Chapter 17: Chapter 17

"I have an idea," I announce and Jason and Nes look at me.

"Spill," Nes states and I readjust myself on the kitchen stool. I clear my throat before talking.

"Let's talk to Alex on Skype," I say with a grin. "And show him Jason's food." They both nod in agreement and Jason hurries to his room to get his laptop while Nes and I wait.

"I can't wait to taste this," I say with a chuckle.

"Totally," Nes chips in but her voice comes out a little squeaky. I look at her and she rolls her eyes.

"What's up?" I ask. She scoffs, trying to appear indifferent but when she realises I'm not buying it, she succumbs.

"I'm just a little nervous."

"Why?"

With a shrug, she replies, "I don't know." Jason's arrival stops me from pressing further.

Within a minute, he logs onto Skype and dials Alex. Nes wears an anxious look as we wait for him to pick up. Dad does instead.

"Dad?" I say, looking closely at the screen.

"Hey kids. Uh, Alex went to shower," he explains and our heads bob uniformly as if we rehearsed it.

"How are you?" Nes asks, cracking a smile.

"I'm good, my dear. We really miss you guys," he says.

"We miss you more," I say. We hear shuffling in the background and dad looks up from the screen before speaking.

"Alex, you have a video chat," he states and a shocked 'what?' is heard in the background. Dad bobbles his head.

"How the heck did that creepy doctor find me on Skype?!" Alex complains causing everyone to chortle.

"The doctor's really nice but somehow, he just dislikes and refuses to speak with her," dad chuckles, looking back at us.

"Wait. That's not creepy doc Karen," we hear Alex say again before the sound of his movement grows louder. He peeps in from one side and his eyes widen in surprise when he sees us. Dad excuses himself and Alex takes a seat.

But that is when I realise that even with that sharp voice of his, his looks betray everything. His skin is a little pale under his simple white singlet and he looks generally tired.

Gee, ditch what I said about him looking weak the other time; this is what weakness looks like.

"Howdy moppets, what is that?" he asks, squinting to get a better look at what Jason is carrying.

"Well, good morning to you too, bro. Now, let me present to you: bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches; a special delicacy made by J-a-s-o-n," Jason spells out his name, making me chuckle. Boys are so cocky.

Alex scowls. "Who's J-a-s-o-n?" he too spells out the name.

"Really dude?"

"Wait, I think that mystery word is pronounced mum..." Alex feigns uncertainty for a while before proceeding with a snap of his finger. "Yes, it's mum."

While Jason scowls at Lex's mission to kill his vibe, Nes and I cackle. I have truly missed this guy.

"Actually, Jason made it," I finally say and Alex's mouth forms a shocked 'o'.

"You're a liar," he exclaims, trying to exaggerate the surprise by placing a palm on his chest and looking at Jason. We laugh some more and Jason speaks up.

"When will you stop being weird?" Jason asks and Nes snorts.

"That's like, future impossible tense," she chips in and I nod in support.

"Dad, we have an emergency! Jason's trying to poison your girl-kiddies," Alex calls, looking behind the screen. Girl-kiddies?

This movement, however, gives us a view of the right side of his head. Nes gasps inaudibly, obviously taken aback by what we see. I exchange looks with Jason before looking back at the screen.

Alex's hair which was a normal fade is shaved clean on that side with about three stitched incisions running from his head to the back of his ear. I wince at the sight of the red and tender skin of his scalp, feeling a slight discomfort in my own head.

How is he able to be so normal with this those stitches? I wouldn't even attempt to move my head!

"Alex? How many times do I have to tell you to abstain from making so much noise?" dad questions from somewhere in the room. "And Jason, if perchance, I get any sort of report that one or both of my daughters are sick, you are in boiling soup," he threatens and I laugh heartily with Nes at the look on Jason's face.

"Dad!"

"Don't dad me," dad calls back. Alex looks back at the screen with a toothy grin.

