song for chapter; Snow On The Beach by Taylor Swift ft. Lana Del Rey & for the 2nd part, Twenty by ITZY

054| His House

~K O M I S O L A~

A lot had happened after we were done with our exams. On the last day, Yusrah and Tiamiyu surprisingly broke up with each other, there were some weird rumors about Sarah's sister being caught stealing a senior's phone. Sarah was the scholarship student, the one who'd assisted Ameenah in framing me for stealing Yusrah's diamond necklace.

Now she was the one bearing the brunt of her sister's actions, as she'd been labelled sister to a thief.

What goes around really comes around.

And as for me and Hanniel, we'd grown distant over this period of time. He didn't talk much to people whenever he was writing exams and I realized that. Just him, and just his books. That made sense because staring at his results right now, it's safe to say he was currently the best student in our class.

Really gave Ameenah and Sarah a run for their title.

And now we'd ended up here at the bleachers, happening to talk about what our life would be after we graduated. How this conversation started, I didn't know, but Hanniel however, had broken a bombshell on me.

"I have to go back to Australia after I graduate. I'm studying in college there," he said.

I didn't know how to react. Just like how he'd randomly walked into my life, he was about to randomly walk out.

"Do you have to?" I questioned, avoiding his heavy gaze on me. For some reason, I couldn't maintain eye contact with Hanniel for more than a minute but he...? He'd stare as shamelessly as he could.

I needed that boldness.

Hanniel nodded. "It's been like that at home. I move back and forth for Mum and Dad. They didn't settle for a case of custody, rather came to an agreement on how they'd share their child every now and then."

That sounded exhausting. I could not imagine following Mother and Father everywhere just because they'd divorced.

"Mum still goes to Australia once in a while, and Dad still comes here too, but if either of them relocate, then I have to stay for a while."

Again, sounded exhausting.

"Do you like it?"

Hanniel shrugged in response. "I have no choice. I think I've caused them— especially my Mum, enough displeasure. This is the only thing I can do to please them."

I wondered what he'd done.

"Changes of environment every now and then isn't good, Hanniel. I know you're probably skilled at adapting at this point but still... why
should you have to get used to such?"

"Adapting..." Hanniel mused, "funny choice of word to use. I've changed schools like five times now? Crestview is still holding the longest I've stayed."

Five times???

"What do you mean, five times?" I gaped.

"All is well that ends well," Hanniel simply commented. "I'm glad though, that my parents decided to take me around. I wouldn't have met you if they hadn't."

I inhaled sharply. Here he was again with the things he said. I think I completely lost it in my mind when he said, "I missed you, Komisola."

Scratch out the I think... I lost my mind.

Why was this boy like this? And why did my stomach do a somersault after hearing those words? Pronouncing my name didn't even matter again. But that's when Hanniel added his next statement; "I've worked on my pronunciation."

That's when I lost it, blushed like a fool. He did sound better and I liked that, but what I didn't like was the effect this boy had on me.

I cleared my throat, regaining composure and roaming everywhere with my eyes but his face. "You're the one who didn't speak to me throughout this exam period."

"I'm sorry," Hanniel immediately apologized. "I just tend to stay by myself when I read for an exam, and I can't do well with a distraction."

A distraction? What did he mean?

A scowl formed on my face. "I'm a distraction to you?"

Hanniel nodded. "Yes," he shyly admitted. "But we're done with exams now," he added, changing subject as quickly as he could.

The grey clouds formed overhead. Hanniel looked up and I did too. "Does it ever stop raining?"

"This is the actual rainy season here, Aussie boy," I told him, smiling to myself. I loved when it rained and most especially these clouds. They'd been a form of expression of my not so colorful life at the beginning, but I was finding peace.

I liked grey. A lot.

"If it rains," I started, still looking at the rain, "I'm going to stand in the rain. I haven't done that in a while."

I heard Hanniel chuckle beside me and from the corner of my eye, I could see him shake his head. "Okay."

~

The day had ended with collecting our results and Hanniel sharing tons of new music he'd found on his Spotify with me. Fifty percent of it was K-pop, and I'd like to think that was Ameenah's impact. Some of the songs slapped though and some were just a big fat NO.

I got home and wasn't surprised to see the door to Mother's room open again. She'd told me she left the door open every time to be aware of when I came back from school.

I found that caring.

Now she was on her laptop, just like always, furiously typing away. I've always wanted to ask what she types on that laptop.

"Mother," I called. "Good afternoon, I'm home."

My relationship with Mother had improved significantly. We weren't exactly the best mother-daughter duo and I did not believe we could ever be, but we were working on whatever we had left of our relationship. And when she wanted me to address her by Mum, I found that impossible.

Apparently, that made her feel more comfortable, but not me. I wasn't used to that.

