THE ARRIVAL

PART TWO

ROSE'S POV.

"Alex," I said.

"Yeah"

"Martha is pregnant" I added.

He paused for a moment.
"What?" He exclaimed.

"That's impossible, well it is. But you know what I mean right?" He looked worried.

"Yea, I do. But I'm not sure if that's the issue though like I'm not sure yet o." I added.

"Oh,"
"Yeah". I added.

We then walked further, I caught Alex stealing a glance. I knew it was about last night, I don't want to make him uncomfortable; I think he likes me or maybe not, maybe it was a mistake.
I was so confused, I wish I could hear his mind speak.
"So, how are you? " He said like a four-year-old.

"I'm fine, thanks". I don't know why but this is really awkward.

"About yesterday, I'm _I'm sorry? Ugh, it wasn't intentional. I didn't mean to... You know. " He squeezed his hands in his pocket as we walked.

"It's OK, it's no big deal" I smiled.

"It's not?" He paused.

"I mean, yeah. It's not a problem" I added.

"It's not? " He said again.

"Alex, could you please stop asking me that" I laughed and he smiled.
I don't think I should be mad at him, it was just a kiss anyway. A friendly kiss." I said to myself.
There's nothing like a friendly kiss Rose! My subconscious added and I think it's right. Truly there's nothing like a friendly kiss, I just don't want to put him in an unpleasant situation. It won't happen again, I guess.
" I was a bit scared, I thought you'd hit me or something " He smiled.

"Oh! yeah, I forgot" I said and hit him. Not hard but strong enough.
We both laughed really hard.

"Gum?" I offered.

"Thanks" He collected them.

"Alex?"

"Yeah," He said as he chewed the gum.

"I've been meaning to ask. How did your dad take the news, about everyone knowing about your mum?"

His facial expression changed, I knew I ruined his mood.

" about that, errm. He got furious, yelled, and promised not to come back for me. He told me to pack my belongings and leave town with him, but I declined."

"Wow, that's big". Actually, it was. I can't imagine him relocating again the second time. Why would he leave town because people now know about his mother? Why is his father so paranoid about all this? I began to worry.

" It is, he told me the house has been put up for sales. The buyers would come over soon, but he said loud and clear that he won't be coming back for me, and that only means one thing. He has disowned me" He said and smiled.

"Omg, Alex! I'm so sorry. How do you intend to find him? What plans are you making?" I pitied him.

"No plans actually, I don't have any plans," He said with no emotions.

"Wow, relatives. You know? Cousins, family friends, anyone?" I managed to ask.

"Funny enough Rose, my parents never introduced any relative to me, nor family friends. Only my nanny who almost got me killed by not giving me drugs for my allergies, and that was a long time ago."

"That's chronic," I said.

"Very" He added and smiled.

"You should have followed him, Alex," I said and he stopped walking.

"Followed him? I should have followed him to where actually? See Rose, I got tired of pretending. I got tired of living an unfulfilled life, I got tired of lying, I got tired of everything, have you ever wondered how I get to watch television alone? With no one? No family, siblings? He discharged the maids when he was about leaving and even before then. The maids never stayed in the main building, they were always at the boys quarters, I live alone, eat alone, laugh alone, share jokes alone! And when he finally comes, he'd expect me to welcome him with a warm smile of which he never returns.
If they really cared as real parents should, they wouldn't leave me all by myself. He wouldn't leave me all alone in that house if truly I am his child he wouldn't walk away like that."

He said with his voice a bit louder. Most people looked at us and wondered what was wrong.
"I'm sorry," I said in a softer tone.

I pulled him closer and hugged him. I could feel his heartbeat, no doubt he's hurt.

"We're in this together, OK. You and I, we can fight this, and don't you ever think you don't have anyone. You have me."

"Thank you," He said looking downward.

"And you don't have to be shy! " I said almost laughing.

"Shy? Hell no, why would I be shy?" He laughed.

"Looks like I'm home already!" I said.

"True" He smiled.

"Take good care of yourself, Alex," I said softer.

"I will." He scratched his head.

"OK, bye?"

"yeah " I walked in.

*****************************************

"Hey!" Sister Tayo sat on the chair facing me.

"Good afternoon ma" I dropped my bag on the table.

"Looks like you've got company." She smiled and walked towards the dining table.

"Alex? He. our street leads to his house s-o-o-o. What should I make for dinner?" I changed the topic.

"I told you to stay away from him right?" She poured her self a glass of juice.

"That's impossible, we're classmates and we go through the same route home. I don't know how to avoid him". For no reason I felt it's best I don't tell her about us being seat partners.

" oh, just be careful." She smiled.

"May I ask a question?"

"Go ahead, my dear"

"Why do you want me to stay away from him? he's harmless."

"I know he is. I just don't buy the idea of you getting too close to a boy"

"We're not close" I lied.

"I saw the way he looked at you Rose" She teased.

I laughed.
"He was just thanking me for a favor that's all" I lied again.

"Favour? Gist me" she smiled.

"At least let me freshen up please" I pleaded.

"OK, OK but promise me you'll gist me when you're done"

I don't know why she's so keen on knowing more about Alex. We've never had anything to really talk about in a while now.

Freshening up took a while, I decided to study. I have a few days to the exam.
Later in the evening, I walked into the living room, I couldn't find Sister Tayo. She must have gone to her room.

I picked up the TV remote and I saw Sister Tayo's ATM card, in which Tayo Williams was boldly written. This made me recollect the name I saw at Alex's house, in his mum's room. I don't want to ask Alex about it so he won't think I was trespassing, but I thought I should tell him, to know if his mum and Sister Tayo were friends; who knows, Sister Tayo might want to help Alex. I felt it was very necessary to seek an older person for help or advice. Sister Tayo said she doesn't know him nor his parents but that was too much of a coincidence.
I'll have to ask Alex about it.

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