Chapter 21: Chapter 21

TWENTY - PROJECT

" what the fuck is going on here ?" A stern but unmistakable voice called.making dozie and I quickly pull away from each other's arms. I spurn my head around to see kelechi staring at us.No.he was staring at dozie with a raised eyebrow

I groaned in embarrassment. Why was kelechi doing this nah ?

Dozie raised his hands in mock surrender " chill bro.I wasn't doing something bad " he said.his voice came out abit relaxed

I smiled mentally. At least even though kelechi terrified him, he could still stand.

" I know you were doing nothing bad.so stand up " he ordered. Dozie glanced at me briefly and then back at kelechi.

Uju had come out of her room to watch what was happening in amused look

Dozie stood up.still skeptical as at why he was asked too.I face-palmed myself a bit tensed

Kelechi stared at dozie more like in a scrutinizing glare.the both guys matched the same height. They were both tall so it was difficult for kelechi to look down on dozie. Instead it was as though he was looking at his height.which he actually was

" so because you're tall nah..that's why you try to disobey ?"kelechi asked with a straight face. He was trying so hard not to mess up by laughing so he it wouldn't be like he was joking about dozie messing with me

" no..that's not it..."

" it's what nah? Five graceful minutes I gave you and you're using that time to come closer to her " he said with a sneer and Uju laughed

" don't worry kelechi...this one looks cool..nothing to worry about " Uju said.trying to pull kelechi out of the sitting room

" was there something to worry about..?" I asked and kelechi glanced at me

" you." He called. His fingers pointing at me and I scowled

" what?"

" be careful ooh..." he said and i rolled my eyes. Stealing a glance at dozie who held an amused look on his face

" yea..whatever " I retort

" and you.mr dozie I'm watching you..if you dare break her heart.I'll make sure to break your skull " he threatened and abit of fear crept up to dozie's face as he became speechless

I chuckled.turning my gaze to dozie "let me get you something to eat.by the way " I said. Making my way to the kitchen

Kelechi was washing something off his hands.I took out a pack of cookie  biscuits and a glass of fruit juice

" is that how you threaten guys that come close to Uju " I asked. Cause I felt the urge to ask.lawd knows I was totally embarrassed at what happened earlier

" Uju can take care of herself. She's past eighteen " he replied and I huffed

" sure she can..anyway nothing is going on between dozie and I "I said

" don't try to convince me.."

" I'm not."

" you like him" he said and I gasp.he used a towel to wave around my face

" close your mouth. You look like fish"he said and I closed my mouth as I eyed him

" but then.dude isn't bad..and both of you's chemistry is really obvious " he said and I laughed

" stories.I don't know you as a fan of romance novels " I said and he smirked

" be behaving like dimwit sha..if you like.like him or not but main thing is that you shouldn't do anything stupid" he said ruffling my head as he walked past me

I shrugged. My siblings were weird sha..I don't even know what to do with them

******

" gwad...I hope to come out of here in one piece " dozie exclaimed as soon as I handed the snacks to him

" I hope you do " I replied and his face suddenly turn pale

" why does that sound creepy? "He asked and I laughed

" why did you look so happy about me choosing the Art therapy topic ?"

He shrugged " cause you made a nice choice. You're not so dumb anyway" he said and I scowl

" fool."

" for you baby" he said throwing a wink at me.I rolled my eyes and laughed

" so what do you know about this Art therapy ?"

He puckered his lips and  titled his head as though he was thinking deep about something

" not much though.." he started "except that I know the Art therapy is like a form of psychotherapy which uses art media as it's primary mode of expression and communication. " he paused and then resumed talking

" it's a historical mental health treatment that combines the study of psychology and arts. It also emerges as an unconventional therapy which is used to cultivate self-esteem and awareness, improve cognitive and motor abilities and also resolve conflicts " he said.

