This chapter is dedicated to adejube the recent birthday girl and also the reason I've increased my word target to nothing less than 4.5k words 𥺠haewww. I declare this part OPENNNN
**
ERLING'S POV
(Erling Tobechukwu Kingston)
They say the fastest way to a man's heart is through food, I never chop real food since na why my heart be like stone.
Mama Freda travelled two weeks ago to visit her family and all the food she stored in the fridge before she left is finished, the house is almost totally empty. Idara tried to prepare some okra soup yesterday and I must say, I didn't even know I was eating okra- there was more vegetable and pepper more than the okra itself. I watched my dad as he took the first bite of his dinner- expected him to voice the truth out- but instead he told her
"Wow, well-done Idara you're really getting better at this" he almost choked on the lies he was spewing
I as a very responsible and honest brother couldn't take it, I just couldn't pretend- now that I think about it maybe I should have just shut up- I told her the truth
"First you forgot to add Maggi, second the water is too much, third ahannn do you want to kill us with pepper?" I said with my whole mouth on fire
And that my people, is why the only thing I've eaten today is cornflakes
Nobody has offered me any food today, they don't even know if I'm dying of hunger behind the four walls of my bedroom. I was literally helping her improve on her cooking!
I drag my MacBook out from the wooden space it's hidden beneath my desk and pry the top open with my fingers. The vibrant colors of my wallpaper welcome me, reminding me that I forgot to turn it off last night oh crap. Notifications from different apps flood in as I connect the WiFi, including the stupid cooking game Idara downloaded during the period she lost her iPad charger. I wish the games actually taught you how to cook
I open the file containing my computer assignment, the teacher told us to create a book cover using Photoshop and since I don't like stress I'm creating a cover for a motivational book, any background picture fits a motivational book. I could literally put a glass of water and the title of the book would be 'the power of positive thinking', yep that's definitely what I'm going to do Erling Tobe Kingston you have done it again
A harsh pain in my stomach reminds me that I still haven't had any real food to eat for the day, an unexpected growl- that would have been embarrassing if someone else was here- erupts from my tummy forcing me to pause my work and get up from the chair. I walk past Idara's room like a breeze- so she doesn't know my 'hard guy' has crumbled- and stealthily glide down the stairs. I bend my big toe at the end of the stairs and muffle a wince as I limp into the kitchen good things come with a price. I crane my head around to see no one is watching before I feast on the bread and scrambled eggs on the kitchen island, whoever was eating it will probably blame it on the dog, yep blame it on Reagan
"Tobe" caught in the act
I slowly munch on the remaining piece of bread in my mouth before turning, humming my response to the call
What the-
A figure clad in a grey oversized bath robe, bonnet and fluffy slippers saunters towards me. A strand of her golden tipped braids is sticking out at the back of her head and her eyes look as red as a drunk's.
"You look like shit" I utter truthfully
She gives a small smile that doesn't meet her eyes, her lips somehow curving downwards instead of upwards
"I saw you gobbling my food like a wild animal" she crosses her arms over her chest
I dust the sides of my mouth guiltily
"Since you guys have decided not to feed me, I'm going outside to get my own food" I fix my thumbs into my pockets
"You're going out?" Her eyes widen in hope
"Yes I am"
She gives me a once over
"Then you look like shit" she giggles mockingly
I take a look at my grey puma shorts, my black t shirt and the Nike slides I have on. My eyes meet her mocking ones as she bursts into fresh laughter
"You should have seen your face" she bangs her hand on the counter as she laughs
I scoff and roll my eyes at her, I look perfectly fine
I push her head slightly as I walk out of the kitchen
"Could you help me get something from the pharmacy?" She trails behind me
"Your medication isn't finishing till next week Thursday" I remind her
That's right, I have her doses memorized
"Yeah but I need you to get me something else" she murmurs
I hope it's not one of those girls' stuff cos the last time I was at the store and the lady asked me the size of tampons I wanted to buy, everyone within 10m radius turned to give me that weird look, I felt like dying that day
"What do you want" I groan
"Help me get Doxylamine" she looks up at me
"No no no" I say as I turn around and walk away from the conversation
"Please now"
"I can't! The doctor said you shouldn't be taking that" I pull the nob of the door but she uses her weight to push it shut
She stands in front of me
"I need it, I can't sleep at all" she whines, her tone turning desperate
"Then use your scenting oil or use some boring music or maybe Chemistry lecture-
"I'm serious Tobe" she raises her voice
"I'm serious too, I can't buy it when I know it's bad for you" I throw my hands up in frustration
"Look at my eyes, you said I look like shit, well I haven't slept for a week now so I FEEL like shit" she tries to caution her yelling probably so that my dad doesn't hear her
I lower my voice a hitch too
"But what if something bad happens to you? What do we do then?" I run my hand through my hair
"I'm only going to take it in extreme cases when I can't sleep at all" she tries to assure me
This is a bad idea
I drag my hand down my face, massaging my jaws in the process
