Have a wonderful day ahead.” said TJ
But what came over TJ! What brought about the sudden change. Once Prof. Ogunfowora steps in the class before you, an automatic free lecture hour for you. I wasn’t there yesterday and so I shouldn’t be thrown out today. I need to step up my game this session, if am not careful my G.P.A might drop. Smartness doesn’t win all things. Though am pretty smart, but I need to be focused as well. I wouldn’t like to ride my car for a session and manage my Foot Wagon the next session.
Since we took the prerequisite of Prof Ogunfowora’s course last session, I wasn’t surprised when he welcomed us with a ten minute test. Maybe it’s the soap I took my bath with this morning or he noticed I wasn’t in class yesterday because I don’t why Prof. had to call me to make the correction on the board. Just as always, I gave the right answers to the question. He was proud of me and we continued with the lecturer. I had a non-stop lecture till afternoon. Just immediately after the last lecture of the day, TJ buzzed me.
“What’s up babe? How are you? It’s more like revenge now, that you couldn’t even reply any of my messages?” said TJ
“Hey dude! Just that, just that have been kind of busy and besides being out of airtime. Can we catch some Brunch please am super hungry, “ said Tee
“… okay” said TJ
If a pin was dropped close to us as we strolled to the cafeteria, you could hear the sound. There was nothing to discuss or perhaps it’s not the right place or the right time. I wonder why TJ finds it easy to message me than to call as before, people change though. As a girl with prestige and pride, I would never let a guy pay for my food in a school cafeteria and this is not new to TJ. Today, TJ insist on paying my food and almost made us cause a scene. Finally, I let him do it.
*************************
“TJ, you know I don’t like that, right?” said Tee
“Yes, I do, I just want to trigger something off you, at least say something to me. I thought you would vent all your anger at me and speak beyond what happened. How many times do I want to apologize for what happened last session and during the break. It’s not intentional and I must say I can’t even explain my actions. But let bygones be, and am sorry once again. ” said TJ
“TJ but… It’s okay, I just hope it won’t repeat itself. Let’s go to my room, have got a lot of gists.” said Tee
Finally, TJ is normal again, maybe I just need to keep some things away from him. But for real am a lady, I think I need to get a gas cooker and stop the habit of eating outside all the thing, the problem is just what to cook and how! It starts from learning how to boil water without the water drying off, advance to making tea, cooking crunchy noodles and others. I wonder what I’d tell my friends when they come around, see a gas cooker and request for food. I really need to show face at home this weekend.
It’s a public holiday and TJ came around so we could study and finish our assignments. Months had passed and I think it’s high time I told Dad what I want for my supposed gift.
“Hello Dad, How is work and everyone? Dad, would you be home this weekend?” said Tee
“Yes, I just got back from a trip two days ago and I won’t be traveling for now. What do you want? Hope there is no problem?” said Mr Ajenifuja ”
“Dad just that…. emmmhmmmm ehmmmmhmmm” said, stammering Tee
“”Name it, you know I owe you one, so what is it?” said Mr Ajenifuja
“Dad, I want a car I can move around with, if I don’t drive a car how do I become an expert in driving. Besides, Dad, you know I stay off campus and sometimes I need to catch up a test or even after a stressful day… ” said Tee
“Just come home first, okay, we will discuss that better. Hope you are focused like…” said Mr Ajenifuja
“… Alright Dad, see you weekend. I love you.” said Tee
It’s like Dad has fallen for my little talks already, I won’t be surprised if he gives it to me. He sounds a bit positive.
“TJ, how many minutes and you were dozing off already. Did you nurse your new girlfriend’s baby last night?” said Tee
“Mehn, I’m freaking tired. I just need a well laid bed and a conducive room. New girlfriend what, I have you so I don’t need a girlfriend.” said TJ
“Funny you, see his mouth like ‘I have you’, make yourself comfortable if you need to sleep while I update my notes.” said Tee
If the friendship is not working, your heart will know. It’s when you start being less than perfectly honest and perfectly earnest in your dealings. And it’s when the things you do together no longer feel right, but not in this case. Everything seems perfect, right from the minute he introduced himself, down to the dance, the walk and not forgetting his visit. Anytime I think of Demola, I just smile for no reason. He has not even called today, but I understood he must be busy at work. I want to console him, I want to give him my shoulder to lean on and a hand of friendship he won’t regret. Suddenly there is someone else that makes my heart trembles. Maybe the time is too short, but I want to believe it shouldn’t be a problem. I just hope he feels the same way I feel about this.
“Hey Dude! Did we quarrel, not even hi through phone, message or chat since morning. Anyways, how is your day going? said Tee
“And come to think of it, I had a plan for tonight, I just want to surprise you. Act like I don’t know you the whole day, and call you after work for a dinner.” said Demola
“Dinner! That’s fine by me. See you 7pm then.” said Tee
Do I really need to tell TJ about Demola. I just feel our previous ordeal was due to his jealous, maybe he thought I was going out with Moya. Maybe he was just angry I didn’t introduce him properly. Though all this is past, just that I don’t know which of them is his problem. The way I banged the door when I was coming back from the store close by woke TJ.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to” said Tee
“It’s alright, I need to do some things.”
