TRYING TO FORGET NATHAN

TRYING TO FORGET NATHAN

[MARTHA's POV]

I woke up to my phone dinging with numerous notifications. The majority of the notifications were on Nathan. It was not just of Nathan but a new woman he was currently showing off to the world.

Naylatan was growing wild with their stunning bachelor having a girlfriend. I tapped into the pictures on Instamessage and I could not process what I felt. The first picture was of Nathan and the lady on a beach in Fijex. The lady was a model and was very beautiful. I was definitely no match to her. She had those straight long legs that could make unfaithful men give their wives a divorce. A thin waistline and an extremely flat tummy that makes you wonder if she eats and a not too big, not too small kind of breasts that could make bachelors swoon and will their inheritances to her. She smiled so perfectly with her pearly white teeth and her nose seemed like the right nose for breathing. Her small eyes looked to the camera happily as Nathan used his hand that was not holding unto a coconut drink to hold her waist. They wore beach clothes and she was in an orange and white lacy bikini while Nathan was in an unbuttoned shirt that had prints of a palm fond on it and a white short. He wore dark shades and was also smiling.

He was smiling, she was smiling and they were happy. I checked the other pictures and they were of them in the shallow part of the beach, Nathan pig backing her and I could not continue. I logged out and dropped my phone on the bed as I felt like an utter fool.

Why did I ever feel like he was the one for me or that he truly liked me? Probably he just pitied me and did all he ever did for me out of pity. I obviously was not a rising model or that stunning. I was just Martha who was a 5'7 in height and neither had short legs nor long legs. I was a green eyed girl that probably reminded guys of goblins with my hair which was just black. Nothing special about the colour, just plain old black. I was also thin and with a normal waist line but my belly definitely was not as flat as that.

I was just a girl he assisted in not going to jail when she was charged with attempted murder and a girl he helped ini over coming her traumas and the effect that years of rape had on her. I was nothing special.

As I wallowed in self degrading thoughts, a call came in. It was from Michael.

I wanted to reject it but since it was from home it could be important so I answered.

"Hi Martha, I hope you are just wakng up?" asked Michael.

"What's going on Mike and why are you hoping I am just waking up? Is everyone alright?" I asked in apprehension because I knew Michael though a thoughtful person did not really know how to break bad news.

"Everything is fine Marth but please, for today can you not go through any of your social media accounts?" he asked.

Now I knew what was going on. He did not want me to see the pictures of Nathan and his girl. How amusing.

"I have seen the pictures Mike and do not worry I am okay" I eased his concern.

"I should have hacked your account and taken down Nathan's account" he replied remorsefully.

"That would be too much Michael Jordan. Do not worry a tad. I am all good and don't go about spoiling the joy people have today. Okay?" I asked demandingly. I knew just what he was capable of when those his fingers find a computer .

"Okay! Just have a good day and I know you are not really fine but just do things to distract your mind like a game or sport you love or for once in your boring life Martha, try partying".

"Yes Martha, try partying. It really relieves stress. I am a living witness" seconded Seth from the background.

"Alright boys! Thanks a lot. Now get off my phone!" I barked into the phone.

"You are the worst" said Seth as Michael chortled and hung up.

I smiled and got out of bed. Luckily my roommate did not spend the night before in the room so I had the bathroom to myself.

As I brushed, I looked into the mirror and said to my reflection. "Beware world, Martha Jordan is on her way to rock you".

I had just two classes and I was bent on doing things that would distract my mind from those pictures I saw earlier. I am one strong girl and I know it and many a time, I have received compliments on my beauty so there is no use of feeling less. Life must go on.

With these new thoughts in mind, I went to school. Lily was in class before me and had saved me a seat. "Hi late comer!" greeted Lily.

"I am only five minutes behind time Lil" I told her as I sat down.

"I said do not call me Lil. You do realize that is a short form of little right?" she asked trying to wear a predatory look.

"I realize but I refuse to acknowledge. What can be done?" I asked her teasingly. She was about to smack me on my arm when the lecturer walked in. "You are so dead Martha" she whispered as the class quietened for Mr Waltz to begin his lecture.

"Why did you choose English Literature?" Mr Waltz asked the class. Many hands were soon in the air with the exception of a few, Lily and I being a part of that few.

