(037 - ... and More Attractions.)

Just so you know, issnur me that made Simi's mum collapse o 🤧. These people haff hijacked the book from me and are writing it on their own. I don't know who came up with that crazy idea for Kendra collapsing. I just hope she's okay 😩.

I'm still trying to decide the ship name to give Simi and Hilary. Popular opinion loves #Silary more, but I feel #Sidara sounds better. Maybe I'd have decided by the end of this chapter and I'll let you know in the author's note down below 😌.

Be ready for some awning o😌. Lots of it🌚.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

𝐒𝐈𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐀
(Simisola André Jordan)

Legs banging against the floor in a frenzy.

Tires screeching against the titles.

Dad screaming for help.

Doctors and Nurses calling on each other for assistance as they ran towards us.

These were all the things that were happening as the paramedics wheeled my unconscious mum on the gurney through the glass doors and into the hospital. Dad and I didn't move from the sides of the gurney, helping the paramedics wheel her faster into the hospital. Doctors and nurses began to join us at all corners, holding to rails.

With clouded vision, I looked down at my mum, lying there on the gurney, looking lifeless. I couldn't help the small sob that escaped my lips.

Mum, please...

"What's the status?" One of the doctors that just joined asked the paramedic.

"Patient was unresponsive when we got to her," The paramedic answered. "She has a pulse but it's weak, so we gave her oxygen." He added, and the doctor nodded, turning to his team.

"Okay, I need everyone on my mark." He gave an order I didn't understand. "Wheel the patient to the ER. Let's go." He clapped his hands and the wheeling got faster. Way faster that I couldn't keep up.

That same moment, a nurse came held mine and my Dad's hand pulling us away from the gurney.

"I'm so sorry, but I'll need you both to stay back." She said. Of course, Dad wasn't having it.

"What do you mean you want us to stay back!" He snapped at her, so hard that the petite woman flinched. "That's my wife. You can't tell me to stay back!" He yelled again, pointing to where the doctors and nurses disappeared to.

Staring at the closed door of the theatre, tears began dropping from my eyes in beads. I quickly wiped it off before Dad would see it. But when I looked up and saw that he was staring at me - glaring at me, I knew he had seen me.

He hated seeing me cry.

"Dad..." I whispered, shaking my head as I vigorously tried to wipe the tears off.

"And why are you crying!" He snapped at me. I flinched, veering at how harsh he sounded. He turned away from the nurse and looked at me, eyes flaming with so much anger. "Tell me why you are crying!" He screamed again, making me flinch again.

And to make matters worse, the tears didn't stop flowing. If anything it got worse, cascading down my face like a torrent no matter how much I tried to wipe it off.

Stop, Simi. Stop! I tried to cajole myself to stop crying but nothing was happening.

"Dad..." I choke out between tears, using the back of my palm to clean the never-ending tears. And just like a Total idiot, Dad was the only thing I could muster. That was all I could say.

And of course, it annoyed him even more because he charged towards me in rage, caging me to the wall.

"Stop crying, goddamn it!"

He bellowed, yelling in my face with so much furiosity, it scared the living daylight out of me. My eyes flew shut as I threw my head to the side, covering my mouth with my palm to stop the sobs from getting louder and louder. But it was no use.

I just won't stop crying.

"If you don't stop shouting, I'll be forced to send you out!" Someone snapped an entirely new voice. A man. I could feel my Dad's presence slowly departing from me, causing me to open my eyes though I didn't back away from the wall.

I didn't recognize him, but he and my Dad were locked in an intense stare. He was glaring furiously at Dad, who seemed to have suddenly calmed down at the sight of him. Either that, or he realized he was causing a scene, a very embarrassing scene because everyone on that hallway had stopped to stare at him disdainfully.

Still, I wouldn't stop crying. Couldn't stop the sobs as they escaped my lips, my shoulders shaking furiously. The nurse from earlier rushed to me, taking my hand in hers as she pulled me away from the wall, leading me to go and sit down.

"It's okay," She said softly to me, wrapping her hands around my shoulder in a bid to calm me down. I buried my face in my palm, sobbing softly.

"Demilade, we just wheeled Kendra into the ER. Simi is scared out of his mind, so the last thing he needs right now is for you to be yelling at him." The man chided my Dad hushed tones, but I heard him loud and clear.

Somehow, it felt kinda nice to see someone other than mum having my back with Dad. But that wasn't what surprised me.

I was majorly surprised by the fact that he had called my parents by their first names. and even more surprised that he knew my name. Yet, I can bet that I've never met this man before and I don't think I've ever heard of him.

