sorry for the frequent change of POVs here :)
that would help us understand the chapter better.
dedicated to Fame_lanky for all the engagement.❤️

018| 𝐈𝐧 𝐀𝐧 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞

~K O M I S O L A~

As humans, when we try to be something we aren't, we seem to forget that we can actually slip through our covers...

That's what my favorite author once said and I had wondered if they were any humans like that.

Until I found Hanniel.

As he walked into the natatorium, eyes roaming the whole place in awe with a smile, I couldn't help but ask myself...

Who exactly was he?

Soon, his eyes landed on me and his smile faltered a bit.

And then it dropped.

He got to where I stood, near the pool and cleared his throat. "Why did you ask to see me?"

~H A N N I E L~

You know you should be suspicious when someone who has never smiled at you(except for that one time) gifts you a smile like you have just given her a Christmas present.

That's what I thought when Grey eyes immediately smiled at me after my question.

"Remind me of your name again," she requested still with that smile.

Should I be scared?

"Hanniel." I simply replied and decided not to lose my composure if front of her.

But I found something amusing. So I decided to voice my thoughts out.

"You denied me just yesterday and now you're asking for my name? Again? Like you didn't already know?"

Keep calm, Hanniel. She's acting so collected and you're rambling.

I cleared my throat again.

"Are you pained?" She laughed lightly. "I told you to stay away from me. What were you expecting? Happy greetings?"

Ouch.

"You didn't have to deny that you knew me—"

"But I don't. I don't know you."

I sighed at the interruption. "Why did you call me here? To know me?"

"Yes! You nailed it! To know you!"

I scrunched my face.

Why was Grey eyes acting weird all of a sudden? Why was she so... cheerful?

"What's your full name?"

"Hanniel Alonge." I answered without skipping a beat.

"I have this feeling you're lying." Grey eyes took a step closer.

And another.

And another till our feet touched.

"Why would I lie?" I scoffed. "What's there to lie about my name?"

"How do you think I felt when you decided to meddle in all of my affairs? Do you know what I went through?" Her smile stopped and suddenly, the cold Grey eyes was back.

I was supposed to feel relieved but her statement had me uneasy.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know why you're hiding your name, but I'll promise myself not to reveal the truth to anyone if you leave me alone."

Oh... she knew my real name already?

I took a step back. "You know my name? How?"

"Granted, there's no information about you on social media. Your pictures, age, nothing... But I think you should have faked your identity well enough. Seriously! All I had to do was browse HiNet."

The amusement.

"Everyone already loves you. Don't you think they'll love you more when they find out your parents are the Cardins?" She continued.

Shit.

"Komisola!" Her name boomed through the silent hallway and for a moment, even I was taken aback.

Was I the one who just shouted?

"What do you want?!" I found myself shouting again when she began to walk away. When she didn't answer, I concluded to myself that it would be the best to play this game with her.

And then, I did the worst thing.

"I know you have androphobia!"

That worked.

She completely froze in her steps and turned around slowly. "Androphobia?" I saw her quirk her brows in confusion. "What's that?"

"You have paranoia and fear when it comes to men, right? I know that."

"That's what it means?" She laughed. "I thought you were smart, Hanniel. You think I have androphobia?"

It was my turn to be confused. "Don't you?"

"If I had, I wouldn't have come so close to you." She stated like that was the most obvious thing.

When you're obsessed with perfection, you begin to live your life in fear that the real you might be revealed.

No matter how much of a positive person you are, even negativity overcomes at that moment.

"We are two worlds apart. I am Darkness. You are Light. One thing separates us. That which is of Darkness but not of Light; Clouds of Grey."

I stared at Komisola as she threw these words in my face. It seemed like time had come to a standstill.

She was by the door, feet away from me yet her truthful gaze pierced into my body, soul and spirit and exposed every part of me.

Exposed every detail about me.

"Stay away from me so you don't get stained."

"And I want to lock the door to the natatorium, so you have to leave first." She added and dangled the keys at me.

No matter how much of a positive person you are, even negativity overcomes at that moment.

~K O M I S O L A~

"Do you talk to that Hanniel boy?" Father asked casually at the dinner.

I recalled the events of today and dropped my cutlery. "No."

"You denied me just yesterday and now you're asking for my name? Again? Like you didn't already know?"

"Why?"

I glanced at Mother who was looking straight at me. "Nothing."

Father turned to me. "Nothing," he mocked. "It'd be good for you to maintain a personal relationship with him. His mother is a wealthy person and they are a well to do family. That'd be better than hanging out in the rain with a boy."

If only you knew that "a boy" was Hanniel.

I knew I couldn't object. "Yes sir."

What's an obstacle?

Something that impedes, stands in the way of, or holds up progress.

Anyway, you could clear an obstacle.

But an obstacle course...?

After one obstacle, came the other and there was nothing like progress until you were done with the last obstacle.

That was my own definition.

Because that was what defined my life at the moment.

An obstacle course.

But this one...? Could not end.

Just yes.

~
firstly, sorry for the short chapter!
and secondly, what are your thoughts and questions?
do you think the characters did the right thing? and do you think Komisola is aware that she has androphobia?
bye luvsss <33