FACADE

Chapter Twenty Two

Jason POV

I got into the car with Christian and the drive home begin. Christian was too quiet for my likeness.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I stop the fight doesn't mean I'm not angry at you." He said.

"They started it." I said.

"I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about this morning."

"I already promise to buy you a new phone if that one get damage." I said.

He scoff angrily." Who cares about new phone? I'm referring to how you spoke to your mother rudely this morning. She doesn't deserve that. She is still your mother."

"Unfortunately."I said and I saw the driver looks at me from the mirror. I didn't mind him.

"Jason." Christian said. "For God sake what is your problem? You are supposed to be happy and grateful." He said." You have everything you want because of her. I am here because of her."

"I don't want to talk about my mother."I huffed.

"Jason."

"I mean it." I said and he stay quiet.

He was quiet all through the ride. Too quiet. I miss his talking. I had thought he will fill me on the event that happened today at school and the friends he made. But that is not the case right now. He is angry at me and he is quiet. 

I sigh. My life couldn't get any worst.

When we finally get home. Christian was the first to get out of the car.

"Christian." I called him. He stop but didn't turn back to look at me which hurt like hell. I hate when Christian is mad at me. It rarely occur but when it does,I feel like I'm in hell. "I'm sorry okay. I just don't want to talk about it."

"You never want to talk about her." He said turning back to looks at me. "She is your mother dude. You can't erase that." He said and walk away.

I kick the car in front of me angrily.

They don't understand.

They never will understand how I feel.

I wish he could.

I feel lonely. On other days I will want solitude to be my friend. To fill the emptiness but now I need someone. I need someone that won't have to question me. A friend that would just sit with me and we communicate in the silence. Someone who understands me.

I guess I always wanted that person but I never admit it and I find it in solitude.

My life is such a mess.

I close my eyes to swallow the bitterness I am feeling right now. And I suddenly remember Laila's hand on mine today.

I felt this calmness,peace that I hadn't feel in forever.

But all that doesn't make sense. Nothing make sense to me. Laila is just one of the girls. She is nothing more than just a girl.

Is that really true? My subconsciousness asked me.

I know I am lying to myself.

I just won't admit it.

I walk slowly into my house. I am grateful that I didn't see my nanny. I am not in the mood for answering questions. I went straight to my room to wallow in my pain. 

*****

Laila POV

The school term is already over and I will be at home for the next one month before the school resume again for the third term. I am sitting with my aunty in the living room watching TV. Actually she is chatting on her phone not watch the TV. She had never been a fan of TV.

"Laila please get me water to drink." She said without looking up from her phone.

"Okay." I said and stood up and went to the fridge to get a bottle of cold water.

I gave it to her and she took it from me.

When she had finish drinking she said."Laila there is something I want to tell you."

"What is it aunty?" I asked. I'm really curious.

"Femi propose to me." She said.

What? Will my aunty be getting married? I have never thought of the day she will get married. She never acted like she wanted it.

"Do you agree to him?" I asked. I know I am supposed to say 'congratulations, I am happy for you'. But this is my aunty you can't tell when she is testing you.

"Of course." She seem surprised that I am asking such a question. Maybe she meant it.

"Do you want me to remain single forever? I am thirty two. I should be married by now and...i.... I love him." My aunt Judith said.

Seriously,is my aunt really confessing her emotion to me right now. This is unbelievable. I don't even know what to say. I am not use to her confessing emotion. She had never open up to me.

"What is it? You don't like it? You don't like Femi?" She asked. I can see that she seem a little worried.

Why is my aunt displaying emotions today?

No, she had been displaying emotion for some time now.

"No,it is not that." I said. She look at me quizzically for me to explain further. "it just never occur to me that you will be getting married."

"Me too. Its change when I met Femi and the baby." She touch her stomach and my eyes grew wide open.

What?

She is pregnant.

My aunt is pregnant.

" Aunt Judith, you are pregnant?"

She nodded slowly. "Yes."

Oh my God!

I'm gonna have a cousin too.

This is so unbelievable. I never expected this. My aunt getting married and she is pregnant. No wonder, her emotion are heighten. 

It feel weird. Its all feel weird. I feel like things is about to change.

"What is it Laila?" She asked looking at me intently. " How do you feel about it?"

How do you feel about it Laila? I ask myself.

I don't know how I feel. 

"To be honest aunt. I don't know." I answered truthfully. Somehow,I felt like I have been betrayed. 

"I'm sorry if I didn't tell you about it on time." She apologise and I looks at her. She really is sad. The baby must be doing all this.

"Congratulation aunt. About the baby and the marriage." I said.

She smile gratefully.

" When is the wedding?" I asked.

"We are still planning on that? I'm too old for any loud wedding even if Femi want it." She said and I saw her smile.

"Don't worry I am here for you." I said sincerely. She nodded gratefully.

I think I have work to do now. And things is going to be different from now on. I will miss this old way of life that I have grown used to.