AGE( it is just a number)
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Episode 19
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Still the one I love
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Hazel Dakota
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Even after two months , I couldn’t go a day without thinking about ha-rd in as my heart still yearns for him ; despite the way he treated my like trash ,I still miss him , still want him and most especially still love him…..
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A loud shrill cry disrupted my sleep and I slowly opened my eyes to see Alexia singing and dancing around the room…..
Crazy! When did she even get back from school?”I thought within
glancing at the wall clock in , it was a little past 14:00pm
I wi-de-ned my eyes in surprise
unbelievable! I never knew I sle-pt this long!
Lazily, I sat up on the be-d , ru-bbing my eyes as I made a yawning sound
“Do you want to swallow me?”Alexia asked , turning sideways to face me and I smiled, ignoring her question
“But what exactly is wrong with you? she continued, I mean you sleep most of the time and also get tired easily , are you sure you are alright? ” she asked worriedly, removing the earphone from her ear as she sat down beside me
“I am alright!”I simply answered
Dragging myself out from the be-d, I went over to the wardrobe , opened it and searched throu-gh for my black go-wn….
I have to get re-ady for work!
“but isn’t this night job gonna be stressful, why can’t you just skip it ?” Alexia probe-d on
“You should know , I nee-d to save up money to register for SAT before its closing d@t£”. I answered, pu-lling out the go-wn : then placed it on my shoulders
removing the sheet wra-pped around my b©dy , I was about wearing the black go-wn when I suddenly had the urge to puke
I rushed into the bathroom , leaning on the toilet as I retched and cough up a thin stream of vomit …
Oh God! what is wrong with me? I wondered , breathing ha-rd ……
*
returning to the room, I coll@psed on the be-d
I was so damn weak!
“Are you sure you are alright?”Alexia , asked staring down at my face and I nodded slowly
I just nee-d to rest a little !!!
“Again?” She muttered with an eye roll but I ignored her , closing my eyes as my mind drifted back to the last S-x I had with ha-rd in
Am I possibly preg..:no it can’t be , it is probably just a fever …
Just then , the door flew open and my mum walked in holding a brown envelope
“Hazel! a man on bike asked me to deliver this to you”. She stated , handing me the envelope
Sitting up , I looked at the envelope and then back at her
” a man on bike”.I repeated and she nodded
You should open it!
Curious, I to-re up the envelope and brou-ght out a folded paper ; unfolding the paper, what I re-ad made me screamed loudly
” what is it ?”Alexia asked, staring down at the paper
“It is..it is.. it is a SAT sl!pregistered in my name” I answered, staring at the form with trembling hands and my mum audibly g@sped in surprise
“how is that possible? I mean you haven’t registered for it or have you?” She asked , leaning over to have a closer look
“No I haven’t , I am also confused…. or wait! could it be”. I paused , re-ading throu-gh the sl!pall over again
My name! d@t£ of birth! hobby!even my favourites quote were filled up correctly and to sum it all, the only person who knows me this well is ….ha-rd in
” oh my gawd! it is ha-rd in”. I said aloud and my mom and Alexia exchanged looks
“ha-rd in! they both chorused and I nodded slowly
And why would he do that ?” Alexia retorted, staring at me with disbelief written all over her face
“That is because!That is because!…I don’t even know”. I answered with a sigh as my mom gave me a puzzled look
“This is so confusing! I mean if he cares enough to register you for SAT , then why did he dump you?”
“he didn’t dump me ,he just st©pped talking to me “. I corrected, ma-king Alexia roll her eyes
What is the difference???
Opening my mouth , I was about saying something when the queasy feelings suddenly returned
And without wasting time , I jo-lted up from the be-d and rushed into the bathroom to puke and on returning to the room , I c@m£ face to face with my mum curious gaze
” what is wrong with you Hazel?” She asked , holding her w@!st
“Nothing mum”. I answered trying not to meet her gaze
” Really! so tell me , how many times have you done this today?” She continued
“It is twice mom”. Alexia bu-tted in and I bit at my upperl-ips as I gave her a ” I will kill you look”
“Whatever “. She mouthed as she looked away
An awkward silence fell ,and from the blank look on my mum face I could tell what she was thinking..
