African Sunset

Chapter Twenty Three

Neema's POV

The cock crowed.
5:30 am.
I had to get up.
Trust me, I wouldn't if I could, but Samala, that damned old lady would give me an earful.

Ugh, I hated this place.
I was made to do chores.
Chores!

I rose up a little and rested my back against the bedpost and held my head in both hands.
I had a splitting headache.
I think I had one too many last night at the festival.
I looked at my surrounding.
Nothing seemed familiar about the place, wherever it was.

I ventured to get out of the bed, but I stopped as soon as I realized...,
I was naked under the sheets.

Holy crap!
Did I?
How far did I go the night before?
And with whom?

I looked over to my right. Sure enough there was a man in the bed, stirring in his sleep.

Oh no!
It was Jeed.

It all suddenly came back to me.
Images ran through my mind of me drunkenly and willingly following him into this room, the door shutting, my fingers digging into his back as he...

Oh my goodness!

What in God's name have I gotten myself into?

Time to bounce.

I quietly gathered the sheets around me, so as not to wake him up.

I'd rather die than let him see me do the walk of shame.
I slowly got up, hugging the sheets around me and tiptoed around the room.
Clothes on the floor, everywhere.

I was feeling sore, really sore down there.
Rough night huh, Neema?

Unfortunately, he did wake up.
He groaned and rolled over and supported his head with his palm.

"Good morning.", he rubbed his eyes and smiled.

A part of me acknowledged the fact that he was really good looking, the other part was cursing and hissing and fussing because I let myself go to some random guy.
This better have meant something to him because I wouldn't forgive myself if this was just a one night stand.

I picked up my bra, top and skirt and wore them quickly.
Where was my..., you know what?
I couldn't stand to be in the same room as Jeed.
I was embarrassed.
Could anyone get this far with me if I cut loose on the drinks?
Neema you, dear girl, have a serious problem.

I rushed over to the door.

" Wait, don't go.", he interrupted my getaway.

I turned around.

"I think I'm in love with you.", he said, now sitting at the edge of the bed.

What the hell?!
My breath hitched.

Suddenly he burst out laughing.
" Yeah I couldn't hold that for more that three seconds, I'm sorry.", an irritating laugh came out of his mouth.

Was this a joke to him?

I jiggled the doorknob but it wouldn't budge.
I began to panic.

"Open, stupid door!", I furiously whispered my command to the door.
I was losing my mind.

He got up, not caring that he was stark naked.

I covered my eyes.
But that didn't stop me from being flashed in the face by his male magnificence.
Whoa that was in me last night?
No wonder I was sore.

He walked over, unlocked the door and dangled something black from his index finger.
"You forgot something.", he grinned really wide.

Oh my God, my underwear.

The bastard was enjoying this.
If only I could smack the smug look off his face.

I snatched it and closed the door.
I was practically fuming.
I looked left and right to be sure the coast was clear. Nobody in sight.
A relieved exhale left my body.

I crept towards the direction of my quarters which wasn't so far. Just a few doors away.

"Neema?"

Uh oh.

"Were you just coming from Jeed's room?"

Asaawa was standing behind me with her eyebrow raised.

"Keep your voice down.", I begged.
She was talking really loud, or it was just an effect of the alcohol still circulating in my system.

" Well were you?"

Think fast Neema. Think of the best excuse.

"Uh ,yeah as a matter a fact I was.", I raised my head and immediately felt dizzy.

I am never drinking again.

" I needed help with the oven again."

"So why do you look like you just woke up?", the doubt was written all over her face.

Reasonable. I mean I was just coming from a boy's room. Anyone would think the worst.
Give it up Neema, you've been caught.
" Why am I even asking? Like I'd want to know what freaky business you and Jeed have."

"I just want to know if you've seen Sadiwe around anywhere, I haven't seen her since yesterday, and I'm getting worried.

As a matter of fact I hadn't, at all, but that was the least of my worries.
She was probably off with Ruba what's his name somewhere.

"Sorry, haven't seen her, have to go.", I said to Asaawa as I run-walked to my room.

I slammed the door shut, which wasn't the best decision since it sent annoying noises rippling through my head.

I took a quick shower to wash all the dirty off of me.
I wrapped a towel around my body and stood in front of the full-length mirror, looking at my reflection.
Even after taking that shower, I still felt dirty and very used.

I hid my face in my palms.
Unexpectedly, tears started to fall.
The girl standing in front of me wasn't Neema. I didn't know who I was anymore.
And I didn't want to know.
Everything that mattered to me managed to slip throught my fingers.
I was so sick of it.
So, so, so sick.