Chapter 39: Chapter 39

~Uthman~

I've not even said a single word to dad since mom and Moji moved out. He was hardly ever home. Monday morning and he was still not home. I tried cooking rice for breakfast but I only ended up burning it. Mom never allowed maids in the house. The only maid she allowed was the one that sweeps the compound four times a week. I did not eat the burnt rice tho. I was unable to eat it. I was already missing mom and Moji.

I saw Akin talking to Jade once I climbed up the stairs. Akin saw me and he winked.

Crazy dude ni Bobo yi.

I was going to walk away until I heard

''Where is Uthman? I've missed him. It's been four days, five if we count Wednesday.'

I stopped. Did I just hear that? Were my ears playing games on me? Jade just said she missed me, right?

'That's him behind you. He heard you so you don't need to tell him again but then, you might also want to see his expression when you tell him again.'

Akin said pointing to me. I saw Jade froze just as Akin started to walk away. She grabbed his shirt and he said something I did not hear to her before walking away.

I pocketed and smiled, walking towards her. We heard the sound of the bell and she started to walk away. I grabbed her hands and pulled her further into the corridor. She looked up at me and smiled tightly.

'Hey, Good morning'

Her voice was lower than usual and I had to caution the grin on my face from spreading.

I smiled.

'Good morning'

'That was the bell for assembly earlier. We should go before it is late.'

She started to walk away again and I pulled her back, pulling her closer to me in the process. My body heated up at the contact, she was not looking at me and I felt a huge urge to lift her chin to stare at her eyes.

Calm down Uthman. She is already so nervous. Don't ruin this.

'We're already setting the pace for being the worst senior prefects in the history of Lakeview. We might as well get serious with it.'

She focused her attention on my chest and she looked up. She looked down almost immediately and moved back.

'Why are you this nervous?'

'No, I'm not'

She still did not look at me.

Look at me na.

'If you say so. So you said you missed me earlier, right?'

I heard her cough a little before saying.

'Could you please move away from a little?'

I moved even closer to her.

'why?'

'I can't think straight with this small space between us.'

She was still looking at the floor, at her shoes.

You're not the only one affected by our proximity. Heck! I can't even think at all.

I looked down at her, but my lips before moving three steps back. She finally looked up and smiled tightly.

'So you were saying....'

Scrap that

I thought to myself as I closed the distance between us and hugged her.

Talk about the endorphin rush. I pulled her even closer to me, feeling her heartbeat erratically against mine.

Who knew a simple hug could be this intoxicating.

'I missed you too, a whole lot.'

I felt her hands around me and I smiled, pulling her even closer. I don't know how long we stood there but I knew unless we want to have an audience, we have to disintegrate. I started to pull away but she was letting go. I smiled.

'Jadeshola'

Jadeshola? Wow. I don't think I've ever called her by her full name until now.

'Hmm?'

'You have to let go if you don't want us to have an audience'

'ooh'

She pulled back immediately and avoided looking at me. Shy Jade is not so bad. I smiled.

'We should probably go to class.'

She said but still did not move away.

'Yeah'

I replied and none of us moved. I moved back to lean on the opposite wall, hands in my pocket. She looked up and smiled. I smiled too and soon enough, we were both laughing.

'What's so funny?'

She asked in between laughter and I shrugged.

'You're laughing too.'

We kept on laughing and mine trailed off. I like the sight of her laughing. I like how everything seems to light up with her laughter. She stopped laughing too. I moved closer to her just as we heard voices and steps. That means the assembly was over.

'We have to go now, right?'

She said and smiled again. I nodded just as she started to walk towards our class.

'Jade'

She turned back.

'Do you want to eat lunch together?'

'We eat lunch together almost every day' She replied.

'I mean just the both of us, alone.'

She smiled.

'Alright then. Till then'

And she walked off. I collapsed against the wall and breathed in.

Breath in, breath out.

Oh Damn!

*********

I don't know if I've ever looked forward to a lunch break like this. I kept glancing at my wristwatch and when I finally heard the bell for a lunch break, I heaved a sigh. I turned to look at Jade, she was looking at me with a smile on her face.

I was about to say something when someone cleared their throat. We both looked up to see Akin glaring down at us.

'Why the ugly stare?'

Jade said and his face dissolved into a scowl.

