Chapter song:
Double take by dhruv
••☆••
Darnel bent his head down , bitting his lower lip as he thought about to reply to Amir's question.
What did Amir know exactly . He sounded so sure, which meant he was basing off something.
" it's not what you think it is." Darnel raised his head, choosing to defend them than give a definite answer.
" What?" Amir scowled.
" Babi and i friends," Darnel said .
"FRIENDS....." Amir angrily scoffed, grabbing Darnel by the collar pushing and pressing him to the shelf.
The thud of pushing Darnel to the shelf attracted the attention of those on the second floor of the library.
" Friends.....motherfucker ..." Amir angrily said clenched his fist, ready to hit .
Darnel smirked angrily.
" Us fighting is only going to cause a scene that will bring greater trouble for everybody," Darnel angrily said, forcely brushing Amir's hands off his collar, pushing him behind.
" Had you been so sure about us, then you wouldn't be here , you would be having this conversation with her . Yet here you are, " Darnel angrily said.
" You might be right , i need to confirm it from you . Doesn't mean you bullshit me, "Amir scowled.
"Yesterday night , during the feast . Your feet and hers were entangled and caressing each, " Amir said .
Darnel sighed , definitely not denying that.
" Same night , she left home about an hour after we arrived, thinking everyone was asleep. " Amir said .
" Out of concern , i followed her . As she headed back to the tower, i first thought she was meeting Aunty Nancy. Almost giving to head back home. You come out . " Amir narrated.
Darnel exhaled heavily, pushing his hair backwards.
" Still clueless," Amir angrily asked.
" You two intimatly hugging infront the supermarket, you even kissed her on the forehead and from there , you headed to the old car yard. " Amir continued.
" i am sure you and her spent the night there," Amir lividly added
"Did you hear what she and i ....scratch that . Why didn't you confront us in the car yard ." Darnel asked.
Amir angrily laughed in disbelief of Darnel's questions.
" so brazen of you to fuck my sister while your engaged to her bestfriend " Amir angrily and hurtfully said .
" do they know . Does Marieh know your fucking her bestfriend, let a lone did Babi know your engaged " Amir added.
" Yes..."Darnel exhaled.
" i mean no...ahh.." Darnel said in frustration.
" First of all , Sky and i ain't fucking. We really are just friends and there is literally nothing she doesn't know about me . The engagement inclusive " Darnel said .
"What " Amir exhaled in disbelief.
" And no , not Marieh or anyone else other than William and you currently who know about my friendship with Sky " Darnel said.
" Babi knew about the engagement " Amir asked , his voice sounded hurt by the news.
" look ," Darnel exhaled calmly.
" if this anger , originates from i being engaged to her. Then i hope i telling you there is nothing going on with Marieh make you feel better " Darnel said.
"The engagement is arranged, nothing more " Darnel added.
Amir deeply inhaled , coming down a bit .
" its not that , its Babi am looking out for " Amir said.
"What you saw last night might be interrupted otherwise, i get it but believe. Sky and i are just best friends " Darnel explained.
" i am glad you know , that's not how friends act with each other," Amir said
"We are not just any average friends, we known each other for ages , i guess that's why " Darnel said.
" Hold up .." Amir frowned in thoughts.
" don't tell me..." Amir scoffed.
" J.." Amir exhaled.
" Josiah " Darnel softly said.
" fuck " Amir sratched his head , that was becoming a lot to process.
"Y'all thinking Sky is in love with me and saying that we are dating is one of the reasons we keep hiding it from everyone " Darnel said.
" and we plan to keep it like that till the time is right." Darnel added.
Amir scoffed, placing his hands around his waist , processing everything.
"For a relationship, you're keeping a secret. You are easily confessing. How are you sure i won't disclose it? " Amir said .
Darnel smirked .
" When you saw us last night, that would've been the first thing you do. Inform others, " Darnel said.
" Let's pretend and say you still weren't sure. You still would've told the rest of your suspicions. Let a lone Sky , yet again, here you are, " Darnel said
" i was also told you lied for her . You said she spent the night at Wood's. " Darnel added.
" Besides, we both know something about one another that we are dying to hide, " Darnel smiled.
" i have nothing to hide " Amir said.
" your romantic relationship with Marieh " Darnel said.
" While the rest suspect there is something going on , i know for sure there is.." Darnel smirked.
" In fact, she spent the night at your apartment the night we clubbed," Darnel added.
" the rest might be cool with it , but imagine her family or my mother knowing . A lot will be at stake " Darnel added so calmly .
" are you threatening me" Amir asked unbelievably.
" no , i am only saying " Darnel said.
" we can help each other out . Hold onto my friendship with Sky from others, and i will make sure my mother and her family never know your secretly dating, " Darnel said .
" You can use me...as coverage." Darnel smiled.
Amir laughed, gazing at Darnel in disbelief.
