Lured by the Captor

Chapter Eleven

I wake up for a start with a massive migraine. What is wrong with me? Where from this severe headache? I successfully get myself to the bathroom with difficulty, holding my head in one hand. I feel so dizzy.

I managed to take off my pajama consisting of a silk baby pink tank top and pants. However, something caught my eye when I dropped my night clothes in the laundry basket and was about to leave.

Oh no! But I had my period less than a month ago. Or it’s one month already?

There are red blood stains in my panty. I hope I didn’t stain my beddings.

My menstruation is not the normal friendly one you know. I have dysmenorrhea. I feel so weak. I would scream and cry so hard anytime I had it, when I was with my parents.

I miss my mum so much. She had some magical herbs that she prepares tea for me with. It works effectively; it eases the pain and cramps. Here, my aunt gives me painkillers when the pain becomes unbearable.

After wrestling myself to have a bath I make my way to the dresser where I keep my painkillers. Advil has indeed been my great pain relief since I got here. I take two tablets wear something comfy.

When I get to the kitchen, I see aunt is preparing something for us. She was humming some melody and making slow moves as if dancing.

Tell you what, our whole family is bad at dancing. What we know and can do very well is to sing. Seeing her trying to to dance brings a little smile on my grimaced face.

I try so much for her not to see my pained face.

“Good morning aunt” I get a bottle of water from the fridge, behind her.

“Oh dear, you are awake. How did you sleep?” I sense cheerfulness in her tone.

“Yes. I slept well” I try not to make her know I’m in pain. I smiled which rather appears as a grimace, I’m sure.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You don’t look well at all.” I don’t like people to know whenI’m on my periods, but this pain always gives me away.

“Oh, it’s the time of the month?” Rendering answers to questions or is so irritating at this point.

“Yes” I drag my feet to the dining to sit. I feel really dizzy. You’d think I’m pregnant when you see me.

“Have you—“

“Yes aunt” I cut her off. She concernedly walk to me and rubs my back soothingly. I love that.

“You’ll be fine. Let me quickly get you something to eat and after, you go and have some more rest for a while ok?”

I nod and she goes back to serve breakfast.

After our breakfast, my aunt informed me that she’ll be going to the beach, so when I wake up and I don’t see her I’m aware of where she’s gone to. I’m as surprised as you are. Since when did she start telling me about her whereabouts? ‘Since now’. Hey dumb ass, how are you? ‘You look ok to me’. I was referring to you! ‘But you are me, I am you, we are one’. Oh just cut it.

Well, I wanted to join my aunt but I don’t want to ruin her day for her. I only smiled and assured her that I’ll be fine.

I wanted to sleep all day but as you know, sleep never comes when you need it.

Come to think of it, I can use this time I have to answer Trevor. Sooner or later I will go back on the app, so why not now? I can’t ignore all my friends because of one person.

There’s another loads of messages from him.

T : What happened?

(Nothing)

T : Did I do something?

(Yes. You’re too handsome)

T : I am very worried, let me hear from you.

(Aww, that’s so sweet. He seem to me like a caring boyfriend)

M : Trevor, hi

(That’s awkward because I don’t know what to say after I shutting down on him)

T : Miley you got me worried, I thought something happened to you.

(Why is he this caring all of a sudden?)

M : I’m sorry. My laptop went off as a result of low battery.

(A girl got to say what a girl got to say)

T : Just like that without any signal? Well I’m glad you’re okay. .

M : Why are you worried about me?

T : I guess because you are my friend?

M : Just that?..

T : Well... yes, I care about my friends.

(That makes sense)

T : So what are you doing today? It’s weekend, no hangouts with family or friends?

M : My besties are not here remember? And besides I’m not feeling too well for any of that.

T : What’s wrong? You seemed fine to me last night, what happened?

(Oh s**t, now what will I tell him?) .

Maybe I should tell him it’s a wrong message.

M : Umm... it’s just lady’s sickness. That’s all.

T : What’s ladies sickness?

(Oh come on, you got to be shitting me).

Just when I was about to type, a notification popped up and it’s a message from him.

T : Oh I get it. I’m sorry about that. Are you on any medications? Heard it can be very painful.

M : Yes, and thanks for your concern but who told you that?

T : Oh another special someone.

(What? He has so many girlfriends and he’s flirting with me?)

I wonder if I’m also a special someone to him.

-

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It’s Monday again and though I dread to be home, I can’t take my lessons for granted. I have to make my parents, especially my dad, proud. Moreover, I’ve had nineteen menstruation since i got here. Imagine if I’d been absent from campus that many times, the things that would have passed me by. Kyle is always there to help me but, it’s even better when you hear it from the horse’s own mouth.

