Chapter one
Black Day
*Rhoda Point Of View*
"Repeat after me, class, A noun is a name of a person, animal, place or thing." The English teacher readout.
"A Noun is a name of a person, animal, place or thing." We echoed back.
"This is impressive, now who can list out some examples for me?" She looked at everyone, only a few hands were up including mine.
She pointed at some students before she said, "Rhoda, let me hear your example."
I had this bright smile answering her questions," John, the name of a male person, Cat, the name of an animal.". They all applauded me.
"Now let's take our assignment and call it a day." She said and we took out our pen to write, then the bell rang, the last period is over, we can go home.
I am so excited, guess what, my parents promised to take me to the pizza shop today.
I stepped out of the classroom going out then I saw my lovely father and mother, mom opened her arms wide and I dove in to hug her, she raised me and swung me around.
"How was school today my little pumpkin?" Mom asked.
"Awesome mom."
"Did you pass your last assignment?" Father asked.
"Yes daddy, I got the overall in my class."
"That's my little girl, dad rubbed my hair as I giggled."
"Let's go home." Mom said and I frowned.
"Why are you frowning little one?" Father asked.
"Mom, dad!!" I yelled.
"Yes, my honey."
"Don't tell me you have forgotten what you promised me?" I folded my arms.
"Honey, did you remember?" Dad asked mom and she nodded.
"Really?" I said.
Then they both laughed saying, "We got you, how can we forget what we promised our queen."
My countenance lightened up.
"Now the first person to get to the car will have a double pizza," Dad said.
We all ran towards the car and I won.
Mom and dad breathing heavily," Darling did you see how fast our lovely daughter was, we are getting old."
We happily entered the car and drove to the pizza shop.
Dad paid for the pizza and we took it home.
I love to have a good bath before having the pizza which is exactly what I am about to do.
I love spending minutes in the shower, it is the best cruise for me.
I wore my shorts and singlet, bringing out my assignment from the bag, laying on the paid, eating pizza and doing the homework.
What I don't understand, I checked my dictionary, and mom came in and said, "I think we now have a new boss in the house." She sat with me checking the homework if it's correct or not.
"You are doing great in your studies." She complimented me.
"Thank you mom, I owe you and dad for taking good care of me, and I can't wait to grow up and be like you."
"Wow, I can't wait either to watch you grow up my child, I know you will be more beautiful, now take out your time to do your work, I will join daddy downstairs, ensure you rest after doing your homework." Mom instructed
"I will mom, thanks, I love you."
After I was done with everything in the room, I became so tired and I slept off.
A few moments later, I heard an argument, I tried to listen, "I am sorry, I promise it won't happen again." I recognise that voice, my aunty husband, my parents have been their source of income for a long time despite how he squandered money.
"I will forgive you this very last time, I will send the money, remember I am doing this because you are my wife's sister's husband."
"God will continue to bless you, how is Rhoda?"
"She is probably sleeping by now," Dad replied.
Seems it's nothing serious by the way, let me continue my rest.
*Days later.*
"Happy birthday to Rhoda, Happy birthday to Rhoda, happy birthday, happy birthday to you." My parents sang for me wishing me a happy birthday as their precious jewel.
"Mom, dad, thank you." I hugged them both.
"Happy Birthday is my only precious gift." Mom gave me a beautiful hairpin that even an adult can wear.
"Thank you mom, I love it, the colour suits my skin," I said.
"I am glad you like it." Mom said, placing a kiss on my forehead.
"Happy Birthday daddy's girl," Dad said, giving me two necklaces, one with my name on it and the other looking like a key.
"Wow," I exclaimed.
"I love you, my dear child, make sure never to lose this precious gift, I got you the necklace with your name on it and your mom and I give you this, it is passed from our family to our kids, it can open anything you want."
"Thank you so much, mom and dad, I love you both so much and this is my favourite gift of the year, I promise never to lose it and hold it dear to my heart and it will bring memories of this day."
"Wow sweetheart, my Rhoda has improved in her lines," Dad said and we all got happy.
"Okay love, time to get ready for school okay? Your lunch box is also set, I made you your favourite meal, spicy stew rice."
"Wow." I hugged mom and jumped up from bed to get ready.
*
They drove me to school and I waved at them before entering my class for the day and we had a social course for today.
I kept thinking about the surprise birthday party my parents will throw for me but I kept feeling worried about what I can't predict.
The class got over and I went out to wait for my parents but they were not showing up, maybe something is holding them, they will be here soon I kept telling myself.
It's been two hours and still, my parents are not here.
I went to the principal's office to make a phone call to remind them but instead, the principal said to me.
"Rhoda, I sent someone to fetch you, have your sit." She was filled with sadness, what happened to her.
"Okay, ma," I said sitting down.
"Ma, please can you make a call to my parents, they are never late to pick me up from school," I said to her.
"Rhoda, you are so little and innocent for a thing like this to happen to you." She said,
"I don't understand what you mean?"
"Try and be strong, and do not let it get to you so badly, your parents died this afternoon."
I got frozen, tears left my eyes as I was shaken by her words.
"My parents are alive right now and you are just pranking me," I said.
"Their body will be kept in the right place soon, let me take you to the hospital to see them for the last time."
"No," I screamed, falling off the chair."
To be continued.
