Last updated on December 8th, 2023 at 03:39 pm
I just had a shower. I picked up my phone and saw Tochi’s message.
You must be home now. How was your trip?
I wanted to reply to him but I dropped the phone instead. He had this off-and-on attitude that I really did not understand. It was also very subtle and inexplicable. Sometimes, he acted like he did not care, and other times like he really cared. There was still a lot I didn’t know about him even as friends. I knew I should not be this moved, but I couldn’t shake it off.
Last night after I snapped at him, he got quiet and did not say anything or make the move to leave until I told him I wanted to get some sleep. At the door, he hugged me for a long time, almost as though he was hesitant to leave. I thought he was going to say something, maybe an apology or a reason, but he just left. It made me more confused. I wasn’t sure, but I might just cut him off.
***
We were all at the dining table, eating dinner. This was the stress I wanted to avoid. We could all eat separately, but my parents insisted on us being cool and civil. If we could eat this dinner without them throwing subtle shades at each other, I would do a backflip. First, let me tell them my plans before they started their own. I took a deep breath. You deserve a good, tension-free holiday, I said to myself.
“Umm, I will be going to mummy’s place tomorrow.” My parents kept eating as though they did not hear me. After some moments of silence, I had to confirm if they heard me.
“Did you hear me?” I asked.
“Yes, yes, baby.” My mum replied.
“But why? Don’t you like it here?” My dad asked.
“Umm, it’s cool here. I just need my privacy.”
“Hmm.” They both replied. Before I could stop myself, I assured them, “I will be coming here every now and then o.” Why did I say this?!
“It’s fine Angel, let’s eat.” My mum replied. We all ate in silence. I ate faster than I would have because I just wanted to get up from the table. Thankfully, everyone was sober and there were no shades thrown at each other.
“Angel, won’t you take another portion?” My dad said as soon as I got up. Another portion? Please.
“No. I am okay. Thank you.” I replied instead.
***
It’d been two days since Tochi sent me a message and I had not replied to him. I was now at mummy’s place. After dinner that day, I went into my room. The next day, I went shopping with my mum for a few things I would need in her house. She dropped me and was about to leave, but I told her to stay as it was already late. She left the next morning.
I decided to reply to Tochi’s message. Hi! Thanks for asking, I got home safe and sound.
I dropped my phone and went to the kitchen to get something to eat. Since I did not feel like cooking I decided on bread and peanut butter. I ate in the sitting room while watching the TV.
***
I jerked up. I had slept off on the chair. My phone was ringing…in the room where I left it. I got up and rushed in. I was not fast enough as the call ended. It was Elizabeth. She called again immediately.
“Hi, Zabby.”
“Angie, how are you?”
“I am good. I fell asleep.”
“Why won’t you fall asleep? You are enjoying na.”
“Sincerely, I am. I am happy I decided to come here. They are going through a divorce, why still try to present a good front as if I am a child?”
“Well, Candy, you are their child.”
“I have heard. What’s up?”
“We are going to get my convocation gown tomorrow, be ready!”
“Yass! I was born ready.”
“See you tomorrow baby girl!”
“Can’t wait!”
“Take care!” I ended the call and saw that Tochi had sent messages.
Is this how you treat friends?”
“No reply?”
“Wow, I guess I am a fool then. I care too much.”
This guy surprised me. I did not know the best reply to give, so instead, I started searching for convocation dress inspiration on Pinterest.
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