Chapter 45: Chapter 45

~Jade~

I stared at Michelle, then at Uthman, wondering where and how She knew about Zee.

Maybe Uthman told her.

My subconscious whispered to me but deep down, I knew there was no way in the world Uthman would do that to me. Maybe she overheard us when I was telling him, maybe she overheard me when I was talking to Akin or Hana. I sha knew deep down that there was no way in the world that Uthman would have told her but I was still angry at Uthman because if not for him ehn, there was no way in the world that this idiot would be sitting across me and we would be eating on the same table.

'Have you always been this stupid or did you stupidity just escalated to the next level?'

I asked her, my voice laced with disgust. She stared back gaze unwavering.

'Just say you feel bad that I know something you'd rather keep a secret.'

I rolled my eyes. This girl's stupidity is beyond me. How could someone be this stupid?

'God! I can't believe I'm having this conversation with you. And it's not your fault anyway, it's mine. This wouldn't be happening in the first place if you weren't sitting with us.'

She laughed mitlessly.

'So you won't be sitting with us from next week. I can't handle your stupidity any longer.'

She laughed again and I saw the rest of the gang exchange glances.

'I've been eating with Uthman and Dan for over two years, if anyone is leaving, that would be you.'

She said and shrugged. I shook my head. This girl is a certified idiot.

'I don't care, they can leave with you if they want. Infact, I already lost my appetite by staring at your stupid and ugly puffy face.'

I said and stood up, feeling angry to my very core.

'Are you not going to ask me how I knew?'

She asked as I started to walk away. I stopped and turned to look at her.

'So that you would say Uthman, right? Nah, that's the oldest trick in the book.'

Idiot.

I replied her and walked out. I had intentions of going back to class but I found myself walking towards the park instead.

Lol. Even your subconscious already recognize your spot.

That made me burst into laughter.

'For someone who left angrily, you're doing a great job of entertaining yourself.'

I did not turn to look at him. I only moved a little to create space for him on the swing I was sitting.

'I did not leave angrily. I'm not going to give your friend the benefit of making me angry. It's only people that matters to you that should be allowed to elicit emotions from you.'

'Michelle is just like that. Pretty sure she meant no harm.'

I finally turned to look at him, not quite believing what I just heard.

'Meant no harm? Was I the only one who heard what she said? She very much wanted to cause a fight between the both of us. She wanted me to think you told her so I'd get angry at you and probably call it off with you. She has to try harder though. I don't think there's anything that would make me get so angry to the point of breaking up with you.'

Haven't you said too much now?

He did not say anything after that and I dared a glance at him. He was staring at me.

I shrugged.

'What now?'

'You just pretty much said you can't live without me.'

He replied with a cocky grin plastered on his face. Funny how that grin used to annoy me, now, it only bemuse me.

'I never said that.'

'You did.'

'You're just twisting my word to suit yourself.'

'Hey come on, it's not bad for you to profess your undying love for me.'

I stared at him aghast. God! The things this boy says ehn.

'Which undying love oo? Be deceiving yourself.'

'You were the one who said it, not me. I only interpreted it. Why are you denying it now?'

I should probably start calling Uthman hopeless now because that's exactly what he is. Hopelessly hopeless. I stood up.

'You should stay here and continue to imtepret what you're interpreting. I'm off to class.'

I started to walk away but he pulled me back so I was practically sitting on his laps.

Nah, you're just sitting too close to him.

Whatever. But I was sitting so close to him that I could hear his heart beat. Subconsciously, my hand reached out to touch his chest. Humans would probably die if our hearts beat this fast and erratically everytime.

'And why is your heart beating this fast?'

'Because you're so near. Endorphins rush gets doubled each time you're near.'

'Oh, I should move back then. We don't want you dying of heart attack.'

I fake an attempt to move back and he pulled me closer to him.

'No way, I'm perfectly fine like this.'

I smiled in spite of myself.

'I was just saying though.'

I don't know how long we stayed in that awkward yet sweet position until he moved closer and pressed his body against mine hugging me.

Talk about intoxication.

*********

I was trying to read my books in my room but the loud music blaring from Fatima's room would not allow me to concentrate. I tried ignoring the music but I failed woefully.

This Fatima self, talk about levels of entitlement. I finally stood up and walked to her room. I entered without knocking. I left the door open and I stood by it so it won't close by itself. She was sitting on the bed and pressing her phone.

'Finally decided to pay your big sis a visit?'