” You still a v!rg!nright?” She asked and I was a bit taken aback by her question , I wasn’t expecting her to put it this way ….
“Are you?” She repeated as I swallowed ha-rd
“Erm mum erm I yes erm erm no mum”. I stuttered and she scoffed , nodding her head slowly
“Oh!now I get it, so that teenage j£rk got you la-id , taking your pride just because of this mere sli-p. She yelled in anger , snatching the sl!pfrom my hand then threw it on the floor
Mum! I called softly as tears rolled down my eyes
“Are you this desperate to get into college? Is that why gave him your b©dy?” She continued as I shook my head vigorously
I will never do that!!!!
“Then why did you sleep with him ?”
” because I love him” I answered truthfully and that was it , she flared up
“Love! Love! All I keep on hearing is love! why did you do it? Love !! If truly there is love between both of you , then why did he throw you out of his house? Why hasn’t he called you ever since? or is it a one – sided thing? If yes , what will happen to the child growing inside of you” . She rasped and I froze on the sp©t
Growing child! What the hell is she talking about? am I really pregnant? hell no , it can’t be , it really can’t be
And as if re-ading my thoughts, she continued “I have been watching you closely Hazel ,the way you sleep, eat and even your sudden weight gain all arou-se my suspicion but i waved it off believing you were still a v!rg!n”
“No mum! all this are mere as-sumptions, I am not pregnant” I blurted out as she huffed
Then I think you should find out yourself!!
Having said that ,she stormed out of the room in a huff ….
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Confused , I stood up from the be-d and ambled to the mirror stand to stare at my reflection
“Am I really getting fat?”I muttered, turning back and front
“Of course you are”. Alexia replied and I stared at her throu-gh the mirror to see her staring back at me ..
I sighed, This is not going to be good!
without saying more, I hurriedly dressed up in the black go-wn , combe-d out my long hair , put on my sandals , picked up my bag along with my phone and then made for the door
“Where are you going ?”Alexia asked
“To the hospital “. I answered with a furtive glance over my shoulder as I scurried out of the house to the Taxi station , ignoring my mum angry gaze …..
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Getting to the Station, I flagged down a taxi and got in
“Harmony hospital!” I called and the driver nodded before driving off
Panicking, I leaned in the seat as I tried to imagine what would happen if I am truly pregnant
My dream of college will be shattered! My mum will be disappointed! I will become a single mother…..oh God!
I weeped silently as I was in pains
Why did I lie to ha-rd in about the implant ? how did I fall so de-eply with him? Will he even accept the pregnancy? I don’t think so , he clearly told me how much he despises the word “pregnancy”
Oh Hazel! It is all your fault, What will you do now?
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The car skidded in front the hospital and on paying the driver, I alighted from the car and walked straight to the reception
I met a crowd of people in the “waiting room” so I sat down , joining them in waiting and when it finally got to my turn , I stood up from the leather chair and walked in counting my steps until I got to the doctor desk
“Good afternoon ma!”I greeted the woman on seat
“Morning! She responded, raising her head to look at me and lol and behold, it was the same doctor who attended to my mother
“So how can I help you?” She asked, gesturing me to sit and I did
“Erm ma actually I c@m£ here to take a pregnancy test. I answered shyly as her blue eyes bored into mine
She smiled lightly, “Are you having any of the symptoms?”
I nodded my head
“State it”.. she continued writing into a big book
general weakness, nausea, irritation, weird cravings and constant slee-ping
“Good, when last did you see your period?” She continued
” erm that should be… I paused , tilting my head as I tried to remember.. that should be April”. I answered and her eyes wi-de-ned in surprise
“Last two months!” She retorted and that was when the realisation hit me , I was truly pregnant
“I will nee-d to draw up blood from you to carry out a proper test “. She continued but her voice sounded so far- off as I was completely out of it ..
What will happen to me now? Is this the beginning of my nightmare?
I was confused and broken at the same time that even when the nee-dle went into me , I felt no pain …..