Mother looked up and dropped her laptop beside her on the bed. "Queen, how are you?"

I nodded. The room was enveloped in awkward silence after that. I turned, ready to walk away. Did I say we were improving? Maybe not.

"Do you want to go somewhere with me tonight?"

When Mother phrased her question like that, it made my thoughts go beyond imagination with an endless stream of questions like a flame that she'd managed to ignite.

"Remember Mrs... I can't believe I forgot her name. What was it? Aderinoye? But, ex-wife to Felix Cardin, that woman we'd greeted in your father's church..."

I just listened, getting more stunned and speechless each passing minute. Hanniel's mother? "I decided to go into real estate and she is fine with telling me everything I need to know. We agreed on a dinner and I didn't want to leave you all alone at home. Besides, her son goes to your school, right?"

What on earth was happening?

How did I go from talking to Hanniel in school to going to his house?

"It'll soon be time for us to leave sha. And please," Mother begged, "refrain from wearing all black. We're not going to a funeral, Komisola."

It wasn't my fault my outfits weren't colorful.

~

When Mother had informed me of the dinner with Hanniel's family, I got to my room and pinched myself. I mean, that's what I was doing again but I was very much in reality.

We were actually at their home already.

I ignored the fact that we were back to Ethereal Estate, but dwelled on the fact that we'd stepped into the largest, most luxurious mansion in Ethereal Estate. Because Hanniel's mother owned the estate.

This was so cool and surreal. It felt like I was about to step into a fantasy world.

Father was very rich, throughout the time I stayed with him and I was pretty sure he still had his riches. Mother was equally as rich, how she had her money however, I had no idea. But she had money.

But this house? It could probably buy me.

I wasn't even joking.

I wouldn't even try to describe this. One; I sucked at describing. Two; I had no words.

But this was like the most expensive property I'd come across. I stepped out of the car and couldn't contain my astonishment. I was GAPING. The purple lighting at nighttime gave it an exquisite, homey feel. It felt like I'd walked straight into Pinterest.

We entered the house, the tall door opened after we'd rang the doorbell. And in all her graciousness stood Hanniel's mother, dressed in a beige long sleeved shirt and a pair of black wide leg pants. She looked so simple, yet so elegant and graceful, like the successful businesswoman she was.

The bright smile that slowly lit up her face as she saw us made me actually smile too. Now I saw where Hanniel's charisma came from. They had the exact same aura; positivity, brightness, deep enough to pull you in.

"Look who we have here!" Hanniel's mother exclaimed, stretching her arms wide to receive us in a hug as she walked towards us. "I am so glad you could make it. Welcome."

I didn't expect it when she pulled me into a hug. But surprisingly enough, I was okay with it. Her hug was very embracing.

"Come, come," she gestured to the living room, excitedly. She sounded so giddy and eager to entertain us, it made me think if she was always like this most of the time or if it was just tonight. She was definitely chilled when I first saw her at Father's church. "I hope your journey here wasn't so stressful. I didn't even realize you'd left the estate."

Mother managed a small smile. "That's how it happened, Olivia," she said.

They spoke to each other like best friends or age mates.

"I have to stay with my children and protect them always," Mother added and I didn't miss her use of plurality.

She still spoke of a runaway child.

"You have to, for real. You know I will always be here if you need someone to relate to and understand. I'm also divorced." Hanniel's mum told Mother. She sounded so casual about her last statement as she punctuated it with laughter. "Our children come first always."

Speaking of children...

"Where even is Hanniel?" Mrs. Aderinoye completed my thoughts. "Han baby!" she called out.

It took like three minutes for Hanniel to come out. And judging by the look on his face, I don't think it was because his mother called him.

"I smell biscuits," I heard him say as he strolled down the stairs. His eyes were glued to his phone, definitely not afraid of tripping or falling down the stairs. Confidence. The idiot went into the kitchen first before anywhere and started searching for his Mum. "Mum, are you baking again? Where are you?"

"Han baby, here," his mother didn't even sound surprised, almost like she expected it. "Yes, I'm baking cookies again, just come here."

Hanniel turned around, and I nervously anticipated his reaction when he would see me. But what we all didn't expect was what he actually did as our eyes met.

He shrieked.

a/n: update update!🧎‍♀️ i'm so sorry for making y'all wait so long to deliver this shitty chapter. i resumed school and it's been exhausting as hell. this chapter probably doesn't make up for the delay but please enjoy.💗

and the random addition of hassan's faceclaim to this chapter was bc I was going through the aesthetics I'd made and I saw how hot Hassan's faceclaim was😭 fine face, bad character.

and also thank you for 6.5k readsss and 2k+ votes💗⭐️ you people are the absolute best!😭💗

anways, i'll be saying byeeee.

💗⭐️