CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

MARIAM'S POV

I am a nocturnal being.

I have insomnia and I find it hard to sleep; that's why I love reading my books and novels at night.

Last night was one of those nights where I could not even sleep a wink.

My mind was not settled at all.

Mum would be coming in today and I can't bear to see her reaction to Muiz's confession.

She has done her best in providing for my brother and I. she has done her best in raising us right and I feel sad for her. I feel sad for us.

I hugged my leg closer to my chest as I waited for the sun to rise.

Anike and Mercy were still turning around, enjoying their beauty sleep. I know that each of us was facing something hard at the moment and this realization made me really appreciate how they throw everything just to show up. Just to make me happy.

I smiled as I reminisced how they both tried their hardest to make me laugh last night. Recalling funny memories, telling humiliating stories and Mercy even went as far to tinkle me. The girl does not have respect at all. Anike even shared some of her snacks, the one Jayden got her since, the girl hardly eats because how did she keep it for almost a week?

I trust myself; I would have finished it that day.

Anyways, I am really grateful for them.

I am glad to be their roommate. To have them as a support.

And in my 10 years plus at Royals, I finally have people I can call mine. People I can rely on and I definitely can't be more glad at that fact.

A sound from my laptop however brought me back to reality.

I was not shocked to see another notification from Giwa, my brother's best friend.

Giwa is a big hacker and website designer. He created this website where we can both chat on our laptop since other social media handles have been banned by the school rules.

We talk. Most times.

Okay, don't let me lie, we talk a lot. We used to talk a lot.

Like I said earlier, he is my brother's best friend but he is also my friend. I think?

I recently found out while reading an article that there is a thing called situationship: basically, a relationship which does not have a title but it feels like you're dating. Yes, that is what Giwa and I share, a situationship.

We like each other but no one has really stepped up to do something about it and like the writer of the article said, it can get tiring.

I am tired of our going back and forth.

I am tired of seeing him with different girls in the morning while we still end up chatting at night, hiding what we have from my brother.

It is so tiring and exhausting.

That was why I decided to keep my distance this term. To let what we share finally die. I like him but ever since the self-given break from him, I feel more at peace.

My heart is not racing fast at the sight of him with a girl as usual. Don't get it twisted oo, it is not because I do not care about the sight, but because I don't even see him again.

Thankfully, he is also busy with preparations for exams and he has gotten a whole lot more serious this session. For someone who is planning on going to MIT, it is quite understandable.

Wait, why am I thinking about Giwa when I have a serious matter with my brother at hand.

I gave myself a slap and looked away from the laptop.

I glanced at Mercy and the beauty girl was sleeping with her mouth wide open. She will wake up in the morning and start forming beauty beauty.

I turned on the camera on my laptop and tried my best to take a great shot of the scene.

I laughed silently at my hand-work, she should better put some respect on my name from now on!

Another beep caught my attention when I became sober again and it was from Giwa. Is he not going to sleep? It is 3:00 am right now.

I finally checked the chat box

Giwa: Hey!

Giwa: Are you okay? I heard from Muiz.

Giwa: Mariam, I know you are online. Please reply.

Giwa: Mariam.

Giwa: I am worried about you. I know you want us to keep a distance and all but I am worried.

Giwa: Ria, please.

Giwa: I miss you.

Giwa: I miss us.

Giwa: I am sorry about your brother. I did not know how to tell you about him and you have been avoiding me.

Giwa: Did I do something wrong?

Giwa: Ria, reply. Please.

Giwa: I am sorry if I hurt you. Heck, I don't even know what I am sorry for.

I stared at all his messages and the ones I had ghosted for a while now. I am literally tired of crying but I could not stop crying. I miss him too but I can't be in a situationship with him anymore. I am putting my peace first.

Plus, this is not even the right time for us. This is the time for us to help Muiz. To help mum.

Me: Hey. Sorry for replying late. I am fine, thanks!

Giwa: Hey. You finally replied. Thank you.

Are you okay?

Me: I am fine.

Giwa: Your brother is fast asleep. You should sleep too.

Me: Pot calling kettle black! Why aren't you sleeping?

Giwa: lol! Because I know you will be awake. I was worried about you.

This is one of the reasons I ghost him.

He always finds a way to draw me back to the endless cycle. He always find a way to draw me back to him.

I stared at his message and almost closed my laptop. Almost.

Me: Worry about Muiz instead.

Giwa: Did I do something wrong Ria? You know I worry about you. Every single day.

Me: This is about my brother. Not us.

I bit my fingernail as I waited for his response. They did not come as quick as the others and I got a taste of my own medicine. I was more than curious to know what he will say to this.