"You know dad won't approve this" I say with a disgruntled sigh
"He doesn't have to find out" she puts her palms together, still pleading
"Okay but just this once" I hold my finger up in her face
She squeals like a little girl as she steps out of the way for me to leave
Ughhhh I'm going to regret this
**
I bite into my hamburger as soon as I step out of the food court. I better not see any of my classmates here today
The mall is literally behind my house so that's the fastest place I could go for a bite, all the food joints in the estate are either night shops or sell raw food and even if I had all the patience in the world I don't think I'd attempt cooking. I dump every grocery I can think of inside the shopping basket, as soon as I get home that man must refund every Kobo I'm spending
I turn around the corner then do a sharp reverse to where I'm coming from- oh crap I said I didn't want to see anyone from school
Amanda walks ahead of her obviously tired mum holding a red shopping basket , she's in a simple white T-shirt, grey track bottoms with black and white Jordans. The back of her shirt has prints that were probably made by her wet hair and the little water still trickling down her nape. She stretches her upper body to grab a pack of Skittles but she knocks an extra one down, she tries to return it to it's initial position but her height is so unfortunate. She ends up throwing it, making it mistakenly fly over the rack and land on the other side. She looks around to see that nobody caught her nefarious act before continuing her motion, feigning innocence by whistling. I almost take my camera out so I can use it against her in future but I stand transfixed in my spot, just staring
Okay now I'm being a little creepy
As they walk out of sight, I push my cart slowly, throwing two packs of tissue paper in then running backwards to walk through the other side of the supermarket where she isn't. I catch my reflection on the glass wall then I take two steps back to get a full view of my appearance
Shit I didn't comb my hair today
I run my fingers through my hair and spike up the tips a little- not like I'm doing it for anybody- just Incase. I go through the remaining aisles checking for any extra item to buy then walk down to the checkout line great they're not done yet
I scroll through my Snapchat as I wait for the lady at the top of the line that decided to buy the entire supermarket. The first snap I click is Espn's
It's a picture of two hands, one is obviously hers and the darker one is definitely Edmond's. Amanda is probably seeing this too. She's taking the whole deal worse than I thought, I was actually very amused by the turn of events at the beginning but seeing how bad she's taking it out on everyone, I feel a little bad for her. It sucks to be in her position though, the person she's looking at looks at her with the eyes of 'just friends'- okay it's still very amusing, I know, I'm a bad person
"Sorry wait we are together" a familiar voice squeals from behind
Amanda?
"Yes he's my brother" she pushes past the line to stand beside me
"Mummy said you should add this" she drops her basket at the foot of my cart
I stare saucers at her while she doesn't drop the act, playing the role perfectly. I decide to play along
"Hey Binta" I slap her shoulder, grinning extra wide
She steps a foot closer to me and mutters
"You dey craze?" Still maintaining the smile on her face
I chuckle at her expression as I push my cart and kick her basket forward
"What brings you here? Your house is not around this neighborhood" I say under my breath
"My mum's store is in this area so we stopped by before going home" she replies without looking up from her phone
She flips her hair over her shoulder, causing some water to splash on my face
"You washed you hair?" I dry my face with my hands
"Oh sorry, yes I just did, power went off when I wanted to dry it" she gestures at spots of my face I missed
I freeze when she reaches forward to wipe my cheek, strawberry scent invading my nostrils. It's a little different from her school scent, that one is a mixture of strong lavender and roses if my nostrils are working correctly. What? She's sits beside me in class, I have to notice
"Thanks" I say with a gruff voice while she replies with a mocking expression, contorting her face in a horrific way
"Please calculate them separately" she whispers to the cashier as she places her items on the counter simultaneously with mine giving me a stink eye
"Ladies first" she pushes my items backwards and stands ahead of me on the line flipping her hair in my face, this time obviously intentional
Her shampoo has a harsher scent, probably a mixture of-
"Are you done?" Her mum asks as she emerges from behind one of the shelves
For the first time, I notice her mum's full height without platforms or any heel boost, she's incredibly short! Now I can't blame Amanda, she and her mum are probably dragging heights. I do a little calculation of her height if her Jordans weren't adding about three inches to her, heck she might even be shorter than the older lady
"Good afternoon ma'am" I duck my head slightly
"Heyyy how are you?" She beams at me as she walks over to grab a bag from Amanda who has the look of victory in her face
"I'm fine ma, how are you?" I respond to her unending questions about my life
Anyone who bought our sibling act moments ago has probably figured out that it was only a coy to jump the queue since the alleged two members of my family are walking out of the supermarket without sparing a glance at my direction. Almost immediately that thought comes, Amanda whips around to wiggle her fingers at me. I smile back and give her a small wave, watching both their figures exit the supermarket.