"You" Mr Waltz pointed to a boy with round glasses that seemed oversized for his face.

"English has always been a part of our culture in Naylatan and studying it gives me more of an insight to our culture and I feel like the literature aspect would help me put that knowledge into a written and understandable form for my readers. I hope to be an amazing writer someday Sir" round-glasses boy answered.

"Good" commented Mr Waltz and pointed to another person in the class.

The class was pretty interactive and had no mind-numbing moment. I was glad my dad pushed me into fulfilling this dream of mine despite my obstinacy. After the first lecture, my dad called me.

"How are you doing my angel?" he asked.

"Pretty cool. What's good dad?"

"All is good but I just wanted to know if you are. Since you said you are, I'll take your word for it. I think your next lecture is in like twenty minutes time, let me leave you to prepare" he said and was about to hang up when I said, "Thanks dad. I know you have seen the pictures of Nathan and his girlfriend and that is why you called but I really am trying to pull through. Generally I am fine but I just feel a dull ache in my heart" I told my dad truthfully.

"It would get better with time and someone else"

"Oh! You are advising me to get a guy Mr Jordan?" I asked my dad with clear mirth in my voice.

"Not exactly Martha but anything to take your mind off Nathan is what I am in for" replied my dad.

"We would continue this conversation later. Gotta go" I said hurriedly.

"Alright my angel" he said and hung up.

I turned around to see Lily deep in thoughts. I had to wave my hand at her front before she recollected herself and faced me.

"Sorry, was just lost in thought" said Lily with a shrug of her shoulders like she was thinking of nothing important but my gut told me otherwise.

"Care to share the thought?" I asked her.

"Maybe some other time. We are almost late for class" she said hastily and began to walk briskly before me. I decided to let the matter lie for the main time as she might not yet really be overly comfortable with me so I jogged after her and held her right arm as I caught up with her.

"The last person to get to class gets the snacks for lunch" I said to her and started running with small steps ahead.

"Not fair! You snake''.

She started running and I allowed her run past me by three large strides before I put in effort to my run.

I discovered that she was pretty cool in running and if not because I train regularly, she could have won me. She ran pretty well and at the end of the race, she was not panting as non-athletes would.

"You are fit" I told her as she sat beside me.

"Thanks. It's really nothing. I guess I am getting the snacks then" she said to me as she brought out her writing materials.

"Yeah yes. You know the drill baby" I said to her and she giggled.

The second class was an intriguing class as our lecturer Mrs Phoebe happened to be a very dramatic and demonstrative woman. The class was very enlightening and I wished it was not over so quickly. It lasted for two hours fifteen minutes and Lily laughed when I told her that the class ended too quickly.

"Are you doing anything this night?" asked Lily.

"Nah nay"I answered.

"Well, some SUG representatives organized a party for first year students and I am going. Care to come?"

"We have classes tomorrow and…" I tried making up an excuse but she interrupted me.

"Tomorrow is Friday Martha and it is not like you are going to some illegal party or something. We would get very busy in the forthcoming weeks and would barely have time for partying and all so why don't we make use of this opportunity and I do not want to go alone. Do this for your Lil" she pleaded as she pouted trying to make pitiful baby faces.

"Alright I would go but you look so pathetic. Erase that look off your face and I sure would be there for you Lil" I said to her as I pinched her cheeks. She swatted my hand away and I chortled.

"You even called yourself Lil right now and now you are back to tough girl Lily mode because you have gotten what you want from me right? I can still change my mind you know?" I said as I turned my back on her feigning annoyance.

"You can call me Lil as much as you want as long as you go with me' she said resuming the baby like voice she used earlier.

"Get some rest before the party. I'll text you the time and the venue" said Lily to me as we hugged and went to our separate hostels.

The reason why I decided to go to the party was because as she playfully pestered me to go with her, I remembered what my brothers said to me. They said partying could be a stress reliever or something to take my mind off something and what I needed was not just to take my mind off, I needed to forget this something or in my own case, someone.

