The Link To Light, (Published).

part 42

Happy birthday to Ifes. 

***

"Happy birthday to a friend, sister, coursemate and roommate! No words can express how happy I feel about one person who has touched my life positively. " 

Ifes smiled after reading the short note on her wall opposite her bed. 

Her eyes darted around the room as she saw the same note pasted around each corners of her wall, Mandy had obviously done that,  so that she saw it the instant she opened her eyes. 

Ifes jerked from her bed as she tried to look for Mandy before she remembered that she had not prayed. 

Mandy was definitely going to ask her about it... these days, she wondered who had become more prayerful. Ifes thought of her friend's prayer life and couldn't help the smile that crawled across her face. These days: Mandy couldn't do without it, it was one of the things she lived for.

"Thank you Jesus!" She muffled as she ambled to the front of her standing mirror. 

Looking at her reflection, she couldn't help but wonder in adoration... She was finally 18. 

If she were in her country,, she would now be classified as an adult.... she would have the right to make her choices, live on her own if she wanted to, her right to franchise, etc. 

Looking back to her childhood, she knew it hadn't been easy but yet, she still had every reason to thank God for a successful 18 years. 

Moving away from the standing mirror, her eyes glanced on one of the notes Mandy had pasted, she moved closer and read it as though she was seeing it for the first time. 

Where was Mandy? She wondered in her heart. 

She didn't hear any sounds of music from Mandy's room so she wondered if Mandy had gone out that morning. 

It was Saturday and lectures weren't being held, plus it was also unusual for her to go out in the early hours of the day. . 

Turning away from the birthday note, she headed straight to her bed side knelt down and did her morning devotion.. 

After prayers, she heard a sound from the kitchen, a door opened and closed: then she saw Mandy walking in with a tray in hand. 

"Oh!" I thought I might serve you breakfast in bed, but you are already awake.". Mandy pouted. 

"Better  luck with it next year."  

"Yeah, sure!" 

Ifeses gaze moved to the tray Mandy was holding which contained a mug of hot chocolate and grilled cheese sandwich and her stomach groaned loudly. 

Mandy smile. "You better come feed that hungry lion in your stomach." 

Being a party person herself, Mandy made arrangements for a birthday party despite Ifes' insistence. 

"We'll just organise something small at the dorm suite." 

Ifes received a call from her mother and siblings but they didn't say much... she wondered maybe it was because she had been away for 3 years,. so she didn't get offended that they did not sound as enthusiastic as they usually did. 

Mandy finished decorating the suite, and asked Ifes to take a quick inspection. "So, how do you see it?" 

"As beautiful as always." Ifes smiled. "sometimes I wonder why you choose Peace and conflict resolution as your discipline, instead of something like: design or decorating!"