Kenty woke later than everyone else that morning.
Sunlight had already crept through the thin curtains of her bedroom, stretching across the floor and climbing slowly toward the bed.
She blinked lazily and rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling.
For a moment she couldn't remember why the house had felt so lively the previous night.
Then it came back to her.
David's proposal.
Her sister's shocked laughter.
The entire family celebrating beneath the neem tree like a scene from a romantic film.
Kenty groaned softly and covered her face with a pillow.
"Well," she muttered to herself, "my big sister is officially getting married."
The words sounded strange even when she said them aloud.
Precious had always seemed like the responsible one, the daughter who made their parents proud, the sister who followed the right path in life.
Kenty, on the other hand, had always been the adventurous one.
The restless one.
The one who often chased excitement instead of stability.
She sat up slowly on the bed and stretched her arms.
The house was unusually quiet.
From the kitchen she could faintly hear their mother moving utensils.
Somewhere outside, a broom brushed rhythmically against the ground.
Someone was sweeping the compound.
Kenty slipped out of bed and walked toward the window.
From there she could see the neem tree in the center of the compound.
David stood nearby talking with Dadman.
They looked serious.
"Wow," she murmured.
"That man is already having father-in-law meetings."
She leaned her elbow against the window frame and watched them for a moment.
There was something about David she had never fully understood before.
When he first began visiting the compound, she had assumed he was just another admirer of her beautiful sister.
Another young man hoping to impress their strict father.
But he had stayed.
He had listened.
He had respected the family.
And somehow, over time, he had become part of the quiet rhythm of their lives.
Kenty sighed.
"Maybe my sister actually chose well," she admitted softly.
She left the bedroom and stepped into the corridor.
The smell of fresh tea drifted from the kitchen.
Her mother noticed her immediately.
"Well look who finally woke up," she said.
Kenty yawned dramatically.
"I was resting my emotional energy."
Her mother laughed.
"You mean you were sleeping."
"Same thing," Kenty replied.
She poured herself some tea and leaned against the kitchen counter.
"So," she said casually, "the wedding planning starts today?"
Her mother smiled knowingly.
"You sound excited."
Kenty shrugged.
"I'm curious."
"About what?"
"What kind of husband David will be."
Her mother raised an eyebrow.
"And what kind of brother-in-law he will be," Kenty added quickly.
Her mother chuckled softly.
"He will be the same man he has always been."
"Kind. Patient. Responsible."
Kenty stirred her tea thoughtfully.
Those were not qualities she usually admired in men.
But suddenly they seemed important.
Very important.
She finished her tea and stepped outside.
The morning air felt fresh and bright.
Precious was sitting beneath the neem tree now, reading something in her notebook.
Kenty approached quietly and dropped onto the chair beside her.
Precious looked up and smiled.
"Good morning, sleepyhead."
Kenty groaned.
"You're glowing."
Precious laughed.
"That's because I slept well."
"Of course you did," Kenty teased. "You're engaged."
Precious closed her notebook.
"You're not upset?"
Kenty frowned.
"Why would I be?"
"Because everything is changing."
Kenty leaned back and looked up into the branches of the neem tree.
The leaves rustled gently in the breeze.
"I used to think change was exciting," she said slowly.
"And now?"
"Now I realize it can also be frightening."
Precious studied her sister carefully.
"You're thinking about Sonko again, aren't you?"
Kenty didn't answer immediately.
Instead she watched David and Dadman talking near the gate.
Something about their calm conversation made her think about all the chaos Sonko had brought into their lives.
"I don't miss him," she said finally.
"But I miss the feeling I had when I thought he cared about me."
Precious reached for her hand.
"You deserve someone who actually does."
Kenty smiled faintly.
"Maybe."
She paused.
"But for now, I think I'll focus on helping you plan a wedding."
Precious laughed.
"That sounds dangerous."
"Oh it will be," Kenty replied confidently.
She stood up and stretched dramatically.
"Because if my sister is getting married…"
She turned toward the house and shouted loudly:
"MOTHER! WE NEED A WEDDING BUDGET!"
Her voice echoed across the compound.
From the veranda, Dadman sighed heavily.
David burst into laughter.
And Precious buried her face in her hands.
Kenty grinned proudly.
For the first time in months…
The house felt alive again.
And somewhere deep inside her heart, she realized something important.
Maybe her life didn't need reckless excitement anymore.
Maybe what she really wanted…
Was the same kind of happiness her sister had just found.