Jude 👆👆❤💙

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"pumpkin , Debra has a point, you shouldn't have any reason to hang out with Anit.... Olive for now"

I had just informed Timi about what happened earlier this week.
I was actually at his place, it was a Friday night, Josh and Aisha had gone clubbing, Debra disappeared as usual and Anu went for a praise night or whatever, I still didn't understand why Rona didn't go with her.
The prophetess decided to follow me to Timi's place because she couldn't stay in the hostel alone.

You should have seen the look on Timi's face when I got down from my car holding a small bag containing Rona and my clothes and then Rona holding a big bible and some other books in hand.

It was past 2 in the morning and Timi had unexpectedly asked to help me weave my hair.

I was so happy to find out he couldn't actually make hair because it would leave me wondering why he can do like everything.

"I don't know, she just seems like a changed person or something and it would kind of be bad if I try to ignore her even with all the efforts she's making " I tell him as he hopelessly twisted my hair.

" I miss the old Benita who doesn't care about other people" he answered.
"pass me the gigantic enormous comb "

I laughed and passed him the 'gigantic enormous comb'.

Just then, Emeka came into the living room.

" I don't mean to intrude or something but Benita that your friend has been praying since 12, I can't sleep " he tells us.

He was on a pair of boxers and a singlet.

" follow am pray na " Timi laughed.

We couldn't hear her praying because the music playing here wouldn't let us hear her.

Emeka sighed, rubbing his face. He walked over to the bar to pick a glass.
My eyes followed him but Timi's turned my neck to the other side.

Emeka finished what he was doing and came to sit across us, glass in hand and a pack in the other.

"mad love, imagine a whole Timi, weaving a lady's hair " he laughed.

" guy, you know na, you can tell all your babes to patronise me, I make hair at affordable price " Timi tells him.

I reached up to touch my hair but it was just a mess, shaking my head, I leave him to catch his fun.

Emeka brought out a cigarette from his pack, a lighter was beside him, he lit his stuff and put it in between his lips.

He was nice enough to release the puff of air into another direction, the room was wide enough anyway, the smoke wouldn't come to my side.

"care for one? " he asked Timi handing him a stick.

" guy, have you forgotten? I d-don't smoke " Timi instantly say to him.

" ohh, true... yeah yeah, I forgot, my bad " his friend quickly answered.

I had seen Timi smoke some couple of times.
Well, many of my friends did smoke.

The girls and I have all tried it several times, my elder brother Dotun once caught us and was really mad at us. He made us wash all the cars in our compound.

We decided it wasn't good for us and we vowed never to do it again.

I remember the time I saw Timi smoking and I gave him serious warning to stop it.

Rona came into the living room, beret on her head.
"you all are still up? I just came here to get water from the fridge "

She got her water and came to sit with us.

We all become awkwardly quiet.

" wow Timi, you can really make hair " she mocked.

He muttered some inaudible words before saying" alright babe, I am done with this ".

I stood up putting my messed up so called 'Timi's made hair' in place and reached to lie down on the sofa, my head on his laps.

" did you people hear me praying? " she asked.

" girl, you were shouting, I couldn't even sleep " Emeka frowned puffing out air.

" you should have joined me at least "

" ehhn, join you? " he laughed.

" do you even go to church? Timi, you too, do you go to church? " she asked.

I loved the look on Timi's face, he looked like he was being thoroughly confronted, it was nice to see that he wasn't fully in charge this time.

" I go to church sometimes " he answers slowly.

" wow, that's impressive, what's the name of the church and where is it? "

" I um... The church is somewhere around em here.... Fuck it, I don't live here, I'm just saying here with my friend, you don't expect me to have a church here " he shrugged.

" I think I understand and what about you Emeka " her expression changed probably because he was smoking.

" me? I'm a free man, I don't need to go to a church for redemption or whatsoever, I am redeemed already.... Praise God " he let out air from his nostrils.

Timi laughed out loud and I had to pinch his lap because Rona was frowning.

" can you please drop that thing " Rona begged Emeka.

" what thing? "

" your um... "

" ah ah... There are different levels of Christianity ohh, when has it turned to a sin to say cigarette' " he laughed.

Rona was looking frustrated, she stood up to leave
" you guys would be coming to my church this Sunday"

Emeka and Timi were both laughing.

"how would I choose to go to your school's chapel? God forbid bad thing " Timi laughed.

