Chapter 19: Chapter 19

"Babes, remember that scene he said, “Look I do not understand what you are saying but you too." It got me rolling with laughter." Faith said to Goriola as we walked out of the cinema.

"I swear, when the guy did not understand the language." I added as I thought about the interesting movie titled "Up North." we had just finished watching.

"How come you guys aren't hungry, that light popcorn won't do ooh. I am very hungry." Bode complained, we all teased him about being a foodie as we went in the direction of the restaurant. Tayo was quiet as we chatted but I could see him smiling in satisfaction, I knew he was enjoying our company.

"Hello, is there anything you would like to have?" A waiter asked after we had all settled down.

"I want Ofada rice and chicken." Goriola said.

"I want fried rice, salad, with chicken laps." Faith told the waiter who took down our orders.

"I hope you guys have Amala (Yam flour.), otherwise I am walking out of that door." Bode said playfully.

"We do sir." He said.

"Okay then, I am going for Amala (Yam flour), ewedu, gbegiri and fish." He said grinning cheekily at the waiter who smiled at him in return.

"Jollof rice with salad." I said simply.

"Add a chicken to that." Tayo ordered, looking up from his phone. "I will be having fish pepper soup. Get us five bottled water and two carton of active juice." He said indirectly dismissing the waiter.

He came back a while later with the bottled water and juice, promising to be back in a few minutes with the meal and he did. We chatted about random topic as we ate our meal and halfway through the meal, I was already full.

After eating, Faith ordered two takeaways of the Ofada for her Mum and Kemi. She insisted on paying for it but, Tayo refused and paid for everything together. He passed his card to the waiter who deducted the price and handed him back the card and receipt.

“A tip.” He said, handing him two thousand-naira notes.

“Thank you, sir.” He said as Bode announced that our cab has arrived.

Everyone was silent as we all concentrated on our phones, I was busy editing the pictures I took with Tayo which I had plan to post on my social media pages later.

"Thank you for today." I said, as we exited the cab in front of Faith's house.

"You are always welcome." He said, looking at me like I was a highly prized jewel that he couldn't afford to lose. There and then, I realized I didn’t just love him, I love everything about him. I love the way he moves; I love the way he listens when any of us rants, I love the way he observes.

I realized then that I was in love with Adetayo himself, not his money or pretty face and the best part is, he was also in love with me and not my beauty.

"Goodnight Enitan." He said.

"Goodnight." I said as I turned to walk in with my friends.

"Enitan?" He stopped me as I turned around.

"Yeah.” I said.

“I love you, sleep tight." He entered the cab, not waiting for my reply as I murmured a silent.

"I love you too."

Later that evening, Kemi walked into Faith's room where we were all busy clicking away on our phones.

"Babes, how far. You guys haven't told me how your day went." She said as she walked into the room, joining us on the bed.

"It was fun. In fact, that movie was very interesting." Faith said, ranting on about her day. Goriola chipped in once in a while as I thought about the kiss I had shared with Tayo earlier, my cheeks heat up as I smiled shyly.

"Hmmm mm." Goriola cleared her throat.

"Why are you blushing?" She asked.

"Who is blushing?" I asked, sarcastically.

"You. Besides, you haven't told us what happened when you and Tayo left before the movie." She said.

"Ooh that..." I muttered, trailing off.

"Yes that, I can smell something fishy." Faith said as I blurted out.

"He kissed me."

"What, really? How? When?" Faith said, excitedly.

"Oh My God!" Goriola screamed.

"Wow, I really don’t know what to say. Are you guys dating now?" Kemi asked.

"Did you feel any of those stuff's they describe in novels?" Faith asked, curiously.

"Yes, but we aren't dating." I said.

"Yet." Kemi added as I start to fantasize about being his girlfriend.

"So, tell me. Did he say anything after or before the kiss." Goriola asked and the conversation ensued.

The next week was soon over in a flash with no memorable events except for the regular teasing of Tayo, the walks home with us holding my hands, us laughing our heads off with our friends and a whole lot of reading.

I walked to school the next Monday with my heart in my throat. I was nervous about taking my first examination in senior high school because from what the rumors I have heard, it wasn't a walk in the park.

I got to school early and after devotion, I walked to the class with my two female bestie who kept talking about something as I tried to contain my nervousness.

"Hey love, what's up." Tayo asked me, settling down on the chair beside me.

"Nothing, I am fine." I said, smiling tightly at him.

"No, you aren't. You are nervous, aren't you?" He asked.

"I'm scared. What if I fail this exam." I said.

"No, you aren't going to." He said confidently.

"You don't know that." I complained.

"Yes I do, I know you have read and prepare well for this. All you have to do is calm down, don't panic and be positive." He said calmly as I took in a deep breath.

"You can do this." He said as he hugged me sideways.

"Okay then, let's practice." I said. He got his jotting notes from his bag as we started a question and answer session. This went on till our class teacher Mr Jide walked into the class and asked us to drop all our bags at the corridor.

"Everyone, be on a straight line. Females left, male right." He said as we followed the instruction.

