||SERAH||

Three days of pure bliss and I'm ready to sign a lifelong marriage contract. I've never stayed in a man's place, don't count my dad's house, for more than a day and a sleepover. Here at Asahd's place, I feel like I can stay forever. Too bad I've got school and he also needs his space. Anyway, today, he is taking me for his promised visit to Boabab Conservatoire. I'm excited and anxious at the same time. I can't wait to see one of the major sides of his life.

"Are you excited to be reunited with your group?" I ask Asahd as he ties his blue and white vans from the couch.

I finished getting ready way before he even showered. He was busy taking care of something important and after, he started on his grooming. I've been waiting for him to finish up so that we can leave. His dance group is finally back from tour. I'm sure he misses them so much. You can tell it from his jovial mood since yesterday afternoon when he was told they had arrived and all would be meeting at the studio at one pm.

"Very excited. I've missed them so much," he responds. "Especially Mwas and Murray. They are the group's favorites. Well, that's when they are not being a total pain the ass."

"Have you been together for long?" I ask.

"Since seventeen. We've come from that far together and I believe we are heading far. For me, working with a new group was okay but it was nothing compared to working with my group. With people you know well, you accomplish so much. Especially because there is existing trust and bonds which are some of the key qualities we as dancers need to have in each other."

"I totally understand you," I state, understanding everything he means.

When he is done tying with his shoes, he stretches his hand out for me. I walk towards him and take his hand in mine before taking a seat beside him. He leans in and places a kiss on my forehead, our entwined hands on his lap.

"If you feel like officially doing music again, think of Boabab Conservatoire. The music school offers professional three months music courses. I can promise you that the trainers there aren't similar to those you met in your previous school. They are usually patient but brutally honest. Although this is after giving you time to develop. If you're a singer, they will tell you. If you aren't they will tell you too so that you will not end up in the wrong industry. I've been in a few of their classes and I can honestly tell you that the training is amazing. Don't dwell on what your previous trainers said, open a new page and try again. Remember, we have got huge dreams to think about," he advises.

"You are a little manipulative and convincing," I accuse and he smiles.

It would be great to start my music career once again. More so at Boabab Conservatoire. I've heard of it a few times before but never considered it. That's because it's a posh and private institution. I'm sure a month's fee wouldn't be less than thirty thousand. Three months would be sixty thousand. Damn!

"Only because you have big dreams that you need to start working on as soon as possible," he defends.

"Do they ask for much for the three months?" I ask despite having a general idea.

Probably he would provide me with real and approximate figures.

"In terms of money?" he asks and I nod. "Honestly, I don't know how much exactly they ask for a music course. But since it's a private institution and kind of posh, be assured that they will not ask for less than fifty thousand for the three months. Although the privilege is that you will get access to everything concerning music."

As thought before. That's a damn huge amount of money and I wouldn't know where to get it without signing loans. Which I hate doing because loans mean debts and I hate debts.

"Whoa! That's a complete year of my campus studies," I point out as a matter of factly.

"When you put it that way, it sounds damn expensive," he comments raking his fingers on his hair.

"Yeap," I mumble.

Getting such a huge amount of money is tricky. It definitely wouldn't come from our store's savings or income. That money can only pay for my fees, home bills, medical insurances, my house bills, store increments, and anything else much important at the moment. So as much as I like the idea, it's just impossible for me.

"I know it's expensive but put it into consideration. You would get exposed to a whole new world of music. Perhaps what you've always wanted. After all, to get quality, you have to sacrifice," he says. "I know you know that."

"The idea is very much worth considering. The problem comes where money is concerned," I state before the ringing of the doorbell interrupts us. "Are you expecting someone?"

"No. Unless Blue and Salma got tired of being told to stay away," he responds as he turns to look at the door. "I'll check."

He stands from the couch and confidently walks to the door. He draws the grey curtains before opening them. Outside, an elderly woman with short hair is standing in official wear comprised of blue material trousers, a white chiffon blouse, and black flat shoes. In her hand is a black and obviously expensive handbag with her. She doesn't look too old but it's clear that she has seen life through the years.

"Grandma," Asahd calls sounding a little surprised yet excited to see her.

At the knowledge of who she is, my heart races as nervousness creeps its way into me. I've got to admit that she is the last person I expected to meet in his family tree. It looks like life was planned otherwise. I'm not sure how she will perceive me and that kind of scares me. Hopefully, she is not one of those evil grandmas in the movies who never like their grandson's girlfriends. Especially if they are a class lower than theirs. Though I doubt she is that type. She looks like a good person from here. Unless looks deceive. Okay, they do but let me hope hers don't. Damn, now my mind is blubbering. I'll blame it on the paralyzing nervousness I feel right now.

"Kimuli Asahd. Good morning," she greets him with a happy tone as they hug.

"Morning too. Did I invite you for tea and perhaps forget?" Asahd playfully asks after their hug and his grandma laughs lightly.

Her eyes haven't landed on me yet. Perhaps I should run for the bedroom and make myself scarce. I'm not ready to meet her yet and perhaps I can buy time until I'm ready to. That's if Asahd ever wants to introduce us.

"You probably did a while back," she responds. "Are we going to drink it by the door?" she proceeds to ask and Asahd chuckles.

"As if there wasn't anywhere else to drink it. Come in," he ushers her in with a smile on his face.