" Okay fine, tomorrow I'll go searching for my church's  branch around here, would that be okay ? " she asked.

" Darling Rona , we....while Timi might be interested I am not ...... But I might reconsider because I don't like the way your friend is looking at me " Emeka answered looking at my face.

" really? Thank you, God bless you both " she grinned as she left the room.

" I didn't agree to that, only Emeka did " Timi called after her but she had gone.

" she's a beautiful girl" Emeka smiled.

"yeah she is " Timi nodded.

" she's just too crazy about her belief and it's disturbing "

I felt a sudden need to defend my friend " I don't think it's disturbing, it's what she believes in and we just have to tolerate her "

" easy tiger, I've heard you... Well, I should leave you two, since our mummy G.O has finally decided to let us sleep. " he replied before standing up to leave.

" we have the whole place to ourselves now so what do you want us to do? " he smirked

" I even want to tell you something.....

"do you need me to remind you of that night when you were drunk and singing badly, God Benita wait do you know you have a terrible voice " he frowned.

" what kind of boyfriend says things like this? " I faced palm.

" no babe, I'm serious, you can't sing at all " he was still frowning.

My mom and many other people on several occasions had also told me I was a terrible singer so what Timi said was something I was used to.
He was shaking his head in whatever feelings he had, he looked down at me with eyes that were full of mockery.

" I said I want to tell you... " I sighed.

" oh common pumpkin, you don't need to tell me, I know it already " he smiled. I took my head off his lap 'what's wrong with this guy?'

" so what do you think I want to say? "

" you obviously want to tell me I'm the hottest guy you've ever dated " he walked towards the bar to get a drink.

" Timi stop na, it's about Jude "

" Jude? Who's Jude again? " he asked in confusion.

" my first boyfriend "

" your high school guy? "

" yeah him. "

" so, what about him? " he sat on the bar stool.

" well, he sent a text some days ago... Here, lemme show you " I walked over, phone in hand to show him the text.

" Interesting " he nodded while reading it.

Sitting, I wondered what he'll have to say, these days I sometimes asked him for permission to things, it seemed odd but I enjoy doing it.

" so what do you want to do? " he asked.

" I don't know " it was the truth, I really did not know.

"  you forgiven him, have you ?

I took in a deep breath before answering.
"honestly, I have forgotten about the whole lesbian episode, we were both being childish then "

" you've forgotten it but have you forgiven him? "

" I don't know "

He brought his glass to his lips and hey, this is like his sixth drink he's taking.
" tell him to just wait till you're done with exams, there's no point of him coming here "

" Okay "

" Okay?... No argument? " he probably expected me not to agree with the whole thing.

Laughing, I reached out to wrap my hands round his neck and leaned in to feel his lips.

" blood of Jesus, blood of Jesus " somebody cried.

" Who's that...

"just close your eyes and ignore her, it's our prayer warrior " I whispered in his face as I helped him put his glass down and gathered myself on his laps.

****************

On Sunday, Rona forced us all to go to the church she searched for.
It was hard for her because she had to talk and talk before she could get the guys, Emeka especially from the Tv.
"church can wait but this match can't " he explained to her.

" Emeka no, salvation can't wait" she answered.

I had to beg Timi to intervene and he did, he reluctantly talked sense into his friend's head and we eventually went to the church.

On our way back, Rona whispered to me that Emeka asked her if he could drop a cheque for the church or possibly drop a huge banded amount of money and she also told me how she thinks he lacks humility and needed Jesus in his life. I only smiled all through because talking back at Rona would only make me end of getting bible verses on my face.

We got back to the guys place and Emeka suggested we go out to eat lunch , Rona objected saying it was just a total waste of money and that it could be spent on 'better things'  like  purchasing Christian books.

Rona didn't win as we ended up going to a popular eatery. While eating, Emeka teased Rona most of the time and the innocent girl's replies were mostly
' biblical comebacks '.

Around 3pm, I got a call from this unknown number.

Picking it, it was Jude..
I mouthed to the guys to let them know who I was talking to.

"Hey Jude "

" place the phone on speaker " Timi frowned.

I did as he said, he is the boss.

" how are you dolly? " he asked.

" dolly bawo? " Timi quietly asked Emeka.

Thank God they decided to keep their voice low, for once they can choose to be playfully mature, if that even made any sense.

