Joanna's POV
Yeah, I figured you would do that." Elvis chuckled. "So how are you doing?"
"I'm fine." I shrugged and continued eating.
Seeing this, he gave mom a look that made me sigh and repeat what I had said "I'm fine."
"Hunie, you know you can tell us anything," Mom pronounced as she trudged over to pat my shoulders.
I swallowed what I was chewing and faced them, "I know you all think I'm in denial or just bottling my feelings up, but the truth is I'm not."
In retort, they both kept silent and stared at me. I cracked up at that before I continued.
"I won't say, it doesn't hurt, it but believe me when I say I feel much better now than I did yesterday even though I cried a river last night and screamed a thousand times though soundlessly," I voiced out, recollecting the events of the previous night.
"After that was done, I froze my heart over a bucket of ice cream. By the way who got it for me?" I polled a thankful smile on my face.
"I sent Elvis to get it after you came in." Mom replied and opened her arms for a hug. "Come here, baby."
I snickered at this and went into her embrace. "Thanks, Mom," I said.
"So," Elvis blurted. "What are you gonna do about him, because even though he broke your heart, he's still my friend."
"No worries, I'm working on that," I spoke. "Last night gave me time to think, so I have something on my mind."
"I hope it's good?" Mom asked an eyebrow raised. "I don't want to see you sad like that again."
"It might be good, It might be bad." I shrugged, "But right now? I need a bath. Oh, wait, that rhymed."
"You are going through an emotional breakdown and you are worried about what rhymed?" Elvis facepalmed.
"Hey, I didn't say I wasn't crazy." I chuckled, after which I rinsed my empty plate and waved at them before I headed for the stairs.
*******
After I had my bath and a change of clothes, I decided to check my phone, where I saw I had received dozens of messages from Harmony, Tenda, and the trio (Tony, Blake, and Ifeanyi).
I replied with an 'I am fine' to each of them, but none believed me. Even Harmony went to the extent of advising me that 'suicide wasn't the best option'
As I constantly argued with him on that, I got a text from Mystery guy.
Remember him? The guy who knows things about me, but still won't give me a clue about who he is. I know that's weird, right? Really weird.
How are you coping, It read.
Am fine, I replied.
Are you sure?
Yeah, why asking?
Considering what I heard and what I think happened, I don't think you are.
What did you hear, and think happened?
You broke up with Frank.
I wouldn't say I broke up, wait, how did you know?
Duh, I said I heard about it.
Oh okay, but from where or whom did you hear it, because it just happened last night, that's too short of a time for the news to fly. I texted, feeling a bit paranoid and scared.
Sorry, I just get the information. He replied, which heightened my doubts and fears.
Who are you? I questioned.
I think we've already established that baby, it's not yet time for you to know me, even though you already do.
How does that even make sense?
Hush, don't stress your pretty brain about it.
This made me shake my head with an eye-roll before I replied with an, Okay, If you say so.
So about the other thing.....
What other thing?
Are you really fine?
Not to lie, It hurts but am coping quite well, though no one believes that.
Alright dear, so what do you plan to do.
You mean for now? I'm not yet sure but would come up with something soon.
You should know I'm here for you okay?
Yeah, thanks.
Later. I replied, after which I logged out of the messaging app as I heard Tenda's voice coming from downstairs. Not long after, I heard a knock on my door.
I rolled my eyes at this and said "You can come in you know?"
"Well, I wasn't sure if a lion was gonna pounce on me, or have a snake swallow me, things happen," She let out in a shrug to which I laughed hysterically and shook my head.
"You are laughing like a maniac, should I call the mental hospital or maybe your mum?" She inquired, a slightly scared look in her eyes. "I think I should just run."
"Sit down you goof." I chuckled, as she turned her back to stroll out the door.
"How about a four feet space from the mental patient," She mumbled.
"Do what you want, but first, pass the ice cream," I spoke and gestured to the sealed plate of ice cream in her palm.
"I was thinking you won't need it so I could take it back," She grumbled as she sauntered to where I sat on the bed.
"You my girl, are a bad friend," I fake scolded, while I took the ice cream from her and opened it.
"Yeah yeah, your bad friend who brought you ice cream." She scowled.
"The ice cream you prayed I wouldn't want," I said with a laugh.
"True." She confessed as I scooped a spoon of ice cream into my mouth.
"Damn, I've found a new boyfriend," I moaned when it melted on my taste buds.
"Speaking of boyfriends, how are you dealing with the one you just lost?" She interviewed, giving me a sad look, that I shrugged in response.
"Don't <shrug> me, I need an answer," She commanded.
"Am fine." I sighed, tired of everyone asking me that question over and over.
"Like that's reliable." She scoffed, "Even a mad man doesn't believe he's mad."
"How does madness connect with this." I rolled my eyes, "Anyway, take it or leave it."
"Babe," She called, "You're my best friend, you can tell me anything."
I placed the half-eaten plate of ice cream on the side and swerved to glance at her. "I said I'm fine, I am."
"I know everyone might think I'm in denial but the fact is, I'm not. It broke me to see him swapping spit with a bitch, yeah it did but I've come to terms with it," I proceeded.
"It is one thing to suspect it and one thing to see it unfold before my eyes. I remember hearing my heart getting smashed into a million pieces, but heck, I'm coping fine," I said with a reassuring smile.
"To be honest, I shed a good portion of tears last night, and the amount of sugar I've consumed in the past few hours should be able to sign me up for diabetes for life, but I'm fine." I grinned.
"You sure?" She doubted, an unbelieving look in her eyes.
"Yes, like a heart attack." I nodded.
"I thought that was the answer to an are you a serious question?" She implored.
"Who cares." I smiled.
"Based on what happened, how do you feel?" She queried with an 'I need a valid answer' stare.
"Um, broken, sad, angry. I also can't help but feel a sense of hope," I responded.
"Hope?" She interrogated, confused. "What do you mean by hope?"
Freshy❤