MAX
I am falling and falling. I am still waiting for the impact to come, but like a bottomless pit, it never comes.
Only this pit is not dark. I am free, am happy, am smiling. It should scare me, but I am not.
Then I see a face smiling at me. She's beautiful as an angel. She doesn't say anything but smiles at me as if I am the centre of her universe.
I am at the beach, and she's a few steps from me. She turns around and starts walking away from me and is following her.
She breaks into a run, and I am right on her heels, chasing after her. We are on the street.
She's standing in the middle of the road when she stops and stares back at me. 'Call me." she gestures. I quickly remove my phone, and it starts buzzing. I answer, but it still rings.
The buzzing doesn't stop until I am dragged backwards by an invisible force. My head's heavy, but the ringing does not stop until I realize that I was on my bed and dreaming. That's when I realized my phone was actually ringing.
Blindly, I reached for it on the bedside table to see who it was, but my eyes were still heavy from sleep.
"What!" I growled without making out who was the caller.
"Have you got the land that I asked for?" Of course, it was her. Who else would have the audacity to call me so early in the morning only for business purposes?
"Mom!" I groaned, opening my eyes an inch to look at the time.
"What the heck! For goodness sake, it's 4 am." I whined, almost sounding like a child.
I am not a morning person. I hate waking up early. It always ruins the rest of the day, especially when I am in such a beautiful dream.
Speaking of which, why was I dreaming of her again?
"Mind your language, boy." Her stern voice brought me back from my wandering thoughts, making me sigh.
"Sorry, It's just too early to talk about that," I grumbled, knowing she won't let it rest.
"Maybe if you got me what I want, I wouldn't be calling you."
See?
"I am working on it." I groaned, raking my fingers through my hair.
"I am not seeing any progress. I want results, not promises." Her voice was clear without an ounce of sleepiness. Sometimes I wonder if she ever slept at all.
"Mom, for goodness sake, it's a land, not shoes that I would walk in a store and pick you to know." I sat down on the bed, sleepiness finally leaving me.
"Well, I don't care whether you pick up soil or draw one. I want it at the end of this month." She commanded, leaving no room for negotiation.
"What? Only three weeks are remaining."
"Is either that, or our deal is off."
"Okay, okay, Boss, don't you sleep? Why are you even up this at the time." I asked, glancing at my wall clock again in incase I made a mistake, and guess what? I did not.
"Unlike you, we don't take life that lightly. We get to work so that spoilt brats like you have a good life."
Here we go again. Sometimes I wonder if she realizes that I am her son or a business associate.
Don't get me wrong, I love my mother so much more than my life, but sometimes she's too much. Always taking life too serious, and never stop working. It's always about me taking on the business, nothing else.
I am still in college and not ready to take up the family business, not least now at least. I need to mingle and enjoy life to the fullest before tying myself down with the work.
The reason why I am in this fix is that I made a deal with her.
She would let me off the hook for now if I could get land to build one of the greenhouses.
And it had to be somewhere with suitable climate conditions. It has almost been a nightmare finding a good piece of land since.
She ended the call without even wishing me good morning. She has changed so much over the years. I could not blame her, though. It wasn't easy to get used to this new side of her, but eventually, I got used to her indifferent attitude.
Going back to sleep was out of the question, so I got up from the bed and headed downstairs to the apartment's gym for some workout before it dawned.
The good thing with complex apartments is that you can find almost everything you want from swimming pools, fitness centre, clubhouse, and my favourite place, the gym.
Most people liked the fitness centre more than the gym. Good for me since it gives me time alone.
Standing on the treadmill, I started with my morning exercise. I closed my eyes, and her face appeared again, without even thinking of her.
Her black, mischievous eyes, staring at me glistening, chiefly when the sun reflects in them, making it bust into a million stars.
Thinking about the dream earlier, I wish I could click on the play button to continue with it.
I wanted to know what she was going to do next, a little bit curious about,
Damn! What is she doing to me? Snap out of it, Max. It's not healthy to think about a girl too much.
I tried reasoning with myself to no vain.
She is maddening and annoyingly beautiful. I wanted her so bad, but at the same time, something kept telling me to stay away from her.
