#JUST_BEST_FRIENDS

Author: Sam Freddy

CHAPTER 30: MOVING ON.

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Today's lecture was more like torture for Idara. She was physically present in class, but her mind was in another different realm entirely.

Of course, her thoughts dwelled on the heartbreaking occurrence between she and Yomi last night. She'd thought about it for a long time until she dozed off, thinking that a good sleep would probably help her cool off, but the reverse was the case this morning.

How on Earth was she supposed to stay away from Yomi, her best friend, her companion; someone she actually sees every blessed day in this bloody department? Just how?

It was like having a mirror in one's room and ignoring it for no solid reason, or trying to avoid one's shadow for no just cause. How possible could that be?

It really wouldn't be easy at all for Idara to cope, because, honestly, Yomi was her perfect reflection and her unavoidable shadow. She didn't think she could do this without having a mental breakdown soon. She really didn't think so.

Amid these thoughts, however, someone suddenly covered Idara's eyes from behind and said “BOO!” with a deep, loud voice.

Idara flinched, almost jumping to her feet. “Jesus!”

The person behind her chuckled, before whispering these words into her ear: “Guess who it is, baby girl.”

Idara smiled, having figured who it was. “Isioma, you filthy sucker!”

Isioma burst into laughter, uncovering Idara's eyes. “Heck! You got me.”

“You're crazy.” Idara giggled, as Isioma joined her on her seat. “What're you even doing here?”

“Seriously?” Isioma crossed her arms. “I never knew I now needed an invitation to come to my friend's class.”

Idara rolled her eyes at that. “You know what I meant.”

“Trust me, I don't.” Isioma said dryly, a deliberate dull look on her face. “But it kinda sounded to me like you wanted me to go.”

Idara facepalmed, sighing. “Isioma, cut it off. We're not doing this now.”

Isioma calmly unfolded her arms, laughing. “Okay, killjoy. I've stopped.”

A deep sigh of relief escaped Idara's lips. However, that relief was short-lived as she spotted Candice coming into her class.

“What's wrong?” Isioma noticed Idara's awful facial expression. “Talk to me.”

Idara kept her eyes on Candice, who was busy securing a spot for herself on Yomi's seat.

“Idara?”

It wasn't until Isioma followed Idara's line of sight that she got the whole drill. “Oh, heck. I see what's going on now.”

Idara slowly looked down, shaking her head in pity for Yomi. If only he knew the demon he was moving with. If only.

“Dara,” Isioma called, “look at me.”

Idara raised her head, breathing in. “Mmm?”

“Look, I wanted to tell you something before, but I decided to save it for later.” Isioma said. “But maybe I should just tell you now.”

“Okay?” A curious Idara said, listening attentively. “Go on.”

“Okay.” Isioma rubbed her hands over her face quickly. “So, well, I got this, um, weird text from Yomi last night.”

Instantly, Idara's eyebrows pulled together. “Okay?”

“And, um, it had something to do with you and I. But, um-”

“Wait.” Idara cut her off, surprised. “He told you, too?”

Isioma quirked her eyebrows, surprised too. “Told me what?”

“Did he tell you to stay away from him and his relationship, blah blah blah?”

“Yes, he actually did.” Isioma was amazed. “How did you know?”

Idara facepalmed straight up. “Oh, poor Yomi.” She shook her head again. “What has gotten into you?”

Isioma shifted in her seat, feeling lost. “Am I missing something?” She gesticulated erratically for emphasis. “Like, did he send you the same text?”

“Don't worry, just be calm. I'll explain to you on our way out.” Idara stood up, grabbing her schoolbag. “Let's just leave here, first.”

Isioma nodded after a momentary pause. “All right. Let's go.”

Scarcely had both ladies taken a step forward when a very loud distorted sound came from a loudspeaker at the class' podium in front.

“Attention, all students.” A young, well-built man announced with a microphone. “Please seat down. I have new information about a group assignment from Dr. Suraj.”

“Who is that guy?”

“That's our class governor, Freddy.” Idara answered Isioma, grumbling as she sat down again. She really wanted to get out of here, for obvious reasons like Candice and Yomi, who were getting on her nerves by their presence alone.

However, after everyone in class were seated, the class governor announced everything they needed to know before splitting them all in various groups.

Everything was totally going fine until he placed Yomi and Idara in the same group and appointed them as the group leaders.

