BEHIND THE WALLS

Maliya was resuming school after the December holidays.

She was all gloomy and dressed up sluggishly in her room.

"Liya, you are going to be late if you keep up with that attitude of yours" her mom said while knocking on her door.

Maliya who was now fully dressed up and ready to leave sighed before opening the door.

"Do I really have to go today? I don't really feel like going mom" Maliya complained for like the thousandth time.

"I would let you stay but you are shifting classes baby. It's a new year and you are not sure if all your things are in one place. You have to go and keep your things in order. How about this, your dad and I will visit you in a week's time" suggested her mom but Maliya rolled her eyes.

"Which dad? Cause if you mean the man we are living with, I don't think so mom. He hates me with all he has. Has he ever smiled at me? All he ever does is yell or look at me in disgust. He only treats me nicely if Carlos is around. Now it's been years mom and he treats me like that. Like, did I do anything wrong to him? Or am I not his daughter?" Asked Maliya in anger

"We are not going back to that topic Liya. And just to clarify it again for you, he is your biological father" his mom assured but Maliya wasn't convinced.

She rolled her eyes once again, kissed her mom's cheeks and left the room.

"Hey wait, you haven't taken your pocket money" her mom called to her and she stopped.

Mrs David walked to her husband, took money from him and walked to Maliya.

"If it's not enough, I'll send you more tomorrow. Okay baby?" Asked Mrs David to his only daughter.

"Okay mom. Bye" said Maliya and off she left the house.

"You see, she doesn't even have regards for her father. She didn't even say goodbye to me. What kind of daughter is she?" Asked Mr David who was holding a magazine just next to the televison set.

"It's all your attitude David. Don't you see, she is just like you. You both have ego and anger issues" Mrs David said in a smile.

"Not at all. My son Carlos is all me. He resembles me in every aspect" Mr David said proudly.

"Are you both talking about me?" A man who just walked in said in a smile.

"Carl! You are home" Mrs David said in excitement and rushed to meet his son.

"You see, that's my boy" Mr David dropped his magazine just to rush to his son who was now home after being away for three good years.

He was an undercover cop working for the government and had undergone full training.

For three good years, he had made his department very proud with absolutely successful missions.

He had never failed a single mission he was assigned to.

That promoted him to be the team's leader and he finally asked for his first long annual leave.

"Leave my son for me now. Your daughter has just left. You are on your own" Mr David said proudly and laughed as he pulled Carlos to the living room.

"Maliya has just left for school?" Carlos asked as he followed his father and sat next to him on the sofa.

"Yes she just did. She was all gloomy today. She didn't want to leave for school" Mrs David said as she poured water for Carlos and gave it to him.

"She is always a stubborn girl. How have you been son?" Mr David asked not wanting to talk about Maliya.

"Been good dad. I think Liya hasn't left the station by now. I'll go surprise her and then come back" Carlos said and stood up to leave.

"You just got here son. You need to rest" said Mr David but Carlos was already at the door.

"I'll be right back dad" said Carlos and closed the door behind him.

Just as he left their yard, he tripped and almost fell.

Not because he stepped on something, but because of who he met outside there.

It was his three years old ex girlfriend, miss Annaya.

"Annaya, what are you doing here?" Asked Carlos in disbelief and a stupid smile crossed his lips.

"I should be asking you that" said miss Annaya who never expected to see him too.

"Me? I... I live here" he said and pointed his home.

"You live here? I thought it was just a family of three that lived here" she said

"That's because i've been away for years" he replied in a fading smile.

"Oh, for that job I guess" she replied too in a faint smile.

"Yeah. So, you live here?" Carlos asked pointing to the neighbouring house.

"Yeah. It's been three years since I moved in" she said

"That's good. So I guess i'll be seeing you often?" Asked Carlos

"Not really. School has just resumed and i'm leaving tomorrow. I stay in the teachers' quarters" replied Annaya disappointing him.

"You are a teacher now?" Asked Carlos in shock.

"Yeah. Simple, normal life. I'm satisfied with what I earn. Not much but it's enough for me" she said proudly as if trying to insist on something that Carlos understood.

"Annaya i'm..." Carlos started but she cut in.

"You were rushing somewhere Carlos" she reminded him just to cut the long story short.

"Yeah. Oh shit! Maliya!" He finally remember and made to run but Annaya stopped him.

"Wait! You are chasing after Maliya? My student?" She asked

"She is your student? You mean you teach her? Well, yeah. I didn't reach on time so I missed her. I'm rushing to the station" Carlos said in confusion.

