LOGINShare
CHANGE DOESN'T BITE
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56I moved out of bed at exactly 5:05 AM. I can't stop my eyes from opening at this hour. I only can stop my legs from stepping out of the house earlier. I have promised on James' fingers not to leave the house so early anymore. Not like he will be awake to see me keep to it but I know it is to my advantage.
I took a slow shower and headed out to prepare for school. It was a tough weekend. My behind testified to it. James didn't abandon me, he ensured I applied the cream from the doctor to my butt all weekend and saw I take my drugs. I am ready for Monday, but not in a rush. I spent quality time getting ready. At 6:30 Am, I decided I had delayed enough and went downstairs to meet Granny who must have been thinking at this moment that I had sneaked out. "Oh! Child, I am beginning to think I miss you again" she cried happily at my appearance. In her hands were my breakfast and lunch. "You wouldn't let me even if I want." Smiling at her, I stretched my hands to take the glass of milk from her. "Morning Granny. You should learn to sleep more." I seriously advised. "Haha, tell me again if you ever decide to wake up like others." She chuckled while staring at me warmly. "I will drink my milk then, thank you." "Haha." "Is it too much to ask for a sandwich?" "Oh, my boy! I love that you asked. You take a sit and I will get you one" She gestured to me to a dining seat and gently kept my lunch pack on the table. "You are the best." I noticed the drugs leave me with an appetite and I think it is good. If I had been huge and strong, no one would easily lift me into a van like a piece of pizza. "I know, I know. Sit now, will you." Granny joyfully said and entered the kitchen to make me a sandwich. I will learn to have a proper breakfast. I don't have one on weekends either. During weekends, my body system shuts down as I never open my eyes until 9A.M, I don't know why. I'd skip breakfast with others but Granny never forgets to send James up to my room with a glass of milk. I am so empty this morning. I will ignore the time and get myself filled up. "Gregory?" "Mum!" I was sort of surprised to hear her voice. I am used to a morning with Granny only. Seeing her dressed for work this early is foreign. This must be her breakfast time. A few minutes after my departure every morning, I see. "It is you, hahaha. What a sight to see you in the morning. Is that how beautiful you are in a sunrise?" I can sense happiness in Mum's voice, but what is with the compliment? "Good morning Mum," I said standing to acknowledge her. "The morning is good indeed. How I have forgotten mornings with you." If my hearing organ is undamaged, I am sure I heard a crack in her voice. I do not know if my mum is emotional now because we haven't seen each other in the morning like this. Looking at her, I wonder why we are not close enough to share hugs. Maybe it was her work life and my selfish life, and we failed to connect. Something must be wrong with me as I had this urge to hug her. I didn't feel this way on Friday when I saw her looking wiped from worries about me. "You look nice." I complimented. She does look nice whenever I get to see her. But she looks different this morning. She looks freshly nice unlike the weakly nice her I'd see most evenings. "Oh! Gregory." She obviously can't hide her joy. I felt sorry for her. I ain't blind to see all her struggles to get closer to me in the past and now, but I chose to ignore it all. "Can I give you a hug?" Oh shit! I hope I didn't ask out loud. It was only meant to be a thought. "Gregory..." I knew I said it loud when she walked closer and put me in her embrace. Not bad. "You smell refreshing as well." I can't act cold anymore. I broke into her warm embrace which is miles better than James's, whose hands would want to squeeze the life out of me. "Oh dear!" She whispered like her and hugged me more. She left hold of me after forever and slightly pushed me back to smile at my face. I do not know what else to do or say for I am not used to this position. "Happy birthday son!" I am unbelievable! It is 23rd March, of course! "My birthday? I forgot. I mean, I remembered until this morning. A skip of thought." I chuckled nervously. "Thank you, Mum." "How lovely you are," she pinched my cheek. It feels soft, she has never done this to my face. Sweet. "I am sorry, I didn't prepare a gift. Wasn't expecting to see you this morning. I am happy I did. If only I knew, I could get your gift ready. I am sorry dear." Mum trembles as she apologizes. "I thought all night of what you will gift me on your return this evening. Or am I not getting it anymore?" I said casually trying to ease her tension. "Oh darling, you will. Thank you." I am tensed too, can she tell? Guess I covered mine so well. It is a first for Mum and I. "Your sandwich is here my boy." Thank heavens. Finally, Granny decided to save the morning. It wasn't bad talking with Mum alone with so much emotion, it was just an unprepared scene. "Good morning Mrs. Grater." Mum greeted Granny respectfully. "You don't look so