Chapter 54 : Reality
"But hey, how did your parents agree? You all said they refused," Sophia asked, sitting inside a classroom in the middle of Amaya and Elli at the third last bench. Somiya, Demi, and Zeya sat facing them.
"We went on a hunger strike and refused to do anything they asked," Somiya exclaimed, her eyes beaming with happiness, whereas Elli and Sophia's eyes were widened in disbelief. "Then they finally said we could go. We were so shocked, we almost fainted!"
"Really?!?" both of them asked at once. "I can't believe it! Do you know the price we had to pay to come here?" Elli screamed. "They literally disowned us! That's why we are here!" she exclaimed.
Demi, Somiya, and Zeya widened their eyes, their lips forming shocked 'O's. "You're kidding, right?" Zeya asked in doubt.
"Of course not!" Sophia replied. "We haven't talked with our parents in these six months! Neither did they call us. We're basically orphans now."
Demi looked at Amaya, her eyebrows raised in amusement, "Was Amaya also disowned?"
Amaya, who had been lost in thought while staring out of the window, turned with a sudden smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she shot back, "Why? Are you planning on adopting me?"
Laughter erupted around the room, and Demi rolled her eyes dramatically. "You're still thinking about that? Why don't you just marry Seth?" Elli chimed in, struggling to contain her giggles.
Amaya rolled her eyes again, leaning back in her chair, annoyance written all over her face as she crossed her arms.
"Hey, let me tell you guys something!" Elli exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement, practically bouncing in her seat. "Seth's mom agreed to let him come to this city on one condition: he had to marry Ama after two years at all costs!" she said, her tone dripping with mock seriousness. "And guess what? They broke off their engagement right after arriving here! They were so scared to tell Aunty face to face or even over the phone that Ama had to write an email to break it off, and Aunty still hasn't seen it!"
Amaya slapped away Elli's teasing hand, her cheeks burning with embarrassment as she glared at her. Meanwhile, Elli and Sophia were doubled over in laughter, their giggles infectious, causing the other three to join in, the room filled with the sound of their amusement.
"But why did you break off your engagement? You two looked so good; a perfect happy couple!" Somiya said, her lips forming a soft pout as she gazed intently at Amaya, her eyes shimmering with curiosity.
Amaya turned to her, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "What made you think we were perfect?" she asked, genuinely intrigued.
Somiya blinked, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. "You two always supported each other, whether it was right or wrong," she began, her voice earnest. "Even though you bicker constantly, you never hesitate to fight for each other. And when you're alone, it's like you're not quite yourselves, but together, it's as if no one else matters. You're each other's reason to live! Each other's happiness! It's a connection that feels like it was made by God!"
As Somiya continued, Seth and Fred stood behind them, their expressions turning amused as they listened to her heartfelt description. Amaya regarded Somiya with a mix of amusement and warmth, while Sophia and Elli exchanged looks of disbelief, struggling to comprehend how anyone could perceive them as such a flawless couple. Zeya's gaze lingered on Amaya, her expression unreadable, while Demi raised her eyebrows, a smirk playing on her lips, clearly entertained by the unfolding conversation.
"Wow, that's the first time someone ever described our relationship so beautifully. I'm impressed, Somiya! You should write a romance book," Seth said, placing a teasing hand on Somiya's shoulder, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Pfft-hahaha!!" Laughter erupted from the five of them, their stomachs shaking as they clutched the desk for support, the sound echoing in the room.
"Somi, I swear I have never heard anything funnier than this!" Amaya exclaimed, her voice breaking as she struggled to contain her giggles. She high-fived Seth, and their laughter blended together, filling the air with joy.
"I'm not lying! You are made for each other!" Somiya shouted, her cheeks flushed with mock indignation, her eyes wide and fiery.
Seth and Amaya shook their heads, laughter bubbling up again. Seth wrapped his arms around Somiya from behind, pulling her close, while Amaya leaned affectionately towards Sophia, licking her lips playfully as she looked at Somiya. "Somi, not just Seth, everyone you see here right now is the reason for my smile. I love them all equally, but you were wrong about one thing. I don't love him that much as much as I love others. He doesn't deserve my love."
Seth raised his eyebrows, leaning in closer to Amaya while still holding Somiya. "I don't give a shit about your love! You can keep that shit to yourself!" he teased, sticking out his tongue and making a goofy face, causing another wave of laughter to wash over them all.
Amaya's phone lit up, and the glow caught everyone's attention like a spotlight. She glanced at the screen, then looked up at her friends. "Uh... I need to go. See you guys later!" she declared, her voice a mix of excitement and urgency. Rising from her seat, she swept in for hugs, her arms wrapping tightly around Sophia, Elli, Fred, and finally Seth.
As she pulled away from Seth, she added with a smirk, "Try not to miss me too much!" Seth rolled his eyes dramatically, his smirk widening. "Oh, please! Who would miss your constant bickering?"
"Everyone!" Amaya shot back, her laughter ringing out as she waved goodbye.
"Where is she going?" Zeya asked, her brow furrowing in curiosity. Sophia turned to Zeya, a proud smile spreading across her face. "Work," she replied, winking conspiratorially at Somiya.
Once outside, Amaya strode confidently toward her motorcycle, the sun glinting off her helmet. Just then, she spotted a girl in an oversized white t-shirt and baggy trousers drop her purse. "Excuse me!" Amaya called out, her voice cutting through the sounds of the bustling ground.
The girl turned, her curly hair bouncing and glasses slipping slightly down her nose. She looked like a high school student lost in the chaos of university life. "You dropped your purse while taking out your notecopy," Amaya said, her tone friendly as she handed it over.