How does he know my parents? How does he know me? I couldn't help but ask myself.

I watched my Dad's shoulder sag, turning his head over his shoulder to look at me but I quickly looked away from him, not wanting to meet his eyes. The nurse beside me sighed, rubbing soothing circles to my back as I tried to catch my breath, still trying to stop the tears from falling.

"I'm sorry," I heard Dad mutter, but I knew the apology wasn't for me but the doctor man. My Dad has not opened his mouth to apologize to me in a long time. "I'm just scared, Desmond. I'm really scared." He whispered, and with the tone of his voice, I don't think he was meaning for me to hear.

But I did. And by God, I've never heard my dad sound so scary and shaken like he did right now.

"I understand, Demi. Believe me, I do," The doctor, who Dad had called Desmond said, taking his hand to touch my Dad's shoulder. "But you have to calm down." He added. Dad let in a shaky breath like he was trying to calm himself down, nodding at what the doctor had said.

Why were they talking like they knew something I didn't?

Doctor Desmond brushed past my Dad and began walking towards me, possibly signaling to the nurse to leave because she left my side. I didn't raise my head, but I could hear his footsteps advancing towards me. I finally looked up when I felt the man squat in front of me, meeting his eyes with mine. He smiled at me, but I didn't have the strength to smile back.

I don't even think there is a reason to smile back. Not when I haven't heard anything from my Mummy.

"Hello, Simi." He began, his voice calm and soothing like he wanted me to feel comfortable with him. But I wasn't sure I could feel comfortable at the moment. "My name is Desmond, I'm your Dad's friend. It's nice to finally meet you." He continued, introducing himself.

I've never met any of my Dad's friends before.

Not sure what to say since he already knew my name, I just nodded, trying to muster a small smile but nothing came up. Doctor Desmond seemed to understand because he just nodded, and brought his hand to pat my shoulder.

"I know you are scared, and it's okay for you to be," He continued and I sniffed, using the back of my palm to wipe my wet cheeks again. "Your mum will be fine, okay?"

I nodded again, and he smiled.

"Desmond, how is she? Has she woken up?" Dad asked from where he was standing behind us, an expression of destitution marred across his face. Doctor Desmond exhaled, standing upright before turning to look at Dad.

Because his back was now turned to me, I couldn't see the expression on the doctor's face. But with the way Dad's demeanor faltered, even more, I knew something was at stake. That was enough to feel my heart with fear again.

"Desmond, please tell me how she is." Dad pleaded when Doctor Desmond didn't reply to him the first time, his voice reeking with desperation.

"She's fine," The doctor replied, but somehow, I felt things weren't fine. There was a way the doctor said it, something off about it. It almost felt as if he had said it because I was present.

Or maybe I was the one overthinking things. Maybe it was my fear playing tricks on my mind.

"She is stable now," Doctor Desmond continued and Dad nodded. "All that is left is for us to keep running tests on her to be able to determine what exactly the issue is. But I'm guessing it's major stress. Kendra does like to work a lot."

Is that it? Stress? I didn't so.

"Yeah." Dad agreed as if he had read my mind, running his hand across his face as he sighed again, this time from exhaustion. "She has been having shifts back to back lately." He informed Doctor Desmond, who hummed and nodded.

"She'll recover," He stated. "Just give it a few hours." He added and Dad nodded again.

"I'll stay here till then," Dad said, going to settle on one of the chairs. Doctor Desmond shook his head.

"Demilade, you should go home." He said. "Take Simi with you. Both of you need to rest." He added, but Dad shook his head.

"Desmond, I'm not leaving this place till my wife wakes up." He stated adamantly. Then, he threw me a glance before looking back at the doctor. "If Simi wasn't to go home, he can go ahead. But for me, I'm staying here." He maintained.

I exhaled, crossing my hand over my chest.

Doctor Desmond didn't say anything, but only nodded, threw me a smile, and began to walk away, leaving my Dad and me alone in the hallway, sitting just a distance away from each other in awkward silence. At some point, I would feel him glancing at me, but not once did I turn to look at him.

I couldn't look at him. Was scared of what I'll see. And just when I thought he'd get more understanding after finding out that me failing, me being the way I am, wasn't my fault... my expectations were cut short and I was disappointed.

We weren't always like this.

I still had memories of how close we used to be, how he used to play with me. Even when I started school, and started having issues with my academics, he'd still help me write my assignments, still help me. But over time, he... changed.

My Dad created a barrier between us, and as the years grew by, the margin got wider. And, I wasn't sure there was anything that could be done to close that margin up.