well, child?" Granny said after a closer look at Mum. Hmmm, is that how Granny addresses Mum? There are things I have yet to discover. "Are you unwell mum?" I asked because I want to care, not that I can tell of any changes. But I can tell I saw Granny and Mum's surprised eyes when I asked. "I am well, darling. I didn't get enough sleep last night. Nothing to worry about." I wanted to suggest she get extra sleep before heading out, she can. But hearing this 'darling', I opted out. I think we have come to the end of this mother-and-son thing. It is beginning to feel awkward. "If you say so. I will have my breakfast now." I ended up saying. I haven't forgotten I have a bus to catch. I am way behind my pickup time already. "I will get you a coffee." Granny told Mum and left for the kitchen. "Thank you, Mrs. Grater." I looked at the large wall clock, it was 6:40 AM. My exact time to be at the bus stop and get picked at 6:55 AM, at most. I can't make it if I am to walk to the bus stop. "Mum?" "Yes, son." My mum is drowned deep in this temporary togetherness. Her tone exposes her hard. "Do you mind driving me to the bus stop? I won't catch up if I walk." "I do not mind Gregory. I would drive you to school if you let me but I won't push it. Bus stop it is." "Thank you." I am glad she isn't pushing. She knows I won't let her. Driving me to the bus stop is enough familiarity. My family knows how I want to remain anonymous. They have respected my wishes. Driving me to school will put an end to my disguise. Everybody knows that pretty doctor face of hers. After our breakfast and unusual talks, she drove me to the bus stop and bid me farewell. James and Rose were still on the bed till our departure. I'd asked her about Dad and was told he traveled yesterday for a business trip. That explains why he wasn't lucky to see my morning face too. He won't even be around for my birthday party, I guess. Not a party, I don't like parties. James or Rose would have bred all sorts of personalities and media trooping our house today if it was to be their birthday. Everyone except me could have their heels running on for the preparation. They won't think of school today, not me, I could have gone to school as I am doing now. Some months ago was a blast. James' sixteenth birthday was and still talk of the country. I didn't know it would be that extreme but every I*******m, F******k, Twitter, TikTok, or any social media at all was about his party. James had it big. I know Rose will have it bigger. Mine won't be like that. Don't even dream of it. Just the family and employees having a special delicacy from Granny, that's it. Granny won't hear my nag about not doing anything at all. She is presently on her mixer and getting the oven hotter for my cake. I am ready to eat it big this afternoon, only with family and employees. Few toasts and clinking of glass cups, the opening of my gifts, and thereafter, off to bed everyone. No music or balloons, it is a waste of energy. I am one of those few who doesn't think much about birthday parties on a wake-up alarm. All I think of this morning is getting to school.
Related chapters
HIM ALL ALONG NO BIRTHDAY WISHES
I didn't wait a second at the bus stop before my school bus arrived and I hopped in. The driver had a big grin on his face that was forced to stare intently at him. "Hello," he greeted cheerfully. The attitude is all new and I wonder why he is acting informal. The mood was suspicious and it immediately occurred to me that is my birthday. School drivers behave more dearly to students on their special day and I found it pretentious and repulsive. Oh, god! I hope Mum hasn't done anything; hope she hasn't let everyone know of the birthday. She has kept my stories a secret from the school since I started with them. She should not disappoint me today, I pray. Mum may have hidden my identity from the students, but she was unable to do so before the principal, Mrs. Crown. Mrs. Crown knows everything about me. I still find it remarkable how she turned a blind eye on me; no special treatment or any sort of seeking privileges. She has also been doing a great job at keeping my identity o
HIM ALL ALONG I AM NOT MILES AWAY
Mrs. Grater travels to her hometown every year for her late husband's memorial. Her only child lives in Japan with her Japanese husband. She'd return yearly for her father's memorial but not this year. Granny looked sad when she told me during our little chat in the kitchen about her daughter's inability to attend the memorial. She began her preparation at the surface of July. She would be leaving by month end or at the rise of August, her choice. She doesn't need permission like other employees to leave duty. Everyone in the family has given the month of August to her privacy and today, the 25th of July, she set to leave. As always, she would cook a whole food of August and preserve it in the refrigerator for us. Mum has told her how unnecessary it is to go through all that trouble. We have other housekeepers to do that when she is away. She threw Mum's words in the bin again and made food for the family herself. She'd say other housekeepers can cook for themselves and other empl
