Hello everyone!

This chapter is dedicated to @ummani_liman! Thanks for your comments dear!

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

MARIAM'S POV

Bruises.

I have never seen a stain on my mum's perfect face; not even a pimple or a rash. Her face is always smooth like milk and I am always grateful for getting her genes but why is there a huge bruise on my mother's face right now?

"Mum?"

I said so lightly that I could not recognize my own voice.

I watched my mum stand up and pull me into a warm hug.

"It's nothing darling. I'm fine."

She whispered into my ears before pulling back from the hug.

She adjusted the big sunshades she was wearing, and my guts told me it was to hide more bruises because why else would she wear sunshade in a room? Before I could say anything else, she turned to Giwa.

"Giwa, thank you for reaching out to me. I really appreciate it. Where is Muiz?"

"He is on his way ma."

Mum nodded slightly like if she put in more energy her neck would snap. She made to seat down back as slowly as possible and I knew the bruises were not just on her face.

"What happened to you?"

I asked my voice sounding a bit louder than I expected.

Giwa's hand landed on my shoulder and as much as I missed his touch, I shrugged it off. Walking closer to my mum.

"What happened to you?"

I repeated my voice breaking this time.

"It's nothing."

"What do you mean by it is nothing? Mum, look at yourself. You don't wear long gowns like this; it is to cover the rest of the bruises, isn't it?"

"Mariam, seat down and stop interrogating me. It is nothing. Is that even the issue? Your brother is smoking and taking drugs and you think the bruises on my body is the issue? Don't piss me off."

Mum said in her stern voice making me seat down quietly.

I was grateful for Giwa who sat down beside me holding my already shaky hands in his. The familiar warm touch calmed me down a bit.

But I don't think I can do this anymore.

I don't know how to deal with finding out my brother is a drug addict and my mum covered in bruises in a span of two days. It is just too much for me to bear.

The room was quiet for the next minutes. Everyone in their thoughts as we wait for the man of the hour. Muiz.

The door knob turned immediately after a slight knock. Talk of the devil.

"Good morning ma."

Muiz said prostrating on the floor.

"What is good about this morning Muiz? Ehn... what is good?"

Mum replied in a calm tone and I could see the way Muiz's hand were already shaking. He looked up and was immediately shocked to see the bruises on mum's face too.

Mum stood up to the door and closed it with the key. it would be the best to make sure the school authorities do not find out about this.

"When did this start Muiz? When did you start smoking and taking drugs?"

She asked in that stern voice.

I keep saying stern voice because my mum is usually lively. The fun of the day. Even though life has shown her a lot, she was always happy but today, she just wasn't and I understand perfectly why. Her lack of smile made everything happening seem even more real. Killing my hopes of it being just a bad dream.

"Last year."

"Under my roof?"

"Yes ma'am."

Mum held his hand,

"You know, when I married your father, he was the best. Hardworking, loving, caring, considerate, the best man I could ever pray for. But then things started going bad for him financially and he went back to his old days I did not even know he had. He started with excessive drinking, then smoking and then the drugs followed. You guys were still young and I would deal with taking care of the both of you and helping him too. He tried rehab, came back home and went back to it. It was draining. I felt like dying but I kept pushing because of the both of you. I wanted my kids to have their father and a happy childhood. I wanted your father to be him again but unfortunately, he overdosed. We walked in to find him dead together. I am sorry for that memory but it is true.

I did everything I could for the both of you. I worked hard to provide you with the best. I talked to you about the dangers of alcohol, hard drugs, and peer pressure every single day. I could not bring myself to remarry because of the both of you with the thought of what if you can't settle in with a step father?

Everything I do is for the both of you. See these bruises on my face, it was from meeting a gang of thieves while working late at night just so I can afford this luxury for you guys and this is what you do?

Muiz, this is what you do to pay me back?

After everything?

Drugs?

The same drugs that killed your father?"

Mum could not stop the tears running down her face as she said these and we all could not too. The bruises on her face looked worse when she removed her sunshades and I could see the pain in her eyes as she talked. I still can't get over the sight of my dad, and I don't know what I would do if something happens to Muiz too.

