CHAPTER 4: He Want Me

Samantha hurried from the kitchen with a glass of water in her hands, trembling. She knelt beside her mother, helping her sip slowly before offering her the medicine. The coughing eased—just slightly—and after a few quiet moments, the house settled into a fragile calm. Nathan hadn’t returned from work yet. When he finally returned, at the door, Samantha met him with urgency in her voice.

“Dad,” she said, her eyes pleading, “we need to take Mum to the hospital.”

“Dad, we need to take Mum to the hospital.”

“I will, my dear,” he’d replied, his voice weary. “Once this month’s salary comes in.”

Samantha Carter woke early in the morning to prepare for school. It was another new week. Her father had already left for work, as usual.

She pulled on her faded sweater and zipped up her backpack.

“Mama, I have to leave now. I’ll be back before dinner,” she said gently.

Her mother smiled weakly. “Be careful, sweetheart. Don’t worry too much. You’re all I have left… my only hope.”

As she stepped into the cold morning air, Samantha spotted their landlord approaching the door. Her heart tightened—she knew why he was here.

“Good morning, landlord,” she greeted politely.

The man frowned. “The only thing that would make this morning good is if your parents finally paid me my rent right now."Where is your father?" he asked, glancing toward the house. "I came early so I could meet him at home. Where is he?" Samantha kept her voice steady. "He just stepped out a few minutes ago," she replied.

The landlord sighed impatiently. "Fine. Let me see your mother then." Samantha hesitated. "She’s not home," she said quickly. “She went to visit her parents yesterday and hasn’t returned.”

It was a lie. One she hated. But with her mother so ill, she couldn’t let this confrontation add to her suffering. Not now. Not when she is trying to survive her illness.

The landlord eyed her for a moment, then gave a short nod. "Alright, I’ll be back. Just let them know I came. Tell them to send my money—or I’ll return a second time this evening, and if I return, it wouldn’t be nice."

Samantha boarded a taxi to school, her heart heavy. She worried about whether her dad would still be able to take her sick mother to the hospital, especially when the landlord is asking for rent without mercy.

Samantha arrived at school. At the school gate, she paused. It reminded her of the five wishes she had scribbled down the day she was admitted. She smiled faintly and walked in.

Her mind was elsewhere. Distracted, she hit her foot on a block and fell forward, catching herself with her hands. A few students noticed, some greeted her politely, some laughed at her, and others just watched.

She quickly dusted herself off and kept walking, feeling embarrassed.

Jake had been walking behind her. He saw her fall and noticed that her phone slipped off. He picked it up and watched her walk away, unaware.

Jake sighed.

“If she didn’t want to be my friend, she could’ve at least respected my kindness.”

Samantha arrived just moments before the lecture began. She opened her bag.

“I thought I kept my phone here,” she whispered.

She asked her friends to call it. It rang, but no one answered. They sent a message:

“Please, if found, please return.”

She couldn’t focus on the lectures. Her heart raced. She borrowed Marian’s phone while the lecture was going on and called again — this time, it was switched off.

“It’s off,” she whispered, close to tears.

Later, Jake went to Samantha’s departmental hall after her class.

She was pacing, restless and frustrated, her mind racing as she tried to remember where she might have left — or lost — her phone.

“Sam,” he called.

Samantha turned. It was Jake. The sight of him only added to her irritation; this was not the moment, and she didn’t want him around her. She hesitated, torn between snapping at him or saying nothing at all.

Her eyes locked on his, searching for his intent.

Before she could say anything, Jake reached into his pocket and brought out her phone.

“I think you misplaced this,” he said.

Samantha’s eyes lit up. She quickly took the phone from his hand, her heart flooding with relief. A smile broke across her face — warm, grateful, and unguarded.

“Thank you,” she said. And walk away, she doesn’t need a broke guy, and she knew Jake wanted to take this opportunity he has.

Jake watched her walk away, hurt by her coldness. He stood motionless, unsure what to do. Just then, one of Samantha’s classmates ran up and hugged Jake. "What are you doing here?" she asked. Samantha saw it and felt a sting of jealousy.

“Why am I jealous ?” she asked herself.

She tried to ignore it, but couldn’t.

She walked up to them.

“Jake, meet me outside. I want to speak with you.”

Jake followed her. She took his hand and led him behind the hall.

“What did you want to tell me?” she asked.

Jake was confused. She had ignored him earlier, and now she wanted to talk. Was she upset? Or trying to make peace?

He stayed quiet.

Then Samantha said,

“I just want to give you one chance… to be my friend.”

Jake smiled.

“Thank you. That’s all I ever wanted.”

Without waiting for another word from Jake, Samantha left.

“What kind of girl is this?” Jake wondered, watching her walk away. She was distant, unreadable—impossible to reach. And somehow, that only made him want to try harder..

Samantha sat quietly at home after returning from school, her mind heavy with worry and uncertainty. She thought about the landlord and wondered if she should give in to what he clearly wanted. “Should I let him lie with me tonight, so he could give us some peace, as he has been promising me if I agree to be his side chick?

The thought made her feel sick.

She picked up her phone and called her father.

“Dad… have you sorted things with the landlord? It’s a new month.”

Nathan sighed.