"Taste it, Bee," he orders and I frown. Why should I be the one to die first? A voice in my head replies: Because you came into the world first, stupid.

"Does that hurt?" Nes asks impulsively. His countenance changes a little.

"Sometimes ," he expounds and I swallow hard. Nes visibly cringes. To calm the building tension, I grab a sandwich and take a huge bite.

Shit, what if it's horrible?

Contrary to my fear, it's almost the best sandwich I have ever tasted asides that of aunt Oya. Even I, can't remember making such delicious sandwiches before. With a surprised look, I turn to Jason.

"O-M-G! Where did you learn this?" I query. He only shrugs in pride, making me hit him playfully for being too egotistic before Nes tastes hers. In no time, her eyes expand as she looks from me to Jason and then to Alex on the screen.

"You should taste this!" she squeaks and Alex gives a lopsided grin.

"Rub it in my face, kiddies." We chortle at his makeshift cute look.

"Alex, it's time to go," we hear dad say and Alex rolls his eyes in annoyance. Dad comes into view.

"Where are you going?" Jason asks.

"The hospital. I really hate that place," he utters gravely, standing up for dad to sit. Dad shakes his head as he watches him leave before focusing on us.

"You met him in a good mood today," he mutters sombrely. When we exchange confused looks, he ventures further.

"He's been having mood swings ever since the operation. Trust me, you don't want to see him in his sour mood. And if unluckily, his doctor, Karen, comes by at such a time, he goes crazy and takes it all out on her, yelling about how he doesn't need anyone's pity or help before marching up here and locking himself up and―" dad stops as the sound of the door is heard.

He quickly plasters a normal look on his face before nodding and standing up. We hear the sound of the door again before dad turns to us.

"I gotta go, kids. The fact that we’re going to the hospital is already aggravating him. And please, don't talk to him about this. At least not now. Bye, love you," he explains quickly before ending the chat.

"Is he ever going to be fine?" Nes whispers to no one in particular.

"Come on, Nes. He'll be fine. They're probably working on it," Jason assuages and I sigh. I am beginning to think Skyping Alex was a bad idea especially because of the hopeless look clouding Nes' face.

"Probably," she stresses. Okay, I am in no way ready for this impending emotional downpour.

"Guys can't we not do this right now and have breakfast?" I ask, raising both my palms to each of them. "No matter what happens, let's stay strong because our strength here may be his strength over there, who knows? We can't just start doubting the possibility of him healing. As long as there is life, there is always hope."

It's the last part of my lecture that brings me to the reality of the fact that I just gave an inspirational speech.

What in the name of Christmas turkey is going on?

"Wow, things are really happening," I breathe out. Jason, who has been staring in mild shock, raises both brows as he recovers himself. Nes is thrown into a fit of laughter and I fight the urge to join her.

The rest of the morning sees us chattering and laughing while feasting on Jason's sandwiches until he declares that it is time for him to meet up with someone.

***

I wake up with a throbbing headache. What a way to start Christmas day. I almost slap the alarm clock off my bedside table when it starts blaring, indicating 6:30am.

Sluggishly getting up to go to the bathroom, I almost topple over when my foot hits something hard. I look down to see it's the foot of the bed frame. Geez, what happened to my sense of direction?

On getting to the bathroom, I brush my teeth and take a quick shower before padding back out. The shower seems to have washed away most of the headache because I feel better. Wearing just my shorts and a singlet, I go downstairs to take aspirin.

"Judging from your strides, you don't seem very... Christmasy," someone says and I look back.

With a chuckle, I say, "good morning to you too, Jason." He laughs and I return to searching the drawer for the drug.

"What are you doing in the drug cabinet?" he ask, leaning on the counter beside me with a bottle of water in hand.

"I need aspirin. My head hurts like crazy," I tell him and he mutters 'oh' before handing me the bottled water to use. I smile at him and he nods.

"Merry Christmas, anyway," he says before walking off. If it were Alex or Nes, they would remain here and even increase the ache.