" how did the name come about infact how did it all begin ?" I asked abit unclear about the whole thing.he shrugged

" from what I know..it began as a kind of profession in the mid-20th century and a British artist, Adrian Hill had coined the term in 1942 after his recovery from tuberculosis in a sanatonum. There he discovered the therapeutic benefits of drawing and painting while recuperating. " he said

" so..this whole Art therapy is about healing and reaching out to people through this method ?"

" obviously"

" and that means it can be used in general illness, cancer diagnosis, eating disorders, trauma and children, dementia, disaster relief, ongoing daily activities, autism and many others " I said and he nodded

" that's right..but you can dig it up to know more " he said

" wow..." I exclaimed as I stared at him.the way the words rolled off his tongue like he was saying nothing

" I didn't know you had this nerdy side in you " I said and he smirked

" what do you even know to start with? " he asked and I used a couch pillow to hit his head

" shut up.cocky bully " I said and he feigned a hurt look

" that's not fair "

" it's dark " I said mimicking his tone which I failed woefully at doing and ended up laughing at ourselves

The place fell comfortably silent for sometime before I resumed talking

" you talk about Arts like that's the only thing you want to do "

He sighed " cause that's the only thing I want to do "

We were both sitting on the floor of the sitting room cause dozie actually said he felt comfortable sitting there.

" you want to be an artist? " I asked and he snapped his head at me with a kind of expression I couldn't decipher

" what.! Can't I do it ?" He asked and I shrugged

" of course. Why can't you do it..who's stopping you ?" I asked and he sighed without replying

" I still haven't told my mum that I'm taking visual arts and music together. She'd say I should drop one " I started and then paused. Taking in a deep sigh

" but you know what..I believe when it comes to my personal life, I should be the one to decide what I do with it so i don't end up living for others " I said

He turned his gaze at me.he still didn't say anything which made me a bit nervous yet I smiled

" so far as I have what keeps me going as an inspiration " I said

" who's your inspiration?" He asked and I turned to him.with a small smile

" i have many of them that I can't even count. " I paused and chuckled "all in different areas of my life which I  want to do.." I said

He gave me a small smile as he kept staring at me under an intense gaze.I bit my lips gently and he gulped

" who is your inspiration? "I asked and he looked away immediately before wearing a smirk again

" stop being all motivational " he said and I laughed

" really? Did that sound well like I was a motivational speaker? " I asked and we both laughed

" you're crazy..anyway " he said and I hiss

" because I've been hanging out with crazy people like you..so thanks" I retort and he chuckled

" tomorrow we'll dig up more information about the Art therapy okay." He said and I nodded

" dozie..." I called.I was going to ask him about what happened in school earlier today.I ignored the rapid heart beat in my chest

" yes.." he replied. I sucked in a sharp breath

I can do this..afterall I don't even have any feeling for him

" about what happened in school...."

" that's right" he interrupted and i sighed.

Was it a sigh of relief or annoyance? That was something I didn't even know

" Miss joy asked that we see her tomorrow "

" thanks for giving that lady something to gossip about.besides you didn't even ask who cleaned up the place "

" who did?" I asked and he smirked

" me of course"

" serves you right.." I retort

" gosh..can you be less mean " he whined and I rolled my eyes

" you too..be more sensible " I said and he huffed

" suit yourself chin chin. See you at school " he said. Standing up to leave

I walked him to the door.it was getting late already and soon mum was going to be back

" dozie..." I called again in an attempt to ask him the many questions bugging me about the kiss and his last statement

" chin chin. I would appreciate if you quit using your eyes to rape me " he said and I scoffed

" you're high..infact..go " I said and he smirked

" what did you call me for?"he asked

" to remind you not to come to my house again esp.without T-fare" I sassed

He smirked "of course. I wouldn't even dare..you all  give me chills " he said pretending to feel cold while I laughed.turning my back to go inside the house

" goodnight chin chin. Thanks to you I felt alot better today" he called behind me.

I felt a smile crawl up my lips and just when I wanted to reply..he was already out of sight

So I guess I'll see him tomorrow then.

Goodnight dozie..i muttered the last part to myself