The past is not the past if it keeps coming back.
                            — Mattew Loyden

A sigh filled the room.

Dora rubbed her forehead as she leaned back on her seat.

There were two days more for the Open Day event. A day when parents paid visits to the school to meet the teachers of their children and to see the progress of their children.

Her eyes glazed over as bewilderment washed over her. A headache was fast approaching.

Formidable stacks of papers and reports stared at her, waiting to be done.

The back of her head touched the cold surface of the wall as she leaned back.

Her shoulders relaxed and her eyes flickered close.

The calmness of her meditation was jolted as her mind traveled to how the meeting with Kemi ended.

                    ★Flashback★

"Oh my, that was delicious!" Kemi exclaimed as she swallowed the last bits of her club sandwich.

Dora gave a contented grin as she nodded. The sweet taste of her cinnamon rolls tickled her tongue.

The waitress who had attended to them returned with their bill.

Dora was faster as she produced her card for payments.

"Oh come on now, no need for that." Kemi looked at her briefly before she turned and handed her card to the waitress.

Dora frowned but didn't say anything.

With everything settled, the waitress walked away.

"Oh my, Adaora, you look like I stole your favorite pie." Kemi chortled as she faced her. "Don't worry, next time everything will be on you." She laughed.

Dora nodded in agreement. "Good."

She didn't want any more favors.

"Okay, shall we?" Kemi asked as she packed her bags.

Dora nodded, flung her bag on her shoulder, and stood up.

The heels of both women clicked on the floor as they strolled across the cafe.

The low voices of the other customers filled the background.

"Oh my, isn't that G. M?" Kemi suddenly shrieked.

"G.M?" Dora turned to face her with raised brows.

"Yes, G.M!" Kemi asserted and pointed to the left-hand side of the cafe.

Dora followed the direction of her hand; she sucked in a breath when her eyes landed on the figure seated on one of the tables.

She turned to face Kemi with a deep frown. Confusion danced in her eyes

Kemi in turn gave her a weird look. "Don't you know? That's what we call him. G.M—Gerald Marcello."

"Oh, okay," Dora said distractedly as her eyes returned to the object of their conversation.

Why did he reappear in her life after all these years? She mused.

She was jolted by a pull on her hand.

A yelp escaped her lips as Kemi dragged her towards his table.

"Stop it, Kemi!" She struggled to free herself. She felt her heart pound in her chest.

Kemi ignored her and trudged along.

Sweat broke out on her forehead as they neared his table.

"Hello, G.M!" Kemi grinned and let her go.

Dora's heart did a flip as Gerald greeted them with a charming smile.

He rose. "Wow, what a beautiful surprise." He and Kemi exchanged hugs.

He turned to face her and sent her a smile.

A smile she didn't return.

She dipped her head and struggled to calm her racing heart.

His eyes flickered between her and Kemi."Please have your seats!" He gestured to the two empty chairs.

"Of course!" Kemi grinned and headed for one chair.

Dora felt eyes on her and she looked up.

Kemi and Gerald stared at her with expectations dancing in their eyes.

Her shoulders slumped and she moved to the chair opposite Gerald.

She squirmed in her seats and tried to make herself invisible as possible.

She looked up and she found Gerald gazing at her with an emotion gleaming in his eyes.

Her head dipped and her shoulders stiffened.

What was he thinking? She wondered.

"Oh my, it feels like a mini-reunion!" Kemi gushed.

"I agree; we should do it again." Gerald smiled.

Nausea rose in Dora's throat at the thought of being in his presence again.

"Oh, yes, definitely! Especially with the rest of the bunch." Kemi grinned. "What do you say, Adaora?" Kemi turned to face her with a smile.

"It would be nice," she croaked out as she struggled to keep her breathing steady.

"Great! We will pick a date." Kemi beamed.

Anxiety roiled in Dora's stomach

Could she survive being in Gerald's presence again?

She watched as Kemi and Gerald chatted with no care in the world.

A sense of longing washed over.

She gazed as they laughed and bickered.

She toyed with her fingers and counted the minutes.

Suddenly, a loud sound pierced the peace of the trio.

"Oh my, I will have to take this. Excuse me," Kemi said and picked up her phone, and walked off.

A rock landed at the pit of her stomach.

She was alone with Gerald.

A wave of nausea washed over her and she struggled not to fly out of the chair and race out the door.

A deafening silence loomed over them as their eyes connected from across the table.

Many questions fought to spill out of her mouth but her lips were glued together.

