Hi!

This chapter is going to be pretty long, so bear with me🥺💖.

Enjoy the read, it's gonna be a bit of an emotional roller coaster, sha.

~~~~~~~
It's been a long time,
without you my friend.
I'll tell you all about it,
when I see you again.
~~~~~~~
- Charlie Puth~Wiz Khalifa
(See You Again)

Chetachi

Gasping, I shot up in bed and clutched my sheets.

I breathed steadily to quench the nausea built up from the nightmare I'd just had.

My phone rang abruptly and I picked it up without bothering to check the caller ID.

"Uhh....hello?" I said, scrubbing at my eyes.

"Rarity, dahhrrrling!" the shrill voice sounded through the voice.

"Grandma?"

"Yes, my dear. Just called to wish you a happy birthday, dahhrrrling!"

"Wha-?"

Pulling my phone to face me, I saw that it was 4:00 a.m, 8th of October.

My fucking birthday.

Our fucking birthday.

"Your 17th birthday, dahhrrrling," my grandmother said.

"Um, yeah, thanks Grannie," I said, swinging my legs over the edge of my bed. " Where exactly are you, though?"

"At the vacation house in St. Lucia, sweetheart."

"Papi?"

"Taking a synchronised swimming class with a few of our neighbours."

That made me chuckle the slightest bit.

I put my phone on video call.

Immediately, I was blessed with a clear image of my gorgeous grandmother, her defined square face devoid of wrinkles as usual and her whitened hair still as thick and as long as ever.

She smiled a regal, almost condescending smile at me.

It was no surprise that she and my grandfather had jetted off to some tropical destination just for kicks.

Not to brag, but Adigwes came from old money, and I'm talking old, like from the time when kings ruled.

Our family is known to produce the best lawyers in the country and the continent at large.

Well, my dad's side of the family is.

"I sent you some money, dahhrrrling. A couple thousand dollars to spend as you like."

My heart thudded, remembering the time when she'd given Tochi and I money on our 9th birthday and we ended up spending most of it on ice-cream.

"Thanks, Grannie."

She nodded. "Note that this money is for you and you alone. I don't want to hear that your mother took any of it. She's already done enough gold digging from your father to want to rip you off too."

I pursed my lips and nodded back.

Unfortunately, my mum's side of the family didn't have the best reputation, and Grannie never failed to remind us all of the fact.

"Alright,dahhrrrling, I've got to go now. I have a seaweed facial appointment in 10 minutes."

"Bye Grannie; say hi to Papi for me."

She blew a kiss and ended the call.

Placing my phone down, I looked round the room, my eyes adjusting to the darkness.

When we were younger, I hated the dark, and I wouldn't sleep without a nightlight.

Until Tochi helped me.

"It's okay, Tachi. I'm here," she'd said. "Just hold my hand, you'll be okay."

I glanced at my digital clock, specifically at the date.

It really was the 8th of October.

It really was my birthday.

Our birthday....but she's not here.

The realisation slammed into me like a train at top speed, the way it does every single day.

I switched the lights on and my eyes instinctively closed at the sudden brightness.

Tochi's gone....and she's not coming back.

My puppy, Bangtan, who was finally back from the vet, stirred in her doggy beg before coming to meet me.

I remembered how I'd begged and pleaded severally for a dog before my parents finally got me one.

"But you don't need a dog, Chetachi," Mum had said, trying to reason with me.

"I know, but Tochi always wanted a dog!"

Smiling now, I ruffled Bangtan's fluffy fur.

"She would've loved you," I said, planting a kiss on the small dog.

Then I got up and headed to the bathroom.

After showering, I stared and stared in the mirror.

Looking at me was like looking at Tochi.

We were exactly alike, the most identical of identical twins.

Our hair, our eyes, our noses, our lips.

Every contour of our faces was the same; every line.

We were the same height, size and weight.

Same voice even.

Only our parents, ourselves, Deja and other identical twins could tell us apart.

I kept staring till I felt something warm and liquid drop on my cheek.

I wiped it away.

Am I crying? The day hasn't even begun yet.

Chuckling bitterly, I left the bathroom to get dressed.

