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THE TALENT SHOW day was approaching speedily. I have prepared for it very well and I was waiting for the day to come. I had no slightest idea I would have something good to present; it just happened so fast. I could then concur with my mom that I was special. Truly, that preachers teaching came to pass.

Another thing that would make the talent show day memorable was that all my family members would be present that day. It just as if the talent show was hosted only for me. Stephanie and I have gotten ready for it. My dad being one of the main host have volunteered to support the show in all ways, even to give out a scholarship to the winner. For me, I didn't have to be the winner, all I wanted was to present something good and still maintain my honour.

My performance during the talent show would mean a lot to my parents and that was enough for me. I just want them to be proud of me that's all. I was sure that with Stephanie, whatever we would present would be so amazing. I was so happy and I couldn't wait for the day to come.

It was all happening so fast. During the week of our mid-term break, my mom told me of her plans to go to Australia herself and bring back my siblings.

"Will you go with me?" she finally asked.

I thought of it, staying for like six days without seeing Stephanie. No way, I gave her the negative answer. I couldn't bear staying a whole day without seeing Stephanie not to talk of six whole days. It was impossible to survive that.

"Stephanie can come too." she said as if she was reading my thoughts.

It would be nice traveling with Stephanie but it was of no use since we were only staying for a few days.

"Mum can you leave this little trip till we vacate for the term? You know, the long vacation."

"Okay, if that's what you want. I'll be leaving tomorrow; are you sure you can take care of yourself while I'm gone?"

"Yes mum, I'm no longer a child; I'm 17 for crying out loud. Besides dad is coming back tomorrow." this I said with a mixed feeling of annoyance and excitement. Don't ask any question.

"Okay, I trust you." my mom said with Stephanie like smiles; you know what I mean?

After the discussion, we ate, played together and my mom told me the story of how she met my dad. It was a love at first sight. My father must be really romantic if actually he did everything my mkm said he did in her story. My parents were the most perfect couple in the whole world. After my mom's story that, we retired to bed and the next day, my mom left early for Australia in a booked private plane.

Though I felt her departure, but I had Stephanie. I didn't actually see Stephanie throughout that day. I was still busy being the housekeeper of the day as I prepared some foods for my dad who was on his way. It was really tough cooking. I did my best and it came out good enough.

In the evening, my dad came back with a lot of goodies. I won't mention them to you, that one doesn't concern you. What should concern you and I now is how I was to be with Stephanie with my dad around. But it won't stop me. I must at least see her once a day during this holidays.

You won't believe this; The next day, after my dad came back, we were having our breakfast which I prepared again. Guess what?

"Son, are you gonna visit your Juliet today?" this my dad asked smiling. That's not all. "I heard my son is in love." he still added.

I was electrocuted with disbelief. My mom was the brain behind it; I knew she must have given her sweetheart the latest gist about the vagary of their son and the main efficacy of it. This actually meant that my dad was in the support of it and I knew he will be in support as long as Stephanie and I won't mess up like some of our youth in this country. Now this have taken away my troubles of my dad being the barrier for Stephanie and I.

Now these was how we spent the mid-term holiday, my dad made a reservation for us in one of the famous hotel and restaurant in Anambra called green park hotel. It was the best in town. Stephanie and I wore one of our best cloths though she had her hair weaved back but to me, she was so beautiful. We arrived at the hotel in my father's executive car. We were treated like a king and queen. My father really surprised me.

Once we reached the hotel, we were directed to the part of the hotel reserved specially for us. The place was so decorated with our names sticked to the walls. "My father was really full of surprises." I thought to myself. At the center of the hall laid a table with many delicacies placed on it. A violin instrumentalist came to us and played a soft romantic song for us; the whole atmosphere was filled with romance. Stephanie and I had a brief kiss again. We enjoyed ourselves in the hotel and for the first time, I felt like the son of a governor. I fully realized that day that my dad was a millionaire. My dad even told me that if I had agreed to go to Australia with my mom that I would've witness more of enjoyment there; that more package were awaiting Stephanie and I there but it would have to wait till the summer vacation. I was so surprised; I haven't even contested in the talent show and my parents were showing me this kind of love.

Another thing that surprised me was that in Nigeria, teens like us falling in love is considered an abomination and kinda impossible for parents to support it but my dad, in fact everyone was not against ours. I knew Stephanie was the reason why everyone was extenuating circumstances. Everyone loved Stephanie and the fact that Stephanie made me change would make my parents love her more.

The surprise package haven't ended; my mom came back with my siblings on Sunday evening. I felt so excited when I saw them. It had been three and a half years since I saw my siblings last. My little sister was now a big girl; even Frankie my brother was now grown to almost my height. I was really delighted to see them again. They couldn't hold their joy when they saw me too. I could predicts their thoughts each time they looked at my face but it was not my fault that I haven't grown a beard. I knew they would be expecting to see beards and moustaches on my face but nature wasn't kind to me on that side. Don't blame me.

They were now acting like some foreigners making me feel local. It not my fault sha, I mean you can't ever compare Australia to Nigeria. They also confirmed the packages left for Stephanie and I in Australia. Now here's the real surprise package; a box containing the costume I was to wear during the talent show brought all the way from Australia. There was another but that one was for Stephanie; I was not allowed to see it. It was sealed and my mom would deliver it to her the next day. How she got to know Stephanie's size was the question I kept asking myself. Maybe she knew it from Mrs Andrew since it was a secret Stephanie wasn't aware of.

I told my mom that I would be the one to present it to her and she agreed. Now I wished the talent show would come as fast as tomorrow. My joy knew no bound when I found out that my attire was made like that of Michael Jackson but I didn't know of Stephanie's. The talent show would be memorable judging by how things was going. I couldn't wait for the day to come so I'll be wearing Michael Jackson's attire and present his song to everyone. It would be awesome. I thought.

The next day, my mum and I drove to Stephanie's house and they welcomed us well. Stephanie was so surprised and excited to receive the box containing her costume.

"Mom you knew about this," Stephanie started. "That's why you've been delaying to buy the cloth I'm to wear for the show."

With the way Mrs Andrew smiled at Stephanie after she said that, I knew that instance that it was all planned by my parents and her. She thanked my mom for the gift and we were entertained like the in-law we would soon be to them.