Chapter 79: Kenn’s Whereabouts
I looked at Tomi and waited. Instead of answering, he burst into laughter while clutching his stomach. I glared at him angrily.
“Tomi, stop laughing!” I stomped my foot in frustration. Tomi was truly testing my patience until it felt like my head was about to explode.
“This is not funny!” I added irritably. “I am seriously looking for him.”
“All right, I will not laugh anymore. This time I am serious.” Tomi cleared his throat several times, though traces of laughter still lingered at the corner of his lips. “Before I answer, I want to know first, why are you looking for him? It just feels funny. Usually you two only argue every time you meet. You should be happy that Kenn is not here.”
“Happy? How can I be happy when my mind is a mess because of him?” I shot back sharply.
I rubbed my face in frustration. “Good grief, Tomi. I truly do not understand your cousin. You know, Kenn once helped me when my last shred of hope was almost gone. He restrained Farah’s hand when dozens of cockroaches were about to be put into my uniform. You saw it yourself, did you not? He was the first person who took the initiative to bring me to the hospital, and he was also the one who paid all the administrative fees.”
“That is not a small thing,” I continued, my voice trembling. “I cannot pretend that I do not care.”
Tomi’s eyes widened. “What did you just say? Kenn helped you from Farah’s torment?”
I nodded quickly. “There is more. Earlier Mr. Ahmad said that Kenn was also the one who submitted the video recording of Farah bullying me. Because of that video, I was not expelled from school. And just when I wanted to ask him for an explanation, he suddenly disappeared. Do you know where Kenn went?”
“He really went that far?” Tomi murmured, as if talking to himself.
Tomi’s body seemed to tense up. He fell silent for a moment. A few moments later, he grinned, an expression whose meaning I could not understand.
“You really have no idea, do you,” he muttered softly.
“Tomi.” I shook my head weakly. “I have started to give up trying to guess.”
“I think I know the reason Kenn did something that reckless,” he said quietly. “But for now, I can only tell you about his whereabouts.”
I frowned. “What do you mean? Where is Kenn anyway? Do not make me even more confused,” I said impatiently.
“Yesterday, Kenn was asked by Uncle Tama to leave for Germany,” Tomi replied calmly. “There is a problem at one of our companies there, and only Kenn can handle it.”
“What?” My chest felt tight. “Germany? Why now?” I asked again, almost in a whisper.
“Why? Are you starting to miss him?” Tomi teased while narrowing his eyes.
“How long? I need an answer, Tomi,” I pressed, ignoring Tomi’s earlier remark.
“Maybe five days, a week, or even two weeks,” Tomi replied. “I also do not know for sure. It all depends on how quickly Kenn finishes his work.”
“Two weeks? That is too long!” I complained without realizing it.
Tomi walked closer to me, then casually stroked my hair.
“Your expression is funny,” he said with a small chuckle. He grinned widely. “Just relax, you only need to prepare your heart. Sooner or later, Kenn will definitely be honest.”
“And believe me,” he continued, “you will not be ready to hear it.”
I froze.
My mind suddenly felt sluggish. I was still trying to process the meaning of Tomi’s words. I was sure it had something to do with the reason Kenn had been helping me all this time.
But what did that have to do with preparing my heart?
“Tomi, where are you going?” I shouted when I saw Tomi suddenly walking away.
I scratched my head in confusion, then only realized it when my hand stopped at the right side of my hair, which now felt empty.
“Damn it, Tomi!” I yelled spontaneously. “Do not run away. Give my hair clip back!”
“Come and take it yourself if you can!” Tomi shouted back from a distance.
He had already walked away first, laughing lightly, leaving me with countless questions that still had no answers.
............................................