Today was a Wednesday, a school day that fell into our test week.

I slipped into my uniform and put on a bright pink sweatshirt I had.

"If I die, promise me you won't wear black at my funeral. Wear hot pink instead," Tochi had joked to Deja and I one time.

"Don't talk like that,sis. Besides we still have decades to live," I had replied with a laugh, brushing the statement aside.

Ironically, she died 3 weeks after that.

I shook my head and settled down at my desk where my books lay open.

Today was not going to be easy at all.

Memories would keep playing like videos in my head throughout the day.

With a sigh, I opened my drawer and reached for my emergency flask of whiskey.

Two swigs later, my throat was burning but my head had cleared.

I turned my attention to my books.

.......

About 45 minutes later, there was a knock on the door that I knew was Mum and Dad.

I arranged my books swiftly into my bag and dropped my flask in it, just in case.

"Come in," I said, my voice hoarse.

Mum stepped in, dressed in pink.

She looked so fresh and pretty and she immediately wrapped me in a big hug.

"Seventeen," she whispered, stroking my hair. " My baby girl is seventeen."

A lump formed in my throat.

It would have been baby girls if not for....that night.

Dad stepped in with a pink tie on his neck.

He also hugged me, his strong arms nearly crushing me.

"Why does it feel like just yesterday I was bringing you back from the hospital?" he asked rhetorically.

Why does it feel like just yesterday I was with my twin sister?

In response, I shrugged and cracked my knuckles.

"Since we're all ready, I think it's time to go. That way, Tachi can get to school for her test," Mum said.

I nodded and Dad planted a kiss on my forehead.

"We'll be in the car," he said and they left together.

" 'Tan," I called my dog, causing her to turn gigantic brown eyes to me.

"Stay here, okay? I'm going to see Tochi."

.......

The entire drive, I had a notebook in my laps, but I kept thinking.

I'm now seventeen.

Seventeen.....seven years since she passed.

Seven years since that night...that man.

Oh God! That man!

That man I'd shot, leaving him in a pool of horrible, red, red blood.

My stomach churned and I felt like throwing up.

"Tachi, are you okay?" asked Mum, observing me through the rear-view mirror.

"I'm fine."

When she looked away, I reached for my flask and took two more large gulps.

Please, I pleaded with my mind. Please think of just Tochi today.

Happy thoughts only.

I closed my eyes and remembered that time when we were six and we lip-synched to Taylor Swift in the kitchen as our mum baked, using mixing spoons as microphones.

I remembered when we were eight and we went on a family trip to Italy, and Tochi fell in 'love' with a cute,mixed boy called Antonio.

I remembered one summer when we wore the exact same thing and styled our hair the exact same way every single day, confusing the hell out of our parents.

I remembered when our parents got us our silver, connecting, heart necklaces.

I remembered convincing her to go our classmate's birthday party.

"I don't wanna go, sis!" Tochi had stubbornly protested.

"Please, sis, for me?"

I remembered leaving the party late and getting held up by robbers.

I remembered-

"We're here," Dad announced and my eyes swept open.

I stepped out of the car.

The cemetery was open but pretty much deserted as it was rather early this Wednesday morning.

We walked the now familiar path to where Tochi was buried.

As usual, I nearly choked as I read the name on the tombstone.

Chenatochi Raquelle Oluoma Derora Adigwe.

Her date of death was about a month after that.

We all placed fresh flowers in the vase beside the tombstone.

Then I left my parents so they could he their own time with her.

When they were done, they left me.

I knelt in front of the tombstone as usual and said a very brief prayer.

After that I talked to Tochi.

"Hey, sis! I know it's been a while since we last came to see you, but things have been crazy. Like, I'm in SS3 now. And I'm Library Prefect, Deja is Chem Lab Prefect and Beryl is Social Prefect. It's kinda crazy that all three of us were given positions,isn't it? Oh,and before I forget-"

I dug around in my pocket for a carefully folded piece of paper I tucked in at the last minute.

When we turned 10, we each made a list of '18 things to do before 18'.

My own list has long gone missing, but I held onto Tochi's.

