Midnight Shrub

chapter 9 - ANJU

A/N : Chapter 9 has four different POVs. these POVs show what each main character was doing before the storm happened. enjoyyyy!!

ANJU

I have been laying on the bed, looking at the ceiling and thinking.

It's been one week since Omasiri couldn't decipher this letter. Another fail. I really hoped this had been the one. I had that feeling. I trusted that feeling. I didn't know it was going to be another shattered hope. She said something about nightmares. Funny how the only nightmare I'm having is living alone. I'm starting to get pissed off. Should I just give up? Siju is really trying his best and this letter has nothing to do with him. He's only doing this because it's for me. He sacrificed a lot for me. I've known him for like 10 years now and then he left his family for me. I don't want all these to be a waste on him.

No matter how much I look at it. My mind is always back to her face. The northern girl. Omasiri's friend. There's something about her. I have been thinking about her. For a moment, she felt familiar. She felt different but familiar. Dare I say it? For a moment her eyes looked like mine. I saw it in a flash. I must have been hallucinating and confused it with a vision.

No! It's not my business so I do not care. I turned on my side.

What I care about now is this letter. Getting it deciphered, so I can know my next step and that's not easy. Omasiri was the closest thing to an answer so far. Papa why did you like speaking in riddles? I'm yet to know if you're even alive or not. Back to square one for us.

I'll figure it out when Siju gets back with those tickets. "Tickets! Market! Oh, Gods Siju."

I slapped my forehead. "Why did I let him go? Obviously, he'll get carried away with any girl he sees". I guess it'll will take him a long time to get back given his reputation. I'll just look for something to do while I wait.

I got up, had my bath and put on some fresh eastern clothes. Got my pouch and put some coins that Siju left on the table for me. I'm older than Siju but he treats me like I'm his ten-year-old son. Not like I'm complaining, who rejects free money yeah?

Always leaving money and putting extra. I knew he'd write a note which says 'don't forget to eat'. He knows it pisses me off but still does it anyway. Stupid boy. I'll probably get something to eat. Then maybe get some tonics before Siju finds out. His concoctions taste terrible, but surprisingly they work.

Okay, all done. I locked up leaving the key in one of the window barricades, I covered it with a tree branch and left. Siju would probably know where to find it or just have to wait outside for wasting my time too.

I looked at the sky and noticed it was forming dense clouds. It was going to rain. I just hope it can be held back until tomorrow. The journey to the west will take more than half a day by sea, so since we're leaving at the early hours of the night, we should arrive in the late morning then. If the rain can hold out till then.

The lounge Siju picked is quite isolated if you ask me. It's pretty far from the shrine which is at the center of central city. It's also a bit far from the central market. I wanted to get roast yam and potato with sauced kpomo. I've seen a lady who sells around here. I just need to walk further. After walking for up to 10 minutes, I got to her stall.

Now, the roast yam place was called "everything roast". I've been thinking about it, does it mean they can roast anything you want to eat. What if I want to roast my rice? Apparently, not only the name of the restaurant was weird but also, the way the seats were arranged. There was only one large c shaped table that couldn't accommodate up to twenty seats but somehow, twenty seats were kept there. No privacy when eating I guess. The chairs were always dusty. She should get an assistant or something. I've never eaten in her restaurant. Ever. I just order my food and take it somewhere else to eat. Also, I had no issue ordering the food because in as much as the restaurant is dirty. This lady prepares the food in front of you.