Torns

Episode 27

She took a deep breath and approached the car.

Her heart beat erratically. She couldn’t fathom the reason why he came. She hoped all was well.

“Here is the celebrant,” Jibike saw her through the side mirror and got out of the vehicle.

“Birthday girl,” Ajibade climbed out.

She stopped in her tracks when she saw her parents. It was the first time they were visiting her since she got admission into the school.

“Happy birthday!” they chorused and grinned at her. When her blank stare became awkward, her father cleared his throat and dangled a set of car keys.

“We got you a car,” her mother squeaked in excitement.

“A car?” she looked around and saw a deep blue Toyota Camry parked in front of her dad’s vehicle. She glanced back at them wondering if her outburst a few weeks ago initiated the sudden gift.

Were they trying to buy her forgiveness? They had a very long way to go. How do one make up for twenty-three years of neglect? She was glad that they were ready to at least try.