Chapter Seven

I had a quick shower after Joyce left my room to fuse with her cousins and I was really feeling better. Like I had hoped, the hot shower had seeped into each and every part of my weak and aching spot, to soothe and pamper. I was actually feeling like myself again. 

I wore the same outfit I had worn while coming and tapped my hair like it would bring down the wild curls somewhat. It didn’t. It practically bounced back to spite me. These curls were the absolute worst. Left to me, I would have cut it all off. It was so difficult to maintain. Well, my school frowned at women having low cuts, so I was stuck with them for a while.

I better head downstairs. I left the solace of my temporary room, closing the door securely behind me. Loud whisperings could be heard from my vantage point but I couldn’t decipher what was being said. It all came out in mumbo-jumbo. 

At the foot of stairs, I caught the black and white hue of a pre-recorded image on the plasma television. Smiling, I walked faster into the parlour. I gasped as Joyce threw a remote at Emeka like it was some type of missile. He was so lucky to have a top-notch reflex which served him good in catching the remote.

“Ouch. Why do you always do this?” He grumbled.

“Well, it serves you right for not shutting your trap while I’m in the middle of a beautiful movie.” She snapped.

The girls giggled. They were really enjoying this spectacle way too much. I couldn’t blame them though. It was a tad amusing. I thought they were cousins, Emeka should have known by now, that Joyce hates distraction when she’s fixated on a movie. The girl had no chill button.

“Cut him some slack. You’re only losing more juicy plots if you keep been worked up over nothing.” I threw nonchalantly at Joyce while turning my attention to the girls. “And, you two should move away from the television screen. Do you want to get blind?” I queried.

“You’re right. He isn’t worth it.” With that, she turned her attention to the movie.

Through the corner of my eyes, I saw Emeka glare at her. I turned to him, wanting to say something to deflect his icy glare from Joyce, only for him to press the power button on the remote slightly. I waved my hand frantically, in a bid for him to stop. On second thought, I whispered, please.

He sighed, dropping the remote on the side table. I sighed in relief. I didn’t want to settle disputes at all. As fun as it could be with our peer groups, it could get nasty. 

I took a seat beside Emeka since the chair could accommodate one more person. I turned towards Joyce, who was looking at the television like she actually had a role in the movie. She was not the next bet to ask the title of the movie so I asked Precious.

“Precious, what’s the title of this movie?”

“A handful of tears. Sister Joyce said it’s a Philippine novella.” She replied without looking at me.

“Silence, you two,” Joyce ordered.

I used my finger to swipe across my lips in a sign that said sealed lips, though Joyce wasn’t looking at me. A soft chuckle sounded and I stirred towards it, it was Emeka. I smiled back, at least someone wasn’t a movie freak.

Thirty minutes into the movie, I was fighting back tears. It was heart-wrenching watching infidelity and betrayal play out live on screen. How could a man who claimed to love his wife, abandon her and her kids because of greener pastures and a woman’s slender waist? I doubt he was a man, he was an animal.

“Different strokes for different folks, I would say,” I added thoughtfully.

“That is only said by lazy individuals who can’t think for themselves.” He spat out. 

Oh, he must think I’m against him but I was not. 

“You have a point. Though, my reference was to say each person

He looked at me curiously. “Well...” 

“Can you guys be quiet?” Joyce interjected.

We looked at each other and smiled. “Sorry, ma'am.” I and Emeka said simultaneously.

I diverted my attention back to the movie. It was nice to see Marisol. They need to show her parts more often, I thought inwardly. I was laughing at something she said when I felt a hand on my thigh, stroking gently. I almost jumped.

I swiped it away but he persisted which caused me to turn my attention to him in annoyance. He just smiled innocently.

“Can we go to my room to talk for a while?” He whispered.

I pushed his hand aside. “I believe we’re watching a movie.” I used my forefinger to point towards the screen.

“It’s boring not talking about a movie you’re watching. What’s the point then?”

I sighed, knowing he was right but I was used to it due to how quiet my family was during movies. Well, somewhat quiet if we subtract my mom’s incessant demands.

“I really am into this movie. Can’t we talk later?” I asked tentatively.

“Oh, come on. I’m dying here and Joyce doesn’t even care. It will be laid back, I promise.” He pleaded quietly.

“Umm...”

Not waiting for my response, he grabbed my arm and led me out of the room quietly, using the other exit. This made the others not to notice we’ve gone. 

“We should have told them,” I whispered.

“No need. Joyce doesn’t want any sound at all.” He reasoned. I looked at him through my lashes. “Don’t worry, they won’t miss us.” He soothed.

I nodded. Though, I was a bit anxious. I had never stayed alone with a boy before. I took a deep breath. Anyway, there was always a first time for everything, right? With that in mind, I focused on our surroundings. We had walked through the lone corridor, and now, we were heading towards the kitchen? I was wrong, for the cornered me to the room adjacent to it.

The room had sparse furnishings but it seemed stuffy, thanks to clothes littered everywhere like kittens. Emeka released my right hand to toss the clothes on the bed down.