“Less I forget, I told you about my cousin who stays around that made mum agreed I could stay here right! She called me over for dinner.” said TJ
“Alright, extend my greetings and take good care of yourself. See you.” said TJ
It is better this way, I’m not ready for TJ’s mood swing again. As long as I would be back today, no cause for alarm. I think I should just dress casually, it’s night.
Phone rings.
“Baby, am outside. Are you set or I should come inside?” said Demola
“Never mind, just give me some seconds. On my way out.” said Tee
As I was leaving my room, I met Naomi on my way out. We haven’t seen since the session begins.
“Demola, you look so stressed. Are you sure you very fine?” said Tee
“Of coure I’m stressed. Doing same thing everyday, can be tiring.” said Demola
“I get your point. Don’t you think we should get a take-away pack, sit and chat inside the car?” said Tee
“Let’s do it your way” said Demola
We stepped out of the car and entered KFC. While I waited for Demola to be attended to, mum calls. What a surprise.
“My daughter, I’m sorry I did not call all day and when you called your dad, you didn’t think it was proper to say hi to me.” said Mrs Ajenifuja
“Mum!!! Just because Dad told you I called and we did not get the chance to say today, so you are jealous of your husband. It’s not that, I haven’t spoken to Dad for days and besides I needed him to be aware of something.” said Tee
“Yes, he told me and you think this car won’t cause distraction because he asked for my opinion and I told him I’d get back to him. ” said Mr Ajenifuja
“No mum, I really need it to ease myself… Thanks mum, I love you. Extend my greetings to Siji. Sweet dreams, “ said Tee
Yes finally, I have it.
Back in Demola’s car, with a heavy heart and a heavy mind. So many questions I want to ask Demola about his fiance. I just hope I’m not being too forward.
“Demola, so what do you think could have led to your fiancee’s decision” said Tee
“That’s a difficult question I must say. I can’t really say this is what and this is why. Two months before I proposed, we had a very serious fight. I was going through her phone and I read a message from someone I presumed she must be cheating on me with. Only someone who knows so much would send such a message. I accused her of cheating and at the long run, the message came from her elder bro. I felt guilty, though she complained lots of time about my jealousy. If I don’t love her deeply, I won’t be too possessive. I was too scared of losing her, but I never knew my jealousy was driving her crazy. I thought she should be happy her man is jealous, that shows he cares. But she saw the other view of it. We were best friends for four years, dated for two years and some months. You can imagine what I lost, a sister, my best friend, my other mum and my love. I just consoled myself thinking she has someone else for real, not just about my flaws. The trauma I faced after her turn down wasn’t for the embarrassment, but for the fact that she ripped apart a heart that was wanting to love her, she tore a man who was so adamant in his pursuit to love her, now I will never be the same, I will always shy away from fully trusting a woman with all of my heart.” said Demola
“This is really depressing and I appreciate your valor. I’m sorry I asked, though, was just curious to know why a lady would refuse a proposal. Have not heard of such before.” said Tee
“Let me take you back home, it’s getting late and I don’t want you to miss class again because of me.” said Demola
So Demola can be this caring. Sometimes I feel the soft part of him and at times I see him as a player. I can’t be too sure he is over this babe, an incident that is over a year and he is still emotional disturbed, I just hope I won’t fall in the shoes of his play girls. Maybe I can build a relationship like Demola’s with TJ, but am sure Dad wouldn’t be in support of it. He will start with his proverb like jokes, ‘Make sure you choose wisely and most importantly of your class.’ more reason why they like Ray so much.
“Demola, I really appreciate your time out with me tonight, thanks and see you soon.” said Tee
*****************************
It’s Friday morning, and I want to dress like a well cultured Yoruba lady today. All my native dresses were knobby, can’t even remember the last time I had to do my laundry myself. After I got my cousin’s expensive party dress burnt, I wore my usual wear and rushed for lectures. When you live close by, you can easily access home without an appointment with your driver. I put a call across to Dad to send Uncle Tee to pick me in the next three hours. I need to inform TJ, I won’t be around for the weekend and probably Moya.
“Anybody home!” I screamed
“Big sister, I missed you. Let me help you with your hand bag now, don’t you trust me with it anymore?” said Siji
“Not that dear, there are some important documents in there. Relax, where are Mum and Dad? Siji is the new car outside mine? Has it been used since Dad bought it? said Tee”
“They are both upstairs, have been here for a while. No, it’s a brand new car, the dealer brought it yesterday evening” said Siji
“I have got the world best parent, trust me my sister. Let’s go inside.”
I thought they were fasting, finally they chose to come downstairs for dinner. We exchange pleasantries and dine and wine like a happy family we are. After dinner, I left for my room with Siji. Siji pestering my life as usual, she just wants to know about every of my doings. There was nothing to tell her because right now everything is a bit complicate. I can’t even define my friendship with TJ, Demola and Moya if asked, at least they know Ray as a family friend and maybe supposed future husband. Only God know’s what they think of my relationship with Ray. What I’m sure of is that, not in this generation will my parents marry me to someone of their choice.
Phone Rings.
That I’m home doesn’t mean I can’t receive calls now, my parents are not that weird. That’s a message, who could that be.
“I’m a very simple person who hides thousands of feelings behind a smile. I wish I was better at telling people how I really feel. Friendship often ends in love, but love in friendship. How are you today? We need to talk.“