" I'm fine Jude, how about you? "

" I'm also fine thank you, so um, I have a surprise for you dolly! "

" this dolly thing sha " Timi laughed.

" Who's that? "

" my friend Rona, she's being silly " I managed to laugh.

Rona glared at me for lying and it looked like she'd confront me but bless Emeka for holding her hand in a way of telling her to keep it cool.

This Emeka guy is being sneaky....

"how was she able to hear me, is the phone on speaker?

"no.... Actually, there was an ear piece plugged to the phone and we were both listening to a song before you.... The phone is not on speaker Jude, so what's the surprise? "

" Okay so I found out you are a student of Atlantic University.... I'm in Town like you know and I'm stuck in this cool bar close to the school. I found a real cool cinema somewhere around here ,so this is me trying to settle our old scores and to prove to you that I am a now a changed person "

" I have a boyfriend Jude "

Timi's face lit up in pride.

" yeah I figured out "

" and besides you did not even ask to know if I have a tight schedule or any thing"

"oh please dolly  you always make magic happen now make it happen"

I looked at Timi and he nodded at me

"whattt !"I yelled at timi

"just say yes na I have my reasons " he answered

" who are you talking to? "

" my friends "

"can I say hi to your friends? "

"no.... so when do you want us to meet? "

"I'll give you till 4, I can come pick you up wherever, if you are okay with that"

" No, I will drop you myself" Timi mouthed.

This is ridiculous, I was tempted to scream it out loud and clear at Timi.

"I'll come myself, I'll text you when I'm on my way "

" you won't regret this dolly "

" yeah, bye " I dropped my phone.

" what was that for? " I asked Timi.
" you are the one who always tell me not to go back to people that keep on hurting me "

" babe, you'll be fine, trust me, I just want you to have a lil fun, you've been stuck up with me for so long.... "

" you are terrible, which boyfriend would ever let his girlfriend go and have fun with her ex? "

" this boyfriend " he pointed at himself.

" if anything happens, blame it on yourself and besides you said you'd go drop me off? " I asked.

" yeah, we'll go back to our place now, get dressed and I'll take you to whatever cinema and when you're done, I'll come with Rona to pick you off and then take you back to hostel " he smiled.

" you are creepy " I say to him.

He and Emeka gave themselves slapping handshakes laughing.

We got back to Emeka's place, I went to wear something simple, no need to stress it, I had no intention of impressing Jude.

Coming out, Emeka nodded at me in admiration but Timi frowned and asked me to go change the dress.

"the clothe is okay na, it's a fine dress " Emeka said.

" yeah, that's the problem, it's too fine and she's a fine girl... You suppose understand guy.... Sweetie, please wear something longer or anything " Timi frowned.

" first time I'll ever agree with him on something " Rona laughed.

I walked back in, wore a black jean and this nice white top, Rona had earlier helped me braid my hair so I easily slipped on a wig.

" beautiful " Timi smiled.

"A skirt would have done the trick"  Rona mumbled.

Timi got his keys and we were ready to go.

"are you both going to just leave me with him like that ? " Rona pointed at Emeka.

" I am fun to be with " Emeka answered from the bar.

" no problem.... We'll do something interesting... Where's my bible again? "

Before Emeka could answer her, Timi pulled me out of the house.
We got in his car and drove out, I texted Jude telling him I was on my way.
He sent me the cinema's location and Timi headed there.

" so why exactly are you letting me do this? " I asked him, it was really bothering me.

" I just want you to have fun "

" I'm serious " I growled.

" I'm also serious, the thing is you've been too attached to me that you think you can't have fun somewhere else again "

" but I like having my fun with you " it was the truth.

" you have a life pumpkin , you are the social type, live the social life... I feel like Rona has changed you and it's too much, live your life Ben "

Frowning, I asked" so living a social life means throwing me to my ex? "

" nope, it simply means living " he laughed.

" you're crazy " I didn't join him laughing.

" remember Femi's episode, remember how when you didn't do anything about his constant pestering that it only made him continue pestering you "

" it's Fisayo..... And your point has no point " I had to laugh.

" that's because you are still a secondary school student, too young to understand....... We are here already, call the bastard " he scoffed.

I called Jude and he let me know he was at this drink stand upstairs.

I told Timi.
" let's go " he says.

We got upstairs and was able to locate the drink stand, there was Jude, standing in all his glory. He looks cuter than before, his hair was now curly and he was really taller now, a bit taller than Timi but not as muscular as my baby.

