Chapter 10

Surina woke up in a grey painted bedroom with light blue sheets pulled up to her waist. She sat up and put her head on the headboard trying to get up as she closed her eyes for a short time. The pounding headache seemed to have gone. Thinking about what happened earlier, her headache was returning, her heart beating so fast as she felt his presence sweep against her bare arms. Her eyes shot open as she hopped out of bed and stood at the other side of the bed. She knew she'd pass out again if she didn't calm down.

Surina: [Wobbling back and forth as she snapped in a horrifying state] Stay the hell away from me! You are not alive. You are dead! Don't come close to me! [Staggering to her feet, as she swayed side to side] Please don't hurt me.

Thug: [His voice calm as he shuffled towards the bed nightstand] If I wanted to hurt you, I would have done that a long time ago. You need to contain yourself. I'm only here to keep you safe.

Surina: So you won't hurt me?[She whispered more to herself, but he heard her].

Thug: [Placing the glass of water on the bed nightstand next to him] No. And you wouldn't have hit your head so hard if you've not had acted so dramatic.

Surina: [Sarcastically, still terrified as she kept her distance] Yeah, 'cause ghosts are normal people who will never hurt you.

Thug: Let's just pretend I'm alive.

Surina: [Throwing her hands in the air] Like it's that easy. Why am I able to see you and feel your touch?

Thug: 'Cause I'm affixed to you. It's not always that you can see me. Back in Ondangwa, I have been in your room severally, but you didn't see me. All that you felt was a breeze.

Surina: [Recollecting all that happened back in Ondangwa] You placed that key in the keyhole of the closet door, didn't you?

Thug: [ Flopping down onto the bed with a big sigh, no sign of his weight sagging and placed his hand behind supporting his head] Yep. You should have noticed when I disappeared the first time.

Surina: [A little bit relaxed] So you can disappear and appear when you feel like it. And- and walk through walls and doors without bumping into them?

Thug: Yes. You seem to know a lot about ghosts.

Surina: [Grinning from the other side of the room] Cool! Can everyone see you or is it just me?

Thug: It depends on my connection with people. As I said, I'm tethered to you.

Surina: What happened when I got into the driver's seat.

Thug: [Laughing as he stood opposite her] You drove us here. Well, I possessed you. It felt like I was starting to fade because I don't have much time left.

Surina: I can only imagine the pain aunt K must be going through. I should call her.

She walked towards the bed nightstand where she last saw her phone only to find it in pieces.

Surina: [Picking one of the pieces as she observed the rest] Did you do this?

Thug: Yes.

Surina picked up the front part of her phone and hurled it, aiming at her uncle, just when it went through him, smashing against the wall, tiny pieces falling on the tile floor.

Thug: That could have hurt. A little respect for your uncle.

Surina: [infuriated] You are so annoying. You are having a lot of fun as a ghost I see. And by the way, you are only twenty-five years old. Or was twenty-five.

Thug: Whatever. If you use that phone they will trace it and find you. Don't risk it.

Surina: [Waddling towards him, studying him. Tears stung her eyes] I can't believe you and mom died.

Thug: You don't seem bothered by Rosa's death.

Surina: We were never close. She went to SA with Rain, living me all alone here. And she never bothered about me. I was like a stranger to her.

Thug: Read the book! And whatever happens, keep the book closer to you. Whatever you find in there, just know I love you very much. [He uttered before disappearing].

Surina: I love you more uncle. I'm not so much of a reader but I'll try. [After registering it was only her in the room] Thug! Uncle Thug.  Welcome to the haunted life Surina. [She muttered to herself].

Surina quickly took a bath and pulled on a mustard skirt that went until the middle of her thighs and a black t-shirt. She grabbed her gladiator sandals and slipped them on and made her way to the living room.

Surina: [Shouting, hoping Thug would be in the house somewhere and that he will hear her] Uncle Thug! I'm off to Sonia's place. I'll be back before six.

She stepped out just when she heard a loud thud then a glass shuttered from the kitchen. She thought it was probably Thug, so she ignored it and closed the door on her way out.

                                  ***

Malisa: [Shouting from the backdoor] Chris, Sonia can you guys check who's at the door? I'm a bit busy!

Sonia: [Jogging from the kitchen] I'll get it.

As soon as Sonia opened the door, Surina fell into her arms. Her heart sank. She could no longer hold back the tears that burnt her eyes. Sonia pulled her into a tight yet soothing hug, cooing her as she tenderly massaged her back, making a sound pattern from her sobs.

Surina: [In between sobs] I can't carry the weight anymore Sonia. It's too heavy. I'm tired. I'm not that strong.

Sonia: [Withdrawing backwards, before ushering Surina to her room] You are gonna tell me everything, alright?

Surina nodded, her eyes travelling to Chris who didn't mean to peek, but he got a glimpse which gave rise to him making a beeline for the hallway, towards them.

Chris: [Pulling her in a hug, her head resting just under his chest due to his 6,3 frame] What happened to her? She looks so tired. [Drawing back].

Sonia: [Pushing the door open and led the way] I don't know Chris. Come, Surina. Watch your steps.

Surina stepped in and plopped down on the perfectly made bed. Chris stood outside, ready to head back to his room, just when Sonia grabbed his hand.

Sonia: [Offering him a small smile yet so comforting ] Don't just stand there. Come in.

Chris rested his weight on the bed nightstand as he reached for the tissues that were beside him, with his left hand, offering two to Surina who was then constantly sniffling. Sonia plumped herself down on the edge of the bed, studying Surina who was failing to pull herself together.

Sonia: [Observing her] You need to stop crying Surina. You have to let it all out and tell us what the problem is, so we could find a solution.

The stored tears continued to flow and the sobs wracked her body, robbing it of the ability to speak.

Surina: [She whimpered barely allowing a breath to be drawn] There's no solution.

Chris: [His eyes moving to her tummy] Are you pregnant?

A few seconds of silence.

Sonia: Are you, Surina? I mean- pregnant?

Surina: Omg! No. [The tears continued to seep down her cheeks though she didn't sob].

Sonia: [ Holding Surina's hand out, before she entwines their fingers together] Then, what is wrong?

Surina: [Tittering and wiping the moisture beneath her eyes] You and your boyfriend are dumb. Why would you think I'm pregnant?

Chris: [He didn't bother rectifying her statement as he smirked] Well, there's no other thing that will make a girl cry this hard other than getting pregnant.

Sonia: [She burst out laughing at what Chris just blabbered] Where did you read that from?

Chris: [Bringing his arms together and crossed them over his chest] Books Buttercup. Biology.

Sonia: [Squinting her eyes. Giving him a death stare] Don't listen to him, Suri. Now tell us. What's the matter?