Chapter 62 — Preparations
The laughter beneath the tree eventually faded as classes resumed, but the invitation remained heavy inside Rihannat's bag the entire day.
Even during lectures, her mind drifted repeatedly.
Extended family.
Official introduction.
Welcome party.
Each phrase sounded unreal.
By the time lectures ended that evening, the nervousness had already returned fully.
"You've been staring at your notebook for ten minutes," Rayyan pointed out as they walked toward the hostel. "And you haven't written anything."
"I'm thinking," Rihannat replied quietly.
"That is exactly the problem."
Folakemi moved closer dramatically. "Tell us the truth. Are you imagining rich aunties judging your shoes?"
Balkis gasped loudly. "Or asking her what perfume she wears in London accent?"
Rihannat burst into helpless laughter. "You people are terrible."
"But you're smiling now," Rayyan noticed.
That was true.
Still nervous.
But calmer.
A little.
The girls continued teasing her all the way to the hostel until they finally separated near the entrance.
"Call us after you speak to your parents," Balkis warned.
"And if they say there'll be plenty food at the party, inform me immediately," Folakemi added seriously.
"You only think about food."
"And peace of mind."
Rayyan rolled her eyes. "Goodnight, idiots."
"Goodnight!"
Rihannat waved at them before entering the hostel building slowly with folakemi her roommate. The third roommate has been re-allocated to another place, only the two use the room now.
But the closer she got to their room…
The quieter she became.
Because reality was beginning to settle in properly now.
This was happening.
The Collins family truly wanted her.
Not secretly.
Not quietly.
Openly.
Proudly.
The thought alone still felt unfamiliar.
—
Later that night, her phone rang.
She looked at the caller ID.
Mum.
Her chest tightened softly before she answered.
"Hello, Mum."
"My baby."
The warmth in Mrs. Collins' voice immediately softened something inside her.
"How was school today?"
"It was fine."
A brief pause followed.
Then—
"So… Idris met you already?"
Rihannat leaned back slowly against her pillow.
"So it's true?"
A small sigh came from the other end.
"Yes."
Silence settled briefly between them.
"We wanted to prepare you first," Mrs. Collins admitted gently. "Your father and I thought it might become overwhelming too quickly."
"But Grandpa already invited everybody?"
Another sigh.
"You know your grandfather."
That actually made Rihannat smile faintly.
Even in such little time, she had already realized one thing clearly—
Once the older Mr. Collins made up his mind about something, nobody could stop him.
"He has been excited ever since he found you," her mother continued softly. "Especially after so many years."
Years.
The word carried weight.
Rihannat looked down quietly at the invitation envelope beside her.
"What if they don't like me?"
The question escaped before she could stop it.
Instantly, her mother's voice became firm.
"Don't ever think like that."
"But—"
"No." Mrs. Collins interrupted gently but seriously. "Listen to me carefully, Rihannat. You are not begging anybody to accept you. You are family already."
Something inside her chest tightened unexpectedly.
"You owe nobody perfection," her mother continued. "Just be yourself."
Rihannat swallowed slowly.
It still amazed her sometimes…
How easily this woman spoke to her with love.
Like she had always belonged there.
"What if I embarrass you people?" she whispered.
This time, her mother laughed softly.
"Impossible."
"Mum…"
"I mean it." Her voice turned emotional now. "You survived more than most people your age ever should. Yet you remained kind. Respectful. Intelligent. Strong. What exactly is there to be ashamed of?"
Rihannat's eyes stung suddenly.
She quickly looked away even though nobody could see her.
From the background, she suddenly heard another familiar voice.
"Give me the phone."
Then—
"Princess."
Rihannat smiled immediately despite herself.
"Dad."
"How are you?"
"I'm okay."
"Liar."
She laughed quietly.
Mr. Collins' voice softened instantly.
"You're nervous."
"A little."
"A very big little," he corrected knowingly.
That made her laugh again.
He continued gently, "You do not have to impress anybody this weekend."
"But they're all coming to see me."
"And they are lucky to."
Rihannat fell silent.
Sometimes their words affected her too deeply.
Mr. Collins lowered his voice slightly.
"Do you know how many times your grandfather regretted not finding you earlier?"
She blinked slowly.
"He truly loves you already," he continued. "All of them do. Even those who have never met you."
Emotion clogged her throat unexpectedly.
"Besides," he added lightly, "if anybody behaves somehow, your grandfather will probably throw them out himself."
She burst into startled laughter.
Honestly…
She could actually imagine it.
The older man carried that kind of intimidating authority naturally.
From the background, she heard Mrs. Collins protesting.
"Don't scare her!"
"I'm encouraging her."
"You are threatening the family."
"I'm protecting my daughter."
Their playful argument continued briefly and unexpectedly—
Rihannat found herself smiling silently at the sound.
Warmth.
That was the only way to describe it.
Pure warmth.
Eventually her father returned to the phone.
"We'll pick you up Friday evening. Your foster parents are coming on Thursday, my driver will pick them up don't worry about that because I know you will. And your friends too are welcome."
"So soon?"
"And you don't need to invite basit, he has already has a place here, his seat is very well secured."
Rihan blushed "dad" she shouted.
So start planning your departure, today is Tuesday.
"Can't it wai.."
"You thought the party would organize itself?"
She groaned softly.
"Dad…"
He laughed warmly.
"Relax, Princess. Your mother already started planning your clothes since yesterday."
"Mum!"
Mrs. Collins shouted proudly from the background.
"You must look beautiful!"
"I already am beautiful," Rihannat replied before thinking.
Silence.
Then both parents burst into loud laughter.
"Well," her father said proudly, "confidence exists at least."
Rihannat covered her face in embarrassment while laughing too.
And for the first time since Idris arrived earlier that day—
The fear no longer felt unbearable.
Because maybe this family truly meant it.
Maybe this acceptance was real.
Maybe…
She was finally going home properly.
Without realizing it, Rihannat fell asleep later that night with the invitation resting beside her pillow.
And somewhere deep inside her chest—
For the very first time—
She found herself genuinely looking forward to the future with them in it.
@OlukoyaZainab