It was almost as if he didn't care about me anymore. And it pained. It pained me so much. And somehow, it felt like it was kinda my fault.

Maybe it was completely my fault.

No, Simi! Don't think like that.

I stood up, needing some air. I couldn't be in the same space with my Dad and not have thoughts like this. Thoughts that will make me feel like I wasn't enough.

I should be enough.

I've got to be enough for my mum to love me the way she did. I've got to be enough for Dr. David to make me believe that I wasn't wasting my time with swimming. I've got to be enough for my Civic teacher to sing my praise in front of the entire class. I've got to be enough for Gloria to be friends with someone like me.

I've got to be enough for Hilary... for Her to treat me like I mattered. Like I have and will always matter.

I've got to be enough. I have to be.

"Where are you going?" My Dad's voice jerked me out of my reverie. I finally looked up, meeting his eyes. His eyes were squinted inquisitively, his eyes scanning my frame. It was then I realized I was still on my feet.

"Where are you going?" He asked again.

"I want to get some air," I answered, my voice coming out crooked because I haven't spoken in a while. He nodded, still peering at me.

It's the fact that he was talking to me like he had not yelled at me minutes ago.

"I... uhm... I'll call you if there is any news about your mum." He stated, and I nodded. "You do have your phone, right?" He asked and I nodded again bringing it out to show him.

"Yes sir," I answered, and he nodded again. I took that as a signal the leave, so I turned around and started walking away, down the hallway that led to the entrance of the hospital.

But I stopped short when my Dad called my name.

"Simi."

I altered in my steps, turning around to look at him. He was staring at me, a conflicted look on his face. He opened his mouth like he wanted to say something, and his facial expression gave it away as well. And I waited, wanting to hear what he was going to say.

But in a matter of seconds, his conflicted expression disappeared, replaced with a stoic one. He shook his head, his mouth glued shut. That was enough to tell me that he wasn't going to say anything anymore.

Typical.

I turned on my heels and walked out of the building.

Soon, I found myself outside the hospital itself, sitting on one of the benches situated just outside the gates and by the sidewalks. It was a weekend, not many people were walking around so I was more or less the only one outside, asides from a few cars driving through.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed Gloria's number. She was like family to us, so she deserved to know what was going on with mum.

"The number you have dialed is switched off..."

I hissed, tapping on the end call icon before the operator finished speaking, wondering why her phone was switched off because Gloria Esho's phone never runs out of battery. Then, I remembered that she had a shift at work this afternoon and doesn't operate her phones when she's working.

So, I went over to Whatsapp and shot her a quick text for her to see when she comes back online, after which I shoved my phone back into my pocket and stared ahead, my eyes following every moving vehicle that drove in front of me.

My mind automatically reverted to the events of the past hours, some more life-changing than others. And just when I thought finding out that I had a learning disorder called Dyscalculia was the most terrifying, my mum had to collapse all of sudden, literally knocking the breath right out of me.

I remembered what Dr. Desmond had said about her being stressed, and again, my mind began to travel by a mile.

Mum has never been one to fall sick. If anything, she was the most healthy person I knew, even if she had to work twenty-four hours in seven days.

And then, the way Dad was unusually scared. I know the kind of love he has for mum, but his reaction was strange, almost like he knew something I didn't. And with the way Dr. Desmond was speaking to him too, it was like he was also knew something.

Were they hiding something from me?

It doesn't feel right. All of it.

What if... what if something was wrong with mum?

Fear gripped my heart.

"No," I shook my head, trying to make the horrible thoughts disappear into thin air. "Stop thinking this way, Simi," I chided myself, trying to think only of good outcomes. "She's going to be okay," I assured myself desperately, wanting to believe it.

But there was still a part of me, deep down that didn't believe it.

So, I decided to distract myself.

Fishing out my phone from my pocket again, I opened my WhatsApp and began to look through the status updates. I didn't have many contacts. Just a few from school, and others being family, Dr. Ejiro who served my migraine drugs, and Nurse Kamsi, well because she was a nice woman.

I think I have more grown-ups on my contact list than I had people of my age.

I saw the Gigi uploaded in her status some few hours ago, so I clicked it to check. It was a picture of her and Kizito, and surprisingly, she was in her work clothes. It looked like he had come to visit her. That, and she captioned it He came to visit, with a blushing smiley, heart and star emoji. I smiled.

Those two were so obsessed with each other, I doubt there is anything that could come between them.

After I was done feeding my eyes with her post, I kept swiping left to check every other person's... till I landed on Hilary's status.

My eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"She posted," I muttered to myself.