Next up, pharmacy
I tap the buttons of the remote to my black Camry sports 2020 and dump all the shopping bags into the backseat, gently rolling the cart away from the back of my car so I don't hit it in reverse. I turn on the engine and drive to the only place that won't ask for a doctor's prescription for Doxylamine
"Good afternoon ma" I flash the attendant- who is also the owner- my widest smile
"Ehh Omo mi, ba wo ni" she says excitedly, taking in my appearance not so subtly
(My child, how are you?)
At this point I think I understand more Yoruba than Igbo sef
"I'm fine ma" I return her energy
"What do you want to buy from us today, this one that we don't see you anymore" she places her cheek in her palm as she speaks
"Doxylamine, one cup" I say quietly
She backs off from the counter with a frown
"Ahan why, I thought the doctor asked her not to take it anymore" she gives a look of suspicion
"Yeah- it's not for Idara" I lie through my teeth
"Ehen who is it for, you?" Her look turns to that of concern
"No it's for- eh- my dad" I splutter
Smooth, real smooth
"Ehen okay" she spares me a final glance before going inner into the store to fetch the pills
I drum my fingers on the counter top, my anxiety level is probably as high as someone who robbing a bank
"Take this, one in the morning one at night" she writes it on the body of the cylindrical bottle
"Thank you ma" I say as I collect the black nylon from her
"My regards to your dad oh" she calls as I exit her store
"He'll hear ma"
Oh no he definitely wouldn't
**
The gates of the house finally draw open slowly after over three minutes of honking, the look on the security guard's face tells me he was sleeping on duty, he's lucky I'm the one at the gate and not my father. I drive into the compound and park right beside Idara's white Hex, it's usual spot. I push the slightly parted entrance door forward and walk into the living room to what seems like a welcome party. My dad and a middle aged woman are in a loose embrace right in the centre of the living room, they pull apart at the same time and the woman is none other than the current answer to my prayers
"Mama Freda" I squeal excitedly and wrap my arms around her in a bone crushing way, lifting her off the ground a bit
She giggles loudly as she tells me to put her down
"Did you miss me that much?" She says between laughs
"Yesss, too much infact" I drop her gently on the floor, helping her smoothen the sleeves of her dress
"Or you just missed the food?" She asks as the housekeeper helps wheel her box down to her room
I laugh at her statement, of course we missed the food. We missed her too but the food, unmatched
"So how was the trip, how's port Harcourt?"
"Let her rest Tobe, you'll disturb her later" my dad says with humor in his voice
I decide to let her go, she must be jetlagged from how tiredly she's walking
The housekeepers walking in with the shopping bags remind me I still have a package to deliver to the girl upstairs, I excuse myself in the least suspicious way and make for Idara's room
I knock on her door twice but when she doesn't respond, I push it open gently. I crane my neck around her mess of a room and I almost gag in disgust. I do a little celebratory jiggle in my head because for the first time in history, my room looks better than hers. I don't have books littered everywhere, reading table with half eaten bag of chips and duvet rumpled on the floor. I hear the tap in the bathroom running as I step deeper into the room, I assume she's just taking her bath
"Idara?" I call
"Hmm?" she replies almost silently
"I'm back with the pills" I mutter into the door
She pulls the door open and steps out
She looks almost like she did before I went out, all color drained out of her- used to be- brown eyes. Her braids are packed in a messy bun in the middle of her head with a purple scrunchie I didn't know she still had.