I need to forget Nathan. In class and in campus, different persons were showing mild PDA and it reminded me of something I might never be able to have so I decided to go because I knew it was going to take my mind far from the rush of feeling I was experiencing. Fifteen minutes later, she texted me the time and location. It was by 8:30pm and was by a house outside the school. I knew the directions and was glad it was not in a complicated area. It was easy to locate and there was the office of a vigilante unit about seven blocks away. I read through my notes and did dome research on the difficult assignments I was given. I felt a little drowsy and decided to take a one hour nap. My intended one hour nap turned into two hours forty five minutes sleep. I guess I was more tired than I thought. I checked the time and I had about an hour thirty minutes to the time of the party and I had no idea what to wear or how to style my hair.

I had a quick shower and after about forty five minutes of doing everything the wrong way and rummaging through my closet for what to wear, I called Lily. I wanted to cancel on the party.

"I'm so sorry Lily but I don't think I can make it for the party" I said to her as soon as her line connected.

"Why?" she asked as disappointment coated her voice.

"Sincerely, I can't find what to wear. I have searched but nothing just seems to be alright. My room and I look a mess and I don't have a single idea in the whole world on what to do with my hair" I half ranted and half talked as I narrated my ordeal to her.

" I am coming over right now" she said and hung up. I was dumbfounded. It seemed like she really wanted me to go to this party at all cost. In less than no time, she was in my room and she stared at my clothes that were everywhere.

She had to pull her shoes at the door because there was no proper ground for her to tread on. She was in an onion purple gown that was above her knee about six centimetres away and was very snatched at the waist. The gown made her hips look very pronounced. She had her hair pinned to the side and wore a black shoe that had silvery stones on the body with a simple black purse. She wore a silver wristwatch and a silver necklace could be seen on her neck with an half-moon pendant. She looked truly amazing.

She gathered my clothes and placed on the bed as she looked critically at them all. She appraised each of my gowns but said none was party worthy till she spotted a black gown I had worn for last year's Annual celebration of The Heart Organization. Nathan had said he liked the gown and would love for only himself to see me on it but that was about to change.

"This is amazing" she said as she lifted the gown from the pile of clothes.

"Its only flaw is that it is too long" she said and walked to my table, picked a scissors and divided the gown in two.

"Why?" I asked very shocked.

"ecause you have nothing else to wear but these and the only way to have made it look party worthy was by what I just did. This is a college party and not a ball Martha. I can get you another if you feel offended" she concluded nonchalantly.

"It's all good. I was just a bit startled. So, would you fix the hem of the dress?" I asked her as I crossed my arms on my chest.

"Got a needle and thread?" she asked me.

"Yes I do"

"Get it for me and come arrange your clothes as I fix this" she said or more of ordered.

"Alright boss" I saluted and did as told. She sew the hem of the gown neatly and it looked like she used a sewing machine to fix it.

"You know how to sew pretty well Lily" I complimented her.

"It's just one of those things. It is nothing special" she said.

"Don't try to act humble about it. It really is pretty. Where did you learn to sew so well?" I asked as I touched where she just stitched.

"My mother! She used to be a very good tailor and whenever her sewing machine was not in proper condition, she would use her fingers to complete any dress she had started" she told me.

"Used to?" I asked.

"Yes, she is late" she said and I saw a faraway look of longing in her eyes. I clasped my hand with her free hand and she looked up to me.

"It's no biggie. It is all in the past. Put on the gown and let's do something about your hair" she said as she side lined the discussion. I decided not to push the matter and got into my gown. It looked very beautiful and accentuated my curves. The back of the gown was connected with ropes that gave a sexy vibe at the back. "You look incredible. Now sit down let me fix your hair" Lily said. I sat down and watched through the full length mirror in the room which I was facing, as she parted my hair equally and combed both sides. She then packed it at the back. Despite the packing, the line which she parted did not close up and she used a gel to flatten both sides of the hair to give it a very slick appearance. She combed the tip of my hair that was not gelled and made it into a doughnut form. I thanked Lily for her immeasurable help as I proceeded to doing something about my bland looking face. I rubbed minimum powder, applied eye liner at the corner of my eyes, mascaraed my eye lashes and laid a transparent lip gloss on my lips. The makeup was minimum and just what I wanted. I have never been confident in wearing heels so I opted for my Cameroon boots. The both of us looked into the mirror and adjusted our dresses one last time before giving our reflections a satisfied smile and we were soon on our way.