My eyes trail him as he leaves and I mutter, "merry Christmas." I quickly down the pills and open the fridge to grab a quick snack before running back upstairs to dress up for Church.

About an hour later, we pile out of the house towards mums Jeep.

"Arabelle!" Mrs. Lawrence calls out cheerily as she walks towards us. Mary runs to meet Nes and I and we exchange hugs and our season's greetings.

"Eda! Merry Christmas," mum greets as they hug. Mum looks her over and passes her a knowing look.

"The shoes look great! Good choice," mum compliments and Mrs. Lawrence laughs.

"I love your entire look," Mrs. Lawrence whispers audibly. Did she let us hear her intentionally or are they generally bad at whispering?

I think back to the dinner night when Jasper and his dad were trying to whisper. Nes snorts, pulling my attention. I turn back to face her.

"I think they’re generally bad at it," she whispers amidst sniggers and my brows shoot up. How do I think aloud without knowing? Stupid mouth! Wait...

"Did I just say something?" I ask and Nes rolls her eyes.

"You asked if they are bad at whispering." Phew. It didn't happen again.

‘If my heart was a house’ by Owl City fills the air and I pull my phone out of my bag.

"Really? Another Owl City ringtone?" Nes asks and I stop to look at her.

"How do you know it's Owl City?" The question makes her roll her eyes. I pick the call.

"Hey love," comes Kunle's voice. I smile only to see Nes goggling at me. Ah shoot! Not now, Nes.

"Hi," I reply, turning away from Nes only to collide with someone. Aahh! Why me? Looking up to see who it is, I sigh to see it's Luke.

"Sorry," he apologizes and I shake my head, indicating that it's okay. He smiles.

Someone comes into view from behind him and my smile fades immediately.

"Merry Christmas to you too, Aud," he shortens the name and winks.

While this only makes me scowl, Nes and Luke seem amused as they both snicker.

"Crap, I just remembered the one thing I was forgetting to add to my postcard to Santa! Tsk," I feign sudden realisation.

"To help me dump an insolent someone somewhere in Antarctica," I bite out and his brows shoot up. Didn't see this one coming, eh? I can totally get used to this new tongue as long as Jasper is around.

I give a devilish smirk mentally but only let a little bit of it out. I know it's not just the statement that surprises everyone but the tone I put to it.

"Bella?" I hear Kunle call, jolting me back to the reality that I'm on a call. My eyes expand.

"I'm sorry K, I wasn't talking to you," I apologize, signalling Jason to open the car and climbing in when he does.

A few minutes later, everyone settles in the car and Jason drives us to Church. He speeds all through the journey because we don't want to end up getting caught on the way for letting an under aged boy, without a license, drive us around.

Mum, on a normal note, should drive us there but she claims to not be in the mood to drive. I keep saying my family is weird.

"Sharp comeback back there," Nes comments, earning an eye roll from me as we step down from the car. I knew she would talk about it.

I shrug. "Just a comment."

"Oh well, no qualms. Just get ready to introduce me to...K," she whispers K and winks before increasing her pace and entering the Church first. So help me God, if I get the chance to tie this girl, I'll thrash her for being such a stalker!

"Merry Christmas!" someone shouts and our heads snap to the door. Aunt Oya is standing at the door with her hands in the air. Nes and I squeal as we jump off the couch to meet her. After exchanging bone-crushing hugs, we finally lower our voices to speak like normal humans.

"When did you get back?" I ask and she grins.

"Last night," she answers as mum walks out of the kitchen area. Shock registers on her face as she sees her sister in-law.

"What are you doing here?" mum asks as she goes to hug her.

"Well, we decided to come spend Christmas with you guys cause, knowing you..." she points at mum. "There will be no special Christmas cookies." We burst into laughter at her insinuation that mum was going to starve us if she didn't come.

"Well, unlucky for you, I'm baking cookies. Special Christmas cookies," mum stresses with a grin and she opens her mouth in mock surprise. "But really, why would you just cut your honeymoon short because of us?" mum asks, more serious this time.

