REGISTERING
[MARTHA's POV]
"Leave me be" I shouted at my dad as he tried to pull the sheets off me.
"Not today Martha. This time around, you are going to do as I say" he shouted back at me. I had the sheets above my head and I was using my hand to hold the hem of the sheet while my dad was pulling at the hem of the sheet at my feet. As he was pulling, I was dragging. I would not let him win this time also.
He soon left the sheets and my hands went flying to the wooden headboard above my head. On painful contact, I peeled the sheet off me and rubbed the back of my hand.
"Now that is not fair old man" I teased as I sat up on the bed trying to wear a very displeased look. ''Life is what is not fair Martha. I know how much you have wanted to study in college all this while and suddenly you do not want to. I know you have always loved English Literature Martha, so go for it. You deserve all the best in life and you are still very young. I think I know what or who is responsible for this change in attitude but I am not going to make mention of it because I know you don't want to but do this for your old man Martha'' he said to me, looking pleadingly at me.
"First of all dad, nobody is responsible for anything and I am sorry for making you worry. Second of none, you deserve an award for that grand speech. Thanks, I am going to get ready now so if you mind, please use the door" I said to my dad as I pointed towards the door.
''You are just getting worse day by day'' he said to me as he was walked towards the door.
''One more thing, combat classes have been put on hold and I have told the management not to assign any task to you till you get a foot hold in school and most importantly, do not take forever to get ready. Breakfast would be ready in twenty five minutes and you sure know your brothers would not even spare you a leftover if you arrive a second late'' he finished as he turned the knob of my door and closed it quietly.
"Wuuu! Today is going to be a long day" I said to myself as I headed towards the bathroom. Recalling my dad's last words, I walked faster to the bathroom and started my morning routine.
I brushed my teeth with my special toothbrush that has Maureen Fetchers, my favourite musical artist, pasted an inch before the brush itself, then I had my bath and applied the little skin care products I thought were necessary. My brothers always commented that I was not girl enough but who cares!
I opened my closet and opted for a black T-shirt with a blue jean ripped in the knees with Cameroon boots to look a little chic. I packed my hair high on my head and loved the way some strands still fell at the sides, it made me feel prettier. I applied some mascara to seal off the feminine dark theme I mostly choose to look and a transparent gloss to avoid chapped lips at the end of the day. I slung a mini black backpack, checked myself in my full length mirror and blew a kiss towards my reflection. Damn! I am a total femme fatale.
As I closed my door, the two doors at my right opened simultaneously revealing Mike and Seth. Immediately we glanced at each other, a silent understanding was established. A RACE! Just like other times when we started seeing each other as family, we would run to the kitchen to see who gets there first - just for the fun of it.
I had two seconds head start because my room was closer to the stairs and I had already closed my door. I could hear their legs trying to eat up the space I just covered but I was not going to give them the satisfaction of getting to the kitchen before me. They were constantly throwing side blows at each other as they also competed. I was soon at the foot of the stairs to my joy and delight but the race was far from over.
"Out of the way" I shouted towards my dad who was placing some things into the freezer.
He quickly shifted as he knew what was coming next and I used all the strength within me coupled with the trainings I had gotten to run the last lap of the race. I made a slide of victory into the kitchen and turned back to see Michael and Seth pulling at each other's cloth to prevent one another from entering. My dad and I laughed at that and I high fived my dad.
"Would both of you just be civilized and come let's have breakfast that is running cold?" my dad asked the boys.
"Martha, please make a count of three for a simultaneous release" Seth said or rather groaned because Michael was holding his shirt close to his neck and he was looking choked. He was already turning a shade of red and I readily agreed.
"Alright boys, on the count of three you both leave each other. Do you both agree?" I asked turning from Michael to Seth.
With a popping vein in the middle of Seth's forehead, he grunted a 'yes' while Michael confidently half-shouted a 'sure'.
'One! Two! Three!' I called out with an interval of one second at each count.
Michael immediately released Seth but Seth being the con artist, still had a solid grip on Michael's shirt and dragged Michael back with both hands and ran into the kitchen with tears at the rim of his eyes and joy emanating off his face.
Michael walked into the kitchen some seconds later looking very dissatisfied. "That is not fair" he said to us all as we laughed at the little banter that just went on.
"Life is what is not fair Michael Jordan" I replied him as the three of us drew seats from under the table in the kitchen as we awaited our breakfast.
"Have you been reading some prose or poetry this time around Martha?" asked Michael.
"Nope! I heard this one from a wise old man"I replied as I winked towards my dad who smiled in comprehension.
"Enough of the bicker and let's have breakfast" dad said as he placed our plates before us.
