HIM

CHAPTER 19

A few metres to my home gate, someone shouted my name. I turned around to see Bill closely approaching. What was with him?
I walked on, but slowly so he'd catch up with me.

"Oh, here you are. Hi Linn," he greeted.
"Hi to you, tell me. What's the chase for, did I drop something on my way? " I asked whimsically.
"Not really, I just need to talk to you," he replied.
"Mmh, what about? " I asked nonchalantly.

Honestly, I wasn't interested in listening to him. Not in a rude way though, I have just been...annoyed?
Maybe. After the whole Daisy-Flen thing, I just couldn't resume the normal me.

I had my arms crossed at my chest, dragging my feet, almost home.
"Give me a minute if you don't mind, " he said.
"Am all ears, you can talk. "
"Not if you keep walking. Besides, you're almost home."
True.
I stopped moving all together.
"Linn, I like you. Is there a possibility of you requiting it? "
Whoa! That was a straight hit, trust me. Who does that?
Well, Bill does.

"Oh really, and you think am just going to say 'there is'? Wow Bill! Shame on you! Who's May to you? "

I felt like I could slap him right there, but I held back.
It wouldn't be descent.
But was he even descent enough himself?

"I saw that coming. But please, could you just give it some thought first at least?"

"Bill, I think you really need to get home and have a good amount of sleep. You sound like you really need it," I said making my way home.
He grabbed my wrist and pulled me so close, I could hear him breath.

"Linn, I mean what I've said. "
I grew nervous looking at his eyes. I couldn't judge it to be true or not. He could as well be deluding me.
I pulled myself free from his grip, rubbed my wrist lightly. Then I gave him one last glare, "Leave me alone, " I snarled at him and left.

He didn't pull me back this time. Am glad.
"I like you Linn, " he shouted just as I walked in to the gate.
He is crazy!

The door was slightly ajar, meaning Mum was in. I just wanted to get in, go to my room and plop myself on the bed. I was so tired, and my head was starting to hurt really bad.
"Hey honey, back from school? " Mum shouted from the sofa. She was seated, with her legs on the coffee table; watching Carbonaro effect on Discovery Family.
"Yes Mum, " I answered dragging my feet lazily to my room.
I changed into my night wear because I wasn't going to go anywhere anyway.
Maybe some coffee will help.
So I went to the kitchen and poured myself a cup.
"Honey, I got a surprise for you," Mum  said.
That got my attention, so I left the worktable where I had been leaning on and headed to where she was.
"Mmh, what's it Ma'?
"Come with me, " she said, setting her feet down and heading towards the bedroom.
To Jamie's room! What is this all about?
"Open the door, "she said pointing to the door knob.
I looked at her surprisingly, held the knob and pushed it. All this while looking at her. She just smiled all through, that meant something really good I guess. And so when the door opened and I saw what was in wait for me, I jumped up happily.
5-year old me!

"Grandma! " I ran up to her and threw myself around her.

"Be careful to not break any bones my child," she teased.
"I missed you, " I said pulling away.
"In fact Mum didn't want me to go with her,am glad you came. "
"Oh really? She must be mean then, " she said jokingly, I knew it.
"Well Linn, your grandma took me a lot to come here. I was going to bring her, that's why I didn't want you to come along, " Mum defensively said.
"Wow! Thanks Mum, " I smiled at her.
"How long is her stay? "
"Am just in, and you're already asking how long! " Grandma exclaimed.
"You know that's not what I meant, " I responded.
Mum looked at me and said, "As long as you want her to. Am not allowing her to go back to the village anymore. "
"Yeees, you're here to stay, " I cheerfully said and gave her one last hug and went to Mum.
"You're the best Mum, " I said as she hugged me so sweetly.
Suddenly, I felt like crying. I did start to cry.
"Hey Linn, you're going down on fever, "Mum said pulling away from the hug.
She was right, I was burning up.
"Mum, please hold on to her while I fetch her some medicine, " I heard her tell granny.
My head felt heavy, and hurting.

"There, I hope the drug is going to help, " Mum said tucking me in my bed.
Grandma came up to me, "Get yourself comfortable and rest, OK? I want you healthy tomorrow, then you can skip school so we chat away the whole day. "
I chuckled.
Though Mum sent a warning glare at her, "Mum! You didn't have to include skipping school! "
"What? Skipping school just one day won't affect her grades! Don't think I've forgotten you faking sickness at times so you'd miss school! At least she's really sick. "
I couldn't help but laugh, these women were crazy.
"Anyway honey, sleep. Goodnight, " Mum said.
"Goodnight my child, "grandma joined in.
"Goodnight to you two, " I responded, before they both left and closed my room.
I heard them kinda disagreeing but laughing.
Wow! Mum and daughter.

It was 11 in the night, I hadn't caught any sleep. I was just staring at the ceiling, I didn't want to switch on my phone though. Not tonight. Then I heard my door creaking open, I closed my eyes pretending to be asleep.
She drew near, touched my forehead and stayed for a while.
"I love you honey, " she whispered then left.
Wow! When I grow up, I want to be a mother.