COMING TOGETHER

All the Bill family and the Williams family were gathered in Bill's residence with Rita and her family. They were all in the sitting room looking at each other.

"I find this whole thing funny, you arrived at the airport this morning. As soon as we heard the airport was opened when you arrived, we went there and were told that it has been closed. They said there are afraid because everything is confusing. They said they are afraid the plane might crash in the air, so they're closed till further notice, you're lucky you were able to arrive" the president explained.

"That's bad" both Diamond, Jessy and James exclaimed. "We should pray they're okay," Rita's father said.

You must be wondering who James is, of course, he has not been mentioned. Well, he's Jessy's elder brother. He went to a faraway country to study and refused to come back saying he wants to finish his studies before coming back.

Shelly has also found it difficult to reach him that's why she never mentioned him. He was already true with his studies and was planning on coming back but when he got the call from Jessy and she told him all that was going on, he flew to meet Jessy and they went to meet Diamond and that's how he arrived there.

They discussed the matter at hand and the three families tried to bring a solution to the problem. After they finished discussing, all the children were dispatched to different parts of the sitting room leaving the parents talking.

Diamond, Jessy, and James were in one area discussing. "I can't believe our little sister is alone with that John of a person," James said. "Yeah, but you have to believe it," Jessy said. "We should continue praying for them because they are not used to the woods," Diamond said.

"You have just drawn my attention," Jessy said to Diamond. "What?" he asked. "Um," she said as she dragged him away from where James was standing and they left him there. "Hay, really guys" he shouted and he went to sit in the sitting room.

"What is it that you dragged me out here," Diamond said. "What's going on between you and that girl" she questioned. "What girl," he asked. "Oh please, don't pretend. I know you like her, you two constantly smiled at each other" she said. "Em, nothing," he said. "Don't lie to me, tell me the truth, remember we are cousins and always tell each other the truth" she said. "Okay, I give up," he said. "Go on" she replied.

"I indeed like her, her name is Princess and we've known each other for three years now," he said. "What! and you kept it away from me" she said hitting him on the shoulder. "Sorry, but I wanted to wait and made sure I know her very well before telling anyone I'm in a relationship," he said.

"Uh, I can see someone is in love" she teased him. "I am" he answered. "We always talk on the phone though we have not seen you could have at least mentioned her," she said still not satisfied. "Now you know, so can we end this topic," he said. "Sure, as soon as I tell your parents," she said jokingly. "You won't dare," he said laughing. "Wait and see," she said.

"Yes, now I remember" Diamond drew her attention. "What did you remember," she asked wanting to hear more. "I noticed the way you were stealing glances at my friend, Jimmy," he said. "You did," she said surprisingly because she thought no one saw her. "Yes, do you like him," he asked. "Maybe but I'm not sure, we have not even spoken before but Shelly showed me his picture before," she said.

"Well, I've known him for a very long time, since childhood and he is one of my very dear friends," he said. "I miss Shelly already, I wish she was here to experience the coming together of these three families," she said sadly. "Don't worry, she'll be alright" he said as he wrapped his hand around her shoulder and comforted her. "Better leave me before your girlfriend thinks I'm your girlfriend," she said. "Don't worry, she won't" he said as they walked back inside.

They saw Joan, Jimmy, and funnily James in the smaller sitting room close to the dining discussion and they went to meet them. They exchanged pleasantries as they sat down and soon Rita and her sister Princess came to join them.

Princess went to sit with Diamond then Jessy stood up and went to sit with Rita because she wanted to give them space. Everyone was surprised but did not say a word. "Okay everyone, I want to introduce my cousin Jessy to you," Diamond said.

She stood up and shook hands with Princess, Jimmy, Rita, and Joan, then she went to sit down. One after the other they introduced themselves. It was a fun time for everyone, getting to know each other but at some point, their discussion would die down to Shelly and John and they would become sad.

When they finished discussing, Diamond and Princess went outside. Joan and Rita left while James went back to the sitting room. Jimmy and Jessy were left alone.

"So Shelly is like a sister to you," Jimmy said as he went to sit close to her. "Yes, she is the only sister I have, though we are cousins I take her as my little sister. She tells me any and everything" she said in a sad tone. "Don't be sad, they'll be alright" he said. "I know," she said as she brought out her phone and showed him several pictures of her and Shelly together.

"Wow, I must say you're beautiful," he said. "Thanks, you look great," she said. "Thank you" he answered. They were talking and laughing, at the end they exchanged contact. When they finished talking, Jimmy went to meet Diamond as Princess went to meet with Rita and Joan wherever they went.

"Ah, I can see you and my cousin's sister are doing well," Diamond said. "Yeah, she's very funny and jovial, I think I like her" he answered. "I knew it," he said. "What about you and that Princess girl," he asked. "We're together, so I'm still planning on breaking the news to my parent since I'll be done with school by next year," he said. "Good luck with that," he said as they continued to discuss. When it was late everyone went home but they took dinner before they left.

On Thursday morning, Rita got out Of bed tired after her mum yelled for like an hour. She went to the bathroom, took her bath, brushed her teeth, and put on a nice outfit before she went to the dining to have her breakfast.

She went and she saw everyone present and she knew they have been waiting for her. "Sorry for coming late again," she said and sat down, everyone understood.

After breakfast, she went to the sitting room and turned on the TV. She was not the type that watched the news but she decided to watch it that morning.

She turned to a station and read out the headline which states: SHELLY BILL THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER LEFT IN SOUTH AFRICA.