It's been over a month since the death of Ife's dad, she came back a week after her exams and she had limited herself to her bedroom and the kitchen when she wants to eat something.

Her dad's burial rites were completed some days ago and it still felt like it just happened.

Ife couldn't cry, or didn't know how to grief her. loss, it's still a shock to her what happened... never has she ever imagined that things could change in a matter of weeks.

She made sure her dad was not buried in the village like her mum insisted on, her mum's request wasn't answered mainly because Matthew, Ife's dad told his older brother to let Ife decide where he gets buried and any other thing that pertains to him in case he passes on soon.

Mary, Ife's mum was really annoyed by that decision but there was little she could do about it. Her husband is dead already and she has her children with her but she didn't miss the opportunity to keep reminding Ife of how much she would have taken the next flight home when she heard about her father's demise.

To think that her father's burial ceremony was delayed till she came back from school made her mum even more annoyed.

Her twin best friends tried to reach out but she asked for a little space which they respected. Even Patrick gave her the space she asked for but didn't miss any chance to send her funny memes almost everyday to cheer her up and to know how she's faring.

She appreciates it too.

Ife was having a breakdown one day and lashed out on Tomiwa, unintentionally but instead of him to be understanding of her situation, he was vexed and decided to leave her to herself. Even when she apologized, he just told her that when she's good and out of her mystery, he'll talk to her and to be true to herself, she needed that break.

Any more drama and she might just breakdown again.

It was still too much to handle but she is grateful for the support she's getting so far. Her mum and sisters are as usual no help to making her feel better.

She felt choked up in the house and needed some air and would love the company of her favorite people. Patrick told her that he was going to get some medication for his mum and run some errands too so she made a lunch date with her twin friends at their favorite spot which is a restaurant close to the twins place.

Ife was preparing to go meet up with them but first wanted to visit her dad in his grave. She hardly ever go there because she still hasn't come to the realization that he's gone forever.

If only she could wish, he would be here comforting her and telling her that she will be good and he will be with here as her number one supporter.

She was dressed already then she stood in front of her full length mirror, taking in her looks. She had a green denim gown on, her hair is a waist-length box braid which she put in a bun. She had a pair of sneakers on and her small black purse with all her essentials inside.

Letting out a sigh, she walked to her dresser to pick up the necklace her dad gave her before she went back to school a few months back. It was a pink-heart pendant silver necklace. He said he thought of her when he saw it and decided to buy it for her before she left for school.

She walked back to the mirror and wore the necklace then she moved a step closer to properly adjust her look. A weak smile formed on her lips but it was not enough to wipe the sadness her eyes held.

Another sigh left her lips and she closed her eyes as she tried to think of something that will make her happy, something that can swallow the sadness in her eyes and to at least cheer her up.

"Ife mi" she opened her eyes when she heard her dad's voice, she was still in her room, wearing the same clothes and she could feel her heart skip a bit because she was so sure she heard her dad's voice.

'Am I hallucinating?' she asked herself while trying to keep her heart from beating too fast.

"Ife mi, I'm here" she heard his voice again the turned around.

A gasp left her lips and her heart skipped again when she saw her dad sitting on her bed with a smile on his face. He looked younger and was wearing the same clothes he wore the night before she left for school.

"Dad..." the words came out of her lips in a whisper and she tried not to cry as she makes slow, shaky steps towards him "Dad... I... daddy" she sobbed and dropped to the floor as she could barely make it to him.

"Ife mi, don't do this to yourself. Remember I want you to be happy always? This sight is not something I want to be seeing every time." he said to her and she looks up at him with teary eyes.

"You're not dead" she managed a smile "You're here," she chuckled happily "You kept your promise, you're here with me" she cleaned her cheeks.

Her dad smiled then stood to his feet while looking at her, he walked over to her and held out his hand to her. She placed her hand on his and he lifts her up without seamlessly.

"I told you that I will always be there for you, no matter what" he said "Even if I can't be there physically, I want you to know that your dad resides in your heart, when you feel helpless, you can talk to me anytime. I'll be there no matter what, I'll look over you,"

"So, I can't hold you again, no more daddy's hug, daddy's laughter" she bite her bottom lips to prevent the sob from leaving her mouth. "I can't have dinner with you again."

"We have had so many beautiful memories together as a father and daughter, I want you to cherish it as much as I did till my death, I want you to hold on to it and when you need a big hug from daddy, remember all the good times we had together and you'll feel my warm hug around you" she grinned and she couldn't help the smile that formed on her lips.

"That's what I want to see every time, I want this smile to to occupy your lips, no room for sadness or anything" he tapped he nose and she laughed.

"I will miss you a lot dad"

"I'm only a thought away, and remember that GOD has your back too, he's rooting for you more than I am" he kissed her forehead then stepped back. "I love you baby girl"

Ife saw her dad going farther and farther  away till he was without reach, she closed her eyes and somehow found peace settled in her heart.

"I love you too dad," she said then opened her eyes to meet with an empty room.

She felt a bit sad that she wouldn't be able to see her dad forever but the memories they had will live with her forever and she promise to cherish it for the rest of her life.

Looking back at the mirror, she managed a smile and saw her eyes didn't hold as much sadness as it did minutes ago.

Letting out another smile, she picked her bag the fell from her shoulders then made her way to downstairs and out of the front door. No one was around, so she locked up and walked along the street till she got a cab to take her to her destination.

In about twenty minutes, she arrived in the restaurant, she got inside and saw that the twins already secured them a table, she walked up to them and hugged them from behind.

"Sorry I came in late" she apologized then sat in front of them, still maintaining her smile.

"Thought you wouldn't come" Dara said looking happy with how she's looking.

"Someone is smiling" Dora grinned.

"I saw my dad today and..." she let out a sigh, still smiling "I'm happy we have lots of memories together, I can feel his presence around me already" she let out a shaky breath.

The twins placed their hands on Ife's hand then offered her cheerful grins.

"You'll be fine" Dara said and Dora nods in agreement.

"I know"

"You have us too" Dora said and she couldn't prevent the sob that escaped her lips.

Dara and Dora stood to give her a hug.

"What did I do to deserve you special people in my life? I love you both" she returned the hug.

"Special meets special, and we love you too"

They said and sat back down as the ordered their meal and talked about school, next step in their life and any other things that will cheer Ife up.