A BLIND PUZZLE - Episode 2

Dianne got home later that day and met Roy and Rosella already at home.

“you didn’t use the school bus, what Happened?”
Roy asked.

“decided to take a walk. ” she shrugged.

“that’s a lie. besides, why did you run off after checking your result. you passed anyway. ” Rosella chipped in.

Dianne gave her an exhausted look but didn’t say anything. .

” I’ll be in my room ”
she replied instead and walked out.

Roy exchanged glances with Rosella.

“do you know what could be wrong with her?” he asked.

“got no idea. ”
Rosella sighed out and walked out on him.

she was feeling exhausted too.

she actually share a room with Diane, fair enough. they were pretty cool today.
wonder what really happened to have spoilt her mood.

****

“you could have seen her face today. ” Laura chuckled.

“Dianne is such a weakling. ” Joella smacked her gum so loud.

” do you have any idea how much I pity her?… I just yunno, feel for her. ”
she took a long drag from her ciger before blowing out the thick smoke.

” I know you wanna make friends with her. quit the pretentious act. ” Tina added from behind.

The three of them were in a bar,
they decided to branch from school. nothing bad in taking a chill, they thought.

” she seems cool. ” Laura added.

” another beer waiter. ” Joella called out and in a minute, they were served with a tray.

” I don’t really like her. it’s quit appalling you find too much interest in her. ” Tina scoffed.

“let’s just say , she’s rich. ”
Laura admitted.

“ah. ah. I knew there had to be a reason. bítch.”
Tina laughed obnoxiously.

Laura just nodded.

yeah, Dianne is cool… and pretty rich kid too. Makin friends with her might also benefit her.

unlike Diane, Laura’s just a poor loosed girl who lives with just a parent.
Checking her result today was as though meaningless. even if she made her grades, she’d never go to college. there was no money anywhere,.. even if they sold their thatched house and all their properties… it still won’t pay the fees.

taking another long drag, she sipped her bear.

” I think I’ll stop here. ”
she got up and picked her school bag.

” why?.. just wait so I’ll tag along.” Joella spoke out with another loud smack from her gum.

“no. I need a queit walk back home. ” she gulped the last of her beer into her mouth.

” you two should go home. it’s seriously late.”
she added before walking out.

“since when did she care about the dark?”
Tina rolled her eyes, picking a ciger from the pack that was on the table.

****

Laura didn’t go home as she had said, she had someplace in mind.
it’s one of her favorite place.

it was located in one old lane which cut along the bushy parts. she was already familiar with the place so it didn’t scare her as much.

she arrived the old house and tapped gently on it.

the door creaked open and she walked in.

“sit. ” The old lady said.

Laura Obeyed.
she was used already to her cold Response to visitors.

.”you’re becoming a familiar face in my abode these days.”
the frail old lady said without sparing Laura a glance

“that’s because my situation just keeps worsening each day. it screams of frustration. ”

Laura retorted , leaning closer to the old lady.

“give me your hand. ”

Without hesitation, Laura stretched her right hand out.

the old lady received it with her open palms and there was a small silence .

Laura was anxious.
she’s always anxious whenever she does this.

the old lady released her hand and got up.

” You’re from the bright side young one. I do not see any dark shade, it’s just the delay. everything will soon be normal.”

“! that’s what I keep hearing. when will everything be okay?.. I’m never going to school because of this. my mother can’t afford the fees. when will I finally be on the bright side?.. the situation just keeps getting worse old lady!.”.

she half yelled in frustration.

The croaking outside from the toads soon stopped.

“you should leave. give yourself time and everything will be okay. ”
that was all the old lady said before retiring into her inner room .

Laura exhaled sharply.

she picked up her school bag and walked out of the Old lady’s house.

when will things finally be okay?.
when will she see this bright side?..

she calmed her head as she increased her pace out of the dark bushy part.

she took a public bus home and as always, her mother was already asleep.
she’s always tired from the day’s market. lately, her mother have been stressful herself up to feed them both.

but as the old lady always say, everything’s gonna be alright.

****
The family was set for their Dinner, they all sat, ready to devour their meal,.. after a short prayer rendered by their father, the meal began.

” it’s weekend tomorrow dad. ” Roy reminded.

“hmm. I know”
Charles nodded as he dug into his food.

” it’s a day out for the family. remember?” He added.

“oh. I almost forgot.. ” he had a sudden flashed back. He actually told the kids he’ll take them out for a family treat every weekend.

“so,..” he dropped his spoon.

” what place do you have in mind tomorrow?” he asked.

” let’s visit the supermarket.. buy stuffs and have some fun at the beach . ”
Dianne says.

” no… we should go to the pitch tomorrow, to watch the ongoing match. I’d really love to watch arsenal against Chelsea live. ”
Roy added on his part.

Beautrice exchanged a funny look with her husband and the both chuckled at their kids remark.

” what about you Rosella, where would you like to go?”.

Rosella who had been queit the whole while, suddenly stopped eating.

“let’s visit the Museum and arts Gallery. there’s a project I’m working on for my group and going there will really help Alot. “.

Roy and Diane rolled their eyes.

” Art gallery is no fun. ” Roy admitted truthfully.

“who said it’s for fun. I just have to complete my project. “. Rosella hurfed.

” It’s weekend Rosella. It’s supposed to be fun during weekends. can you just skipped the project till Monday, then you and Dad can go there as you wish. ” Dianne Ranted as she stabbed a small piece of chicken into her mouth.

” it was a suggestion Dianne.. Why act so serious. ?”
Rosella replied.

“keep such suggestions till another day.. I won’t like to go to the art gallery…”

“stop it. stop it you too. ” Charles cut in.

there was a small silence.

” we’ll go to the art gallery tomorrow.. just for Rosella to finish up this school project. I’m sure it’s important. after the art gallery, we might go to the beach. ”

Rosella’s face lit up immediately..

“thanks Dad..” she smiled in appreciation.

“but I don’t want to go to the art gallery.”
Dianne spoke out, feeling so disappointed.

” I know. but let’s just do this for Rosella. ” Charles added as he continued with his food.

“For Rosella?..”
she scoffed.

” why is it always for Rosella?… that’s what you’ll always say. you always go with Rosella. dad at least she’s not your only child okay. she might be the most brilliant or whatever but don’t use that to Rob me. ..”

“Dianne…. ”

beautrice tried to shut her up but couldn’t.

Charles was dumbfounded.

” Dianne I think that’s enough. ”
Rosella tried to calm her down but got the heat instead.

“You should stop the pretense Rosella. just quit it you’re the cause of this. I’ve never enjoyed a moment without you in the picture. dad and mom do things against my wish all because of you. Rosella this , Rosella that .. I’m so sick of your face.. .. I hate it ”

Dianne was already in tears now.
she got up and left the dining,.. leaving everyone astonished.

” Dianne. ”

Her mom called her back but she didn’t listen.

Only the banging of her room door was heard.

“what was that.?..”

Roy asked,.. the confusion still on their faces.