If you are sensitive to discussion relating to self harm then kindly skip the second part.

Just because the scars have healed
doesn't mean the pain has.
:-)~~(-: Demilade Wellington

**************

The young boy had a huge smile on his face as he kept on licking the ice-cream in his hand. His mother was right beside him, watching her son as he licked it with joy. This was one of the few fun moments she could spend with him. Although she was always busy, she still managed to squeeze time out of her busy hectic schedule to spend some time with her little man.

"mommy, I want I cweam," the seven year old boy said to his mother.

"you are seven, it's not I cweam, it's called Ice-cream." the mother replied as she ran her hand through his thick afro hair.

"okay, mommy."

"yes, sonny." his mother replied as she let out a laugh. "let's go get you one."

She took his hand as she made her way through the ice-cream shop. The mall was always crowded on Saturday's especially since it was in Ikeja, a super busy part of Lagos. Couples could be seen holding hands, parents with their children, even single ones were not left out. After few squeezing and numerous apologies, she finally arrived at the ice-cream section but luck was not on her side as she had to join the long queue.

"mommy, why does she have a ball in her stomach." the little boy asked as he noticed a young pregnant woman beside them. "she's so fat, see her big tummy."

His mother laughed as she tried to look for a suitable way to explain to her son. "no little man, it's a baby in there."

The young boy widened his eyes as he found the explanation fascinating. The pregnant woman who had been acting oblivious to their discussion, decided to to talk. She and the mother along with the young boy engaged in minor talks. Soon, they bought the ice-cream and made their way out of the mall.

"bye bye aunty." the little boy waved as they arrived as the road.

"bye bye boy, be a good boy to your mother." she replied. "I had a nice time with you and your son." she said to his mother.

"I can say the same." the mother replied.

The young boy watched as the stranger left their midst to the other side of the road. It was no doubt that he really enjoyed her company. He kept on waving as she felt. Meanwhile, as the stranger made her way to cross the road, she failed to notice a moving truck coming towards her way. It was so fast that no one expected what was going to happen next. One second, she was crossing the road, the next, she was crushed by the vehicle.

The young boy did not understand what was happening. All he could make our was that people were rushing towards the other side of the road. Even though he was little, he had an idea of what had happened. He felt a hand pull him to the scene. When he came with contact with the victims face, only one word left his mouth.

"mommmmmy."

Back to present

As he alighted down the stairs, he could see his father seated on the dining table, reading a newspaper with a cup of coffee placed by his left side. He went over to where his father was seated and protrasted before him

"Ekaroo, sir." he greeted.

His father looked up from his paper and stared at his son.

"this is past 9, you are no longer going to school today." he said.

"yes sir."

Demmie left the dinning area and went over to the kitchen. Of course he knew that his father knew the reason why he wasn't going to school today hence his nonchalant expression. Moreso, he was not one to resume on resumption day. To him, resumption days where just play days and he'd rather be home. He took out five slices of bread and quickly made himself a cup of tea. After all had been set, he spread butter over the bread and put them all in a tray, going back to the sitting room.

"so how are you feeling now?" his father asked.

He wanted to talk about it. Damn it. He wanted to scream and yell. He wanted to shout but all he could to was whisper. "I am fine Sir."

His father not wanting to continue the conversation did not say anything after that. He went back to reading the newspaper while Demmie muchned on his breakfast.

"dad, I don't think I'm getting better." he voiced out.

"that's not a problem, I'll secure an appointment with Doctor Yusuf."

Demmie sighed as he thought of what to say next. "it's not a matter of a doctor, I need to see a psychologist."

His father dropped the paper down and stared at the boy.

Psycho what!!?

"no child of mine will ever ever visit a psychologist."

"but dad it's getting worst." Demmie pleaded.

"then you'll go see a doctor, what do you want my friends and business associates to say when they see you."

"but dad...."

"don't tell me anything, a doctor you will see and you had better snap out of that so called stuff that's doing you. I'll call doctor Yusuf and prepare yourself, Lilian is visiting by noon." He grabbed the newspaper and walked out.

Demmie rubbed his temple in frustration. "I'm strong but I'm tired." he muttered.

************

"mehn!  Fine boy no pimples." Lilian complimented as she sighted Demmie from the stairs. She stood up from the couch where she seated as she waited for Demmie to come down so she could pull him for a hug.

"I miss you cuz." she smiled as she hugged him tightly.

" miss you more." Demmie responded.

"Omo, Demmie just look at you, see your fine face. Never knew Joggers and hoodie will look this cool on a human being. See you sef, you've finally cut your afro that makes you look like a village boy." she ranted.

Demmie could only laugh at what she had said. It was true what she said, he had decided to get a look new one. After all it was less than a year before the stress of Waec and Neco consumed him.

"well, what can I say." he winked at her as he sat down on the couch nearest to him. "you also look good on your shirt and trouser.

"ode, you'll tell me when jumpsuit turn to shirty abd trouser. Lilian was dressed in a black jumpsuit paired with a black flat shoe. Her attachment hair packed in a ponytail, complementing her dark beauty.