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In what seems like eternity, the Doctor returned to the office holding an envelope
And Despite alre-ady knowing the result , my heart still pounded
“Here” . She said , handing me the envelope as I swallowed ha-rd
” you are 7 weeks pregnant”. She added and without saying anything, I stood up and ran all the way to the hospital hvge gate
I was so scared , I was so confused, what will I do now? I really nee-d to talk to someone…
Bringing my phone out of my bag, I abs£ntmindedly dialled my Mum number and she picked it on the first ring
“Hazel! how did it go?” She asked with a cracked voice and, I could tell she was worried
“I am pregnant mom”. I blurted out and the line went quiet
” plea-se mum, talk to be ” . I pleaded as tears rolled down my eyes
“how many weeks gone?”she suddenly asked
Seven . I answered and she sighed
“I think you nee-d to inform it’s father”
“But how? his number is not even going throu-gh and I don’t have any other means of reaching him”
“Then go over to his house or better still try to talk to any close friend of his because ab-ortion isn’t an option. She stated and ended the call….
I scratched my hair in confusion
Go over to his house! Close friends! Does ha-rd in have any close friend who knows him well enough? If yes , who could it be ? Is it … Richa-rd or ….. Mike , yes it is Mike , they both know each other from London so I believe he might know why ha-rd in pushed me out of his life….
Reasons, ha-rd in changed the same day Mike attem-pted to r@p£ me , Did Mike say something bad to him? I am really curious…..
Scrolling throu-gh my phone, I dialled Mike number and he picked it up on the second ring
“Hazel! Is that really you? “his baritone voice rang throu-gh and I clutched my fist ti-ghtly, remembering what I pas-sed throu-gh in his hands
“Yes Mike! It is me “. I answered coldly and he sighed
“Oh Hazel! I wish to call but I was just too scared”. he said and I scoffed
” I want us to meet , where are you?”I asked , ignoring his questions
“South Tacoma”. he answered
That is so damn far. I thought within
“but I will be in the North tomorrow, I will call…… he tried to say but I cut him off
“No! s£nd me the address , I will join you there”. I said trying not to sound too desperate
There was a long silence and then he agreed
“Alright”. he simply said and ended the call…
I knew i ought to be scared but funny enough, I wasn’t .. I guess i was just too desperate to get my ha-rd in back …
My phone suddenly beeped indicating a text message: cl!çk!ng on it , I re-ad it aloud
“FOX str!ppers bar South Tacoma”…
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ha-rd in Castillo
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Laying on my be-d , i was trying to round up an as-signment when my phone rang
I reached for it , on checking the caller , it was Richa-rd
I received it
“hello Castillo!” he greeted first , shouting as the background was so noisy
“Yo! howdy!”I responded, still writing into my book
“Cool man! You really nee-d to be here, the p@rty is so much fun. “he continued
“I don’t what to”. I simply stated
“And why is that? Is it because it is Steve’s p@rty? C’ mom man , you really nee-d to let go of the grudges And moreover, he apologised more than a countless time to you”
“It is not that , I have a thera-py session to catch up with” I explained
“Just this once Castillo plea-se” . he pleaded and sighed
” and there are lot of booze and girls” . he added and I sm-irked
“Now you are talking! I will Join you there soon”
You know the venue right???
“Sure”. I answered and ended the call
*
Getting off the be-d , I went over to the wardrobe, opened it ,pu-ll-ed out an all black outfit along with a boot and hurriedly dressed up in it …
I styled out my hair; picked up my car keys along with my phone and made for the door; opening it , I bu-mped into someone or should I say someone bu-mped into me and lol and behold , it was my ” personal maid”
“Arrgh! are you blind?” I barked at her
” erm I am sorry Sir ha-rd in , I erm never knew you were behind the door”. She stuttered, pla-ying with her hands shyly and I scoffed , ignoring her as I climbe-d down the stairs
She is just so annoying, she is nothing near Hazel …. $h!t! Why am I even comparing her to Hazel?
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Getting to the sitting room, I found my parent k!ss!ngand when I say k!ssing, I mean an £r0tick!ss
Really! Is this why my dad is yet to return to London? So he can k!ssmy mum?
