Back to Reality.
★★The more I try, the further apart we get
The whole of me longs to have you again
Only God knows how much more of this I can handle
Another brand new day, another round of torture.
Days are plagued with the thoughts of you.
And nights are full of dreams of my imaginations during the day Leaving behind the society standards and forces pulling us apart I wish for nothing but a new beginning with you
They say with time, love conquers all
Scared of the trial we will face by the time love conquers all That do we do when all for both of us is just as I have nothing to offer other than my love for you.★★
I signed as I folded the paper he sent to me when we started talking. Although I started receiving anonymous letters from Emilia, telling me it's from Noah. I never knew how she got to know it was from him. Even if I was happy, deep within me I wanted privacy.
The whistle was heard outside, snapping me out of my thoughts, then heavy footsteps, marching just outside our door on the hallway in the female hostel, block B to be precise.
"Mtchew…" I heard Annabel hissed right underneath my bunk. Something she does every morning when the whistle is blown, to call us out for the morning parade of course.
"I wonder if this is medically accepted, our hours of sleep is not even up to 6."
I mimic her as she says those words. It has become a routine, she would always complain of the number of hours we are given for night casualties, as it's called. We are given more than 6 hours of sleep, but Annabel being Annabel would not sleep until it's 1 am given her just four hours to sleep.
"What time did you wake up? " she asked me.
"I have been awake since 2 am."
"Oh my God. Why can't I just emulate that habit in you."
"You know it's not like I voluntarily wake up, it's the nasty nightmare I keep seeing. Besides, who sleeps at 1 and wakes up at 2? You and I know it's not possible. You can't deceive yourself, Anna. And you know it. We are to sleep by 11, and wake up at 4 am, but you would sleep at 1 am and expect not to be woken up by 4 am for the morning parade! Who does that?"
I jump down from my bunk, not minding climbing down through the annoying ladder.
"We should get going. If we don't want to be punished." I said, turning to her.
She smirked.
"Why don't we stay in today. Sneak under the bed. You know, just you and I" she winked.
Well, that's Annabel for you. She's a lesbian, and would always flirt with me at any given opportunity she could get, I know she harbors feelings for me, and would not think twice to date me if I become a lesbian,
"As much as that might look tempting, I am not staying in… sis I am straight."
"Yeah. Yeah, I know.."
We both marched out of the room, putting on our black leggings and blue top, with a bottle of water each, a wristwatch, and a calorie counter. If that's even a word.
"Allahu akbar." We heard the voice of the Muslim head at the other side of the camp, as we walked back to the dorm, they were having their prayers. All thanks to Anna, I couldn't attend the morning Christians prayer today.
We got in our room, rushed with our bathing and morning routines.
"What's it for today Anna?"
"You asking me like I work in the kitchen." She replied with an eyebrow.
"Let's just go already…"
"I pray we get posted to the same hospital today," Annabel said.
Annabel Thompson is my fourth roommate actually. She was the last to join the camp, also with the fact that my room had an extra bed, based on the fact that one of my roommates noticed she was with child, so she had to leave the camp. My other two roommates requested for a change of camp, I don't know why tho, but I feel it's because of Annabel's sexuality. To me, I see no reason to stay away from her, she's someone so nice, even if I am not a lesbian that does not mean I should isolate myself from her, or I should neglect her. They are all hypocrites.
We got to the class, like always, we met people in the front seat.
"Those bitches are there again," Annabel uttered.
"I just wonder if they sleep in class." She chuckled.
We sat in the third row, close to the wall, and watched as people came in after us. Within minutes the class was full. I tried my best not to take my eyes in his direction but I failed woefully because I found myself staring at him with the intensity I had always used before. The only difference is that this is filled with hatred and not love like before.
"Hey, your knuckles are getting all white up from folding your palm so aggressively, you shouldn't let him spoil your mood every single day. He's not worth being in the same hall with you, talk less of you gazing at him." Anna tried pacifying my mood, but it seems I wasn't in for her prep talk today.
I stared at him for a long time till he turned his face to look at me, then I muttered what I have always wanted to tell him, "I hate you." His face pales out, with mine resulting in a devilish smile.
