JANET: "So, what's your name again?"
ME: "Dylan."
JANET: "Right. Mom already told my brother and me that you'd be tutoring us. So let's talk."
ME: "Alright."
JANET: "I really hope you're good at teaching. You're the fourth tutor we've had this year. The others were all disappointing. If I find out you're not any better, I'll tell my mom, and you'll be fired."
My heart skipped a beat.
ME: "I understand. I'll do my best. Teaching is something I'm genuinely passionate about."
JANET: "Good. Now about the schedule Mom said five times a week, but I'd prefer three or four. And she doesn't need to know that. Understood?"
No wonder you didn't pass your last exam. Lazy much? I thought to myself but I simply nodded.
ME: "Okay."
JANET: "So, what days and times work for you?"
ME: "Any time that works for you works for me."
JANET: raising a brow "Really? I thought you worked at a school or something. Don't you have another job?"
Wow, this girl's direct, I thought.
ME: "I used to teach during my national service. I just finished and I'm still looking for a full-time job."
JANET: eyes widening slightly "You're a graduate? And you've already completed service? Wow… I honestly thought you only had a diploma or something. That's actually impressive."
She smiled again.
Seriously… my small stature is making me look like a high schooler, I thought, sighing inwardly.
ME: "So, what time would you prefer?"
JANET: "Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Come at 2 p.m., teach me until 4, then switch to Gideon from 4:30 to 6. Does that work?"
ME: "That's fine. Can we start today?"
JANET: "Sure. Do you want to wait or come back by 2?"
Thinking for a moment…
ME: "I'll come back by 2. Is your mom around?"
JANET: "Of course not. She's at work—she's a banker. She usually doesn't get back until 6:30 or 7."
Man… this girl's got such a sharp tone, I thought.
ME: "Alright. I'll see you later then."
JANET: "Wait. Let me get your number, just in case."
She turned and shouted, "Kira! Bring my phone it's on my bed!"
Kira returned with the phone. Janet took it from her while she was still standing there. Kira looked at me and gave another soft smile.
JANET: "Call your number."
ME: "3426 **"
JANET: "Saved."
She quickly flashed the number. My phone vibrated.
ME: "Got it. Alright, I'll be on my way. I'll be back by 2 p.m."
Janet handed the phone back to Kira and told her to return it to her room. I left the house and stepped out through the gate.
Just as I reached the sidewalk, my phone rang. It was an unknown number.
ME: "Hello? Who's this?"
CALLER: "It's me, Kira. That's my number. Save it. I'll call you later. Bye."
She ended the call before I could say anything.
Wait... what exactly does she want from me? I wondered.
She must've memorized my number while I was reciting it to Janet... smart girl.
---
Fast forward...
It was 1:30 p.m. I left my apartment and headed to the white house for the lesson. When I arrived, I knocked on the gate. The security guard recognized me and let me in.
I walked up to the main door and knocked again.
But I could barely hear myself over the loud music blasting from inside.
There was no way anyone could hear me over that.
Then I remembered I had Janet's number.
I called her. No answer.
I tried Kira instead. She picked up quickly.
A minute later, the front door opened.
I stepped inside and found Janet in the living room, wearing a pink crop top and a pair of tight shorts. She was sweating lightly, clearly from dancing. The music was still playing low in the background.
ME: "Hey Jane. I'm here for the lesson."
JANET: "Umm… Dylan, right?"
ME: "Yes."
JANET: "I'm not sure I can do the lesson today I'm really tired. I've been dancing non-stop. Honestly, if Kira hadn't told me someone was knocking, I wouldn't have known you were even outside."
Wow… smart move, Kira. She's more aware than I gave her credit for.
ME: "Okay Jane. So… what now?"
JANET: "Maybe just wait for Gideon to get back from school. You can teach him instead."
ME: "Alright."
JANET: "Would you like something to drink or eat?"
Huh? Why's she suddenly acting nice today?
ME: "I'm good for now, thanks."
I waited for Gideon to return and spent the afternoon tutoring him in math. From that day on, I continued the lessons regularly. But Janet would often skip hers and I knew better than to report it to her mom.
Meanwhile, Kira started sneaking calls to me whenever she could. She was clear about one thing: neither Janet nor Madam could ever find out she was in touch with me. We had late-night phone conversations, sometimes talking for hours about life, dreams, random things everything, except anything remotely sexual. She never brought it up, and I had no reason to.
To be honest, I still preferred Janet over Kira… until one particular night when everything shifted.
---
ME: "Hey, Kira. You said there was something you wanted to tell me?"
KIRA: "Yeah… I just don't know if you'll agree to help me."
ME: "You won't know unless you tell me."
KIRA: quietly "I need help with something I can't afford."
ME: "What kind of help?"
KIRA: "It's… it's hard to say."
ME: "Just say it. I'm listening."
KIRA: nervously "Well… I dropped out in Grade 8. I've always wanted to go back to school, but my parents couldn't afford it. A woman—my sister's friend—brought me from the province to Greybridge, promising my family she'd help me finish my education. But when we got here… she handed me off to Madam as a housemaid."
She paused.
KIRA: "I still want to learn."
ME: "You mean you want to go back to school?"
KIRA: "Not officially. I know that's far off. But I want to start learning again. I want you to teach me—lessons, just like you do with Janet and Gideon. But I don't have money to pay you."
ME: "Kira, that's not a problem. I can teach you after I'm done with Janet and Gideon whenever I'm here."
KIRA: "No… that won't work. Madam and Janet will never allow it. They hate me. If they ever find out, they might even send me away."
ME: "So what do you want to do?"
KIRA: "I'll come to your house."
My heart skipped a beat.
ME: "Really? When and how would you manage that?"
KIRA: "I'm the one who goes to the market every five days to get house supplies. I could stop by your place and stay for a couple of hours before heading to the market. And also… on Friday nights, everyone here goes for a church vigil. I'm always left behind with the gateman. I could come over then too… unless your wife won't be okay with that?"
ME: laughing softly "Wife? I'm not married. Not even in a relationship."
KIRA: grinning "Wait—you don't have a girlfriend?"
ME: "Nope."
KIRA: "That's a relief. At least no one can accuse me of trying to steal someone's boyfriend all in the name of 'extra lessons.'"
After that conversation, I just sat there, wondering.
Midnight lessons… What could those even look like?
Kira… this girl might just drive me crazy.