As she steps in, I courteously stand up as her eyes land on my nervous self. There is a surprise on her face and perhaps a hint of discontent as scrutinizes me. Immediately, I feel so out of place and intimated. I should have run to the bedroom as fast as I could. This uncomfortable feeling wouldn't be nagging me right now. When Asahd is done tying the drawn curtains, he joins us. He looks relaxed and that couldn't be said for me. I'm far from that. Especially after his grandma's discontented reaction.

"Thank you, Asahd. Who is this?" she asks turning to Asahd for answers.

"Morning ma'am, I'm Serah," I greet as a matter of being polite and respectful.

"Morning too," she responds as she continues to scrutinize me.

It is starting to get really uncomfortable but I'll have to endure it. I can't run now as it is.

"Grandma, meet Serah, my girlfriend. Serah, meet grandma or Neisha Kimuli," Asahd simply introduces us.

"I didn't know you have company," his grandma apologetically says.

"Sorry about that," Asahd genuinely expresses.

"Are you free to talk or should we meet another day?" she asks looking between us.

"We were about to leave for the conservatoire but I can spare you a few minutes," Asahd responds with a smile.

Sparing her a few minutes and not dismissing her shows that he respects her and highly regards her. As a matter of respect, it will be good to step away and give them privacy. I'm sure they will need it.

"Thank you," she appreciates as she takes a seat on one of the couches.

"Please excuse me. I'll give you your time," I say, and Asahd nods before I walk away to the bedroom.

"So, what's up, grandma?" he asks just as I'm entering the bedroom.

"Is she one of them?" I happen to overhear his grandma ask as I close the bedroom door.

Having my curiosity stirred by the question, I opt not to close the door. Instead, I leave it open since they can't see from this side and stand outside the bedroom. It will be much easier to eavesdrop on their conversation in this position than inside. I know it's not okay but I'm curious to know why she asked that question. And to get some answers, I have to do away with privacy.

"No grandma, she is far from being one of them," Asahd firmly responds.

On of who? That's a bit cryptic if I was asked. Suddenly, the questions that I had buried at the back of my mind resurface with harsh demands for answers.

"What do you mean, Asahd?" his grandma asks in surprise.

As if she didn't expect that to be his response. Her reaction piques my interest and raises a few questions in my mind. Which by the way, should be prepared to have more questions outlined. That too, with few or no answers at all.

"As I said before, she is my girlfriend. Her name is Serah Mawia and she is a third-year student at EAMS," he affirms.

"She is your girlfriend? You mean that?" she asks in slight disbelief that confuses me.

Why is it so hard for them to believe that he has a girlfriend? It is somewhat weird and very questionable.

"Believe it, grandma, "Asahd assures her. "I mean that from the bottom of my heart." l

Well, that flatters me amidst my confusion.

"I'm just concerned. I don't want it to be another of the cases you've had before," she says sounding genuinely concerned.

Her change in tone and mood is getting me exponentially confused. Damn. Instead of getting any answers, I'm getting more questions and confusion. Just like last time. I'm beginning to realize that the only person who can provide me with the answers I desperately need is Asahd.

"It isn't, grandma. That I can proudly say," he assures her, again.

"Judging from your confidence and smile on your face, I'll take your word for it. Do your parents know? Blue?" she asks.

"Mom and Blue know. I haven't told dad yet," he responds.

So he finally told them about me. I'm sure they must have made him talk after I met Blue that day. I wonder why he didn't tell them about us at first. Ugh. I've asked myself that same question severally and no reasonable explanations come up.

"He probably knows by now. You know those two ladies can't keep their mouths shut when it comes to your dad," she points out. That statement makes me smile and I don't know why it does. "Anyway, why didn't you tell me? At least I wouldn't be feeling like I'm in the dark."

"I wanted to, grandma. I first wanted to be sure that it wasn't an obsession," he responds honestly.

An obsession? I'm lost. Completely. As said before, this conversation is cryptic and I'm starting to get scared. Eavesdropping was another mistake I've made today. Well, besides the one where I never ran to the bedroom to escape Neisha Kimuli.

"You are afraid it is?" she asks.

"No. At first, I was but right now, what I am afraid of is that obsession coming in between us. I'm afraid it will ruin us. I don't want anything getting in the way of my relationship with Serah," he says.

"You love her," she points out as a matter of factly after a few moments of suspicious silence.

"Yes, grandma," he confirms without hesitation.

For a moment, my heart stops as euphoria washes over me. It is like a dream come true to hear him confess to loving me. Despite the chaos in my head, I can afford to be genuinely happy. Okay, that only lasts for a moment before a paralyzing fear washes over me mercilessly.

"Goodness, you are like your father. You just bumped news on me that I didn't expect this soon," she says.

"Dad did the same to you with mom?" he asks.

"Yes. He just came home one day and confessed everything about a woman he had met and wanted to be with. That time he has messed up and was afraid his mistake would cost him her. Now in your case, you are afraid that your past will ruin what you have. Then you might end up losing her," she points out.

What is it about this past? What did he do in the past that could make me want to leave him? Why do I feel afraid right now? Why can't I be happy without having to question so many things?...

"I never thought it was going to be this tough," Asahd confesses.

He sounds tortured by the whole idea of us getting ruined. Which only accelerates my fear. What is this past that my love for him can't withstand? Surely it can't be that bad. Can ut? How will I know about that if I don't seek answers? Answers that only he can provide. Perhaps it is time. Of course, it is time. There is no need to wait until he decides to let me in on his past. He might take forever. And by then, I'll have gone crazy from asking too many questions and having zero solid answers.