Chapter 8

The next day, while K was watering her dehydrated daffodils, she looked dehydrated herself after losing both her sister in law and brother. Her eyes were puffy from all the crying. She thought of Surina and dragged herself into the house, forgetting about the flowers. She plodded in the direction of Surina's bedroom to check on her after a whole day of not seeing nor hearing from her.

K: [Knocking as she called out] Surina! Are you in there? Are you okay? You didn't leave your room today? 

After a moment of silence.

K: [Quietly pushing the door open] I'm coming in.

She looked around the room and when she didn't find anybody in the room. Worry rushed through her veins. She walked to her room and grabbed her phone and ringed her to enquire about her whereabouts and why she didn't call or text to inform her about where she was.

K: [cradling her phone between her head and shoulder as she yelled at her niece] *Surina! Where are you? You left home and you didn't tell me! Did you finally drop out of school?*

Surina: [Holding her phone away from her ear to prevent it from bursting due to K's voice that came from the other end of the line] *Aunt, no. We were given a free week to prepare for exams. I'm in Ondangwa. I thought uncle Thug told you where he was taking me.*

K: [Addled as her voice softened] *What are you talking about child? At who's house. Your uncle didn't have a house in Ondangwa. You need to come home. You are not in your right senses yet.*

Surina: *Aunt, I'm fine and I'm safe. Uncle Thug is keeping me company. Though he went out, he'll be coming home anytime from now.[Studying Thug's appearance as he entered the room] I'll talk to you later aunt.*

K: [Trying to mollify her ] *Surina dear. Your uncle is never coming back. Come home and we will talk about it.*

Surina: *Now aunt?*

K: *Now Surina! I'll ask Rain to come and get you *

Surina: *Uncle Thug is here aunt. He'll bring me home.*

K: [Snapping at her] *Stop talking about Thug and come home, Surina! Rain will be there in an hour.*

Surina packed up the things she used the previous day and carefully placed the book back in the closet.

Thug: What are you doing?

Surina: [Not taking her eyes off the book] I'm putting it back. It's a very strange book, don't you think?

Thug tried to lift the book just when his hand went through it causing Surina to jump back in disbelief. He cursed under his breath as he yanked his hand away.

Thug: [Thrusting his hand in his pocket] You need to keep that book safe.

Surina: [Puzzled] Whoah!! How did you do that?

Thug: It's nothing. Forget it.

Surina: [Contemplating the book Before picking it up] What is so special about this book uncle?

Thug: If you want answers you are gonna have to read the book. That book will- [Pausing as he looked out the window trying to make out why he suddenly felt odd] You need to depart from here now! Rain is almost here.

Surina: Can't we wait for him? We can all go home together.

Thug: You are so naive. [Tugging Surina's arm as he dragged her out of the room, the living room and finally out of the house] If you don't leave now, Rain will take away the only key to the door that only you can open. The hour of enmity, the stars and eternity lie where dwellers of the past reside- Get in the car. You need to leave. [Gently impelling her into the driver's seat of his pick-up truck].

Surina: [In a befuddled state but she didn't protest] Uncle what are you doing? You know I can't drive.

Thug: [Jumping into the passenger seat] Before you get all worked up, just get in the car Surina. He's almost here.

Before Surina could object, She unconsciously started the car yet kept her eyes wide open like she knew what she was doing. The engine roared to life, out of the yard. They have been on the road for approximately thirty minutes before arriving in Ongwediva.

Surina: [Rubbing her eyes while taking in her surrounding] For how long have I been slumbering.

Thug: [His face covered in emotions one couldn't read] I don't know. What is important is that we are here. You were so fortunate enough to have driven out of there before they could get to you. Thank the heavens.

Surina: [Fixing her stare on the tiny house that stood in front of her] This looks nothing like Aunt K's house. Where are we?

Thug: You are in my house.

Surina: Are you still gonna leave me here alone?

Thug: I never left you.

Surina: How did I learn to drive overnight? And it felt like I slept and just woke up. Did you use magic?

Thug: [Dodging the questions] Get your things in the house. And before you ask, no it's not locked.

Surina grasped all her stuff and lugged them inside. She surveyed Thug who sat on the armchair far across the living room, staring at the television that was now turned on.

Surina: [Glancing behind her and back at Thug] Oh frickles! That was quick. How do- You are being weird today. And how did your hand go through the book instead of at least

going over its edge.

Thug: You don't know anything.

Surina: [Raising her voice] Stop telling me I don't know anything! Why did your-

Thug: [Snapping at her] Because I'm dead Surina! I died in the same accident that killed your mother a few days ago. Does that answer all your questions?!

The information made Surina's heart clench so tight. She moved back, terror-stricken, tripping over the coffee table that was behind her, hitting the back of her head so hard. Blackness took over her vision before she could quiz about her dead uncle and the figure that was in front of her.

                                 ***

Sonia ambled out of the shower and wrapped a maroon towel around her body. She looked outside her window. She could tell it was already afternoon, before reaching out, closing the curtains. She stood by the drawers, clenched one of them, slowly pulling it out and grabbed her grey sweatpants. She opened her closet and pulled out a simple white T-shirt. She finally walked to her shoe rack and dragged out black fluffy sandals. After she got dressed, she stepped out of the room, praying that she won't walk into Chris. He was the last person she wanted to catch sight of, she couldn't face him after doubting him. Just when she closed her door, Chris walked out of his room too. Sonia dragged her feet towards the living room.

Chris: [Tenderly tugging her arm] Hey!

Sonia: [Avoiding eye contact] Hi.

Chris: [Reading her facial expressions]  Are you alright? You didn't leave your room since yesterday. Do you need anything?

Sonia: I'm fine Chris. I need to call Surina if you don't mind.

Chris: [Unhanding her arm] I missed you. Can I talk to you later today?

Sonia: [Peering at him before she questionably nodded] Okay! [Walking away and snappily turning when Chris called her name]

Sonia: [Her brows knitted together] Yeah?

Chris: [Smiling in a way that made him more attractive] Well... You look beautiful.

Sonia: Thank you. [Grinning as she made her way to the living room]

Chris: Sonia!

Sonia: Yes!

Chris: Nothing.

Sonia: [Studying his faded blue ripped jeans ] Well, don't call me again 'cause- 'cause it won't only be you jeans that will be ripped.

Chris: [Drawing closer] You have a way with words, that every word you pick triggers the devil in me.

Sonia: Jerk! [Her face crimsoned and left him behind, earning a chuckle from Chris]

Hey beautiful people

Sorry for the late update...

And yes I changed Leo to Chris

So Leo is Chris from now on.

Yours Tuwilika