PROLOGUE

"A broken heart is one of those experiences that all of
us as humans can share, yet you can only experience
alone.
As humans, we’re wired to experience incredible love
and affection. But for every action, there’s an equal
and opposite reaction, and when it comes to the
ecstasy of true love, that reaction is a gut-wrenching
pain, a deep void of sadness, utter lethargy, and
feelings of seemingly eternal loneliness."



© all rights reserved
story by fabzgrace
image from s-factor.







It was Friday.
Ah,the weekend finally TGIF
She was to pick up a dress from her favorite mall.
It was all for mama.

Mama and dad's 25th silver anniversary was the next day and she had opted to pick up a suprise dress for mama.

While on the bus, she was reminiscing.
It seemed just like yesterday when she was that little girl that always wanted to be with mama all the time
she loved the fact that all through those years her father been a very loving one had stayed with her 'mama' despite her mothers consistent nagging.

She wished she would find someone that had similar characteristics with her loving father.

She had almost passed her stop when she called on the conductor that she wanted to alight.
she got down and headed into the city's biggest mall.
her name was Tracy.

****


Hi guys. I'm just trying out my writing skills as this is my first story on nairaland.
pls sorry for any mistake, I'm still learning :-)

nothing do you! carry on

As soon as she got in she was overwhelmed,
she didn't know which dress was right again.
She felt like buying the mall itself.
If only she had the money she thought to herself.
While still basking in her fantasies she was interrupted
he was quite handsome...
"hello, a lady as beautiful as you shouldn't be confused in making picks,I'll Help you." a young man said

"And who are you?" she replied sternly

"I'm sorry miss, my name is George and I'm a sales rep here to Help customers make their choice"

"oh, I'm sorry I replied in a harsh tone,anyway I'm here to get a gown for my mother,shez having her anniversary and I ... "
she went on and on.

"oh I can Help"
. he took her in a section and brought out a very lovely green gown

wow, beautiful she said

"you like?"

"I love it. thank you a bunch."

"you're welcome mi lady he said as he walked away
I hope they love your choice."


tracy paid for the dress and left the mall.
she was contented but she also had something in mind
the sales guy...

RobinHez:
nothing do you! carry on

thanks for your support.
hey ghost readers your comments would be greatly appreciated

Fabzgrace:
thanks for your support.
hey ghost readers your comments would be greatly appreciated

they will comment...just keep it interesting *

Fabzgrace, so I've been looking on how to contact you... but one can't do comments on diaries. help me out. ... I don't do pms.... hhy

dexpendable:
Fabzgrace, so I've been looking on how to contact you... but one can't do comments on diaries. help me out. ... I don't do pms.... hhy

hi sir, i hope i havent done anythn wrong oo

.

.

Nice......keep it up

she got home.everything was fine,they loved the dress.
wow,what a lovely dress,you sure have good taste and thanks for the suprise mama said

tracy loved calling her mama, she was mrs gloria obi,a midwife by profession,a wife to her darling husband and a mother to her only child.
reason why she must have loved tracy so much.

mama you know How much I love you,this is just little compared to the things I'll do when I finally get a job.

she had graduated from the university a year earlier and was still searching for a job.

tracy, don't worry you'll find your job soon,she had studied advertising.






meanwhile,
he just got home.
wow welcome home george,I know you're famished here,have something to eat.
thanks mum he said. where are my siblings?

they went to a function. george, our house rent is expiring this month,what are we gonna do his mother said.

george reminisced. he thought about How his father died when he was little and about How his mother had struggled to send him to the university and educate his other siblings. Now,it was his turn to Help them since hos mother had already retired. he wished he could turn things around.
since he graduated,unable to secure a job,he had resorted to being a sales rep for that mall,his pay was meager, but he would manage it and make good use of it.