"Breakfast smells nice but I have no idea what it is" commented Seth".
"You always have no idea what you eat" Michael said and made a face that read 'how ignorant'.
Breakfast consisted of chicken and waffles and we thanked our dad in turns. I brought the food to my nose as I took in the spicy flavour. We held hands and my dad blessed the food and thanked GOD for yet another provision. We soon dug in and made small talk before my dad took me for my registration at the big UA.
"Call me if you need anything angel" said my dad as he patted my head. He always said patting me on the head was a good luck charm. I got down from his car and wished him a good day. I watched as he drove away before I turned to face the front gate of the prestigious University of Abroin.
I entered the gate and met students who walked in a hurried fashion as they went about their businesses. I took out my phone and searched for the map of the school. I used the map to locate the Administration Block.
As I marched up the stairs , some group of guys that were jogging ran past me and hit a girl who was arranging her bag at the top of the stairs and all the materials in her bag poured to the ground. The boys did not even turn around to apologise but continued jogging. I was pissed at the sight but they were far gone before I could give some needed scoldings.
I began to pick some of the papers that flew on the stairs and I met the girl half way up the stairs. I gave her the collected items and she was grateful.
"Thanks so much" she said as she collected the materials from my hand and placed them in her Saint Montgomery's bag. She looked back to the back of the boys that were far away already and muttered a possible curse word under her breath. I laughed at the scowling expression she wore on her face. She noticed and turned towards my direction. "Hi I'm Lily Mark" she said as she stretched her hand that did not hold her bag towards me. I shook hands with her and said out of courtesy "I'm Martha Jordan".
My hand felt smaller under hers and I felt some calluses on her slightly rough palm. "So where are you headed?" she asked as she zipped her bag close.
"I really do not know but I am in search of where registrations take place for English and Literature students".
"Lucky you! I know the place because it is also the course I am going to be studying''. We are course mates. Cool!
"This way" she pointed towards the left part of the building and we started walking in the pointed direction.
I was very tired after the registrations of the day as Lily and I sat on a bench that was by the way side in the school. We sat down with some snacks and drinks we got from a booth. After eating, we exchanged our phone numbers. She saved my name as 'friend' and I saved hers as 'amigo'. She told me to download an app known as 'Messagey' so we could chat frequently. I obliged right there before we parted ways.
I called my dad to come pick me up and in fifteen minutes time, he was at my school gate. I was quite shocked because I knew that although we lived in Abroin, the distance from our house to the school was about fourth five minutes. He must have noticed the confusion on my face and tried to clear my doubts by telling me that he had something to do around but I knew that he had been waiting for me. I decided to play stupid as I made myself comfortable in his nicely scented car and he handed me a bag of plantain chips as he speedily rode us home.
I was asleep when we arrived and dad had to tap me for a while before I woke up. I was soaking tired and I needed rest. I sluggishly picked my bag and dragged myself towards the house.
I opened the door to see the boys on the three seater couch with a lot of snacks surrounding them as they watched a football match. They looked towards my direction and carried on watching the match. My dad entered and they greeted my dad only, acting like I was invisible.
"I see that I have become so minute to be noticed by you guys" I said to them, suddenly putting my tiredness aside as I wove my arms across my chest.
"Can't you overlook some things?" Seth asked while chewing popcorn providing me with the opportunity to see the paste he formed on 'proper chewing'. Disgusting.
"You guys are just unbelievable for reals. I'm just coming back from a long day and this is how you treat me! Well, if this is how you guys want it, two can play the game per fect ly' I told them as I emphasized on the last word in staccato. I rolled my eyes at them and went towards the stairs.
I had barely walked three steps up the stairs when I slipped and fell. I rolled down the three steps I just walked past and held my waist in pain.
''What in the heavens?'' my dad came rushing from the kitchen as I heard a ridiculous guffawing from my brothers.
''Welcome back sister'' they both said in unison amidst their laughter as they held their bellies and a tear slipped from the corner of Seth's left eye.
''This is pay back for the dead rats you placed in our closets last week'' Michael reminded me. Understanding flashed in my eyes and I was mystified.
''Was that why the both of you did this to her?'' my dad asked with concern in his voice as he picked me up from the ground. I acted like the fall had caused an injury on my knee as I rubbed it in circles severally while making hiss like sounds that made it seem like I was in pain.
''Did you really hurt yourself?'' Michael asked and came to check up on me. Seth turned down the volume of the television and watched as Michael came to also rub soothing circles on my knee.
With Michael in close range, I immediately released my hand from my dad's and held Michael in a choke hold. I held him in a way he would not be able to flip me over.
