"Yes, I did. But it was a plan you know. Alvin loves Idara and was going through shit so he told me to help him out. It was all a plan. We knew that there is a 99% chance that Idara will fight for Alvin after the little stunt we pulled."
I was dumbfounded. Same goes for Leo. Are you kidding me right now?? All these while I thought that I knew everything but I didn’t. This was R.J's fault. If I wasn't so focused on him I would have focused more on these people. But this is interesting though. All these while they were acting. Really funny and smart.
Eighteen
February 12, 2020.
I received my twelfth letter today and I couldn’t wait to open it. Funny enough, R.J decided to place the letter at my secret place. It was another red flower this time.
Dear Samira,
This is truly the season of love. I mean, Alvin and Idara found their way back to each other. So much love hanging in the air. When are we catching ours?
P.S. Two more. Only two letters more.
R.J.
Hopefully, your knight in shining armour.
Knight in shining armour, really? I kind of like it though. But the we have only two days. Are we really catching our love? There is no doubt that I'm in love with this person but what if I see him and he is not what I envisioned? What if I decide not to love him at that moment? What if I develop cold feet?
I quickly shake my head and decided not to think much about it. Everything will work out fine that day I hope. I decided to go back home.
"Mom!" I called out when I got home.
I went to my parents' room only to see my mom crying again. She was distressed and looks helpless.
"Mom? What's going on?" I quickly knelt beside her and held her arms.
"I- I just can't take it anymore, Mira. I just can't." She sobbed into my chest.
"Mom, what happened? What did dad do this time?" I asked her.
"He hasn't called. Not even a text to apologize. Nothing, Mira. Nothing. He doesn't care. He is not going to come back anymore. I just want this to end." Mom cried.
My heart was breaking as I watched mom literally break down. Her confidence has been shattered. She is scared. I am scared too. My once happy family is slowly reducing to crumbs.
You can't give up!
Huh?
You shouldn't give up!
I'm so not giving up. I stood up and went downstairs to the fridge. I opened it and brought out a very chiller fruit juice, the type that will make my mom go to sleep. I took a plastic cup (to avoid anything) and took them to her. I made her drink it and soon enough she started dozing.
I brought her to her bed and laid her on it comfortably. I made sure that she was deeply asleep before I left for my room.
I tried calling my dad but his lines were not reachable. Ok, devil you're still a liar. I knelt down and started praying to God.
I felt nothing.
What is going on? Why can't I connect? God please help me. Save my family. Heal us God.
I still didn't feel anything.
There's nothing to pray about. Start giving thanks instead.
Good idea. I started thanking God for everything. I don't know how long it was but I felt I did something. I didn’t feel empty.
I picked up my phone again and tried contacting Dad again but it still didn't go through. Well, this isn't the end.
I went back to my parents' room and slept beside mom.
Nineteen
February 13, 2020
Once again, I found myself in the right place and at the right time. Tacha and Leo are at it again. Throughout today, I have noticed that Leo was just quiet and sad. He didn’t talk to anyone and nobody talked to him. Everyone understands what he is going through at the moment.
"Well, it didn't change the fact that you were supposed to have my back but you betrayed me." Leo told Tacha.
There was no feeling in his voice. He was just talking and acting as if he was lifeless. That feeling when you give up.
"I'm sorry, Leo." Leo didn't reply. Suddenly, Tacha snapped.
"Maybe if you had been a good friend and not go after other people's properties then you would have noticed that I have always liked you."
Leo seem to jolt at this. Me too. Another soap opera coming up right there.
"Huh?" Leo said.
"Yes. It has always been about you, you and you. I have been a good friend. Leo, I have stood by you even when you fell for someone else. I have loved only you. But it was all a waste cuz you never saw me."
"T-Tacha?" Leo stuttered, obviously lost for words.
I am lost for words too but I wouldn't sit hereand watch this. I have my love life to think of. So I left the place and went to my locker where I got my thirteenth letter. This time, with two roses - one red and the other white. I opened the letter and it reads:
Dear Samira,
Do you feel what I feel? That tingling feeling when you can't wait for something to happen. It's tomorrow, dear and I can't wait for you to find out who I am. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I mean, what if I'm not what you want? What if you don't like me? I don't think I will be able to live with myself if you don't accept me. But it's still your choice anyway. I'm only hoping that you accept me.
Also, I'd like to know if I'm invited to your birthday party tomorrow? I'm watching you now so give a nod if I'm invited.
Love, R.J
What? He is watching me now? I quickly look around and scanned the halls but no one seems to be looking at me.
I gave a nod and looked around and something caught my eye. Tristan, one of Alvin friends quickly walked back to class. Or is my eyes playing trick on me? I followed and saw him gisting with his friends. I decided to go to our homeroom teacher's office to check the register but he wasn't in office. That didn't stop me though.
I opened the register and scanned through it until I saw Tristan's full name. Oh. My. God.
Rollymac Junior Tristan.
I found my secret admirer. There it is. I found my secret admirer. Why didn't I think of checking this register before? But I wasn’t expecting Tristan to be my secret admirer. Deep inside me, I wish it was Raymond Joe.
What am I going to do?
_________________________________________________________
Dad came home. Dad freaking came home. I got back home to see Mom and Dad kissing like their lives depends on it. Eewww.
"That is why you have a room!" I screamed at them causing them to quickly separate.
"You're back?" Mom asked awkwardly.
"Yes, I am back. You guys fall in love too fast. There is nothing wrong in taking baby steps you know."
"Samira, I'm sorr..." I cut him off.
"Two million naira in my account this minute will suffice." I said and ran to my room.
