Chapter 18: Chapter 18

“Lover girl!" That was the first thing Faith said as I climbed down the stairs.

"It’s not easy, I want to love ooh." Goriola said, backing her up as Kemi started laughing. I looked away shyly as I made my way to an empty dinning seat.

"See how you are blushing, anyone that sees you would think you guys kissed not knowing it's just a phone call." Kemi said, and I blushed even harder.

"Or could it be possible they had phone sex because, this blush eehn." Faith teased while they all laughed.

"Oya oya, it's alright savage girls. Enitan sit down and grab a plate, let me serve you." She said as she stood up to serve me.

The rest of the meal was thankfully quiet with no teasing but, the silence only helped my mind create a thousand scenario’s where Tayo fell sick from not eating and the amazing yet scary part of it was, I acted like a caring girlfriend as I took care of him in those scenario’s.

The rest of Friday was spent on reading and quizzing ourselves. Saturday was no different, we read all day preparing for the upcoming exams.

Sunday morning however, was a bit different as we prepared for the outing and Faith kept emphasizing on dressing up early even though we weren't leaving till 12:00 pm.

"But we aren't leaving till 12pm, It's just 9am in the morning." I complained.

"And you think three hours is enough for the three of us to prepare abi." She retorted as I peeked at Goriola to help me out but, she was too busy smiling at her phone. I groaned as I stood up, still complaining.

"We are not going to a ball for Christ sake, we are just going to a freaking cinema to watch a movie. We don't need to be dolled up like barbie's nah." I said, trying to change her mind.

"We do, now get up. What were you planning on wearing?" She asked, in a bossy tone.

"Well, since I didn't plan it before. I was planning on wearing a skirt I brought and one of my tops." I said, simply.

"Hell no, you won't wear that along with me. Now come with me." she said dragging me with her into her walk-in closet.

She walked around for a bit, searching for the perfect outfit before she tossed me a jean trouser and an Ankara crop hoodie some minutes later.

"Don't tell me you expect me to wear a hoodie, I am going to look hideous." I complained.

"Nope, not on my watch." She said, as she ordered me to put it on and went back into the room to drag up Goriola.

Fortunately for her, she was more prepared than I was. She slipped on her blue jean trouser and a yellow check shirt that I really adored on her because, it looked beautiful against her skin color.

"Perfect, now we need to do something about your hair Itan. It looks hideous." She said, turning into a beautician as I sighed deeply and looked at my shaggy hair in the mirror.

"That's why I am putting on a hoodie, I can just cover the hair." I said purposely to irritate her, the left side of my mouth up in amusement as I try to contain my laughter at her expression.

"Sometimes, I wonder how I ended up being friends with you." She groaned as, Goriola and I burst into laughter.

"I will do her hair." Goriola volunteered as I smiled gratefully at her.

"I want a light makeup ooh." I said at last minute, knowing if I don’t. Faith wouldn't mind doing a bridal makeup for me.

"Okay, okay. Whatever." She said setting some brushes as Goriola started on my hair.

"So, Ola..." I started, shortening Goriola's name.

"Hmmm." She replied absentmindedly.

"So, who have you been smiling with on the phone. I noticed since Friday." I stated.

"Don't mind our friend jare, she is now a lover girl." Faith blurted out, as I rolled my eyes at her.

"Aunty, thank you. Let me hear from the horse's mouth." I said, she hit me playfully and said.

"It's not your fault. When you are also a lover girl, how won't you guys gang up against me. I am the only one left out now." She cried out, pretending to be sad about it.

"Na so, you think I have forgotten the date with Christian abi."

"Whatever, free me." She said.

"How far with the date?" I asked her.

" We haven't gone, we want to wait till after exams." She said as, I nodded my head in support.

"That's thoughtful." Goriola said, as I remembered our previous conversation.

"So, babes who is it?" I asked eagerly while she chuckled.

"John." She said.

" Hmm, who is John?" I asked.

