my bittersweet lover

Episode five

Lina's pov.

I woke up the next morning, as usual feeling sore in some parts of my body as a result of sleeping on the floor. My mat, meant to serve as my bed did not serve its purpose very well, it never did. The rest of the family was sound asleep at this time probably turning and tossing comfortably in between their smooth, warm sheets and duvets. It must have felt nice to be a daughter and son of a wealthy family.

Not that I loved waking up extra early but my school work was yet to be done, not to mention Jane's. I also had to make sure that breakfast was prepared, served and set in the dining before the young missy, Stacy headed to school. My aunt was going to work and Brayden, well, no one understood how he went about his business.

Stacy and I went to the same school though we never really met. Our social classes and levels were so different. I came from a family of beggars as they put it while she, was pretty much the opposite. She was always driven to school by her brother just like the other well-to-do students with a classic school bag, beautiful accessories, and all.

she was a member of the big girls' club at school. Though she did not take part in bullying me, the other three were more than happy to do so. I was always the first student to arrive at the school library. Not because I liked it, but because I had to walk all the way. I did not have extra money for the bus, nor did I have a wealthy, fancy mom or brother to drive me there like others.

While I hurried to make sure everything was put in place, I checked my old watch which barely worked properly. I had to make sure the sun did not rise while I was still here. When I was through, I grabbed my old worn-out version of a bag and left for school.

As I walked through the lonely path that early morning, I could not help but shiver. I did not have a warm sweater to shield me from the cold, I could not afford it. I was the only one awake at the time. The shops were still closed as their owners snuggled in the comfort of their beds. The place was rather silent, but for the rattling of dry leaves as I walked. It was still dark.

You might probably be wondering how I ended up in such a big prestigious school, with Stacy not forgetting all the expenses that came with it. If miracles still existed then I would count schooling as one of them. It was at the time I fell ill some time ago.

How could I forget that elderly man, in his forties who offered me the scholarship that would take me through my studies? That was the best and nicest thing anyone had ever done for me since my parents threw in the towel. He was a well-educated old man in his forties, a doctor who attended to me at that time.

His eyeglasses, his hair white in color, and his pot-belly stomach made him look even older. Judging from the care and attention he showed towards me, a stranger, he must have been a very kind being with a heart of gold.

He seemed bothered by the state I was in when he attended to me that morning. He could not understand why a young girl would want to starve herself. I wasn't surprised that my aunt had it all turned around and against me, did I expect her to tell the truth? That she locked me up and starved me for accidentally spilling water on her during breakfast as punishment? No, of course not.

"Why do you want to die at such a young age? Where are your parents?" he had asked me.

"For one thing, I have no father or mother, brothers or sisters."

" you may not have those but you seem to have a kind aunt and cousins. "

" my aunt locked me up, that wasn't very kind, don't you think? " I asked, sarcasm written all over my face.

"You live in a very beautiful house. Don't you appreciate her kind gesture?" asked he.

"Are you not very thankful to have such a fine place to stay at? "

"It is not my house sir, and Brayden says I have less right to be here than a servant. If I had anywhere else to go, I would be glad to leave it; I can never get away from here till I am financially independent."

"Perhaps you may, who knows? Have you any relations besides your aunt?"

"I think not sir."

"None belonging to your father?"

"I don't know. I asked Aunt once and she said I might probably have some poor, low relations but she knew nothing bout them."

"If you had such, would you like to go to them? Are your relatives very poor? Are they working people?"

"I cannot tell; aunt says if I have any, they must be a beggarly set. "

" would you like to go to school.....? "

The memories of this made my heart ache. Just like that, he took charge of my schooling. I would always be indebted to him. I only had fewer responsibilities now. I had to work so I could pay for my lunch card, my tuition fee, and my books. It wasn't easy but that's where Jane came in. She paid me pretty well for all the school work I did for her which took care of half of my expenses.

The school was so quiet, as usual. I headed to the massive school library down the hall and to my seat, which was usually the farthest one at the corner. I always tried my best not to be noticed, at least that's how I survived most of the time. I felt embarrassed to be studying here but I had to. The school had the best chances of offering scholarships through college for higher education, I just had to get that.

Daughters and sons of big, known, wealthy families and political leaders in the government schooled here. I was just a nobody. There were not many students that came from a background such as mine, probably two or three who pulled through with the help of sponsorship like me. I had not many friends, who would have liked to hang around with a student who had nothing to offer?

Light was starting to radiate in all corners as the sun now rose and brightness replaced the darkness that covered the whole place. I didn't know how long I had been here but I could see a fleet of cars at the parking lot as students alighted by the help of their bodyguards through the window. It must have been a nice, soft kind of life right?

The school was now flooded, as everyone made their way to their respective classes. All were neatly dressed in school uniforms. I hoped that I would not get any embarrassing pranks that day. I still needed more time to purchase another set of uniform for myself. The one I had on could not just get soiled. Worse still , it was on a Monday.

I quietly murmured some prayers to God on the same and headed to class just as the bell rang.