Her Other Half

Students were hanging out in groups and others moving to and fro in the spacious hall way of Nahul Academy. It had a light colored marble flooring. Colorful handmade posters for school events pinned decoratively on the notice board. Friday afternoon, was how to describe it. The most idle school day. Every one would be filled with weekend humor. They only had lessons in the morning, most of them stayed at school until four in the late afternoon even though they were allowed to leave by lunchtime. It was not a surprise that Friday was most loved. Yve, a brown girl with olive toned skin was talking about what to do on the weekend with her two friends Odrah and Annabelle. Odrah had been her friend for over four years now. They had met in their freshman year of high school and had gotten along real quick. Annabelle had just joined the pack a couple of weeks ago when she enrolled in that school. They always had the weekend planned out, but this time, they wanted to try something new. "We should go for horse riding." Odrah suggested. Horse riding wouldn't be bad after all they had never done it. The had only tried out a donkey rides. "Let's go with that." Yve said and Annabelle nodded her. A car was waiting for them by the school gate and they entered in it once they reached there. Yve's family chauffeur Wamono had come to pick them up. The drive was short, about fifteen minutes. They were on their way to Annabelle's home, their sanctuary. They spent most of their time together there. Annabelle lived with only her dad, baby brother and his caretaker. Her mother had passed on a day after the delivery. Her dad being a safari worker, wasn't always around but that was something she was used to since childhood. The house had a symmetrical rectangular shape with a low pitched roof. Wide overhanging eaves with white and grey large brackets and cornices; square cupola. The driver drove off after Yve telling him the time to pick her up. The porch was topped with balustrade, it had limestone rock walls, giving a sense of calm to abode. The insides of the house carried aromas of flowers and the warmth of a home. They went straight to Annabelle's bedroom which was mostly painted pink and white. Annabelle left them in it and went to check on her little brother who was in the backyard with the caretaker. Yves sat on the full size bed which was covered with pink sheets and Odrah sat on the cushioned couch which had throw pillows. Annabelle found them watching a show when she returned. She was holding two bags of chips, she handed one to Odrah and the other to Yve. Yve checked her phone on hearing a buzz, there was a text message from Noel. She switched her phone of without checking what the message said. She didn't feel like talking to him. "Who was it?" Annabelle asked, taking a chip from the bag of chips Yve was holding. "Noel." she rolled her eyes, making her more comfortable on the bed. Two hours later, Wamono came and picked her up. She switched her phone on during the drive and found five text messages from Noel. He had always been onto her since senior four and it had become worse when something happened between them. Memories of that night were still raw in her mind. Maybe because it wasn't too long ago or because the events it holds are too hurting to forget, they had sank in deep. Her first ever relationship had ended before even beginning. The wound was still fresh even with the months that had past by. They say time heals all wounds but it seemed not to work for her. She was still hurting the same as that night. She had been at a party. Every thing was going well, that was until the next events. She had just finished her ordinary level exams and her then boy friend Mitch who was two classes higher than her had also finished his exams of advanced level. Their relationship had had been going on for a couple of weeks, close to three months. Despite the short time, she was head over heels for him. She had hoped back then that they would last even with the distance that was bound to appear once he joined the university. But that night's events proved he had had her for the sake. They had had so many moments of smile, much happiness all the while. Something that shook and took away all her glee. She realized it was all fake, that night. Things fell apart, he had betrayed her. Leaving her hopeless and sad. He had caused her hurt she wouldn't forget her whole life. The environment at the party had had been laid-back, music was playing but not loud crazy fun. Odrah was on her way to the bathrooms when she spotted Mitch making out with some girl in a corner. The hairs on her body stood and her eyes were more alert. She looked closer and it was definitely him. It was impossible not to differentiate him from any one else at this party. His was the only one with that body structure, tall and broad-shouldered. She had to tell Yve about this. Her friend deserved to know she was being played. She ran down the stairs to find Yve who was playing some game with other people, seated on and around a couch. She called her from the circle and held her wrist, telling her to come with her. Yve was trying to keep up with her pace as they climbed the stairs. She kept asking her what was wrong but Odrah just kept walking, almost running on the stairs. The blood in her body must have ran cold when she set her eyes on Mitch.... her Mitch, making out with some girl. She felt her heart shutter into pieces and– then– emptiness. Her body was suddenly heavy and her limbs weak. Her role was clear and pure all the way. But he had been