"Are you okay?" Now I'm genuinely worried
She nods her head as she pulls the pills from my grasp, muttering a quick thanks
She has an overall dead look that is even more intense than the ones she has on her mother's death anniversaries and that should bother me, but I can't help but notice the Black rider hoodie she has on
"Why do you have Aidan's hoodie?" I pull on one of the strings
"He gave it to me in school when I was cold" she says expressionlessly as she pops a pill into her mouth
People that take pills before water are possessed, cos how do you do something like that?!
"You didn't tell me you were cold, I could have given you mine" I say as I reach into her fridge to grab a bottle of water
She doesn't give me a reply, she slurps the water noisily instead
Aidan gave her his hoodie? Seems like a normal friendly gesture but I know my best friend, I know my cousin too. I don't know what the heck both of them might be thinking but they better kill it, not while I'm alive. Aidan might be my best friend but that doesn't mean he has sense, I will happily watch him with any other girl but certainly not Idara. The feeling of guilt still bugs anytime I remember that I totally pretended I didn't notice the friction between the both of them throughout SS2 and how tensed they became anytime they were within five feet of each other. Whatever it was, I can't let it happen again, not when I know how bad it hurt the both of them
Idara switches her bedside lamp off and wears her sleeping blindfold over her head
"My duvet" she says as she gets into her sleeping position
I lift it off the floor and dump it on her
"Use it to cover me joor where are you from sef?" She hisses loudly
I roll my eyes as I stretch the edges of the duvet to cover her
"Sleep tight" I walk towards the door, switching the lights off on my way out
"Ehen are you going for the school's valentine party?" She raises her head from her pillow
"I don't know, are you?"
"Nope Trip says she wants to hangout here instead, you know this whole Edmond shit na she doesn't want to see him" she muffles the final part into the pillow, I guess the sleeping pill is already taking it's effect
She wants to hangout here?
"Okay... I don't know still, I'll find out from Aidan if he's going" my reply falls on sleepy ears, she's gone
I take it as my cue to leave and shut her door quietly behind me
**
AMANDA'S POV
(Amanda Aderinsola Akinde)
Earlier this week
"ð¶I sit by myself talking to the moooooon
Tryna get to youuuuð¶"
I sing in my half melodic tune as I attempt to complete my biology diagram of the brain while sitting on a bench under the shed. The teacher told me to redraw because she found out I traced the diagram from the textbook even though she has no proof- it's true but she still has no proof. She said she knew I couldn't draw like that, how insulting. I think of adding a little pink color to the picture just like it is in the textbook but I'm not ready to draw a third diagram after the second one is almost drawing blood from me
"Hey are you okay?" I hear Toke's voice say as she sits on the other side of the wooden bench, I don't raise my head
"Trip I'm talking to you, you've been off" she leans a little closer
"I've not been off, I was doing the only job that was assigned to me but you said I shouldn't so no problem" I shrug nonchalantly
"It's still about that?" She scoffs "bruh that was two days ago why are you still being bitchy about it?"
"Just leave me alone abeg, I'm not in the mood" I mutter
Biology diagram has spoilt my mood enough, don't come and add to my problems
"Seriously Trip?" She asks in disbelief
I don't reply her, I continue my diagram. Knowing Toke, ignoring her will bruise her huge ego than replying with a snarky remark. Without uttering another word, she props herself off from the bench and walks out of the shed, my eyes follow her movement, as graceful as ever. I'm sure Toke is that kind of girl that will still apply lip gloss in the middle of a breakdown and do their morning routine even if the world was ending
I look ahead and notice a girl coming in my direction, due to the amount of light shining directly in my eyes, I can't easily make out the face but by the nose ring glistening as she turns her bright features towards me, I can tell it's Espn. Yep that's my cue to leave
I pack all my tools at the same time, holding my drawing book gently so that my eraser doesn't fall out of the other side. I walk briskly away through the other side of the shed before the shorter girl notices me. Since the week started, I've been doing a great job of avoiding everything that has to do with Edmond, he's been too busy to notice though. I should be happy for him since he's my friend and I want the best for him, but that shit doesn't happen in real life. Anytime I see the both of them together- which is almost everytime- I feel the urge to run them over with one of my dad's four wheels
Wait, were those my thoughts?
