Chapter thirteen

Harmony.

The plates looked like a fountain. It looked as if it hadn't been washed in months. As if I had not just washed it yesterday.

On a Monday morning when I was supposed to be preparing for school I was trapped inside. Washing plates.

School was not rosy but it was nothing like this hell. By the rate I was going I would be extremely late to class and I would most likely be punished. But that was the least of my problems. I had a huge problem.

My period.

It was late this month and what my mother could say was that"You are pregnant."

She had said it with so much conviction that even I had feared that I was indeed pregnant before I threw the thoughts away. My mother had beaten me black and blue yesterday as she told me to confess but I told her that there was nothing to confess and she beat me the more because I was using my English to mock her.

My stiff muscles and bruises over my arms was proof of how brutal yesterday night had been. Father just stood there watching without any ounce of emotion on his face and the thought of it made my heart ache.

The only thing that kept me moving was the memories of my parents and Chidubem,my lovely stepbrother. He really didn't know what his parents were capable of because he only carried positive vibes around the house. His chubby smiling face always gave me joy.

I looked over to where he was sitting down on the dining table,dressed smartly in his light blue uniform that highlighted his fair skin. He was eating his breakfast carefully so as to not spill orange juice and get bread crumbs on his clothes.

My stomach grumbled loudly as I watched him eat and he heard it and I placed my hand down in embarrassment.

"Sister Harmony,"He began with an amused tone"Are you hungry?"

It amazed me how he could be so blunt at most times. I shook my head in the negative and he made a 'humph' sound as if to say that he knew that I was lying.

I was hungry...I had not eaten since Saturday and I was weak as...as one could get.

"If you starve yourself,"said Chidubem"you'll get ulcer and you'll die."

I stared at him in shock and burst into a very throaty laughter. It felt good to laugh and we both laughed and we didn't stop. Until..

"Who are all those laughing in my kitchen?"I heard mother's manly voice and I froze.

What the hell had I gotten myself into?

"Harmony?"She shouted again"Where are you?"

My voice shook with fear as I answered "Mummy I am here,ma."

I could hear her resounding footsteps on the aging wooden stairs. The creak each steps made and I became more scared with each passing moments,so scared that I thought that I would faint.

At last she made it to the kitchen. I could tell that she just awakened because her eyes was still drowsy. Her eyes scanned the kitchen and widened momentarily when she beheld the scene before her and I braced myself for what was coming.

"What are you doing with my son,you witch?!"She exploded and slapped me with the back of her hand. I fell against the sink but she didn't stop. Instead she grabbed me and flung me across me.

I swear that woman has energy,I thought.

"I told you to stay away from my son you useless girl. Oya,Chidubem go outside and wait for your school bus."

The boy looked as if he wanted to protest but I shook my head slightly and he nodded in understanding because he also knew that if he said anything to provoke or question his mother,she would turn her anger out on me.

He ran outside to wait and mother turned to me.

"You this devil's incarnate. So you want to steal my son away from me?You want to teach him bad things abi?My God will not allow it."

I was surprised when she stepped away from me without hurting me again. I stood up and she looked me over with menace in her eyes.

"What of your period?"

That question.

The question that I had been dreading had finally come and I had no answer to it.

"I-i don't know!"

She stared at me for a while before snapping"Well,go and find it before I slap sense into your skull. My friend,go and dress up for school!"

I scurried away,thankful that I had gotten away with minimal bruises.

**

No girlfriend,no problem.

We are single not searching

To the girls wey dey think we dey fall,

We no go fall,we'd rather fall in a pit.

No girlfriend,no problem.

The choir group had decided to turn the class into a private concert. The boys versus the girls. The boys had had their turn now it was time for the girls version.

No boyfriend,no problem.

Their cheating we don't want it.

If you think we are falling for you,

You are wrong we'd rather fall in a well.

No boyfriend,no problem.

The rest of my classmates cheered on for them and some of them banged the table,making the encounter a whole lot of fun.

It was time like these that I wish wouldn't end. Time where no one knew I existed but I would still have a butt load of fun.

Gbaguan!Gbaguan!!

The bell rang signalling the lunch period and it interrupted my thoughts and fun.