Let me tell you a little about Trevor. I don’t even know where to start from. He has been acting like my boyfriend ever since I sent my picture to him.

Last night he asked if I have a boyfriend. Of course I said no. He went on to ask if I’ve dated before and I brusquely denied. After, he wished me goodnight and went offline.

-

I shrug on my favorite sweater and a long black skirt. How did it get into my stuffs? It’s just like how I want it; I’ll feel free to move and won’t be checking periodically if I’ve stained myself. I look so much like my grandmother. Her soul Rest In Peace.

I called Kyle to meet me at the entrance to walk together to our class since we both have Business Communications (biscom).

When we get to class, there weren’t much students in and sir Romeo hadn’t come so we engaged ourselves in a conversation.

“What are you wearing? You look like a sissy from the nineties. Kyle teases and I make a face.

“What? Don’t you know this is the latest trend? He scratches the back of his neck and I knew he believes me. I hold back my laughter.

“Well it looks someway on you.”

“You mean to say I look beau—“.

“Good morning ladies and gentlemen.” I didn’t get to finish as sir Romeo intrudes.

“Good morning sir” we all chorused. The class is almost full. When did they all arrive and from where? Well maybe we were too deep in our conversation that I didn’t realize.

“So todays topic is corporate communications.” He boldly writes in on the whiteboard with a black marker.

“Are your notes ready? I’m dictating some few points before.” Yeah no. This subject is so bulky. We take over month to cover one topic. We have covered topics like brand management, advertising, employee engagement, customer relations and marketing.

I’m sure there’s a whole lot pending.

-

Two hours later, we have finished our fist class, I am going to my next when I bumped into someone.

I look up to see it’s sir Romeo.

“Sorry sir, I wasn’t watching.”

“No no, it’s fine” and he squats to help me pick up my books that fell.

“There.” He hands me my textbook.

“Thank you.”

“I heard you weren’t feeling well. How are you now?”

“I’m much better sir. Thank you, but who told you?”

“Your aunt, I met her over the weekend. She was so concerned about you.”

My oh my, what have I been missing? These two musketeers! So my aunt met with my sir behind my back, interesting!

Wait, was he the same person my aunt referred to when I was with her in her baby’s room? No way!

“Uhm... I’m so happy for you guys” I quickly said and almost run to my next class.

The long day is over. I’ve really got to call my parents. But I’ll have to wait till it’s 17:00. By then both of them will be home to talk to them together.

There’s no assignment today. I checked my emails before I moved to Tumblr. There’s only one message from Trevor and he’s asking how my day is going. He’s not online so I decide not to reply.

It’s time to call my parents. The network connection isn’t quite clear.

“Hello mum, dad.”

“My baby girl, I-we miss you so much. How are you faring?” And that’s my mum. I didn’t know how much I missed her until I heard her voice. It even got me teary. I’m reminded by the time we spent together.

“Mum, dad, I miss you guys so much. Our long vacation is next month. I hope you won’t refuse me again from visiting you?” They have been constantly refusing my visit.

“No honey, save yourself the stress”. They both looked at each other before saying in unison, “we have a surprise for you”.

Could these two be hiding something from me? It’s like they don’t want me to ever go to Brandenburg. But why?

“But why dad? Are you sure everything is alright over there?”

“Absolutely. We just want you to focus more on your studies.” There he goes again. I shake my head and mentally facepalm.

“Hmmm.. okay. If you insist.”

The conversation between mum and dad dragged on until we said said our last words.

“I love you Anna, dad..”

“We love you more. Take good care of yourself and extend our regards to your aunt.”

“I will.”

It’s still too early to go to bed, so I take out a storybook to read.

Aside my studies and laptop, my phone is another way to keep my sanity intact. It’s on charge when I heard a ping. It must be a notification.

I unplugged it to check. It’s another message from Trevor.

I forgot to reply his message earlier. He’s now back online.

T : Where have you been? Why did you ignore my text?

M : I’m sorry though. You weren’t online that’s why I didn’t reply.

T : But you and I always leave our message for each other, even when we’re offline.

That’s very true.

M : I know. That’s why I apologized.

T : Don’t ever leave my message unanswered again.

Is that supposed to be a command?

M : Why, because you’re my boyfriend?

If it’d been any other day, I’d let it slide but not today. I’m already pissed at the moment.

T : Yes.

What?

T : I mean.. I’m a boy and I’m your friend so that makes me your boyfriend right?

He wants to act smart.

M : Whatever.

This is how he stopped chatting me for over a week. I also didn’t mind him.

It’s really not easy to act headstrong when you literally crave someone’s attention.

In my defense, I refused to be commanded or be spoken rude to. If he won’t chat me ever again then so, be, it!