Amir sat down in a deep sigh leaning against the shelves. Darnel stared at Amir in lots of thoughts and bother.
" have you talked to Marieh " Darnel asked.
" i don't want to discuss her with you . Not at the moment " Amir sighed.
Them being engaged was still rubbing him off the wrong way .
" no one will believe that you and B aren't dating . I watched both you at the mart and i am still doubting if you are really just friends " Amir said.
Darnel sighed , sitting diagonally opposite William.
"The plan is to slowly show everyone that we grew close since we are in the same friend group. They don't have to know our history " Darnel said .
" you do that. Thats the only logical and easiest way this can go " Amir said .
" why didn't confront us last night " Darnel asked.
"I couldn't, i was so angry, shocked and confused. I couldn't even get close to the truck you two entered " Amir said .
" i watched you close the truck door , then headed to my apartment. " he added.
" how long has it been " Amir asked.
" since you two started being friends " he added.
" 15 years " Darnel smiled.
" Bullshit...what " Amir couldn't believe.
" Yes " Darnel said , both giggled lightly.
" How.....when...." Amir was filled with a lot of questions.
" it was my 6th birthday. I was hiding from the guests in the library when my mother walked in with her telling her to pick the books she desired. " Darnel narrated , with a wide smile on his face vividy remembering that day like it was yesterday.
" after mother left , I came out from where I was hiding, i was mesmerised by her beauty , her smile, her confidence and how she read the different lines in my favourite books , role shifting the voices of different characters. She blew my mind. " Darnel narrated with a wide smile spread on his face .
Amir bore a smile on his face watching Darnel narrate the story .
" I was so blown and the only thing that come to my mind was kiss her , so I did surprisingly she kissed me back ,I kissed her again back and forth " Darnel continued, he giggled remembering that golden day.
Amir chuckled.
" so that's where everything started " Amir laughed.
" yes. We were talking on phone everyday, sending each other books and all " Darnel said .
" Wasn't your mother and Auntie Nancy aware of the friendship " Amir asked.
" oh they were , they a fun of it . " Darnel said.
" why did you start hiding it then. When did things go wrong " Amir asked.
" having that Babi is considered your future head maiden, i think that would be good . Just like how Auntie and lady Scarlet are really close " Amir added.
" oh no doesn't work like that " Darnel said.
" a good professional relationship is allowed and recommended. Just like Miss Nancy's with father. " Darnel said .
" Sky being close with Marieh, no problem. With me that's threatening to the ladies of the house " Darnel said.
" also maidens can be disposed off anytime if they see or hear something they weren't supposed to . So that's why all relationships with them are to be kept professional " Darnel added.
" disposed "Amir wondered.
" Killed " Darnel clarified
" hm...what. " Amir exhaled.
" yes " Darnel said .
" including Aunty " Amir asked.
" unfortunately yes , miss Nancy knows that . That's why so is so careful and cautious " Darnel said.
" Hm..." Amir anxiously exhaled.
" when exactly did you start hiding the relationship with Sky" Amir added.
" mother first found it cute and funny cause she thought it was just a phase i will out grow . " Darnel narrated.
" as i clocked nine , she restricted me from Sky . I knew she meant and then i had started understanding the consequences of going against her . So for a year , i acted like the friendship was done . " Darnel said .
" that gave rise to the mysterious J who started sending books , as she and i communicated secretly " Darnel added.
" Aunty didn't even suspect you " Amir wondered.
" she did , but desperate times call for desperate messures. I mostly leave the books for Nancy to bring to Sky on days mom hosts parties. I also learnt writing with my left hand " Darnel smiled.
" with a clean phone that mom had cloned. I was off the hook " Darnel added.
" they were convinced J was someone else " Amir smiled.
" yes . Till this day . I think that is the secret i have kept so discretely and a friendship i have moved heavens for " Darnel smiled.
" from what I observed ,Lady Scarlet is a perfectionists, and things must go her way " Amir said.
" Correct , there is no room for errors or alternatives to what she desires." Darnel said .
"This past year , why did you stop communicating " Amir asked.
" Babi pushed me away ."Darnel said.
"Babi says , because of the engagement. She was terrified having her two best friends engaged. " Darnel said.
Amir raised his eyeborrows in surprise.
" that was it " Amir asked .
" yes ..its all she gave me for a reason " Darnel said.
" explains the fight in the car as we went to the beach " Amir chuckled.
Darnel laughed .
"Wait ...now genuine question " Amir dire sounded.
" shoot " Darnel said.
" 15 years of friendship. Not with just anyone but withh B. She is pretty , smart , fun ....."
" Where is that question going " Darnel cut Amir off. Both laughed.
" you mean to tell you have never once had a crush on her.. and you don't romantically fancy her " Amir asked.
" Come on " Darnel laughed.
