"She can't find us here like this," he paced. An idea struck him. "Mdachi, hoard that camera."
"What?!" Tigean protested.
"Shut up. We're only going to delete that footage of us and then give it back to you. Comprende?"
"But..."
Edward's demonic glare silenced her. She stayed chewing her lip, gnawing with unease.
"Now scurry back to your side of the fence," his eyes burned with intimidation.
He turned to Anita. "Let's go."
"But..." she pulled him back by the arm. "The door." She pointed toward it.
"Oh... shit..." He swept a hand over his face. "I almost forgot about that."
Anxious, he peeked through the dining room window and saw that his mother hadn't entered the house yet. She must have been opening the garage.
"What can I do?" He turned back to Anita, desperate and terrified, like a child determined not to be caught sneaking sugar by their mother.
Anita thought fast. "Try a reverse spell on it again."
He had no time to ask questions.
"Dachi, look out for auntma," Anita remembered to mention.
Edward poised himself.
He chanted, but the words tangled in his throat.
Beads of sweat coursed down his face.
Tigean, still lingering nearby, watched anxiously. Lowkey, though, she felt thrilled by the tension—the way Edward trembled, afraid of being caught.
"Just breathe, Edward," Anita said reassuringly.
He inhaled, then looked up sharply, eyes locking into focus.
"Let's do this," he muttered.
He tried again. This time, the words flew from his mouth.
It worked.
Mdachi turned back, relief flooding his face when he saw the door restored—looking as if no damage had ever existed.
"Nice work, Edward. Now let's go," he urged.
As they hurtled toward the house, Edward suddenly stopped, a memory flashing.
He spun toward Tigean. "You. Go! Now!"
Snapping from her daze, she realized she was still in his backyard. She began pacing, searching for a way back over the fence.
"Can't you just fling me over again?" She was dead serious.
"Just climb it," Edward snapped, storming up the porch steps. Her sarcasm—or what he thought was sarcasm—only flustered him more. Did she really have to joke even now? But the truth was, she wasn't joking. She was just as tense, determined not to let his mother find out anything.
Stepping into the house behind Anita and Mdachi, Edward froze. The garage door opened, and in stepped his mother, her presence wrapped in that soft, graceful elegance she always carried.
Edward clutched his chest. "Thank God the garage remote system is faulty," he thought. If not for that delay...
Seeing Miridald, Anita rushed forward, cheerful as ever—masking the crisis from moments earlier as if it had never happened. That was just who Anita was.
Mdachi, meanwhile, cast Edward a quick glance before following Anita, his own tense profile carefully tucked away.
"I've missed you, auntma," Anita greeted with a hug.
Miridald, busy slipping off her heels, startled and instinctively stepped back.
She hadn't looked up since entering—and certainly wasn't expecting to see Anita and Mdachi there.
The smile on Anita's face faltered, her arms hovering in hesitation, her expression puzzled.
"Oh. Ts. Forgive me, Anita," Miridald said warmly, waving away her reaction like a clumsy mistake.
Catching Anita in an embrace, she added, "You startled me for a moment there. But I missed you too. It's been quite a while since I last saw you."
"Yeah," Anita agreed absently, lost in the mixed fragrance of Miridald's velvet-calm perfume and warm vanilla sweetness. To Anita, she smelled like a goddess, and she cherished every chance for an embrace.
The hug was warm, almost mother-daughter-like, Miridald standing a little taller than Anita.
"Why did you decide to surprise me today?" Miridald asked as they parted.
"I don't understand. I thought you told us this was our home too," Anita replied, enthusiasm returning.
"Of course it is," Miridald affirmed, gently pinching her cheek.
Her attention shifted to Mdachi, who stood smiling awkwardly.
"Hi to you too, Mdachi," she teased.
He stiffened, realizing he should have greeted her first.
"Oh, just come here, you rascal," Miridald beckoned with open arms.
Though reluctant, Mdachi stepped forward, discomfort in every movement.
"Mmmh. Still not much of a hugger, huh?"
Anita grimaced—he hugged her and Edward just fine.
Instead, Miridald tussled his short baby locks, careful not to push his boundaries. She'd learned long ago how sensitive Mdachi was with people. The memory flickered—back when he was eight, chubby and adorable in a scout uniform, shopping at the mall with his mother and Miridald. She hadn't meant to embarrass him, but she never forgot.
Mdachi tilted an exhausted smile at her. She'd always done this. He'd never get used to it. Not that he was irritated—but now, as a young man on the cusp of adulthood, he felt she should have stopped.
"Hm." Miridald scoffed lightly, amused and unbothered by his reaction.
"Edward."
"Hmm?" Edward jumped at her voice. He'd been gazing out the window, completely off guard.
Miridald chuckled at his awkwardness. She didn't pry into what he'd been staring at, which relieved him greatly. He had expected a question.
"Aren't you at least going to acknowledge I'm back? Or have you had enough of me today?"
"My god, Mother, what nonsense. You're always insecure." He walked over, relieved now that he saw Tigean safely back in her own yard.
"Insecure now?" Miridald pressed a hand to her chest dramatically.
Anita giggled.
Mdachi smiled.
"Mmmhm. Sometimes I wonder if Father has detectives trailing him at work and sending you daily reports."
Miridald feigned disgust. "Me? Please. That's the worst assumption you've ever made. Do I look that desperate and obsessed? Don't flatter him. And besides, I don't have money to burn on such nonsense."
Edward smiled. His mother's good mood was like medicine, soothing against his own turmoil.