"What's wrong with me coming to spend time with you guys?" aunty asks with a shrug as she ambles to the kitchen. We all know she didn't just give up the pleasures of Honolulu to come and say hi. Knowing how she loves vacations, I bet she would happily accept a job with the description: spend the rest of your life going on vacations all over the world.

Mum shakes her head, following her. "But, your husband―"

Aunt does not let her finish. "Oh, he's outside making a call. He'll come in soon. We brought gifts! But I'll give you later."

"Really? You didn't have to. We are fine, okay? Alex is fine," mum says with a smile that shows how grateful she is that aunt is here to keep her company alongside Jasper's mum.

"Is he back?" aunt asks with wide eyes and mum shakes her head. A brief moment of tranquillity passes and is broken by aunt's husband coming in.

"Dayo!" mum calls cheerfully once she sees him. They hug and he acknowledges us.

"You really didn't have to let Oya stress you to cut your honeymoon short," mum says and he shakes his head.

"Actually, I brought the idea first," he explains.

"But we are fine," mum insists. Really mum? Really?

"Yeah and the apparent fact that you've emaciated shows that you’ve been having a happy-go-lucky time," aunty adds, making mum squirm.

At least that shut her up. No offense, mum.

"Um Lilly, your mum said you should call her in an hour's time. She hasn't been able to get through to you," aunt's husband tells her and she nods in understanding.

Aww, he calls her Lilly? That's so sweet. Can't wait till I'm married.

"I'll bring the gifts. Uh Jason, please come with me," he says and Jason walks out with him.

We spend the next hour cooking, chatting and dancing to the music coming from the stereo. I must say Mr. Adedayo is a very social person who loves the kitchen. According to aunt, he sometimes raids the kitchen of the resort they stay at, insisting that he wants to prepare something special for his tired wife and he doesn't have any cooking equipment.

We laugh our heads off when she talks about the one time when the old lady in charge of the kitchen chases him out with a spatula.

After consuming huge amounts of junk food codenamed 'Special Christmas Cookies', we decide to head off to a park at which Mr. Adedayo's close friend works. We stay there, playing loads of family fun games until 9pm.

"Now, that's the Christmas spirit!" Nes exclaims as we enter the house. Jason chuckles. My phone rings.

"How's the kid enjoying his Christmas?" I ask the moment I place the phone on my ear.

A groan comes from the other end and I laugh. Hopefully he's in a good mood.

"The kid is having a Santa time," comes his reply.

"What do you mean Santa time?" I ask, scrunching my nose.

He huffs. "Our neighbour has this airhead for a son who thinks I'm Santa simply because he saw me in a red jacket earlier. Now the lil puppy won't stop calling me Santa!" he makes the voice of an annoying little child when he says Santa. I laugh heartily but when I don't hear any snarky comments or a laugh, I realise he's not in the good mood I hoped he was in.

"Hey what'd you guys have for Christmas?" he asks out of the blue.

"A lot of junk food," I reply. He laughs.

"I had macaroni. Alone." His voice sounds glum.

"At least you had a meal that won't end you up in the bathroom clutching your tummy like your life depended on it," I joke and this time, he laughs. I join in; though mine sounds a tad bit uncertain.

"I will whack that kid's stupid head off his scrawny shoulders if I catch him," he complains and my eyes widen. Okay, something is wrong.

Realisation dawns on me when he makes that statement. I discover that he's switching moods. He's unstable. I say a little prayer mentally for him to get better.

Nes will surely ask about our conversation and I have no idea how to break it to her that Alex may not be coming anytime soon.

We talk some more and I try to pacify him before we end the call.

A message pops up on my phone after the call.

Kunle:

Will you be free on Friday?

Me:

Yeah.

Kunle:

4pm? Since you don't like to stay out late.

I smile at his willingness to respect my standards.

Me:

Works.

Kunle:

Sweet. I'll pick you up.