Oh right! they would probably be scre-wing each other also”
On clearing my throat , they quic-kly pu-ll-ed out of the k!ss, composing themselves
” erm ha-rd in , why did you get here?” my dad asked , grinning like an idiot
I looked at him , my mom and then back at him
“Are you committing fornication with my mom?” I fired at him and they both exchanged looks
“Fornication! what do you mean by that?”he asked , chuckling nervously and I sm-irked
“Isn’t it obvious! you both are divorced so you should learn to keep your hands to yourself!” I retorted and he huffed
” you are crazy son!he remarked and then faced my mom who was watching both of us quietly, Are you sure the thera-py is working on this kid?”
My mom chuckled, of course Dave, he is just being ha-rd in
“Whatever”. I muttered
“And by the way , Why are you dressed like this , are you going out?” She continued
“Yep”. I answered, popping the p and my dad scoffed
“That is not possible! Your thera-py session is in less than an hour and your thera-pist will soon be here”
I sighed, can’t i just skip it for today ?
“And why is that?” he retorted
“I nee-d to have a little fun , I am tired of this boring life of mine.” I said , hoping this ” King Kong” father of mine would un-derstand and to be surprise, he did
” Alright son! have fun but remember, no late coming, no drun!kdriving and no girls or else you will be …….
grounded. I completed and he nodded in agreement
” yeah! Yeah! Yeah!”. I exclaimed, raising my hand in defeat as I walked out of the house”
“And remember to make use of c0md0mshould in case”.My dad called after me
“Crazy”!I muttered
*
I got to the garage just in time to See Zuma drive in with his power bike
Leaning on my car , I waited patiently for him to get to me and when he did , he took off his helmet and bowed his head , greeting
I nodded in response
” so how did it go?” I started
” It went well sir , I delivered the envelope to her mother”. he answered and I nodded
Good! I remarked, dismissing him
Opening the door , I got into the car , started it and drove off to ” Petra club”
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The sound of the music could be heard from far away so I wasn’t surprised by the deafening music blasting out from two large loud speakers when I parked out in front : and on alighting from the car , I walked into the club to see a throng of people dancing , drinking and p@rtying away ….
This is so not my thing!
Looking around the club , I sighted ” my friends” including Kimberly seated at a far corner in the room
And With my hands in my pocket, I sauntered up to them
seeing me , Kimberly who was rolling and twer-king on Steve d!¢k rushed to hvg me
I duck, pushing her away as I sat down in between Richa-rd and Steve
“Happy Birthday man”. I greeted Steve and he smiled sheepishly
” Thanks for coming, it really means a lot to me. he told me and I nodded
“so what will you drink? Rum, Bourbon, Whiskey or Vodka ”
“Rum”. I simply answered and he made signal at a waiter who immediately c@m£ rushing to our table
“Get four bottles of Rum with two bottles of Bourbon “. he instructed the waiter who nodded before running off …
So which of the girls do you like? Richa-rd bu-tted in , nudging me to look towards the entrance and when I did, I saw two h0t girls walk in
One was curvy , tall and endowed, the second one was also curvy but short and tiny just like …… Hazel
I smiled lightly, I really missed her
Which one? Richa-rd repeated
“The short one”. he answered abs£ntmindedly as my mind was filled up with the thoughts of Hazel
What will she be doing? Is she still tou-ching people recklessly? or have she found someone else?… my mind skipped a bit at the thought of it..
I pray and hope she won’t … damn! What am I even saying? I can’t give her the happiness she wants so she deserves someone better
“Down to earth ha-rd in!” Richa-rd laughed , snapping his f!ngersin front of me and I quic-kly composed myself
“Erm what were you saying?” I asked , staring at the beauty standing in front of me
“I said the beauties are here”. he repeated and then faced the ” endowed lady sitting on his l@ps”
And before I could say”Jack Robinson “, the short lady sat on my l@ps as she pla-yed with my bu-ttons
“I like you alre-ady, you are so cute”. She said, l!çk!ng herl-ips s£dûçt!velyas I huffed
Did I compare this slut to Hazel? no way , Hazel is so different….
” I like you too”. I said , tou-ching her br£@st throu-gh her “net t©p”
She wore no undies , ma-king it easier for me
And in return, she rolled and twer-ked on my d!¢k…
$h!t!! I gr-unted in plea-sure and Kimberly who was seated opposite us scoffed
“I can see someone is getting re-ady for an heartbreak” she muttered softly but I heard her clearly
” his maid isn’t enough for him after all” She added with an eye roll and I froze
” what did you say?” I asked calmly, pushing the girl off me as I stood up
” Nothing”. She answered and I scoffed , leaning towards her
“I know you are jealous but the fact still remains the same, you will always be the who-re who cheaply gave herself to me while Hazel or ” my maid” like you call her will always remain the woman in my heart”….