'So, me looking at you is ugly now but you and Uthman were staring at each other all lovey-dovey.'

'Don't mind the both of them, you guys should do and let's go and eat.'

That was Daniel. He threw his arms around Akin. I exchanged a glance with Jade. I cleared my throat.

'Actually, we are... I and Jade want to.....'

'You guys want to eat together. We get. Sha let's go. At least you'd buy whatever it is that you want to eat from the cafeteria.'

Akin said and I stared at him, mouth aghast. Could this guy get any crazier? Dan burst into laughter.

'Na true talk'

Dan said and patted Akin on the back.

'You guys should get out of my front, beg

Jade said and if not for the slight amusement in her voice, I would have said that she was angry. Dan and Akin both cooeed and shouted

'eeeeeeeeeeeeeh'

Jade smiled. Wow. There were different sides to Jade that I've not seen before. I was intrigued and wanted to get to know all the other sides too.

'Hate to break up the party but I need to talk to Uthman. Uthman, can I see you?'

We all turned towards the voice. It was Michelle. Jade stood up.

'We should probably go.' She said to Dan and Akin and they both turned to look at me. I cleared my throat and stood up.

'We'd talk later, Michelle. I need to be somewhere.'

She smiled and moved closer to me.

'I could always tag along'

'No, we'd talk lather. Hmm'

I did not wait for her to reply before walking away. Jade was already talking to Hana and walking in front of us.

'Just sort out Michelle, Uthman. It seems you're hurting Jade's feelings already.'

Dan whispered to me before walking away. He caught up with Hana and I watched as he stylishly excused Hana from Jade. I quickened my pace and caught up with her.

'Hey'

'Hmm?'

She did not look at me as she continued to walk.

'I'm sorry

'About?'

I scratched my head as we entered the cafeteria.

'one meat pie and away pitch, please'

She ordered and paid for it.

'Are you not going to buy anything?'

I looked at her. She was looking at me quizzically and I ordered the same thing she bought.

She went to sit at the far end of the cafeteria and I followed her. It was a seat meant for two people. When I'd asked her to eat together, I meant eating somewhere else, not in the cafeteria. I sat down in front of her.

'It's really hard to tell if you're angry or not.'

I said as I sat down.

'Why should I be angry?'

'Michelle......'

'Michelle is your friend and she asked to talk to you. Why should I be angry at that? And besides, she has been your friend long before you and I even started to get close so.....'

She shrugged and I said nothing, staring at her. She looked up from the meat pie she was eating.

'Why are you looking at me like that?'

'We're not friends, right?'

'hmm,' She looked puzzled. I swallowed.

'I mean what you have in between us is more than friendship, right?'

I watched her expression. It gave nothing away except the small smile on the corner of her lips. We maintained eye contact until she looked away.

'So the competition is on Thursday, right? You have to win, do you know that?'

I laughed. The last thing I want to talk to her about at the moment is a silly contest.

Wait, did you just say silly?

'That means I'd have to try my best to win then.'

She laughed and nodded.

'Well, I trust you.'

She took a bite of meat pie and I followed the movement with my eyes. How she subconsciously used her tongue to clean the sausage from her lips. I closed my eyes.

Focus Uthman. Focus!

'Why are your eyes closed?'

I opened my eyes.

'Nothing.'

She looked at me quizzically before looking at my meat pie.

'It seems like you don't want to eat your pie, should I eat it?'

What?

I burst into laughter.

'And the last time I said you liked the food, you got all defensive, now you're proving me all right.'

'Okay Okay, I love food, are you good now?'

I burst into laughter as I took my meat pie and started eating. She rolled her eyes and leaned back on her seat.

'Why tease me when you're not even going to give me the meat pie?'

I laughed again.

'We can always buy a new one.'

'Too late. I lost interest.'

She took her drink and started drinking from the straw. I watched how her lips tightened around the straw.

Don't you wish your lips were the straw right now?

Oh shut it.

I burst into laughter at my thoughts and Jade looked up.

'What's so funny?'

I shrugged.

'My thoughts. Funny how crazy my thoughts are these days.'

'Care to tell me about them?'

I stopped.

Trust me, they are not all that honorary and you don't even want to know.

'They're private. Thoughts are supposed to be private.'

