HIS PARADOX MATE

~NYOMI~

As I emerged from my bedroom, my body ached all over with pain. Any sane person might opt to take the day off, get some medication, and rest, but I didn't have such luxury, and my sanity itself was in question.

“I’m heading out,” I announced, slinging my backpack over my shoulder as I made my way down the hallway. “Sade?” I called, stopping at the entrance of the living room.

“I’m up, brushing my teeth.” She called back in a muffled voice.

“Xoel, you up?”

“Getting dressed, good morning.” He called back, followed by sounds of him stumbling about in his room.

“Morning, clumsy,” I replied, smiling to myself ready to make my way into the living room and then I remembered one more person.

“Malik?” I called, “Malik are you up?” I tried again but got nothing in response.

I peered down the dimly lit hallway to see if the door of his room was open. We cannot afford electricity in the house twenty-seven so we usually save it for when we need it the most, like for cooking or heating water, otherwise, we make use of candles or the lanterns I found in the basement.

I got no response from Malik and that was quite unlike him because he usually wakes up before the others. I turned around, making my way into the living room, deciding to check if he was in the kitchen. Most mornings he helps in the kitchen. However the kitchen was empty, I was here before and I was alone but I figured he might’ve tried cleaning up while I was in the bathroom.

Dropping my backpack on one of the chairs in the dining room, I made my way to his room. Knocking as I stopped outside the door, “Malik are you awake?” I asked but got no response. I knocked on the door again and it creaked open.

Did he already leave for school? I know we don’t always agree on most things, but he would’ve announced he was leaving. I pushed my way into the room. “Malik?” I could see the lump of him on his bed, and he turned to face the other side at the sound of my voice.

“Are you sick?” I rushed to his side, seeing him wrapped in his blanket like a burrito. “Fuck.” I cursed crouching in front of his bed, as I brought my hand to his forehead to check his temperature. “Did something happen? Are you hurt?” My voice filled with worry, and I already began contemplating what to do and how to sort this out.

“I’m fine.” He answered groggily, then opened his eyes.

“Are you? You don’t sound fine if you are sick, just tell me. I’ll go to the pharmacy real quick; they should be opened already.”

“Don’t you have to work this morning?”

“I’ll call my boss; I’ll take a double tomorrow.” I shrugged, even though I knew that wouldn’t happen because the minute I called that grumpy old man that I wasn’t coming in, he would replace me without so much as an apology, and I’d lose the job. That’s something I can’t afford right now.

“You don’t have to stay, I am fine. Seriously.” He shrugged off the blanket and sat up on the bed. That’s when I noticed he was already dressed for school.

“Fine, you may not be sick but something is wrong. You’re dressed for school, why aren’t you going? Is anyone bullying you?”

He scoffed, shaking his head. “You gave them the scare of their lives and they let me be ever since. I don’t think they’re ready to die.” He laughed.

“Well, that’s good news, I guess. Not that I know how to kill, but if push comes to shove and anyone hurts my Aburo, I’ll sure as hell get away with murder.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know, you’re the big bad sister. I’m fine though, you don’t have to worry about me.” He dismissed, throwing his leg off the bed.

“Malik…” I reached for his hand before he could walk away. “Come on, tell me what’s wrong. You don’t want me messing up at work because I’ll be too concerned about what you’re not telling me.”

“I don’t want you worrying over it, that’s why I’m not telling you. If I tell you now, that’s all you’ll be thinking about.”

“Still.” I pressed and he sighed.

“The application fee for the scholarship I told you about. I… I haven’t paid mine, and if I don’t, I won’t be eligible to sit for the scholarship exam.”

“How much is it, and why didn’t you tell me that you needed to pay an entrance fee?” I asked.

“You had to pay for Sade’s excursion fees, Xoel also had his art thingy, and I saw how exhausted you were, working so many shifts just so you could meet up with their deadlines. I thought the exam wouldn’t be until next year, since that’s when I have to apply for university, so I figured there’s still time.” He explained in a small voice, casting his head down.