"Oh! Yeah, that's mine! Thank you so much!" the girl exclaimed, her cheeks flushing with gratitude as she bowed slightly while accepting her purse.
"Please check if anything is missing," Amaya reminded her, a hint of concern in her voice.
The girl shook her head quickly, a mix of embarrassment and relief washing over her. "No, no! It's not necessary. Hi, I'm Tina Wilson, BBS," she introduced herself, extending her hand with a bright smile.
Amaya's face lit up as she shook Tina's hand firmly, her grip warm and confident. "Amaya Sapphirus, BBS," she introduced herself, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. Tina's eyebrows shot up in pleasant surprise, her curiosity evident. "Wait, we're in the same faculty? How did we not see each other before?" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of excitement and disbelief.
"Excuse me, I'm late," Amaya interjected, her tone suddenly urgent as she glanced at her watch. She turned on her heel, her leather jacket swaying slightly as she walked briskly toward her motorcycle, leaving Tina standing there, her mouth slightly agape, speechless at the abrupt departure. The sound of the motorcycle engine roaring to life filled the air, cutting through the bustling sounds of the ground, as Amaya accelerated her motorcycle, her expression shifting to one of determination.
*Ding-dong*
"Don't touch anything!" Seth shouted, swinging the door open. "Ta-da!!" Sophia and Elli beamed, showcasing two bulging bags filled with bottles, their excitement palpable. Behind them, Zeya, Somiya, and Demi stood, grinning at the lively scene. Seth stepped back, opening the door wide, and headed toward the kitchen, his brow furrowing as he called over his shoulder, "Close the door properly!"
Demi obeyed, closing the door with a soft click before plopping down with the others, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "You'll remember this party for a lifetime!" Elli declared, raising a bottle high above her head, her voice ringing with enthusiasm.
Zeya strolled toward the kitchen, her curiosity piqued as she spotted Seth stirring a colorful medley of vegetables. "Wow, I didn't know you could cook," she remarked, leaning casually against the wall, a playful smirk dancing on her lips.
"I told you not to touch anything! Get lost!" Seth retorted, kicking Fred out of the kitchen with a glare before returning his focus to the sizzling pan. "One of our chefs taught me," he continued, a hint of pride creeping into his voice as he stirred. "I wanted to be a chef when I was a kid," he added, glancing at Zeya with an embarrassed smile.
"But didn't you say you wanted to open your own YouTube channel?" Zeya teased, raising an eyebrow in a playful challenge.
Seth chuckled, adding a dash of spices with a flourish. "We said that to pull their legs," he winked at Zeya, grabbing plates from the cupboard. "Hey, can you go see if Ama is out of the bathroom or not? She's in my room," he asked, his tone shifting to one of mild concern. Zeya nodded, her expression brightening as she headed toward the room Seth indicated.
Opening the door slowly, Zeya froze at the scene before her. Amaya sat on the chair, a laptop balanced on her leg, one hand flying over the keys while the other clutched a cigarette. She was wrapped in a towel, her wet ash colour hair cascading down her shoulders, glistening in the soft light. The air was thick with the acrid smoke of the cigarette, and Zeya couldn't help but cough, covering her mouth in a desperate attempt to clear her lungs.
Amaya glanced up at the sound, her brow furrowing in irritation. "So sorry. Wait a minute!" she mumbled, her voice muffled as she held the cigarette between her lips. With a swift motion, she set the laptop aside and rushed to open the curtains and window, letting in a rush of fresh air. "Please, come inside. I'll open the fan," she added hurriedly, flicking the switch to activate the fan, which whirred to life, sending a breeze through the room and dispersing the smoke.
Zeya stepped inside, her eyes fixed on Amaya as she rummaged through the cupboard, pulling out clothes with an air of casual confidence. "Sid! Where is my bra and panties?" Amaya shouted, catching Zeya off guard. "I don't know! It must be in the cupboard!" Seth called out from the kitchen, his voice echoing slightly.
Amaya sighed, slamming the drawer shut, and marched toward the door. "I checked every drawer!" she exclaimed, frustration evident in her tone. Seth emerged from the kitchen, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Oh! That girl must've taken it!" he said, realization dawning on him. Amaya shot him a glare, her eyes narrowing as they landed on a fork lying on the table. In a fit of anger, she snatched it up and threw it at Seth. "It's the fifth time, you bastard! If you don't buy me another ten pairs this time, I'm going to take all of your hoodies!" she warned, storming back into the room.
"You live with Seth?" Zeya asked hesitantly, trying to gauge the tension. Amaya slumped back into the chair, still wrapped in her towel, a cigarette dangling from her fingers. "No, I live a little far from here. But since my work and university are quite close, I usually freshen up here," she replied, her gaze piercing as she studied Zeya. "What happened? Why are you staring at me like that?" Zeya asked, feeling a shiver of nervousness under Amaya's intense gaze.
"You haven't changed at all," Amaya said, releasing a puff of beautiful, swirling smoke that hung in the air like a delicate veil. Zeya whispered, hugging her legs tightly, resting her chin on her knees as she stared at Amaya with a deep sadness in her eyes. "But you changed completely. Hair color, smoking, tattoo, piercing… It looks like the Ama I know is gone." Her voice trailed off, heavy with emotions that weighed down her heart.
Amaya's gaze flicked to the cloud of smoke she had just exhaled, and she asked, "What was so great about that Ama? She was made up of lies." She stared at the cigarette in her hand, her expression hardening. "This is the real me, quite the opposite of what I showed." Zeya felt a pang of loss, the memories of their past friendship clashing with the stark reality of who Amaya had become.