Chapter Fourteen.

Omotayo.

Bang!Bang!!Bang.

The pounding headache woke me up from my light sleep. My head felt as if it would explode soon and I held my hand with both hands as the pounding intensified.

I sat up on my bed as I tried breathing exercises to see if it would stop but if anything it just became more unbearable.

My temperature was all over the place but I still felt cold inside. Could I be getting a fever?

I shivered as the cold water came in contact with my skin. I was hoping that the water would reduce my temperature a little.

I picked my toothbrush still in the shower and brushed it weakly with the water cascading over my body.

Today was going to be somehow,I could feel it.

"Hey honey,did you sleep well?"My mother asked as I made my way to the dining room.

René and my mother were already seated and they were talking about something. I searched for my dad but he was nowhere to be found.

"Where is dad?"I voiced out my curiosity.

My mom sighed sadly and forced a sad smile to her face"He went to work to see a client."

I took a seat on one of the chairs and was about to nod in the positive when René said"Really?He went to see a client?So you always tell your client that "last night was great"? He went to see his concubine, mom. Let's be honest with ourselves."

My mouth fell open and so did my mom's. René was always silent when it came to matters like this. When she spoke like that,she was very angry and frustrated.

"Who was he talking to?"I asked her. Maybe she knew the person.

"Mary Jane!"

I was silent as I let my brain process the information. Mary Jane.

It couldn't be the same Mary Jane could it.

"René,"There was a warning tone in my mom's voice"We can't be sure it is the same Mary Jane."

I looked at René,urging her to tell me that it was not the same girl.

"It's her mom."René snapped"I heard her voice and you did too. Moreover dad literally called her name to spite you. I also heard her laugh. I am sure no one in this place had forgotten her hideous laugh."

René was right. Mary Jane had a loud and throaty laugh. Not the sexy part but the scary one and everyone knew it.

How could Mary Jane do this to me?

We were on good terms the last time I checked so what was her gain by doing this?By hurting my mom?

"I know that,"René continued"it's hard to take in,Ty but I told you the first time. I told you that I didn't like her. I told you that something felt off about her."

"Well did I even date her?"I snapped at  René and she kept shut"I just invited her to the house. I didn't know that she fancied dad."

The whole room fell silent which was very uncomfortable and I stood up and said"René get up and let's go to school."

I started walking outside without even saying goodbye to her because I was seething inside.

René followed behind me timidly as we walked into the car.

I got inside and slammed the door to the car while I waited for Rene to enter the car. She came inside and closed the door softly.

As I reversed the car and moved out of the house fast. I almost hit the gate man in the process but my ego wouldn't let me apologize.

"You have to accept it Omotayo."René said as I drove on the highway.

I ignored her and made a U-turn and focused on the road.

"Omotayo,are you listening to me?"

"Drop that topic,René!"I snapped at her"Unless you want this car to have an accident."

Silence grew heavy in the car as René grew quiet. I almost thanked the heavens for the needed silence but my gratefulness was cut short when René decided to speak again.

"I have started singing."She begun"I am beginning to think that I may even like it more than dancing."

I chuckled softly as I took in Rene's facial expression. She was so serious even though I felt that she was joking. There was nothing Rene loved more than singing.

"Are you mocking me,Omotayo?"She snapped at me.

"Oya sing for me now."I deadpanned.

Her mouth flew open in shock and I repeated again"Sing. I want to hear it."

She used her hand to cover her face and said"I am shy."

"Just say that you can't sing,René. Nobody will..."

Spirit lead me where my choice is without borders.

Let me walk upon the waters,wherever you would call me.

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander..

René stopped abruptly and stared at me and I stared back at her in shock. 

Had she always been able to sing like that?Her voice was so melodious that I had been taken by it.

"It was bad,wasn't it?"René asked,a little red tainting her cheeks.

"What do you mean by bad?"Astonishment could still be heard in my voice and I could care less"You were awesome,little sister."

She smiled and replied"Thank you big brother. I was actually thinking of trying out for the Angelic voices competition."

"What's that?"I asked,confusion washing over me.

"Its like a competition for the best singer or group of singers. I was told that the choir group won each year but I have a feeling that this year will be different.

I nodded my head to show her that I had heard her.

**

"Women's place are in the kitchen. Why would they go to work if I am already working?"A boy named Kola in my class countered strongly during the debate.

Due to free period that we were having currently,my classmates decided to do a debate. Boys versus girls. About modern women.

"Stop talking with village sense Kola!What if you get fired from your job?"Anita,the blabbermouth,shouted at Kola.

"If she starts working and she gets paid more than me and she starts growing wings."

'You are a fool,Kola. This is a new age not 1904. Stop behaving like a grandpa..."

"Look here,Anita. You've."

Gbaguan!Gbaguan!!

The bell rang and I felt like kissing the time keeper for saving me for committing murder.

Lunch break was a time I always loved because I was always by myself. No noise,no nothing.

I watched with glee as my classmates walked out of the class one by one. Even Cliff left after a while promising me that he would be back soon. Not going to lie,I liked Cliff but I didn't want him to come back soon. They all left eventually except for two other girls:Ada and Sinachi.

The two girls giggled loudly when they realized that they were in the class alone with me.

They whispered to themselves in a not so discreet way and soon after,they both stood up from their seat and walked slowly over to me.

"Hey Tayo."The one named Sinachi greeted as soon as she reached where I was sitting down. She traced her index finger along my hand and my skin crawled and I shrugged it off quickly.

Embarrassment and shock danced in her eyes but she masked it with her sickening smile that people would have used to brand her by now.

"Careful Tayo."Ada spoke up,false amusement lacing her voice"We won't bite.."

"Well I will!"I snapped.

"What?!"They asked simultaneously in surprise and I answered"If you don't leave me alone!I will bite the both of you!I swear down!"

The two girls looked at each other,sending signs through their eyes.

A few moments later they left hurriedly.

"Yeah. You'd better run."I shouted after them.

It was almost break over but sleep wouldn't come. Why had I been excited to have the class to myself if I wouldn't be getting any sleep.

I sat up and I stared into the space of nothingness for a while before I decided to look for Cliff Hangers,the closest thing I had to a friend right now.

The Hall seemed deserted as I walked through it. I let my mind wander to those horror movies about deserted hallways and children that get kidnapped there. A chill ran over me and I looked around to see if I would see a student at least but I could find nobody and the worst part was that I did not remember the way to the cafe or back to the class..

I started looking for a way out but I heard a tiny faint breathing coming out ahead if me. It was as if the poor person was crying..

"Help me."I heard and I froze. I could recognize that soft tiny voice. The voice I had heard literally for 15 years.

Rene's.

I ran quickly as I wanted to see what was wrong. I got to the scene and I saw René on the floor clutching at nothing. She was on the floor and her arms were flying around as if she wax swimming and I immediately knew what had happened.

She had misplaced her walking stick.

What made my heart bleed the more was when I saw that the stick was just in front of her.

I walked slowly so as to not startle her when I wanted to take the stick. Before I could even get within five metres of René a hand had already picked the stick up.

Simone Adeboye.

"Here you go,sweetheart."She told my sister as she handed her the stick and pulled her up.

My mouth widened in shock but I quickly pulled myself together as I his behind a wall when I realized that neither of them had seen me.

"Thank you,Senior..."René said.

"Oh stop. Call me Simone dear."

Rene smiled and hugged Simone. Simone took a while before she hugged her back because she had not been expecting it.

"I believe we are friends now honey."

Rene smiled again,while giving her one more hug. They both walked away slowly as René started explaining what had happened to Simone like they were best friends.

What the hell just happened?