Chioma's POV.

It felt good to be finally out of the hospital, the cool air and the breeze hitting my skin and the sun smiling warmly down on us. Amanda and I got out of her car and she helped me into the house. I'd told her that I was perfectly fine, but she's insisted that I wasn't.

Getting into the house, I sat on the couch and Amanda did same too. The house was, as usual, awfully quiet. The environment felt too eery for me. No noise of any kind, only occasional shuffling of feet heard.

"You'll resume work tomorrow then? I already explained to the hospital that you weren't doing well, so you should be heading to work tomorrow" Amanda said and I nodded my head in understanding.

"Yeah" I replied. My mind going far, travelling so far. I was so worried, about my mom, my dad and Amara. As time went on, all I wanted was to go home. Staying here wasn't something I wanted to do. Being far from them wasn't anything I'd imagined. And to think that I'd caused this with my own hands. And if there's someone I miss more than anything in this world, then it's Amara. She still hasn't called and neither have I. I was afraid she wouldn't pick, ashamed to even try.

"Earth to Chioma" Amanda said, waving her hand in my face.

I immediately smiled, snapping out of my reverie. I knew Amanda could read through me like a book, and with the way her face was marred with concern, I knew she'd understood what I'd been thinking about.

One thing was on my mind though, and that was calling Amara. I wanted to make things right. I actually wanted to try to fix this whole mess. I desperately wanted to go home. I've never missed my family this much, not even when I was away in another country. At least back then I'd known that I was welcome home, I could call as many times as I wanted and on some holidays, I'd pay them a visit. Now, I couldn't even do that. And it's all my fault.

And then there's the other half of the miserable drama piece, my mom. The same woman that'd never shout at me or do anything to hurt me. The same woman who I'd always tried so hard to please and make her proud. That day, she became an entirely different person. The words she spat out of her mouth, they dug a hole in my soul. They buried something real deep, they wounded my pride and ego. They cut like a sharp razor and they hurt so bad. But yet, I couldn't blame her. I'd caused it. And heaven knows how much I tried not to think about it. Heaven knows how much I'd tried not to cry about it.

A few years back, I had everything I'd ever wanted. I had my family. Money. Cars. Respect. But now? All I have is this house, a  job, that I would've been so happy about if I were myself, and then; Amanda.

"Girl..." Amanda said to me, reaching for my hand and her voice as calm and reassuring as ever. "Stop doing that to yourself. Depression does not look good on you, at all" she said, offering me a half smile.

I shrugged, feeling the tears sting my eyes.

"I just want to go home" I replied, my voice tired and my entire being, drained.

Amanda looked at me in a way that a mother would look at a stubborn child.

"Then you have to change. Just say you're sorry. It's not that hard, try it" she said, encouragingly. I huffed air out of my mouth and took a deep breath.

"I'm... I'm..." I took a deep breath. "I'm remorseful about my__"

A smack on the head was enough to shut me up as I glared murderously at Amanda.

"Call your dad and say you're sorry, not to me! And mean it, beg, cry if you have to. I know parents, their weak spot is hearing their kids cry or hurt. It's like cracking their shell open, trust me, how did you think I've gotten my parents to do a lot of things for me when I was young, and even now? I'd just fake an injury or something of the sort. Create some drama, be creative, would ya?" she shrugged and I laughed. Happy we're still friends. I smiled at her, wishing I'd said this to her a long time ago, feeling stupid that I hadn't.

"Thank you, Amanda" I said and she smiled widely.

"Aww! You actually thanked me!" She gushed. "But for what?" She asked, almost immediately.

"For being my friend. And for continuously saving my butt, covering for me and doing so many things no one has ever tried to do for me. I know I don't say this much, and I'm saying it now cause I want you to know this, but I'm glad you put up with my nonsense for this long. Seriously, on the day I stood up for you, I'd half-expected you to actually try to be friends with me. All the other kids hated me with passion but you still tried. You kept being all goofy, crazy, funny and all that. And I swear, each day I'd go to school, I was afraid it was only a joke and you'd quit being my friend. I was even rude to you, so many times but you kept accommodating me and my behavior..."

"...even when kids told you to stop, that I'd poison your mind," I laughed, remembering all those rumors. "But you kept...you kept ignoring them. I still wonder why... cause even though I hate to say it," I let out a sigh, feeling the tears well up in my eyes. "I know I don't deserve it, not even one bit" I added and Amanda engulfed me in a super tight hug, smiling so hard, I wondered if her cheeks hurt. At this point, I let the tears come out. I'm not really a fan of all these mushy stuff but for Pete's sake! The girl does deserve some cred. I mean, I wouldn't even put up with me if I were her.

"Best freaking thing you've ever said to me! Best freaking thing, ever!" She smiled, finally letting go of me. "And you don't have to feel that way, I chose to be your friend cause I saw good in you, kinda" I laughed at her last words. "And mostly cause I knew you were lonely. You needed a friend and that's why I tried. You see? When I first met you, back in Junior school, I hated you cause of all the rumors and things you did and said back then. But then, you even stood up for me, the least thing I'd ever expected from someone like you..."

"...and I don't know if you'd known this, but the entire female population hated your guts like crazy. I remember some girls would come to me and complain about the things you've done and said to them, asking me to talk to you. I was like the intercessor. And plus, you were such a proud person cause you were the smartest in our entire set. And then you know the rest of the gist na. Madness everywhere, crazy talk, yada yada!" She laughed and I joined in too.

"I know," I laughed again. "Also, just to be clear, no one must know of any of...this" I laughed and she nodded her head in understanding.

I stared at my phone, one thing on my mind. Home.

"I want to go home" I whispered to myself but Amanda heard and nodded encouragingly at me.

"You know what you have to do then. I won't force you, it has to come from your heart. So please think about it," she got up and headed for the kitchen. "In the mean time, I'll go whip up something for us to eat. You just sit there and ponder what I just said" she hollered and walked into the kitchen.

I stared at my phone once more. I'm a phone call away from coming home.

If one phone call and one word would be all I have to do and say to go back home. Then why not at least try ? I want to go home.

I was about picking up my phone when my phone rang on my lap, where I'd kept it. The name that shown on the screen made me gasp. Happiness and nervousness rushing through my veins all at the same time. Extreme amounts of excitement filling my entire body.

Amara...

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Hola!

Okay, who missed Amara? If you did abeg comment '😌' if you did. Don't worry, we'll be seeing more of her in forthcoming chapters.

I have this goal of finishing this book this month, it still has a few more chapters to go before it draws to an end. And the only barrier between me and achieving that is...laziness😭...and stress💔

But I'll overcome it. Okay, so please comment your opinions on this chapter. Who wants more Amara flavor in the next chapter??

Y'all still miss her craziness? And who's excited to finally hear, I mean, read, Chioma say sorry to someone. Let's be taking note oh. She has said 'thank you', twice.
'Sorry' and 'please' are still pending...let's just watch and see.

PS: so sorry for the short chapter, I'll make you for it in the next chapter.

Thanks for reading this chapter, loves❤️ Your support means the world to me.

Till my next update,
Bye...