CHAPTER SEVEN

The class was so hot, Michal couldn't take more of her so called friend nonsense, like who does that? Go all the way to back stab  your friend cos of a random guy? No, he isn't just a random guy, he was more.

But she didn't deserve the things Ruth was making her go through. She acted like Michal wasn't once her confidant, and she just threw it on her face in front of the whole class that she doesn't give a damn about their friendship, all because of Hammed?

Michal Would give up everything for the sake of their friendship in the past but not anymore, Ruth was more of a foe than a friend.

She got to the large almond tree behind the chemistry lab and sat on the deserted bench. She needed her solitude and it was even more better than a backstabbing friend.

'What happened? What went wrong? Why did Ruth changed' the 'W' questions clouded her thoughts.

She went back to when She met Ruth, It was when they were in class one she was new in the school and needed a friend then Ruth showed up like a prayer answered. they suddenly took to each other and they did virtually everything together until last term.

She just became totally distant to her, she had thought it was family issues so she gave her, the space she demanded. Until today when she finally said those words,

"Hammed is mine, stay away from him!"

It was because of him all along, Michal sighed and covered her face with her palm, she never claimed he was hers so what was Ruth ranting about?

"A penny for your thoughts." She recognized the voice, it was his.

"Go away, Hammed.' She begged.

"Why?" He took a seat beside her.

"How did you find me?" She questioned.

"What's wrong Michal?" He asked. 

"Just go please, I don't want more troubles from Ruth."

"Ruth?"

"Yes your Ruth, don't pretend now Hammed.. You were not blind not to have noticed the drama she staged in the class." Michal almost yelled at him. "You guys should let me be please'"

"Calm down Michal." He nudged her. " Ruth is a friend and nothing more."

"How is that my business?" She glared at him scornfully. "Go to her, you belong with her." She spat and stood to leave, he blocked her way with his legs she was really furious.

"Get your legs off my way, Hammed" she warned.

He didn't budge, he stared into space and ignored her.

"Hammed, I'm talking to you." 

"I heard You right Michal."

"So why are you not moving?"

"I'm not blocking your way." Michal could sense the sadness in his voice, she felt bad for behaving rudely.

"Okay." She made to jump over his legs but he held her back, his grip tightened on her arms. "Hammed." She winced.

"Do you have to always make it hard for me." He stood up still holding her tightly.

"Why Michal, Why do you have to make it so hard for me?" He looked into her eyes.

'What is he talking about?' Her subconscious mind asked a lame question.

"Hammed, leave me alone please."

"How can I leave you alone, Michal?" He half yelled. "Just how?"

"Anyhow, I don't care." She said bluntly, of course she cared.

He fixated his eyes on hers, not blinking, not letting go of her arms. 

"How can I make you Care?" He asked softly.

His softness set her heart aflutter and once again it was hard to still be rude, can he stop behaving like this?

She looked at him, his eyes were filled with emotions she couldn't decipher, she looked closer and caught a glimpse of hurts,

'Did she hurt him' she would never bring herself to admit she hurt Hammed. 'No' she stuck to her thoughts and loosen his grip on her forcefully, she walked away and didn't look back one more time.

Hammed stared past her as she walked elegantly towards the classrooms, he closed his eyes slightly and performed an exercise of breathing to calm his nerves.

He made sure he was okay to go before gently following behind her.

_________________________________,,__________,,_______________

Michel hurried towards the school gate immediately after the closing bell rang, she met Mirabella there and was secretly thankful she won't have to start searching for her.

Mirabella was so engrossed in her conversation With Lekky that she didn't notice her sister was right by her side.

"Talk talk." Michal tapped Mirabella's shoulder.

"You're here." She smiled.

"Hi senior." Lekky waved.

"Oh my driver is here. I have to go Mira we will talk tomorrow." She hugged Mirabella and waved Michal. "Bye." She ran off to where the car was parked.

"Did she tell her mom about the guy?" Michal asked Mirabella when Lekky was gone.

"Not yet, we were talking about it before you came. What do you think?" Mirabella asked as they strolled down the school gate.

"I honestly think she should report him, how can an older guy harass a young girl? What if he does the unthinkable one day?"

"Michal, his job is at stake here he might lose his job."

"Then he should have thought of that before harassing that tiny girl sexually." Michal frowned. "If she doesn't tell her mom, I Will tell her myself." She threatened.

"I will tell her what you said tomorrow, but honestly Uncle Solomon really disappointed me. I never thought he could do something like that." 

