Night Before the Swing

Familiar Twists and Turns

CHAPTER 13

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Nala spent the rest of the day in her bed trying to sleep and ignoring her phone. She finally dosed off after three hours and woke up the following day. She tried to act normal and attended her classes like nothing was disturbing her spirit. She didn't feel like company or chatting so she avoided crowds. Nala had never had a conversation longer than 10 minutes with her papa and the first time they do, it ends with a security guard having to silently end it. She wondered what would have happened if the guard did not stop and force Mason to calm down and leave. She wondered what else he would've said if he had continued talking for another minute or ten. When she finally got back to her apartment, she locked herself in her bedroom and wished she was with her mother and Tyler. Calling aunt Gloria might leave her angrier, and calling Gwen will surely increase her worry. She then recalled an offer she didn't think she'd ever need and dialed Long. The conversation was brief but uplifting. What she didn't expect was for Long to show up the following weekend. He took her out for lunch and spoke about everything but Christian. Nala especially enjoyed the talk about Tyler making them rearrange everything in the house because everything he grabs is smashed against the wall. Case in point; Gen's new phone. Yola, Dion and Glenda had each asked Long on separate occasions when Nala would be back. This made her happy and eager to finish writing tests so she could visit Reentha town again. Long's visit got her out of a dark place. She was happy and at peace with her relationship with Christian in its current state and its past. She spent a week at Warren's place, studying and getting intimate. She also opened up to her lover about her parent's devastating separation. She told him about his father's secret marriage and her mother's relationship with Long. Warren told her Mrs. Mason was lucky to have gotten out of the marriage stating Christian's evil nature would've eventually destroyed her too. Nala had known for a long time that Christian was a dark person but she never thought her mother would ever need protection from him. She fully agreed with Warren about the offer to have her own place, bought by Christian. Nala would have to worship Christian and stay loyal no matter the circumstance or she'd lose everything he would have paid for. She decided to do as her mother advised, "work towards being financially independent."

*****

The examination week went by fast and easy. Nala was well prepared thanks to the private classes with Warren, most of which took place in bed after a steamy session of love making. Her life was back on track. She and the besties were back to talking for hours while snacking on all things delicious and they were doing well in their studies. Nala spoke to her mama and Long on the phone regularly and she was in love. Iggy was spending more time in Ref-town with Nandi too.

When Lizzy continued to stay mum about her love interests, Nala decided to make her aware of a rumour she heard about her and a freshman girl. Nandi's shock to the revelation lasted for only a few seconds. "I'm not gay" Lizzy told them plainly. Nala wanted to know what the kiss was about and Lizzy coolly explained that a group of first year female students, whose gay friend has a crush on her, had been begging her to help make their gay friend's birthday special. Lizzy's plan was to formally introduce herself and wish her a happy birthday, but when that day came, the lesbian girl plugged up the courage to tell Lizzy she loves her and asked if she liked girls too. She didn't like Lizzy's answer but asked to kiss Lizzy for all times sake and Lizzy played along. End of story. Nala couldn't believe she spent months thinking Lizzy was struggling to come out the closet. They laughed about this and Lizzy introduced the girl to her besties soon after that.

Everything was going well up until Nala fainted again. This time, there was no swing in sight. And because it was the second incident, Warren insisted on taking her to Ref-Town clinic. Nala's second year at university was filled with events that drastically altered her world, changed how she looked at people and made her love and appreciate growth. She appreciated everything that had happened, good and bad but nothing could have prepared her for a second pregnancy.

*****

Warren struggled with the idea of Nala returning to Ref-Town for the school break holidays for the remainder of the week but Nala missed her family terribly. Besides, she wanted to take advantage of the fact that she wasn't showing yet. She couldn't wait to get home but as soon as Mr. Long picked her up from Warren's house, she too started missing her baby daddy to be. When the nurse told her she was expecting a child, she wanted to cry but Warren's excitement to the news surprised her out of tears. Nala had been staying at his place since and news of them being an items were finally confirmed. Many on campus started talking about them openly since then too. This did not bother the couple much, especially because Warren no longer lectured Nala. She also had one more examination paper to write before she finished her second year when they found out she was with child.