SWNOVELS Chapter 3: Unveiling Secrets
Nisha's Point of View
I lay there, my gaze fixed on the ceiling. This new environment was unfamiliar to me, but I knew that I had to adapt quickly. When my father enrolled me here, I was aware that things would change rapidly, and I needed to be cautious in my actions. Nathalie, the unique girl I just met, seemed nice, and I sensed a genuine connection with her. It was the first time I traveled with someone unrelated to my family, whom I hadn't seen in years.
As I sighed, my thoughts consumed me. I couldn't predict how this situation would unfold, but I wasn't expecting to lose. Memories of my father ignoring me when I was upset flooded my mind. I had to admit, I could be a bit peculiar at times. In my thoughts, there were many images, but the faces were often hazy. Nightmares haunted me, and I found myself running from an ominous landscape, sobbing in fear. When I asked my father about it, his response was disheartening.
"Sweetheart, it's me. That's how it used to be when you were a stubborn child. But since you're doing what I want now, I won't hurt you any further."
These words from my father left a lingering sadness within me, reminding me of my past struggles to gain his approval. I hoped that my new experiences at the university would help me find answers and heal the wounds of my childhood.
After my dad's words, I found myself overthinking things. Part of me didn't believe him, but I hesitated to question him further because I knew he wouldn't provide the truth and would only feed me with lies. Struggling to relax, I took a deep breath and tried to shift my focus.
As I heard three knocks on the door, I got up to answer it, knowing it was Nathalie. However, to my surprise, she was accompanied by a man who gave me a serious look. I returned his gaze with cold eyes, not willing to back down.
Nathalie introduced me to her boyfriend, Dylan. As I observed him, I couldn't help but notice his impressive physique and pale complexion. Though I thought he might be gay if he wasn't Nathalie's boyfriend, it wasn't my place to make assumptions. I simply shrugged, not interested in getting to know him further.
"This is Nisha, Dylan. She's the girl who was transferred and is my roommate."
I don't judge others based on appearances, and I understand that everyone has their own story and struggles. As Nathalie and Dylan conversed, I couldn't help but be reminded of my own difficult upbringing. The instruction and treatment I received from my father had made me a guarded and cold-hearted person. I endured physical and emotional abuse, facing punishment for any mistake I made, even as his well-known daughter. But I have learned to cope with my past and strive to move forward, not allowing my experiences to define me.
"I'd like to extend an invitation to you for dinner. I know you must be hungry, so hurry up and join us in the kitchen," Nathalie said, pulling me back to reality. Despite my reluctance, I nodded and allowed them to go ahead. I wanted to make a good impression and didn't want to appear disheveled or distracted while eating with them. My father's teachings about proper behavior around others had left a lasting impact on me.
After a few minutes of tidying myself up, I left the room and headed to the kitchen. When I arrived, they had stopped talking and noticed me. I was surprised to find not just two, but a total of five people there. Nathalie was sitting next to her boyfriend, Dylan, and the others were three boys and two girls. One of the boys had a feminine appearance, leading me to wonder if he was gay due to his pale skin and small, red lips, coupled with a more feminine figure.
I tried not to jump to conclusions about people based on appearances, reminding myself that everyone is unique and shouldn't be judged solely on looks.
Nathalie gestured for me to take a seat next to the stranger, so I followed her lead and sat down. The stranger continued to stare at me, but I chose to focus straight ahead at my chair, not allowing his gaze to bother me. Nathalie suggested that we start eating before introducing ourselves to get to know each other better.
I had no choice but to comply, and I ate my meal politely in front of them. I was aware of their scrutiny, but I ignored it and focused on my food. If they had any concerns about me or if there was dirt on my face, I trusted that they would let me know later. My hunger drove me to eat without wasting any food, remembering my father's words about not wasting food and being a proper woman.
Throughout the meal, I remained composed and restrained, determined to present myself in a respectful manner. I knew that getting along with my new roommates was crucial, so I tried my best to make a good impression and adapt to this new environment.
It only took me a few minutes to finish my meal, and when I looked up, I noticed that the others were waiting for me. I was too hungry to pay much attention to their presence. Nathalie seemed pleased with what she saw, and her bright smile reflected her satisfaction. I couldn't help but wonder about her age, but I figured I would find out more about her later.
Nathalie suggested that we clean up the table before heading to her room for a private conversation. She started clearing the table, placing the used plates in the sink without hesitation. I assumed she would wash them later. After finishing the dishes, three of the boys and one girl suddenly stood up, indicating that it was time to move to Nathalie's room. I had no choice but to follow them.
As we walked, I noticed that none of them were engaging in conversation. It made me wonder if they, like me, were also well-trained individuals, taught to be disciplined and reserved in their actions. Despite my curiosity about them, I focused on the situation at hand, eager to see what Nathalie wanted to discuss privately in her room.