I rubbed my temples at the warning signs of a headache.

“I thought maybe during test week, I would take up minor jobs, and save what I can and also through the holidays.”

“No, that’s not going to happen.” I snapped at him before he could finish.

“If you just let me look for something to do, I can help around the house.”

“Let you get a job and then what? You’ll have less time to study, you’ll come back home tired and probably depressed because you had to deal with shitty people all day. Let’s not forget that you’re not of legal working age in Elyssia, so whatever job you manage to get is going to be shitty, they’ll rip you off and work you to the ground for some measly teal coins.”

“Mimi, my friend said…”

He began speaking but I cut him off again. “Malik, I said No. I can’t have you working shifts, you need to focus on studying, you need to keep your grades up and you need to stay focused on studying to pass the scholarship and the university entrance exam next year. You can’t do that if your attention is divided, and you know I’m right.” I reasoned.

He nodded, letting out a heavy sigh of defeat. “I just wished I could help.” He offered, and I closed the gap between us to pat his back.

“It’s okay, I’m not complaining. How much is the application money.” I asked again.

He raised his head to look at me, and I saw the defeated look in his eyes. Whatever amount he’s about to call, he already knows I don’t have it, and that’s why he didn’t want to tell me. “Fifteen thousand Elyssian Dinar,” Malik replied dejectedly and my heart dropped to my guts.

“That’s about Forty Thousand New World Sterling,” I murmured, mostly to myself.

“This is why I didn’t want to tell you. We can’t afford it, there’s no way I can apply. It’s a lost cause.” Malik grunted, walking towards his desk, and he began putting his things into his bag.

“When is the deadline? When do you need to pay?” I asked, and he turned to me with wide eyes like I had suddenly grown horns.

“Nyomi.” He called my name quizzically, even without saying the words, I knew what he was asking, because where the hell would I get 15,000 Elyssian Dinar when I barely make 2000 Dinar in one week, and by the time I stock the fridge and pay bills, I am left with 100 Dinar for the rest of the week.

“Just tell me the deadline, Malik.”

“Monday.” He replied, shaking his head.

“This next Monday, after the weekend, today is Friday,” I muttered, unable to hide the surprise in my voice.

Fuck, how the hell will I raise that amount in three days.

“See, I told you it’s impossible.”

“No. You need to sit for that scholarship exam. It’s your best option to get into university. If you pass, which I know you will pass, I won’t have to worry about your tuition fees while you’re schooling. That means I’ll be able to provide for the minor things, like feeding, and textbooks.”

“Nyomi, where will you get 15,000 ED in three days? We both know you don’t make that much even if you work for a year, you’ll not be able to save that much. Just forget about it. I’ll just have to stay back a year or two after secondary school. I’ll be able to get a decent job, and save up enough.”

“That’s not happening. You are not staying back a year or two.” I gritted out.

He needs to go to Uni; he has to because he’s our only hope out of this slump when he graduates and gets a good-paying job. And I have to make that happen.

“Don’t worry about how I’ll get the money, go to class today. Study and have fun, by Monday you’ll pay for your application fee.” I declared but the look in his eyes told me he didn’t believe me for shit.

“Don’t get yourself in trouble for this, Nyomi.”

I waved him off. “Do you trust me?” I asked and he raised his eyebrows.

“I guess to some extent. You’ve been raising us since Ma and Pa died. So yes.”

“Have I ever disappointed any of you?” He rolled his eyes at that.

“Sometimes, I can count how many times over the years.” He began smiling and I smacked his shoulder. “Okay fine, you’re decent.”

“Anyway, just trust me on this, okay? I’ll get you the money, my friend, at my night job. I’ll ask her to lend me, she’s pretty generous.” That was a lie, I had no friend at my night job that would lend me such an amount, but he didn’t need to know that. He just needs to know that I will get him that money and that’s all that matters.