"If you are not with your Identity card, step aside." He said as he started motioning us in, scattering us to different seat instead of our usual seats.

I ended up sitting in the first chair at the entrance of the class. Tayo, three seats behind me. Faith and Goriola ended up somewhere at the back while Bode was at the other side of the class beside the window.

"No cheating, otherwise your script would be torn." Mr Jide warned strictly as he started sharing the question papers.

I looked back at Tayo who was already staring at me. "You can do it!" He mouthed giving me a thumbs up. I sighed deeply, faced my question as I prayed under my breath.

"You can start now. You have just an hour and thirty minutes." He said. I flipped open the biology question, moving to the theory part as I sighed in relief at how familiar the questions were.

I started writing down my answers and, I was about to attempt my last question when I heard Mr Jide's voice.

"That boy, stand up. Where did you get that extra paper." He asked, moving towards the boy as we all turned to the boy, forgetting our scripts. I saw Tayo shook his head at me in warning as I turned around.

"What? I mouth.

"Concentrate, we have 20 minutes left." He mouthed back. I nodded even though it took me a whole minute to finally grasp what he said as I turned back to finish my final theory question.

"Time’s up." Mr Jide said, a few minutes after I finished my exam. It was then that I noticed the boy he caught earlier was serving a punishment in front of the class. He was on his knee with both hands raised up.

"None of you should leave your seats. I will be back soon with your next exam question." He said, stacking the answer sheets together. He left the class with the boy trailing behind him to where I assumed would be the principal’s office.

He came back without the boy, faster than I anticipated but the English exam was simpler. The class was as silent as a graveyard as I wrote my formal letter following the format I had in my brain.

"Time’s up." He said after two hours as we all submitted, he stacked up the answer scripts and left the class as Tayo skipped to my seat.

"How were your exams." He asked, sitting on the empty seat beside me.

"It was fine, simpler than I expected." I said.

"Told ya. Also, next time there is a ruckus during exams. Don't get distracted, it will slow you down." He said as I nodded like an obedient little girl.

"I'm so hungry." I complained.

"At your service ma'am. What would you love to eat?" He asked, as I laughed.

“Meat pie and Hollandia yoghurt will do." I said.

"Let's go get it then." He said as he stood up.

We walked over to Bode's seat where Faith and Goriola were trying to gauge if their answers were correct or not.

"We are on our way to the mart, are you guys hungry." Tayo asked.

"Yes." Goriola said.

“I’m starving…” Faith replied, dramatically.

"Tayo, please help me get a bottle of 7up and that digestive biscuit with no sugar." He said.

"Idiot, I'm your slave abi. You better stand up and let's go." Tayo said, punching him playfully and he grimace in pain.

"Please… help me, can't you help a brother?" He asked, Tayo shook his head and agreed to help him.

"So, are you ready for civic education?" Tayo asked me, long after we had returned from the mart. He was sitting beside me and holding my hands as we practiced. I nodded that I was ready.

"So, I was thinking we could make our date during the holidays." He started.

"Yea, that's perfect." I said breathlessly, distracted by his eyes.

"Hmm, Enitan. I know this is not really a proper way to ask and besides..." He said trailing off as my heart began to beat hard in my chest. I wondered what he was going to say.

“Is he going to ask me to be his girlfriend.” I thought.

"...the principal has not announced it yet but will you be my date to the Christmas/ End of the year party?" He said as I sighed. Half disappointed, half relieved.

"Yes, I will be your date." I said, eagerly as some student sitting around us turned to look at me and I looked away shyly.

"But, how are you sure dates would be allowed?" I asked.

"Have you forgotten I am a connected boy. I have lots of connections so I got it from one of my sources." He said smugly.

"Na so, you and all your wrong source." I teased but deep down, I believed him and as if he could read my mind, he said.

"You know it's true..." He said mimicking an artiste, Brandy.

"Thanks anyways, I'm honoured." I said shyly.

"You are always welcome love." He said.

The rest of the week was stressful due to the exams but true to Tayo's word, the principal announced that we were allowed to bring a date to the party. The students especially the final year students had all jumped up in happiness and I smiled, I knew most of them would be coming with their boyfriends.

The last day of the exams which was Friday was quite fast. After exams, I went to the jumah to pray, I met my friends at the class where they had been waiting for me.

"So, what are we doing this holiday?" Faith asked.

"What else, sit home and watch movies." I said intentionally, to irritate her.

"What do you mean stay home, you are just so boring." She said annoyed.

"She won't be staying home; I will make sure I take her out every time." Tayo said.

"Who is deceiving you, what if mom says I should follow her to her shop." I said.

"I will come and visit you there." He said as if it was that simple.

"Please ooh, don't put me in trouble ooh." I said, imagining what my mom reaction would be if he comes over to our shop.

"So, you no even get mind before and you will be forming tough girl for me." He said laughing.

"I'm a tough girl." I argued.

"No, you aren't, it's just a facade." He said.

"No, it's not." I argued.

"Yes, it is, I have long known that so I'm not asking you. I'm telling you." He replied.

"Are you me, I'm telling you it's not a facade." I said again as we argued the whole way home.