Jamal's POV
Everything was weird after heat. I had to lie to my parents about the broken ankle and I had to use crutches for one month. I didn't know why I kept defending Mateo but I knew him better than anyone else.
He was broken, just like me. The more reason why we got along in the first place. No one knew about him as much as I did, well maybe except Somadina who seemed to figure everything out and Skye because she's my sister, but I intend to keep it as that. Elyon is better off not finding out, Mateo wouldn't want her to know. At least not yet.
He avoided us like a plague. Whenever our eyes met in the cafeteria, or in the hall way, he would look away. I wanted to believe he was feeling guilty. I always give him a benefit of doubt any way. Walking in a cast was difficult for me but with my friends, my sister, Elyon...I got a hang of it. Elyon would come by to the house sometimes to assist me. It made me feel special.
Tests and Exams went buy in a flash and I also got my cast removed. I haven't had a panic disorder in months and I feel light headed, fresher and healthier and it was because of a certain girl that has invaded my mind, my thoughts and no matter how much I tried, I couldn't get rid of her.
I didn't want to.
Inter house sport also came and went. Mateo got what he wanted, Blue house won but I couldn't help but notice his sober look when he went to get the trophy. He looked at me. We stared at each other for a while before I had to look away. He was feeling guilty, but I couldn't hold it against him.
He was broken.
Just like me.
But the only issue is...
I'm not bitter, like he is.
******
Christmas Break.
"We are having the Damijes over for dinner tonight. I need help in the kitchen Jamal." Mum poked her head into my art work shop. I groaned.
"Mum, I'm busy. Please, let Skye do it." I pleaded with her but she shook her head.
"No, I want you to be in the kitchen with me. We have a lot to talk about any way. We haven't talked in a while. Plus, Skye doesn't know how to cook casserole like you can." Mum smirked and walked away. She didn't have to tell me twice before I stood up to follow her.
I smiled with the thought of seeing Elyon. We've only spoken through video calls, chats, phone calls and from our windows as well. The goes most times to her mum's boutique so we barely see. Her family coming was just like a blessing is disguise.
"Why are you smiling?" Mum's voice pierced through my reverie and I looked up. She had a teasing smirk on her lips.
"Nothing. I was just thinking about something." I took out the bowls and started to wash all the ingredients.
"Or someone." She dead panned and I looked at her.
"Mum. Please." I muttered and she rose her hand in mock surrender and took out a clean pot.
"Forgive me for wanting to know about my son's life. We haven't had a reasonable conversation apart from your health. So I want to know what going on with you." She stated and I sighed.
Mum's and their emotional blackmail.
"Tolani and I broke up. It's been a while any way. Around the beginning of the term." I told her and She looked at me. Mum knew about my relationship with Tolani. Though she didn't fail to hide her displeasure towards it, she tried to be supportive.
"Well, it's about damn time. What happened?" She asked me and I shrugged. Nigerian mum's won't like to know their eighteen year old son has been sexually active. Although I plan to put a stop to it in case I enter any relationship later on, especially if the girl is Elyon but it might not be so easy.
You can't quench a fire that has been burning for a while so easily.
"She was toxic. Always using my condition against me. It was too much. I couldn't deal." I simply replied, giving her room to only speculate. Mum nodded and shot me a small smile.
"Never subject yourself to any toxic relationship. It never ends well. Any way, is there anyone you like now?" She asked, look at me with a scrutinizing gaze and I chuckled and started to chop the ingredients.
"That's what you wanted to hear. You could have just asked up from." I smirked and she chuckled.
"So you admit there is someone you like." She stated and I shrugged.
"I guess." Again, I left her to speculate.
"Is it Elyon?" She dead panned and immediately, a wave of cough flew out of me. Mum quickly rushed to get a cup of water for me and gave me to drink. I downed it in one gulp.
"Too much?" She smirked at me and I shot her a mock glare. "You definitely like her." She added and I rolled my eyes.
