Nightmarish.

Chapter Five.

"College's been fineeee" she replies, drawing out the fine. " Just a lot has been going on, like submitting projects, applying for more internships and stuff, I can't wait until it's all over. I'm exhausted to say the least. Your mom has been very supportive and encouraging. You're lucky to have her".

"I know. I wouldn't trade her for anything, she's literally the best, not to me alone but to everyone. So, college.." I acknowledge her appraisal of my mom, changing the topic of discussion alongside. "I can only imagine the stress you're going through and you still manage to be here".

"About that I only come in on weekends now, your mom gave me the weekdays to work on whatever it is that comes up, and sometimes I spend the entire day resting, so it's super convenient for me".

"I'm only sad my days here are numbered as I have quite a few internship opportunities. I've got one from my top choice." Mikayla relays, beaming.

"I'm so excited for you" I reply, trying to reach over to hug her, forgetting there was the counter between us.

Realizing my mistake, we both burst out giggling, gaining side glances from the people around the room. This doesn't stop us from our giggle fest until mom comes up to the consultation area, asking the reason behind our shenanigans.

Sharing a look, Mikayla and I open our mouths to reply at the same time.

"it's nothing.."

"just an inside joke"

"okay, if you say so. Faye honey, I just got off the phone with Kieran and he said his Uncle Michael and Aunt Elizabeth are coming over with their kids for dinner and to say hello to the baby"

Mom informs me, poking at Kieran Jnr's chubby cheeks, who's already asleep.

"so we have to leave earlier than planned to prepare" She adds.

"is aunt Rachel coming with?" I inquire, readjusting my baby's sleepy head on my shoulder.

"of course dear, Dylan will be coming over after work. it's a full house".

Turning to Mikayla, Mom informs her of the new development like Mikayla didn't just overhear our conversation and reminds her to lock up at 8pm.

"we should be on our way" She says to Mikayla,who looks over at me smiling and waving while I do the same.

"Don't worry about the bags. Your aunt and I already helped you with them. They are out in the car" Mom assures, holding unto my free hand.

"thanks mom".

Thanking aunt Rachel for helping with the bags, I climb ino the backseat repositioning Kieran Jnr carefully, not to wake him.

"You're welcome darling, i was just about to tell you to do that" Aunt Rachel says, glancing back at me before turning to start the car.

"Faye darling, you'll have to get the bags from the car while your aunt and I prepare dinner, alright?" mom says before highlighting from the car.

"alright mom, I just need to lay Kieran Jnr down in his cot real quick. I'll come back for the bags" I reply, quietly not to wake my baby up.

Not long after, I join my mom and aunt in the kitchen greeted by an uncomfortable silence which tells me something was up. At that moment I'm trying to decipher what was up,Dylan enters through the back door, he walks into the kitchen, avoiding eye contact with me and hugs his mom, saying hello to mine.

"what can I help with aunt Michelle" Dylan asks, breaking the silence without even realizing it in the first place.

"you don't have to worry about a thing Dylan" mom replies, giving him a smile. "you can just set the table".

"No, there's some dirty dishes here. Roll up your sleeves and get to work" Aunt Rachel commands, her attention on what she was doing still.

I watch as Dylan gets to work, using the dishwasher. Already dreading how this dinner is going to go seeing as how there's something going on between mom and aunt Rachel, which wasn't the case since we left the spa or maybe it has something to do with the paperwork they were sorting out at the office.

These thoughts keeps running through my mind as I tried to sort out what was wrong between them. Knowing them, they'll sort things out among themselves but I hope it's soon cos this awkward silence is getting to me, though it seems like I'm the only one noticing it.

"Faye" mom calls, tapping only shoulders.

I look around, noticing Dylan was done with the dishes with aunt Rachel already setting out the table. I had been so lost in my thoughts I didn't realize what was happening around me.

Catching my eyes ever since he came in, Dylan looks at me, contempt and confusion etched on his face. I frown back at him, making him look away. I wonder what I did for him to look at me that way.

Aunt Rachel walk in at that moment, glancing at me.

"I see you're back from the dreamland. You've been zoning out a lot lately, is something wrong dear"? she asks, worry written all over her face.

"I'm fine aunt Rachel" I reply. "maybe I just have a lot on my mind"

"come on, let's hang out before our visitors arrive" . Looking behind her, her hands firm around mine, she instructs Dylan to help mom finish setting up for dinner while she basically drags me outside.

As we settle down on the patio chair by the poolside, aunt Rachel gets right into it.

"these thoughts you've been having, does it have anything to do with your baby?" Aunt Rachel asks, reaching to hold my hands.

" not really. my mind's just all over the place. at times it's about my baby, other times it's about trivial stuff".

"what kind of trivial stuff" She probes.

"well, most times, I have thoughts on whatever is happening around me and the moment and I get lost trying to figure out solutions or imagining different scenarios". I add, "do you think it's cos I just had a baby?"

"I can't say but I'll really like for you to see a professional, I'll speak to your mom about it also. It might be something to do with post partum depression" She says, her hold on my hand tightening.

"Faye honey, I know there's a lot on your mind you have to say and I know that day will come when you can finally speak up but whatever it is, I want you to know you have the most amazing and supportive people around you, okay?"

Nodding, I look down at both our hands, deciding to ask her the question that has been on my mind since I joined them in the kitchen earlier.

"aunt Rachel, I noticed there was an awkward silence between you and mom when I joined you both in the kitchen before Dylan came in, is something wrong?" I ask, finally looking up from our intertwined hands at her.

"oh honey, it's nothing serious. we were just focused on the task at hand then" she explains, smiling and reaching to tuck my hair away from my face.

Still not convinced, I ask again, "really aunt Rachel?, it looked like you both had an argument before I came into the kitchen. The air in there was tense".

"Okay Faye, it's just some minor issue with some paperwork work" She finally let's out, agreeing with my earlier thoughts. "its nothing serious though, we already talked things out".

"so you see, you don't have to worry about a thing" She adds, grinning.

"Alright then, aunt Rachel".

"We have a couple of minutes before Kieran's uncle and aunt arrive, is there anything else bothering you?". She inquires, looking up from checking her wristwatch. "how has it been with you being a new mom?"

"Kieran Jnr is like the perfect baby ever, aunt Rachel. He makes being a mom interesting. You know, I've read in books that new borns can be quite an handful but my baby isn't, he barely cries. He's literally sweetest baby ever and that makes me happy everytime". I gush excitedly, aunt Rachel smiling from across me, pride in her eyes.

"Kieran has been very present and supportive too, just that i really wish he was around more". I express my only concern.

"yeah. I know but you have to understand, uni can be quite stressful and I see he's also trying his best to be available and around even with school and work. You're lucky, Faye, you know".

"yeah, I am". I reply returning her smile. "I'm also worried about leaving Kieran Jnr next year when I'll be resuming uni".

"You' have nothing to worry about dear, it's not like you're traveling far away. This is your future you're working towards, so don't feel bad and enjoy your time. Thankfully, by that time, your baby should be a year old already. Besides you have me and your mom" Aunt Rachel assures.

"come here" She says, her arms stretched for a hug.

My head resting on her firm shoulders, I feel a lot better, catching mom watching us through the ceiling to floor length window. She signals to me that our visitors are around, I nod before closing my eyes for a few seconds.

Breaking the hug and smiling, satisfied, "we should head in now" aunt Rachel says.