The Imperfect Whispers

CHAPTER 8: HOME SWEET HOME

It's been almost a month and still Arfah's body ached from the bruises Aunty Laure sketched mercilessly on her back and chest. She still went for natural therapy to soothe and help with the pain she felt most especially on her mid and lower back. She made sure she hid it from the people of the outside world. Including Khadijah who insisted she told her why she suddenly looks pale and holds her back often. She would just smile and say it was stress. She was glad she got to escape the claws of the semester after submitting her project.

The day she would go home was here. She was glad and couldn't sleep the previous night. She missed her mother, her cat, her annoying sister and her room. She was going to reminisce everything she missed.

Unfortunately for her, Ya Faisal was out of Nigeria which only meant one thing; Ya Aban was going to fetch her. As much as Arfah liked his charming personality, she hated his attitude. She hated the toxic vibe he emits.

Since their last encounter with Aunty Laure, Arfah had been more careful. And when they met, she only greeted her and pass. She avoided any conversation what so ever from her. She still hadn'nt healed. It was enough torture. She needed some fresh virgin air. And she was glad she would perceive that soon.

She sat on the soft green grass carpet in the courtyard and her head was on one of her newly added books on her shelf. She heard footsteps getting closer to her but she didn't care. It must be the gardener. She thought.

"Excuse me" she turned to see two pairs of legs standing some metres away from her. She slowly raised her head up to see whom it was that ruined her world of imagination.

"You are Arfah. Right?" the guy said while trying to block his face with his hand away from the angry sun.

"Yes? I am. How can I help you?" she said with a frown.

"Someone is here to pick you up. He's at the second entrance."

"Okay, thank you. I'll be there."

She scurried to open the backdoor entrance which led to the main interior of the house. A part of her was still hoping it wasn't Ya Aban but her hopes were deflated when she saw him standing. He wore a black polo shirt with orange splash print and a white jeans which perfected his long legs and fair skin.

"Ah! There she is." Aunty Laure called out when she acknowledged her presence some few metres away. Arfah hissed silently and walked towards the duo. "Take good care of yourself okay? And my regards to everyone at home. Please do call me when you arrive. Hmm?"

Arfah turned her head away from the woman speaking. She never expected her next move. She hugged her while whispering "I'm going to miss you."

Arfah was left dumbstruck! How on earth could the Almighty Aunty Laure hug her. There must be a motive behind that. Arfah looked at her straight in the eye with a straight face not budging at all.

"I will be back. Soon. And when I'm back, we'll have..." Arfah said in a threatening but calm tone. Aunty Laure could swear her heart ruptured for a second.

"...fun" Arfah concluded and faced Ya Aban. "Shall we?"

"Sure" he smiled at her. He bade her goodbye the duo walked towards the car. Arfah blinked an eye at the confused tigress and slipped herself into the car. Aunty Laure stood there gazing at the car until it escaped her view.

After what seemed like forever, with one wanting to start a conversation and the other completely not interested, the former made the first move. "So how are you?" he said with a hand on the wheel.

"I'm fine." she said curtly. Her hands were beginning to sweat. She hated the idea of being alone with Ya Aban alone in the car and for more than 4 hours! The car was cold yet, her pores sprinkled sweat. She gripped tighter onto the seatbelt. She always wore seatbelt when she didn't trust the one driving the car.