Chapter 6, Episode 5

Last updated on January 7th, 2024 at 10:37 am

Who invented school? I need answers. 

I had a lecture by nine this morning and it was already 8:15. Admittedly, I woke up earlier, but I had been scrolling through IG. It took all my restraint to not check Tochi’s handle Mr_Fineboy.

I could not wait to see Joe, who I would be telling yes and it made me excited. This was my final year and I deserved something good. I had no doubt he could make the relationship worth it. I hurriedly got prepared for school, I did not want to start my first day of school begging a sad lecturer to let me into his class.

***

“Where is my baby girl?” Joe asked over the phone. I threw my head back as I laughed. Classic Joe.

“I am leaving school now.”

“Can you wait for about five minutes?”

“Alright.” I found a shed around and sat. I had missed him. I could also surprise him with a yes today, I thought, twirling my hair. I raised my head and saw someone that looked like Tochi and my heart skipped a beat. I adjusted and stretched my neck to confirm if it was him. Elizabeth would be gloating if she saw me doing this. I could imagine her voice ‘I was right.’ But she was not here so I could afford to look.

I jerked as I heard someone clear his throat beside me. It was Joe. He looked captivating. I immediately felt guilt and shame for being caught, not that he knew.

“Joe!” I got up and hugged him.

“You can’t tell how happy I am to see you today.” His voice was muffled in my neck. He was definitely sniffing me. “Are you happy to see me, mama?”

“Yes,” I giggled. I really was. 

***

“So have you told him yes?” I wish I could avoid the question. It was Zabby, she was unto me, and for good reason. As if she knew I was trying to avoid it, she repeated the question again. “Madam, have you said yes?”

“Umm, no.”

“No, you have said yes… or what?”

“I have not said yes, Zabby.”

“Okay o. It’s your yes to say.” I didn’t understand why it was difficult for me to tell Joe I wanted to be his girlfriend. We had talked every day now for over six months, it was as good as dating. If I was being honest though, saying yes felt like I was closing the door on Tochi, finally. I was torn. I just had to do it. I wish I could get closure from Tochi but we have not spoken since this year began, I guess that was enough closure.

“How’s our YouTube coming along?” I asked to change the subject.

“4,800 subscribers! So close.” She groaned.

***

“Sweet cakes, you are never going to agree to be my girlfriend, right?” I choked on my drink. Joe and I were eating at an eatery and talking about random things. His question was a shock. “Easy easy, drink some water.” He said, calming me down. He was so kind, I should just say yes. I was going to talk when my phone rang.

“Sorry, let me take this.” It was an unknown caller, I swiped the green button. “Hello?”

“Angel.” I knew the voice. Tochi.

“Umm, who is this?”

“Angel,” he whispered sounding like he was broken. “Can we see, please? Just once? Please”

“Uhh…I…” I looked at Joe and raised a finger, signalling that I had to take the call outside. He nodded and I left.

“Angel, are you there?”

“Tochi, yes, I am.”

“Please, can we see? Today, tomorrow, any day you want, please?”

“Tochi, I don’t know. For what? What is it about?”

“It’s about us.” I was quiet. I couldn’t believe it took him this long to call, what happened? As if he could read my mind. “Angel, I have tried to hold back, but seeing you today? It broke me. Please just give me this chance to see you.” He sounded like he was close to tears.

“Tochi, I should be free this evening. Just call back later.”

“Thank you. Thank you.” I went inside, thinking of the best way to reply to Joe.

…

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