I was surprised because since I got her number, I haven't seen her post anything on her status. I saw it as a sign of her limiting her social media presence because of everything that has been going on. I can say I pay enough attention to her for me not to notice little things like this.

I guess I pay more attention to Hilary than I have paid anyone in my life. Before it would have bothered me how invested I am in anything that had to do with her, good or bad.

But not anymore. I think we have been through so much together for me to be bothered about it. She has been vulnerable with me and I've been more than vulnerable with her, letting my guard down without thinking twice. There was nothing to be bothered about anymore.

If anything, right now I welcomed all that she made me feel with all my heart.

I wanted it.

Being with her made me forget everything that was wrong with me. She... made me forget.

I sat up as if to get a better view of the post. It was just one post, and it was a picture of her, with no caption. Just the picture.

A very, very beautiful picture.

As if having a mind of its own, my lips stretched into a smile as I stared at the picture.

(The picture that wants to drive Simi insane with smiles😩✨❤️)

I wasn't sure what exactly enthralled me about the picture. Maybe it was the simplicity of it or the way she swept her head to the side, allowing the hair she on to fall to the side of her face. Or maybe it was the fact that she used a blue contact lens, making her eyes look more beautiful than they already did.

I didn't know which one of the options to pick from. All I knew was that this picture beguiled me, having me completely entranced. Like a spell.

Hilary had me transfixed.

And like someone under hypnosis, I found myself getting up from the chair and walking to the bus stop that stood just a few walks down the hospital gate,

With Hilary's house in mind.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

It wasn't until I got to the entrance of the estate that the absurdity of what I was about to do dawned on me.

What was I thinking? I asked myself, literally face-palming.

I had just started heading straight for this place without calling Hilary to find out if she was home, or if she would use some company. Right now, I wasn't even sure she was at home. And even if she was, I didn't know if she needed company. Catching her unawares won't be the best idea.

So, I stood in front of the estate gate, took out my phone, and called her line even though I wasn't sure she was going to pick up.

But surprisingly, she picked at the first ring. Like, the phone had not even started ringing fully before she picked it up. It was as if she has been sitting by her phone all day, waiting for me to call her.

"Hey!" She chirped, sounding quite excited to hear from me. I could see her right now, her lips stretched in a wide smile. That smile that has somehow found a way to tug on my heartstrings

"Hey," I whispered, suddenly sounding breathless. Clearing my throat lightly, I gulped a fresh breath. "How are you doing?" I asked.

"I'm okay, Simi," She answered. "In fact, I should be asking about you." She said and I exhaled, knowing what she meant because we haven't spoken since she left my house the day before.

But I was going to change that.

"Are you home?" I asked her.

"Yeah," She responded. "My parents just stepped out for a church meeting, so I'm home alone." She added.

I exhaled, my lips stretching in an automatic smile.

"Would you like some company? My company?" I asked, carefully. I didn't want it to seem like I was invading her privacy or something.

"Of course!" She answered in a heartbeat and my lips stretched even further, almost to my ears. I had to bite down on my lips to stop myself from smiling so hard because the security men at the gate were beginning to look at me weirdly.

"Are you close by?" She asked me.

"Yeah, I am. Just a few blocks away from your estate." I couldn't tell her that was right outside the estate gate. That would give off the fact that I was already here before I made the phone call.

"Oh, that means you are really close. I'll wait outside for you." She said, and I began to hear shuffles in the background like she was getting up from somewhere. My eyes widened slightly. I didn't want her going through that stress of waiting for me, especially under this sun.

"Hilary, you don't have..."

"Simi, I'm going to wait outside for you," She repeated what she said, her tone telling me that she wasn't changing her mind. "Come on." She tugged, her voice now toned down into a whisper that sent shivers running down my spine.

Just her voice.

Oh my God...

"Okay," I was sounding breathless again, my voice even huskier than before. But this time I didn't even attempt to clear it. "You'll see me soon," I added.

"I'm counting on it." Came Hilary's reply before the line went dead, still in that same whisper that had affected me so much.

How can a voice, just a voice, turn me into this?

I suddenly craved her presence, even more, wanted to see her more than anything. So, I raced into the estate and towards her house. Thankfully, the building was quite close to the gate so it wasn't a long walk. And like she had said, she was standing right outside the gate, waiting for me.

Hilary was waiting for me.

I watched as her smile widened into a grin when she sighted me. A smile so contagious that my lips also grew into a grin. She looked so happy to see me, so excited like she hadn't seen me just yesterday. My heart felt a wave of warmth by her happiness to see me. It also felt... relieving. Any protective armor I had "put on" just in case of disappointment fell right to the floor.