" you were urged to kiss her while she was a kid , what about now looking like that " Amir said.
They both laughed.
" Should i take your silence for a positive confirmation to the question?" Amir laughed.
Darnel laughed, shaking his head . He had quickly answered the questions before, with this one he was hesitant.
"Sky....to me .( he thoughtfully smiled )
She is my soul mate. I don't need to find that kind connection with another girl since i found it with her " Darnel smiled.
" that person i don't ever want to lose .." He smiled.
" so you love her " Amir widely smiled curiously.
" not romantically. Such love comes and go. She is my best friend, my family " Darnel smiled.
Amir laughed .
" alright , then have you two kissed again " Amir asked .
" Uh..." Darnel sighed.
His mind running back to the moment she mouth feed him.
Was that considered a kiss on not. To be honest that moment had been replaying in his mind from time to time .
" oh..shit..it has happened again " Amir unbelievably said.
"No....No...." Darnel laughed .
" i kiss multiple times , on the forehead " Darnel said.
" Fuck you...you know that's not i mean " they laughed again.
" i am sorry about losing my shit on you " Amir softly said
" it's alright " Darnel smiled.
Both their attention is taken by the footsteps approaching them.
Babi confusedly glared at both of them.. She didn't expect Amir to be with Amir .
Amir sighed standing up .
"Lets talk " Amir said to Babi and walked ahead leaving her with Darnel.
Babi frowned watching him go then turned back to Darnel.
" what do you need " Darnel asked .
" my phone ," Babi said.
Darnel smiled . He pulled her phone out of the coat handing it her.
"He knows," Darnel said .
" knows what?" Babi anxiously asked , getting closer to him.
" that i am J , that we were together yesterday and all..."
" What the fuck..." Babi angrily cut him.
" Before you get mud at me. I didn't say anything . He knew . He even wanted to fight me " Darnel quickly defended himself .
"How " Babi wandered
" go talk to him " Darnel said.
Babi sighed heavily, immediately rushing out to talk to Amir .
Reaching out the library, Amir was outside waiting .
" Amir..." Babi anxiously called
Amir didn't say a word, he led the way , Babi following to outside the school building.
" Amir , i am ..."
" why didn't you inform me that Marieh was engaged " Amir immediately asked .
Babi stared at Amir blankly , she had expected him to be angry about her and Darnel.
" that .." Babi stammered
" you saw me falling for her and you wouldn't warn me " Amir angrily said.
" that's because there engagement is nothing " Babi said.
" if it is really nothing , then why did you push Darnel away when you discovered their engagement " Amir asked.
" That's..." Babi lacked what to say . This confirmed to Babi that Amir was really aware of her friendship with Darnel.
"I really can't believe you knew and didn't say a word," Amir unbelievably said.
" i am sorry, but i couldn't," Babi said.
" Marieh didn't want you to know yet , i wouldn't go behind her back," Babi added.
" Babi , i am your cousin. Literally, your brother. " Amir yelled .
" i am sorry," Babi softly said.
" she likes you, and you like her , i thought that wouldn't matter . Since she was already planning to tell you, " Babi added.
" This makes me wonder, what else you're hiding from me?" Amir asked .
Babi sadly exhaled with a frown.
" Amir...i am so sorry " Babi pleaded.
" quite some loyalty. " Amir scoffed, immediately walking off .
Babi sighed wearily, watching Amir walk off.
" Fuck ..." Babi said in frustration.
*
A soft, subtle piano tune was playing in the ballet room . The atmosphere was calm and soothing .
With Neacky in the middle of the room gently stretching in a splint.
She softly and dulcetly laid her body forward on the right leg , her fingers touching her feet .
Slowly breathing and out .
She wore a long brown sleeved leotard and black shorts and her afro hair tied neatly up in a bun.
Bare feet with the ballet pointee shoes before her .
With a soft smile , William watched her from outside the glass door .
Neacky looked so beautifully pleasing that one could look at it without getting tired. The calmness and peacefulness from her made you admire and appreciate ballet before she even started dancing .
William quietly opened the door, stepping inside .
" You look like a goddess in her element." William smiled, walking closer.
" i had never seen you like this," He added , sitting down on the floor before her .
Neacky raised her upper body with a smile on her face .
" What are you doing here, your highness?" Neacky asked.
William laughed, bitting his lower will, gazing at her softly.
" Why do you keep calling me that?" William asked.
" Because i know how much it agitates you. I find joy in that " Neacky widely smiled.
William smacked his lips , the smile on leaving his face and his gaze glued to her .
" i have this feeling i can't explain," William said .
" You intrigue me, Neacky. i find myself wanting to know more about you," William softly added.
Neacky's soft and flustered gazed met his .
" You keep on running in my head rent-free." William softly added.
His gaze all over her flustered face , he stared at her lips then gently up into her eyes again.