Chapter 44

Chapter 44

"Then be rest assured that I would personally ensure that you get in the plane with a swollen face"- I replied jokingly

"Let's stick to the plan please, we need to rest well before embarking on the trip tomorrow"- Kelvin interrupted

"Alright so it's going to be this way. We will all meet at the airport by 8:00AM so that we can book our flight early. And mind you, we are going to be flying first class"- I said 

They all looked at me like someone who spoke a different language, perhaps they seem quite surprised to hear those last words of mine 

"First class is quite expensive, don't you think we should use economy for now. Because we have no idea of the amount we will spend once we eventually arrive in Atlanta Georgia. So it's better to be on a safe side"- Micheal replied

He was right though, but I want this trip to be the best and one that we would remember for the rest of our lives. I don't mind paying for everybody if that should be the case 

"Don't worry about the cost, I will take care of that. We are five in number and I pretty sure that the total cost for our flight ticket won't be more than $20,000, considering the short distance from here to Atlanta Georgia".- I said while resting my back for a second

"Wow. I must say that I am quite pleased by those words, so you are really going to pay for everyone to be on the first plane?"- Kelvin asked, obviously trying to confirm if I was actually serious about my promise 

"I want us to have a good time and I was the one who initially brought about this whole idea of traveling to Atlanta, so I don't mind paying the cost to ensure that we enjoy ourselves the fullest.

  Because I know that I may not have the chance to spend quality time with you guys once I migrate to Nigeria"- I replied

"What!!!. Don't tell me you are still going to obey your father's unreasonable command"- Alexia spoke out with anger in her eyes 

"Calm down Alexia, he is still my father no matter how hard I will try to fight with him or disobey his commands. if he wants to send me to Nigeria to work in his new company, then so be it.

  I just want to spend time with you all before I will eventually leave America forever. So I would be indeed half if everybody can contribute their collective effort to make this trip a huge success and interesting one that would forever last in our minds"- I said 

There was a moment of silence in the room and this really sent some chills down my spine. It seems that they couldn't cope with the fact that I would eventually leave America forever.

  It's really heart breaking though, but there is nothing I can do about it. If I decide not to obey my father, so many things would go wrong and my mom would carry the blame for everything and besides I am pretty sure that she would be so sad by my sudden disappearance, especially when she can't reach my phone line at this point

"So what are you going to do when you get to Nigeria, how are you going to cope with the new people you will meet over there and how are you going to get used to the new environment, when you have clearly lived all your life in America.

  Please I am begging you, don't do this to yourself because you will end up regretting it when you become so lonely"- Gabriel broke the silence

"Yes, Gabriel is right. You belong here and you have the right to decide where you want to live. People can't just wake up from nowhere and start making decisions for your life

  You are an adult and as such, you have the right to make your own decisions whether good or evil"- Kelvin said

Their replies made me understand that they really don't want me to leave America. But like I said before, there is nothing I can do about it and disobedience is something that is not part of me

"See guys, I understand that you all mean well for me and you don't want me to feel lonely when I get to Nigeria. But you guys have forgotten that I can socialize with anyone and make that particular person my close friend.

  So it's not a big deal, I will just socialize with some people and then we will become close buddies"- I Replied with a smile 

Micheal and Kelvin laughed so hard immediately I finished and I couldn't even put my fingers on the exact reason for their sudden laughter. Do they think that I am lying?

"Why are you guys laughing, this is a serious issue and why are you guys making a joke out of it. Or don't you feel worried that your best friend is leaving you guys to a foreign country where he doesn't even know anyone"- Alexia attacked Micheal And Kelvin

"You won't understand, we are the ones who truly know Andrew and believe me when I say that he will clearly do the opposite of what he is saying right now. 

  We know him like the back of our palms and we know what he can do"- Kelvin said after laughing for three minutes

"What do you mean, is he lying or do you think he doesn't have the guts to make new friends?"- Alexia asked 

"Andrew is very shy when it comes to associating with other people and he is kinda anti-social if you really take a close look at his character.