My mind drifted back to the past with him, when the word 'us' started. I remember I was so happy to be in the church that faithful Sunday when all his tantrums started. I had worn my finest gown, as mum just got them for me from the modiste downtown. I tied my scarf with utmost care, so I won't roughen my already straightened hair. I added lip balm, then sprayed a little of Emilia's perfume, so I won't choke. The scent is not that obvious unless you come really close to me. I am doing all of this because I am to serve at the altar again, close to Noah and his crews. Besides, Emilia said she saw him checking me out last night when we had gone for some special meetings. So I took extra time in taking care of myself this morning.
It's still quite early, as I couldn't sleep until late, still that didn't stop me from waking up quite early. Emilia is still on her bed sleeping, oblivious of what I am doing. I am sure if she's awake she would have caked my face in a series of powder and those nasty choking specks of dust she called makeup. I smiled in satisfaction at the result of my hard work. Haha
"Why are you dressed this early?" I was jolted out of my trance, or imagination whatever it is you may call it, immediately I heard Emilia questioned.
"Good morning Emilia" I greeted, trying to avoid her question.
"Don't try to avoid my question, I asked why you are dressed this early? And good morning to you too."
"Don't I go to church early?" I answered with a question, an act I am quite aware that she hates.
"Diana Aurora Daniels " She called all of my names. Okay, now she's pissed.
"I just want to go to church early, and I don't see anything bad in that," I answered with both of my hands demonstrating what I just said.
"You and I know that you are telling a lie, now tell me why you are going to the church this early…" She asked with a tone of finality.
"Urgh * I groaned and stomp my feet on the wooden decking* Can't I have my privacy anymore?"
"Oh really? Is that it? Okay. I think mum and dad should know what their nun of a daughter has turned into. Lusting after Elder Clayton's first son." She threatened.
"Okay, you don't have to do that now you know. I got posted at the altar, and since you said you saw him check me out in my casuals last night, I thought it will be best if I umm, you know try and." I began to itch my neck, while she had that mischievous smile laced on her cheeks.
"You want to impress a guy. You are so funny. Anyways he saw your uncovered legs for the first time yesterday, that's why he was checking you out, and now you are caked in this gown of yours, that am sure would sweep the stairs. Wait why did you even pick out these clothes.?"
"Is it bad?" I asked instead of answering her question.
"Diana, are you really bent on ruining my mood this Sunday morning?"
"Oh, I am so sorry, I actually picked the clothes because I would be staying on the altar stairways, so I want them to lay on the stairs behind me."
"Be sure to get the most decently and beautifully dressed sister award in the church today. "
"Really? Oh my God, I am so happy…"
My parents interrupted our little chat, it's my mum actually with her screams of "Emilia, Aurora Get dressed, you have just ten minutes more."
I got a lot of stares and praises even from Noah himself who complimented my dressing. My parents were so proud of me that very day. Just like Emilia had said, I got awarded for the most decently and beautifully dressed sister that day, not only that. Rev Neil permanently made me an altar warder. So I got a seat at the altar, behind the altar boys of course.
After church service that day, I was in the church store, where I was to keep the holy book that was used during service. That was when it all started.
"Your gown, it looks so exquisite" I heard that voice behind me. It's a voice I have come to remember, that even in the dream, I would distinctly know it.
"Oh. Thank you, sir Noah." I bend my head a little, showing a sign of respect.
"You don't have to thank me, I am just being honest. It's really beautiful."
I couldn't contain my smile. I had to face down because I could even feel the heat coming from my face.
I turned to leave after I was done with what I had gone to the store to do when I almost tripped on my gown. I was expecting to land on a hard surface, but that hand came and held me, pulling me to a hard wall, that i go to know was Noah's chest after a few second. My mind went blank when I saw his face so close to mine. My hands were on his shoulder, I have never been this close to him.
"Aurora, you are so beautiful. " He muttered with his lips so close to mine, and his distinctly blue eyeball, staring straight into my soul. His left hand rose to caress my cheeks, moving towards my lower lips, while i was still in dazed of his charm.
"Your lips are so soft Aurora. I wanna them between mine so bad." He whispered licking his lower lips. Heaven knows i wanted that kiss…
"Ahem" we heard someone cough out at the door, making me jump out of his embrace. We both turn towards the door to see who it was, only to see his best friend Harry with that stupid grin i wanna knock of his face, he had to spoil our moment. I quickly walked out of the store, after whispering his greetings, pulling my gown up along with me…