Chapter 6, Episode 1

Last updated on January 7th, 2024 at 10:06 am

I just told Elizabeth about Joe and as expected she was excited. “Maybe this can distract you from that Tochi guy.” She said. True enough, I found myself thinking less about Tochi. Joe was not as handsome as Tochi but he was more charming. I felt bad comparing them even as I thought about it.

***

A week more in this place and I’d be home. This time, I looked forward to going home. So far, my parents seemed to be doing very fine and a part of me was undeniably happy. This was way better than them fighting. Joe had reached out to me every day since he got my number, sometimes at night, sometimes just as simple as a text message or a funny skit. He did not do too much.

I was beginning to like Joe, not that I did not like him from the onset but he really seemed like someone I could see myself with. But I felt weird at this thought like I was betraying Tochi. It did not matter though, that ship had sailed.

***

“You returned back home in one piece,” Zabby said. We were driving back to her place. 

“I did”.

“But you did not go out more o.

“Ehn, I went out with Joe once. That should count. And I am home now so we should be able to o that. Not so?” I retorted, remembering going out with Joe the previous day. He said it was a date but I insisted it was just two friends going out.

“Well, me I have been keeping up with my YouTube.”

“Ehn, we know,” I replied, rolling my eyes. Zabby burst into laughter. 

“Haturrr… you did well na. If not for Joe though…”

“Lies. Without Joe, I would have been fine. I told you that ship has sailed.”

“Oh, yes! Sailed it has.” This time, I could not hold back my laughter.

***

I’d been home for a month and hadn’t heard from Tochi at all. I guess it was that easy to let go, maybe he never liked me. It made sense that he did not like me and just lied. That explained his off-and-on attitude. So why was he that caring? Why would he stare at me like I was the only person in the room? Maybe he liked me but had some trauma that made him uncomfortable to express it. Oh! Maybe he had commitment issues. I thought as I walked to my dad’s office having closed for the day.

It hurt to think that things could just end between Tochi and me. But it was not entirely his doing, I won’t necessarily say I was patient either. I saw he had been posting on Instagram and he looked genuinely happy. He had also begun his IT. The girls there would be happy to have a handsome boy around. I wiped the sweat off my brows shaking my head. It was a hot day and I could not wait for the cold weather to begin. I was also famished, hopefully, my dad had something in his office for me to eat.

Just as the security man opened the gate of my father’s furnishing company, my phone rang. I fiddled around in my bag to get the phone and put it to my ear while nodding to thank the security man.

“Hello, Joe.” 

“Hi, Sweetheart.” I smiled upon hearing his voice. I really did like him.

“How are you?”

“I am fine. How are you doing?”

“I am alright.”

“I want to hear about your day, is this a good time?”

“Uhm, I just got to my dad’s and we leave for home in about thirty minutes.”

“After dinner, just before you go to bed?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“Alright. Can’t wait.” He said and I imagined him winking. For such a cocky person, he was really calm and polite. I guess the attitude was just part of his charm.

…

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