Over the years, I've completed the list such that there are only three items left.

"Number 16: Kiss/Date a really cute guy," I read out, before pocketing the list again. "I'm currently working on this one, sis, and I think you'll approve of him."

I paused and giggled.

"It's my plan that's really funny; I've been watching him since SS2 and I noticed that he either goes out for the drill or doesn't. So, when I saw his friends go and not him, I stayed back as well. Then as he came out, I came out, 'tripped' and doused him with my drink."

I paused and laughed again.

"That bit was pure luck, though. But the timing was perfect and I think I deserve an Oscar for my performance. Sha, we've hung out a bit and things are going well."

From then, I went on to relay everything I could remember that happened since we last came.

When I was done, I stood up and and dusted my knees.

"I've gotta go now, sis. I have tests today, but don't worry about me. I love and miss you so much."

With one last look at Tochi's name, I turned to meet my parents and we all left.

.......

In the car, I got a call from my cousin, Axel.

"Happy birthday, Che- what the hell? Arix!"

I heard a scuffle before someone spoke again.

"Cousin Chetachi!"

A smile spread on my face. It was my baby cousin, Arix.

"Hey, Arix."

"Happy birthday!"

"Thanks."

"Oh, wait, my mum wants to talk to you."

I heard the phone being passed to my aunt.

"Hello, Chetachi."

"Good morning, Aunty."

"Morning, dear. Happy birthday."

"Thanks, ma."

"Is your mother there?"

"Yeah."

"Please tell her to pick my calls, we have to talk."

"Um, okay."

"Good. I'm handing the phone back to your cousin now."

I waited till Arix spoke again.

"I miss you, Cousin Chetachi," she said and I visualised her pouting.

"Me too," I replied. "But shouldn't you be at school right now?"

"Axel is supposed to take me, but-"

She was cut off by loud shouts and the sound of something breaking.

"But Daddy and Aston are fighting," she completed with a whisper.

I blinked.

"Aston's back?"

"Yeah, do you want to speak to him?"

"No, no, it's okay," I said, not exactly wanting to engage my rebel cousin in any form of conversation.

"Okay!" Arix chirped. "I have to go now, bye!"

The call was cut before I could even respond.

I sighed and pocketed my phone.

.......

"Happy birthday, Chetachi!" Deja and Beryl chorused as I approached the elevators, catching me totally by surprise.

Then they pounced on me with hugs.

Before I knew it, Beryl had draped a gold sash that read; Birthday Girl on top of my sweatshirt.

At the same time, Deja balanced what looked like a gold tiara on my head.

"What's all this?" I asked.

Beryl blinked at me. " Um...hello? Bitch, you were birthed today! And you never let us do fun stuff for you, so we planned a sneak attack."

My heart was swelling with emotion but I just chuckled and took off the tiara.

"We have tests to write," I deadpanned.

"Miss Adigwe  you will kindly put that back on, or I will ballet kick you in your pretty little face," Beryl threatened with a sweet smile.

Deja stood with her arms crossed and a an almost pleading look on her face.

"You should try and be happy on your birthday, Chetachi," she had whispered to me last year and the years before when I had refused to celebrate in any way.

Sighing, I put the tiara back on.

"Happy?" I asked Beryl.

"Ecstatic!" she replied.

As we got on the elevator, Deja held my arm.

"You went to see Tochi, right?" she whispered.

I nodded and she rubbed my arm.

Beryl doesn't know, but Deja does.

She knows everything,even what I did....

"Okay, so our first paper is in 20 minutes," Beryl began, successfully breaking my train of thoughts. " You might want to spend the time revising instead of entertaining well wishers."

"We'll take you to the Library and you can stay there till we start, okay?" Deja added.

"Okay."

True to their word, they escorted me to my special room.

As I opened my book for one last run through, I fingered the sash and a small smile played on my lips.

I might have lost one sister, but I have these two.

.......

The day had ended and I was bone weary.

Everyone finished on time and I had gotten up to leave when Austin picked me up bridal style and started singing at the top of his voice.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUU...!!!"

"Austin!" I had hissed at him and struggled to get free to no avail.