playing with her emotions. The small voice inside her said in a sad tone, run, run..... don't look back. Just run. Before her mind could process what she was going to do next, her legs acted on their own and she turned, running back to the stairs. She was crying, and her head was spinning. She could nolonger see any one. It was just her and the emptiness in her heart. He heard the stumping of shoes and pulled away from the girl. Odrah was still standing there, steps away from him. She shock her head in wonder. He was better than this. So despicable, what he had done. Why did he have to pretend he was nice and all to her to her friend. Her insides were burning with anger. She wanted to reach where he was and beat the hell out of him. But no, Yve needed her right now. She's the one who was worth her time. Odrah went back to the living room in search for Yve but she was not there. Luckily, she found her sitting in a chair at the porch, crying. She wrapped her arms around her, comforting her. She had given her whole to him and in return she got a big shove. Her story had ended before beginning and so hurt was her heart. She had hopes for their relation but now everything was in vain. If he never loved her, he should have told her before. He should have left her from the start. Why and when she had made him apart. "Do you want to go home?" Odrah asked with a sympathetic tone. "No." Yve blotted her cheeks with the back of her hand. "I just want to be alone right now." She wanted to calm every part of her being after this hectic experience. Everything around her was nolonger appealing and she wanted to be able to think. "I will be inside if you need me." Odrah said and Yve nodded. She watched Odrah disappear into the the house and then set her eyes on her surroundings once she could nolonger see her. The natural black was hugging the stars as a mother to her newborn and there was a lucid moon. The cold air helped to soothe her aching heart with each gust it blew at her. A tree not so far from where she had sat gave her a bit of calmness to. The way the leaves moved back and forth smoothly with the help of the wind. She smiled inwardly because of its carefree state, one she wished she could share with it. She was interrupted by voice that called her name, giving her a bit of a fright. A tall light skinned boy approached her. She tried hard to put a smile on her beauteous face that was holding a lot of pain but it came out plastic and as an real as ever. The boy was able to see right through it. And when he asked her if she was from crying, it took all in her not to burst into tears again. Mitch hadn't even come to explain himself. This made her ache even more. Even though she wouldn't listen to his excuses, he should have still looked for her if she even mattered to him. It was so naive of her to think like this. "Do you want to talk about it." he asked and she shook her head. He wasn't the person she wanted to share with her relationships issues considering he had feelings for her. "Are you still enjoying the party?" he asked and she shook her head. She was tired of this place already but didn't want to disturb Odrah. She didn't want the night to end badly for both of them. It was only fair if Odrah could atleast have fun. "I can take you home if you want." She had always been against underage driving but decided to make an exception that time round. He opened the car door for her and she entered, he went round it and also entered through the driver's seat. A ground's well of silence possessed the car, Yve was more to her thoughts and Noel concentrated on the wheel. She was asking herself why she didn't love him yet he did to her. He was so caring and would never hurt her. Or atleast, that's what she knew. He was someone who certainly deserved her love. She was going to try and change things. "Stop the car Noel." she said surprising him. "Why?" he asked, confused by her request. "Just stop it." He pulled off the road and parked by the roadside. "Is there something wrong?" his eyes were on her, filled with only concern, those brown irises. Yes something was wrong, but she couldn't explain it to him. She moved closer touching his lips with hers. He was surprised and his eyes flung open. Was this really happening. She had always made it clear to him that he was just a friend. He was trying to make his heart understand that there would never be us with with her. Her hands went on his shoulders and she climbed over the middle divider, straddling on his lap. Her back hit the steering wheel and the seat reclined slightly giving them more room. His hands wrapped around her waist and he pulled her closer. She added more pressure kissing him, trying to summon a response but there was nothing. No heat or excitement like when she kissed Mitch. That p*****t! She put him at the back of her mind and focused on the task at hand. He was a big jerk that absolutely didn't deserve her. She lifted his shirt alittle and slid her hands under it. His stomach was hard and his skin hot. She then pulled it off his body, leaving him due to the lost contact with her lips. Him wrapped his arms around her again and kissed her harder, moaning in her mouth. Whatever she was doing then wasn't thought through. She had trusted Mitch and was loyal to him. She had given him her whole being in love. She was in a state where she couldn't describe what she was feeling inside. She was trying to justify herself by doing this with Noel, even though she didn't love him. 'It was only right if I did what Mitch had done with that girl, right?' she thought to herself.