"What makes you think I like her?" I asked as I placed the cup on the counter in the middle of the kitchen. Mum chuckled, wagging her fingers at me.
"You are not exactly as subtle as you think. Everyone in this house has noticed the way you look at her anytime she comes by. It's little wonder how she has not noticed." Mum stated and I sighed, remembering the rift it has caused between Mateo and I.
A rift that has been bound to happen. This only quickened the process. My mind reminded me.
"I don't want to talk about it. Yes, I like her...gosh, you have no idea how much but there is no use." I stated.
"Why would you think that, Inioluwa?" She muttered, calling me by my middle name meant she was no longer teasing or goofing around.
"It's complicated." I replied, looking away. I heard her come behind me and felt her hand on my shoulder. I turned to look at her fully.
" I am your mother. It is my duty to help you deal with every you think is complicated in the right way. But it's okay if you don't want to talk now, but I'll be here when you are ready." She told me softly and I nodded, giving a small smile.
"Thanks mum." I whispered back and she patted my arm.
"Any time. Now let's cook. I want to the table set before they get here." She said and we went back to work with my mind a little more settled.
*****
Mateo's POV
I laid on my bed, a photo album in my hand as I began to glance through my child hood pictures, bringing back childhood memories. I stumbled on a picture and remembered the day vividly. We were in the playground with our parents.
I had fallen off a swing and bruised my knee. Jamal was quick to come down and help me. He had a superman themed band aid in his pocket and he taped my bruise. Somehow, my dad had captured us in that moment. We were like five and six, inseparable. Then everything just began to change.
I began to change.
I'm a curse.
Of course you are. Your own mother never wanted you. You have caused your father so much heartache. The hoarse voice in my head was back. I clasped my head in my hand and groaned.
My head hurts.
Yes! Feel the pain! Feel it! The hoarse voice growled out.
No, Mateo! You can fight this pain. They will help you fight the pain. Just let your pride down. The still gentle voice cooed softly. The voice of someone so familiar.
"They don't want me." I muttered to my self, feeling tears well up in my eyes.
Yes they do!
No they don't! They despise you.
Don't listen to him!
Listen to me!!
My head was spinning. It felt like it was being shredded. The voices were getting louder. I couldn't think.
"SHUT UP!" I screamed and there was silence. I was breathing heavily, trying to catch my breath. My door flew open and my dad ran in.
"Seyifunmi..." He walked in a sat on my bed, looking at me with concern." I heard you scream. Are you okay?" He asked me. I was quick to put up a smile.
"I'm fine, dad. Just a nightmare." I replied with a shaky voice, hoping he would buy the lie. He looked at me with a furrowed eye brow before he looked at his watch.
"A nightmare at seven o'clock in the evening?" He didn't believe me. I sighed.
"Dad, I'm fine. I'll be okay." I assured me and at the same time assured myself.
"Seyifunmi..." He started but I cut him off.
"Dad, I'm okay. Trust me." I said and he exhaled, nodding.
"If you need anything, you can call me." He said and I nodded. He shot me a small smile and left the room. I released a breath I didn't know I was holding.
What am I doing?
I took my phone from the bed side table and scrolled through my contact, settling on one number and dialing it. It was picked at the third ring.
"Can we talk?" I asked immediately she picked up.
*****
I shoved my hand into the pocket of my jacket as I stood in front of her house. I had texted her that I was outside and she said she would be out shortly. I sighed as nervousness washed over me. It's not always this difficult, it was never this difficult. I guess the intensity of what I've done this time makes it more difficult.
I heard the gate open and close and she came out, sporting grey joggers and a black sweat shirt. Harmattan was here so everyone was either in cardigans or overalls. She looked around the block before her eyes met mine and she slowly began to make her way towards me. I shot her a small smile when she got to me.
"Hey..." I whispered. It was dark and the estate was basically deserted. She didn't smile back, she just folded her hands across her chest and frowned.