Joking about his father wasn't something they often did—Edward usually avoided the subject—but this was one of the rare exceptions.
"I'm sure you do—"
"He's already sent it to me, Miri," Renee's voice cut in as she walked into the house, head down, eyes glued to her phone. "Now all we need is—" She stopped, finally noticing everyone. "...Oh, hi everyone." Her lips curved into a quick smile.
Anita's jaw dropped.
Mdachi stared in awe.
"Renee, you… are around?" Anita asked, still not believing it.
Renee gave her an awkward smile, not sure how to respond.
"…Of course I'm around," she said, setting down the two handbags that had been hanging from each crook of her arms onto a nearby lamp table.
"Kwani, didn't you know?" she added, just as surprised by the question.
Anita snapped back at Edward with a glare. "Of course I didn't. Apparently, someone felt like keeping you to themselves."
Edward, feeling awkward and guilty, was about to speak when Mdachi cut in first.
"I mean, I'm offended too, Edu. Like—how could you?"
Miridald watched quietly from a chair in the corridor. Knowing all four of them, this was about to get interesting. She leaned back, settling in to watch it all play out.
"I forgot…" Edward muttered.
"No, no, nephew. Hmhm. That ain't normal. Like how? How can you forget to mention my presence to your best friends?"
"Mmhmm," Anita seconded, arms crossed.
Edward felt ambushed.
"Well?"
Instead of answering, he pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. He really had forgotten, but he would have eventually told them when it crossed his mind. Why be so dramatic about it?
Sensing his frustration, Anita shifted the topic. "Ugh, enough of him already. I want to hear about you, Renee. Since when have you been back? Which brand or magazine are you modeling for now? And most especially—what did you bring me?"
"Hold your horses, cowgirl. One question at a time. If you hurl them at me that fast, I won't be able to answer even one."
"Okay, but off topic a little—you and auntma look smashing. As usual. And you with that long hair straightened? Just giving diva, exactly as I remember."
"Awww, thanks. At least you noticed." Renee sent Edward a subtle look.
Edward sighed. "Well isn't it obvious that you do?"
"You know what else is obvious?" Renee shot back.
Edward gave up; he knew where this was headed.
"Okay, as I was saying," Anita jumped in, "when did you come? And why didn't you tell me you were here?"
"Oh darling, I arrived Monday this week. And I had no idea my amnesic nephew would forget to inform you."
"Wait…" Anita suddenly paused.
Everyone froze.
"What?" Renee asked, worried.
Anita's face lit up. "Girl, we haven't hugged."
"Good point. Now come here." Renee opened her arms.
Anita rushed in. Hugging her, she seemed much shorter now, especially with Renee's stilettos adding extra height.
Renee's scent—different, but just as heavenly as Miridald's—wrapped around her.
"Did I mention how much I missed you?" Anita asked mid-hug.
"No."
"Well, I missed you, Renee. I'm so thrilled you're back."
"I missed you too. All of you." Her gaze drifted to Mdachi, who had been watching with a warm smile.
Miridald shook her head in disbelief. She could never fully comprehend the bond between Anita and Renee—let alone Renee and Edward. One minute they were all over each other like teenage besties reuniting, the next they were hugging, and soon enough they'd probably be gossiping.
With Mdachi, though, Renee kept some distance. She knew his personality—he wasn't one to share much unless he was alone with his friends.
"Now," Anita said, stepping back, "what's new with you? Oh wait—that can wait. Answer this instead: what did you bring me?"
Her eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Renee sighed. "I'm sorry, Anita. I didn't bring you guys anything this time."
The joy in Anita's face faded.
"I was in a hurry, so I had no time to get anything. I'm sorry."
Edward frowned. In a hurry—for what? Visiting her family and friends? That didn't feel like a strong excuse.
Renee caught his gaze and answered with one of her own. He looked away instantly.
"It's okay," Anita assured flatly, pretending it wasn't a big deal.
A ringtone blared suddenly.
"I'll take this," Miridald excused herself, walking into the dining room.
"Okay."
"It's really nice to see you again, Renee," Mdachi finally spoke. "Welcome back."
"Thank you, Dachi."
Then Mdachi pulled Edward into the living room, leaving Anita and Renee to sink into their conversation about the brand Renee was now working for—an upcoming one called Divaafro.
Renee had agreed to model for them at a very fair cost, out of the goodness of her heart. Considering her status, she wanted to promote the brand because it was promising and innovative.
"And I forgot to mention one more thing, Edu," Mdachi said once they were far enough.
Edward caught the shift in tone and spoke cautiously. "And what's that?"
"The Mchawi Majani are in your bag. While Renee and Anita were talking, I noticed the attention your mom gave your backpack when she saw it—it reminded me of the leaves."
"Ohh, okay. Thanks for the heads-up. I forgot it at Anita's place yesterday."
"Yeah, sure. Just… don't let your mom or Renee get their hands on your bag."
Edward frowned. "Why would my mom and Aunt Renee even want my bag?"
"I don't know," Mdachi said with a shrug. "I just have a feeling. So don't give it to them."
Before Edward could respond, his mother walked in. Her expression was solemn.
"Kwani nini mbaya, Mom?"
"There's something I meant to tell you when I came in, Edward."
"What is it, Mom? You're starting to scare me."
Mdachi felt alarmed too.
"There's nothing to worry about, son. Sit down." She sat first.
Edward and Mdachi took their bags off their backs and sat opposite her.
At that exact moment, Renee and Anita re-entered the room.
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© Edward Wetungu. Infinite Invincibility™ and The Afroverse™ are original works. All rights reserved.