‎Chapter Three – Goodbye, Home

‎The morning air was cool.

‎The compound, which had been filled with laughter only an hour ago, slowly became quiet.

‎The suitcases had already been loaded into the car.

‎Her passport.

‎Her admission letter.

‎Her visa.

‎Everything had been checked at least three times.

‎Her mother still wasn't satisfied.

‎"Karo."

‎"Mummy?"

‎"You sure say you carry your charger?"

‎Karo laughed.

‎"Mummy, I carry am."

‎"You check?"

‎"I check."

‎"You sure?"

‎"Mummy..."

‎Both of them laughed.

‎Her younger brother leaned against the gate with his hands inside his pockets.

‎"So..."

‎"You don finally dey go."

‎Karo nodded.

‎"I go miss disturbing you."

‎He folded his arms proudly.

‎"I no go miss you."

‎She raised an eyebrow.

‎"Really?"

‎"Yes."

‎"So all my biscuits na your own now?"

‎His eyes widened.

‎"Ehn..."

‎She smiled.

‎"I know you."

‎He scratched the back of his head.

‎"I go miss the biscuits small."

‎She burst into laughter.

‎"See your life."

‎He smiled too.

‎Then, before anyone noticed...

‎He quietly slipped something into her hoodie pocket.

‎She looked at him.

‎"Wetin be this?"

‎"No open am now."

‎"Why?"

‎"Just keep am."

‎She wanted to ask again...

‎But she saw the expression on his face.

‎For once...

‎He wasn't joking.

‎She simply nodded.

‎"Thank you."

‎He quickly looked away.

‎"I no do anything."

‎A horn sounded outside.

‎The driver had arrived.

‎Her mother took a deep breath.

‎"I think... time don reach ."

‎The words hung heavily in the air.

‎Nobody moved immediately.

‎It suddenly became real.

‎Her father picked up the largest suitcase.

‎"I go put this for boot."

‎Karo reached for another.

‎"I fit carry this one."

‎"I know."

‎He smiled.

‎"But today...

‎"...make me do am."

‎She understood.

‎She let him.

‎Before getting into the car...

‎Her mother held both of her hands.

‎"You don become woman now."

‎Karo smiled shyly.

‎"Mummy..."

‎"When you reach there..."

‎"Remember where you come from."

‎"I will."

‎"No let anybody pressure you."

‎"I won't."

‎"Face your books first."

‎"I will."

‎"If anything worry you..."

‎"Call us."

‎"I promise."

‎Her mother gently touched her cheek.

‎"I'm proud of you."

‎Tears gathered in Karo's eyes.

‎"I'll make you proud."

‎"You already have."

‎Her father stood beside them quietly.

‎He wasn't a man of many words.

‎"Karo."

‎She turned.

‎"Yes, Daddy?"

‎He looked at her for a long moment.

‎Then he said,

‎"Observe."

‎She blinked.

‎He smiled.

‎"Before you make any decision..."

‎"...look carefully."

‎She nodded.

‎"I'll remember."

‎"I know."

‎Just then...

‎A familiar ringtone interrupted the emotional moment.

‎📱 Big Bro Calling...

‎Karo answered immediately.

‎"Small Madam."

‎She laughed through her tears.

‎"Na only Small Madam I be..."

‎"...I tell u say na Rich Madam or big madam now."

‎He laughed.

‎"So...

‎You don dey cry?"

‎"Who tell you?"

‎"I know you."

‎She smiled.

‎"You know me too much."

‎There was a short silence.

‎Then he spoke.

‎"Listen."

‎"No matter how far America be..."

‎"This house na your house."

‎"If anybody tell you otherwise..."

‎"...dem dey lie."

‎Karo swallowed the lump in her throat.

‎"I know."

‎"And..."

‎He paused.

‎"If anybody stress my Small Madam..."

‎"...call me."

‎She laughed.

‎"You wan fly come America?"

‎"I go trek sef."

‎She laughed even harder.

‎"😂 Dey play."

‎"I'm serious."

‎"I know."

‎The whole family gathered together.

‎One last photograph.

‎Three...

‎Two...

‎One...

‎Smile.

‎The camera flashed.

‎None of them knew...

‎It would become one of the most treasured pictures they had.

‎The journey to the airport was quieter than Karo expected.

‎She watched familiar roads pass by.

‎Roadside fruit sellers.

‎Yellow buses.

‎Children in school uniforms.

‎Small shops opening for business.

‎Everything looked...

‎Ordinary.

‎Yet somehow...

‎More beautiful than ever.

‎Maybe...

‎Because she was seeing it as someone about to leave.

‎As the airport came into view...

‎Karo took a slow breath.

‎Her heart began beating faster.

‎This wasn't just a trip anymore.

‎It was the beginning of a completely new life.

‎She looked out of the window one last time.

‎Softly...

‎Almost like a prayer...

‎She whispered,

‎"I'll come back."

‎End of Chapter Three

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