Her happiness to see me made me feel so lightheaded.

It also made me feel... wanted.

And as if that wasn't enough, as soon as I got to her reach, she closed the remaining gap between us, threw her hands around my shoulder, and pulled me into a hug.

At first, I was stiff with shock, not expecting the hug at all. But it didn't take me more than a minute to get over it.

So, I let out a sigh and leaned into the hug that she had offered, welcoming it with everything in me. I took my hands and slipped my hands past the transparent kimono she had on to wrap around her middle, my hands brushing her skin because the crop top she had on had hoisted up with how her hands were around my shoulder.

I sighed again, feeling more into the hug I was supposed to.

The only time Hilary had hugged me was because I was crying my eyes out and I didn't even hug her back as much. But this?

This felt different.

Hilary hummed softly, her breath tickling my skin and making me feel... things. It was then I realized that I had unconsciously drawn her into me, my hand now down to the small of her back, flushing her body against mine. I buried my head in the space between her neck and shoulder, drawing in a shaky breath that made me inhale her scent.

God... she smells so good.

It was just a hug, but then it was more than just a hug. I was getting so lost in it. That's if I wasn't already lost.

"Hi," She whispered against my skin, causing another round of shivers to run down my spine. I involuntarily shivered against her.

"Hi," I breathed out, pulling away slightly just to have a better look at her.

God, she's so beautiful. That was all my mind could comprehend.

"Simi, are you okay?" She asked, all traces of smile gone from her face and replaced with a worried look. She was peering at me, reading me as she has always done. I wasn't sure how she could see that something was up because all traces of tears were gone from my face.

Or so I thought.

"Your eyes are bloodshot," She stated shrewdly, looking at me intently.

I quickly averted my gaze from her, trying to look down but Hilary wouldn't let me. Her hands left where they were situated on my shoulder and came up to cup my face, raising my head so that I could meet her eyes. I took in a shaky breath, feeling her fingers on my skin.

She wasn't making it easy to focus on what she was saying. Not with the way she was touching me.

"Simi, have you been crying?" She asked, the concern marred across her face and intense worry in her eyes.

Again, I tried to avert my gaze from hers but she still wouldn't let me. She had no idea that there was no way I could form a coherent sentence with her looking at me like that, looking at me like she could see right into my soul and uncover all my biggest secrets, insecurities, and vulnerabilities.

It made me want to come bare to her again. No covers, no facades, but just as I am.

God, is this witchcraft?

"Simi, talk to me." She whispered persuasively, her soft voice pulling on every string in my body, strings that made me want to do her bidding from now to eternity.

I found myself nodding.

"Yes," I answered her previous question, my voice coming out croaked with so many emotions, many of which I didn't even know how to name.

Hilary sighed, nodding in understanding.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked, not persuasively this time. She wanted me to talk about it because I want to, not because she was making me talk to. But she didn't know that I would tell her anything she wanted to know. I wanted to.

So, I nodded and she smiled, pulling away from me completely. She took my hand in hers and led me in through the gates and into the house.

"What's going on?" She asked me, handing me a cup of cold water before she settled beside me. I downed the entire content in a gulp, then dropped it on the table before turning to face her.

"You were right," I said. Her brows furrowed in confusion, but it is my lasted for a moment because her eyes widened in realization.

"You got the diagnostics." She wasn't asking, she was just stating but I nodded anyway. Her hand flew to her mouth, probably trying to suppress the gasp that still escaped her lips.

"Simi..." She whispered, bringing her hand to rest on the side of my arm, brushing it softly in a calming touch. Somehow it made me feel better, made me calmer.

I exhaled deeply.

"It was terrifying," I confessed to her, and her expression faltered into a forlorn look, but that wasn't all I saw. I also saw guilt. She was feeling guilty for telling me about my learning disorder.

"Hilary, don't even dare blame yourself." I chided calmly.

"But I was the one that told you about it..." She began but her voice trailed off when I shook my head, stopping her from going any further.

"You made me realize that I had a learning disorder, Hilary," I paraphrased her sentence, wanting her to see that there was nothing for her to be guilty about.

Boldly, I took her hand from where they were resting on my arm, also taking the other one and holding them in mine. I quietly watched our join hands for a bit, watched the way my thumb brushed ever so slightly against the back of her palm. I heard her take in a sharp breath, making me look up at her. I could see the flashes of emotions in her eyes, several of them that I couldn't pinpoint.

But it made me wonder if I had as much effect on her as she did on me.

Taking a deep breath, brought her right hand up with my left and laced my fingers between her, all the while watching every emotion that crossed her face.