"You don't know John?" She and Goriola asked at the same time as I wondered who it was.

"Nope, do you?" I asked Faith.

"Okay, so apart from the fact that you are not a fashion freak. You also have short span memory. How did I ever end up with you." She said, shaking her head as if feeling sad for me while Goriola burst into laughter.

"Whatever, who is this John sef?" I asked, rolling my eyes.

"John is in SSS2A. The SRC guy." Goriola said, as a form of reminder.

"Ooh…, I didn't know it was him. Wow.” I said. “How does it feels dating a senior?" I asked, surprising the both of us.

"We are not dating." Goriola said firmly, as Faith shook her head at the both of us.

"Who are you forming strict for, please gist me jare.” I said, turning to face Goriola while Faith forced my face back to her.

"Hmm, I don't even know how we started being friends. All I know was that one day I went to meeting and I wanted to get the book of conduct so, I was asked to go and meet him. That day, I swear I admired the guy. He was so cute and all..." She trailed off with a dreamy look on her face.

"Ever since that day, I always wished we would run into each other and a few weeks after, we did again. We got taking, he asked for my digits and ever since we have been so close. It always fun and comfortable talking to him." She said. I stood up as they rounded up my hair and make up. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror as I stood up and felt satisfied with my nude look.

Goriola sat down as I volunteered to help her pack her hair but, she decided on doing her makeup by herself so Faith left the room to slip on her outfit in the closet.

"He is even talking about going out somewhere, he's not talking as if it's a date but I know it is a date. In just these few months, I feel like I have known him all my life." She said as I combed her hair.

" I know, right. I understand exactly what you mean, same thing is happening with me. If anyone had told me three months ago that I would fall in love with Tayo, I would have called the person a liar but look at me now… I am already drowning in love." I said, blushing at my choice of word.

"I am so happy for you guys but as for me, I'm scared. I don't really think I want to fall in love." She admitted quietly as Faith walked back into the room and started her makeup.

"Why would you say something like that?" I asked gently, hoping she would open up since she never did. She was one of those rare people that listens and help but never really open up.

"I am too scarred Itan and I don't think anyone that knows the whole truth about me will want to love me. I don't want a situation whereby I would already be in love with him and then he will start to misbehave because of my scars hereby leaving me heartbroken. I am just taking safety precautions." She spoke so quietly that I was taken by surprise at Faith's firm voice.

"Listen to me Goriola, you might have scars but the truth is we all do and it is only those who accept us the way we are that loves us and only those set of people deserves our love. So, don't be scared because personally, I think John will love you with all your scars and if he doesn't, its his loss." She said with so much conviction that I felt the truthfulness behind her words.

"Goriola, you are young and those scars might never fade but the pain will fade with time. You still have a long way to go but I don't think you should let your scars prevent you from beautiful things. Do not let your scars deny you the joy of falling in love. Love is a natural thing, when it comes, don't deny it and you will enjoy it. Besides, if John try anything, I am very sure the three of us here are capable of killing him or what do you think?" I added, with a wink as we all burst into laughter.

"We have got your back b, never forget that." Faith said as she rounded up her makeup.

" I believe that." Goriola said smiling.

"If you do, then let's rock and roll. We have got two impatient boy’s downstairs." I said, picking up my phone where I had missed two call from Tayo. I sent a quick text that we were on our way as we walked down the stairs and true to Faith's word, we had barely managed to finish up in three hours.

"Where are you guys going looking so gorgeously dressed." Faith's mum asked as we walked down the stairs.

"Oya, pepper dem gang." Kemi hailed from where she was seated beside mum on the sofa, facing the TV.

"The cinema nah, don't tell me you have forgotten ooh." Faith complained.

"No, I haven't." She said as she ordered her to bring her purse which was on one of the chairs.

"Take this and manage it. You people should pay for your transport yourself because I did not send you to go and watch a movie." She said handling 3000 naira to Goriola who was the nearest to her.

"Thank you, ma." We said while Faith grumbled under her breath.