'For someone who came all the way from Lagos to Ibadan to prepare adequately for Jamb, you're doing quite well.'

'A girl should have some fun'

'Not at the expense of others Fatima, not at the expense of others. I've been trying to read a page since morning but I couldn't because of your idea of fun.'

'Okay okay. I'm sorry. I'll lower the volume.'

She put her hands out to probably emphasize how sorry she was. I shrugged and watched her turn the volume down to the lowest. I turned to leave her room when I remembered that I haven't told her about the hangout.

'So I'm going out with Hana and some of my friends tomorrow to celebrate winning ECOWAS contest. You might want to come with us.'

'Sure sure sure. I'd love to go with you guys. I haven't gone anyway since I got back. Pretty sure if Zee was home, we would've....'

She trailed off, probably realizing she shouldn't have mentioned Zee's name in front of me. I said nothing and turned to leave.

'By the way, who are the rest of your friends. You are not the type to keep friends.'

I know right? But now, I have 4 people as close friends if I should count Dan. God! I really deserve some accolades.

'My boyfriend and his best friend would be going with us.'

'Boyfriend?!!'

She screamed and I mentally jumped at the intensity of his voice.

'Jade, you have a boyfriend?'

Then she stood up from her bed, grabbed my hands and dragged me to her bed. She made me sit down.

Amebo mood  activated.

'Jadeshola, you gave a boyfriend? What happened to all the I can't have a boyfriend till I'm 18 philosophy, all the those that date in Secondary school are unserious ideologies? Ehn?'

I found myself smiling subconsciously. Fatima kept staring at me, mouth aghast.

'You're even smiling? Wow. Who are you and what did you do to my cousin?'

'Hey. Why overreact?'

I said and tapped her thigh.

'Seriously Jade, what happened?'

'Uthman happened. Literally.'

'Uthman? Uthman? Uthman? That name sounds familiar.'

She said, shaking her head. I watched as her eyes widen in recognition.

'Uthman? Is it not that same guy you detested, the one you guys were always on each other's throats, the cocky idiot, the one you spat in his water, the one Michelle betrayed you for? Don't tell me he is the one.'

I merely shrugged.

'What if I do?'

She opened her mouth and closed it again.

'Wow, shocker of the century. Just wow. Not only did you start dating in Secondary school, you are dating your biggest rival. This is unbelievable.'

I smiled.

'What's so unbelievable about it?'

Remember how you felt towards Uthman just at the beginning of this session and ask yourself that question again.

True though. Who could have thought I would like him. I actually remembered the first day, I mean the beginning of SS3 when I bumped into him, he was walking with Michelle with his cocky grin plastered on his face. I smiled at the memory.

'He is not here and you smiling like this. God! They've gotten your mumu button oo.'

'Well, it happened. We just realized we like each other and.....'

'So that was why you felt bad that he fell sick and you represented Lakeview instead. Wow.'

'Stop saying wow wow wow like a police siren. Things like this happen all the time.'

'Yeah, it happens all the time but definitely not to my cousin, Jadeshola Badmus. Who knew you were going to bend your rules because of your rival?'

I shrugged.

'So have you guys kissed? Made out....'

I did not allow her to finish before I interrupted her.

'There's no way I'm going into the details with you.'

She gave me a smug smile.

'Zee doesn't know right? First time I'm knowing something about you that Zee doesn't know.'

Talk about ruining a perfect moment. I stood up and left the room quietly with Fatima muttering something like an apology.

*********

~Uthman~

Listening to Michelle talk irked me more than anything. The fact that she even had the audacity to incit that I was the one that told her turned me off completely. I knew I betrayed my words to her and I acted like a jerk but then I just wasn't cut out for all these unnecessary and childish drama. After school hours on Friday, the SS3 students were to wait for extra coaching, I dragged Michelle outside.

'Hey'

She said with a huge smile plastered on her face.

'What was all that unnecessary drama about?'

'Are you seriously asking me that? It was your girlfriend that basically told me that she won't allow me to sit with you guys again.'

I grabbed my head in exasperation.

'You annoyed her. Must you always say negative things whenever you're around her? And how did you even know about her sister? Is that some kind of good news you should be babbling?'

'Uthman, you are picking Jade's side over mine'

She stated in an unusually calm voice.

'This is not about sides and you know it. Why can't you just accept the fact that I like her and live with it?'

'Because it's unacceptable to me.'

She replied, her voice raising.

