Bonita stood on the balcony, the night breeze brushing against her skin as her eyes fell on Star and Mandume talking quietly beneath the stars.
"They really look good together," she murmured to herself with a soft, wistful smile. "Maybe it's time I tried love again. This time... not for fun. For real."
Down below, Star suddenly stiffened as her gaze dropped to Mandume's pocket.
"Is that my phone?" she asked, her voice slightly tense.
"Yeah," Mandume replied casually, "Someone called. A girl."
Star reached for the phone with curiosity and concern.
"She said her name's Leila," he added.
Star's eyes widened. "Leila?! Oh my God—she's back!"
Mandume blinked, taken aback by the sudden explosion of excitement.
"My person is back!" Star squealed, practically bouncing. "Mandume, Leila is my sister—well, not by blood. She's my cousin, but she's more. My best friend, my second spine, my guardian. She's everything!"
Mandume chuckled at her joy. "She called from a new number, right?"
Star nodded, scrolling through her call log. "Yeah. And mom was calling too? Hm... I'll call her tomorrow. But Leila? She gets a call now."
With that, Star dashed off to her room, still glowing with happiness. Mandume watched her disappear with a soft smile before heading to his room and collapsing onto his bed.
Meanwhile, Star dialed the number. It rang once.
"Leila!" she cried the moment the call was picked up.
"Star?! Wait—where are you?" Leila's voice was bright, frantic, and full of relief.
"You tell me first!" Star said, barely containing herself. "Because if I start, I won't stop. Leila, you vanished. It felt like I never had a cousin."
"I know, I know. I got robbed last month," Leila explained with a sigh. "Some street thugs snatched my phone. It was chaos."
Star winced. "Damn. That must've felt horrible."
"Dead inside," Leila said flatly. "But tell me—where are you really?"
Star hesitated. "I'm… home."
"No, you're not," Leila cut in sharply. "I've been to your old place. Empty. I even checked your school. Nothing. Last time I saw you, you were stepping into some fancy car. And tonight, Mandume answered your phone."
"It's a long story," Star said, sighing. "But yes, I live with Mandume now."
Leila gasped. "What?! Like married?!"
"Relax!" Star laughed. "Not like that."
"Well, I mean—it's better for the baby, right? At least the child won't be born out of wedlock," Leila teased.
"I've missed that wild mouth of yours," Star said, rolling her eyes. "And now you're talking rubbish. I'm exhausted."
"Oh please," Leila giggled. "So, do you live in a mansion now? Got maids cooking for you? A personal stylist? Do they call you Madam Star now?"
Star smirked. "I know you're not home."
"Why'd you say that?" Leila asked, confused.
"Because if your mom was around, you wouldn't be saying that nonsense about yelling cooks."
Leila laughed. "She's out. Anyway, do you have security? Guards tailing you around the house?"
"No. I'm still very much me, just… in a different world," Star said softly. "Listen, I want to see you tomorrow after school. I'll send you the address, alright?"
"Done deal. Let me let you sleep. You're carrying my little niece or nephew in there. And hey—save my number. I love you."
Star paused, overwhelmed with emotion. "I miss you. Take care."
"Love you too," Leila said, giggling before the call ended.
Star sat quietly for a while, hugging the phone to her chest.
"Leila is really the cousin from heaven," she whispered. "The sister I always prayed for. Even with the differences between our mothers, we stuck together. She always says it's our duty to thicken the thread of love and unity that our mothers frayed. And God... how right she is."