HIM ALL ALONG HE IS STRANGELY FAMILIAR
The drive was smooth and quiet. This is one thing about road trips James won't understand. The driver had the music soft-tuned and the air, conditioned to the right body need. James will never do that. He will ensure the music is tuned to max, with his windows all scrolled down. Well, James would have provided us with snacks and more, but Granny is too decent to eat in Mr. Waldeen's dear car. The road is familiar. It looks like the route James has taken during our visit to that clinic months ago. It is. I am sure. Though at a point, the driver went off the tarred road unto a lonely path. He drove carefully into the noiseless town for a long time. "It is unlike the city, my dear. It is oddly calm here." Granny must have seen my curious look out of the window. If I wasn't seated beside Granny, I would fear for my safety. "I noticed." I responded to Granny's explanation with my eyes fixed on the road. The city isn't noisy though, it just doesn't have trees and shrubs settling on both
HIM ALL ALONG NOSTALGIA
I could ignore any call at this moment, but not when it is my brother. I placed a pillow behind me, above my waist, to give me a comfortable posture to engage with James, I know it will be a long one."So, how is your little vacation going?"James sounded cheerful as always. He looks like he just left the bathroom. His hair drips of water and the last thing James would do is to mop the droppings off his floor."Noiseless.""Tell me about it. It feels the same here.""I miss you too."I am not the noisy one. James saying home is noiseless, I understand. And now that I said the words, I think I miss him. It must have been a surprise for him when I spoke of this 'little vacation' earlier today. He didn't even get to know ahead of others. Although he handled it better than Rose, his facial expressions nearly exposed him."James, I am not far away. You could drive down here if you want," I continued when he didn't say anything."Naaaaah, I will pass."He stopped damping his curly hair with
HIM ALL ALONG HELLO NEIGHBOUR, LONG TIME NO SEE
NICHOLAS:I spent hours with Elena, moping at her pale face. I no longer wonder when she'd wake up, predicting isn't making any good. I only live every day in appreciation she hasn't given up yet.Elena survived the accident that took out parents in an instant. It is still unexplainable how Elena is alive, partially breathing I could say. The samaritans that brought into the clinic that night had confirmed her dead too. Thanks to Dr. Ray who announced he felt a pulse after minutes of pronouncing her dead, he kept Elena from ending up in the morgue with my parents.I can sit hours beside her. Dr. Ray had once asked me to read her a book, this will stimulate her unconsciousness. I do not see how that is true. I dearly love Elena and can do anything to bring her out of the coma, but reading her a book is off my strategy; I rather stay speechlessly beside her. filled with overbearing emotions when seated in her ward. I'd believe she hears my wordless readings.I knew I won't be back to s
HIM ALL ALONG CALL OF AMENDMENT
"Nicholas!"I turned towards the voice. Mrs. Grater calling my name in her style and her arms spreading towards me. I don't know why she would call my name from afar and yet, walk up to me. She could've walked up and tap me into her presence and save her faint voice for emergency. It is equally laughable to think she expects I run like wildfire into her embrace. It is nice to see, but no, she isn't my mother and I am not her toddler to welcome her the way she envisaged.I stood without moving and she lowered her arms in return. I decided to move my cheeks up a little when she alternatively give her full smile to me. Getting tired of standing, I leaned on my bike and wait for the end of her slow walk to me. I didn't fail to notice the parcel in her hand. Cookies. This is the best part of having her home."Nicholas!"She called on a close reach. Oh! Mrs. Greater has tenderly aged. Her steps have gotten slower and her voice, fainter."Hi, Mrs. Grater.""It's been ages. Look at you, all g
HIM ALL ALONG IF I COULD MEET HIM
NICHOLAS:There is nothing I think of going in there with except the flowered dish that was used on my behalf last evening. During our past eat-together with her family, Mr. John do come over with a bottle of wine and Theresa, with plates of her little baking experiments. It is my family's turn to go over for a meal, though I am the only representative, poorly, there is nothing to go with. I'd have a bottle of ketchup which doesn't make sense to go in with. I have nothing, so I will just go. I hope Mrs. Grater wouldn't mind.I do not know Mrs. Grater's exact time for breakfast. I should have asked. I do not want to be too early or late either. Gosh! It feels like a date.'it is just a meal', I keep telling myself. It will only be the old Grater and perhaps the person that drove that mighty car, who probably isn't far from Grater's age. The self-reminder isn't working, as I found myself nervously inclined.At seven, I went in for a shower. If after a cold shower, I still feel same, I w