GEORGE!!!
he was jolted back to reality.
were you listening to me,his mother asked sternly
Yes mum, God will provide.
lemme see what I'll be able to do.


he stepped outside contemplating who to visit.

after much thought,he decided to go to james place.he may Help me out.
hi james he said.
hi george,been a while dude.
james,you know How my work is. they give us little time yet,we earn little money.

lol, dude. anyway what brings you here.
james I'm in dire need of Help he said as he narrated his family's inabillity to pay their bills.

wow dude, You've got something huge on your hands there james said.
yea I know, and I was wondering if you could Help me out...

hmmm james muttered, george,I dunno How to tell you this but, I'm having similar problems with yours and the sales from this store hasn't been encouraging.
james runned a provision store.
its okay james,I fully understand you thanks for your Help.

he turned out.
he thought to himself "I must find a better job and fast"
he was still thinking when he unconciously hit a lady.
I'm so sorry he said as he helped her pick her bag.
itz okay,but pls next time watch where you're going.
she said as she walked away briskly.

miss,miss.. he wanted to appologize properly or maybe even know her name. she was gone. he smirked and moved on.




TRACY
the party went well. she couldn't have been happier.
everyone was there.
her parents looked lovely.
At the end, her father came up to her.
Tracy I have something for you he said as he handed over a card to her.
she quickly skimmed through and opened her mouth in amazement.
Dad, A job ?

Nice work but you have to put the dialogs in quotation marks to make it easier for the readers to understand.......keep it up though

Carry on bt try 2 use ur punctuation marks. More grease 2 ur elbow.

Good work. Rem: after full stop or at d begining of a paragraph, use capital letter. Nice story dearie.

ironkurtain:
Nice work but you have to put the dialogs in quotation marks to make it easier for the readers to understand.......keep it up though

okay noted.

mubzay:
Good work. Rem: after full stop or at d begining of a paragraph, use capital letter. Nice story dearie.

yea, dnt mind my tab o. its always autocorrectn me n it'll put capital letters anywhr.
I'll do so tho. thanks

Tracy was out and about, on her way to work that morning.
it was her first day at work and she was nervous.
How were her bosses and coworkers going to be? friendly or haughty? wicked or kind? That was something only time could tell.
Earlier,her dad had given her a notice for employment and she had gone for an interview which she had passed.

Quite nervous and anxious,She walked briskly checking out her dress almost every second. She didn't know when she bumped into someone.

'Why can't you watch it 'she said in an angry tone
he walked away without saying a word
'what nerve, he couldn't even appologize' tracy said

Wait a minute, She said to herself
'i know that guy..'
'yes,he's that guy from the mall'

she was disappointed.
'and I thought he was nice. So he just put up that act because he was at work, she mumbled to herself.

She readjusted and went on, no one was going to deter her.



GEORGE
He was lost in deep thought.
'oh God why me' he said quietly

He had just got to the company for the interview when he was told someone else had already got the job and then he left angrily.

'whats wrong with me,I keep bumping into people lately and I dont even wait to appologize.What will I tell mum now? he pondered


He decided he was going to have a rethink about his life.
since he was off from work
'this isn't me any more, this isn't me ' he thought.

Tracy was walking down the hallway again,but this time not nervously.
She was happy,her first week at work had been amazing. She had been welcomed by all and sundry. she was still in thought when suddenly someone accidentally hit and spilt some coffee on her nice dress.
It was a lady.
"Why couldn't you watch your movement? "she said.

"that question should be redirected to you, because you were walking like you were in some sort of a haze and you collided with me when I was taking a sip of my coffee" the lady replied harshly

"Oh really now , when ever was coffee made to drink while walking or perhaps you need to learn some etiquettes which you must have missed" tracy said

"Miss,I think you rather need to be taught a lesson to think before you spew words to people" the pretty lady had replied

"So a pot is calling a kettle black right. you need some help SUCKER " Tracy said

apparently,the lady was angered and pulled tracy by the hair and only for tracy to retaliate by pulling her likewise.

A security guard had earlier saw them and was coming prolly to seperate them when things changed... even onlookers were suprised.


"hahaha, you're such an actress hunny " tracy said

"lol, who'd have thought" the lady replied

the guard , obviously confused came up to tracy and asked.

"ma'am I thought you needed some help"

"lol,tracy said we were just acting and then whispered, she's my best friend Pearl.