The way she blew that kiss at me on the bus, that sexy wink. Who knew we would meet again?
Is this fate? I shook my head, getting rid of my ridiculous thoughts.
I must be crazy to think about fate.
The way she reacted to my flirtation, trying to hide the effects. Then all of a sudden, everything goes wild and crazy, and now I am supposed to be her boyfriend.
I had the urge to laugh out loud, shaking my head, still finding my current predicament surreal.
I don't know what happened, but the next moment, I found myself flying from the treadmill and knocking myself against boxing bags that were lying against the wall.
What just happened? I wondered, wincing when I felt pain on my forehead like something hit me.
"Dude!" A laugh broke through the silence of the room as the once present joined.
Just my luck.
"Dimwit!" I curse under my breath, glaring at the one who caused all of this.
"Dude, totally going to post this." he continued laughing, showing me his phone.
I can't believe he actually recorded this.
"I dare you!" I growled, trying to get up, but I was still dizzy from the fall.
"What if I hurt myself?" I sent him another glare.
"I made sure you will land on the punching bags." He said, shrugging his shoulder like he did nothing wrong.
"That was a good shot, man." One of the people presents praised earning a glare from me. He quickly raised his hands in surrender.
How could he even his my head with a ball? His sense of humour sucked.
Jake came towards me and extended his hand, but I ignored him, getting up on my own with much difficulty.
"Where was your mind wandering? You didn't even notice when I came in, plus you were smiling. Daydreaming, I see." he continued teasing me with a smirk that I wanted to wipe off his face.
Bending down, I picked the ball and threw it in his stomach, catching him off guard.
"Ouch!" He cried, stumbling back on the floor. The people around to laugh and cheer out.
"Now we are even," I smirked and walked towards the weight lifts.
"That was painful." He grumbled, picking himself up.
"You are welcomed." I chuckled, readying myself to lift the weights.
"Seriously, dude, you were spacing out on the treadmill. You know that's dangerous, right?" He asked with a serious expression.
I sighed, knowing he was right. I don't even know what got into me, being distracted like that.
"Was just deep in thought." I managed to croak out, lifting for the tenth time, before letting them go.
"Is it about Rose Mary again? But with that smile, Nah, it can't be her." He asked, handing me a bottle of water.
"Yeah!" I lied, heading to the bathroom.
"I don't believe you. There is no way Rose Mary can put that smile on your face about work." He yelled right after I entered the bathroom.
"Believe whatever you want, Jake," I yelled back, switching on the shower.
"Have you found the land yet?" He asked after a while.
"No, I haven't,"
"Dude, you know she won't get off your back until she gets what she wants, right?"
"You don't need to remind me that. I was woken up today at 4. am."
"What! Your mom is one crazy woman that I tell you."
She is.
Once I was done, I put on my sweat pants and got out of the bathroom.
Jake, my childhood friend, was leaning against the wall, busy on his phone with a serious face.
Sparring me no look, Jake threw a towel at me, landing on my face instead of my hand.
"Wassup?" I asked, drying my hair, seeing how he was so invested in his phone.
"I have got a gig line up. It's Brie's party. They want me to be the Mc. Wanna join me? It's going to be fun. You can bring Nicky along too."
"And why should I bring Nicky along?" I asked, quirking an eyebrow. I knew very what he wanted but was not going to give him that easily.
"She hates Brie. I thought it would be fun with her around to destroy her mood. You know, Nicky has been annoying me this week. I only want to get back at her."
"And you want me to help you? Not happening." I pulled out my sweatshirt from the bag and wore it.
"Come on, man, what are buddies for?"
"You keep forgetting who Nicky is for me?"
"Whatever, are you coming or not?" Jake huffed, sparing me an annoying look.
"Nope, got some business to attend to." At first, I wanted to agree, but my mother's call gave me goosebumps thinking of it.
"Land haunting?" he grinned.
"Something like that." I grinned back, thinking about Melissa.
"At night, are you sure we are talking land? Coz you know it's at night, the party, right?" he asked, looking at me with amusement like he could tell it was something more.
His phone vibrating save me from his curious eyes. "Sorry man, I have got to go," he whispered, placing the phone in his ear before leaving.
