AWAKE

Chapter 26

Anny woke up to the noise that came from outside. "ah", She winced at the pain from the mild headache she felt as she tried to get up, so she lay back slowly.
She scanned the empty room and realized no one was there. It was hard for her to get back to sleep because the noise continued and she wondered what was going on.
After struggling to get up, she gradually grabbed her day wear which she hung on her bunk with one hand, while the other was placed on her forehead.
She stepped outside the room after dressing up to see a junior whose name she couldn't remember, "this headache is already getting the best part of my recollection" she said to herself. The junior was surrounded by a lot of other students.
She gathered the courage to walk into their midst, "What's going on here" she said making her voice sound deeper.
"Senior Anny, I saw Senior fortune and senior King fighting", The Junior said.
"What!" Anny exclaimed
"Yes, senior Anny, they fought so hard that they broke one of the windows" a voice added.
Anny could feel the uneasiness growing in her stomach as she heard every word. She didn't even know why she was troubled, it could be any random fight.
"You", Anny pointed towards the junior, "come with me and everyone go back to doing something useful with your time instead of gossiping."
Anny took her to her room and when they got there, she asked the junior to explain everything again, which she did.
"Do you have an idea... what could be the reason? I... I just want to know if maybe you... You know, heard anything that made them fight so bad", Anny stuttered as she got confused about the best choice of words.
"Umm... senior Anny I don't know the reason, but I think I heard your name"
"You... You heard my name?"
"Yes senior." The junior said. After a little silence, she spoke up " I just remembered, senior Destiny was there, so I think you should ask her."
Upon hearing her name, Anny felt sick suddenly, she couldn't help herself, it got worse learning about Destiny's presence there...
"Senior Anny" The junior called Anny's attention to her still standing.
Anny made a hand gesture for the junior to leave.
When she left, she collapsed on her bed. She knew why her name was mentioned. She had always known something bad was surely going to happen but now, it had come to reality. she kept on thinking about all the possible things that would have led them to fight that badly.
She was worried for herself, at the same time furious at Destiny.
"What is going on here and what's with the noise?" Eunice shouted as she forcefully entered Anny's room.
"And who called you here?" Anny screamed.
"Eunice" Nina called softly, this is not the right time.
"Nina I'm sorry but this room is causing a nuisance in this hostel. Coming here I chased a lot of juniors eavesdropping on whatever rubbish you guys were saying." Eunice said as she glared at Anny.
"Are you mad? Are you stupid? " Anny asked continuously.
"Eunice, Anny is distraught now, can't you see she is in pain? please don't add to the situation- please" Nina begged Eunice.
"Is that why she looks like a soaked puppy" Eunice pointed towards Destiny, who was on her knees, crying, "Des why are you crying?" Eunice asked.
She continued when she didn't get any response from Destiny, "She can't even say anything. I wonder why you are friends with these losers Nina"
"It's enough, leave", Nina said boldly.
"Really?" Eunice asked surprised.
"You heard her bitch, get out!" Anny yelled.
"wow, someone is growing some wings. Hmmm, I would leave, but if this room disturbs again, I would report to the principal." Eunice said and walked majestically out of the room.
"you just heard what that brat said right?" Anny smiled sarcastically, nodding at every word she said while pointing towards the door with her index finger.
"Anny, I know you are angry now, but I think you should calm down."
"Calm down? I should calm down?" Anny quickly replied. She began walking around and muttering words the girls could barely hear. She suddenly stopped and turned towards Nina as she spoke softly "oh, you said think right? How could I forget that? So please continue thinking..." Then her voice grew higher and in a more commanding tone, "continue thinking 'cause you guys don't have the right to tell me how to behave!"
"I am so sorry", Destiny said between subs.
"Why are you crying?" Anny asked Destiny.
"I didn't mean to, it was that fool fortune that made me spit it out," Destiny said as she continued crying.
"So you mean you don't have control over yourself? Huh? A man is pushing you now, huh?" Anny said shouting.
"I'm sorry" Destiny continued saying
"You know how this school handles news and the people we are dealing with here, I...I" Anny couldn't finish her statement because she had started running out of breath, so she sat on the bed next to her, " I trusted you, Des," Anny said and started crying, bending her head onto her folded hands on her lap.
"It's okay Anny," Nina said rubbing Anny's back.
"It's not okay Nina, I'm humiliated." Anny raised her head to talk, then rested her head on Nina's body.
Nina turned over to Destiny who was still begging on her knees, she beckoned on her to come close. Destiny came closer to Anny and continued begging Anny.
"I didn't mean to say anything to him, he somehow got the words out of my mouth."
"And you want me to clap for you right? Someone got injured for God's sake, I wonder how the principal will take the news once it gets to him."
"Anny please forgive her, don't hurt yourself any further..."
Nina lay on her bed, reading a civic education textbook for the forthcoming exams when she had flashes of what happened earlier. She laughed at some point and rolled her eyes. She didn't like what Destiny did to Anny, but she felt Anny overreacted by crying and insinuating it was going to result in something bad. She felt the extent of the fight caused greatly to her reaction. She was happy that Anny had forgiven Destiny, despite Destiny acting the same way, she still felt sorry for her. After some time, she tried to keep every thought away and concentrate on her reading.