Chapter 5

Everyone made their way out of the classrooms as the bell for ‘break time’ rang, some couldn’t wait to get to their friends from other class, some can’t wait to swallow the store that sells snacks and other edible things while the rest couldn’t wait to get to their loved ones.

By loved ones, I meant ‘boyfriends’ and ‘girlfriends’.

I was still in class watching everyone go out and come in. I needed a quiet place to meditate and reflect on what was taught in class today and also to talk to GOD like I have been doing since I promised to be better.

He helped me in my growth and mental treatment so I am grateful to him.

“Daniella, are you coming for food?” I heard Leo ask from behind me so I turned my head to look at him but he came to stand in front of me instead.

I looked up at him and the boyish cute smile that makes almost all the girls in our set fawn over him. 

Who wouldn't?

Leonard is a dark-skinned, 6’3 I guess, handsome boy on our school soccer team. He has the cutest dimples I have ever seen and I wouldn't lie those are my weakness.

His hair is styled in a punk which I helped him with over the weekend. He had been asking that I help cut his hair and style it in the way I wanted and after much persuasion, I succumbed.

I know for a fact that I have lots of talents but they just need to be unveiled one after the other.

The thing here is, he had a huge crush on me… well I think it is as still active as before.

Don’t get me wrong, Leonard is a very cool, handsome, friendly, easy to talk to a person and he is my bestie for that matter and I love that about him but I try to keep my distance and keep staying on the friendship level.

He flirts with me almost all the time and I try to decline any offers politely, so he doesn’t get hurt, but the last time I tried flirting back, he got the wrong idea and kissed me on the field during a sports session.

He just scored a goal and I was really screaming and rooting for him when he came to me and before I knew it his lips were on mine and that was how I got my first ever kiss… from my very good-looking best friend.

I remember leaving the stadium when he went back to play with so much embarrassment and flushed cheeks. I didn’t even come to school for days because I didn’t know how to react when I did see him.

During those times he came to visit after school and I was asleep then so my dad was the one who answered and let him in.

After he left later in the evening and when we already talked about the kiss and where we stand in each other’s life, I came downstairs only for dad to make another of his famous but new comments about me.

‘So the weirdo has a boy? Did you somehow envision that he would come to you? Or do you know when he would get tired of you?’ 

Those words rang in my head and I shook my head to get it off my head.

So I tried my best to keep my distance and not show any sign of interest. For his sake and mine. It will best if it were this way.

“You still there,” I heard him say as I felt a small tap on the side of my head and it brought me out of whatever daze I fell in.

“Uh, yes” I cleared my throat and adjusted in my seat.

“You’ll come?” I could see the excitement in his eyes as he looked at me.

“Come where?” I asked in confusion.

“I said it a minute ago, for food” he repeated and I blinked several times then looked away from him then back to him. He was awaiting my reply.

“Er… Leo, I will have to pass" I said and his smile died down "I brought home-cooked food," I said gesturing to my food bag.

The smile on his face came back, he turned to his friends and told them to go without him and sat down on the seat beside me.

"You would have told me that, rather than make me think you were going to turn me down, bring the food out let's eat" he rubbed his hands together.

"Why don't you go buy food from the canteen? I am not sure this would full you" I said as I brought the flask out of the bag "and I didn't bring a second spoon" 

"That would be no problem, we could share a spoon" I looked at him with wide-open eyes before he burst out laughing

"I'm kidding, I will go fetch a spoon from the canteen now." He stood up "Wait for me, okay?" And he left.

This isn't the first time he has sat down to eat the food I bring from home. It warms my heart that he didn't bother what his friends say or the fact that he is popular. 

At one time I thought I had a crush on him but tried my best not to think of such, he is good-looking and nice and all but I don't want to start the feelings thing. I don't know why but not now or anytime soon

He had already come back and not only was he holding a spoon, but he was also holding black polythene nylon.

"I bought snacks just in case the food isn't enough," he said and placed them on the table "Now let's begin, but before we do so let us pray"

I smiled at that and closed my eyes.

