waking up to love

chapter 5

“Oh my goodness… where is Elena?” Vivian’s mother asked suddenly, looking around as if the girl might magically appear from behind a box.

Vivian paused, then snapped her fingers lightly. “She’s probably still asleep in the car.”

Her mother placed her hands on her hips. “Probably? Go and check now.”

“Okay, ma,” Vivian replied, dragging the words slightly as she turned back toward the car. Vivian opened the back door halfway and peered inside.

“Elena… we’re here,” she said, tapping gently on her leg. “Come outside.”

No response.

Vivian frowned and leaned in further. “Ah-ah, Elena! Don’t tell me you’re still sleeping like this.”

Elena stirred slightly, her face scrunching up before she slowly opened her eyes. “Hmm… where are we?” she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.

“We’re at the house,” Vivian said. “Come down.”

Elena blinked a few times, trying to adjust. “Now?”

“Yes, now,” Vivian replied, already losing patience. “Unless you want to sleep in the car overnight.”

Elena sighed dramatically and stretched. “I was having a good dream, you know.”

“Congratulations,” Vivian said dryly. “Now wake up properly.”

Elena sat up lazily and reached for the door handle, pulling it once… then again.

It didn’t open.

She frowned. “Why is this thing not opening?”

“Did you unlock it?” Vivian asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I’m trying now!” Elena said, her frustration building as she struggled with the handle. “Why is it hard like this? Is the door fighting me?”

Vivian laughed. “The door is not your enemy, calm down.”

“Elena huffed. “Can you help me, please?”

Vivian crossed her arms with a smirk. “Hmm… what can you do without me?”

Elena rolled her eyes. “Please, abeg. Don’t start.”

Vivian leaned forward and opened the door easily from the outside.

“There you go, Your Highness,” she said with a playful bow. “Anything for you, princess.”

Elena stepped out, stretching again, then paused as her eyes landed on the house.

She froze.

“…Is this the house?” she asked slowly, her face twisting in confusion.

Vivian followed her gaze and nodded. “Yes. This is it.”

Elena blinked. “This house is not fine o.”

Vivian burst out laughing. “At least you’re honest.

Elena placed her hands on her waist, inspecting the building like a critic. “The paint is tired. The roof looks like it has seen things.”

“Life has happened to it,” Vivian added.

Elena shook her head. “Hmm. Hopefully the people here are nice, because this house is not giving comfort.”

Vivian nudged her lightly. “That will substitute.”

Elena smiled. “True. Good people can balance bad environment.”

“Exactly,” Vivian said. “See us analyzing like professionals.”

They both laughed, their voices echoing slightly in the quiet surroundings.

Elena’s attention suddenly shifted as she noticed a group of children not too far away, whispering and stealing glances at them.

“Wait… who are all these children?” she asked, squinting slightly.

Vivian looked over casually. “Obviously, they live here. Duh.”

Elena turned to her slowly. “You didn’t have to add ‘duh.’”

“I had to,” Vivian replied, unapologetic.

Elena ignored her and continued observing. Then, her expression changed—subtle at first, then very obvious.

“Ohhh…” she said under her breath.

Vivian narrowed her eyes. “What is ‘ohhh’?”

Elena leaned closer. “That boy is fine.”

Vivian blinked. “Ehnn? Which boy?”

“That boy now,” Elena said, trying to gesture discreetly but failing miserably as she pointed.

Vivian followed the direction of her finger and spotted him—a boy wearing a simple shirt and shorts, his low-trimmed black hair neat, his posture relaxed as he spoke with the others.

Vivian tilted her head slightly, assessing. “Hmm…”

“Well?” Elena pressed.

Vivian smirked. “Wow, Elena. You actually have good eyes after all.”

Elena gasped softly. “After all ke?”

“I mean, yes… he’s not that bad,” Vivian continued, ignoring her.

Elena folded her arms. “Not bad? Please be serious.”

Vivian laughed. “Okay fine—he’s actually fine.”

Elena grinned. “That’s what I’m saying!”

“Don’t get carried away,” Vivian added quickly. “We just got here. Focus.”

Elena waved her off. “Let me admire in peace.”

“Admire from afar o,” Vivian teased. “Don’t go and introduce yourself immediately.”

Elena scoffed. “Do I look that desperate?”

Vivian gave her a look. “Should I answer honestly?”

Elena nudged her. “You’re very annoying.”

“And you like me like that,” Vivian shot back.

Before Elena could respond, their mother’s voice rang out sharply from inside the house.

“Vivian! Elena! Will you both come here this minute and stop smiling sheepishly outside there!”

They both froze.

Elena whispered, “She caught us.”

Vivian sighed. “Of course she did. Mothers always know.”