Having said that , i straightened myself and stormed out of the club in anger
“ha-rd in! ha-rd in! ha-rd in!” I heard Richa-rd call as he ran after me but I ignored him and kept on walking till I got to my car
Opening the car door , I started it and drove off to home ..
My heart was really hurting! I wanted Hazel, I nee-ded her, I don’t think I can stay away from her any longer…
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Hazel Dakota
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After being on the road for what seems like eternity, the driver finally st©pped in front of a building painted brown ….
Looking out of the window, I re-ad the inscription boldly written on the wall
” Fox str!p bar”
I paid the driver and on alighting, I walked in to see young ladies like me dancing n-ked
Yuck! I shook my head in disgust
Bringing out my phone , I was about dialling Mike number when I heard a voice call me
I quic-kly looked in the direction to see Mike seated on a table directly in front of me , smoking
I exhaled de-eply as I walked up to him
“hi! I greeted nervously, sitting down opposite him as he smiled lightly
“Hazel! Good to see you ,you look lovely as ever!he remarked, inhaling more of the smoke before he continued
“So why did you ask to see me? I mean ,i am so surprised, After all I did to you”
” I am here because of ha-rd in”. I answered truthfully and he chuckled softly
“ha-rd in! And what has that got to do with me?”
“A lot Mike ,what exactly did you tell him on that very day you almost R@p£d me ?” I half yelled, hitting my fist on the table and he leaned in the chair as he gave me a puzzled look
“And why are you asking?” he fired at me
“Because ha-rd in changed towards me from that day , he s£nt me out his house , changed his numbers and never calls me again! I retorted angrily
Just then a fat man on black c@m£ to Join us
I stared at curiously as he looked at me and then at Mike
“Who is she?”the man asked ,lighting up a cigarette
“She is the girl I told you about”. Mike answered
“Jay girl right?”the man asked and Mike nodded
I stared at both of them in surprise
Why did mike tell the man about me? Who is he? Jay again! Why does he keep on calling ha-rd in Jay?…. well! they are all from London. I quic-kly waved it off
“So what did you say to him? I repeated and he scoffed
“I didn’t say anything that will make him leave you , I think you should direct the question back to yourself , what did you say to him?” he fired back at me and I swallowed ha-rd
“I didn’t say anything! I just told him about my father, how he was murdered by a 14 year old kid and ………..
“Wait!”he barked, cutting in and I stared at him in surprise
Is he alright? I thought within
“Repeat what you said again”. he instructed, exchanging glances with the fat man
“And why should I do that?” I retorted
” I said repeat what you fv¢king said”. he growled in a de-ep menacing voice and I nodded , shuddering
“I said my dad was murdered by a 14 year old boy “. I repeated and that was when I saw it , the fear in his eyes
“Is your father by any chance Peter Dakota?”he asked, picking his words and I nodded
“How did you know?” I asked , staring intently at him
” that is because it was an Popular case in London”he answered
Gulping down his drink, he stood up as he made signals to the fat man to do the same….
“Are you for real? do you plan on leaving me here ?” I asked staring at him in disbelief
“Yes”. he answered, taking few steps forward but I stood up , rushing to block his path
” you can’t do that Mike , I c@m£ all the way her to talk to me you”
He scoffed , About ha-rd in?
” plea-se help me Mike ,tell me everything you know about ha-rd in” I pleaded, ignoring the mocking tone in his voice
“And why should I tell you?”
“Because i am carrying his child . I blurted out and he went stiff
” child! as in pregnant?” he repeated and without waiting for my response, he shove me away and walk past me out of the bar with the fat man following behind him…..
“What is wrong with him?”!I wondered
My phone suddenly rang and on checking the caller , it was an unsaved number
I received it
“hello!”I greeted first but there was no response
“hellooooo!” I greeted again
“hello Haz! “a familiar voice responded and my heart raced fas-ter
*
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TBC
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