"No dear you have no new designer dress. Moreover i dont want people seeing my only child becoming this fat" she walked away quickly before Vanessa could protest.

When her mother had left, she tried watching the t.v but it was all static even though it really wasn't. She grabbed her phone to call Sadiq and tell him how bored she was then she remembered she was giving him some space.

She scrolled down her contact and intended calling Majid Majid. They had both gone to the same high school but he wasnt currently in the country. It was almost as if Mm jnr was travelling around the globe; in Paris today, Germany the next week and so on.

"He has probably left Australia" imagined Vanessa after she had dialed his Australia number and it wasnt reachable. Most times he was the one who usually called her when he arrived in a new country. He would send her pictures and they would skype.

Who knows, maybe he is in Los angeles now.

With no one else relevant to call, she pushed her phone aside and grabbed her Apple tablet. She scrolled down Linda Ikeji's blog and there was no story about her on it, she checked Bella naija blog and still nothing!

That's it! She flunged the tablet away, turned off the light and dozed off.

Oh! poor drama queen Vanessa. Enjoy the nightmares.
....................

After breakfast the next morning, Sadiq was in his room, in the pretence of studying for his exam. Anty had come to check on him several times and he had to alternate between his laptop and the exam preparation booklet. Kazim was told not to disturb him.

When he was sure Anty wasn't coming back to check on him again he concentrated on the movie on his laptop. The movie was boring, and so was this town.

An email alert rang on his phone and
opening it, it was a mail he had subscribed to from one of those bloggers. It read;

Has Bad Girl Vanessa Turned Good?
Below this title were some pictures of Vanessa entering a charity home with six bags of goodies and coming out with an empty hand.

Vanessa loved kids especially motherless kid. Bloggers and celebrities!

Sadiq didnt pay attention to the article written about Vanessa. His attention was on Vanessa's pix. She was beautiful and all but that wasnt what attracted him to her. Funny thing was that he didnt know what attracted him to her ; all he knew was that he liked and cared for her.

Like a brother?

Well he has always saved her like a brother. He saved her from herself and from the nosy bloggers. But was that why he loved her?

Was it because her life was adventurious while his wasn't and being
with her brought adventure to his life?
So now he is under the illusion that he is inlove with her when actually it was her lifestyle he really loved!

The next couple of days were less boring, probabaly because Kazim's siblings were now on holidays.

It will be only fair of me to introduce Kazim's siblings; Rofiat the immediate younger sister of Kazim was the most cheerful person you will ever meet. She was abit fair in complexion and good
looking. Just 27 and was already engaged.

Rofiat immediate younger sister; Hanat, 24, was very fair in complexion, nice, pretty and very jovial.

Fatima who is two years younger than Hanat was slim and much prettier and her shyness gave her a more feminine advantage.

Her younger sister Humaira, 18, was
dark in complexion unlike her other sisters. Last but not the least are the two fair twin. Very tiny they were but their havoc could disrupt the whole house. In all they were fun to be around.

Sadiq's room was never empty, the twins had made it an habit to run in and out and litter the whole place. It was funny at first but gradually it became irritating but he still loved them so much.

Humaira was usually the heroine who always attempted dragging them out of his room but this was usually a failure as she and Sadiq would race around trying to capture them without success, in the end they would find comfort sitting on the tiled floor breathing tiredlessly from chasing the twins.

It was all fun in a way and gradually Humaira and Sadiq became tight friends. He hanged around her other siblings as well but he was more closer to her.

The boring town came alive for Sadiq. He was enjoying every moment and wished it never ended. He was too caught up with the fun that he forgot that the next day was the exam.

Anyway it doesn't matter does it? I mean, he wants to fail the exam and go back to meet Vanessa.

"I cant afford to fail this exam." Blurted Sadiq to himself.

Well nobody is surprised. I saw this coming. Failing this exam would mean not returning here again, not seeing this beautiful family again!

"That cant happen" murmured Sadiq locking himself up in his room as he tried to study, last minute study! But he couldn't, he couldn't concentrate. It was a funny sight to look at; he was eager to read to pass but he couldnt assimilate anything and that frustrated him because he really wanted to pass... No he really 'needed' to pass!

And as if the devil had his own plans Sadiq received an email alert. Obviously from the bloggers. At first he didnt want to read it because earlier the week there was a news blast that Vanessa was caught getting high on cocaine at a fashion show. All bloggers
carried the news and it was all about Vanessa. She was sent to jail and bailed out by her father immediately.

