Chapter 47 : Band-aid

Sitting on the couch, the room cloaked in darkness, Amaya and Seth, both fourteen, sat side by side, their eyes fixed on the flickering TV screen. The only sound that filled the air was the cheerful chaos of the cartoon playing, contrasting sharply with the heavy silence enveloping them. It was Seth who finally broke the stillness, his voice calm and collected.

"Ama, do you want to marry me?"

"Hell nah,"

"I'm serious. What do you want— marriage or call engagement off?"

"En…gagement off?"

"We can't be fiancé for a lifetime. What do you want us to be? Husband and Wife or buddies?"

"What about you? What do you want?"

"Whatever you want. I'm fine with it."

"This is your life too. Don't just think about me. Whatever you want, I'll accept it."

"Then let's wait till we become eighteen. If we fall in love with each other then we'll marry but if we fall for others, we'll call the engagement off. And no intimacy till we both hit eighteen."

"What if we don't fall with others too?"

"If we don't fall in love with others till we're twenty-four, we'll marry."

"What if we fall for others after twenty-four?"

"We'll divorce."

"What if the other person doesn't fall for us–"

"Shut up. Add another 'if' and see what happens,"

"Zeya! Demi!" Somiya's voice sliced through the crisp night air, bright and cheerful. Dressed in a form-fitting pink knee-length bodycon dress that hugged her curves, she sported a matching pink purse that sparkled under the club's neon lights. Her heels clicked against the sidewalk as she sprinted toward her friends, a radiant smile lighting up her face. Demi, rocking a stunning dark blue one-sleeve bodycon that highlighted her figure, held a feathered dark blue purse that swayed with her every step. Zeya followed closely, exuding elegance in a wine red V-neck flare skirt minidress, her dark red purse adding the perfect touch.

As Somiya reached them, Zeya released Demi's hand and wrapped her arms around Somiya in a warm embrace. "You slay the pink," she teased, pinching Somiya's hip. "I mean, if you keep wearing that, we might need to hire a bodyguard to keep you safe tonight!"

Somiya rolled her eyes, laughter bubbling up. "Oh please, I'd just send them your way! You guys are late. Let's go fast!" She pulled them and walked inside the club.

Demi and Somiya glided toward the dance floor, their laughter mingling with the pulsing beats of the music, while Zeya settled onto a barstool, cradling her cocktail. She took a sip, the sweet and tangy flavours dancing on her tongue, but her gaze drifted across the room, scanning the crowd. Her heart raced as her eyes locked onto two boys at a nearby table, their curious glances sending a shiver down her spine. A wave of unease washed over her, prompting her to turn away quickly, focusing instead on the bartender, whose steady hands mixed drinks with practiced ease.

Though it wasn't their first time sneaking into the club, the thrill of potential discovery made Zeya's palms sweat. She tried to project an air of maturity, but the knot in her stomach tightened. Suddenly, her phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with her mom's name. Panic surged through her as she slipped away from the room, finding a quiet corner to answer. "Hello, Mom?" she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "Why are you whispering? Where are you?" The suspicion in her mother's tone made Zeya's stomach twist. She shut her eyes tight, frustration bubbling beneath her calm façade. "In Demi's house. We're watching movies," she lied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

After a moment, her mom's voice came through, laced with concern. "Oh, okay. Sleep early and don't just watch the movie. And cook something to eat. Don't just settle with junk food." Zeya smiled softly, nodding even though her mom couldn't see her. "Sure, good night!" she replied, relief flooding her as she hung up. But as she turned to rejoin her friends, she collided with a man, his glass shattering on the floor. "I'm sorry!" Zeya exclaimed, her cheeks flushing as she knelt to gather the broken pieces, her heart racing from the unexpected encounter.

"Ah!" Zeya winced in pain as a shard of glass sliced her finger, the sharp sting sending a jolt through her. She furrowed her brows, instinctively sucking the blood from the cut, the metallic taste mingling with the sweetness of her cocktail. "You shouldn't try to touch something that's already broken," a familiar voice echoed. Zeya looked up to see a man kneeling on the floor, carefully picking up the jagged pieces of glass. "It'll only give you pain," he added, raising his gaze to meet hers, his expression a mix of concern and something deeper.

"Seth!" Zeya exclaimed, surprise lighting up her features. Her eyes widened, and a bright smile broke through her earlier discomfort, the recognition sparking a rush of warmth in her chest. Seth took out a band-aid from his pocket, his movements deliberate and calm amidst the chaos of the club. As he gently wrapped it around her finger, his deep, serious voice resonated in her ears. "You should soon learn to let things go, Zeya." he said, his voice a low rumble that sent chills down her spine.

Zeya furrowed her brows, confusion washing over her features as she asked, "What are you trying to say?" Seth stood up, his presence looming as he locked eyes with her, the intensity of his gaze sending a shiver down her spine. "If you had let go of the broken glass, your hand wouldn't have cut," he replied, his voice steady yet laced with an underlying urgency. He gently released her hand, the warmth of his touch lingering in her hand.

