SHAWN’S POV
Shawn called his mum in the afternoon, and asked about Tiffany’s health but asked his mum not to tell her he called.
After being assured that she had eaten and was asleep, he could finally concentrate on his work.
Like the previous day, he was not in the mood to eat out so he asked Leslie to get him takeout.
After having lunch, he immersed himself in work until it was closing time. He arranged his things and headed out. He had to pick up Tiffany from his parents house.
“Hey, Shawn.” Rachel called as he made to enter the elevator.
“Hi, Rachel.” They didn’t see the entire day because she went for an inspection with a few of the company’s board directors.
“Going home?” She asked.
“Yes.” He replied, as they both got into the elevator.
“How was things around here? You know I was not around.” She asked.
“Things were fine and went their usual way.” Shawn replied. He just wished she would keep shut. He was really not in the mood for small talks.
“So, we are still going to the bar tomorrow?” Rachel asked as they got off the elevator.
“Sure. I haven’t changed my mind.” Shawn replied.
“Okay, then. I will see you tomorrow.” Rachel said and walked to her car.
Shawn exhaled in relief as he got into his own car. He started the car and drove out of the company.
He soon arrived at his parents house, and parked his car in the compound before going inside.
“Hey, mum.” He greeted and pecked his mother’s cheeks.
“Hey, son.” She said, and reciprocate the gesture.
” Hey, Tiffany.” He called out to her as she sat on the couch.
“Hi.” She muttered slowly, not looking his way.
“Are you ready to go home?” He asked.
“Of course, she is.” Mrs Gold said. “Tiffany darling, it’s time to go home.” Mrs Gold said, and walked to Tiffany.
Tiffany nodded, stood up, and hung her bag. “Thank you for today, Mum.” She said and hugged Mrs Gold.
Mum? Is that what she called his mum now? Shawn thought to himself as he watched them exchange hugs.
“Make sure you take your medication when you get home.” Mrs Gold said as she waved at them.
“Thank you for having her, Mum.” Shawn said to his mum as they walked outside.
“Silly boy! Why are you thanking me for taking care of my daughter in law?” Mrs Gold said and hit his arm slightly.
“Well, in case you don’t know, not all mothers are as open and free spirited like you, Mum.” Shawn said. By then, they were standing by the car.
“It’s a pleasure. I stay in this house all alone unless I’m on a trip, and trust me, it is always a pleasure to have Tiffany around.” Mrs Gold said, smiling broadly.
“Thank you, Mum. We have to go now.” Shawn said and got into the car.
His Mum waved goodbye as he drove out of the compound. They soon got home, and Tiffany immediately alighted.
He looked at her as she walked into the house and that was when he noticed the red bright stain on her white trouser. He got alarmed she might have injured herself and hurriedly went after her.
“Tiffany, wait up!” He yelled as he went after her.
“What?” She turned to ask in irritation.
“I think you injured yourself. Your trousers are stained at the back.” He said, pointing at her back.
She turned to look at it and her eyes widened in shock then shame and Shawn didn’t know why.
“It’s not an Injury. It’s…it’s a female thing. Could you please look away while I go upstairs?” She asked, a hint of embarrassment in her tone.
“Why?” Shawn asked, confused.
“Because I don’t want you to stare at my back of course!” Tiffany said.
“And what’s wrong with it? You are obviously Injured and we all get injured at some point in life.” Shawn said, still confused.
“God! Are you from this planet at all? Haven’t you heard of female menstruation? I am menstruating and that’s why I have a stain on my trousers.” Tiffany said in an exasperated tone.
Shawn’s face immediately contorted in realization and then shame. Oh, Shawn! How could he not have realized that she was on her period? He was indeed not from this planet.
He looked at her and when he realized she was still waiting for him to turn around, he quickly did and she ran upstairs.
TIFFANY’S POV
They had gotten home and she hurried out of the car into the house. She couldn’t wait to get inside and freshen up. She was feeling sticky and damp down there.
She had just gotten into the sitting room when Shawn came rushing after her.
“Tiffany, wait up!” He yelled as he caught up with her.
“What?” She turned to ask, in irritation. She was in no mood for his tantrums; all she wanted was to go up to her room and immerse herself in hot water.
“I think you injured yourself. Your trousers are stained at the back.” He said, pointing at her back.
She quickly turned to look at the back of her trouser and her eyes widened in shock, then shame, as it dawned on her that she was stained.
“It’s not an Injury. It’s…it’s a female thing. Could you please look away while I go upstairs?” She asked, embarrassed.
“Why?” Shawn asked, looking confused.
“Because I don’t want you to stare at my back of course!” She retorted.
“And what’s wrong with it? You are obviously Injured and we all get injured at some point in life.” Shawn said, still confused.
“God! Are you from this planet at all? Haven’t you heard of female menstruation? I am menstruating and that’s why I have a stain on my trousers.” She said in an exasperated tone. She was already tired of explaining. She couldn’t believe a grown man like him knew nothing about menstruation.
She watched his face widened in realization and then what she would term shame. He looked at her and when he realized she was still waiting for him to turn around, he quickly did and she used the opportunity to run upstairs.
Up in her room and panting, she regretted while she ran because her knee was beginning to hurt her.
She quickly stripped her clothes off and limped to the bathroom. She quickly ran herself a hot bath after which she got inside the jacuzzi and allowed the water to soothe her aching body.
She closed her eyes as she remembered Mary Quevara and how she sustained the knee abrasion. If she had told anyone they wouldn’t have believed her because she had no evidence, and she trusts Mary to deny.
She doesn’t want to tell her father about it, he would come to the school and rain down fire and brimstones and then everyone would finally conclude that their assumption of her being a daddy’s girl was true.
She would fight her fight alone and she trusts herself to take care of herself. Mary Quevara took her unawares, but she would be careful and vigilant henceforth.
She woke an hour later, to find herself still in the water. She was shocked as she immediately stood up, the water was already cold and she was beginning to catch cold.
She got out of the jacuzzi, drained the water and Walked out of the bathroom. She got dressed in thick pyjamas and a head warmer to keep herself warm. She got on the bed, put on her face mask and turned off the bedside lamp.
Lights out, Tiff!