"You saved me," I whispered, my voice huskier than o intended them to me. "And there is nothing to feel guilty about because all I feel is gratitude for you. You finally made me realize what was going on with me. You made me stop blaming myself, Hilary. There is nothing, absolutely nothing to feel guilty for, do you understand?"

She nodded slowly, her eyes still trained on mine.

Suddenly, the boldness was gone and I grew shy, so I averted my gaze from her as I told her the next thing.

"My mum is in the hospital. That's why I've been crying." I said. Hilary's eyes grew huge again, but this time in shock.

"What happened?" She asked, and I shook my head. It would have been more relieving if I knew what was going on too.

"I have no idea," I answered, letting out a humorless chuckle as looking back at her. She was watching me, concern all over her features. "We just got home, she and Dad were talking, and then she suddenly slumped. It scared me out of my mind."

"Simi, I'm so sorry." Now it was her turn to rub soothing circles to the back of her palm.

"It just seems... strange," I continued, shaking my head as I tried to push down the negative thoughts, but they just won't go. "Mum is the healthiest person I know. She doesn't fall sick and she doesn't get stressed when she works overtime. Yet, the doctor is saying she collapsed because of stress." I recounted.

"Accumulated stress can lead to a temporal shut down of the body," Hilary stated. "You might not have seen her exhibit it, but there is so much the body can take." She explained.

"Then, why was my Dad acting as if he knew something I didn't?" I asked, and she kept quiet. I sighed in frustration, running my free hand over my face. "I honestly don't want to be the harbinger of negativity, but when I overthink things like this, I end up being right," I told her, and she sighed.

I took in a shaky breath, my chest already getting clogged with sobs and tears brimming in my eyes. I tried to push it back down but I couldn't. Hilary saw this and sighed again, coming to my front and sitting on the table in front of me.

"Simi..." She began but trailed off, bringing her hands to my face as she had done earlier.

"Hilary, I don't want to lose my mum,"

"No, No." She shook her head vigorously, cupping my face in her hands as she stared right at me, eyes boring deep into my soul and seeing all my inhibitions.

"You're not going to lose your mum, I swear it." She was speaking as if she was promising, but Hilary should not promise something that she cannot control.

"How do you know that?"

"Because nobody else is going to die." She answered me point blank, but her voice quivered a bit and my heart went out to her. I shouldn't have brought up any talk on death, knowing that she just lost her brother.

It made me feel bad.

"Hilary, I'm sor-" I began, but she shook her head to cut me off, a small smile playing on her lips. Still, I could see the slight sadness in that smile, and also in her eyes.

"I'm fine, Simi," She told me, assured me. "Besides, there has been enough death this year to last us a century. No one else is going to die, especially your mum. Nothing is going to happen to her. You hear me?"

I knew she couldn't promise something she can't control, but there's a way she said it that made me want to believe that nothing will happen to my mum. Hilary took her hand away from my face and brought it to my hand, taking it in hers

"I know you are scared," she whispered.

"I'm terrified."

"Everything going to be okay, Simi. Whatever happens, I'm here for you and I'll be praying for you. I promise." She promised and I nodded again, mustering a small smile.

"I'll need it," I said and she smiled back.

"But for now," She started, standing up in her feet and dragging me up with her. "We are going out." She said. My brows furrowed.

"Going out?"

"Yes," She answered, her lips still tugged in a smile. "Something to get your mind off all of this. Let me take you out for a change." She offered. My lips threatened to break into a smile, so I bite down against it even though it didn't stop me from still smiling.

"You want to take me out," I stated and Hilary smiled, nodding.

"Do you want to grab ice cream with me?" She asked, her tone teasing. She was asking me the same question I had asked her the first time we went out together, the first time I had taken her out.

Now, I couldn't stop the smile from stretching across my lips.

"Of course, I want to grab ice cream with you," I answered and Hilary grinned.

"I know a place just down the estate, come on." She said, nudging her head towards the door as she pulled me along.

And, I followed without hesitation.

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

Hilary took me to an area of the estate where a lot of businesses were. She called it Central Market There were several supermarkets, shops, kiosks, and shacks. At the center, was a huge space covered with carpet grass, and several steel chairs for people to sit down and relax if they wanted to.

That's where we were both seated, taking ice cream while talking about everything and nothing for the past hour, even still it started getting dark. Hilary was making me forget my fears, my worries. She was making me so carefree. Every other person was walking around, so it was just both of us at that part of the market, having our privacy.

I liked it.