Zeya sighed, a soft smile gracing her lips, her eyes reflecting a mix of innocence and maturity. "If I let it go just because I'm scared of pain, then wouldn't others get hurt by it?" she countered thoughtfully. The air between them thickened, tension crackling like static. "What if the glass was already broken from the start? Would you still pick it even if you knew it would cut your hands?" Zeya's smile widened as she walked ahead, her confidence shining through. "Definitely. If I see it, I'll. But why did you have the band-aid with you? Do you always carry it?"

"It becomes a habit once you see something broken," Seth replied, his tone shifting slightly, hinting at deeper layers beneath the surface. Zeya tilted her head, puzzled. "I don't get it, but are you clumsy?" she asked, a playful lilt in her voice, imagining Seth as someone who might accidentally break things and get hurt.

Seth suddenly stopped, his gaze drifting to the last table where Amaya sat, her expression distant and lost among her friends, the laughter around her fading into a dull hum. "I can't be clumsy. I'm not allowed to be clumsy," he whispered, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. Zeya's heart raced as she studied his face, her earlier lightness fading. His eyes were filled with a haunting pain, a vulnerability that left her feeling both concerned and protective.

"Everyone is allowed to be clumsy. And clumsiness isn't something we can control," Zeya said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, trying to weave comfort into the tension that enveloped them. Seth lowered his eyes, the shadows of his thoughts flickering across his features as he glanced at his hand, trembling slightly as if it bore the weight of unshed burdens. "Do you know what a band-aid does?" he asked, his tone flat, devoid of its usual spark.

Zeya blinked, caught off guard. "Heal?" she replied hesitantly, unsure where this was leading. Seth sighed, a sound heavy with unspoken grief, and raised his head to look at his friends, their laughter a stark contrast to his turmoil. "Someone once called me a band-aid, but that person didn't see the truth. I'm just a temporary fix. I can cover the wound, but I can't mend what's broken inside. I can hold things together for a moment, but eventually, it all falls apart. Zeya, you're a band too without an aid. The earlier you realise it, the better it is for everyone." His words hung in the air, piercing Zeya's soft heart.

Zeya's gaze drifted to the table, where Sophia, Elli, Fred, and Amaya were engaged in conversation, their laughter bubbling in the air. Does he want me to stay away from them? Zeya thought, her heart shattered at the sight of Amaya, illuminated by the soft glow of the overhead lights, created a stark contrast to the knot tightening in her stomach. "Oh, by the way, have you decided which university you're going to?" Seth's voice sliced through her thoughts, shifting the atmosphere like a sudden gust of wind.

Zeya shook her head slowly, her mind racing as she searched for an answer. "I don't know. I haven't given it a thought. What about you?" she asked, her eyes locking onto Seth's face, trying to read the emotions dancing behind his dark eyes. He beamed with enthusiasm, a smile that lit up the dim corner of the room. "L.R. University. Sofy, Elli, Fred, Me… and Ama, we all decided to read there."

As the words tumbled from his lips, Zeya felt her smile fade, replaced by a suffocating silence that wrapped around her like a heavy blanket. The air thickened, and for a moment, the laughter from the table faded into a haunting echo. "It's far, but we all decided to move to Aqua City forever." Seth's smile remained, bright and oblivious, as if he couldn't see the shock and sadness that washed over Zeya's face like a sudden chill.

Zeya's gaze snapped back to Amaya, her heart racing as she processed the news. "Ama will leave too?" she whispered, the weight of the realization settling heavily in her chest. Seth nodded, his expression shifting as he took a glass from a passing waiter, his casual demeanour contrasting sharply with the turmoil brewing inside Zeya. "Why don't you come with us? To Aqua City, to L.R. University, to live and read with us. All three of you."

With that, Seth turned around, his voice ringing out in cheer as he called to Demi and Somiya, who stood behind him. Zeya was confused, if he wanted her out of their lives then why is he inviting her? "L.R. University! I've heard about them. We'll definitely come." Somiya raised her glass, the crystal catching the light as it clinked against Seth's, a sound that felt foreign and distant to Zeya. Demi, sensing the tension, enveloped Zeya in a warm hug before walking towards the table.

Amaya lifted her head, her gaze piercing through the crowd until it landed on Zeya, but her focus was on Seth, who wore a mischievous smile, as if he was challenging her onto something.

"Ama…" Zeya called softly, her voice cutting through the chatter of the bustling club, pulling Amaya from her thoughts. Amaya parted her lips, a soft gasp escaping as she gulped, her gaze glued to Zeya's striking figure. The way the light caught Zeya's hair made it shimmer like spun gold, and Amaya felt a flutter in her chest. "I want to talk with you in private," Zeya whispered, her tone low and urgent, sending a thrill through Amaya.