'It's unacceptable to me, Uthman. You and Jade as an item is and will always be unacceptable to me. Are you even listening to yourself? This is Jade we are talking about for crying loud sake. I'd wait for you to get over this phase because I'm pretty sure this is just a passing phase for you.'

God! I shook my head in disbelief as I stared at her. Michelle just never give up. She turned and started to walk away.

'I wasn't sick on the day of ECOWAS contest. I only pretended to be because I wanted Jade to represent Lakeview.'

She turned back, disbelief, shock, hurt and anger plastered on her face.

'No'

She said, shaking her head.

'No No No'

She repeated, still shaking her head.

'You can't do that to me. You promised me. There's no way in the world you'd do that to me.'

'I did. I did it because I like her. I did it to make it up to her. I did it because of the key points you stole for me. I hope you realize now this is much more than a passing phase for me.'

'No way, Jade must have sweet talked you, she must have seduced you to get you to give it up for her. She is just a scheming bitch. You should......'

'Michelle, stop now please. I did all by myself. Just stop already. I know I was a jerk to you and I went back on our words. I'm sorry and I'd do anything to make it up to you.......'

'Call it off with her then, just break up with her.'

I shook my head.

'You promised me. You were the one who told me to wait. You were the one who told me I'd be your first girlfriend. You promised me you'd win ECOWAS contest for me and you gave all that to the person I detest the most.'

I saw her wipe the tears that were now streaming down her cheeks. I subconsciously moved a step closer to her.

Just know that that's the endline if Jade should see you.

'I'm sorry.'

I said again and turned to leave, hearing her sob as I walked away.

********

We were waiting for the girls at Palms Mall. We agreed to meet at the Mall by 3pm and now it's almost 4 and still they were no where to be found.

'Dan, try calling Hana again. I'm tired of waiting oo.'

Akin lamented for like the 10th time since we got here. Just as Dan attempted to dial. Hana's no, I heard Jade call my name. We all turned to the direction of the voice.

'Girls and taking too much time to dress up. Ehn. God knows I'd leave my wife behind if she should try to delay me by taking too much time to dress up.'

I barely heard what Akin said. I guessed it has to do with law of attraction, when two people that are attracted to each other were in the same place, there's this undeniably pull between them. As they walked up to us, my subconscious noticed some things about Jade.

She wasn't putting on off shoulder today.

Only God knows why she loves to wear off shoulder. I briefly remember the other time at Pauline's birthday party, the time she pushed off a guy after he attempted to kiss her because of a dare. God! Jade and her temper ehn. Well, thank God he never got to kiss her. Thinking about another guy kissing her made my blood boil.

Possessive much?

Actually that was the first time I checked Jade out. She wore a dangerously short gown and was also an off shoulder. Looking back now, it seems like a whole lifetime ago when in reality, it's not even been up to four months.

She wasn't putting on makeup per say but she'd painted her lips. They were shiny shinning shiny.

Figured out that I'd spend the rest of the day thinking about her lips and fantasizing about them.

Oniranu omode.

'Why are you smiling?'

Jade asked immediately they got to us. She was putting on a black Jean and a top and she wore sneakers. Plain dress and she still looked this wonderful. Good!

'A perfectly good view and you're asking me why I'm smiling?'

She smiled and hugged me.

A hug that ended as soon as it started. Smh.

'So Guys meet my cousin, Fatima. Fatima, meet Uthman, Akin and Dan'

I turned to look at Fatima, she was staring at me.

'Hi, nice to meet you.'

'Hey, nice to meet you too. I've heard a lot about you.'

I cocked my head to Jade's side wondering what she told her cousin about me. I watched Fatima exchange pleasantries with the rest of the gang and afterwards, we started walking towards the cinema.

'She's not bad. Too bad my heart is already taken.'

Akin whispered so that only Dan and I heard him. God save Akin. He knows nothing other than girls.

We picked a movie and we bought our tickets but the movie wasn't starting until an hour later so we decided to go bowling. Bowling was one of my favorite game and I found it an easy feat to knock down the ten bottles, Jade on the other hand couldn't even knock down of the bottles. After playing twice, she gave up.

'Guys, I can't do this anymore. I can't embarrass my forefathers further.'

She said and went to sit down while we all busrt into laughter.

'Practice makes perfection, just keep practicing.'

She raised an eyebrow at my suggestion.

'No, just play mine with yours. I'm good.'

We all went back to playing with Jade cheering us up.

'Hey Ayisha. How're you?'

