Last updated on February 7th, 2024 at 07:20 am
“Baby, you will not send me T.fare?”
“Hmm, you don’t even know what’s happening at all.”
“How do you mean?”
“I have a lot of things tying my money down here.”
“Oh, me that’s coming, I don’t have anything to do with my money?”
“It’s not like that, Angel. Okay, who would feed you when you are here?”
“Tochi, that’s the minimum, it doesn’t mean you should not be able to cover even if it’s 30% of my fare to and fro Lagos. We are both Corpers.” If Tochi was carefree when we were in school, he was only worse now. He did not want to visit, yet, he didn’t want to offer any financial assistance. He probably made more money than I did, considering he had started selling some of his landscape paintings. Leave it to him to rudely say I don’t know what’s happening since he is the only one that’s driven. I ended the call just as he was about to say something. I was mad.
I closed my travelling box and sat on my bed. I was supposed to leave for Lagos first thing tomorrow but now I reconsidered it. I might as well stay back and enjoy the whole week off or even go to Enugu to see my family. It was too early to ask if he was not interested in the relationship but we may have to discuss that soon. My phone started ringing, it was him. I dropped the phone. He could have jokingly told me that he did not have the cash but he had to make me feel dumb. If he also updated me about anything or sought my opinion, I would probably have more idea of how why his cash is tied up.
I got to know about him selling his painting, and subsequently, his painting page, on Instagram when he sent me money for data without me asking. After pushing, he told me he sold three of his paintings. I had no idea how much his paintings cost, I also could not even pitch any suggestions to him about his page or business because I did not understand his plans for either. I was happy when he sent the airtime without asking, at the same time, it upset me that I did not even know how much he sold the paintings. Asking him might have come off as me not being appreciative.
It just always felt like there was a boundary, more like a wall. Every relationship needed a boundary, but our boundary was thick, the type of boundaries you have with strangers and not someone you claim to love. He called again and I ignored it. I got up and continued to pack my things—we were definitely discussing us when I got there.
I picked up my phone when I was done packing my clothes and wrote a list of things to discuss on my Notes app.
Satisfied with what I had written for now, I went out of the room to get something to eat. I would add more to the list as I remembered. When I returned to the room, he had dropped a message.
I don’t know why you are not answering my calls. If I have money, won’t I give you? Is it not your relationship as well? Anyway, you know where the key is when you come tomorrow.
If he thought the message was communicating something, he was really wrong. I opened the Notes app and added more to the list.
The way Tochi and I started seemed very promising to where we were right now. It didn’t even help that we had only been dating for less than a year. Less than a year and we were not even progressing. Tomorrow.
***
Tochi and I had our issues but I couldn’t help being excited as I thought that in less than ten hours, I would be seeing him. We had not seen each other in three months—the longest we had gone without seeing each other (well, except during our IT, and we were not on speaking terms). He called this morning to apologise and to ask if I was on the way.
I love you, baby. I know I am not the easiest, but I am trying for you. Can’t wait to see you! He had sent after the call.
Zabby had also called to ask if the bus had moved, she was in on my movement and we both had to ensure that my parents did not find out. I knew she did not like me having to visit him first considering that she was aware of many of our issues, but she did not object.
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