Today, I have nothing much to do so I lay on my bed, looking at the pictures I took with Kyle when we went to the beach.

I find one beautiful picture he took with me. I was clinging on to him like a monkey.

Let me tell you how he got that shot. So at the shore, there were tiny holes where sand crabs, tiny and big ones, submerge from its homes. I already know when crabs pinch it’s so painful, so I was very frightened.

We were having a normal chat and taking selfies when all of a sudden a big sand crab submerged to the surface, I immediately jumped on Kyle and he quickly took a shot of my scared face.

Looking at the picture makes me relive the moment.

I decide to post this very picture because, it looks funny and just as it has brought a smile to my face, it can do so for others as well.

I had likes and funny comments after posting it.

I was engrossed in the new found attention that I didn’t realize the tons of message in my direct message (dm), it’s from none other than Trevor.

T : Is that your new boyfriend?

T: Answer me Miley.

T : So you’re dating someone.

T : You’re all the same. You lied to me.

(What’s his problem?)

What’s wrong with this dude? He acts like a possessive boyfriend.

T : Stop ignoring me. Damn it!

And he attaches a pouting red emoji with angry eyes to it.

(What did I do this time?)

I didn’t ask him to ignore me for over a week.

M : His name is Kyle. He’s the only friend I have here.

T : I don’t care what his name is. He’s too attached to you.

M : Is that why you entered my dm? To boss me around because I posted a picture of my bestie?

M : What crawled up your ass and died? Are you this aggressive?

He hesitates before replying.

T : Look... I didn’t mean to be like that. Just that I feel I’m losing you. You’ve distanced yourself from me and I don’t know why.

M : Is there something I don’t know, or you’re not telling me?

T : Yes. Yes Miley.

What could he possibly hide from me?

M : What is it Trevor?

I’m so anxious to know what he wants to tell me.

T : I can’t keep it anymore. I love you Miley. I’ve kept it to myself all this while because I was scared of how you’d feel when I tell you. Miley, will my love be reciprocated?

I didn’t see this coming. I gasped at his sudden abruptness.

Huh? Trevor loves me and has kept it all this while? I’ve got goosebumps all over me.

I hold the phone staring at it as if I’m in a daze. I flinched as the phone vibrated and the screen lit up indicating a video call from him.

I delay a bit before swiping the answer button.

“Hi” the once velvety voice is now hoarse and gruff. I don’t know why.

“Hi” I reply back avoiding eye contact.

“I thought you wouldn’t reply so I called.”

He said on the other side making me blink disorderly while stealing a glimpse of him.

“I was about to type.” I finally looked at him.

“So.. what do you say? I truly love you Miley. Please tell me you feel the same.” He beckons with his head as if encouraging me to be bold with him. Or maybe tell him something he wants to hear.

“Trevor...”

“Yes Miley?” He replies immediately like an obedient son.

“I.. I don’t know... can I umm, can I like, think about it? I stuttered miserably. There was silence between us for what felt like forever.

“Trevor, are you there?” I worriedly inquire when he dropped the phone. There was a shuffling sound in the background.

“Yes... you know, I was preparing for the worse but you have given me an assurance. You have no idea how grateful I am about your respond.” He confessed and I gently smiled.

I honestly don’t wanna burst his bubble. But come to think of it... can he make me happy? I have literally stayed away from suitors that make advances or show signs of interest in me. My reason is, I don’t want to get hurt, again.

I have to know more about him; his family, his lifestyle, even the women he’s been with.

I might as well put into consideration to weigh the pros and cons.

I feel a bit uneasy. His straightforwardness depicts that he hates lies or liars.

I can’t and do not, want to talk about Melvin so I’m quite sure I’ll take my little secret to the grave without him knowing.

It seems he’s can’t get his eyes off my face. Anytime I steal a glance of him, he catches me.

He has not taken his eyes off me and it’s making me feel so nervous and giddy.

“Why do you keep staring?” I shyly questioned him and lowered my head, wringing my fingers.

“Your eyes. It’s so beautiful. I’m hypnotized by your beautiful forest green eyes. Miley.”

“Thank you” it’s a compliment right? I’m sure I’m blushing hard.

He remains quiet and continues to stare.

“Umm, Trevor you know, it’s very late already and I’ll have to wake up early for school tomorrow so... maybe goodnight?”

He smirks, showing his one dimple to me.

“Okay princess. Sweet dreams. I wish I was laying next to you.” With that he hastily hangs up.

I sigh and lay on my bed, processing all that just happened.

There are so many thoughts brewing my mind right now that, I can’t sleep.

“Does he truly love me? Will he be better than Melvin?” I thought as I scroll through the pictures from the beach.

Moments later, I find myself delving into a deep slumber.