"Men like him are like chameleons, they are one human in different skins. Pretenders! you think they're good not knowing they are the devil's advocates." Michal scrunched her nose.

Mirabella chuckled at her sisters expression

"Hmmmmm, Michal is mommy coming home today?" She asked.

"Why?"

"I have a surprise for her." Mirabella smiled happily.

"What's the surprise?" Michal asked.

"Here." She gave her a letter.

"Okay?" She collected it and looked at her sister, she opened and scanned through its contents. "Wow, Mira! Congratulations my baby." out of excitement she pulled Mirabella into a hug on the main road, other pedestrians watched them with less interest. 'These girls are crazy' the idea on their minds.

"A car could hit us." Mirabella freed herself from the embrace. "Silly you." She laughed and hit Michal playfully.

"I'm so happy Mira." It was evident in her smile, "Now, I think I have to start supporting your dreams."

"Seriously?." Mirabella asked excitedly.

"Yes, you're going far and better. I love you Mira you always make me proud."

"I love you too." Mirabella told her.

"So when is the competition?"

"First round of the competition is next two months. If we're able to perform well we will qualify for the final round." She explained as best as she could.

"Of course! you will do well like always." 

"Mom will be so happy right?" Mirabella asked looking up at her sister's face.

"I don't know." Michal stopped a cab and they hopped in. "Temilade street." She told the cab man and he zoomed off.

"Alright." Mirabella shrugged. 

They got home shortly after, they got to the Balcony of the building and saw that the door was left ajar.

"Mom is in." Michal told Mirabella.

Mirabella jumped in happiness and hurriedly opened the door, she entered into the house and met a man seated comfortably on the couch, he was watching a football match on the 43 inches plasma Television.

Her happiness turned into chagrin.

'Who's this man.' She thought, he looked at her and smiled. she stood there and didn't say a thing.

Michal pushed the door and saw Mirabella standing with her arms akimbo not leaving the spot.

"Hey what's wrong with you?" She pushed her forward and entered, she froze at the sight of the brown-skin good looking man.

"Who are you?" She asked him.

"Actually, I'm Jerry." He smiled again. Michal remembered who he was, she had seen him once when she trailed her mother.

"And you are?" Mirabella asked further.

"Mom's boyfriend." Michal answered and walked directly into the room, Mirabella rolled her eyes at him and followed her sister. They met her mother on the way but they ignored her.

"Babies....." Catherine followed them to the room and tried to hug her kids but Michal made a hand for her to stop.

"Mom?" Mirabella called disappointedly.

"I can explain." She said softly, avoiding the look on her daughter's face.

"Explain what?" Michal asked angrily.

"After neglecting us for months, you brought in your boyfriend to introduce to us right?" She scoffed.

"Calm down Michal, I'm your mother! You should not talk to me like that." Catherine tried to have the upper hand.

"Mommy." Mirabella burst into tears.

"You brought a man home?"

"Don't cry baby, he's a good man." She tried to convince her.

"A good man?" She looked at her mother and wiped her tears. "Dad will not be happy."

"Mom, can you just let us be? We're just coming back from school and we're stressed out." Michal said to her.

"Michal." Mirabella looked at her sister.

"You can follow mom to the living room, I need to rest please." She flopped on the bed tiredly.

"I'm not going with you mom. We're not ready to meet him yet." Mirabella sat back on the bed. Catherine looked at her children, they didn't look like they wanted to listen to her.

"I will give you girls time." She left them and went back to the living room.

"Honey." She kissed Jerry and sat beside him.

"Your kids are cute, but not very friendly." He told her.

"They're the best kids, Jay." She smiled, looking at him affectionately.. "They need some time." 

"If you say so." He shrugged. "The elder one doesn't look so friendly at all. The smaller girl is very cute."

"Mirabella is a smart kid. The elder one is Michal, she's good too."

"I can't wait to be their father." He grinned.

"Don't go there Jay." Catherine frowned and shifted away from him. "You can't be like their father if you want the children to accept you , you don't have to be possessive over them. They have just one father and he's dead. May his soul rest in peace." 

"Hey babe, calm down." He moved closer to her and kissed her cheeks, he knew she Was calm now. "Why didn't you go to work today?" He asked in his usual soft voice.

"I called in sick babe. I will be at work tomorrow." She kissed him again.

So Catherine brought home her boyfriend?

Too bad.

There is someone harassing poor Lekky, I feel for her..

I'd advise her to speak out though.

Drop your comments pls.