Giwa: I am sorry. I am worried about Muiz too.

Me: Yeah, I am sure mum would not have found out like this if you had let me know on time. I would have helped him stop too.

This message took a more accusatory tone and I really wanted to rephrase or delete it but it is not possible on Giwa's website.

Giwa: what do you mean? Do you think I just stared at him all these days? I helped him, no, I am helping him. He is my best friend too. You have been avoiding me every single day at school and ghosting me here too. Scroll up and check if I did not tell you I had something urgent to say. I won't seat down and watch my best friend destroy himself. And that's why I told your mum to check his room instead. Good night, Mariam.

I was the one sulking now.

I could not believe he told my mum because I was airing him.

I scrolled up like he said and gave myself another slap when I realized he sent a lot of messages concerning this matter.

I stared back at his last image; he sounds really angry.

Why did I follow the advice of the blogger?

I should have replied once.

I closed my laptop and curled in my bed, I faced the wall and did not bother cleaning my tear stained face any longer.

The cry gave me a headache but also finally helped me sleep off.

*******************

"Mariam... Mariam, get up. You will be late."

I turned and placed my pillow on my ear to stop Anike's voice. I just need 1 more minute of good sleep.

"Is she not answering you?"

"She's not."

"She did not sleep last night. I don't know what is wrong with her."

"She did not sleep? And she can't miss today's class."

"Let me deal with this the right way."

"what do you want to do?"

"Just watch the expert do her thing."

The next thing I felt after Mercy called herself expert was a very cold liquid, hopefully water, pouring down on my head. I squealed as I jumped down from my bed.

I glared at the culprit but she was not even bothered one bit. Anike, however was still chuckling lightly.

"Look at the time? Do you want to miss class? We have been waking you up for how many hours."

Mercy said actually sounding like my mum.

Talking about mum made me remember everything that happened in the midnight and my bad mood became even worse.

"Thanks."

I muttered before grabbing my towel and leaving the room.

Today is here and I am not ready for it.

I am definitely not ready for it.

I feel guilty too, especially after what Giwa said. Mum would have found out in a better way if I had just given him a chance. Maybe, I went too far.

I am the one to blame.

I had a very quick bath considering the time and walked back to my room.

Anike and Mercy were on their way to class already and I apologized for making them run late.

"Mariam, we are here if you need to talk to someone, okay?"

Anike said with a smile while Mercy just nodded alongside her.

"Okay, thanks."

I muttered slowly as I watched them leave.

I won't be attending classes today though because knowing my mum she would be here anytime soon.

I immediately put on my uniform, checked my laptop to see if Giwa had said anything. Sadly, he has not. I sat in my bed falling asleep pretty quickly.

"Mariam. Your mum is here."

The familiar voice of the maiden rang in my ear and immediately I jumped up from my bed. I looked at her and she was frowning as usual.

"Why are you not in class?"

"My mum said she would be here early so I did not see the need."

She shook her head at my choice of words,

"You did not see the need to go to class?"

She asked incredulously making me look at my sneakers instead. This would be my first time doing this but honestly aside from my mum coming, I do not have the energy to seat in a classroom and listen to the teacher today.

I just want a little break from life. Where everything purses until I get my shit together.

Thankfully, she stood interrogating me when she remembered my mum was still waiting.

"Go to the visiting room now and to your class from there. Okay?"

I nodded as I backed my bag and walked out of the room.

The Royals teachers and other staffs cannot talk like she does to the students; they would get sacked immediately. But there is something about Mrs. Uche, this authority that she had and we all genuinely respected.

I took a very deep breath once I got to the door. It felt like I was going to a battle field because it is an emotional one.

I can't bear to see my mum's disappointed face and my brother's broken one.

I took another deep breath and was about to turn the knob when I heard that over familiar voice.

"Do you want us to go in together?"

I have not held a conversation with Giwa since we resumed and hearing him talk to me so casually especially with what happened last night pushed me further to the edge.

"Where is Muiz?"

"He will be here soon. He wants to submit his assignment."

"What about you?"

"I have submitted mine already."

I nodded and just watched him. As usual, his rings were on his fingers, his black vest visible, his afro coiled to perfection, his face as handsome as ever, and his eyes filled with so much concern as he looked down at me.

I cleared my throat and said,

"Let's go in."

I garnered all the courage in me and really turned the door knob.

My deep breaths, words of affirmations, and Giwa were still not enough to prepare for what I saw next.

"Mum?" 

Hmmm,

Who is Giwa?

What did Mariam see?

Do you know any nocturnal being? 

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Love y'all,

Eniola_writes 💕