"Why did you call me, Mateo?" She asked and I sighed. When I called her earlier and asked her if we could talk, she just cut to call and texted me the time I should come. She definitely wouldn't make this any easy.
"I know I am not exactly the best person to see right now..." I started but she cut me off.
"Exactly! Yet, I have no idea why I'm here with you." She replied sternly and I ran my fingers through my hair.
"I'm sorry..." I muttered and she scoffed.
"You broke my brother's leg, Mateo. Sorry doesn't cut it." Skye snapped at me.
"I wasn't thinking. I don't know what came over me. I have felt nothing but guilt ever since that day" I told her, trying to sound as genuine as possible.
"This is like the worst thing you have done to Jamal. Several things have happened in the past, still he vouches for you and gives you a benefit of doubt. I can't take it. You are hurting my brother, your best friend. What's wrong with you?!" She glared at me and I felt my eyes well up in tears.
What is wrong with me?
I don't know...
"I don't know..." I muttered, not knowing what else to say. I heard Skye sigh.
"Mateo, what's going on?" She asked calmly this time but I couldn't look at her. I couldn't answer because I had no idea what was going on with me. Whatever was eating me up on the inside wasn't just about my parents or about Jamal and Elyon.
It was about me.
My demons.
"Is this about Elyon?" She whispered and I looked at her.
"It's not just about her." I whispered back. She looked at me with an expression, one I couldn't fathom.
"Then what's going on?" She took my hand in hers. That gesture alone made me feel special. The tears that welled up in my eyes dropped in beads and I didn't wipe it away.
"It's too complicated for me to even reason about it." I looked at her and saw her searching my eyes. "Skye, I don't know what is wrong with me." I told her.
"Come here." She pulled me in and wrapped her hands around me. That broke me and I let the tears loose.
I buried my face in the hallow of her neck and sobbed. She held me, told me everything was going to be okay, brushing her fingers through my hair, giving off a soothing feeling. I tightened my arm around her waist and nuzzled my face in her neck.
"You'll be okay. You are okay" She whispered repeatedly, reassuringly and I sighed
Right there, in the middle of the road and for the first time in years...
I felt okay.
*****
Jamal's POV
Dinner was great. It was fun but Skye was basically uncomfortable through out, always looking at her phone and checking her messages at every beep. It was suspicious, mum even wanted to seize her phone but aunt Lyla pleaded on her behalf. I didn't want to bother myself but when she stood up immediately after dinner to go out, I knew something was up.
"Where are you going?" I asked her, looking at her skeptically. Skye was a good liar but I knew how to detect her lie.
"Vanessa asked me to meet her someone. I'd be back in a little while. Keep Elyon company." She winked at me and I smirked. I turned around and saw that our parents have gone to talk in my Dad's study. Venus was also no where in sight, probably in the screening room. Elyon was the only one in the room with me, typing away on her phone. I smile as I walked up to her. She looked up and met my eyes.
"So Skye slyed me." She muttered with a smile playing on her lips. I chuckled in turn.
"She told me to keep you company and I promise that I'm a better company than she is." I smirked and she rolled her eyes.
"Tell me something I don't know." She stood up from the table and I went to her.
"My gallery or my room?" I asked her. She corked her head left and right in thought.
"Your room." She replied and I widened my eyes slightly. I wasn't expecting her to say that. I nodded with an inaudible gulp and told her to lead the way.
My thoughts were conflicted. My dad's study was at the far end of the house. The screening room was downstairs. No one would be upstairs, except Elyon and I. It's been a while since I've had a girl in my room with no one around.
Elyon seemed clueless when she said we should go to my room. When Tolani used to come over and she says that phrase, it means only one thing. I knew Elyon didn't mean anything deep by what she said, but I couldn't help but think in that way. Tolani has tainted me and it was hard not to think everything in a sexual direction.
I looked at Elyon as she told me about something I couldn't even hear because of my raging thoughts. I looked at her, my eyes involuntary making their way down the length of her body and I internally groaned. Her dress wasn't helping my ministry at all. I had noticed her dress when she came in with her parents for dinner but now I was having a better look, picturing every detail.