My classmates joined him and the other SS3s came for the show.

They all wished me well and some even gave me presents.

Beryl then made us all do a Tiktok dance for her page.

And as much as I appreciated the gesture, the whole thing left me drained.

This isn't just my birthday! I had kept on thinking as I bared fake smile after fake smile.

Right now, I'm in my Library room, sipping from my flask.

I rather like the strong effect and  scorching aftertaste.

Perfect for getting your mind off things.

Unexpectedly, someone knocked on the door.

"Chetachi?"

I smiled at the British accent.

"Come on in."

Phineas peeked and then walked in, shutting the door behind him.

"Hey," he began, before stopping short."Are you drinking?"

"Yup," I answered, raising up the flask."Want some?"

"No thanks," he replied, sitting on my desk, facing me.

I shrugged and took another sip.

"So I came to kind of apologise for not getting you anything. Heck, for not even knowing your birthday," Phineas said.

I looked up at him, into his green eyes that were like pools of liquid jade.

"It's fine," I said simply.

"I'll get you something, though."

"Why? I said it's fine."

"Because you're my friend."

I smiled and he smiled back.

Then, he reached and patted my tiara.

"Looks good on you," he commented.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

The alcohol in my system was making me a lot freer, but not to the point that I was tipsy.

I took the tiara off and placed it on Phineas'  auburn hair.

"Now it looks good on you."

He licked his lips and chuckled. "Yeah?"

"Yeah"

I realised we had leaned close to each other at this point.

I studied his perfect face, fluffy hair, beautiful eyes, full, pink lips.

Number 16.

He seemed to be looking at me too, almost distractedly.

Making up my mind quickly, I closed my eyes and raised my lips to plant a small kiss on his.

I was surprised at the softness and sweetness of them in the milliseconds before I pulled away.

His eyes went wide and he nearly tumbled of the chair in pure shock.

My heart was beating extremely fast, but I ignored it.

Number 16; Checked.

"Chetachi, you're...." Phineas began when he found his voice again. "You're drunk, aren't you?"

Not really, but you'll think I'm crazy if I explain.

Instead, I decided to go along with what he asked.

I giggled and faked a burp.

"I guess I am," I said with another exaggerated giggle.

He seemed to calm down, but still appeared flustered.

"School's practically over, so you can go home now. I..I think you should."

I burped, for real this time, and stood up. "I think I should, too."

He held my shoulders and gently sat me back down.

"Sit a bit, you don't want to get dizzy."

"Gentleman," I teased, getting my phone out to text my driver.

"But, why were you drinking?" Phineas asked, concern in his eyes.

'Cause my life is low-key shitty?

"It's my birthday, duhh!" I replied, rolling my eyes, still in character.

He looked like he wanted to ask more but kept quiet.

My phone beeped with a text and I opened it.

Nedu, my driver, had been in the area already and was now parked and waiting for me downstairs.

"They've come for me," I said, waving my phone at Phineas.

He jumped down from the table and helped my up.

Adding a little more to my acting, I pretended to stumble a bit and he held my waist to steady me.

I tried to ignore the instant butterflies I got from that brief action, but it was nearly impossible.

All I could think about were his strong yet gentle arms around me as he grabbed my bag and guided me all the way out of the Library and down the elevators, to the parking lot where Nedu was waiting.

"I guess this is where I leave," he said, finally releasing me from his mind boggling hold.

I nodded and quickly got into the car.

He stood there as I shut the door.

I brought the window down a little.

"Thanks, Phineas," I said.

You've helped in more ways than you can ever imagine.

"You're welcome. Happy birthday," he said with a smile, before turning and heading back.

I returned the window to its normal position and sat back in the car as Nedu put the car into motion.

Yes, happy birthday to me.

So,um....yay?

Please understand that Chetachi is very complicated-ish.

She'll do anything that might remotely please her sister and she uses people that way too😪💔.

Sad.

But, anyway, how was the chapter?

We got to see her grandma, and her maternal aunt and cousins.

Thoughts on them?

Some of them might appear again👀.

Secondary school birthdays, tho😂💔.

Well, that's all for now folks.

Vote, comment, share.
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