Getting back into my apartment, I dropped the gym bag on the floor and proceeded to change for the day when my phone dinged.
'Hello son, come, visit today? I will prepare you porridge.' It read.
I was confused a first, wondering who it was that called me son.
It could not be my mom, then who? I reread the message again, and my eyes circled as I realized who it was.
"Bibi!" I exclaimed in surprise.
Of course, it had to be her. Who else would talk about that sweat drink? And how did she even get my number?
"Oh s***t!" I cursed out loudly. It was six in the morning, and she was already up? And why was she texting me? Isn't it a bit creepy to be texted by your girlfriend's grandma?
Wait, No, I mean fake girlfriend. Why do I sense wedding bells again?
Get a grip, Max, no need to overreact or overthink.
But then, I guess Melissa would be good in a wedding dress. I cursed again when I pictured her looking beautiful in white.
I am definitely, going crazy at this rate.
Should I walk away? But then, the thought of mom calling me in the morning made me shudder.
ME; 'I have a morning class, sorry, Bibi, but I will come in the afternoon once the classes are over.'
It didn't take a second before she answered.
Bibi: 'It's alright, my boy. Studying always comes first, but make sure to have a heavy breakfast before attending the class. You know you can't concentrate with an empty stomach.'
I found myself smiling at her thoughtful reply. I could not help but remember how mom would always remind me to have breakfast before leaving for school.
But then, it has been a distance memory.
Bibi: 'One more thing, don't eye any other girl, alright? Coz if you do, I'll know.'
I chuckled again, grabbing my bag. It's strange how the women in my life keep driving me crazy but keep me happy at the same time.
ME: 'Okay, Bibi, got to go now, and don't worry, I won't be eyeing any other girl. My eyes are only for Melissa.'
And she appeared again in my thoughts. Are my only settle on her? And it dawned on me that since our first meeting, I have not been interested in any other girl.
What is happening to me?
No, I shook my head.
No matter what, I still can do whatever I want with my life. I can go out with any girl, and no one could ask me anything.
The last thing I want is another person controlling my life. My mother was enough already.
***
The school was unduly boring today, not to mention the time seemed to be dragging.
I don't know why I kept feeling like I was wasting my time. It is so unlike me. If something I loved the most was studying. It gave me a sense of freedom. I could do anything I wanted without my mother following up apart from my grades and school attendance.
But today, everything seemed just wrong. The long lectures, people who kept annoying me for no reason by talking to me. Girls who kept winking and throwing their flirty stares at me.
Argh.
It was all my mom's fault for waking me up very early, and now I have to go the whole day in a foul mood.
"Bro! You back." Someone called from behind. The classes as already done, and I only stepped out of the classroom.
"You look bored." He commented, giving me a bro hug.
"I am bored," I said honestly, earning a chuckle from him.
"Your mother still bugging you?" Everyone knew my mother well and the task she gave me.
"Don't even mention it, Dave," I grumbled as we started walking away.
"Ha! And how was your trip to the province?" Dave asked, a knowing smile on his face. I am sure a particular tattle tale already told him bits of it.
He is one of my boys. Unlike Jake, who has been my best friend since childhood, Dave became my friend when we joined campus and has always been my friend ever since I could remember. He was studying medicine and was four years ahead of us.
He was studying medicine and was four years ahead of us. We referred to him as 'The wise one' as he always knew what to say.
"It was awful, bro, they were so angry, and they took it out on my baby."
"Oh! That bad."
"Tell me about it. I had to ride on the bus." Dave chuckled at my dismay face when I recalled my tires. ¨But you know about it already. Do I even want to know who told you?¨ I asked, raising an eyebrow at Dave's smiley face.
¨The one who picked you from the town, of course.¨
¨Ken,¨ I uttered his name. I already guessed it was that blabbermouth. Speaking of him,
"Whatsup ma people." A cheery voice came from behind. Without even looking, I knew it was Ken.
The youngest one in the group was studying film. He has this obsession with cameras as if his life depends on them. He is also a blabbermouth.
"Whatsup my bros." He greeted again, ruffling our hair, earning a glare from me and a smack from Dave.
