Abby

Six weeks later

It was on a Saturday morning, February 3rd, and her birthday. While still lying in bed, Abby read the numerous birthday wishes from friends and loved ones on all her social media accounts. She stood up from the bed thirty minutes later to go see if her mom has woken up. 

Wurami (meaning my gold) as she fondly calls Julianna her mother, was already on her way out when Abby stepped out of her room. She just kissed her daughter on the forehead and quickly rushed off to an appointment she said she was already late for. 

'What's happening?' Abby wondered in astonishment.

'How could she rushed out without wishing me, her only child a happy birthday!?' She thought incredulously.

'Is it possible that she has forgotten my birthday?...unbelievable! Mom has never, ever forgotten any of my birthdays, so why now!? What changed!?' She wondered with a frown on her face as she went back into her room to grab a shower. 

After showering, she wore a blue and black flowery printed Ankara gown that she designed and sewed herself. The gown was flared and above the knee with tightly fitted, off-the-shoulder bodice. For jewelry she picked a 3-piece gold, heart studded tiny necklace, drop earrings, and anklets plus a black leather gold wristwatch gifted to her by her brother on her eighteenth birthday. 

She combed her thick natural hair into a neat bun and picked out a pair of white sneaker shoes for comfortability. Realizing that she was running late since her appointment was 7 am, Abby quickly grabbed a small, long string black leather bag, big enough to fit in her phone and enough cash that she would be needing for the day. 

Abby was a very beautiful girl with an hourglass curvy body that stops traffic where ever she goes, so she hardly bothered about make-up, except when she's working or have an occasion to attend. She was over 5 feet tall with flawless dark skin that glows, big sexy and soulful doe eyes, and sexy dimples that perfectly complimented her bright smiles.

Around 15 minutes before 7, Abby stepped out of the house and pulled the jam key lock gate shut, realizing too late that she forgot to remove her key from the handbag she carried out the previous day.

"Uuugghh!" She groaned in frustration. 'I just hope Wura comes back before I do.' She thought as she walked down the street to her hairdresser's salon to catch her 7 am appointment before the usual weekend rush. 

She walked down with a sad face and mixed feelings as she thought to herself...

'I'm twenty years old today and nobody is excited for me' 

Aside from the normal greetings she woke up from friends on social media, none of her family members has shown the excitement they usually exhibited on all birthdays in the family. 

Even Josh her favorite, out of her three elder brothers. The brother she trusted the most and always confided in no matter what the situation was, disappointed her and canceled the birthday outing they had planned. 

He called to say he won't be able to pick her up as he had promised her before. She vividly replayed the conversation in her mind...

[Hey birthday girl, happy 20th sweet... eeehhm listen...I'm sorry I won't be able to pick you up at Dupe's house as promised, something just suddenly came up.

A mix-up with a client that I have to quickly attend to personally, it's not something I can delegate to any of my staff, otherwise, I would have.

I should be back by six in the evening. I'll pick you up by the estate gate and I promise I'd make it up to you in a very big way. Love ya loads!]

'He didn't even wait for my reply before ending the call. What is wrong with both of them today of all days!?...this is just so annoying. 

The only constant person today is maami (her dad's first wife and her brothers' mother). She called to pray for Abby as usual. She always does that on everybody's birthday. This kind of prayer is so special that you can feel and see goosebumps all over your body while she's praying for you.

Abby faintly smiles while thinking about her big mommy, the one who raised her since when she was a baby while Julianna attended college, and later when she started working. Now she owned her own catering business.

Her dad and her two other brothers are not good with mushy, mushy birthday wishes...but the gifts from them were always massive.

'Wonder what I'm gonna get from them this year...' She thought with excitement. A slight smile came over her frowned face.