightning and darkness. Our car remains still due to the beaming red light.

When the car moves, under the sudden heavy downpour, I spot a familiar face. I couldn't believe it and wipe my eyes twice, then scream, "Dad, slow down."

"Huh?"

"Please, slow down. Someone I know is under the rain."

"Oh, okay."

He parks at the side of the road, and I dash out of the car, racing to Sam, who sits on the floor, wailing. I reach her and pull her to her feet.

"Sam!"

She turns to me, holding onto my sleeve lifelessly. Her legs are tangled underneath her as though she wants to drop and continue weeping. I wrap her in my arms to keep her upright, drenched by the rain.

"Come with me,"

I say, burying my previous declaration to never speak to her.

I pull her into the backseat of the car and sit beside her. My dad stares wide-eyed through the rearview mirror.

"What's going on?"

"I have no clue. She's just crying."

"Let's get her home. She's soaked. She needs warmth."

In less than twenty minutes, Sam is enveloped in a warm blanket, sipping hot tea in my living room with my mom drying her hair with a towel. She sneezes.

"Bless you," I say, settling on the couch. I gaze at her while she avoids me. Her eyes are red and moist. She is still fighting back tears and I wonder why. What happened to her?

My mom steps out and we're alone. I whisper, "What's wrong, Sam? Who hurt you?"

She turns to me, her lips quivering. I scurry to her side and clasp her hands. She shut her eyes and bows her head, tears streaming down. She gasps and burst into a loud cry. I embrace her, rubbing her back tenderly as I whisper every comforting words into her ears. My eyes go moist as my heart ache for her. I wish this moment could end. I never want to see her cry like this again.

Later, she sleeps off on the couch and I meet my parents to further discuss on our next step.

"Do you have her parent's number?" My dad asks me.

"No!"

"What about her siblings'?"

"She's an only child."

"Okay." He turns to my mum. "What do you advise we do?"

"Let's wait. When she wakes up, she'll explain to us better".

***
Sam must be exhausted. She sleeps for five hours straight. By the time she wakes up, it is 7 p.m. We sit in the dining room, and my dad raises the question: "What happened to you?"

Sam sucks in a long breath and places her hands over her eyes. I move to the edge of my chair, praying that she doesn't cry. She removes her hands and forces a weary smile.

"We can only help you when we know what happened," my dad says.

We wait eagerly, still unaware of the full details.

She sighs and says, "I don't know where to start explaining. The worst thing is happening to me."

"And?" my mom asks.

"Everything I believed is a lie. Right now, I'm homeless."

My eyebrows shoot up; my forehead creases as I process her words. Homeless? What am I yet to know?

×××

Thank you for reading. Expect more.

Q: Guess what happened to Sam?

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From your 9ja author,
Mabel 😊