"You cannot even say thank you, maybe I should collect your own money for ticket back." She said, as Faith protested.

"No ooh. Thank you, ma."She said, unwillingly as we all chuckled.

As we walked out of the compound, it was easy to sight the taxi waiting for us. My heart stopped and restarted three times at the sight of Tayo who was leaning against the cab, he was dressed in a simple shirt and black trouser yet, he rocked it like it was more.

The frown on his face added to his imperfect perfection as I wondered how it would feel to smoothen the lines away with my hands. A sudden smile appeared on his face as soon as he noticed me, rendering me breathless.

"Breathe." Someone muttered in my ear as I turned around to see Goriola smiling goofily at me. I took a deep breathe as I walked in his direction.

"Hi." I greeted Bode, whom I hadn't noticed was standing beside him earlier.

"Hello." He said smiling at me.

"Hey love." Tayo said pulling me in for a hug as I felt a weird flutter in my tummy, my heart beating very fast.

"I just hope I'm not headed towards a heart break." I thought to myself.

"You look beautiful." He said, releasing me.

"Thanks." I mumbled; he placed his arms around me as he opened the back door of the cab.

"You kept us waiting long enough but it was totally worth it. You all look gorgeous." The cab man commented as we got into the car.

"Thank you, sir." We said and the guys laughed as Faith added.

"You don't look too bad yourself sir." She winked as I shook my head at her.

"What?" She asked, turning to me as the cab man started the car and drove to the mall.

“Nothing.” I said. Faith brought out her phone and took pictures as we joined her. We did snapchat and viskit videos, took thousands of pictures until we were satisfied. We settled down, Faith and Goriola editing since they were sitting together as I leaned on Tayo with his arms around me. He was occupied with his phone.

"What are you doing?" I asked him, even though I had a good idea he would be playing games.

"Games." He said.

"I don't like games." I said pouting.

"I know and we need to rectify that as soon as possible. Pass me your phone." He said as I passed him my phone.

"Why?" I asked.

"I want to download some beginners game for you." He teased.

"I don't have data ooh, please. Can't you just send it." I asked.

"I am using an iPhone; I can't send to Android." He said.

"Okay." I grumbled under my breath as he chuckled.

"If you are worried about your data, I promise to send airtime to you later today." He said, scrolling through games on play store.

"Hmm, how about word cross. You said you write so; you can learn new words that way." He said clicking on download, not even waiting for my reply.

"So much for asking about my opinion." I commented and he laughed silently.

"Do you like fashion games?" He asked.

"Yes, but I gave up on playing them because I wasn't always able to submit it, all you do is take pictures of the dresses or use data to submit it and I can't be wasting data." I said.

"Hmm, okay. Let download a few brain teasers games then." He said.

"We are here." The cab man said as we piled out of the cab.

"I want to get some stuffs at one of those stores." Bode said.

"I also want to get some female stuff." Faith spoke up.

"Okay, we meet up at the cinema in... an hour." Tayo said, glancing at his wristwatch and we all part ways as Faith dragged Goriola along with her.

"Okay, guess it's just us now. Let's take pictures." Tayo suggested and I collected his phone as we took some pictures together and seperately.

"I didn't know you were such a picture freak." I commented.

"I love pictures." He said, as he took his phone from me.

"Do you want some ice cream?" He asked and I nodded eagerly.

"Ice cream stall it is." He said as I giggled.

We walked to the ice cream stall where we got our ice creams, I got an extra topping while he went with plain chocolate ice cream. As we sat down on one of the comfy chairs that was more suitable for a group rather than two, I could feel his eyes on me as I stared dutifully at my ice cream.

"You are looking so perfect today." He said, complimenting me again.

"Thank you." I blushed, clearing my throat.

"I love seeing that your shy smile, it makes me happy." He chuckled, as a comfortable silence surrounded us.

"You know..." He broke the silence as I gave him my full attention.