She scowled and looked away just as we heard the bell, signaling the end of the lunch break.

'Wait, has our lunch break always been this short?'

Jade said and I smiled. At least I know for sure that I wasn't the only one enjoying the company. We stood up and left. I had biology and all through the class, Michelle sat beside me, pressing her body to mine. Maybe this is my cue to tell her about how I feel about Jade.

After the class, I pulled her to a corner.

'What, do you have something to say to me?'

'Actually yes, I do have something to say to you.'

She moved closer to me and placed her hands on mine, respectively. I swallowed. Can I do this? I heaved a sigh. I don't think I want to hurt Michelle's feelings. I don't think......

Think about Jade. Do you want to hurt her feelings?

I heaved a sigh, breathed in, and closed my eyes.

'Tell me. Whatever it is. It can't be that bad.'

I opened my eyes.

'Michelle. I like... I like...'

'oh my God!' She shrieked and hugged me. 'God, I waited decades for this. Oh my God'

Wait, what's going on?

She released me and grabbed my hands.

'Thank You. God!'

What's happening? Michelle did not think I was about confessing my feelings to her, right?

'Does this mean we're official now?'

She asked, still grabbing my hands.

Is this a movie?

'No, I mean I wasn't going to say I like you. I was.....'

Her hands dropped from mine and I run my hand through my hair.

'Michelle, I did not mean to hurt you. Trust me. I wanted to like you. I........'

'It's Jade, isn't it?'

What?

She scowled and moved back.

'Wow wow. Oh my God! Uthman? After everything? And it's even Jade of all people? Where did I go wrong? I even betrayed my best friend for you and you are telling me that you like that best friend?'

'Michelle, let me talk.....'

'No, except you want to tell me that this is just a bad dream. I thought as much and I even tried to convince myself that I was overthinking things but turns out that I was right.'

'Michelle....'

'Don't call my name.'

She shouted and started walking, running towards our class. I followed her. She entered the class and made straight for where Jade sat. The latter who was reading a novel looked up. I walked in.

'What do you want?'

Jade asked and Michelle laughed mirthlessly.

'You are a bitch, ain't you?'

Michelle asked and Jade looked down at the novel she was reading.

'Now that you've reconfirmed it, could you please get out?'

This is a serious situation and I for sure knew I wasn't supposed to smile but I was smiling before l could help myself.

'Wow, you are...'

The whole class was looking at us. Michelle was looking at Jade with disgust. Akin and Dan gave me a thumbs up and I glared at them. Michelle looked at me before walking away angrily.

'Waoooh Waoooh Wah. What's this new feud between Jade and Michelle?'

One of our classmates said.

'I'd bet everything that Uthman has to do with whatever it is.'

That was Caleb.

Half of the class burst into laughter. I looked at Jade, her eyes were still fixed on the novel she was reading. I turned and followed Michelle.

********

~Jade~

I looked up just as Uthman followed Michelle out.

'What do you think that was all about?'

Someone asked again.

'And how is knowing that going to make you pass your upcoming exams?'

Someone said and I smiled. I knew that voice any day anytime. It was Ayisha Bello.

Only God knows who that girl's deal was. She has no close friends. But then, she has the best voice I've ever heard.

'But that doesn't mean that we should not entertain ourselves.'

That was K with A, Keji. I rolled my eyes. If there was anything I hated most, it is getting caught up in school dramas like this and now, look at me.

Our yoruba teacher soon entered the class and I looked at the door, expecting Uthman to enter. He did not, not until the yoruba period was over. I looked down at my desk as he sat down. I avoided looking at him until it was time for our tutorial. I don't even know why I was still attending the tutorial, the competition is just three days away.

'So guys, we've covered all that we're supposed to cover. We've left no stone unturned. I'm sure if you guys should climb the stage now, you're bringing home the gold medal.'

I rolled my eyes at the teacher's words.

'The one representing the school is Uthman, not me'

'Manners Miss Badmus.'

I kept my eyes on my note.

'I'm sorry Ma'

'Where do we look when we're talking?'

I looked up.

'So, that would be all for today. You guys are free to rub minds about everything we've discussed.'

And she left. I packed my books and stood up.

'You're leaving?'

I nodded and turned to leave. He grabbed my hands and pulled me back so I was sitting down on the chair again.