I turned back when I heard Jade's voice and the rest turned back to. It was Ayisha Bello from school. I instinctively turned to look at Akin. He was trying so hard not to look at her and yet he was staring at her. Good!

'Hey Guys.'

Ayisha said and waved at us. She mouthed something I couldn't hear at Jade and she started to walk away. Akin followed her. He soon caught up with her and they said a few words before Akin turned back and did a signal that he would be back soon. They both left.

'Akin is just a very confused human.'

Dan said as he picked up the ball.

Yeah, right? He could use some of the relationship advice he was always giving.

We resumed the game and a few minutes before the movie we were to see starts, Akin was yet to return.

'You guys should please call Akin oo, I absolutely hate sitting at the front rows to watch films.'

That was Jade and I brought out my phone to dial Akin's number.

'I'm here guys.'

We all turned to him.

'You saw girl and you legit forgot about your friends. What a world?'

Hana said and Akin smiled.

'What can a boy do?'

I saw Jade raise her eyebrow and I chuckled lightly. I turned to look at Akin. I know him way too well. Whatever he had discussed with Ayisha had put him in a bad mood.

'Well then, let's go and see our movie'

And we did.

**********

I got home quite late. If mom was still with us, she would have called and ask why I was running late. But now, I might as well be gone for days and nobody would say anything. I got the shocker of my life when I met dad at home. He was reading a newspaper in the sitting room. This man has started to spend way too much time at home. I glanced at the wallclock. It was almost 9pm. Good!

'E ku Ile... Sir'

I stuttered. He looked at me, then glanced at the wallclock.

'Welcome and where are you coming from by the way?'

'I was with Akin and Daniel Sir.'

He said nothing for a while.

'You should get your acts together. Just because your mom and sister are not around, that doesn't mean you should start keeping late nights. Hmm?'

I nodded.

'Alright Sir'

He said nothing and I started to walk slowly to my room.

'Your Jamb is around the corner, isn't it?'

I stopped and turned back to look at him.

'Yes sir.'

He said nothing and I started to walk to my room again.

'If you should score more than 300, I promise you a gift. Something huge.'

I stopped again. My dad never made promises, our conversations were always in  monosyllables and those conversations were always important ones, not mere chitchat. And here he was, promising me a gift if I should pass jamb. Wow. Shocker of the year. Who the hell is the man and what did he do to my dad?

Maybe mom and Moji moving out has finally made him to start thinking about changing.

'Alright sir, I'd do my best.'

I replied and walked to my room, successfully this time around.

Lather in the night, I heard dad walk down the hallway to the rooms we never use. After a while, I stood up from my study desk and followed him. The room he kept mom's belongings was opened a little and I peeped in. He was sitting on the floor and he was ruminating through her stuffs. We never opened this room, not to talk of touching her stuffs, I stood there watching him when I remembered a distinct memory of mom. She was reading 'When will I be big' to me. The memory was so sudden and so vivid that I felt a deep chill in my bone. It was the first time I remembered mom's face in a long while and that brought tears to my face. I wiped the tears and looked up. Dad was staring at a picture of mom and he was crying.

I never thought I would see my old man cry again.

*********

~Jade~

We had a full family for dinner the next day. Not necessarily a full family since Zee has gone awool. The chair she used to sit was empty. When Fatima first got here, she had initially sat down on Zee's chair but I told her off. I don't understand the need for her to replace Zee or win a stupid way my sister is not even fighting with her.

Your sister? I thought you denounced her.

I mentally rolled my eyes at my subconscious whose favorite pastime is to pick on me.

'Hope you're preparing for your jamb?'

Dad asked halfway through the meal. Fatima replied yes.

'Dad, are you not going to give me a gift if I perform brilliantly?'

'Perform brilliantly first and get shocked by my plans for you.'

I smiled. Trust my dad to be the best dad of the century.

After doing the dishes with Fatima, I retired to my room to read. Afterall, a girl has a gift to collect if she should do well in her jamb. One minute I was reading and the next minute, I was pressing my phone, viewing statues on WhatsApp. I soon got notified of a new message. It was Zee and I opened it without thinking twice.

Zee✨: Hey sis. How're you?

I'm sorry I yelled at you the other          time. Trust me, it was never my intention to hurt you. I'm sorry you had a panic attack when I left. I never meant to cause you that much pain. I'm sorry for the silence. It's just that I have way too much on my mind these days.

Zee✨: She has cancer. My biological mom, I mean.