AWAKE

Chapter 22

"This is my son, Michael Johnson..." Mr Johnson said, his left hand resting on Michael's back as he introduced him, "This is my very good friend Mr Coker Ajayi", Mr Johnson said pointing towards the man in front of them.
"Wow, he is all grown up," Mr Ajayi said extending his hands to Micheal for a handshake.
Michael took his hand and shook him firmly, grinning and nodding to everything Mr Ajayi said as he had done the same to over twelve people-well, it could be more than that. After the church wedding, his parents introduced him and Michelle to some of their friends who mostly said"oh they are grown up, they won't remember me" hoping the reception would be any different, Micheal was disappointed.
Michelle had escaped from them and Michael wanted to run away from their parent's excessive introduction.
" Dad, I need to go in search of Michelle, I can't find her around," Michael said still displaying the perfect smile.
"Okay, I was even about to ask you where she was." Mr Johnson said.
"It was nice meeting you sir," Micheal said and walked away quickly, not minding if he replied or not.
The reception was almost over, so the hall was getting scanty. Michael searched everywhere, till he saw her, sipping a fruit juice at a corner.
"Mickey mouse," Michelle said when she saw Michael approaching her.
"You are so cruel, how could you leave me alone with them?" Michael said.
"I couldn't, besides, you were doing such a great job, seems you enjoyed it."
"Enjoyed it?..." Michael sat at the seat next to hers, "I was just, you know, playing along."
"I didn't come to this wedding to greet everybody here," Michelle said and continued sipping her drink.
"Okay, and?" Michael said looking at her suspiciously.
"And what? Why are you staring at me like that." Michelle asked all confused.
"Something has been bothering you since you came back yesterday. You can't lie 'cause the Mimi I know should have been at the dancefloor dragging the spotlight with the bride." Michael said.
"Michael..."
"You know what I mean"
"Okay. Is it not you that went to school and forgot to call me" Mimi said with a frown.
"Wait, is this what this is all about?" Michael asked almost laughing.
Michelle glared at him which made him comport himself.
"Oh my baby, I didn't forget to call you, I just had a lot on my plate, so I didn't even have the time to call. I'm so sorry."
"It's that Nina girl abi?" Michelle asked.
"Nina girl?"
"Yes. Ever since you liked her, you've just been, just been..." Michelle sounded so furious and Michael once again held himself from laughing hard, cause he knew she had run out of words.
"I've been what?" Michael asked mockingly.
Michelle dragged his face closer and began turning his face from side to side as she watched closely " look at your face, see your chin...you look so sick" Michelle said looking worried.
Michael couldn't hold his laughter anymore, so he burst into laughter, "I'm not sick"
"We don't know yet, but there might be a possibility," Michelle said.
"You are Just drama in a person," Michael said still laughing.
"So what's up? Spill it all out" she sang.
"Where do I even know you from?" Michael asked.
"Same womb, so please spill."
Michael narrated everything to her.
"You see... I wasn't wrong. That Nina girl might not really be okay in the head you know."
"Of everything I just told you, you picked just her," Michael said.
"The other ones I'll talk about them when we get home. you and I know she is the main deal."
"I'm so done with you"
"I'm not your girlfriend so you can't break up with me, but I do know I'm still your favourite person in the world. Okay, seriously, I need to advise you to stop taking interest in girls, just accommodate them all as you do, 'cause it ain't your thing."
"Really?"
"It's the truth, sorry"
"Look at where you guys are. Your mum has been looking for you two." A lady said.
"Oh"
"Oh"
They both glanced at each other.
"Hi, my baby girl" Miss Cynthia said as she walked into Nina's room.
"Hi"
"Your friend Anny wants to speak with you." Miss Cynthia said, handing Nina the phone and then leaving.
"Nina!" Anny screamed.
"Anny, you are such a baby," Nina said.
"I missed hearing from you girl. What did you say happened to your phone?" Anny asked.
"My phone slipped from my hand into the bucket of water I used to wash as I tried changing the music," Nina explained.
"Sorry about that dear. Thank God your mum came to the rescue o" Anny said.
"Mmmm" Nina nodded.
"Has Des called you yet?" Anny asked.
"Nope. Why?"
"I haven't heard from Des since the holiday started."
"Now I see why you were screaming when you spoke to me..."
"... It's not like that" Anny laughed, "besides, you are my girl, and I'm always happy to hear from you," Anny said.
"Okay."
They spoke about random things, Nina had told her about the new novel she read and how it had saved her from the boredom at home.
"Thanks," Nina said when she gave her mum back her phone.
"You are welcome." Miss Cynthia mouthed inaudibly.
Her mum had put her sim card in her phone when it got damaged and promised to get her a new one.
Miss Cynthia found every little way of bonding with her daughter and Nina knew.
"Would you like to go for a drink, later today? I know a few places your mates hang out"
"No, thanks," Nina said and walked out of the room.
When Nina got to her room, she reflected on what her mum said. She didn't want to hang out with anyone, adding to the problem she already had. She wished she hadn't hung around anyone in school, she wouldn't be brain stressed the way she was from school.

After the morning family prayer, Michael went back up to continue his sleep, while Michelle was dragged into the kitchen by her mum to help out.
"Why am I in the kitchen and Micheal is sleeping?" Michelle whined.
"Cut your brother some slacks..." Mrs Johnson said, "you are a lady and you need to be in here."
"This gender inequality again" Michelle continued complaining.
"All hail Michelle the feminist, if you like don't seat up, this is Africa, before you go and disgrace me in your husband's house." Mrs Johnson said, passing the chicken to Michelle to wash.
"Oh oh," Michelle scratched her eyes and slowly took the bowl of chicken to wash.
"Abeg, wash that thing well," Mrs Johnson said when she saw Michelle struggling with the chicken.
"Cut this one outside..." Mrs Johnson also directed the Maids on what to do.

"Those silly boys at your school..." Michael dished out advice to Michelle, after hearing all that had gone on at their school.
"I have heard you - like your school is any better," Michelle said.
"What are you doing? " Michael asked as Michelle grabbed his laptop.
"After all the stress your sister has gone through, my dear you need to let me see a movie and relax," Michelle said.
Michael shook his head, wondering how she got so lazy, "Just cooking alongside mum today has stressed you as this" Michael said.
"My dear leave that thing come and join me, you know you'd soon be going back to school."
"See how you are sounding like someone who is dying." Michael said, "so what movie are we seeing" Michael jumped on the bed and he rubbed her head.
"Don't mess up my hair" Michelle warned, "Let's see Titanic..."
"What! Michelle! Are you not tired of seeing that movie" Michael shouted.
"Never!" Michelle shook her head profusely.