9 Daunting.

JAMAL's POV

She scared the hell out of me last night. And she was right in front of me again.

Her black hair was tied into a messy bun, a strand brushing her face as the wind blew. She looked sane and her smile was so pretty and infectious that I almost did not recognize her. She sure had a lot of versions of herself. She could be crazy and even crazier. And no matter how her eyes lit up and her chestnut brown eyes portrayed innocence and beauty. I knew last night's version of Michaela was hidden deep down. How could she do this to me? I mean what did I do to deserve this?

I took a step back digging my feet into the sand as she took a step forward. She could be extremely rough and my heart throbbed as she neared me.

Yesterday was a hectic day, my mum's death anniversary, the day I had to report to school and also my first time coming back to Accra after leaving my wrecked life behind. I wanted stability this time. Even of the deities failed to grant me peace, I wanted a stable quiet life. It was going as planned until she appeared again.

yesterday...

I was welcomed by the angry security man who stood by the arch of the school. I arrived at the premises of Deluxe university. The sight was beautiful. The streets had tall palm trees at the sides of the road which towered us as our car moved on the beautifully paved asphalt. I was in Accra again after a long time and even the end smelled different.

"Which hostel are you going to?" the cab driver asked interrupting my thought. I thought of mum's letter over and over again and I decided to remain celibate. Besides, I aspired not to be a man like my dad.

"huh?... erm," I said hesitantly, shifting my head from one side to the other. His voice was audible and I understood what he asked. But I hadn't prepared. I realized I needed to find a hostel soon.

"I mean where should I drop you at, sir?" he asked again. My eyes browsed the premises as I noticed a very tall building. It stood out among all the other buildings. And It had the words "LEXIS HOSTELS AND APARTMENT" boldly inscribed on its top.

"I'm going to that building," I said, pointing at the tall building which towered us.

"Okay, Lexis hostel and apartment," the cab driver said as he drove towards the building.

I got off at the opening of one of the blocks and walked into the magnificent building. I strolled through an arch with welcome inscribed on the top as I headed to the porter's lodge. The lights were dimly lit with numerous waiting seats beautifully arranged at the right side of the porters' lodge. The place emanated elegance and everything here appeared new.

I walked straight to the porter's lodge. And immediately I got there, I saw a notice that said "No rooms available". As I turned to leave, I heard someone speak behind me.

"Hello, how may I help you?" I turned and noticed a man in a white and black uniform. He sat behind a table in the porters' lodge and he had a smile across his face.

"I wanted a room, but I just saw the notice and realized there are none available," I said.

"Yes, there are no rooms available for those who want an entire apartment to themselves. But if you don't mind sharing an apartment, then there are rooms available" he said.

"I don't mind," I quickly said. After doing all the paperwork, he led me to a door, pressed the door several times and left. I pressed the doorbell one more time and this time there was an answer.

A familiar-looking teenager about my age opened the door. I was certain I had seen him before but I couldn't remember where or how. He was shirtless and it looked like he just woke up from sleep.

"Hello, I'm Jamal Jackson, your flatmate," I said as I stretched forth my hand for a handshake. He stretched out his hands and I shook hands with him. As soon as his eyes were wide open, his jaw dropped. His eyes scanned my body from the top of my head to the sole of my feet. We stood there in silence for almost a minute, as his lips parted in awe.

He was so weird.

"Nice to meet you Jamal" he finally said, opening the door wider so that my suitcase could fit in. He helped me with my suitcases and showed me around the apartment. But I wasn't so interested. All I needed was a bed to sleep in.

"I'm Michael Klein," he said after he helped me pack my belongings. No wonder he looked familiar. He was the model who had his face all over fashion magazine and the son of madam Nessa, the owner of PRETTY.

The more I looked at him the weirder he became. He sauntered from one side of the room to the other anxious, with his phone on his ears.

"Michael, I'm going out for a while," I said. He nodded and resumed wandering from one side of the room to another as I walked out of the apartment.

My phone beeped as I strode to the exit of Lexis hostel and apartment. It was a text from Noah, one of my best friends. Noah and Lucas were my two best friends. They stood by my side throughout my struggles.

Noah--"Are you ready, Jamal? It's going to be a long night."

I read it and I understood what it meant. The night was going to be a long one.

***

I snapped back to reality when my phone screen lit up with a message from an unknown number.

Unknown number-- "Can you please get me food... This is Michael, your flatmate".

Me-- "Okay," I replied.

Michaela stole glances at me as she spoke to Ryan. I got so anxious. My heart raced as she neared me. Her conversation with Ryan was over and she walked towards me.

She had a smile across her face and I urged myself to relax. Why is she have to show up last night?

When she was close enough, I took in a deep breath and said, "Hello Michaela. Do I have to meet you every day?" I was so annoyed. " I'm Jamal, Jamal Jackson".

She just smiled and said, "nice to meet you". She said goodbye and walked into the building with some other girl. I couldn't believe she was smiling after what she did to me last night.

I bought the food for Michael and headed to my room with Ryan behind me.

I just met Ryan this morning. Michael woke me up from the sofa early this morning when the porter came looking for me. I freshened up and went down and a gentleman dressed in black walked to me. He introduced himself as Ryan and said he had a package for me.

But before that, he wanted me to fill in some forms for a package. I had no idea what it was but he told me it was for me. Jamal Jackson. I led him up to my apartment.

"She is my girlfriend from a long time ago," Ryan said, as his lips curled into a smile. He kept on giggling from time to time as we strode to my apartment.

I pressed the doorbell several times. And immediately the door opened, I felt my heart jump off my chest.

My roommate stood there shirtless and a pissed Michaela stood behind him.

***

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