The Trip

Blessing Nonchalance

" I will go after him " Bethel said as she ran off after Emmanuel, not waiting for approval from anyone. Samuel, on the other hand, nodded even though he knew she wasn't paying any attention. After that, he walked up to Reuben and stretched out his hand.

Reuben, without much drama, grabbed hold of his hand, using it as support to get up. " Don't take it personal " Samuel said as he pulled Reuben up.

Reuben, after gaining a stable stance, muttered " I understand, I was rash ". He used his hands to dust his jeans and adjust his shirt. The shirt in question already looked slacked from Frank's dragging.

Samuel, hearing Reuben, just gave a knowing smile. " I will be back "he said before quickly jogging off. " I understand, go after him " Reuben muttered under his breath as well in a voice only he could hear.

After a few seconds of reminiscence, he raised his head and looked in the direction of Cynthia. There was a bit of annoyance in his gaze at the moment. After thinking back right now, he realized that Cynthia was the one inviting trouble with her rude words. She was the first to toss the trouble coin earlier.

Alas, when his gaze landed on the miserable Cynthia, he couldn't bring himself to scold her. Cynthia's eyes happened to cross path with his gaze at that moment. She seemed to have caught a glimpse of the annoyance in Reuben's eyes, which further downed her, but that wasn't for too long, as the moment their eyes clashed, Reuben changed his annoyed expression to a smile.

His smile was so warm that Cynthia seemed to have forgotten everything that had just taken place and was mesmerized by the warmth spilling from it.

Somewhere outside Bethel's house, resting on a car with his arms crossed was Frank. Bethel stood on the opposite side with her hands on her waist, like a teacher who was giving a student of hers a serious lecture. Frank currently had a smile on his face and let out laughter from time to time. It seemed just like nothing serious had happened just now.

Samuel, who was rushing out to join Bethel in consoling him, came out at this moment. As soon as he witnessed the sight of Bethel and Frank laughing and chatting, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. " Isn't he supposed to be furious " he thought.

" Hey guys " he yelled. Bethel and Frank only noticed his present after the yell. Their gazes turned towards him. " How are you guys doing over there? " He yelled in inquiry. " We are good, don't worry about us, we will be back in a jiffy " Bethel yelled back. Samuel nodded and exchanged a brief gaze with Frank, who in turn threw him a nonchalant smile. Being unable to notice anything amiss, " This guy... " he muttered before turning, retracing his steps back to the house..

" So you get what I am saying. At times, silence is the best and most painful answer you can give " Bethel said to Frank. " I understand, I lost my cool for a moment there. You know me, I hardly reply to her taunts. " Frank replied with a knowing expression.

" Okay, let's go back then. "If anybody says anything harsh, just pretend you heard nothing, or you could throw them a smile " Bethel added. " No problem " Frank said, shrugging his shoulders.

" See your head, the only thing you know how to do is to fight " Bethel said as she gave Frank a harsh tap on his forehead. " Let's go back jo " she said as she turned and walked towards the house. Frank followed behind her while rubbing his head, still keeping his indifferent expression, seemingly not bothered about what the others thought.

In no time, they got into the house. Samuel stood beside Cynthia together with Reuben. They seemed to be consoling and lecturing her. To be precise, Samuel lectured while Reuben consoled.

The most eye-catching person in the house wasn't them, but Blessing, who was actually seated on her chair, munching on a piece of toasted bread she had in one hand, while making use of her phone in the other hand. Occasionally, a " ping" sound would resound which signified she was in an online chat with someone.

If Frank's expression outside could be said to look nonchalant, then her expression could be said to have crossed that line. It was as if their quarrel gave her no qualms. She actually had a smile on her face.

" Blessing " Bethel yelled her name in annoyance. " Hmmm, what? " She replied while still making use of her phone. Hearing her, Frank couldn't hold back his laughter, and so he let loose.