"Ouch! meanie!" He grumbled, faking a hurt expression.
"So, are you coming to Brie's bash? Am the guy behind the camera." He winked, caressing his camera.
"Nah, I will be busy," I said, shaking my head.
"Since when did you start missing parties? Are you alright?" He asked, raising his hand to feel my head, to which I moved backwards.
"Dude!" I smacked his hand again.
"Hey, I am only being concerned. It's unlike you to miss parties, especially when the host is as hot as Brie." Turning towards Dave, he asked.
"What about you, Dave? Don't tell me you got to study tonight." He made a face, already knowing the answer. Dave never goes to parties without his dear girlfriend. Maybe go for drinks with us but never parties.
"Yeah, man, sorry, I preparing for some tests." He apologized, shrugging his shoulders.
"You guys are boring today. Where is Jake? He is the Mc, after all." He huffed, looking around. He was skimming around the campus when his eyes trained on a particular place. Surely when I followed his line of sight, I saw a brunet fluttering her eyelashes at him.
Without even looking back at us, he spoke in a hurried tone.
"Got to go, guys have a photo-shoot session, bye." He took off as fast as he came.
"Photo session, heh," I heard Davis sneaker besides me. I could not help but scoff at Ken's lame excuses.
Photo session my foot.
If I was a player, then Ken is the worst. He changed ladies like clothes.
With his good look, easy going personality, and not to forget coming from a wealthy
We all do.
My phone suddenly buzzed a million times in a day.
Well, not really million times, but it has been buzzing since morning! My mother has been sending messages - locations - where to look for her land. Taking a deep breath, I swiped my phone, ready to see which zone it was now, but to my surprise, It was Bibi.
'Remember our deal.' I sighed in frustration, scratching my head when another text appeared from Bibi.
Bibi: 'Smile and let your worries fade. I am serving Porridge at four?'
Was this woman a psychic? How did she know I was frowning? Somehow, I found myself salivating at the thought of that porridge. I swear Bibi must have cast a spell on me to make me miss her special dish.
With that, a smile found It's way to my face when I remembered the look on Melissa's face when we ganged up on her with Bibi.
"Dude, don't tell me you are ditching Brie's party for a date?" Dave teased with scrutinizing eyes. I almost forgot he was still with me.
"Who is that? Another fling of yours?" He cocked his eyebrow at me.
Melissa's face appeared again. Was she another fling? That we were about to find out.
"No...Yes...Maybe...I don't know." I shrugged.
"Maybe even my future mother-in-law." I teased, and he couldn't help but laugh.
"Then I am getting married right away." he joked, causing me to laugh. Checking his watch, he parted my shoulder.
"I got to go too, have another class catch you later."
I adjusted my bag on my shoulder, and my stomach growled, reminding me that I had a porridge date. I was about to leave when Brie, Amanda, and Joyce blocked my way.
"Hey, Hot stuff," Brie said, flattering her eyebrows.
"Hey, Brie." I faked a grin. Just what I needed. Have you ever watched mean girls? Yes, she is the gang leader, always a bitch to others and her little minions Amanda and Joyce are always on her heels doing her every deed.
A tall, slim body like a model, and blond - not literally blond - but the type we call slay queens. She was wearing a short white booty short, a white crop top, and long black kimono.
Her makeup was overdone smoky eyes and pale lips. Today she had black and white long braids that reached her bootie.
"So I was thinking if you could be my escort to my party?" She started twirling her hair
"Sorry, but..." I stopped before I could tell her about my plans. I don't owe her any explanations.
"If I remember correctly, today isn't your birthday, right?"
"Didn't you read the invitation? She's celebrating 100k followers on TikTok, duh!" Amanda said, puckering her lips to apply lip gloss.
What is wrong with these ladies.
"So I will see you then? You might get a special present..." she winked.
Someone shoot me now.
"Of course, I will be there." I forced another smile. Just as I was about to leave, she came unto me and whispered: "It's a pool party, by the way. I have your dessert, so don't be late."
Brie will throw a fit when I don't show up, but who cares. Then on my way, looking forward to a porridge date with my fake girlfriend.
________________________________________________________________________________
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