She watched as Gerald shifted in his seat. His eyes flickered back and forth as he broke eye contact with her. And his jaw tightened. 

Her shoulders sagged further.

She wasn't the only one suffering in silence. He seemed to be suffering too.

But why?" She  wondered

Another question popped up in her mind.

Will things ever be normal between them?

That question remained with her until Kemi returned and the trio broke apart and went their various ways.

          ★End of Flashback★

Dora jolted forward with wide eyes.
She blinked her eyes to clear the fog.

Her eyes darted to the clock.

Barely ten minutes had passed since the beginning of her daydream.

As the images of her vision came back, she stifled a groan.

Why did she have to revisit the past with him in it?

She rubbed her forehead as the throbbing increased.

Her eyes flickered down and stopped on something.

The stacks of paper still lay there waiting to be done.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to get back to work.

             ★★★★★★

The keys jingled as Dora turned the lock of the classroom door.

She opened her bag and dropped the keys. And stepped down the steps.

The sun was going down and darkness was approaching.

She walked across the school compound and passed the empty playground.

The crimson color of the descending sun cast a  glow on the objects around.

She nodded in greeting at the night watchman stationed at the gate.

The gate creaked as he opened it.

She crossed over the threshold and began the trek down the sidewalks.

Gravel crunched beneath her shoes as she walked.

The sounds of birds returning home filled the atmosphere.

A loud honk sounded as a car zoomed past.

More cars followed with shining bright lights.

The leaves of the trees ruffled as an evening breeze passed through.

Suddenly, a black car sped past and then stopped a few distances from her.

The hold on her bag tightened and she quickened her pace.

Her heartbeat sped up as she watched the car slowly reverse.

The straps of her bag dug into her palm as a sense of panic washed over her.

Her fear intensified when the car stopped in front of her.

With wide eyes, she stared as the window of the car wound down.

Different emotions coursed through her as she gazed at the driver of the car.

It was none other than Gerald Marcello.

She forced her legs forward. However, they were stuck to the ground.

A lump formed in her throat as Gerald stepped out of the car and moved towards her.

"I know you don't want to have anything to do with me," he stated as he reached her. "But it is getting late and it is lonely here. Please let me give you a ride."

Her eyes widened in surprise.

She turned away and contemplated on what to do.

Did she want to be in the same space with him?

Should she go to the bus stop and wait for a bus?

Or should she order a taxi?

The wind picked up and whipped at the hem of her skirts.

Her eyes flickered back to him. And he offered her an encouraging smile.

At last, she came to a decision.

She turned and gazed deep into his eyes "Okay, thank you!" she whispered.

She watched as a smile appeared on his face.

That smile fought to bring back old memories but she dismissed them and moved towards the car.

She slipped in as he pulled the door open.

He bounded over to the other side and slid in.

The engine roared to life and the car veered down the road.

Dora stilled and pushed herself into the door.

She counted the minutes until she could alight.

"What is your address?" He spared her a quick look.

Apprehension washed over her as she turned to face him.

She swallowed hard. "Um. . .it's. . ." she recited out her address.

He nodded in acknowledgment.

With one hand she clenched and unclenched her bag straps.

They flew past cars, and houses as they covered miles.

Finally, the car slowed down in front of the black gate that stood as a shield of the yellow bungalow. 

"Thank you," she whispered as some tension dissipated away.

He nodded his head silently.

As she placed her hand on the handle of the door, his voice stopped her.

"I will see you in two days!"

She gasped and whirled to face him.
"Pardon?"

A smirk played on his lips. "I will be attending the Open Day program on the behalf of Mide's parents," he declared.

Her eyes widen and bile rose to her throat.

That information broke the string holding the last bit of sanity she had left.

                     ★★★★★

Oh, my word, that was drama-filled, don't you think?😂

And oh gosh, Gerald Marcello.😮
Are you thinking what I am thinking?🤭😂

Anyway, moving on. . .

With the year coming to an end, I have been thinking about the new year and another question popped up.

But I will ask it in a way future readers can relate.

So without further ado, Our Question Of The Chapter is: What are some things you would like to accomplish or walk towards next year?

It could be in your writing career, studies-wise, in your personal life. It could be anything. Just drop it in the comments section.

So my answer is: in the coming year I would love to improve in my writing, read more books, and gain more knowledge in many aspects of life. XD

So with that, don't forget to 👇

A

nd I also want to announce that the dystopian novel I have been working on will be published on Sunday the 14th of November 🎉🎉
I hope to see you all there! 😁

Until next time, keep dreaming❤❤