"…Last three months, if anyone had told me I was going to fall in love with you, I would have told the person to rethink about making a living from fortune telling. so, he or she won't lead people astray but here I am, drowning in love with you." He chuckled.

"I know, right. Same goes for me." I replied, looking away shyly at my indirect confession.

"That's a relief. Back then, you were like a mystery to me. You were like the perfect package, nice, kind, brilliant, pretty and so fucking innocent. I was attracted to you but I pretended not to be because I wanted to be different. I didn't want to join the group of other boys in the class who were all crushing on you." He said laughing, as he relived the memory.

"Really, what guys?" I asked, confused.

"Come on, don't tell me you don't know almost all the guys in our class are crushing on you. In fact, you and Faith are among the list of most beautiful girls in our set that the guys compiled." He said smiling.

"And how did you get this information?" I asked him.

"I have my sources." He said, simply.

"Then your sources must have heard wrong because I am not popular among our set. Only my classmates know me." I said, rolling my eyes at his logic.

"Well, that's what you think but have you forgotten an old adage that says "A masquerade knows only few but everyone knows a masquerade." He said.

"I am not a masquerade." I said, rolling my eyes.

"I know, you are very pretty," He said, moving closer as his voice became as smooth as silk.

"Lovely," Another inch closer.

"Matured," He murmured, our foreheads touching.

"Brilliant," He whispered, his husky tone sending a chill through me as he left a simple kiss on my forehead.

"And a very respectful girl." He said, placing a light kiss on my nose.

"That I'm in love with." He concluded as he placed his lips on mine softly. It wasn’t intense, it was the type of kiss you would give a newborn yet, after the peck on the lips I felt like I was a different person, a newborn perhaps.

"I love you so much." He concluded as we moved a bit away from each other, staring into each others eye as if it was the most beautiful thing on earth and then taking me by surprise, he kissed me. I could smell the chocolate he had been taking, and then his tongue was in my mouth.

His insistent lips sent wild tremors through me, my heart thumping as he evoked strange feelings that I never knew I was capable of feeling through me. I tried to pay attention but I slipped in and out of different emotions, happiness, fear… as we parted away from each other.

We settled in a comfortable silence after the kiss, his hands placed around me as I took my remaining ice cream.

"What did you think about me when you first met me?" He asked me, breaking the silence. I smiled, realizing it was the best time to tell him how I felt since I had never really told him.

Placing my almost finished ice cream on the other side of the chair, I turned around to face him.

"When I first met you, I didn't like you. You came off as rude and proud but then I started to see that other side of you, your thoughtfulness, your ability to be a good listener and I realized you could be more than I thought you were. I felt like there was more to your facade and when we became closer, it made me happy because it gave me a better opportunity to know you better." I took a deep breath, preparing myself.

"Slowly yet, gradually I began to fall in love with you, I was scared to tell you because I thought you didn't feel the same but now..." I trailed off wetting my lips anxiously.

"When you told me that, you were in love with me. I wanted to say it back but I was too stunned and scared. Scared it was a stunt or prank or a dare..." I said, as he stopped me with his words.

"Enitan, I would never lie about being in love with you. I love you for who you are and I am so glad that I met you. I just hope you would give me more opportunity to show you that this, this thing between us..." He said gesturing between the both of us.

"...Is real and that I love you." He concluded.

"I know, I can also feel it. I love you too Adetayo." I said, blushing as Tayo chuckled.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"Your blush is, it's so cute." He said tugging at my cheek.

"Whatever." I said, resting my head on his shoulder.

"So... I believe that was your first kiss. How was it?" He asked.

"Ooh please, not that." I groaned as he laughed heartily.

"Exactly that, I need to know if I did good because of next time." He said, still laughing.

"There won't be a next time." I said, strictly.

"Okay, okay. Yes ma'am." He said lightly with a mock respect as his phone rang in his pocket.

"Hey..." He said.

"Enitan, the movie is starting soon. Let's go." He said as we stood up and walked hand in hands to the cinema. I smiled all the way like a cheshire cat.