''I knew she was dangerous but I just did not know the extent'' said Seth as his eyes widened in reasoning with the little revenge I just carried out.
My dad shook his head and headed back to the kitchen. After several fruitless taps on my arm from Michael, I released him as he fell to the floor already turning a shade of red. He eyed me evilly as he stood up to grab water from the kitchen. I watched as he chugged down the cold water before I went back upstairs. As I went back up, I touched every stair before walking on it and skipped the one that had oil on.
I got to the safety of my room and I was relieved. I threw my bag to my bed before I threw myself on it. I loved as it bounced me a little due to the force I used in laying down and the nature of my bed. It was soothing and it was comfortable. It was just what I needed. After emptily staring at the ceiling for a couple of minutes, I stood up as I discovered I was getting drowsy. I did not want to sleep in the clothes I was in and I still needed to have a relaxing bath.
I got out of my clothes and boots and ran myself a bath. I sat on the edge of the bath tub as I added the vanilla smelling soap wash with some epsom salt. I hummed the song 'feeling good' by Michael Buble as I loosened my bath robe. I remembered I had not gotten the most important and classic ingredient. MY SUPPOSED RED WINE.
I went to the mini fridge in my room and took out my Alvine strawberry juice that had a red colour. In alone moments like these, I refer to it as red wine. I sometimes wish that my dad could let me get some wine but he said he does not trust me enough to have only a decent quantity. I remember when I tried sneaking two bottles into my room. I was a percentage close to victory when on opening my door, I saw Seth seated on my bed and on seeing the loot in my hands, shouted at the top of his lungs so my dad would know. I still haven't made him pay for that yet. The cheeky fool.
I poured a generous quantity to a wine glass in my room. I took the stool I use in reaching out to my shoes that are placed on a wooden slate above my closet and placed the wine on it. I carried them both and placed very close to my bath tub where my hand would easily reach. I took my phone, went to my music playlist and played the song I was humming earlier. I got out of my bath robe and dipped a toe into the water. It was still hot, just what I wanted.
I held the edges of the tub and gently slid in enjoying the way the warmth of the water enveloped me on immersion. I took my supposed red wine and downed a little quantity. I rested my back and tilted my head, closed my eyes, savouring the feel of the juice running down my system and the sensations I was getting on my outer body.
I began to reminiscence a particular time when I felt this tingly. It was the last time I saw Nathan.
Level three combatants were having combat lessons in one of The Heart's underground hideouts and he walked in looking ravishing as always in a black shirt and black plain trousers with an Italian Tomasso shoe, looking every ounce a male fatale.
He rested by the wall as he watched us take instructions from our instructor. I could feel his eyes trained on me and as good as that sounded, I got self conscious and became quite stiff on instances I was supposed to be flexible. I was a little uncomfortable but I liked it. I was also a little mad at him because I had not seen him for a week prior to that time. I felt probably it was because the last time we were together, we were close to kissing, I was close to getting my first true kiss before a call from his phone disrupted us.
When we were done, he displayed our newly upgraded wrist gadget that was both like a phone- for communication and a pen knife for defense, on the projector screen in the hall. I knew he was the one that created it because he had shown me some designs and the displayed one was the one I chose.
''This particular design was chosen by someone I really admire and someone whose presence I always look forward to being in, so this design was chosen by the best. It is best for easy operations and it also gives a fancy look'' he had said casting a glance my way. I had blushed from his unnecessary flattery.
He selected two combatants amongst us that were going to be using the gadget alongside Level five combatants for an operation the next week. I felt so proud of him. He was in charge of the technological area of The Hearts and has invented and improved a lot of gadgets and machineries.
At our dismissal, I was about to go with the rest when he called me back. I did be a liar if I said I was not expecting it in the slightest. With a look of innocence and feigned surprise, I turned back to answer him.
''You were quite rigid in your movements today Martha. It seemed like you have been slacking off a lot in your personal trainings. Care to spar with me?'' he asked looking me enchantingly in my eyes, like I could ever refuse. I wondered why he was even asking, probably he was just trying to act gentlemanly.
Stutteringly I answered, ''No... I mean yes'' as I tore my gaze a little forcefully from his. He was so alluring and I was always almost a mess whenever I was around him.
''So what's it gonna be Milky Way?'' he asked unbuttoning his shirt in readiness to change.
''It's a yes, sorry for that. I'm just going to go to the ring and do a little warm up before you are done'' I answered as I started widening and closing my legs in mock demonstration of my response in a bid to save myself from drooling at his perfectly sculptured abs that were revealing with his shirt slightly opened. I hope I make it through this spar session without doing something regrettable or rather unforgettable.
