More of Daniel's POV! 🥰😚 Follow me on IG: @itsmabelz_art

               DANIEL'S POV

   "Dude, for real. My stomach hurts," I tell Boma before turning my attention on the paper I'm holding. I tick the activities we have done in the program and sigh, "Science quiz will be coming soon".

"Daniel, if you are hungry, go and eat. Stop overworking yourself. This life is simple oo. If you know the solution to your problem, do it. No dey waste time," Boma says and shrugs, digging his hands into his trouser pockets.

I peer at him before shaking my head. "But I have a lot to do".

"Is it until you faint that you will understand that food is important?" he snaps and kicks the chair I'm sitting on. It vibrates, sending a chill up my spine.

"I cannot faint," I chuckle and swing my leg in an attempt to hit him but he dodges it. "I can bear hunger. I'll eat later".

"Because you are my bro and I know you will regret this decision. Let me go and bring that lunch bag you brought to school. There is food inside, abi?"

I wave my hand dismissively. "Dude, don't worry about it" I tick some activities on the list and rise. "I have places I need to rush to. I can't sit down to eat".

"Guy, rest jhare!" he snarls. "You aren't the first to be Head boy. Previous Head boys no starve themselves for this school. Better come and eat".

"You're starting to sound like my mom. Stop," I chortle and turn to leave. He grabs my sleeve and pulls me back. "Thank you for the sermon, Boma".

"I don't need your thank you," he hisses and let's go. I check the wrinkles he caused on my shirt and look at him.

With a nod, I add, "Oya go and bring the food. I'll eat it".

He smiles at once. "Correct boy"

"Whines!" I laugh. "I'll be back here. Just give me ten minutes. Bring the food oo".

"Of course na. I'll even buy drink to step it down"

"My gee!"

"Comrade!"

I salute him and tread to the hall where the events are going on. After the science quiz will be the football game so it's best I eat before then. I head to tackle some unfinished tasks and return to Boma. Just when I open the food flask, a boy runs down to me.

"Sorry, senior but it's time for the science quiz," he disclose.

"No na. Drama club is first," I respond.

"Yes but they are not ready so the quiz is first"

"Who made that adjustment?" Boma grumbles.

"The Principal!" The boy replies innocently with a smile but Boma scoffs and drains the joy from his face. "It's the principal that said I should call you. I didn't do anything".

"Did I say you did anything?" Boma mumbles with a grave look on his face, his jaws grinding.

"Boma, calm down," I say and begin to close the food.

"Guyy, chop that food oo" he exclaims and pulls my hand from closing it. "Sweet fried yam and egg. Guy now! Haba! How can you abandon it?"

"Didn't you hear? It's time for the science quiz," I reply and swing my gaze to the boy. "You can go. I'm coming right now".

"He is not oo. Better tell the Principal," Boma hollers.

"Don't mind him. I'm coming"

"Daniel, eat!"

"Boma, stop!" I rise and forcefully close the food flask. "I will eat when I want to eat".

"Now you dey vex? Oya na. Do you! Na your business," he yanks the flask from my hand and pulls the lunch bag that's hung on my chair. He rise to his feet and kicks his chair backwards.

"Guy, why are you stressing yourself? It's just normal food," I say with one of my brows slanted.

"Then stop rubbing your stomach. You're literally rubbing or hitting your belly," he sneers.

I'm silent. Was I doing that? Deep down, I know there is a sharp pain in my stomach and it seems like the ache is getting intensed. Boma voices, "You see! Your stomach is angry and needs food. Use your sense".

I burst into one of my fake laughter and begin to walk away. "Guy, I'm fine"

"Suit yourself! Mumu! Mtcheww"

I laugh some more. "Rest!"

I get to the hall and strut to the stage. Sam does a double take of me before smirking. I'm about to smirk but instead my face scrunch up as my stomach curls. The pain had taken it upon himself to hurt me and just get hurling punches within me. I sit at the edge of my chair since I'm too uncomfortable to lay my back. As the ache gets worse, I just feel like rolling on the floor. I sink into an oblivion and all my mind is calculating, is the cause of the ache rather than the science question asked. It is as if my stomach reached its climax as the pain gives its ultimate blow, sending shock waves through my veins. I let out a sharp cry before dropping to my knees. I grip my stomach and finally lay on the ground. "Jesus! My stomach! Oh God! Ah! Ahhh!"