One thing Sadiq knew for sure was that Vanessa won't carelessly sniff that substance in an event unless she intentionally did it to get caught, in which case she will enjoy alot of attention from the bloggers which was exactly what she wanted.

I think that's called publicity stunt. A little crime and a lot of attention.

Opening the mail revealed a quick interview with Vanessa at a gala celebrity event. Sadiq read it;

"Miss Vanessa could you tell us who you are wearing?"asked the host

"I am wearing one of Ameenah Olaitan dress. The bag and accessories are by her too" flaunted Vanessa proudly.

Ameenah Olaitan was a fashionist, writer and blogger and she was good at it all. Talk about a jack of all trade and mistress of all.

"Wonderful. You look amazing. Now please could you tell us what your reaction is to the blogger who slammed you following your being caught with cocaine by calling you; an over privileged irresponsible girl whose modelling career was over?" the host
asked but it was obvious that she enjoyed the insinuations about Vanessa.

Without being irritated Vanessa replied bravely,"Sticks and stones may break my bones but the bloggers words only make me stronger."

"Is this some ploy to stop me from studying" muttered Sadiq bitterly.

The ploy he was talking about was seeing a picture of Vanessa holding hands with the guy he had seen her with at the galleria, the day he had made a fool of himself.

But she told him there was nothing going on between them, why were they then holding hands, in public! thought Sadiq, examing the picture closely. He was so enthralled that he didn't know when Kazim came in and was observing the picture from behind him.

Sadiq...abeg 4gt woman mata nd read 4 ur exam... :p . No tym oo.... ...lolzz #still here#

debdave:
Sadiq...abeg 4gt woman mata nd read 4 ur exam... :p . No tym oo.... ...lolzz
#still here#

Pls help me tell him oooooooooo

"I didn't know the post umte question would be set from a picture of a girl holding hands with a guy!"said Kazim sacarstically and the frightened Sadiq almost had his heart fall out from his chest out of fear that it was Anty.

"Dont you make sound when you walk?!" Exclaimed Sadiq.

"I was as loud as a lady walking with bangles tied to her foot. You're still obsessed with this your celeb of a girl!" Kazim rather disappointedly.

"No i'm not" sadiq shot back.

Kazim took a glance at the web page again, " Yes you're. Come on lets go out, you'll meet new people plus consider it as a treat before you travel back home this week" and he flipped Sadiq's laptop down and flung him his thick hood.

"Allow me brush my hair" Said Sadiq as Kazim dragged him.

"You're fine lets go" he said and pulled him along like a kid that didnt want to go to school.

"But what about my exam? It's tomorrow!" Reminded Sadiq.

"Come on. Its me you're talking to, we both know you don't want to school here. You can do your little act when you're with my mom"

At this point Sadiq didnt know whether to tell him that he was in love with this town.

"Okay lets go" replied Sadiq.

They were both outside when Kazim remembered that he had forgotten the car key.

"I will be right back" said Kazim, sprinting away.

The street was empty except for two weird lookng old ladies that were approaching. They were staring at Sadiq and were exchanging words. Sadiq's arm were on the roof of the car backing the road while replying a new bbm message.

As the women walked passed him he heard them whisper while still staring at him.

"Do you think he knows?" The first lady asked.

"I don't think so. He looks so clueless. Look at him" the second lady whispered and they both looked at Sadiq.

Sadiq heard it all. But he didn't know who or what they were talking about, but they were concentrating on him.

"Sorry i had to take a bite from the pie my sisters are making" Kazim announced as he came out with a full mouth.

They drove around and Sadiq met with several friends of Kazim. After meeting his friends they drove to a wedding ceremony. It was an hausa couple but the theme of the wedding was indian.

Surely, it was one of the most colourful wedding he has ever been to.

It was 7pm when they got back home. After the evening prayer they all gathered to eat dinner.

"How was your day?" Rofiat to Sadiq

"It was okay" shrugged Sadiq.

Kazim paused and took a surprise glance at Sadiq; " Okay!?" He asked Sadiq rhetorically. "He had a great day. You should have seen him singing and dancing today!" Laughed Kazim.

Everyone laughed and Sadiq also demonstrated how their elder brother; Kazim danced.

"You should have taken me along" said Hanat sadly.