"anyways we need to catch up on a whole lot. My school is not resuming until next week, so I've got a lot of free time."

"Tor, mine resumed today, but I see no reason going to school on the first day of resumption, just a waste of time."

"na you get yourself." Lilian stood up as she made herself way to the kitchen fridge and removed a can of Malta Guinness. She was familiarized with everything in the home and moreover, the place used to be her second home at a time.

"ode you cannot even treat your guest well. You are a bad host." she feigned anger at him. Walking towards where he was seated as she gulped the can of malt.

"host ko hostage ni."

"that's your own, I have something to tell you. The question you asked, I'm ready to tell you the answer. After that we can play PSP." she said with a tone of seriousness laced in her voice.

"go on, even though I don't know the question."

She took a deep breath as she started."you once asked me why I shut my self for a year and went out of the state."

"Uhmmm. Yes."

"I used to self harm." she dropped the bombshell.

Wait! What!!

"I don't understand, why? Why will in anybody in their right senses subject themself to torture. Was it because of the issue with your sister." he reprimanded. He ran his hand through his head and continued. "selfish? For crying out loud, you are not the only one with problem in the world. You are not the only feeling emotional pain. Why would subject yourself to that. Why would you want to end your life?." he shouted.

"you don't understand, Demmie." Lilian replied feeling pissed about her cousin reaction.

"then make me understand." he snapped.

"you know what, don't judge what you understand. Don't talk If you don't  know what I 've been through. You think I was happy? Demmie, I had no option, the emotional pain I felt was too much, after all the issue I had with Lydia and my parents." Her voice broke as tears spilled out from her eyes. "the pain was too much, the emotions were so overwhelming."

Demmie took a deep breath as he stared at the girl before him. Who would have thought that someone like her had her own problem to deal it? Who would have thought about the things she did in her closet. He blinked his eyes and ran his hands through his ear. "I'm sorry, okay? But can I ask a question? Why.... I  mean why do you do that?

"you know why? I did that because it was a distraction at that moment, I felt no pain, no hurt, no loss. All I felt was that razor going through my skin, the blood dripping down my arm, my leg, stomach. I didn't think about the way people talk about me. How alone I was. How my friends and families fight and my friends hate me. All I did think of was blood, and the addicting part is that all the hate and pain comes back when the cut isn't fresh and all I could feel was that sadness and loneliness inside of me. So I just have to do it again but a little deeper so the numbness will last longer. The pain inside will be delayed longer. And as the pain inside got worse and worse. I made the pain outside get worse and worse. Since I couldn't control the pain inside, I made to control the pain outside." the tears flowed as she recounted that memory.

He didn't know why he laughed but he laughed anyways. The way she talked was kinda amusing to him and she sounded like she supported it.

Lilian found the fact that Demmie was laughing as a not funny thing. Did he really think she was joking?

"self harm is not a joke. You always hear about how self harmers are attention seekers but it's no joke. It takes a lot to get to the point of turning mental pain to physical pain. While people just sit there, and make fun of them, they're just making them pull down their sleeves, put on a pair of pants and hide their skin more, they're pushing them further and further into a hole and if they are not careful with what they say. That hole with turn into their grave." she yelled

"Woah! I'm so so sorry but I have a question to ask?" do people that self harm want to end their life ?" he asked.

"no, although people do die from self harm, these instances are accidental; in general self harmers don't want to die infact, self injury to them may be their way of coping or regaining control of pain, in order to continue living." she replied.

"Woah, I'm enlightened. Lily, I'm so sorry for the way I reacted." he apologized.

"it's no problem. I think it's high time people learn of this. They shouldn't judge people when they don't know what they pass through. I'm not encouraging self harm. I'm just pissed of the fact that people are too quick to judge and make fun of them instead of encouraging them to get help."

"quick question, how do you know all this?" Demmie asked.

"durrh!! Have you forgotten what I said earlier. Futher more, I also went for therapy and my therapist was able to help me get better."

"I'm so glad I have a cousin like you. Abeg, this discussion is making me tired. Let me look for something to eat."

"okay oooo, I'll be Dami room, call me when it's up." she said as she made her way up the staircase.

Demmie left towards t kitchen to warm the Jollof rice that his mother had brought home from a party she attended. He heard a notification from his phone and retrieved his phone from his pocket. Someone had just sent him a new message.

Admirer 1  😒 :  Are you sure you're not tired you've been running through my mind all day 😍😍.

Some people are just too pathetic!!?

A/N

Thanks for the 900+reads ❤❤❤

This was more of a filler chapter. How do you see it?
dianekleine hope it's okay now 😂

How do you see the new character? And how this chapter? 😊 I'd love to hear your views and opinions. And about that young boy 💀?

Are you among those set of students who don't resume on resumption day 😂😂hehe! Anyways, how did you see the discussion about self-harm.

I changed the cast 💀  😊 I'd love to hear your opinions.

Don't forget to tap that star and flood that comment section 😉

Loads of love ❤❤❤❤❤❤

A🌼T🌼M