What the hell is going on with me? I didn't used to think like this before
I dump my materials in my locker then race to the A class, not bothering to stop over at mine. I don't search too long before I find Nana seated in her usual corner with a French dictionary- we don't even offer french!
"Hey I need to talk to you" she puts the dictionary aside and focuses her eyes on mine
I notice a bit of dark circles underneath her eyes but I don't give it too much thought, final year and insomnia come hand in hand
"What is it?" She drags Amir's chair for me to sit down, giving the boy a charming smile as bribe for his chair, he smiles back as he shakes his head at her gimmicks
I sigh deeply as I land thump on the chair
"Am I being bitchy?" I ask after taking a couple of deep breaths in
"Bitchy? Did someone say that?" She asks, sounding like something my mum would say
"Just answer the question please"
"Well, I won't say bitchy" she pauses, probably thinking of a less offensive word to use "you've been acting a little off lately"
That's it, the same word Toke used
I groan loudly, throwing my head back in frustration
"Is something wrong?" She places her palm over the back of mine on the desk
"I don't know what's wrong with me" I massage my temple with my fingers tiredly
Everyone's probably getting sick of my attitude, I'm getting sick of myself
"Do you think it has to do with the whole-" she shields her mouth and whispers "Edmond saga?"
Edmond saga? Please I'm over that
"No, I'm over that, they don't bother me anymore" I feel my intestines squeeze as I let the lie out
"It's okay, maybe you're just in a sour mood , you need to relax" she runs her hand up and down my forearm in a soothing manner
"Yeah but the entire swim team is probably pissed at me" I give a long hiss, my eyes darting over to Wendy's direction
"They'll come around, it happens to the best of us" she gives a reassuring smile
"Who are you going to the valentine's dinner with?" She asks with curiosity laced in her voice
"Valentine's dinner? I don't think I'm coming, for now anything that has to do with love should stay far away from me"
"And you're over it like that oh" she mocks
I ignore her comment, not bothering to meet her gaze
"Maybe both of us should miss it, do something different instead" she suggests
"Great Idea, at least it's better than what I had planned"
"What did you have planned?"
"Stay in my room all day binge watching blood and water in my pyjamas" I give her a smug look causing her to burst out laughing
"Okay definitely not! How about we hangout at my house, then we can binge watch whatever we want to" she wiggles her eyebrows at me "I would have said your house instead but my uncle is around and he doesn't like us going out when he is"
I nod my head in understanding, he's only around a few times from what I've heard, you can't blame him for wanting to maximize the time he has with his kids- kid and niece whatever. I've wanted to ask Nana more about her parents but anytime something related comes up, she completely zones out of the conversation and given the way Erling never mentions them too I assume it's a touchy subject for everyone. She's never told me anything tangible about either of them and I don't think I'm asking anytime soon, she'll tell me when she wants to
The bell for the next period goes off
"Remember to bring me a gift oh if not I will just send you back to your house" she says with a fierce look
I giggle as I get off Amir's chair and fix it where it's supposed to be, blowing Nancy a kiss on my way out
About ten days ago I was really sure that this year's valentine would be different, lo and behold that's how I deceived myself. At least it won't be that sad, I'll probably spend Friday at my mum's store- since there's a public holiday- Saturday walking around the house in my Pyjamas then Sunday at Nana's house binge watching our favorite series. Well, not totally crappy
End of chapter ð¥ºOmo mehn, longest chapter ever and I must say I feel very content to have written almost 5000 words (4690). I only challenged myself to write this long because a reader said she wanted it longer and here we are ð©ð©ð¤
Next chapter will be up to 5k ð¥ºour target from now on is to write between 4.5k and 5k cos why not
*****
Amanda and Toke ehn ðlet's leave their matter in one side
Erling is such a caring brother ð¥ºa little creepy too but at least he's caring ðð and yes he notices EVERYTHING
We'll get to see from Eddy's point of view for the first time- since he fell in love- in the next chapter ð God abeggg where una dey see this love
Vote, comment and share 𥺠stay tuned for the next chapter
Au revoir ð©ð¤