"My driver always drops her at school since her father refused to drop her. She is not alone though. She is with some other neighbouring students too, so you won't find her at the station" explained miss Annaya

"Oh, guess i've missed out on her for real" he said

"I guess so" replied Annaya

"Is it okay for me to visit her tomorrow. I've really missed that girl" enquired Carlos

"Yeah. All you'll have to say is that you are there to see if she is all settled down. Is she your sister?" Asked Annaya

"Oh, great. Hasn't she ever mentioned that she has a brother? I've ever mentioned her to you" he replied

"You told me about Maya, not Maliya. Or, is it the same person?" She asked

"Yeah. Mom calls her Liya, I call her Maya" he answered.

"Great. She mentioned once that she had a... a handsome brother and no one believed her. So she never mentioned you again"miss Annaya said

"That's because I wasn't home for her to prove it. She is like that. She stays silent if she has no proof. I really miss that girl" Carlos said once again.

"Great. I was heading out. Bye Carlos" miss Annaya said and left.

"Annaya" he called out and she stopped to look at him.

"I missed you" he said but before she could answer, a car drove by and a man stepped out, just for him to hug Annaya passionately.

Carlos couldn't bear it and walked back home.

He still had feelings for Annaya.

"You are back already?" His parents asked in unison.

"Her teacher's driver already dropped her. I missed her" he said trying to stay cool but he wasn't.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you about that. Miss Annaya is really nice to her. They usually go to school together. She had to meet someone today, That's why she didn't leave" Mrs David explained

"Who is she meeting?" Asked Carlos curiously

"How am I supposed to know? And why are you so curious?" His mom asked

"Curious? Me? No way mom. I'm just tired, I need to rest. I'll be in my room " said Carlos

"It's okay son. Take a good rest, we have alot to talk about" said his father and Carlos stood up.

"Okay dad. And by the way, i'll be visiting Maya at school tomorrow. I talked to her teacher about it" said Carlos as he went upstairs.

"Maya, Maya, Maya! Everyone is talking about her. She has already left" said Mr David angrily.

"This shows that she is a good girl and everyone loves her. You should learn to love her too. You'll see the kind of person she is" said Mrs David and walked to the kitchen

Carlos got to his room and stood by the door.

"It's been three years yow! The room is still the same though" he said and moved to sit on the bed.

His mom kept cleaning the room for him knowing that he was going to come home any day.

He took off his boots and threw himself on the bed staring at the ceiling.

"Annaya... she's still so beautiful. She's moved on though" he said and turned over.

He recalled the first time he met her.

It was at the barracks of the army and everyone thought that she was lost.

That was three years ago.

She looked stranded and didn't know where to go.

Some of the soldiers had started to tease her already.

Who would go to the barracks dressed so... so sexy!

She was in a white, short, fitting dress with a silver bag hanging on her shoulder.

"I want to join the army" she said and the soldiers burst laughing.

Carlos was standing at a distance and got curious as to what was making the others laugh.

He left whatever he was doing to went there.

"Whats up guys?" Asked Carlos and then Annaya came in contact with his eyes.

The same beautiful eyes.

That was the same way she looked at him.

With curious eyes.

Carlos couldn't forget it at all.

She was his first love but seems like the girl had moved on.

Carlos brushed the thought at took some rest.

He was later woken up by a knock on the door.

It was his mom, with a tray of delicious lunch she had prepared.

"Mom, you could've just called me down" he said receiving his mom in the room.

"It's okay dear. I know you are tired. Just have your meal, rest abit more and then you can join us for supper" said his mom and was about to leave but he held her arm.

"Sit down for abit mom. I'm not that lazy. I'll have my lunch and then join you at the garden. I just want to ask, how has Maya been living? Does she hate me for leaving for so long?" Asked Carlos

"Maliya? Hate you? No way! She might just be a little angry, but she will forget about it immediately she sees you tomorrow. That girl has been talking about you all through her holidays at home. Whenever she argues with your father, she'll simply mention you and your dad would stay mute" Mrs David said and laughed along with her son.

"I've missed her alot mom. I really don't know how to make it up to her" said Carlos

"Seems you just missed your sister alone" said Mrs David joking around.

"No mom. I missed all of you. I've missed Maya, you, dad and An..." and Carlos realised he was talking too much.

"And who? Annie or Ann? Or is it Anniella?" Asked his mom and Carlos smiled shyly.

"I knew there must be a girl. Who is she? Where is she from?" Asked Mrs David curiously

"Maybe you know her too well mom. Bye mom I need to take me lunch before it gets cold" carlos said and took her mom out of the room.

"You are kicking me out now?" His mom asked at the door

"Bye mom" Carlos said and closed the door.