People surround me in less than a second but I'm in so much pain and can't tell their faces. I can see their lips moving but my heartbeat is louder. My groaning also continues. So while lips moved, I was clueless on what they were saying. Some guys lift me up. I shut my eyes for a minute and open them to find myself in the infirmary, popularly known as sick bay among the students.

My eyes stings and floods with water. I refuse to let it drop. I don't want anyone to claim I'm crying. It may lead to series of apology and I might just cry a bucketful because my stomach truly hurts. I'm just trying to be tolerant. This pain, this pain! It's worst than any stomach pain I've ever faced.

"Sorry dear! Have you eaten since morning?" The nurse inquires, a pen and paper in hand.

"No!"

"Where is paining you?"

I'm thinking of a word to best describe the pain but I can't so I just point the spot.

"Your stomach?"

"Yes! Inside. The pain is too much. It needs to stop," I cry out and shut my eyes.

"Daniel!" Boma yells as he badges in. "Dude, how are you?" he asks when his eyes falls on me. They squint as though he could feel my pain and he sighs. "Is it your stomach? I told you to eat".

"It's not that. Trust me. It's something else," I speak out.

"Could it be food poisoning? Are you sure you didn't eat anything?" The nurse joins in the conversation with a question.

"I'm sure"

"Very sure?"

"Or else toothpaste is food? Cos that's all that has enter my mouth," I say.

"No na! Coke," Boma counters.

I raise a brow at him. "When? I don't remember taking coke"

"You did. From that your secret admirer"

"Ohhh! Oh yeah! Ma, I took coke from a friend

"Friend bawo? A stranger jor. You don't know her"

"Okay! From a school mate"

"She's not our.. oh yeah. She is"

"You need to eat. I have a drug you can take to stop the pain," the Nurse informs us. "Boma! That's your name right?"

"Yes ma"

"Can you get food for him in the cafeteria?"

"No!"

She gasps. "Why not? Is he not your friend and brother..."

He cuts her short. "His mum gave him lunch. He can eat that one"

"Ohhh... Alright then. Go get it"

"Okay ma"

"Daniel oo!" Nora's voice echoes from the corridor before she comes in. "Daniel, I heard what happened. How are you?"

She sits at the end of the bed and intertwines our hands like knotted ropes. "Is it ulcer?"

"No!" The nurse answers as she hums to a Christian hymn.

"Ma, will he be okay or should we take him to the hospital?"

"Let him eat first, Nora. If he can take the drugs, he will be fine"

"Okay! But if it doesn't work, straight to the hospital"

"It will work. Be rest assured"

"Daniel sweetheart," Nora whispers. "I..."

"Let me go and get the food now,"  Boma's voice rings and he makes his way to the door.

"Okay. Be fast," Nurse replies.

He nods and leaves the room.

"Could it be ulcer?" Nora mumbles to herself. She looks down at me. "Did you eat this morning?"

"No!"

She grunts and narrows her eyes at me. "Why didn't you? Eh?"

"Can you calm down?"

"No! Why should I? You look so weak, Daniel. I'm worried. Nothing should happen to you"

"Nothing will happen to me. I'll be fine"

"Please drink water," The nurse says and hands the water to Nora. "Give him water".

She nods in reply and helps me adjust the pillow so I can rise up to a sitting position. She frees our joined hands, cups her hand below my lips and bends the bottle while I drink. When she's satisfied with the amount of water I've taken in, she takes the bottle away from my lips. She notices some drops around my mouth and wipes it off with her hand. "Lie down!" she instructs.

I sigh and lay on the bed. That sigh isn't because of my situation but the fact that Nora actually cares for me. Breaking her heart will be quite difficult now that I know this. It's not that I want to break her heart. I just want to reject her feelings so that she will have to move on. I know I can't reciprocate that feeling. I like someone else.

"Where is that Boma sef!" she snaps. "You need to eat now".

"Calm down. He is coming," I whisper.

The door creeps open and we hear mumbling before the invaders walk in. Boma is holding a bottle of water while Sam has the lunch bag dangling on her shoulder. Our eyes meet and for a second, I see her face flash with worry before she makes it rigid.

"Daniel, I'm going to feed you. Get ready," she announces and struts in.

I don't know why but I had this Cheshire cat-like smile on.

                      ×

So sorry! This update is coming on Thursday. I started writing few hours ago. I thought the update will be ready before twelve. Sorry. I'll try to be more accurate with my schedule.

What do you think of this chapter?

Will Daniel be alright?

What's your thoughts on Nora?

Thanks for reading. 😚🥰🥰

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