''Alright" he said and smiled that lopsided smile that tugged at my heart strings in various ways. I jogged to the ring as he turned around to the direction of the dressing room.
I was shadow boxing and had my thoughts collected as I heard him enter the ring. Turning to face him almost shattered the wall I built around my thoughts. He was shirtless and had a grey loose short on with black running shoes while I was on a tasteless green sports' bra, navy blue fitness leggings and smelled like a pig sty.
We took our stances and positioned our hands in readiness to spar. "Keep your eyes on me Martha" he said in a serious voice. I did as I was told as we closed in on each other.
"Breathe and concentrate" he said as we held each other above the elbows "and never let your guard down" he uttered as he pulled down my right hand. I aimed for his head with my right leg but he easily went under. Before I could turn around, he held me and on a choke hold. He did not hold me so tight that I was unable to breathe but it was very inconvenient. I held his arm and using my back, pushed him to my stronger side and flipped him. With him on the floor, I straddled him and placed both my hands on his neck like I wanted to strangle him. What a mock attempt!
My tiny hands could not go round his neck and the gesture made the both of us laugh. He swatted my hands away from his neck and switched our positions in one smooth and swift movement.
I was now under him and he was hovering above me with a strong big hand on the side of my waist. It was like the serious atmosphere that was present a while ago was never there because it was soon replaced with a kind of tension. Sexual tension.
We have both been avoiding it for so long and with our current proximity it was unavoidable. ''Beautiful'' he breathed in a low and strained voice and I might not have heard it if I was not that close.
He stayed there looking at me inten notly and I began to squirm lightly under his gaze. My eyes flickered from his chest to his belly to the top of his head but not his eyes. I placed my hand that was not under his arm on his chest to push him slightly away from myself as I felt tingly all over and extremely shy but the next second he held my hands with his above my head and kissed me.
A warm feeling spread in the walls of my stomach. The kiss started off as gentle as an evening breeze but soon became wild and demanding. I freed my hands from his and pulled his neck closer to me. Our sweaty bellies met and our hands roamed shamelessly all over our upper regions. It was eccentric and I was elated.
His hand reached under my sports' bra and he grazed the underlying of my breast with two of his fingers. He was about to hike it higher when the speaker in the room announced that any one inside should evacuate the building because it was about to be locked.
The kiss was broken abruptly and he looked a little tipsy. I was sure I was looking pretty flustered myself. He got off me and pulled me up with himself.
"I'm sorry this happened" he said to me and made a hundred and eighty degrees turn. I watched as his back was turned to me and he walked away. I felt like a fool.
I ordered a cab and while waiting for my ride, I organized my things, threw a shirt over my body and went out of the building to the part of the street my ride would be able to access. I fumed and waited in anger till my ride arrived and took me home.
''Stupid! Stupid!'' I muttered to myself as I opened my eyes. My pathetic heart could not just move on from that with ease - probably it was because he was the first guy to be truly interested in me for me but for whatever reason I became angry at him and at myself.
I hastily scrubbed my skin and after washing myself, got out of the already cold water. After drying myself, I moisturized my skin and wore a proper nightie.
''Dinner is served'' my dad called from downstairs.
I put on a flip flop and went to join my family for dinner. The boys were unusually calm probably because they noticed my mood but my dad was his usual calm and collected self.
''Did anything rare happen during the registrations?'' my dad asked.
''Nothing rare but normal. I made a new friend'' I said to brighten up the atmosphere.
I rose my head from my food due to the clanking of spoons and was met with searching gazes from Michael and Seth.
''Why do you both have that befuddled looks on?'' I asked pointing my spoon at them.
"That is a first for someone who vowed to take online classes'' said my dad sarcastically.
''Is she living?"
"Is she real?'' Michael and Seth asked consecutively.
''Of course, but I never said it was a female''' I teased.
''Some boy!'' my dad exclaimed or more of growled.
''Chill dad, it's a girl'' I said in between chuckles and choking of food. I drank from my cup of water as a tear fell from my eye. My family is sure dramatic. When I calmed down, I told them of her as they still didn't tear their gazes off me.
''Her name is Lily and she is also my course mate. How superb! She is quite a funny girl and she is beautiful'' I told them, directing the last part to my brothers.
"Can I see her picture?'' Seth asked.
''Not in this life'' I replied.
''So mean!'' he barked and continued with his food.
''Seems there is something apart from studies for to look forward to in UA and that's a good thing'' my dad said with a smile as he reached across the table and patted my head.
Author's Note: I hope you really liked this chapter because more interesting chapters are coming up.
I love you all