"I'm sorry sis. I just wanted to show him around and we accidentally landed at the wedding" explained Kazim.

"Isn't tomorrow your exam?!" Jumped in Anty. Sadiq nodded and Kazim made an excuse to go dish more meal.

He was obviously fleeing away!

"And you two went out to have fun?" She queried Sadiq who has been left behind by Kazim.

"I have studied enough. I'm well prepared" he lied.

"I hope you're ready. Your mom will be very happy if you get admitted here" she replied.

Yeah me too. I think i like it here as well.

"Me too" replied Sadiq.

"Yaushe zaka je Lagos?" Humaira asked Sadiq in her native dialect.

Sadiq had a smile on his lips and replied " You know i only understand 'go' and 'come'."

"I'm trying to teach you that's why im speaking it with you."

"I appreciate that. But I'm learning fast ain't i?" Asked Sadiq.

"Well. You are trying."

"So tell me the meaning of what you said earlier."

"I was asking when you'll be leaving for Lagos" answered Humaira.

"Seems someone is going to miss me" smiled Sadiq wickedly.

"Hahah" laughed Humaira and added " You wish. I just want to know because i heard my mom asking you about the exam you'll be writing tomorrow"

Still undecided he replied; "I'm not sure yet. Probably next tomorrow".

Humaira lips twitched and her charming eyes looked dull. She suggested carefully " The festive period is just next week, why don't you just celebrate it here before you travel back. I promise you will love the experience."

"Maybe i will take you on your offer" said Sadiq in a thoughtful manner.

There was a sly smile on Humaira face. They finally said good night, actually she's the one that suggested they call it a night so that he can wake up early for his exam.

I have a feeling Sadiq will pass the exams tommorrow...and will find what he's looking for in this town...#fingers crossed#
Am i the only one reading this or what?.
Mattkent...Where are the others?.
#nice one BTW#

nice story

debdave:
I have a feeling Sadiq will pass the exams tommorrow...and will find what he's looking for in this town...#fingers crossed#
Am i the only one reading this or what?.
Mattkent...Where are the others?.
#nice one BTW#

U r almost right tho..but abt finding what he is looking for in this town I don't know.

I think u r d only reading it actually.

Mattkent:


U r almost right tho..but abt finding what he is looking for in this town I don't know.

I think u r d only reading it actually.

But why nah? .
Is it that they're not enjoying the story or what?.

debdave:

But why nah? .
Is it that they're not enjoying the story or what?.

Obviously yes. Maybe the story is boring

Mattkent:

Obviously yes. Maybe the story is boring

Don't know about others. But,i sure don't find this story boring at all. Is this your first attempt?

Ghostmode deactivated! I'm here too....

debdave:

Don't know about others. But,i sure don't find this story boring at all.
Is this your first attempt?

Not really. Been writing short stories b4 this.

stez:
nice story

Thanks a lot.

heemah:
Ghostmode deactivated! I'm here too....

Lol...okay...I see you now. I tot Deb was the only faithful reader I had.

Mattkent:

Not really. Been writing short stories b4 this.

Ok

m still here brother

present sir !!!

I have been following but the updates are kind of short...my personal opinion...good story tho

Eager to know the outcome, kudos Mattkent.

debdave:

Ok

Thanks for ur encouragement tho. If it aren't for u...I might have quit writing again.

Btw this story is based on a real life event....with some modification sha.

omoshelwa:
m still here brother

I can understand if u r away for awhile...cos you've obviously read this parts b4.

olarafiat:
present sir !!!

Welcome my student...

Now line up with the rest

Cauchy01:
I have been following but the updates are kind of short...my personal opinion...good story tho

I will try to make it longer. I only made it shorter cos I imagined no one would like to read sth that long. Thanks again.

Missmossy:
Eager to know the outcome, kudos Mattkent.

Hmmm...I tot I lost u as a reader.

Mattkent:

Hmmm...I tot I lost u as a reader.

No o, still following.

Mattkent:

Hmmm...I tot I lost u as a reader.

No o, still following.

Still following...
Mayb it's because am sitting for putme just like Sadiq

Am following too o, keep up the good job

MattKent, u know i'm a prodigal reader, sorry but this is genius baby, pure/unalduterated genius! U r one of a kind.

Pukka36:
Still following...
Mayb it's because am sitting for putme just like Sadiq

Really!......wish u success in ur exams, afterwards come back here.