CHAP 1: {A friend}

{Abebi}

I sat on the porch, the warm breeze gently brushing against my face. I couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness. The street was quiet, as it usually was, but today it seemed even more deserted than usual. The only person I had in this whole neighborhood was my dear friend Ada, and I cherished every moment we spent together.

Ada, with her beautiful chocolate skin, had been my rock through thick and thin. We had shared countless secrets, dreams, and aspirations, making our bond unbreakable. I could always count on her to brighten my day, even in the darkest of times.

"Did she call you again?" Ada asked, her voice filled with concern. I looked up at her, my eyes betraying the weariness I felt.

"Yes, I only got two days left out of the three weeks she gave me," I replied, my voice tinged with exhaustion.

Ada's face softened, and her eyes mirrored the sympathy she felt for me.

"I am so sorry," she said, her voice filled with genuine empathy. I appreciated her words, knowing that she truly understood the weight of the situation I found myself in.

As we continued our conversation, my mind wandered to Tony, my younger twin brother. He was only 18 years old, and it felt like yesterday when we were playing together in the backyard, laughter filling the air. But life has a way of tearing families apart, and after our parents' divorce, Tony's other twin brother went away with our mother.

My eyes caught sight of Tony passing by us with his schoolbag slung over his shoulder. I called out to him, wanting to know how his day at school had been.

"Tony, how was school today?" I asked, my voice filled with genuine interest.

To my surprise, Tony didn't respond. He walked past us without even acknowledging our presence, disappearing into the house. Confusion clouded my mind, and a sense of concern washed over me. What could have happened? Why was he behaving so distantly.

I exchanged a worried glance with Ada, searching for answers in her eyes, but she seemed just as perplexed as I was. It was unlike Tony to ignore us, especially when we were the only family he had left in this neighborhood.

My heart started to race, and a knot formed in the pit of my stomach. Thoughts raced through my mind, conjuring up worst-case scenarios. Had something happened at school? Was he upset about something? The uncertainty gnawed at me, filling me with a mix of anxiety and protectiveness.

I stood up from the porch, my legs moving on autopilot, and made my way toward the house. Each step felt heavier than the last, my anticipation growing with every passing moment. I needed to find out what was going on with Tony and to be there for him as his older sister.

As I entered the house, a wave of silence enveloped me. The familiar sights and sounds of our home, usually filled with warmth and laughter, now felt eerily quiet. I called out Tony's name, my voice echoing through the empty rooms, but there was no response.

My footsteps carried me further until I reached Tony's room. The door was slightly ajar, inviting me inside. I pushed it open gently, my heart pounding in my chest, and found Tony sitting on the edge of his bed, lost in thoughts.

I approached him cautiously, my voice softening as I spoke, "Tony, what's wrong? Why didn't you answer when I asked about school?" His gaze met mine, his eyes revealing a mixture of sadness and frustration. For a moment, I saw a vulnerability in him that he rarely showed.

"I... I don't want to talk about it," he finally murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. I could sense his pain, his desire to keep his struggles to himself. But as his sister, I couldn't stand by and watch him suffer in silence.

I sat down next to him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Tony, I may not know exactly what you're going through, but I want you to know that I'm here for you. Whatever it is, we can face it together. You don't have to carry the weight on your own."

Tears welled up in his eyes, and he leaned into my embrace, seeking solace and reassurance. In that moment, our connection as siblings grew stronger, bound by love and an unspoken promise to support each other through thick and thin.

As we sat there, the outside world faded away, replaced by the sanctuary of our sibling bond. I knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, we would face them as a united front. And together, we would navigate the twists and turns of life, leaning on each other for strength and understanding.

The sound of the door creaking open drew my attention. Ada walked in, a hint of guilt etched on her face.

"I am sorry, I forgot to knock," she softly uttered, her voice tinged with remorse.

The warm light from the hallway spilled into the room, casting a gentle glow upon Ada's chocolate skin. Her presence brought a sense of comfort, reminding me that I wasn't alone in this journey. She understood the struggles we faced, and her unwavering support meant the world to me.

"I have to go now," Ada added, her words tinged with a touch of sadness. Time had slipped away, as it often did when we were lost in conversation. Yet, in that brief interaction, Ada had left an indelible mark on my heart.

I rose from the bed, moving toward her with a grateful smile. "Thank you for spending your time with me," I expressed sincerely, feeling a surge of warmth within me. Ada had a way of brightening even the darkest moments, and her presence had been a source of solace throughout the years.

At that moment, I wrapped my arms around her in a tight embrace, savoring the sensation of her friendship. Her embrace felt like a shield against the hardships of life, reminding me that we were in this together.

As we held each other, I could feel the subtle rise and fall of her breath, the gentle sound of our hearts beating in unison. The air carried a faint scent of her perfume, a familiar and comforting aroma that enveloped me like a warm embrace.

"Everything will be okay," Ada whispered, her voice barely above a whisper, as she looked into my eyes. Her words carried a sense of conviction and reassurance, resonating deep within my being. It was as if she had infused hope into every syllable.

With a final squeeze, we reluctantly released each other, but our connection lingered in the room. Ada's departure left an emptiness, a void that would be filled with memories of our bond and the strength it bestowed upon us.

******

I was jolted awake in the middle of the night by the insistent ringing of my phone. Groggily, I fumbled for it on the bedside table, my eyes still heavy with sleep. As I grabbed the phone, the bright light from the screen pierced through the darkness, causing me to blink repeatedly to adjust my vision.

My heart sank as I read the caller ID—Mrs. Beatrice. The weight of her name alone sent shivers down my spine. She was the mother of a notorious mafia boss, and my father owed her a staggering sum of $9000. It was a debt we could never hope to repay in such a short time.

With a heavy sigh, I answered the call, my voice laced with a mixture of apprehension and resignation.

"Hello?" I managed to utter, my voice betraying the fear that gripped me.

Mrs. Beatrice's voice cut through the silence, her tone cold and devoid of any sympathy. She reminded me, in no uncertain terms, that the deadline for repayment was less than 48 hours away. The urgency in her words sent a chill down my spine, my mind racing to find a way out of this dire situation.

Before I could muster a response, she abruptly hung up the phone, leaving me in a state of shock and despair. The weight of her words hung heavy in the air, threatening to crush me under their immense pressure. I felt a wave of helplessness wash over me as I clutched the phone tightly, my mind racing with the consequences of failing to meet her demands.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I considered the grim reality that lay ahead. The consequences of not repaying the debt would be dire, and I couldn't bear to imagine what Mrs. Beatrice had in store for me if I failed. It was a situation I never imagined myself in—a pawn in a dangerous game, caught between a debt we couldn't pay and the wrath of a powerful mafia family.

With trembling hands, I set the phone down, its presence a constant reminder of the impending deadline. My thoughts were clouded with fear, but within that fear, a flicker of determination ignited. I knew I had to find a way out, to protect not only myself but also my family from the wrath of Mrs. Beatrice and her criminal connections.

I took a deep breath, mustering all the courage I had left, and made a silent promise to myself. No matter the cost, I would do whatever it took to secure the money and free my family from this suffocating burden. The path ahead was treacherous, but the love for my family burned bright within me, fueling my resolve.

As the night continued to envelop me, I stared at the ceiling, thoughts swirling in my mind. It was a race against time, a battle against forces far greater than I could have ever imagined. But I was determined to face the challenges head-on, for in the face of adversity, I would discover the true depths of my strength.