  Michael, do you remember what happened back then in high school when we tried to force him to talk to a girl that he is crushing on?"- Kelvin said, directing his question to Micheal who was busy smiling

"I can't forget that day, you needed to see the look on his face when the girl stared right into his eyes. He nearly urinated on his pants, he couldn't even say "Hi" to the girl and now he is talking about making new friends in a country where he doesn't even know a damn person"- Michael replied while bursting into another round of laughter 

I sat right there looking at the both of them narrating my life history like a book, I was shy back then in high school and that was because most people often refer to me as a nerd. So I kept my distance because I don't want any form of disgrace.

  I kinda suffered in the hands of so many bullies and that contribute to the reason why I was always shy whenever I want to associate with someone. Now they are busy rubbing that old history on my face 

"Hey look guys, that was back then. Now I can talk to any lady I want without any fear, so what's the big deal?"- I asked, looking a bit serious this time around

"We were just trying to make you laugh a little and it didn't even work at all. You need to free yourself a little or else you might find it hard to cope with any kind of Relationship."- Micheal replied

"No wonder he doesn't have a girlfriend, he is too stiff as a wood and it's affecting him badly unknown to him"- Kelvin cut in

"I hope you know that I can hear what you are saying right now. And incase you don't know, I actually do not need a girlfriend at this moment.

  Don't want to bore myself with that relationship stuff, it's quite stressful for me"- I replied

Gabriel remained quiet without saying a word, perhaps he doesn't even have a clue about what we are saying or maybe he doesn't want to contribute

"Gabriel you are have been silent since, hope everything is okay. Or are you tired of our little story?"- I asked, trying to get his attention

"Not at all bro. I am enjoying it, just that I am a bit tired that's all"- he Replied with a smile 

We discussed about my school life for a while before I decided to change the topic because we still haven't made a Final decision of our journey that is taking place tomorrow and it's getting late. So we need to rest for a while before the next day which is just few hours away 

"Guys I think we should make a final decision towards our journey tomorrow. There is no more time and it's already late"- I said, trying to change the topic and get their attention

"You are right, it's already 10PM and we haven't even gotten enough sleep yet. I don't want to start dozing off on the plane, it's somehow embarrassing for me"- Alexia replied 

"There is no need to further discuss this issue, we all agreed to meet that we will meet each other in the airport by 8:00AM sharp until you brought about your plan of booking a first class ticket for us"- Micheal replied looking so sleepy at this point

We all were feeling so sleepy, but we need to come to an agreement before going to bed if we want everything to go as planned

"You are right, so I guess there is nothing to discuss anymore. I think I should even try to book the flight now so that we won't be in haste tomorrow."- I replied while bringing out my phone to book flight ticket for the five of us 

"The cost was huge and it was far above my Budget, but I got everything covered at this point. I payed $60,000 for the five of us and tomorrow we will all ride in the first class suite. 

  Can't wait for that to happen, I even feel that it should happen right now 

"Alright, I just booked our flight, Get a pen and write your various ID numbers so that we won't be confused tomorrow."- I said 

"Alright then, 8:00Am it is. I really need to sleep now. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow"- Kelvin said while ending the call

We all departed to our various rooms, it was a two bedroom bungalow, so I and Gabriel occupied the other room while Alexia and her boyfriend took care of the first room. I laid down on the bed trying to rethink everything that has happened in the past few days.

  I checked the time and it was 11:20PM already, we spent too much time discussing and the thought of my mother came to me right away, don't know how she will feel right now 

"Is anything that matter, you looked so worried. Get some sleep dude"- Gabriel called out to me after observing my movements on the bed 

"I have a lot of things on my mind, I sneaked out of the Chruch premises without even telling my parents about my whereabouts. I feel so guilty right now because I know my mom would be very worried and I don't like it when she is in that state"- I Replied

"Why don't you give her a call and see if she is okay"- Gabriel suggested 

Giving her a call is quite dangerous at this point because I don't know if my dad would later end up picking the call, I don't want anything to wreck this trip. 

  I have spent too much time dreaming about tomorrow and I can't ruin it at this very point. I would send her a text maybe later in the evening when my dad is sleeping

"I don't want to call her, my dad might pick up the call and track down my location before we even get a chance to get to the airport tomorrow morning"- I replied looking so uncomfortable at this point