C18 WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME

On returning home after her escort, Aims glided through the hall, calling. "Mum...! Mum..! " Her voice echoed as she sauntered through the corridor towards her mother's room.

"I'm here.... in the kitchen". Solidad answered which instinctively veered the former's attention towards the kitchen~ Her brows furrowed and face contorted with displeasure.

" But, mum.....you should be resting now. I can do these things before going to school". She glowered as she neared Solidad, who was by now, gazing at her.

" Don't worry, dear...I'm much better than before" She smiled, gently pressing the former's cheeks. Aims sighed, her face dead without any smile with worry boldly engraved on her face.

"I know... mum, but you still need to rest now. The doctor said you should not stress yourself so much". Solidad smiled and briefly bundled her in a hug.

" Alright.... alright, my nurse, I will but for now ~ let's get you ready for school." She stated as she held her away. " I'll be going to the market soon. Since Mrs. Florence will be bringing some goods to me today. I've got to be there early enough ". She opted for an explanation that didn't sink so well for Aims.

" No mum, you ain't going to the market today because I'll be taking charge.... since I won't be going to school ".

Solidad's gaze instinctively furrowed, confusion swept over her face. Aimscious wasn't a type to just choose work over schooling or absenting herself without any good reason. This raised numerous questions in her thoughts.

" Why won't you go to school today? ~ Is there any problem ?" She finally asked and as if on an impulse, pressed on. " If there is, tell me, I'll just go and talk to the principal about it".

Memories of what had happened yesterday suddenly flooded Aimscious thoughts which tore her into a state of dilemma.

" Should I tell her of the bullying?" She comprehended but then, spontaneously objected. "No, no... What if she gets over-worried and complicates her health ~ No, it's too risky....can't take such a risk. With just these bruises, I nearly lost her yesterday.

What will happen if I tell her that am being bullied. No... , No.., I can't tell her now, can't afford to lose her."

Soledad, who was still searching through her face as if she could see through her, called after what seemed like an everlasting silence. " Aims...., Aims...." She tapped her on the shoulder, turning her towards herself.

" What's wrong, dear?~ I was asking a question and you just remained mute, lost in your wonder world. Tell me, what's going on". She asked with a worried look.

" Nothing..., Nothing.... mum, everything is perfectly fine." She fidgeted, avoiding eye contact. " I'll be getting ready for school now~ guess I'm running late" With this, she briskly raced up the stairs, escaping further queries from her mother. Solidad stared at her back with a slightly dropped jaw and a creased brow.

" Why is she acting so strange today~ hope everything is well with her or...." She paused for a brief moment before continuing " Is she trying to hide something from me". She thought but then tilted her head with a sigh and returned to what she was doing.

Hours later, Aimscious returned to the hall, all dressed up ~ her hair gathered in a ponytail with her bag, hanging over one shoulder.

" See you later mum.....I've got to go now". Peeking Solidad on the cheek, she made her way out of the house.

" Won't you take your breakfast? " Solidad echoed behind her.

"No mum....... I'll do that at school ~ I'm already late, bye."

Solidad worriedly stared at her daughter's back fade out of the gate. An inaudible sigh escaped her lips~ Aims' silence kept bothering. She knew there was something she was harboring and not ready to reveal for reasons unknown to her. Brushing it off for later, she hurried to her room to get ready for the market.

SCHOOL

With a 30min drive, the bus finally pulled in front of her school and Aims was the first to alight. Noticing Mart a few meters ahead of her as she sauntered into the compound, she howled.

" Hey, Mart! .......wait for me."

Following the familiar voice, he spontaneously turned, halting in his steps; he beamed with smiles on seeing her.

"Aimscious..... thought you were already in". He exclaimed with a surprised look of which she chortled.

" No, was helping mum with the chores. Hope you're good". He nodded his response and they both hurried in, immersed in their conversation.

Vicky who took notice of them as they marched to their desk, deftly glared at Aimscious with an angry and fierce gaze as if to devour her with it. " It seems you didn't get enough of what we gave you yesterday." She snared, her lips gathered in a grin." Prepare for the worst, honey ".