Timi hand possessively claimed my waist and when I looked up at him, he was smiling.

We finally reached Jude.

"look at my beautiful dolly " he cried.
With the way his arms posed, it looked like he might have tried to open them for a hug but somebody's hand was wrapped round my waist.

" Hey Jude " I smiled as wide as I could.

" you've grown so big " he smiled.

Timi cleared his throat.

"oh yeah, um Jude meet my boyyyfriend Timileyin, Timi meet Jude"  I quickly introduced, emphasizing on the 'boyfriend' .

"my pleasure meeting you bro " Jude smirked bringing out his hand for a shake.

Timi reached out to grab it " same here man "

" are you coming in to see the movie? I didn't know she'd be coming with you " Jude asked.

" oh no, I just came to drop her off and as well pay for everything, I would also like to know the movie you guys are about to watch, if you don't mind, of course.... "

" em bro, no need.. To pay.. " Jude started.

" no, it's nothing, she's my girlfriend, I need to spend on her and since you are a friend of hers, I won't mind spending on you too... Come, follow me " Timi says as he grabbed my hand and gestured for him to follow.

I smiled at Jude and urged him to come with us.

While Jude stood uneasy watching the whole scene, Timi paid for everything and as well got us popcorns.

I was so enjoying this, sebi Jude wants to take me out on a date?

"alright, I'm done here, babe, be a good girl okay, don't over stress yourself  if anything goes wrong you, I'm just a call away " he smiled at me.

" I know that Zaddy " I know how much he hated the zaddy thing but I was sure he wouldn't mind now as we were both catching fun.
I stood on the tip of my toes and kissed him.
" see you later hun "

" yes pumpkin " he answered.
He placed his hand on Jude's shoulder " you both should enjoy the movie, when she's done, I'll come pick her up"

He winked at me, placed a light kiss on my forehead and left the place.

"he's just so adorable, isn't he? " I thought aloud.

" um, yeah, I guess.. "

" so can we go in now? " I asked him.

He nodded and we both walked into the cinema.
We got seated comfortably and just before half of the movie, I had finished my popcorn, I collected his with a smile, sebi we want to have fun?

Jude tried to make small talks but one way or the other, I ended up directing it to Timi and as expected Jude didn't like it.

I noticed he was trying to make me relax my head on his shoulder, I didn't say anything at first, I only pulled myself away.
When I got fed up, I told him "Timi wouldn't like if my hair gets messed up in the afternoon"

"Benny stop this thing " he frowned.

" well, I was just saying " I shrugged.

" can you guys keep it low? " someone at the back said to us.

I really enjoyed myself but I could tell he didn't.

When the movie was almost over, I texted Timi.

25 minutes later, Timi called and informed me he was coming upstairs.
I hurriedly pull Jude outside and soon I could see Timi and Rona heading our way.

" did you have fun pumpkin ? " Timi asked. I love this game.

" yeah " I buried myself in his arms.

" Hey Rona "

She smiled at me.

" guy, I hope you both had fun? " Timi asked as he placed his hand on Jude's shoulder.

Jude nodded feeling embarrassed, why wouldn't he?
He decided to take another guy's girlfriend out on a date and now he was being treated like an innocent 'nobody'.

"we'll be on our way man, thanks for keeping her company today, I'll take it from here " Timi smiled as he placed his hand on the small of my back leading me away.

" bye" I smiled at Jude before holding Rona's hand walking away.

We got into the car and laughed our asses out.
"you both are mean " Rona shakes her head.

" I was as polite as possible " Timi answered.

***********
JUDE'S POV

I have to call Olivia like right now.

" Olivia, look, I can't do this anymore , they both acted like I am a piece of shit or something..... ... No, don't ask me to calm down, I was totally embarrassed. "

Calm down?

She said some few words to me.

" alright fine, I'll try again.

*************

BENNY'S POV

Timi drove us to hostel.

After helping me park my car, he ordered an uber and as we waited for it, we chilled a little.

His uber came, he kissed me goodbye and waved at Rona before entering the car.

After the car drove off, I put my arm around Rona's shoulder.
"why you being quiet? " I asked her.

She turned to look at me " Benita, I think Emeka likes me and I don't like it at all "

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Okay, okay 😢I just had to drop another picture of Jude (John).
He used to be somehow in my eyes back then in high school but  lookie who's hot rn 😨😌😭❤.