What now?

I stared down at our hands. I remembered the last time we held hands or almost held hands and Michelle walked in. I pulled my hands from him angrily. He looked at me, an amused expression on his face.

'What?'

'Who was the one who didn't want to let go of me this morning and now, you don't want me to touch you?'

What?

I stared at him, mouth aghast before I closed my mouth. I opened it and closed it again.

'That wasn't me.'

'Of course, it wasn't you. It wasn't you who said you missed me too, right?'

He said amidst laughter.

Aah.

I stared at him, mouth agape.

'And for sure you weren't the one that said you enjoyed spending time with me, hmm?'

Eeh. Wow

'Never knew you were keeping records. And for your information, I wasn't in my right senses then.'

He smiled again.

Stop smiling na.

'Of course, you were'

I scoffed.

'And who was the one who hugged me this morning?

He shrugged and smiled.

'Who was one who said I was pretty? Who was the one who....'

I trailed off, trying to think of any other thing he had done. I couldn't even remember.

'Yeah. They were all me, I'm not even denying them.'

I looked at him. Like really looked at him. This is Uthman, Jadeshola. This is the boy you like.

'It's a very fine face, isn't it? I don't mind you staring all day.'

Aah. Nah Nah Nah. Uthman is hopeless.

'Says who?' I asked

'Says your eyes'

I rolled my eyes and leaned back in my chair. I watched him take my hands and intertwine them with his. He looked at me and smiled again.

God! His smile is fast becoming one of my sweetest addictions.

*********

The smile on my face disappeared when I entered the sitting room and saw who was sitting on the sofa with mom. I glanced at her and she smiled at me.

'E Ku Ile ma'

I greeted mom and curtseyed a little. She replied just as Fatima got up and hugged me.

'Hey, Coz. How are you doing?'

'Fine and you?'

I replied and partially pushed her off.

'Mom did not tell me you were coming for a visit.'

I said without waiting for her to reply to my greetings. It was more of a question than a statement.

'Oh, sorry. It must have escaped my mind. Fatima is going to say with us for.....'

Hmm?

I glanced at Fatima and she smiled at me. Mom stood up and made for her bedroom. I followed her.

'What did you mean by she is going to say with us?'

I asked her once we entered her bedroom.

'Yeah. She is going to do her Jamb here.'

'So she is going to be here till March? Mom, you know I don't know how to share spaces with strangers.'

'Jadeshola, Fatima is your cousin and not a stranger and you have to be used to sharing spaces with people.'

I groaned and leaned against the door.

'And besides, you need the company now that Zee is not here.'

I knew it. I stepped out of her room and entered mine. Fatima was sitting by my desk and flipping through a novel.

'You don't enter my room without my permission, Fatima.'

She looked back and stood up. I held the door for her to get out.

'I'm going to stay in Zee's room.'

She said as she walked towards me.

'No oo'

'Yes or else you'll clean one of the vacant rooms with me.'

I mentally rolled my eyes.

'There is no way in the world that you're sleeping in Zee's room. And if you don't clean the room yourself, you can always go back.'

She burst into laugher just as she got to me.

'God! You're not going to change, are you? I was not going to sleep in Zee's room, only said that to get a reaction out of you. And I already cleaned the room I'll be staying with one of the maids'

She said and started to walk down the hallway, she opened the bedroom next to mine. Before she entered, she looked back at me

'You can always drop by to say hi to your big sis anytime'

She entered the bedroom and slammed the door shut.

Ode. Big sis ko, big idiot ni.

I closed the door and heaved a sigh. I doubt think I was ready for Fatima's drama. She was my closest cousin growing up until her mother, my mom's sister moved to Lagos with her family when I was 12 and Fatima was 13. We drifted apart until we just became strangers who viewed each other status' on Whatsapp and now I'm to livlivlivingfor more than a month. We were one year apart in class so she graduated secondary school last year but wasn't able to get admission into any university so she's doing jamb again.

Oh, God! I don't want a stranger in the house.

Lather that night, I was on my bed surfing the net when WhatsApp notified me of new messages. I clicked on it and I stared at the name with a feeling I couldn't place. It was from Zee.

Zee✨: Hey Baby

Zee✨: How're you?

Zee✨: I've missed you.