"I wanted to ask," I began, taking a scoop of my ice cream. Hilary hummed, urging me to on as she nibbled on her spoon. "How did you know about Dyscalculia?" I asked. "It's not a very common learning disorder, at least not as common as Dyslexia," I added.

"Yeah, it's not common," She agreed, taking the tiny spoon from her lips to dig into her still solid ice cream. "I won't have even known about it if Henry wasn't Dyslexic." She stated. I was about to take another spoon of ice cream into my mouth, but her statement made my hand hang midway.

Her brother was Dyslexic?

"Your brother was Dyslexic?" I voiced out my thought, my tone not hiding my shock. Hilary chuckled lightly and nodded, throwing me a glance before she took another spoon of ice cream.

"He was diagnosed when he was seven," She revealed and I marveled at how early it was for her parents to detect something like that. "I think that was even the same time he got his first glasses because he also needed them to read properly." She smiled as she reminisced of times with her brother.

And I let her. It was healthy.

"As he got older, Henry became such a nerd that he decided to do more research on uncommon learning disabilities. I was just snooping through his journal one day, hoping to get something juicy to use to blackmail him, but instead, I found jottings on several learning disorders, including Dyscalculia." She explained.

"Criminal," I teased her for snooping around her brother's things and she threw her head back, laughing heartily while a smile tugged on the corners of my lips as I watched her.

"But," I continued when her laughter subsided. "If you had not been snooping around, you might not have gotten the information about Dyscalculia and you wouldn't have been able to help me. So I guess I still owe you." I said and she smiled, shrugging.

"Well, you just paid for ice cream even though I was the one that brought you out," She said, tucking her legs beneath her, her fluffy white flops off her feet and on the ground. "So, I don't think you owe me anything for now." She grinned. But I shook my head.

There was no way I didn't owe her a lot. Not after everything she has done for me.

"No," I disagreed. "I owe you so much, Hilary. You have always been there for me, even when it's not convenient for you. I really don't know what I did to deserve someone like you." I said.

"And you have also been there for me when it's not convenient for you too, Simi." She retorted, but softly. When I said nothing, she exhaled, dropping her half-empty cup of ice cream by the space between us before stretching her left hand to touch my arm, just like she had done in the house.

"Simi, you have helped me through phases, dark phases that I thought I will never come out from." She began, looking right into my eyes as she said every word, while I sat there, transfixed under her gaze.

God knows I didn't expect all the words she spilled out. Words that shook me to my core.

"You have seen me at my most vulnerable state and didn't pressure me to remain strong. You have held me in your arms and allowed me to cry on your shirt. You didn't judge me like every other person. You believed me and stood up for me when you didn't even know me.-

If there is anyone that doesn't deserve anyone between the both of us... Simi it is I who does not deserve you. It is I who doesn't deserve someone has pure and as tender-hearted as you are. But I'm glad that I got you, I'm so glad that I have you. And I promise I'll never take it for granted."

Oh My God...

That was all I could think of as I stared at the girl in front of me, the girl that just keeps finding ways to tug on my heartstrings from any corner. Her words settled inside my heart, making it jump and leap repeatedly in my chest. Her words made me feel... everything.

Every single thing.

Not knowing what else to do, I leaped on the seat, moving close to her before pulling her in for a bear hug. Right there, in the middle of the central market, with probably more than fifty people walking around or buying something, I hugged her, close to my body, close to my heart.

She hugged me back, hugging me the same way I did, sighing against my skin.

Oh, Hilary...

"Thank you," I whispered, and I heard her chuckle slightly, felt her shaking her head.

"No. Thank you, Simi." She whispered back and I sighed, hugging her tighter.

I didn't want to go, didn't want to leave Hilary's side for one minute but I had to, especially since her parents called her to ask about her whereabout and Dad texted me that mum had regained consciousness.

So we had to leave Central Market and I had to walk her to her house since it was already pitch dark and the only source of light was the street lights.

"I hope I didn't get you into so much trouble with your parents," I asked as soon as we reached the front of her gate. She stopped walking, laughing lightly while shaking her head.

"Nah," She answered, facing me. "Though they would like to know where I got to all the time which I understand, but since I didn't leave the estate, they know I'm safe." She said. I nodded, shoving my hand into the pocket of my jeans and looked down to the ground like it was suddenly interesting.

I heard Hilary sigh before I saw her hands move to get mine out of my pockets which I allowed her to do. She held unto them, causing me to raise my head and look at her.

"You don't have to worry about her," She whispered, moving close to me. I knew she was talking about mum.

"It's hard not to." I shook my head, whispering back.

"I know." She answered, moving even closer to me as if she wanted to get a better look at me. What she didn't know what that her being that close to me was messing with my mind. I took in a shaky breath when I felt her thumb caressing the back of my palm.