"LORD we thank you that you gave us not just another beautiful day to see and enjoy but you provided what we would eat. I ask of you that you provided for those who don't have and protect everyone. Thank you, LORD. Amen" he prayed

"Amen," I said and opened my eyes looking at him as he opened the flask.

"Hmm...this smells delicious, Mum cooked it" it wasn’t a question.

He would definitely know.

"Yeah, she did," I confirmed.

"Now let's begin" he took the first spoon and closed his eyes as he ate it

"This tastes as good as it smells" he commented when he swallowed the portion in his mouth.

I took the second spoon and chewed, nodding my head in agreement.

"That's why I love Mum's cooking," I said taking more spoons 

I dipped the spoon inside the flask to scoop another spoon of rice when I felt a gaze on me. I turned my head to my side to see Leo looking intently at me.

I could feel my cheeks warm and proceeded to put the spoon in my mouth.

"You have beautiful eyes," he said and I nearly choked on the food in my mouth.

He quickly passed me the water bottle and I took sip after sip to stop the choking.

"Are you okay?" He asked me as he pats my back lightly.

I cleared my throat and nodded before putting the water on the table.

"Yeah, I am, thank you," I said.

He let out a sigh and rubbed his face before shifting a bit closer to me.

"If it's because of what I said then I am not sorry...really you have beautiful eyes and I hope that one day you like me just as much as I like you." He said and took one of my hands in his then placed a kiss on it.

I gulped and removed my hand from his gently.

"Let's finish up here, the break will be over soon," I said avoiding his gaze.

"Sure, senorita," he said then winked at me when I looked at him which caused warmness on my cheeks down to my neck.

He really should stop that, I think I am liking him again.

***

"Why did you let it happen?" I looked behind me to see who was yelling.

It was a man in an all-black attire holding a black briefcase and he had a light brown hat on. Weird.

I couldn't see who he was talking to because his tall frame was covering the person.

"I--i-i didn't do anything, sir, please don't hurt me" I could hear a frail voice begging.

"You didn't do anything? Oh well I guess you would know what I am talking about when I am done with you" the ‘all-black attire man’ said and placed his briefcase on the table and that made me see the person he was talking to.

It was an old man who was in his 60s I guess, he looked scared of what this dark man would do to him any minute.

He opened it and began looking through it.

Will he hurt him?

What is he looking for? Will he do something bad to the poor old man?

I asked myself. I was conflicted because I don't want to get myself into trouble and at the same time let the old man get hurt.

I looked around the small room and frowned at that, how am I in this strange room? What is going on?

I was too concerned and carried away that I did not see that I was tied down with ropes and when I tried to scream it was muffled. My mouth was also covered.

Oh GOD, what is happening? What is happening? 

I panicked and began shuffling and trying to free myself.

I guess my shuffling alerted them and their gaze fell on me. 

My eyes widened in shock and I could feel tears well up in my eyes.

The man in the black attire stood up straight and began walking up to me. I could see his face more clearly and it didn't seem familiar at all.

I panicked and was struggling to free myself but to no avail, when he was getting closer I shook my head as the tears started to fall.

When he was a foot away from me, he stretched his hands toward me and I closed my eyes in fear of what he would do to me.

I felt hands shaking me and I kept crying pleading in my heart for him to stop wherever he was and not harm me.

Oh GOD let it stop. I cried.

“Daniella” I heard someone call my name but I kept my eyes closed for fear of what would happen to me.

“Daniella wake up, I am here” I heard the voice again and recognized it as Leonard's voice so I slowly opened my eyes and it was kind of blurry due to the tears that clouded my vision.

I rubbed my eyes and opened them again to see some of my classmates looking at me and whispering while some left the class like they didn’t care.

I turned to my left and saw a worried-looking Leonard holding my hand. I tried to take my hand off his but he refused and kept my hand in his.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yeah” I croaked out and cleaned my eyes off any tears “What’s the time?” I turned to look at him again.

He checked his watch and answered “4:30 pm, it is closing time already, come let me take you to your brother” 

Not having the strength to protest, I nodded and stood up with him holding my bag for me to follow him out of the class, ignoring the stares I got from my classmates.

Who is this man that keeps hunting me?