"In the Dark"

Chapter 5: Bombshell

Lena woke up to the warmth of her bed, feeling grateful for the freedom of a weekend morning. She lay there for a while, soliciting the comfort of her blankets and mediating on how to muster the energy to get up. Her bed was her happy place, and she didn't want to leave it. But eventually, her bladder and her growling stomach won the battle, and she threw off the covers with a dramatic sigh.

As she looked around her room, her eyes widened in horror. It was a disaster zone! Clothes scattered everywhere, books and papers strewn about, and her desk looked like a tornado had hit it. She remembered the frantic search she had conducted the night before, desperate to find the notes she had misplaced. "Ah, yes, I did this," she said to herself, shaking her head. "I was a woman on a mission...a mission to drive myself crazy!"

Lena sighed and got out of bed, her feet sinking into the soft carpet. She stumbled to the mirror and gazed at her reflection. Her hair was a tangled mess, resembling a bird's nest more than a hairstyle. Her brows were swollen and puffy, resembling two small pillows that had been surgically attached to her face. Her eyes, once bright and sparkling, now looked dull and lifeless, like two burnt-out light bulbs. Her skin was pale and clammy, with a faint sheen of last night's sweat still visible. She looked like she had been through a war, and the war had won!

"Wow, Lena, you're a hot mess!" she exclaimed, shaking her head in disbelief. "How did you go from 'cute and quirky' to 'homeless chic' in just one night?" She chuckled wryly, her eyes scanning her reflection for any signs of the person she used to be. "I mean, what happened to the girl who used to rock bright pink lipstick and statement outfits? The girl who used to strut down the hallway like she owned the place?"

She remembered the call she had to make and groaned, feeling a sense of dread wash over her. But she pushed the thought aside and said a quick prayer. "Okay, God, please help me get through this day with grace and sanity."

Lena headed to the bathroom, determined to brush her teeth as well as wash away the exhaustion and stress from her body. As she stood under the warm water, she felt her muscles relax and her mind clear. She took a deep breath, letting the steam fill her lungs, and began to hum a soft tune. The water danced down her skin, soothing her frazzled nerves and calming her mind. She emerged from the shower feeling refreshed and renewed, ready to tackle the day ahead.

As she got dressed, Lena chose a comfortable pair of jeans and a bright yellow sundress with white flowers. She loved how the dress made her feel like a ray of sunshine, and it was a great contrast to her messy room and tangled hair. She slipped on her favorite pair of sandals and headed downstairs, feeling a bit more put together.

As she entered the living room, Lena's family looked up and smiled. Her mom was curled up on the couch, sipping a cup of coffee, while her younger brother, Bryan, was sprawled out on the floor, engrossed in his phone. Her younger sister, Chinwe, was sitting cross-legged on the couch, reading a book. The room was filled with the warm scent of freshly brewed coffee and the soft hum of conversation. Lena felt a sense of contentment wash over her as she settled into the couch beside her mom, feeling grateful for this cozy morning with her loved ones.

As Lena lounges on the couch in her family's living room, surrounded by the warmth and comfort of her childhood home, she can't help but reflect on her journey as a first-year university student.

The first semester of her Business Administration program at Nova Haven University has been a whirlwind of challenges and growth. She remembers the anxiety she felt during her first CBT exam, her hands shaking as she navigated the computer-based questions.

But she's still fuming about those early 7:30 am classes. "Who even schedules classes that early?" she complains to herself. And to make matters worse, some lecturers seemed to take pleasure in making their classes as tedious and lengthy as possible.

"Ugh, Professor Johnson's lectures were the worst!" she exclaims, shaking her head. "He'd drone on for hours, putting the whole class to sleep. I swear, he had a personal vendetta against morning coffee."

Her family chuckles at her frustration. "Well, at least you made it through the semester," her mom says, trying to offer some comfort.

Lena sighs. "Yeah, but it was a close call. I don't know how much more of that I can take. Some of those lecturers need to seriously rethink their teaching methods."

Lena thinks to herself, not realizing she's speaking out loud. "I mean, seriously, who thinks it's a good idea to schedule a three-hour lecture at 8 am?"

She's surprised when her mom responds, "Lena, you'll get used to it, sweetie. You'll find your rhythm."

Lena's eyes widen in surprise. "Oh, mom, I thought I was just thinking that to myself!" she exclaims, laughing.

As they talk, Lena feels a sense of relief wash over her. She's grateful to have a supportive family to vent to, and she knows that with their help, she'll navigate the ups and downs of life. She's learning to embrace the challenges, find her own strength, and trust her own voice. With a renewed sense of purpose, Lena smiles, feeling ready to take on the world, one day at a time, and make her mark in her own unique way.

As the family's laughter and conversation fill the room, a sudden knock at the door breaks the joyous atmosphere. Lena's mom asks her brother to get the door, wondering who could be visiting at this hour. The brother gets up, curiosity etched on his face, and makes his way to the entrance.

He opens the door to find a letter waiting on the porch, no one in sight. "It's a letter!" he calls out to the family, his voice laced with excitement. The mom's eyes widen in surprise, "Who could be sending us a letter?" she asks, looking around the room at her family. The room falls silent as they all shrug, none of them expecting any mail.

Lena's mom gets up, her curiosity piqued, and walks over to the door. She takes the letter from her son and examines it. Her eyes scan the envelope, then she turns it over, and her gaze stops at the name on the letter. "Lena, it's for you," she says, her voice neutral.

Lena's heart skips a beat as she looks up from her seat, her mind racing. She wasn't expecting any letter, and the surprise is evident on her face. She slowly gets up, her eyes fixed on the letter, and makes her way to her mom. She takes the letter, her hands feeling numb, and mutters a faint "thanks."

As she walks back to her seat, the letter feels like a weight in her hands. She doesn't want to open it in front of everyone, unsure of what it could contain. She tries to act nonchalant, dropping the letter on the coffee table as she passes by, hoping no one will notice.

"I'm actually really hungry, Mom," she says, trying to change the subject. "What did you prepare for dinner?" Her mom mentions something, but Lena's not listening. She heads to the kitchen, her mind preoccupied with the letter.

As she rummages through the kitchen, the sounds of plates and utensils fill the air. She's trying to distract herself from the letter, but her mind keeps wandering back to it.

Meanwhile, her brother's curiosity gets the better of him. He sneaks over to the coffee table, picks up the letter, and starts to read. His eyes scan the page, and suddenly, his expression changes. His face pales, and his eyes widen in shock.

"Lena! What is this?!" he exclaims, his voice loud and urgent. The room falls silent, all eyes on Lena. She watches, frozen, as her brother's gaze pierces through her. Her mind races, wondering what he's seen. What secret has been revealed?

Her brother's hand trembles as he holds out the letter, his eyes fixed on hers. Lena's heart races, her mind reeling with possibilities. She hesitates, her eyes fixed on the letter, as the room holds its breath.

To be continued...