"oh sorry ma'am the guard had replied and went away steathily.
"Tracy, iv missed you so much and that's why i decided to come to you since you wouldn't come anyway. And you know I can't come to your house because of your dad.You know..."

"shhh, tracy had said. that's a story for another day.
anyway,I'm currently on my lunch break so let's go out shall we?"

"Of course, let's check out this new restaurant at..." pearl said

Both friends held hands as they left the premises.

guys i'd love it if I get a critism and/or one or two comments. xoxo

Pearl and Tracy arrived at the bar and ordered some drinks
"Tracy,there's something I would like to tell you"

"yes ,go on ." Tracy replied.

"I don't know how to put this but umm, I'll be leaving for the states soon"

she paused,looked up to Tracy and then continued.
Trei (as she fondly called her bestie) , I just got a training opportunity, you know I have always wanted to be an interior decor even though I studied mass com in the university which was as a result of my aunts preference.

Now I have the opportunity and I don't wants to let it go cos I..."

"Pearl, Tracy interrupted, I understand you and every decision you've made.
I care so much about you, you are my best friend, the only one I'll ever have.
Ever since your parents passed away, I have been your sister,mother,father and everything you've always lacked and needed.
Even when my Dad was(and still is ) against you because he feels you're a bad influence,We have tried to prove to him you're not.

Even through your numerous heartbreaks I have never been against you and I won't start now.
I love you Pearl and I would always support you through thick and thin..."

Pearl sobbed " I love you too Trei,I have been a bad girl in recent times, defying all but you still continue to stand by me.
I don't know what i'd have done without you here with me, Thanks so much for understanding me"
She sobbed louder and Tracy made to comfort her...



Pearl had indeed been unlucky in life , from her parents death while she was still young via road accident.
Leaving her to he indifferent aunt who cared less about her, to her numerous heartbreaks by guys whom she thought she had found solace with.

Tracy was such an amazing friend,she had loved Pearl so dearly ,which was well reciprocated or so she thought.



-----------------------------------------------------------

Good work. More ink to ur pen.

Ride on fabz. Following

GEORGE
he arrived home later that night,although disappointed he decided not to lose hope. Afterall, "the lord closes a door, somewhere else he opens a window"

He had really been angered that day. having gotten there, full dressed and ready for the interview he was told someone else had already got the job.

he silently cursed in his mind and felt like slapping the secretary.

He had gotten home that day to the prying arms of his mum.

she had complained and complained up to an extent that he left the house annoyed and decided to get a few drinks


having been drinking for a while,he had got a phone call.
it was his mum

"hello mum"

"george,please come home fast your sister has just been involved in an accident"

"what he said hysterically. I'm coming home right away"

he loved his family so much and couldn't stand them getting hurt. he had quickly paid and headed home.


----------------------------------------------------------
Pearl was walking down a lonely road.

she had been such a stubborn dam.
She went clubbing again, perhaps hoping to get lucky with a guy, but had ended up fighting with a girl who thought she was there to steal her man.

she had been called a sl*t, home wrecker and what have you!

She was wondering however her life took the wrong direction, when she was suddenly accosted by two guys...
"hey,what's a pretty lady like you doing out here by this time" the first guy said

"maybe she needs some Help" the second guy replied

"or some warmth" the first guy smirked and moved to block her movement

"don't you dare come near me" pearl said as she made to run, but was unlucky as she tripped and fell.

"Just be a nice girl and give it to us willingly, cos by the way you are dressed, we know you're a sl*t" the 1st guy said

"please don't come near me she said as she struggled to cover up part of her exposed body"

they laughed and came closer, about to pull her up, when suddenly she heard some shouts and hits.

"Let the young lady go" he said

she could recognise his voice and Yes,she could recognise his face too.

after much scuffle,the area boys ran away.

"thank you mister" she said as he pulled her from the ground.

"I suggest next time,you don't keep late nights you could be hurt" he said as he scurried away.

"wait", she shouted. "you haven't even told me your name"

he was gone.

Nice, you're trying and also getting better with every post.

you reduced your usage of 'she' and 'he' which you routinely used on almost every line. Although your last post has more than ten lines starting with a he/she.

