CHAPTER 9

After I double locked the door, I went in front of the mirror and undressed. Oh my God! I couldn't believe what I saw. Am I really the woman in the mirror? My chest is full of kiss mark up to the belly. What kind of person is Brent and my body turned out like this? I'm afraid to take off my underwear because I might see kiss mark in my groin. It's really embarrassing! And since my skin isn't porcelain, my cheeks didn't turn red when I thought about what happened last night. Wait, how do I get kiss mark off my skin? I took out my cellphone and dialed Brent's number. Argh, where is he? I have called several times but he still hasn't answered. Disappointing. I put my cellphone back in the bag and put the stripped clothes back on. Then I went downstairs and went to the kitchen. The kitchen is also where we store the soaps and shampoos that will be used every time we bath. "Mom, I'm just going to be in the water for a while," I said goodbye to my mother but as usual, Mom was busy preparing the vegetables that she would cook for our lunch. "Don't you want to have breakfast first?" he asked me "Just later," I said. I'm not hungry. In my situation, will I feel so hungry that my mind and heart are arguing? I had taken a few steps when Mom called me. "How are you? Why are you walking like that?" Dead! Fortunately, only the mother noticed. When I woke up earlier, the part of my body that was in the middle of my thighs was a bit sore. "Ah because Mom, the heel of my shoe last night was so high that I tripped," I lied because I couldn't admit the truth yet. "Oh hey, I was wondering how you've been. You're walking so you can go home right away," he said. "Yes, Mom," I answered. As I was going to the water, I couldn't stop myself from crying because of what happened. How am I now? I really need to talk to Brent as soon as possible. I feel guilty about my parents. And also afraid of the possibility that I might get pregnant. I hope not. We only did that once. When I arrived at the water, I breathed a sigh of relief because there was no one there. It's usually because in our week, people take a bath early because they go to church. I opened our water bottle and quickly wet my hair. I don't want anyone to see me taking a bath now, it's hard. I was about to finish when suddenly someone came. When I looked who it was, my eyes widened. "What are you doing here?" "Because I miss you," he said while staring at me. I felt like he was undressing me with his eyes. By the way, I'm not wearing a bra. I easily folded my arms across my chest. The man just laughed at what I did. "Gosh, don't cover it up, after all I've seen everything in you," he said as if he was proud. "Brent!" I scolded him because I was worried about what he said, what if someone overhears us, right? "It's okay, it's just the two of us here, eh. So, are you really going to bathe here every day?" It changed the conversation while looking for a place to sit. "Yup. We have a bathroom at home but there's no water. So if I'm going to take a shower there, I have to carry this bucket of water. It's a waste of time and effort," I said. The water body is also a few meters away from our house. "Isn't Kevin _ your neighbor? Have you bathed here together?" The man was curious. I burst out laughing at his question. I don't know, but I laugh at Brent every time Kevin's full name is mentioned. "Yup, why?" "Didn't he see that too?" "What?" It didn't answer and just pointed at my chest. "Well, maybe, I don't know if he's looking at me. But Kevin's place is right there," I pointed to the water dumps ahead and it was a little far from our place. "Hmm okay, but maybe it's better for you guys to take a shower? What if some guy suddenly comes and attacks you?" "You're terrible. Well, we've been doing this for a few years, we're used to it. So far, no one has come here and watched face-to-face while me or my friends and I were taking a bath....except you ." "Hey, I'm not a stickler," he said to me with a smile. "Ah, that's why I have kiss mark on my body," I said and Brent was stunned by what I told him. "Jamie, I'm sorry, I couldn't stop myself last night. Until now, I'm still in love with you, eh." "Hmmm, what if what we did last night pays off?" My fear that our sex last night might pay off came back again. I was stupid because I immediately agreed to what he wanted. "Actually, that's why I came here to talk to you about what happened to us." The man was so serious when he spoke that it made me a little nervous. What if he says he was just playing with me? That I was too naive and easily fell into his trap? "I'll be responsible for what happened, Jamie," he promised. Only then I breathed a sigh of relief. But does he really need to come to us to say that he will not leave me on the air? Maybe tomorrow because we will meet at school. "Thank you. The truth is, I'm afraid you might just leave me because you've taken my womanhood." "That's not going to happen Jamie. I love you so much. Apart from missing you as soon as I woke up, I would like to talk to your parents." Oh, dead. I dropped my mug in shock. "Now? Are you sure?" I asked him. "Of course. I want them to know that I'm serious about you," said the man. "Ah...you can. So can we just tell them about us after graduation? Dad might be shocked, you know." I explained to Brent what might happen when he talks to Father today. "You're the next one. If you want to tell them after graduation, there's no problem with me. All I'm worried about is you," he said passionately, making my heart grow fonder. It's okay. Brent's words shook me. Seriously, it's like my knees are going to give out again at his words. "Just after graduation." When the man nodded, I felt like a thorn had been pulled out. How come, I still need to find a good time before talking to my parents. Definitely, not today. "Aren't you done?" The man asked again. "It's over, I just need to fill this tub with water again. Just a moment," I told him. "Alright, I'll help you." Brent stood up and took the bucket I was holding. He placed it in the tube that served as a heart valve. "It's so hard," the man complained. "It's like that here in our village," I said and because the man was only sleeveless, I could clearly see how his arm muscles moved every time he lifted the water pot up and down. "Wow, honey!" We both turned around when suddenly someone spoke behind us. "O Kevin, it's you, how are you?" Brent was the first to speak to the two of us.