MOTHER, FATHER

Even after the fact that she had lost her voice because of Vivian, she still wants her to come back. Ella was ready to forget about Nigeria and start afresh in Burundi for Vivian. She shouldn't have left, she should have just told her what it was that she wanted.

Where is she now? Did she go back to Nigeria? Is she still in Burundi or did she go to another country? Maybe she is with Andrew. Or where could she be as she was thinking of her?

Did promises mean nothing to Vivian? What about all those promises she made to her. That time Lola had made a deal with them, Vivian had promised to stay by her side and always protect her no matter what happens. She said she would watch those terrible people that killed Ella's parents and grandparents get punished by the law. But where is she now? Nowhere to be found.

At the moment, she is happy. But very soon she would soon go back to her normal lonely life. What if her muteness lasts forever? What if something bad really happens and she just dies too at some point. Ella thoughts in her mind and closed her eyes tightly when she remembers all they told her at the hospital. Not to think of anything, just be happy and do the things you like. She exhales deeply trying to forget what was already in her head.

She turns on her phone and the first thing she saw was Abdullah's calls, but she didn't bother to call him back because she couldn't speak. Instead, she tries calling Vivian again, but it still wasn't going through.

Giving up or loosing hope was not her thing, so she kept on trying. She did that for close to 20 times until someone came to knock on the door.

"Ella is everything okay with you?" Lola asks.

It's not like she could speak anyways, so she just opens the door after keeping the phone in her trouser for Lola not to see.

"I am sorry I had to come and knock, you were in there for a while." Lola says somehow worried.

All Ella could do was to smile then later she stretches her hands forward for Vivian to embrace her, which Vivian did wholeheartedly with a very big smile. Once again, she felt a lot of comfort and connection, she forgot all about Vivian and was at peace. "Who are you? Did you come to replace my mother here in Burundi? Why do I keep feeling this type of connection anytime I embrace you?" Ella asks in her mind.

After a moment, they drew apart from each other and Lola holds her hand leading the way back to the dining room. Everyone else had almost finished eating their food except Ella.

"Eat your food on time before it gets cold Ella." Shamim says as Ella sits beside him.

"Ate you okay?" Malik asks.

Ella picks up her pen and writes. "I am going fine dad."

Dad? She was already referring to him as dad? Did she really mean that or she by doing it to make shamim doubt or suspect anything? Whatever reason it may be, Malik likes it. He gave her a smile and she gave another in return then continues eating her pasta.

"We would decorate your room together tomorrow, but you would manage it like that today. Is that okay?" Shamim asks.

Ella nods happily, she had always wanted to decorate her room herself but her dead mom never allowed her.

"The day is still very young, should I go to the market to get all the things I think you need now?" Lola says as she looks at the wall clock.

"No don't do that today, you can do all that tomorrow. You have stressed yourself a lot today." Malik disagrees politely.

"So what would you eat this night?"

"I plan to take them out very soon, I actually need some things at home and we need to get the things to decorate Ella's room. So I plan on getting them chicken and chips with probably some ice cream."

"What about tomorrow morning?" Lola asks again.

"They would have some cereal. I guess that would be better."

"Alright, no problem. I would get some food items very early in the morning tomorrow and bring them here."

"Thank you." Malik says with a smile. "Please eat up."

"Ma'am." Shamim calls at Lola. "Who are you? Are you my sister's mother?"

That question was a thunderbolt, bath Lola and Malik could tell with the look Ella had already put on. Why did Shamim make the mistake of mentioning the word Mother? It immediately placed Ella in a very bad mood. The look on her face changed from happy to sad.

In Lola's mind, she was thinking of what to say. Should she say yes and have the issue with Ella later? I mean, Ella would never have someone like her pose as her mom for any reason. She thinks so low and less of her as a woman not to talk of a mother.

Malik was thinking of what to say or do to lighten up Ella's mood again. If she starts thinking and brooding, it will do no good but worse to her health and current position.

Ella was thinking of what Lola would say, she knew she would never agree to pose as her mother for once. As it was, nobody was ready to talk so she did the talking. Ella nods her head with a smile.

"She is your mom?" Shamim asks again.

Ella nods again and it was so unbelievable to Lola and Malik.

What was she trying to do? She just called Malik her dad and now she called Lola her mom. Is she trying to match make both of them? Malik asks in his mind, remembering the question she had asked him in the hospital if he likes Lola.

"Yes I am her mom." Lola finally speaks up.

"Why did you allow my sister get into an accident? What were you doing when it happened?" Shamim asks as if Lola was responsible for whatever has happened to Ella.

"Shamim!" Malik calls to caution him. "You shouldn't speak like that to an elderly person."

Lola smiles, although they just met today but Shamim was already obsessed with her. "I am so sorry I didn't look after her well, please forgive me. That is why I brought her here so you can look after her well for me. Please look after her well."

"Yes." Shamim replies with a smile.

Malik scoffs at his unbelievable son. "This boy can be silly some times." He murmurs.