He then smiled foolishly as if he had just fallen in love for the first time again.

After having his meal, he went down to the garden.

"Where is dad?" He asked immediately he got down.

"He went to play Ludo with your uncle. He will be back early today since you are here" said Mrs David plucking some flowers.

"Let me help you with those" said Carlos wanting to take the flowers but Mrs David took them away.

"I'm plucking them for her" said Mrs David and pointed towards the end of the house where some chrysanthemums grew.

And behold, Annaya was down there trying to trim the dried ones.

"Annaya!" Carlos said loudly and Annaya quickly stood up.

"Carlos" she said standing up and there was mud on her face.

Looking at her in mud, Carlos recalled her first training at the army academy.

He was actually his trainer after she successfully joined them.

Her first training was so hectic for her.

They went jogging and she was left behind until it began to rain.

She was almost back to the academy when she slipped on mad and fell down.

Her whole face was covered with mud and she looked so silly.

She was the last person to arrive at the canteen and because of the mud all over, Carlos didn't allow her in.

She was to clean herself up, but she was too hungry to listen to him.

She pushed him off and rushed in to pick food.

She wiped her hands on the muddy clothes, used abit of her serviette on her lips and began eating with all the mud all over her.

It was funny watching her in such a situation and Carlos couldn't help but laugh.

Thinking about it, he laughed again.

This time, he laughed even harder.

"Do you two know each other? Why are you laughing?" Asked Carlos's mom and then he realised he was laughing.

Annaya was again curious about his laugh and gave him that look again.

Seeing that, Carlos couldn't hold his laugh.

"Mama Maya, is there poop on my face?" Asked Annaya trying to touch her face but ended up applying more mud on her face.

"Not poop dear. There is mud on your face. Gentlemen don't laugh, they instead help the damsel in distress" said Mrs David to both of them.

"Damsel in distress? Not this one mom. She eats mud" he said and kept laughing.

That was when Annaya recalled what was making him laugh.

"I didn't eat mud. I used a spoon to eat and I wiped my hands" Annaya said angrily.

"Yeah right. Wiped them on your muddy clothes. You look pretty on mud though. Your mud style is cool" he said and laughed again as he took out a pipe, turned on the tap and walked towards her.

"Don't make me say what you did too Carlos!" Annaya was getting angry

"Sorry ma'am" Carlos said and poured water for her to wash her face and hands.

"I meant what I said though. I've missed you" he whispered to her and it was as if Mrs David didn't exist anymore.

She decided to just sit and watch the show.

"Is the girl Annaya?" She wondered and stayed silent.

Annaya silently washed her face without saying anything.

"Did you move on?" Carlos asked and Annaya looked at him

"Does it matter Carlos?" Asked Annaya in anger

"It matters Naya. It matters because I still... I never stopped..." Carlos said but hesitated.

"The word is love and then you comes last" Mrs David who had gotten closer said and smiled.

"Mom! You are here!" Carlos said

"I never left. You just created your own world here. Now tell me, how long have you both known each other?" Asked Mrs David

"You can just question him alone mama Maliya" said Annaya and left quickly after picking up the flowers.

"Dad needs me to play Ludo. Bye mom" said Carlos and escaped too.

"Don't forget you live here son" said Mrs David in a smile.

Carlos was quick enough to get to Annaya before she reached her house.

"Naya" he called out and caught her hand.

"What is it Carlos?" Annaya asked shaking off her hand.

"Naya, I still love you. I'm sorry I left. But we all know why I left. I've always loved you Naya. I never left you" he said

"Carlos, I don't want to talk about this. Please just go back" said Annaya and wanted to go but Carlos hugged her tight from behind.

"I love you Naya. I said I would be back for you and here I am. I never left you" he said and there was silence for a while.

"Carlos I can sue you for sexual harassment" she said and he moved from the hug.

But she didn't expect him to turn her over and kiss her.

"Is that enough for you to sue me or should I do more?" He said and wanted to kiss her again but she quickly ran off.

"She's never changed and I know she still loves me. I will get you back Naya. My Naya" he said and smiled.

He wanted to go back in but then remembered his mother was going to question him so he just went out.

He came back late in the night just to find that his father had just gotten home and was drunk.

As his mom took care of her husband, Carlos grabbed his supper and walked to his room.

"Goodnight mom" he said and went to his room.

Early the next morning, he made sure to get up before his mom and left a note at the fridge.

"I'm going to visit Maya. I'll send your greetings to her" the note read.

Carlos didn't know where Maliya's school was so he sat outside Annaya's house and waited for her to come out so they could go together.