Nathalie led the way, with her boyfriend following closely behind. The door to Nathalie's room was opened by another woman, and they all entered one by one. I calmly followed them and took a seat on the sofa. Nathalie grabbed my arm and pulled me down next to the serious-looking man, whose face appeared as stoic as a rock. I didn't mean to offend him, but I couldn't help but notice his striking appearance. He had a handsome face that would undoubtedly captivate any woman's attention. However, I wasn't interested in getting involved with this group of people who seemed to be up to no good. This man was dressed in a black suit, which I assumed was his favorite color.
The woman, who seemed to have a connection with the man next to me, spoke softly and raised her hand, subtly clutching the man's arm beside her. It was evident that she held some affection for him, placing him in the center of their group dynamic.
My mind was filled with confusion as I focused my gaze on the woman. Without thinking, a name popped into my head, and I purposefully uttered it aloud.
"Rebecca?" I asked her, keeping my eyes locked on her. I couldn't shake the feeling that I knew something about her, but I wasn't sure how or where I had obtained this information.
As I continued to examine her appearance, a revelation seemed to come to me out of nowhere. "Rebecca Villafuentes is your name. In the Peur Organization, your father is considered number two as a scientist," I stated, surprised by my own words. It felt as if the information just surfaced in my mind, but I couldn't explain how I knew this. The realization made me feel uneasy, and I couldn't help but wonder if I was just speculating or if there was some truth to my theory.
"I-I don't know how I knew that," I stammered, taken aback by my own words. How did I come up with that information? I glanced at Nathalie, but she shook her head, indicating that she hadn't said anything to me about Rebecca. I was perplexed and intrigued at the same time. How did I know her name? Was it just a coincidence, or was there something more to it?
The room fell silent as everyone stared at me, waiting for an explanation. I kept my head down, lost in deep contemplation. My father had kept me isolated, and I had no way of knowing about Rebecca or her connection to the Peur Organization. My mind was racing, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
Rebecca's face was still flushed with shock as she looked at me, seeking an answer. I wanted to tell her that I had no idea how I knew her name, but I couldn't find the words. It was as if the information had been implanted in my mind without my consent. I felt like I was losing control of my own thoughts, and it frightened me.
She isn't even linked to or acquainted with my family. I'm completely perplexed. I shifted my gaze to Nathalie, who was laughing hysterically to dispel the tension in the room.
As I began speaking, I could feel the tension in the room start to dissipate. Nathalie had cleverly redirected the conversation to focus on me, allowing the attention to shift away from the strange revelation about Rebecca's name.
"I am Nisha Eumerriah Normandeau, 17 years old," I began, taking a deep breath to steady myself. "My father is a high-ranking member of the Peur Organization and a renowned scientist. I am an only child, and my father started training me when I was 15. He taught me how to fight and defend myself, but beyond that, he never shared much about my own life," I explained, looking at each of them as I spoke.
Everything I said was true, but there was a secret that I was holding back, a secret that I knew I needed to share with them at some point. For now, I decided to keep it to myself until I knew them better and could trust them with such sensitive information.
Nathalie and the others listened attentively, and I could see curiosity and interest in their eyes. I hoped that by sharing a bit about my life, I would be able to build some connection and understanding with my new roommates. Despite the strange revelation earlier, I felt a glimmer of hope that maybe this new chapter of my life at Ottawa Green University wouldn't be as lonely and isolated as my past.
The room fell silent after my revelation. Nathalie's expression softened, and she nodded as if she already knew. The others exchanged glances, seemingly taken aback by my disclosure.
"Adoptive child?" Rebecca inquired, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and vulnerability. "Yes, I discovered that truth when I was 15. My father, or the man I believed to be my father, revealed it to me. He said my real parents were part of the Peur Organization, but he never disclosed more details about them or why they gave me up for adoption. Since then, our relationship has been strained."
Dylan leaned forward, his curiosity getting the better of him. "But why didn't he tell you earlier? And what do you know about your birth parents' involvement with the Peur Organization?"
I sighed, the weight of my past suddenly heavy on my shoulders. "I don't know why he kept it a secret for so long. As for my birth parents, I only know they were involved with the Peur Organization in some capacity. My father never revealed their names or their roles within the organization. I'm still trying to piece everything together, but it's been a challenging journey."
Nathalie placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, and I looked at her gratefully. "Nisha, we're here for you. You don't have to go through this alone. You're part of our team now."
Her words brought a sense of warmth and acceptance, something I hadn't felt in a long time. Despite my initial reservations and uncertainties, it seemed like fate had brought me to this moment, surrounded by people who might just become my allies and friends.
As we continued our conversation, I realized that perhaps being at Ottawa Green University wasn't just a necessity imposed by my father; it could be an opportunity to discover more about myself, my past, and the secrets that had been kept from me for so long. And with the support of my newfound companions, I felt a glimmer of hope that I could navigate this new chapter of my life with strength and determination.