“Okay. If you say so.” He resigned with a tight smile.

“Great, I’m heading out then. Breakfast is on the dining table already. There’s leftover from yesterday in the fridge, you can warm it in the evening for dinner. I prepared snacks for lunch, they’re in the fridge also, you guys can have that after school. I’m working overnight so I won’t be back until late afternoon tomorrow, and then I have another night shift after that. Will you be okay on your own?” I asked as we both headed down the hallway.

“Of course, just be careful and remember to eat.” He replied and nodded.

“Sure, why won’t I eat.” Xoel and Sade were already in the dining room slurping down their breakfast and I grabbed my backpack from the chair.

“Don’t be a pain to Malik, I’ll be back tomorrow, at noon, so behave while I’m gone.” I kissed their temples, smiling at Malik before making my way out of the house.

I needed to raise 15000 ED before Monday. Come afternoon, I couldn’t take my mind off it. The night rolled by, and I got changed in the restroom of my last-day shop to start my shift at the club.

“Finally. Took you long enough.” The guy I was supposed to take over from, behind the bar, rolled his eyes as soon as he saw me. He took off his apron, pushing into my chest before strutting out from behind the counter.

I don’t know what issues he has with me, but I’ve chosen not to address them. He’s worked here longer than I have, and I know he’s a favourite amongst the customers. This job pays more than the others and I am not about to lose it.

Two hours into mixing drinks, and serving the waiters from behind the counter, Tamara saddled up beside me. “Hey, you good?” she asked, and I turned briefly from the guy I was about to serve.

“Yes, I’m fine. Are you just coming in?” I asked, she was one of the few girls I knew in the club that worked odd hours.

“Been here an hour, not many clients yet. You don’t look fine, what’s got your face twisted more than usual?”

I turned to her with a questioning gaze. She shrugged, “You have a permanent scowl on your face, that I am used to. But it’s different tonight. It’s like you’re thinking too much, and your mind isn’t here. Something eating you up inside?”

“Damn right,” I replied, clenching my jaw as I passed the new drink to its owner.

“What’s wrong? Money issues?” My head snapped in her direction in shock, how did she know?

As if she knew what I was thinking, she rolled her eyes. “Come on, that’s an easy guess. Girls like you, working as a bartender in a club when you’d rather be elsewhere, nothing can make your expression look more sullen if it ain’t about money. And if I’m right, how much are we talking about?” She asked, and for a minute I just gaped at her.

“Mimi, how much is it? I can help you if you tell me.” She offered and that seemed to snap my brain right back to action.

“15000 ED.” I finally replied, and her eyes bulged.

“Oh hades. That’s a lot.” She shook her head. “Sorry babes, I don’t have that much to spare. What do you need that much money for anyway.”

I frowned at her. “You said you could help, not ask questions why I need it.”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine, fine. I did say I could help, but that doesn’t mean you’ll like what I have in mind.”

“What do you have in mind?” I asked, even though I already knew I wouldn’t like the answer. She stalled, eyeing me for what felt like forever. “Tamara.” I ground out, and then she eventually shrugged.

“A fast way to help you make that in three nights, in two if the stars are on your side.”

“Can you just get it out with?” I snapped, and she laughed.

She moved closer, eliminating the space between us. “Serve the Sapphire floors, the dark rooms, but you won’t be serving them just drinks.” Tamara pulled back, accessing my body. “You have a great figure. If you work your body the right way, you’ll get that money come Sunday morning.”

She stepped back, smiling cuntily at me while I stared at her with my jaw on the floor. Tamara twirled, clapping before walking out and I stared at her retreating figure while contemplating what she just said.

I could make 15000 ED in just two nights if I worked my body right.

Work my body… I cast a curious glance down my body, feeling up my chest with my hands. Could this make me that amount?

Working my body wasn’t even on my list of available options, but now…