Last updated on December 24th, 2023 at 09:49 am
“Angela, I assume that you like this guy. Like, really like him.” I was on the phone with Zabby and just told her about what had been happening between Tochi and me.
“Would it be bad if I did?” I asked.
“No no, I didn’t imply that. According to what you have said, he also likes you that much so there’s no problem.”
“But where does this lead?” I asked though it was more of a rhetorical question.
“Well, for now, it doesn’t have to lead anywhere. Just go with the flow.”
“Hmmm, okay.”
“You said he told you he likes you right?”
“Ehn, yes, he did. He has actually said it many times, but he jokes a lot.”
“Hmm, maybe I should start preparing for my first brother in-law,” Zabby replied. I started laughing after she said this.
“Let’s talk about you. What’s the update?”
“Wait, before me, what about mum and dad, any news?”
“They both call and I pick and we spend about a minute on the phone and that’s it. Sometimes, they call together. After Daddy talks, he says, ‘Your mum is here.’ Those times, I feel so angry. I told you, I was therapy for them.” Zabby sighed.
“I understand how you feel. Seems they are now friends on Facebook again or something cos I always see mummy commenting on your dad’s post.”
“Yes o, they are new lovers.”
“Okay, let’s talk about me.”
***
It was past midnight and I was reading for a test. This was a tough one, not the course but the lecturer himself. He took delight in seeing us fail; we all knew to put in more effort. As hard as I prepared, I was hoping for a C at best.
Tochi was up with me. He kept sending messages, memes, voice notes, and whatever he could so I’d stay up. I really appreciated him being able to do this because I was bad at staying up, which was funny considering that I was in my third year in school—one would think I should be used to it by now.
We’d been doing many things together recently. Besides him coming to pick me up after classes every day, we’d also been taking daily walks. Sometimes, when I send messages to him and he doesn’t reply, I get that feeling, that subtle feeling of him wanting to be the one to call the shots, to set the tone of our friendship. Friendship? I didn’t think I could honestly say it was just friendship anymore, though I kept telling myself it was just that. The moment I got that feeling as if by magic, he called or showed up at my hostel almost immediately.
***
We were on one of our walks one day when he told me he liked me. He had said it jokingly many times, so I laughed. But he stopped walking, looked at me, and reiterated it. “I mean, I really like you.” I didn’t want the awkwardness, so I replied with sarcasm, “Yeah, you are my brother, you should like me.”
“Angel, none of that here. I’m not your brother.” He said, with emphasis on the last part. I had nothing to say so I just rolled my eyes. He wasn’t done yet though.
“I know you also like me,” he said. I was surprised and immediately, I started laughing to cover it up. This was getting really awkward.
“I know you’d just keep laughing and trying to deflect this conversation. But I am very sure that we like each other.” I had to reply to him at this point to save face.
“How are you so sure?”
“Why don’t you have a boyfriend?”
“Umm, why don’t you have a girlfriend?”
“That’s simple, I like you. So tell me why you have ignored the many guys asking you out.”
***
“Zabby, I couldn’t give him a reply. Not even a witty response to cover up.”
“Really? What did he now say… or do?”
“He waited for a bit, looked at me, then held my hand and started walking.”
“This boy is really onto you this semester o.”
“I am telling you, Zabby. He still sent a text that night ó.”
“What was the text? Send it to me on WhatsApp biko.” I forwarded Tochi’s chat to Zabby on WhatsApp.
“I have sent it.” Zabby was quiet for a bit then read the message Tochi sent me.
“Heyyyy, let me read it: ‘I know you like me, Angel. I know you really do, you don’t have to tell me yet. I have also probably hurt you, so I understand. But I really like you and you should know.’ He calls you ‘Angel,’ dear Lord.”
“Zabby, what’s this drama like this?” I said, rolling my eyes.
“God when… but wait, God, thank you. This romance is my highlight of the year.”
“You have quickly tagged it romance. Na wa for you. Please, let’s face your own matter, enough about me.”
…
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