Tainted

Chapter 14

Mom walks into my room in the morning as I just finished showering
"Morning son"
She greets
"Morning mom"
I say and she sits on the bed and pat's on the bed next to her, I walk over to sit beside her
"How did you sleep?"
She asks and I shrug
"I barely did. Mom what's going on? Did she tell you?"
I ask her and she nods
"She did and she asked me not to say anything to you"
I frown
"Mom you cant do that to me"
She shrugs
"She's not your patient, you not sworn to anything!"
She sighs
"Aaron this is not something I can tell you. I respect that little girl in that room and if she asked me not to tell you then I won't tell you and you will just have to respect that baby"
She says and then she places her hand on my knee
"Shes been through a lot, all i ask of you is that you be patient with her. Dont push, dont persist. Just be there for her ok?"
I frown
"How can I when I dont even know what's going on with her mom? You saw how shaken she was last night. Whatever happened to her must have been that bad"
She nods
"It was and its not easy to move past it. Give her time, allow her space to deal with this her own way. When she is ready to talk to you or tell you then she will. Until then dont push her ok?"
She says and stands up
"Be patient"
She says and then walks out. I let out a sigh and get dressed into sweatpants and a t-shirt then head out of my room and go check on her. As I stand by her door and knock I am terrified not knowing what to expect of her after last night until I remind myself of what mom said, not to push and be patient. I knock and she opens the door for me
"May I come in?"

I ask and she looks at me before stepping aside to let me in

"Morning"

I say walking in, she closes the door as I sit on the bed

"Morning"

She says walking to sit beside me

"Asante what happened last night?"

I ask her, I know what mom said but I need to hear it from her

"Aaron I can't tell you, it's for the best"

She says and i sigh

"Asante I've never seen you that shaken before, please. Talk to me"

I plead

"I want to help"

I say wanting to place my hand on her knee but retract it back not wanting to trigger her again. I cant believe I have to walk on eggshells around my own girlfriend

"I'm sorry"
I say and she nods

"I have exciting news"

I say trying to lighten up the mood and divert her attention elsewhere. She waits for me to continue

"The video is doing well. People want to know the lady, we've been getting calls from other artists wanting to use you as their leading lady"

I say and her she fakes a smile

"I'm happy for you"

She says and I nod but my smile turns into a frown

"Asante"

I say and she looks at me

"I'm here for you and I'm not going anywhere"

I say with assurance and she fakes a smile

"Thank you, I appreciate that"

She says and I nod

"When you ready to talk I'll be here ready to listen to you"

I say and then push myself off the bed, she gets up and stops me halfway to the door

"Aaron"

She calls out and I turn to her, she throws herself into my arms. I smile

"Thank you"

She whispers, i hug her tighter. This is the hug I needed from her last night, this is what I wanted from her instead of the fear she showed me. Our hug is broken by a knock on the door, we pull apart and I smile at her before she answers 'come in' to whomever is knocking. My mother walks in and she smiles

"Good morning"

She says and we both smile, I lean in to kiss her forehead and then unwrap my arm around her waist

"I'll meet you downstairs"

I say and smile at mom before walking out of the room closing the door behind me.

It's been so busy around here today with people wishing me congratulations every now and then. I haven't seen Asante much with how busy its been. I'm outside entertaining a few guests
"Cici have you maybe seen Asante anywhere?"
I ask Sienna as she walks past me
"No, ask mom. I think she wanted to introduce her to some of her friends"
She says and I nod making my way into the house to find mom and I meet her on her way downstairs
"Mom, have you seen Asante? Theres some people I would like to introduce her to"
I say and she walks up to me
"She sprained her ankle outside. She asked to be taken home not wanting to ruin this day for you baby. Maybe you can go and see her later"
She suggests and I frown
"It doesn't make any sense. She would have said something"
Mom nods
"And she did, to me. Attend your graduation and then you will see her later ok? Now come theres someone I want to introduce you to"
Mom says leading me outside. I let out a sigh as we head outside. Nothing makes any sense as to why she would leave without saying anything. I'm trying to understand her but its like she doesnt want me to and it really hurts me.
I try to enjoy the rest of the evening but I cant help think about her. When the day has ended I try calling her but she doesnt answer my calls or anything and so I decide to go and visit her to check up on her passing by to buy her comfort food with Hope's this will make her feel better.
She and Asavela moved out of that place she lived in with Pamela and that sister of hers ever since Asavela got a res and NSFAS. I knock on the door and Asavela opens for me and she smiles
"Vela"
I greet and she steps aside letting me in
"Aaron sup? How was the party?"
She asks
"It was good. I come bearing gifts. Where is she?"
I ask her
"She's in the bathroom. She's in the mood"
She warns and I nod
"I wouldnt expect anything less. Here this is for both of you guys"
I say and she smiles taking the plastic bags. I make my way to the room and strip out of my clothes then wrap a towel around my waist and walk to the bathroom. I let myself in without knocking
"Ever heard of knocking?"
She says as I walk in, I drop my towel and I dont miss the shock on her face. I walk over to the tub and get in by her feet. I take her foot and place it on me then massage it.
"You left without saying anything"
I say that while massaging her bruised ankle
"I couldn't stay"
She says not looking at me
"That's not a response Asante. Have you any idea how worried my mother is about you? She told me how shaken you were when you left a..."
I dont even finish the sentence when she cuts me off
"What else did she say? What did she tell you?"
She asks making herself seem suspicious, she clasps her mouth quickly. I shoot her a look
"Is there something she should have told me?"
I ask with a corked eyebrow and she shakes her head no, I squint my eyes at her
"Asante you gotta talk to me in order for me to understand. Yesterday you were in a state I have never seen you in and that scared me a lot. Even me being here in this tub with you right now is a risk on it's own because who knows how this is going to affect you? I'm worried about you Asante, I want to help you"
I beg and she sighs thinking for a second
"All you need to know is that I didn't have a great childhood"
She says and i go silent for a while and then I speak
"Asante I understand that and I want to get you the help you need. Please just let me help you"
I plead and she shrugs her shoulders
"I appreciate you wanting to help me but you can't help me Aaron. In fact I think it would be best if we just stopped seeing each other"
She says taking me by surprise that I even drop the foot I was massaging
"I can't do this with you and I am sorry for ruining your special day but I can't continue seeing you"
She continues
"You breaking up with me?"
.
.
To Be Continued