Chapter 97 HIDDEN ESCAPE
GODIVA POV
“I’m really sorry Diva, I didn’t intend to keep this away from you,” Jerald pleaded, following behind as we left the principal’s office.
“Jerald, please let me be. I’ve had enough trouble for a day, so take your explanations somewhere else,” I snapped coldly before walking away.
The second I entered the class, followed by Jerald, every eye turned to us. Mouths whispered, lips curved into knowing smiles, as though everyone had predicted that was going to happen.
“Baby girl,” Dina called emotionally, turning to me the second I sat down.
Ignoring her, I searched my bag for my notepad. I knew the slightest mistake of replying her would make the tears already welled up in my eyes begin to pour.
Immediately the bell rang for closing, I rushed out of the class, followed by Dina who chased after me to catch up.
We walked home that day in silence until Dina suggested we stopped by a dance school at the Nurses’ Quarters so I could shake off some steam and cheer up before Mama suspected a thing.
“There’s no point Di, she still needs to know I’m not dating Jerald again,” I muttered coldly.
“Mama will definitely know, but not right now.” Dina’s voice softened persuasively as she walked beside me. “If she sees you this gloomy, she’ll pester, and when you tell her, she’d smile because she warned you.” She paused, then raised her brows playfully. “Plus, you haven’t exactly broken up yet.”
“Whatever dude,” I grumbled, heading in the direction of the dance school. Dina and I had learnt a large part of our dancing just by watching the dancers when we were little.
At the dance school, Dina and I went to the rehearsal studio where a number of people were learning how to dance Salsa. For some reason, Dina and I had always found Salsa funny, specifically because of their posture, and we always imitated and made fun of the dancers, which was how we learnt that particular dance.
“Di twins, come in,” the dance director, Miss Sabastian, ushered us in the second she sighted us through the glass.
Miss Sabastian had been the dance director there for as long as I could remember. She refused getting married because, according to her, a man would come in the way of her exploring other cultures and learning their dances.
We sat at a corner watching the others dance before Miss Sabastian stretched her hand toward me to partner up with her. I guessed she noticed my mood.
I began laughing on the dance floor. Salsa wasn’t something you’d start moody and end moody with, just like Dina predicted.
After the dance session, we interacted with Miss Sabastian, who kept saying funny things that made me almost forget all that happened at school.
Finally, we left and carefully strolled back home, interacting normally, with no one bringing up what happened at school.
“Diva honey, you’re back!” Mama beamed, coming to hug me the second I stepped inside the house.
“Okay, that’s a little strange Mama,” I teased with a sarcastic smile.
“Don’t I always do this?” Mama laughed, grinning.
“Not exactly,” I replied suspiciously as I headed toward my room.
“Hurry up and change, then come downstairs for some dessert,” Mama added as I climbed the screeching rugged staircase leading to my room.
“Did you say desserts?” I gasped, my eyes lighting up instantly.
“Yes, so be quick about it,” Mama laughed from downstairs.
Mama knew how crazy I was about desserts because, growing up, I had a limit to taking sugary things. Mama always claimed the amount of sugar in desserts wasn’t good for me.
Before I changed and went downstairs, Mama had already prepared the table for me. The table was filled with a bucket of ice cream, syrup and caramel toppings, wafer cones, glazed doughnuts, and so many other sugary things.
“Okay Mama, now I’m scared,” I confessed, staring at the dessert-filled table in shock. “What’s all these for?” I added, pointing dramatically at the table.
“It’s nothing much,” Mama replied with a suspicious smile as she pulled out a chair for me.
“Whatever it is, hope I can take some of these to Dina?” I asked sweetly, flashing her a cute smile.
“Sure honey,” Mama answered warmly, scooping ice cream into the cone for me.
All through dessert, Mama kept staring at me until I finished eating, which only made me more nervous.
When I finished and she still kept looking at me without saying a word, I became even more unsettled. Different guesses and questions kept running through my mind.
“Mama, does all this have to do with the competition result?” I blurted eagerly.
“No baby, no,” Mama dismissed quickly.
“Hmph.” I heaved a sigh of relief. “Then can you please say something so this tension reduces?”
“Alright honey,” Mama chuckled lightly.
“I want you to spend the spring break at Mama Anne’s house,” she finally announced.
“What Mama Anne are you talking about?” I frowned in confusion before realization suddenly hit me. “Mama Anne... as in my godmother?” I exclaimed in shock.
“Yes baby,” Mama answered calmly. “She wants you over for the break, and this is the first. Think about it, you finally get to visit your godmother, go to a different environment from here, explore, make new friends. Plus, there’ll be a crochet class, and you’ve always wanted to learn crochet,” Mama persuaded gently, trying to convince me.
“Mama, I know, but that’s your trauma.” My voice dropped somberly. “That’s where Mr Blank and you ended. Are you really fine with me going there? What if I meet him? Plus, I’ve never been away from Dina, and crocheting is something I can learn whenever.”
“I understand your worries baby,” Mama soothed, patting my shoulders softly. “But you do not have a trauma there, and I’m sure that man isn’t there. I heard he left town after what he did to us. Even if he’s there, he can’t possibly guess you’re his child since you look nothing like him.”
Mama paused briefly before continuing reassuringly.
“And Dina? Dina would hold on just fine while you’re away. Plus, she can join you toward the end.”
I stayed quiet for a moment, thinking deeply about everything.
“What if this is all you need Div? To escape and totally forget all about Jerald. You just need to put up with him until the term comes to an end, and you can rest assured he wouldn’t be able to come looking for you at All Saints,” I thought to myself silently.
“I’d go Mama,” I finally announced.
I could instantly see Mama’s face light up with happiness.
“But I need to tell Dina first, right now, before I decide with every certainty.”