She was in a blue off shoulder jump suit. Everywhere was cold but it seemed Elyon wasn't because she didn't put any jacket over her dress. The jump suit was pretty loose, with an elastic band at the waist. The lower bodice just stopped right at her mid thigh, showing off her beautiful legs. She was showing the right amount of shoulder skin and no matter how innocent it looked, it was alluring. I groaned again.
What's with this girl and showing her legs?! Does she realize how tempting she looks?!
"What are you thinking about?" Her voice tore through my reverie and I looked at her, disorientated and confused.
What?" I asked her, confusion written all over my face. She chuckled and moved closer to me. I realized we have gotten to the front of my room.
"You didn't hear a word I was saying." She smirked and I flashed her a small smile.
"Sorry, my mind was occupied." With you I almost voiced out but I kept it in. She looked at me skeptically.
"Occupied with what?" She prodded further and I sighed. Might as well try my luck.
"You." I replied, jabbing my hand into my pocket. She looked at me for a few seconds before bursting into laughter, bruising my ego.
So much my trying my luck.
She looked at me and the laughter toned down as she saw I wasn't laughing along with her.
"Wait, you are serious?" She asked me with a surprised expression. I rolled my eyes and side stepped her, opening the door to my room.
"Am I not supposed to think about you?" I asked her as I walked into the room, with her following behind. I heard the door close and turned back.
"I didn't mean it that way. I just thought you were joking like all those other times..." She trailed off when she saw me staring at her. That's one thing she failed to understand. I was never joking whenever I made comments about liking her.
"Who ever told you I was joking?" I smiled softly and she looked surprise. She was shocked at the mini revelation. I was shocked as well.
Did I just tell her I liked her?
Too soon.
I covered the seriousness of the atmosphere and bursted into laughter, indicating to her that I was actually joking even though I really wasn't. She sighed, smirking and glaring at me at the same time.
"You are so annoying sometimes." She muttered.
"But you love me like that, don't you?" I wiggled my eye brow at her and she smacked me hard against my chest. I doubled up in laughter.
"I hate you so much." She said and side stepped me, walking over to my table. I allowed her and watched her as she took my sketch pad, flipping through.
The first time she did that, I freaked and asked her to leave my room. Now it all felt natural because she knew me and even though she has not seen me at my most vulnerable moment, I wouldn't mind if she did. That's how important she was to me. She looked back at me and rose the sketch pad with a small smile playing on her lips.
"The last time I checked this, you freaked out on me." She teased and I chuckled, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"I know, I'm sorry about that." I walked closer to her. Her gaze went back to the book and she stumbled on the drawing of last time. I could see it because I was standing close to her. The book was the only thing between us. I watched her as she looked at that drawing intently.
"You drew this because you felt..." She started and I completed for her.
"Trap... I felt trapped." I muttered. She looked at me, taking the book away from in between us.
"Do you still feel trapped?" She asked me, leaning back to lean against the table. I involuntarily moved closer to her.
"Sometimes. I can't help it. Sometimes I feel like I belong but some other times I feel like something is missing from me. Does that even make sense?" I asked her, looking at her, a smile playing on her lips. She chuckled and looked back at me.
"Of course it does. Most times we can't help whatever we feel. Good or bad." She replied looking at me so intently and I nodded, looking away from scrutinizing gaze.
The way she looked at me whenever we spoke like this most times made it look like she was speaking to my soul and it made me feel so light headed. This was certainly not good for the heart. I felt her hand on the side of my face, turning my head to look back at her. She didn't take her hand away and I didn't move away either. In fact I moved in. She was searching my eyes.
"You always look away anytime we talk like this." She said softly. I chuckled nervously
"That's because you make me nervous." I admitted to her and she chuckled in response.
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" She asked and this time I smiled genuinely.
"Definitely a good thing." I replied and she laughed softly.
