Altine led Akeh toward the first-rate students' room, her steps light and quiet. She opened the door, revealing a large space with more than enough room for three people.
The room was neatly arranged, three simple beds lined the back wall, each with a nightstand beside it. A small table with three chairs sat in the center, and books and supplies were organized on the shelves against the walls.
Altine looked around.
"Seems they're not here,"
She said, sounding a bit surprised.
"Probably still at the clinic. Wonder if I hit them too hard during training."
Akeh tilted his head.
"Why did you hit them?"
Altine chuckled lightly.
"We were sparring. They needed a little... lesson."
She said it with a small, proud smile, clearly unbothered.
Akeh simply nodded. "I see."
Altine's gaze softened as she added,
"By the way, I found out they're the ones who beat you up in the dump yard."
Akeh sighed, unsurprised.
"Yeah, I had a feeling it was them."
Still dirty from his last night in the dump yard, Akeh began to undress, peeling off his shirt. Altine's eyes lingered on him a bit longer than she intended. She quickly cleared her throat and congratulated him.
"I see you're now a third-rate soul. That's impressive."
Akeh smiled.
"Thank you, Altine. But it's just the beginning."
Altine nodded in agreement.
"Get some rest. Tomorrow, I'll teach you a new way to generate spirit energy...one the other students haven't even heard of."
"And don't worry...no garbage involved."
She gave him a playful smile, then turned toward the door.
Just as she was leaving, Akeh called out,
"Altine."
She paused, glancing back.
"Yes?"
"Why do you treat me differently than the others?"
He looked at her, genuinely curious.
"I don't understand why."
Altine smiled slyly, tilting her head.
"I won't tell you. You'll have to read my soul to find that answer,"
She teased with a wink before closing the door behind her. Outside, she leaned against the door. Fuck, that wink was cringe as hell, altine thought to herself. Shaking off the awkward and flustered feeling, she walked away.
Inside the room, Akeh chuckled to himself.
"She loves making things difficult,"
He said with a slight smile, grabbing his clothes and heading to the bathroom in his underwear.
Opening the bathroom curtain, Akeh paused. There, in the middle of her bath, was Adunni, soap covering her face and body. She didn't see him, eyes closed, scrubbing her arms.
"Lekan?...is that you?"
"I thought you guys were in the clinic...close the curtain."
She said casually with a frown.
Akeh, still silent, slowly closed the curtain, his mind racing as he headed back into the room.
Meanwhile, back at the clinic, the clock struck midnight. All the patients lay asleep, including Ifeoluwa. But Taiwo, restless, opened his eyes and slipped out of bed. He shook Lekan awake, whispering,
"Get up, I need you to come with me."
Lekan groaned, rubbing his eyes.
"What is it, Taiwo? Can't it wait?"
"Just come on,"
Taiwo urged, his voice insistent.
"I want to check on Akeh's mom."
Lekan groaned again but reluctantly got out of bed, following Taiwo into the dark, quiet hallway. The clinic halls at night were silent, with a cold, almost eerie stillness. Dim lights cast shadows along the walls, and their footsteps echoed softly.
They reached the room where Akeh's mother was resting. Taiwo opened the door slowly, stepping inside. There she was, lying motionless on the bed, her face peaceful but distant.
Lekan sighed, tired.
"Alright, you've seen her. Let's go back."
But Taiwo didn't move. He stood there, staring at her with a strange, admiring look in his eyes.
"She's... she's beautiful,"
He muttered, his eyes tracing her face.
"Do people in their forties look like this?"
He reached out, his hand gently brushing over her stomach, trailing up to her chest. His hand stopped over her heart as he whispered,
"I can feel her heartbeat."
Lekan shifted uncomfortably.
"Yeah... the nurse said she lost her soul. She's unresponsive but alive."
Taiwo didn't respond. His gaze lingered on her face, and suddenly, he leaned down and kissed her lips. Lekan's eyes widened, and he hissed,
"Guy, the fuck is wrong with you?!"
Taiwo pulled back, unfazed.
"What? I can't kiss an adult lady?"
Lekan shook his head, disgusted.
"Bro, this is crossing the line. I mess with people, but this?... This is just wrong in so many ways."
"Relax."
Taiwo replied, waving him off.
"If it bothers you that much, go wait outside and keep watch. I won't be long."
Lekan muttered a curse but moved to the doorway, his face tense as he kept guard, while Taiwo continued with what he had planned.
To be continued...