HIM ALL ALONG CALL OF ADJUSTMENT
GREG:I continued tossing on the bed despite many failures to get extra sleep. My body calls for a wake, yet I coiled under the duvet Granny had provided last night, chasing for more. With the chilly weather, anyone could wish nothing but to lay and snore in laziness. It is a relief that Granny had left me the night without supper. I'd thought she would nag and cry me out of bed to have some dinner with them.Having lunch with Granny and Mr. Ben yesterday was doable. It was the first time I ever use the same table with anyone who isn't blood-related. The familiarity was new to Mr Ben too, he awkwardly ate his food and kept his face lowered to his plate until I voiced against it. That exact reaction is one of the two I dislike seeing in anyone around me, but I have come to reasonable terms with it since most of the employees at home who happens to see my masked face act that way, while few suddenly become respectful and loyal. I could differentiate the two reactions and the latter is t
Latest chapter
HIM ALL ALONG EPILOGUE
Nicholas spent the entire night pleasing Greg and trying not to say anything that had Rahul in it. Greg refused to stop talking about it anyway. He complained about how Nicholas couldn’t stop looking at and admiring Rahul. “You should have hugged and kissed him since you missed him so much,” he nagged. “Babe, I can’t kiss and hug your brother’s boyfriend.” “What if he wasn’t my brother’s boyfriend?” “Then he wouldn’t have appeared to make my fiance so jealous.” “I am not jealous. I am angry!” “Why?” Greg rolled his eyes and thought of the reason he was angry, and when he couldn’t confirm any, he shook funnily, went into the bathroom, and banged the door. "My love..." Nicholas knocked at the door. "Let me join you, okay?" "Go away, and prepare the couch! You will sleep there tonight!" "Sweedy..." "Two nights!" Nicholas couldn’t raise the topic of their tomorrow's supposed wedding. Instead, he waited for weeks until Greg came to terms that Rahul would only be his
HIM ALL ALONG MARKING A LIFE PARTNER
GREG: “Attention, ladies and gentlemen,” Nicholas’ voice erupted through the speakers and everyone unleashed their attention to him. “Thank you." “What is he doing?” I asked Frederick. “I hope it is not what I am thinking.” “My name is Nicholas,” he echoed. “Ehh, I am not a public talker; stage fright is real, so please, reduce the attentiveness.” Everyone laughed at his silly humor. “It is happening,” Frederick blurted out. “Yeah, and it is going to be fun.” “Greg…" “Just listen.” Damn it! Frederick is disturbing. “First, I want to thank Mrs. Crown, Mrs. Freyet, Mr. Sam. Ms. Cecilia, Janie, and everyone for coming out today to celebrate the graduates. And congratulations to you all in that deserving gown; you did it!” The graduates cheered and clapped, including me. “Are you seriously clapping?” Frederick asked. “I am a graduate, Freddie.” I twisted to face him. “Okay, what is it?” “We should stop him.” “Why? he is doing fine.” “Wendy said something
HIM ALL ALONG MY WORTHY MAN
GREG: Time flies. A two-week stay-in vacation came and ended in a day. I rolled on every day wishing it would last a lifetime, yet, it didn’t. Each day with Nicholas is an unforgettable experience, and it hurts to see it over. It is alright, I will ask him to marry me. I am graduating soon and will propose then; waiting a few more days to own him forever won’t hurt too much. Nicholas is everything but the one to ask me to marry him. I have insisted on not moving in with him until we are married in the guise of knotting and pushing up his actions, but nothing has happened. He thinks it doesn’t matter. I spend nearly every day with him; what difference does it make? But I want it official. I am dying to upgrade from the boyfriend title, and it is clear the manifestation is my call. I make huge proposals in our relationship anyway; I asked him to be my boyfriend, and since he is waiting I ask him to marry me as well; I will. And I will do it before everyone. Meanwhile, I need t
HIM ALL ALONG EPISTLES OF ETERNAL LOVE
(FOUR YEARS LATER) NICHOLAS: “You ditched me.” Greg cried. “Is that even possible?” I missed his calls in an early queue for coffee. Getting back to the car, and seeing the notification, I decided to call him after dealing with the morning rush, but here I am, facing a trial of loving him less. “How do you explain missing my calls and still breathing fine?” “I didn’t survive. You are talking to my ghost.” “No jokes.” “Sweedy…” “You do care only about your clinic.” “Tell me to close down this fuvking clinic and I will. Just a word and it is over.” He chuckled at the other end of the phone. “No more fuvking word, Babe.” “I am fuvking trying.” “Fuvking try harder.” I laugh out loud, having a few nurses turn to me in admiration. I am a dentist, a successful one, in my magnificent clinic. I owe this achievement to the Waldeens and Lansey, who have in the past years, become a bosom friend. Despite returning to his country, we kept the communication nourished. My clinic didn’
HIM ALL ALONG WHEN DID WE GROW UP?