“No, dear. Did he come?”

“Yes,” Samantha said softly. “He came this morning. He said he’ll be back this evening.”

Nathan sighed again.

“You see, Samantha? This is why I always tell you — be careful about the kind of man you bring into this house. You should make sure they are not broke.”

“Dad!” she snapped. “I’m talking about the landlord, and you’re bringing up something else.”

“How is it different?” he replied. “Tell me — how does it look different?”

There was a pause.

“Anyway,” Nathan said, sounding tired, “I don’t have the money yet. Just lock the door. If he comes, don’t answer.”

Then the call ended.

Why is he hanging up the call like that, Samantha said, looking at her screen. She rose quietly and walked to the door. Her fingers brushed the lock, checking it with care, making sure it was secure before she stepped back.

She sat quietly, thinking, “What kind of childish game is my father playing with me? Pretend no one’s home—really?”

She rolled her eyes.

“This landlord,” she muttered, “one day I’ll pay the full rent myself and tell him to keep the change.”

Just as she began to relax, the doorbell rang—loud and sharp.

Startled, she forgot her father’s warning.

Without thinking, she called out, “Please hold on, I’m coming!”

She walked quickly to the door.

The bell rang again.

“I’m here already,” she said casually.

Then it hit her.

Her father’s words. The warning.

She froze in front of the door.

“Oh… shit,” she whispered, eyes wide.

Her heart pounded.

She stepped back, her hand still in the air, inches from the handle.

She had already spoken. Whoever was outside had heard her.

There was no hiding now.

The silence stretched.

Was it the landlord? Had she just made a mistake?

She couldn’t stand there forever. The worst thing is for him to sleep with her tonight.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward, gripped the handle—

And opened the door.

“Hey!” Samantha shouted, her voice filled with joy as she rushed toward the woman standing at the door. “Auntie, welcome!” she said, throwing her arms around Gloria in a tight hug.

“My beautiful angel,” Gloria said, smiling warmly as she held her close. “How are you?”

“I’m fine,” Samantha replied, still clinging to her. “I missed you, sister.”

“I missed you, too,” Gloria said, gently pulling back. “And guess what—I brought something for you.”

“Really?” Samantha’s eyes lit up.

Gloria opened her bag and began pulling out gifts—stylish shoes, sparkling jewelry, and a few pairs of trendy jeans. Samantha’s face glowed with excitement as she examined each item, holding them up one by one.

“Mum! Mum!” she called out, dashing toward her mother’s room. “Auntie Gloria is here!”

Lillian, her mother, sat up quickly from her bed, her face lighting up with joy. Samantha hurried over to help her, gently guiding her to the parlor.

“Oh no,” Gloria said, her smile fading as she saw Lillian approach slowly, leaning on Samantha for support. She stood up immediately, concern etched across her face. “What happened to you, Lillian?”

“It’s just a little malaria,” Lillian replied softly.

“Just a little malaria?” Gloria repeated, frowning. “Have you taken any medication?”

“Yes, I have,” Lillian nodded.

“Okay,” Gloria said, helping her settle into a chair. “You need to rest properly.”

The next morning, Samantha stepped in, dressed in one of those jeans her auntie bought for her, with a soft blue blouse. Her tote bag hung casually from her shoulder, filled with her laptop, lecture notes, and a water bottle.

Gloria was already up, seated comfortably with a cup of tea and a quiet smile.

“Good morning, Auntie,” Samantha greeted, walking over.

“Good morning, my dear. How was your night?” Gloria asked, setting her cup aside.

“It was fine, Auntie,” Samantha said, leaning down to wrap her arms around her. Gloria hugged her back warmly, still seated, her hand resting gently on Samantha’s arm.

“You smell like coffee and ambition,” Gloria teased with a chuckle. “And those jeans look good on you.”

“Yes, Auntie Ma… thanks for them,” Samantha replied with a smile.

Gloria nodded, eyeing her outfit. “It’s okay… but you’re dressed like someone going to see someone special. Someone dear to the heart?”

Samantha laughed. “Auntie, I’ll see you when I get back.”

“So dear, where are you leaving me to?” Gloria asked, lifting a curious brow.

“To school,” Samantha replied.

“Oh! I almost forgot,” Gloria said, waving a hand. “Alright then. Go conquer the day. And please, eat something that didn’t come from a vending machine.”

“I will, ma,” Samantha said with a smile.

“Wait,” Gloria added, handing her some money. “Take this to support your transport.”

Samantha took the money gratefully, waved goodbye, and hurried off to school.

Samantha arrived at school only to find her morning classes had been canceled. As she sat quietly, her phone buzzed. It was Jake.

“Oh… this boy again,” she muttered.

She hated how being around him made her feel — vulnerable, distracted.

“I lose myself when I’m with him,” she thought.

“He makes me think stupid things, makes me feel like I should let him touch all the sensitive parts of my body. But no matter what I feel about him, and no matter how kind he is, I could never date someone like him. My father wouldn’t allow it.”

Still, she answered.

“Hi, Jake.”

“Good morning,” he said warmly. “Just checking up on you. Hope you slept well.”

“Yes… Thanks for checking,” she replied.

“If you’re free today,” Jake continued, “maybe we could hang out somewhere?”