Four

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* Follow and focus on your own path regardless of others opinions. *

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------ Mira ------

I kept tossing and turning as sleep evaded me. My mind was hyper active as I kept wondering what Vera had said to Joseph that made him act like he did. He mentioned IP address, what's that really about? I wish I had my phone with me, then I would have checked the school group chat. Yet, at the back of my mind, I was thankful I didn't bring it along earlier today as I would have lost it.

  As a result of my lack of sleep, I ended up with huge eye bags, and  when morning came, I was feeling more exhausted than I'd felt earlier.

   I freshened up and went downstairs after doing the laundry. I met Nanny Jenny on my way out. As it was still very early, breakfast hasn't been made as she'd just woken up herself.

“ Good morning, Nanny Jenny! ” I embraced her desperately, in a quest to draw strength from her.  “ Morning, Hon. How are you? ” she stared closely at me after we broke up. I felt naked in front of her and wasn't able to answer.

She sighed. “ Wanna talk about it? ” The care and concern in her voice was unmistakable and it melted my heart.

   “ Not yet, Na. ” I heard her sigh. “ But I promise to tell you when I'm feeling much better, Kay? ” I didn't miss the relief that shone in her eyes at my words.  “ Okay. ” she said with a warm smile.  “ I'm always here for you, Kay? ”

“ Yes. I know. ” I forced a smile.

“ Will you be staying for breakfast? ” Her words interrupted me thoughts.

“ I'm sorry, I won't. ” it was then it dawned on me that, I'd never refused a food offer by her.

“ Why not? ”

“ I have something to do at the orphanage before 7, so I'm sorry I can't stay for breakfast. ”

“ Okay. ” She drew me closer and embraced me.  “ Take care, okay? ” she caressed my cheeks lovingly.

“ I will. Thanks. ” I gave her a smile as i pulled away from her and walked towards the door.

   With a sling bag containing some of my books strapped on my shoulders, I walked out of the building. The moment, I got to the streets, I couldn't help but stare back at the four bedroom duplex with longing in my eyes.

This was the house I frequented almost on a daily basis during the last five years and for the first time, I had to leave unhappily.

I still can't believe that our five long years of friendship might end due to this misunderstanding. The realization hurts.

I desperately wish I had a way of restoring our friendship, but I’m short of ideas. Though I haven't seen the group chat, but I had a feeling that I'd been incriminated more for something I didn't commit. Isn't it funny how a friendship that took months and months of commitments and devotion to build, can come crashing down at the slightest misunderstanding.

   Whenever I thought about my life and how things don't go as planned, I find myself being thankful of my friendship with Jose as it's been a source of joy and comfort for me. But what now?

Will this friendship be snatched away from me, just like my parents and friends had once being? Don't I deserve to be happy?

At that moment, memories of my first meeting with Joseph flooded my mind and I ended up smiling through the tears.

It was as if my Dad had predicted the inevitable, he'd acquired an educational insurance for me and at the time he died, he'd paid enough for me to do my Master's degree in any prestigious school I wanted.

Due to this, I was able to attend Whitebridge, one of the best schools in the city. It was where I met Joseph. 

   As a newcomer, I'd always been appalled by how wealthy my classmates parents were. They were all being brought to school and dropped back at home in luxury cars. Their lunch were always spectacular.

This always made me feel intimidated and not good enough as I'd learnt to wake up as early as 5am, so I can get set on my trekking journey to school which was about 45minutes journey from the orphanage. Despite working as a waitress, I still couldn't afford to board the bus as the money was barely enough for my upkeep.

During lunch break, while my classmates all gathered at the school canteen to order luxurious meals. I stayed in my class munching my lunch of a small loaf of bread and a cup of milk, which I'd always bought in a tea shop on my way to school.

To say that attending the same school as this rich folks was hard, would be an understatement as it was tough. I was always reminded of how rich and wealthy my parents were and how comfortable I'd been when they were still alive. I sometimes wonder how awesome my life would be if my parents hadn't died in that crash.

Oftentimes, I suffer from starvation due to the strict rules of the orphanage I stayed in. Breakfast was at 7. But since I had to leave there before then, I couldn't get that. Supper was at 4 and since I'd always got back at 5. I also couldn't eat that too and finally due to my work at the restaurant, I am also not able to have dinner too. I'd tried multiple times to make the admins of the orphanage understand, but they simply turned a blind eye to my pain and struggles. They believed that since I was attending a prestigious school, then I should be able to fund for myself.

It's funny how the orphanage which was meant to be like a second home for me, was almost hell and that's one of the many reasons I'd avoided staying there as much as I can after I'd became best friends with Joseph. Though this only added to my problems as I was tagged as an harlot, but the girls there.

They never believed me when I said, Joseph and I were only friends and not lovers. They never did…

I'd thought I was strong enough to handle all that until depression came and I found myself sinking into a pit, I couldn't pull myself out of.

Not only was I dying emotionally, but I was also physically due to malnutrition and hard work.

But what could I do?

I'd almost accepted my cruel fate when I met Joseph, and I must say, that was one of the best days of my life.

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A/N : Enjoying the book so far, guys?

Let me know your thoughts about it.

Take care...