GREG: Preparation for Granny's late husband’s memorial went on. Since I didn't intend to embark on the trip, Mr. Ben would drive her to the countryside and return to the city. “He should stay all through, Dad.” I pleaded. I couldn’t have her alone in her home. With Nicholas in the city, attending his therapy, and Elena living with the doctors, Granny will have her enormous yard lonely and deserted. “Ben will be needed.” The last trip kept Mr. Ben in the countryside, and whereby I decided to use this holiday for a personal plot, Dad saw no reason Mr. Ben should stay back. “It is a remote area, Dad. Please, she shouldn’t be alone.” “Jerome would be helpful.” “But…” “Assign more help to her.” “Thank you.” I let it be. I comprehend Dad’s choices. Mr. Ben remains his most trusted and cherished driver; sharing him was for me. Dad also knows Mr. Ben has been more than a driver, and for such development, he’d prefer he patrol within my reach rather than away. Jerome dro
HIM ALL ALONG TO EVERY CHANCES AND CHANGES
NICHOLAS: My joy was evident. It had me doing extraordinary things. I wrote beyond the class lessons and every read textbook and marked my final paper as the best. Last night created that effect; having accessed Greg’s hole more than I hoped for was a grand experience — He was nothing like my past encounters. In addition to the news about Elena, my spirit elevated and circulated the air. Wendy and Park caught up on it and offered to join my visit to her. Greg climbed behind me, with Park and Frederick riding in Wendy’s car, we went to the hospital at the end of the examination. Everyone abandoned the students’ celebration to partake in my life. They chose to participate only in tomorrow’s graduation ceremony for the call to see Elena. We arrived at the hospital, eyes on us. Neatly uniformed D’caprias representatives alongside Greg Waldeen, is a topic and rouse. We got into the exclusive elevator together, against everyone’s curiosity, and ascended to the twelfth floor of the hospi
HIM ALL ALONG HOME TREAT
GREG: “Right now?!” “Hmmm." “We can stay here.” “Do you not want me in your room?” How do I explain his photos on my wall and every corner of my room? “I…” “We can stay here,” he said sadly. “Can I use the bathroom? Your father made me sweaty.” He tried to joke and appear cool, but I saw his disappointment. “I have a towel in my room. Would you like to use it?” “Yes, please.” That is it! Nothing beyond existence can happen. Finding out my obsession will only give me a moment of embarrassment. I turned to Nicholas and tried to warn him again. “Come on, Greg, open the door already.” “You must promise not to laugh or make a mock of me.” “What do you have in there? Nude postcards?” I opened the door to him and as Nicholas saw himself all over my life, he stood speechless. I knew it! He would see me as creepy and obsessive. He walked into the room, looking at the pictures with wide eyes and a mix of admiration. “Say something.” He ogled at me and went
HIM ALL ALONG ALL I EVER WANTED IS YOU
NICHOLAS: My face bleached at the curt reflection of sunlight, and I put out an arm for a shade, yawned, and rose from the pillow. “Arise and Shrink!” Park came loud and disturbing. He lifted the curtains to my face. I didn’t see but could hear in his voice all he had done. “Damn it…” I groaned and held my head from collapsing as I tried to open my eyes but felt them heavy. “Do you need some water?” Park isn’t asking out of care. He is threatening. He is ready to assist my waking with a bowl of water, and if I do not kick out this dizziness, I will have myself drenched and dripping. “Are you alright?” Wendy resonated deeper and consoling yet I was unimpressed. His voice lifted my drowsiness; I opened my eyes to him, leaning against the wall with arms and legs crossed, doubling my incertitude. “What is happening?” I stretched for better sight. “What is this ambush all about?” “Do you feel better?” “Why? Is something wrong with me?” I remember nothing except getti
HIM ALL ALONG LOVE TILL THE END OF TIME
GREG: Nothing is more satisfying than having Nicholas with me. He has proven his repentance, and if I were to choose, I see no reason for any discussion. All I want is to get back with him. Bringing him to school is secondary; I am not ashamed to voice it. “Where are we going?” I asked as we left the elevator to the building's car park. I know where we should go. We should be in his apartment, making up for the days apart rather than doing a bulky head of talk. “Anywhere.” He said. “Are you sure I can choose?” We indeed needed to talk. But that doesn’t mean we can’t after what I had in mind. If only he agrees I decide, I will lead us to a perfect location. “Greg, please.” Too bad, Nicholas is having it grim and strict. “Okay, serious head, we can drive to D’caprias if all you want to be is focused and determined.” “Shit!” He exclaimed and turned to me in horror. “Stop the car!” “What?!” “Pull over.” “What now?” I pulled to a pathway and Nicholas loosened his seat belt. “W