She spoke under her breath and smiled. With her gaze traveling back at her friends, Rita and Martha, she winked and they nodded with a mischievous smile displayed on their faces. Realizing the looks on their faces as she settled in her desk, Aimscious, slightly tilted her head, chanting a few words underneath her breath.

" Don't be a coward Aims...... be brave and stand for yourself. Fight back or lose your mother and future".

Seeing how nervous she looked, Mart tapped her shoulder, worried.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." She stuttered and sighed, smiling at him afterward.

After hours of lecture, the bell finally rang for a break. The teacher gave their assignment out and left. Just then, Vicky and her friends sauntered over to Aimscious' desk and settled in beside her with, Rita and Martha seated on top of the desk and Vicky right next to her.

"Hey...silly, it seems you didn't learn your lesson from what you received yesterday, huh? ". Vicky uttered, moving her hand gently over her cheeks of which Rita instinctively pushed her head so hard that she spontaneously hit her head to the desk. This made them burst with laughter and pleasure~ It looked fun enough. But then there was fun was suddenly interrupted by a cold echo.

"You..... guys... should... leave... her alone."

Mart angrily shouted which made them flinch~ Seeing the dark look in his eyes, they dashed out in terror. Aims just stayed in their seat, drenched in tears.

" It's okay..stop crying" He instinctively wrapped her in a hug as he comforted her. With a few sobs, she finally warmed down; Mart dried her tears with his hand and added. " Glad you finally calmed down~ come on, let's go have our lunch, now, okay?".

With a nod, he held helped her by the elbow and they trod out.

CANTEEN

"Take yours and go sit over there". Mart gave Aims' food to her and briefly turned for his~ Vicky, Martha and Rita watched from the corner of they sat. Slowly, Aimscious inched over to an empty table behind them ~ Noticing her approach, they swiftly shared meaningful glances and smiled. Just as she took a pass by their table, Martha stretched her leg out into her path which made her

stumble and landed flat on the floor in front of them; causing the food to spill all over her uniform. They instantly busted with laughter, making fun of her in the process.

" Ouch...does it hurt...?" Vicky laughed and Rita joined with Martha.

"This ugly face is suffering from poor eyesight as well?~ awwn, laughing. Such a poor soul" Martha teased.

"Too bad... I'm even ashamed for her." Rita added which made everyone present at the canteen laugh. Mart saw what had happened instinctively rushed to her aid, lifting her from the floor.

" Are you, alright ?" Mart asked in a worried tone and she nodded with a yes. " I'm fine" She added.

Furiously turning to Vicky and her friends, he lifted a hand about to hit Vicky but then, Aims immediately held it up in mid-air which made him glance back at her with furrowed brow, confused.

" Don't worry, I'll handle it..." She intoned with a blank gaze which Mart wasn't so convinced with but then, gave in by her assurance. Just when she turned to them, she landed a slap on Vicky's cheeks which made her land on her side on the floor~ A fierce look suddenly took over her calm and warm personality. Both Vicky's friends and everyone around looked on, stunned.

" What do you want from me?" Aims barked. " What have I done to you that you want to make my life so miserable?...

What.....?" She angrily howled, silent tears waned it's way down her cheeks. Vicky on the other hand just stared at her a bit shocked and angry.

" You don't know what I want from you?" She shouted in anger.

" Yes, and I want to know now...!"

" Then listen! " She exclaimed and as if on an impulse, added. " You've got something which doesn't belong to you and until you let go of it, you will know no peace" With this, Vicky dashed, furious ~ her friends quickly raced off after her.

Aimscious just stared at her back, puzzled and confused as she scrolled through her thoughts to catch a hint of what she was talking about but all seem not to make any sense.

" What do you mean by that?" She shouted at her back but the cold silence hit back. " What do I have that doesn't belong to me?~ Tell me...Until I know what it is, I'll never allow you tumble or me ."

With those words, she stormed out of the canteen ~ Mart gazed at her back still shocked at her sudden

bravery of which a smile managed its way over his face.