Charade

“So in essence, honesty is not just limited to telling the truth always but it makes you reliable,trustworthy,authentic and….” her focus was shattered due to her phones insistent ringing. Rebecca decided to switch it off and go back to teaching but sadly, her head wasn't there anymore. She reached for a chair as sweat dripped from her brows as she struggled to catch her breath. “Teacher Becca” a subtle voice called from behind “ ….are you alright? Ma you're shaking” Sonia,a very prominent student of JSS2 showed concern looking very worried, so did the rest of the class. “ How many more minutes till my subject period is over?” Rebecca finally spoke. “ 15 more minutes ma” another voice called out but this time it was masculine. “Alright then, take down this assignment. Write a short note on Honesty and it is to be submitted in my next class. Failure to adhere would result in serious punishment. Good day class”. She mustered up the little strength in her and left the classroom striding to the staffroom. Luckily, the staffroom was empty. Close to her stack of books was a bottled water,she reached for it and drank it to the last drop. “Now i can think” she muttered. “You have until tomorrow to refund my money with it's due interest,how can a beautiful girl like you be in so much debt”. Rebecca tried so much to shrug the resonating voice in her head. He has been blowing up her phone since morning and she knew sooner or later,he'd come for her. Peace of mind had become a phrase she gradually wasn't familiar with. Heaving a sigh,she buried her head on her untidied desk with an inevitable drop of tears. “God help me please”. Footsteps from the hallway became louder as she rapidly dabbed at her eyes,straightened up and acted as though she was arranging her unkept desk, maybe she was actually tidying up after all. “Sonia!!!” she was taken aback by the lass’ appearance “ ….i least expected to see you here,what can i help you with” she continued,still stunned. “You forgot your phone ma” her teacher's puffy eyes suddenly drew Sonia's attention. “Thank you. You can go now”. Sonia left the staffroom unsure of what to say. Not quite long after Sonia stepped out, Dare waltz into the staffroom.He stood at an impressive height, easily towering about 5’11 feet tall, with a strong and lean physique that commanded attention.. His eyes were a deep, piercing brown that seemed to see right through, fringed with thick lashes that added to their allure. He carried himself with confidence and ease, moving with a fluid grace that belied his size. His voice was low and smooth, like honey poured over gravel, sending shivers down the spine of anyone lucky enough to hear it. Rebecca could spend the whole day describing the entirety of Dare. One time she caught herself stealing glances at him from the corner of the room taking in every detail of his comeliness “ God outdid himself on this one” she'd say. Unlike every other day, she was oblivious to Dare's presence. He lingered at the entrance, his eyes fixed intently on her, his gaze filled with a mixture of curiosity and admiration. As he watched her, unaware of his scrutiny, he couldn't help but wonder if she had always been this captivating, this effortlessly charming. er heart skipped a bit when she saw the shadowy form standing just out of reach. Looking over her shoulder, she was relieved when she saw Dare smiling down at her with a faint giggle. “You gave me a fright, how long have you been standing there she lamented. “ Forgive me, i couldn't help but stare. You looked peaceful but troubled at the same time,such a perfect point of view” he said with a smirk. “You always have your way with words,please stop teasing” For a fleeting instant, Dare's presence eased her frazzled nerves and she felt a deep sense of appreciation. The bell clanged signalling a long break. Rebecca couldn't wait for the close of the day. “It's going to be a long tiring day she muttered. Contemplating, she reached for her phone and switched it on, she wasn't surprised to see the line up of missed calls from her creditor. Dare sat still from the corner of the room keenly watching Rebecca as her troubled demeanour deeply worried him. He had never known a more reserved person. Rebecca barely spoke and always kept to herself. It seemed futile to ask what was wrong,recognising that she'd likely respond with a cryptic or dismissive comment. He had never felt helpless. ******************************************************** Sonia's heart sank at the idea of heading home after the final bell rang. She lived with her maternal cousins Mabel and Julia. Sonia's mom was admitted into a neuro psychiatric hospital,she was diagnosed with schizophrenia when Sonia was three years old. While Richard, her older brother who was eight at the time retained vivid memories of their mother, hers were vague. As the months passed following their mothers admission,Sonia's fathers addiction to alcohol spiralled out of control. He'd return home reeking of liquor and would squander what little money he had on feeding his habit. This drove him to his death two years later leaving the children to cater for themselves. With Mr. David's passing, their Aunt selflessly opened her home to Sonia and Richard providing them with love, care and stability. Despite being a widow with two children of her own, she welcomed the siblings with open arms and treated them as her own.The siblings' life with their aunt was not without its challenges, primarily due to their cousin Mabel's malicious behavior. Behind their aunt's back, Mabel would frequently bully and mistreat Sonia and Richard, displaying a mean-spiritedness that was a far cry from the warmth and generosity of her mother and older sister. Mabel was a thorn in the flesh especially for her mother to the extent of her mom being scared of her. She had pointed a knife at her mom one time because she was scolded for starving the siblings. She felt her mom no longer cared for her but had channelled it towards her cousins. A few months later, Sonia's aunt travelled to stay with her elder brother leaving the siblings at the mercy of her children. “Sonia” Teacher Rebecca called from behind “Why aren't you on your way home yet”. “Nothing ma,i have a few things i must do before heading home she replied. Rebecca, unsatisfied with her response,informed her of the impending assignment and left. Sonia prayed on her way back home that she'd meet Julia at home,she has been the one caring for them since their mom left. Julia wasn't always home. She was accommodated at her place of work. Whenever she comes back home,she'd bring groceries and other foodstuffs,stay a few days and then go back to work. Richard's absence from home became more frequent after their aunt left them. He had taken it upon himself to find ways to support himself and Sonia,and so he would often venture out to explore various opportunities. The distance between Sonia and her brother grew, she missed spending quality time with him but fate had other plans. On days like this I miss mom, she thought to herself. The longer route became Sonia's preferred path, not just for anything but because it gave her a chance to prolong her walk and put off the moment when she would have to face the emptiness of her home. Rebecca was just a few feet behind Sonia,she was always curious as to why Sonia insisted on taking the scenic route when her house was just a short distance away. As Rebecca approached her house, her eyes fell upon a scene that made her blood run cold. She let out a blood-curdling scream, her voice echoing through the air as she shouted, "No! Sonia, no!"