I couldn’t deal with the whole awkwardness thing again. But I'm really happy and grateful to God that he is back. I dont even want to know why there was a woman in dad's room, my parents are happy and that is all that matters. We have overcome this challenge.
Twenty
February 14, 2020
The anticipated day came. I couldn’t sleep all night as I tossed around on the bed imagining how the day will go. It is my birthday party and the day I will finally face Tristan. My nerves were eating me up as I kept thinking of different possibilities. I was only able to sleep around five in the morning which wasn't good enough because Mom came into my room and woke me up by eight. We have to lounge at the Eleko Beach and Mom needs to supervise the whole event. Since the party is starting by six in the evening, we decided to just have fun at the beach for a while after lounging in our hut suite.
Mom already packed a bad for the three of us. Dad and I never bothered actually doing this stuff. Mom always chooses exactly what we need. I decided to start up a conversation with mum while she was in my room.
"Sooooo....." I started.
Mom looked at me. She knows what I'm trying to do and she wasn't making it any easy.
"Sooooooo??
?" She asked causing me to roll my eyes at her.
"Gist me na. What happened before I came back yesterday?" I asked her.
I could swear that I saw mom blush. She sat on my bed and sighed before saying what happened. Apparently, dad had booked a flight immediately my mom saw the other woman and had to wait until Tuesday evening to board the plane. He was in the plane at the time I tried calling him which was why I couldn’t reach him. Now I understand why the voice told me to just start giving thanks - that was because there was actually nothing to pray about. Dad had confessed to hooking up with that woman and had really apologized to mom. Dad promised never to do it again and said he wasn't going back. He is going to resign on Monday. We have more than enough money and assets to start up a business. Besides, dad is also an investor so there is no problem.
I was so happy that my happy family will remain happy.
After breakfast, we left for the beach and lounged after. By noon, we all head for a sun bath by the beach. Mom and I wore our bikini with mom having to wear a satin kimono over it because dad doesn't want any other person to see what he owns. As for me, I am on my own because I don't have a man yet - funny.
We played games all through and I had to even watch dad and mum do their cringy lovey dovey play. Some much for trying to have fun.
My makeover artist arrive later to dress me up for the party. My dress was a beautiful red maxi gown with diamonds on it as designs. After most of the events and everyone were eating, a delivery man delivered my letter.
This letter came aline with no roses but it was a printed letter with red and white designs. I opened it.
Dear Samira,
Look into your heart, what do you feel? I feel love in this season of love for a lovely lady like you. Are you nervous as I am? Well, let's get this over with... follow the red roses sprayed on the floor and it will lead you to where I am. I love you, Samira.
R.J.
Your Secret Admirer
Red roses? I quickly scanned the sandy beach for red roses and I found it. I followed it until I reached a place which I could have swore was magical.
What. Is. Going. On. Here?
It was a beautiful red and white garden obviously built. I walked into the magical space of the garden and I was taken away by the beauty it holds. How did R.J. get this made?
Speaking of R.J, he wasn't even there. Could it have been that he became scared and ran away? No, it couldn't be. I would trace him to the ends of the earth and murder him if that happens.
Then I felt something behind me and a voice.
"Samira." I quickly turned to see who it was and I almost fell back.
"Y-You?" I just couldn't comprehend it.
"Yes, it's me. Trust me, I have my reasons." He told me.
"Oh yeah. You should have a reason to break a girl's heart and leave her hanging."
Yup, it's the person you think it is - Raymond Joe stood before me in flesh and man did he look so dashing and handsome. Hell, he even looks fresher.
"If that was my intention, I would not send letters." He reasoned.
Well, that was true but why did he need to leave in the first place.
"Samira, I have set my eyes on you ever since I started working in Royalty High. Yea, it sounds crazy but it's true. I have loved you for a long time now." He confessed.
"Why didn't you do anything then? Why did you leave after I made the move?" I asked him, my voice quavered.
"Samira, you are a student and I happened to be your teacher. Our relationship would have been wrong in so many ways. After our little session I just had to leave. I didn't want to break any rules so I left. And I waited for this day when you turn legal so I can finally ask you out. I wanted to do this in a proper way. I want to love you right. Samira, you might not know this but what I feel for you is real not some mere infatuation. I really love you Samira and that is why I did what I had to do."
I looked down as his words hit me. All these time, I had blamed him for breaking my heart while all he did was do things properly. Before I could utter some apologies, he was right in front of me with my chin raised up with his hands.
This is just like my dream.
"I love you, Samira." He breathed
The next second, his soft cold lips were on mine in an instant as we kissed. Hell, I missed him.
We pulled out from the kiss and I muttered a "I missed you." We kissed again and this time, it was a battle for control.
I had fun that night. It was the best night of my life.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
How did you feel after reading the last part of Fourteen Letters and Kisses? Do you feel like there should be more? Do you expect more?
I'll be happy to hear your thoughts on the story so please leave a review so I can read them.
Be rest assured that Samira and Raymond Joe's love story has only begun as this book is the first in the series. This book series is originally titled "Kisses" since it makes it easier to find and remember and also because I haven't found any other names that sounds appealing. In other words, you can call this book series "The Kisses Series". Other books in series will comprise of;
■ Samira and Raymond Joe's love life
■ Alvin and Idara's love story
■ Tacha and Leo's love story
■ Jerry and Jameera's love story,
■ and so much more (winks)
So what is expected of you beautiful readers is to anticipate and spread the love. Kindly post the book cover of Fourteen Letters and Kisses on your social media pages with the hash tag #fourteenlettersandkisses and #AdurakoyaDorcas so we can keep in touch.
Love you guys,
Adurakoya Dorcas.
Fourteen Letters and Kisses Page 4
