AWAKE

Chapter 13

Students had dressed neatly in their outing uniforms, which were worn at important events. After the inspection from prefects and teachers on duty, some students were seen lingering around the hostel gate, waiting to be called out to meet either their parents or guardians.
"I just hope my Dad comes along with ruby"
"Who is ruby?"
"My dog"
"I want snacks" The voice howled.
Nina felt dizzy from the conversations the girls were having in the room. She was once part of the discussion, but somehow they weren't making sense anymore, just saying irrelevant things. Well, that was how she felt about their discussion now. She turned to the other side of the bed, facing the wall. She didn't even know who said what, all she wanted was to just black out and it wasn't long before everything faded into darkness.
"Snr Nina...Snr Nina" Nina woke to a Junior-Clara tapping her.
"Your mum is here," she said when Nina turned to face her yawning.
"Tell her..." The Junior had run away before Nina could finish her sentence.
"Stupid" Nina cursed, confused if it was for the junior or the unfortunate situation she was about having-meeting her mum.
She looked around and noticed she was the only one in the room. She remembered a voice telling her "We would be back, Nina" and that was all she could remember. Nina drew her shoe closer and started wearing it.
She walked past the refectory and saw some parents with their children, eating and talking. She got to the park, which was filled with different cars. Some doors were slightly opened, where you could get a little glimpse of the parents and their kids.
She searched for her mum's red Toyota Camry. She finally saw her standing beside the car.
"My baby" Miss Cynthia shouted.
"Ma" Nina said, the words barely heard, when she got closer to her. Miss Cynthia hugged her so tight and pecked her left cheek.
"What was that for" Nina released herself from her mother's grip and cleaned her cheek with her hand.
Miss Cynthia knew it was better to look over some things to avoid more rebellion, "Let's get into the car." Miss Cynthia said and they both got into the car.
"Looks like school has been treating you well"
"Are you facing any difficulties?"
"Are you well?"
"Nina, why are you just staring at me, not answering any of my questions?"
"I don't know what to answer," Nina shrugged.
"Nina I'm trying to make things work between us," Miss Cynthia said and tried holding Nina's hand, but she pulled out.
" I'm not pleased around you..."
"Nina" Miss Cynthia called out with a shaky voice. She almost cried but tried her best to compose herself. Deep down, she knew it was all her fault.
Nina was tired of looking at her mum, so she stared out the window and then she saw Daniel talking to someone in a big, black jeep. She wasn't familiar with cars, so she didn't know what kinda car it was, but it looked very expensive. It wasn't long before a hand stretched out from the car and shoved something on Daniel's chest. he did well to hold it on his chest but some fell, so he bent down and picked them up as they were scattered around him. She guessed it was money. They were far off, so she didn't see clearly.
"...Nina, Nina"
Nina turned and faced her mum.
"I've been calling you" Miss Cynthia said.
"Anything?" Nina asked
"No. It's just that your attention..."
"I need to start going then," Nina said.
"But...you just got here"
"I have books to read."
" My baby, are books now better than your mum?"
"They were my companion and still are, so maybe."
Tears rolled down Miss Cynthia's eyes as she repeated, "okay" three times.
"I got you some toiletries" Miss Cynthia handed Nina a white supermarket Nylon "Take this too" she folded money into Nina's right hand.
"Thanks" Nina opened the door.
"I love you," Miss Cynthia said aloud but was replied with a loud bang as Nina shut the door.
When Nina came down, she didn't see Daniel or the car.
She walked back to the hostel and lay down on the bed.
She was awoken by the noise coming from outside, Students had started coming back gradually. She saw a basket that contained food and snacks under her bed, she knew it was Anny's cause she stayed at the up bunk. Since no one was around, she decided to leave the hostel.
She got to the abandoned class and saw Daniel reading.
"seems someone else is having a bad day," Daniel said.
Nina walked in and sat down on her seat which was close to the window.
"I saw you outside," Nina said
"Yeah, lucky or should I say unlucky for me my dad came visiting today after a long time."
"Hmm" Nina saw the coldness in his eyes and the reluctance in his voice, as he spoke.
"You came late," Daniel said
"Uhh" Nina raised her eyebrow
"you missed the amazing meal, prepared by my second mother."
"You have another mother," Nina asked.
"Micheal's mum," he said.
"Oh"
"Wait-did you hear anything about my mum?" Daniel asked curiously.
"Nope," Nina denied immediately, " I asked out of curiosity. You said you had a second mother that's why.
"Okay," Daniel said reluctantly.
"So why are you here?" Daniel asked.
"I came in search of peace and quiet. There is so much noise at the hostel, so I decided to run here." Nina grumbled.
"And I'm here disturbing you," Daniel said
"Yes, you are" Nina smiled.
"Smile more often"
"Coming from someone who barely does."
"It's not my thing."
"Same here."