"She's going to be okay, Simi." She said, promising again.

Not knowing what else to say, I nodded, mustering her small smile to assure her that I wasn't going to overthink things anymore. The fact that Mum was awake was enough to let me know that she was okay.

I looked at Hilary, meeting her eyes. There was a reflection of one of the lights in her eyes, making her iris sparkle like they had stars in them. God knows I could stare at her eyes for a very long time and not get exhausted.

"Thank you for always being there for me," I whispered, and Hilary smiled.

"Thank you for always having my back." She replied, her voice also in a whisper and I smiled too.

We had our last hug for the night, savoring the feeling of being in each other's arms for the last time that day. But I knew for a fact that it won't be the last time we'd ever hug. I'll give anything, even my kidneys, just to hug her like this every day for the rest of my life.

Something told me that I would. And that was alone to make me smile.

"What?" Hilary caught me smiling as she pulled back slightly, dragging her hands from my neck down to my chest and leaving them there. I still kept smiling, shaking my head to her question. She didn't seem to believe me because she pouted, bobbing her head to the side inquisitively.

Involuntarily, my eyes darted down to her lips before looking back to her eyes.

"There is a reason you are smiling like that." She nudged on, very invested in wanting to know why I was smiling. So, I chose to tell her.

"You are the reason," I told her.

That answer seemed to surprise her for some reason because the teasing smile she had on before wiped off and her mouth fell open slightly in shock. She didn't say anything, just stared at me, searching my eyes with hers for any hint that I was joking, but I wasn't. I meant what I said.

Hilary has been the sole reason for my smile these days and I didn't want her to stop being the reason. I wanted her to know how much she meant to me.

So, I took my right hand from where they were wrapped around her middle and slowly brought it up to carefully slip behind her neck, my thumb brushing the skin on her cheeks. All this while, my eyes were trained on hers, looking for any hint that she might be uncomfortable with me touching her like that. But I found none.

My heart was beating rapidly against my rib cage and I knew she could feel every tug, every beat from beneath her palms that were resting against my chest. She wasn't touching my bare skin, but it felt like she was, her touch... small, dainty touch setting my entire body ablaze.

I drew her head closer and she let me, tilting her head a little higher for me as her eyes fluttered close. My eyes closed as well as I leaned in, allowing my lips to touch her forehead in a soft, lingering kiss, my heart racing even more after hearing the reaction that single gesture emitted from her.

A sharp intake of breath and her fingers slightly fisting into my shirt.

I have never done this with anyone before, but doing it with Hilary did... something to me.

We stayed like that for a moment, my lips still pressed against her forehead with my hand cupping her face, while her fingers were still fisting on my shirt.

Then, I pulled away slightly, touching my forehead to hers for a bit before I pulled away completely. Hilary opened her eyes to look at me, blinking repeatedly as if she was trying to understand what had just happened.

I mustered a small smile aimed at her.

"Good night," I whispered, noticing that my voice was husky and breathless again as I slowly backed away from her.

"Good night," She whispered back, her fingers playing with the necklace around her neck. She stood there, watching me walk away till she could no longer see me. Till I could no longer see her.

As I sat at the back of the Uber five minutes later, on my way to see my mum, one thought and one thought alone was what occupied my mind. Or rather, One person.

Hilary.

She went out of her way to make me feel better today. I might have even gotten her into trouble with her parents, but she didn't seem to care because all she wanted to do was make me forget my problems.

And while she was doing that, she made me feel things I have never felt for anyone before, awakened sides of me I didn't know existed till she showed up in my life. Sides of me that I didn't want to go away.

She made me feel alive, and that was enough for me to conclude in my mind.

I Want Hilary.

I Want Her.

𝐀/𝐍

Heuw! 😩 Simi is already laying his claim o! Simi is already laying his claim on Hilary and it's making me super excited! Gosh! (I'm literally screaming!)

See how I'm doing like I didn't know this was going to happen 🤣. Now, it remains for Hilary to acknowledge that she's getting insanely attracted to him.

But really though! Simi is going to make such a passionate lover 😩❤️. I think it's both of them, but more on Simi. You know I told y'all sometime ago that Simi is someone with a tender heart. If he falls in love, just be certain that he's going all in. And now it's so obvious that he is falling and he is falling hard. Le sigh 🤧❤️.

By the way, do you think Simi is right about being paranoid, I mean with what is happening with his mum? Do you think his Dad knows something? Are you also paranoid?

We'll see.

Till the next update, you know the drill. Kisses 😘.