Try to be less predictable, identify your characters with other features.

Keep it up, Nairaland wasn't built in a day.

Imanuelle:
Nice, you're trying and also getting better with every post.

you reduced your usage of 'she' and 'he' which you routinely used on almost every line. Although your last post has more than ten lines starting with a he/she.

Try to be less predictable, identify your characters with other features.

Keep it up, Nairaland wasn't built in a day.

thanks cud u pls gv me an example of another feauture I cud use. I keep thinking, haven't found an alternative yet.

I'm now following you. I'll give you some necessary corrections soon. Go through my profile and read a little of my novel and see what a novel should be like. Thank you. Mention me later so that I don't forget

Neduzze5:
I'm now following you. I'll give you some necessary corrections soon. Go through my profile and read a little of my novel and see what a novel should be like. Thank you. Mention me later so that I don't forget

yes sir, gone through your novel. Nice storyline btw
so what advice would like to chip in for us upcoming authors.

Fabzgrace:

yes sir, gone through your novel. Nice storyline btw
so what advice would like to chip in for us upcoming authors.

There are many of them. Just give me till evening. I'm having a very busy day currently.


Just remember to call your supporters here to vote for Miss Tohpahz via this link

https://www.nairaland.com/2322733/miss-nairaland-contest-2015-elimination

Please go to that link.. And type

I Vote tohpahz
Cc: NlJega

sorry guys for the late update.


George had gotten home just in time for his sister. She was apparently hit by a vehicle, whose owner took to his heels after the accident. she was at home with their mother.
"oh my God Martha, How did all these happen?"

george was obviously asking a rhetorical question as no one answered.

"she'll be all right. Some kind friends of mine bought her some medicine" his mum said

"I wish we could take her to the hospital mum"

"Yea I wish for that too, but we just don't have the means George. I hope nothing bad would happen to your sister " she said and cried

"Mum, its okay. You know what, let's take her to the hospital now. I'll find a way to pay the bills. I just can't leave her this way" George said

They all took her there.

*****

"Hello trei" Pearl said on the phone

"Pearl hunny, How are you doing?" Tracy replied

"I'm good, I called to ask if I could come visit.

My aunt is out and I'm so bored..."

"of course hun, you can come over. dad's not home" trei chuckled.

Pearl was there in a couple of minutes.

"wow so fast, Tracy said as she came out to her. were you out my window all the time?"

"Of course not, but I was actually on my way, I knew you wouldn't say no" Pearl chuckled.

"come on in pearl, Mum has missed you "

They both went in.

George was in quite a haze.

He was jolted to reality when his phone buzzed.
It was a text message.
It read

"Mr George X you have been invited for a second interview with XYZ company. Time is 8.00am
Please be prompt."

George was so fixated, he couldn't decipher.

He didn't think he'd be called Back after he had been told someone else had got the Job.

He was thankful he didn't punch the secretary in the face when he had the urge to.

perhaps,he wouldn't have been called back then.

George was happy nonetheless,he had some washing to do.

****

Pearl was still at Tracy's house.

"You know trei,its really hard to find you at home when you're always working" she said

"LOL Pearl its called 'time off'. Im obviously on a leave.
I had a couple of things to do "

"Trei I was almost violated last night, I was lucky a nice lad came to my rescue"

"Haven't I warned to about staying out late? Tracy queried Now see what had almost happened to you. Pearl its not the end of the world Charles left you. You're a very pretty lady and I'm sure the one for you is still in line. Please don't ever try staying out late again, or even if you do call me I'll be right there..."

"Hush, stop acting like my mother trei. Like I said it 'ALMOST' happened, it 'DIDNT' happen. Ok I promise, I'll always call you anytime I'm out late okay."

Both friends laughed it off.

"Trei , My Visa is completed and i'd be gone at the end of this month" Pearl said

"So you're really gonna leave me Pearl." Tracy wore a sad look on her face.

"Its just for two years not like its gonna be forever ,you know,I wish you could come with me"

"yea, I wish that too. I'm going to miss you bestie, You're even more than a best friend, you're my sister."

"come here panda bear" Pearl said.

They both hugged.