Not long after,the crowd in front of me dispersed so that they would eat and I suddenly wished that I was normal.

I wished that my parents hadn't died in that car crash. If they were here with me,my life would be a whole lot better.

I placed my head on the table again so as to relieve some of the burning ache in the pit of my stomach.

I wished I could go to the cafeteria and stare at Damini and see if he would say hi to me at least but I was too hungry to do that. The smell of food would be a huge temptation and I might most likely steal something.

I shuddered as I thought about what would happen to me if I was caught stealing food from the cafeteria.

"Harmony?"I heard the familiar voice above me and I raised my head slowly.

"Are you okay?"Mrs Olu asked and I found myself nodding slowly while deep down I was a gooey mess.

"Then why are you in the class all by yourself?"She raised a brow up.

"I am..."

"Do you have any money?"She cut me off. 

"No ma."I shook my head.

"And you are hungry?"She asked.

I was caught between telling her no or yes. What if she mocked me like my other classmates?

On the other hand she could help me.

"Yes ma."I answered.

She nodded quickly and she looked away because she had already started crying. She dipped her hand into her purse and brought out a wad of cash.

She handed it to me and I almost fainted when I counted it.

Five thousand naira.

"Ma,I can't accept it. It's too much ma."

She shook her head and said"This should last you for two weeks at least. Manage it."

What was she saying?This could last me for two months.

"Thank you ma."

"It's the least I could do. Trust me."She sniffed again and left.

The cafeteria was more crowded today and I walked in with the feeling of importance. I should make most of the money but today I would be reckless. I would eat to my heart's satisfaction.

"Good afternoon ma."I greeted the woman behind the counter.

She smiled and replied"Afternoon dear. What would you like to order?"

I thought for a while before listing all that I want"Three popcorn,one Pepsi,three caprison for later,one pack of cupcakes,five gala,three wafer cubes. That would be all for now."

After the woman got over her shock she packed all my belongings into a carton.

People stared at me as I walked but I couldn't care less. Today would be day I eat

I took my seat at my usual spot and began to devour my food.

My life's going great,I thought.

And then...

"Hey Harmony."

That voice. I have heard it so many times that it had become etched in my memory.

Simone Adeboye.

She took a seat opposite mine and I glared at her. What did she come to do? Tease me?Taunt me?

"Hi."She said again and I didn't reply.

"Harmony,if you hadn't noticed I am speaking to you."

The anger that filled me caused words to tumble out of my mouth"Get away from me,Simone. I want nothing to do with you. Leave me alone."

Her face paled in shock,anger and alarm merged into one and she opened her mouth"Listen Harmony,I just want us to talk like friends."

Laughter burst out of me unknowingly and it took some time to wear off.

"

Friends...did you just call us friends?Please get out before I report you to the principal."

"Harmony,we can settle.."

"Get lost."I screamed at her and a few heads turned to where we were sitting and she stood up at that moment and left.

I massaged my temple as my hunger and anger diminished.

What was I thinking?Talking to the one and only Simone Adeboye that way. What had I gotten myself into.

"You look exhausted...and hungry."

Finally. The person I had been expecting subconsciously. Damini.

"Hey."My voice came out breathless and I willed myself to talk more strongly.

He took my greeting as an invitation to sit and he said"Any reason for the feast before us?"

I smiled shyly and shook my head. He smiled back seeming amused of my shy nature.

"I missed your smile during the weekend."

My breath caught between my throat and I swallowed hard and whispered a "thank you."

He threw his head back and laughed. A throaty manly laugh and I was almost sure I had fallen in love with the sound.

"You are even more beautiful when you are nervous."

"Well aren't you a barrel full of compliments?"I countered sarcastically shocking myself with my words.

He seemed pleased though so I relaxed"The girl talks back. I was beginning to wonder if you had a mouth just for decoration."

I wasn't getting offended by his banter so I laughed.

He was about to say more when Jeremy interrupted him.

"Damini,we are having a meeting with coach and you are needed."

He nodded and said"I'll be there in a minute."

Jeremy nodded back and walked away as fast as he had come.

Damini held my hand just then with his big strong ones and said"Wait for me. I'll come back."