"I don't know what to do. Is it me? Am I the bad person? Ehn... I feel like I've tried my best."

"I am sorry ma."

"Sorry? What does sorry want to fix?"

"I don't know what came over me. I am so sorry Mum."

"I work hard every day and you use that money to buy the drugs. Muiz, I just need to understand why."

"Ehmm..."

"Please don't let me repeat myself Muiz. Talk loud and clear."

Mum said sternly and as much as I wanted to go give her a hug, I knew she needed space to comprehend what was happening.

"I was stressed after exams and I heard it would help. I just wanted to be a better son. I wanted to bring better results and make you proud of me."

"I am proud of you. I never asked you and sister for more than what you can do. I don't need you doing this to make me proud. I am proud as long as you are doing well. No one is perfect Muiz and I never asked for more. I was proud."

A tear dropped from Muiz's eyes. And another as mum's words sank in his head. In my head.

She never truly asked for more.

She would check our results, encourage us and even take us out to celebrate. We just had that idea in our head and now we hurt her. Mum is only human too and we disappointed her. We hurt her.

"I am sorry ma."

"Sorry can't fix it."

"I will stop. I can stop."

Muiz declared making mum chuckle.

"Easier said than done. You are withdrawing from the Royals. You need to go to a rehabilitation center, Muiz."

Muiz shook his head violently that I was scared for his neck.

"I... I can stop. Believe me mum."

Mum held his hands.

"Don't lie to me. Are you high at the moment?"

He can't be.

Not after our discussions yesterday. I stood up too leaving Giwa's side and standing beside mum.

Muiz swallowed hard looking everywhere but our faces.

"Yes ma."

He whispered so softly.

"You are withdrawing. I won't have my son die in my hands. Not from drugs. Not like this. I... You are leaving this school."

Mum said sounding more disorientated than before.

"I am not leaving. I am finishing this school year. I can't come back here next year. No. I will stop. I promise. Trust me. I can't leave."

Muiz argued back standing his ground.

"You are going to a rehab. I am not arguing."

"I am not! Maybe, I will after I am done with all the necessary exams. WAEC is in two to three months. I am almost done. Just a little bit more time."

Muiz said again. Almost pleading this time but it obviously angered mum the more.

"Are you hearing yourself? Do you want me to carry your corpse from this school? Exams? WAEC? Is that more important than your life right now?"

"No, I need you to trust me. Mariam will help. Giwa is here. He will help me too. I can't leave. Not now, when I am almost done. Please, I am begging you. I can't stay here one more year. Please."

Mum shook her head.

"No, Muiz."

Muiz knelt down. With tears in his hand and palm joined together like he was praying.

"I know I am a disappointment. I know I have let you down. I know how much you work for us. I am sorry mum. I am. But I can't come back to this school next year. Please, I would stop. I would fight it. Giwa is here to help. Mariam too. I will do everything to stop it. Please trust me and give me a second chance.

I won't let you down. I will fight this addiction and won't end up like my dad. I promise you."

My mum shook her head.

"It is not easy to fight addiction. It will call you back. It will haunt you. I want the best for you Muiz and trust me if Giwa calls me once, you are off to rehab. I don't pray for you to end up like your father. You will never do. Mariam, please monitor your brother and give me feedback every single day."

I sniffled, nodding as fast as I could.

The words could not even form in my mouth and I was filled with fear.

I don't trust Muiz.

I don't want a repeat of what happened with dad.

I don't want it at all.

"Muiz please, consider the rehab."

"Mariam, mum, I will go after my exams. I just need to pull through this. Please give me a chance. Just 3 months."

Muiz pleaded sincerely.

My mum and I wanted to say no but we thought it would not hurt to give him a chance. Giwa will be there with him. I would be there with him. We will make sure that he is fine and sober.

Or so we thought.

Will Muiz be okay?

It's not an easy feat to defeat addiction, more so drugs. 

But can he do it? Yes, he can! 

With the right help, salvation, and dedication.

To all those facing the challenges of addiction, please reach out to your loved ones. With the right assistance, you can defeat it. You can win and be free from it!

P.S Christ died so you can be free. He loves you. ❤️

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Love y'all

Eniola_writes  💕