Carlos sat outside for a while before Annaya came out.

She was accompanied by the same man that had hugged her the previous day.

"Carlos, what are you doing at my door?" She asked in surprise

"I... I was waiting for you" Carlos replied but his focus was on the guy with Annaya.

"Who is he Annaya?" The man asked

"He is... Carlos" Annaya who was out of words replied.

"Yes Carlos but who is he? What does he mean by waiting for you?" The man asked

"Instead of asking me, you should ask him" Annaya replied

"I wanted to visit my sister Maya but I don't know the location of her school. I thought we could go together, but since you have company, i'll be grateful if you could send me the location" Carlos who was a straight forwad guy chipped in and said it.

"You could've said that earlier bro. Ann send her the location and then we can leave" said the man and Carlos just smiled satisfactorily as Annaya sent him the location.

He then secretly winked at her as he left the premises.

He went back home, secretly picked the car keys and walked out to start the car, just to find his mom waiting there.

"Mom, you scared me" he said

"You've been escaping me. Because of Annaya?" Asked his mom

"Mom, i'm just not ready to talk about it. But yeah, she's the girl I love and i've known her for years now. Can I go now?" Asked Carlos

"You can. Say hi to my girl for me. Call me when you see her, i'd like to talk to her" said Mrs David and hugged him before he left.

He was full of smiles as he drove on the way.

He took out his phone and looked at the chat where Annaya had sent him the location and smiled again.

"She still has my number. She never deleted it. She didn't even ask for it when sending the location. Does it mean that she still has feelings for me? I think so" Carlos thought.

"You still have my number" he texted

Annaya saw the text and looked around to make sure the guy driving her doesn't see her reaction.

She wished that she was alone for that moment but still replied, " I can as well block you"

"She is still playing hard to get" Carlos said in a smile.

"Annaya" he texted

"What?" She replied

"You didn't block me. You could've blocked me by now if you really wanted to" he texted again

Annaya couldn't avoid the smile on her face when she saw the text and the guy beside her saw it.

"Who are you texting that's making you smile like that" the guy asked

"Just drive Jonathan. I was just checking a meme and it was funny. The school has been sending messages too. I guess it's because I didn't call in yesterday. Hurry home so I can get to school later" Annaya said and placed the phone away.

"You ain't replying. Did you really block me?" Carlos texted after a while of silence.

"It went through! I'm not blocked! Thank God! I'll text you later in the evening" he texted again smiling like a fool and then concentrated on driving.

Annaya was heading to meet her parents first before going to school so Carlos didn't see her car on the way.

The journey was all smooth up until he almost arrived at his destination.

The place was smoky and very crowded.

Carlos's car couldn't go further so he had to check out for a good place to park.

He then pushed his way into the crowd just to find about four to five ambulances receiving very critical people that had been burnt beyond recognition.

Men and women were moving about in tears and with such a sight, Carlos's body froze for a moment.

"Excuse me, what's going on here " he had to ask one passer by.

"You don't know? Gateway girls highschool has been on fire since last night and many students have lost their lives. The fire has just been put out but they are still trying to save the students who were trapped inside. Do you..." the passer by wanted to say more but Carlos felt shock all over his body and just found himself pushing his way to the front.

"Maya!" He kept murmuring as he moved forward to the front of the school and found it even more crowded and the police were trying to keep people off the gate.

More students were being brought out by the life savers and the fire brigade team.

Some had minor injuries, some had severe burnt injuries and some were dead.

Carlos had never seen such a scene in his life and it shook him.

He went looking for Maliya all round the places, in the ambulances and at the survivors meeting point but couldn't find her.

The only place he didn't check was at the dead students poll.

He believed that Maliya wasn't dead.

"My heart tells me you are okay Maya. Please show yourself to me" Carlos prayed after a long search which wasn't fruitful.

Just before he went on with the search, he got a call from his mom.

He moved a little away from the crowd and thought for a while before receiving the call.

"Carl, are you at the school? What is all this I'm seeing on tv? Wha... what is happening over there? Where is Liya? Have you found her? Is she with you? Can I talk to her? Is she okay? She is with you right?" Mrs David, in tears, talked without giving Carlos a chance to say anything.

"Mom I..." Carlos wanted to say that he was still looking when suddenly a hand brushed against his and two bracelets fell down next to him.

A girl that had half of her face burnt was being rushed to the ambulance her hand brushed against Carlos.

The bracelets fell from her hand.

Her blood had smeared on Carlos's hand.

Carlos wanted to move further away from the scene but the bracelets caught his attention and he picked them up.

"Maya!" He said immediately he had a proper look at the bracelets.