We were in an uncharted territory and but felt so good. I was very sure she could feel it too, the heat, the chemistry that was building between us. I've never being this close to her, this close to feeling her.
My heart was racing. I was just as excited as I was terrified of this new found feeling. I wanted to test my limit. I looked down and took her other hand in mine. I could feel the goosebumps and it felt so good to always know how much effect I had on her.
"I want to show you something." I whispered, silently asking for permission. She nodded slightly and I took her hand, raising it up to my chest level and placing it just right above my heart. She gasped and slightly pulled away but I took her hand again and placed it on there.
"Your heart is racing really fast, I was..." She stuttered. I chuckled softly because I knew what she meant. She was scared because my heart was racing really fast, she felt something was wrong.
"I'm fine. Don't worry. This is what being close to you does to me, Elyon." I told her and she looked at me. Her eyes held warmth, intensity. I've never seen anything like it.
I took my hand to her face, running my knuckles down her cheek. I heard her sigh and watched as her eyes fluttered ever so softly. Her hair was left down to touch her shoulder and I took my hand to it, running my fingers through her hair. I heard her sharp intake of breath as my fingers massaged her scalp and played with her soft curls. It felt so good between my fingers, I wouldn't mind doing this all night. I ran my hand down to behind her neck and traced it again to touch her chin. She looked at me, her plump glossed lips parted slightly I wanted nothing more but to kiss them.
What would kissing her feel like?
I want to find out.
"You intrigue me, Tiwa." I muttered as I leaned in closer. She didn't stop me, she was watching my every move. I closed in my face on hers, but something outside caught my eyes and I frowned.
What?!
Elyon noticed the change in my demeanor and stood up right.
"What's wrong?" She asked me with concern laced in her voice.
"Mateo." I muttered and she frowned in confusion.
"What?" She asked. I pointed outside my window. She turned around gasped. She could see it too.
Mateo and Skye hugging for a while before he turned around and walked away, waving at Skye who waved back and turned back into the house.
What is Mateo doing with my sister?
*****
It was about twelve mid night. Hours after the Damijes had gone. I stood up and walked out of my room, going towards Skye's room. I knocked on the door and heard her voice before I turned the knob and walked in. She was on her phone but looked up when she saw me.
"Hey." I walked in, shutting the door behind me.
"Hey. Can you not sleep?" She asked me and I shook my head.
"No, I can sleep actually. I just needed to speak to you about something." I replied, settling on her bed. She looked at me and sat up.
"Okay. What about? Elyon?" She asked me with a smirk playing on her lips and I chuckled.
"No... You actually." I deadpanned and she frowned.
"Me?" She asked and I nodded.
"Skye, you are my sister, my twin, my first best friend. I need you to tell me the truth." I told her.
"Of course, Jamal. I never lie to you." She said and I smirked, scoffing as well.
"Is that so?" I asked her and she kept quiet. I took out my phone. "I got a call from Somadina this evening. He mentioned that Vanessa and her family left the country this afternoon." I stated and she looked away from me.
"...and coincidentally, it was that same Vanessa you went out to meet after dinner." I added and Skye looked at me, remorse on her face.
Busted.
"Jamal..." She started.
"What were you doing outside with Mateo, Iyinoluwa?"
A/N
I kept to my promise guys!!!
My sister won, thanks to you lovely people. I really appreciate your votes on her page. So here is an update to say thank you. My longest update so far actually. It toped the last one with 4300 word counts.
Now we have gotten a glimpse of the battle raging inside of Mateo. Who else thought that he called Tolani 🤣🤣. No, he called Skye. I created Skye's character to be patient, honest and caring. So that's why Mateo called her because they relate better.
I told you pipu that a kiss scene is not coming yet. All this chemistry scenes are just to be totoring your body 😂😂😂. I know it worked.
I rewrote the blurb to also suit Mateo story. You can check it out.
I really hope you enjoyed this chapter. Don't forget to comment, vote and share.
See y'all soon.