Isioma instantly noticed a mean look from Candice, who was sitting four rows ahead with Yomi. She was actually glaring at Idara but somehow made eye contact with Isioma in the process.

However, Candice looked away when she was caught glaring, and Idara wasn't even aware of anything at all because she was just baffled by the class governor's announcement.

How could he put she and Yomi in the same group? Was it just coincidence, or was it purely intentional?

Either way, Idara couldn't agree to it. She had to do something about it, and fast.

So, immediately the class governor descended the podium, Idara rushed to meet him in front. “Hello, sir!”

The tall, able-bodied man halted at once, offering her a smile. “Yes, Idara. How may I help you?”

“Mr. Freddy, I hope you don't mind, but it's about, um…” Idara scratched her neck nervously. “Sir, I want you to-”

“Remove their names from the same group.” A sharp feminine voice chipped in abruptly, from behind Idara.

Undoubtedly, both Idara and Mr. Freddy were surprised as Yomi and Candice appeared near them. They weren't the only ones who found the duo amusing, though.

Most of Yomi's female course mates couldn't help but stare in awe at Yomi's astonishing babe, and some ladies even felt jealous because they had a really big crush on him.

“I'm sorry?” Mr. Freddy glanced at both lovers. “Did I hear you correctly?”

“Honey,” Candice said sweetly to Yomi, “maybe you should do the talkin'.”

Yomi nodded. He then made eye contact with Idara, and a pang of guilt tore through him, but he instantly discarded the feeling by breaking their stare and clearing his throat. “Mr. Fred,” he said, ignoring Idara as though she were a complete stranger to him. “I need a little favor from you, sir.”

“Okay, ask.”

Candice held Yomi's hand firmly as he said, “Sir, I need you to take me off Group E.”

“Why?”

Funnily enough, Yomi couldn't offer an answer to that. He suddenly realized that he didn't even think this whole thing through before coming forward.

Candice, however, said, “It's for personal reasons, Mr. Governor. Just do it for him.”

“Hold on.” Mr. Freddy faced Idara, confused. “Did you come out here to tell me the same thing, Idara?”

Idara nodded, feeling tense. “Yes, sir. I want to join another group, please.”

“This is highly unusual.” Mr. Freddy remarked. “What is really going on here?”

Nobody said anything to him. This was a rather personal conflict between the couple and Idara. They definitely didn't need a third party meddling with their affairs.

“Well, since none of you wants to speak, I guess I'm left with no choice but to grant one person's wish.” Mr. Freddy looked at Idara. “Idara, you came first, so feel free to send me a message on WhatsApp tonight. I'll surely assist you.”

Idara smiled, curtseying. “Thank you, sir.”

“My pleasure.” Mr. Freddy said patiently, despite being in a hurry. “Is there anything else I can do for anyone?”

“Nah, that's all for now.” Candice grinned, her red lipstick complimenting her face. “Thank you.”

On hearing that, Mr. Freddy nodded and left their presence after saying, “Enjoy the rest of your day, people.”

With that, the couple and Idara separated awkwardly. Idara actually returned to her seat while Candice and Yomi exited the class.

“How did it go?” Isioma asked, after watching the entire drama from here. “Did Freddy agree?”

“Yeah, he did.” Idara sighed, wearing her bag. “Come on, let's go. I'm tired of this place.”

“I couldn't agree more.”

__________

Meanwhile, out here in the compound, Yomi rested against a fancy pillar whilst waiting for Candice, who had gone to use the female restroom.

He noted the strange manner in which some of his course mates looked at him while they passed by, and it disturbed him immensely. Even some of his female friends didn't acknowledge his greetings at all, which was the most disturbing part for him. He was being sidelined, alienated, neglected, for no solid reason.

Or so he thought.

It wasn't until Yomi saw Isioma and Idara coming out of the class that he realized something vital: almost everyone was pissed at him for treating Idara like that. It dawned on Yomi that the way he acted towards her in class wasn't really nice, and that he probably looked like a shitty person now all because of that.

He, indeed, felt so bad, knowing that he really had to make amends as soon as possible.

So, quickly, Yomi looked around carefully before running to meet the ladies. “Hey!”

Isioma and Idara stopped at once, puzzled by Yomi's erratic behavior.

“What do you want?” Isioma asked him coolly.

Yomi breathed in, scanning the area very carefully for Candice. If she sees him speaking with them again, all hell would definitely break loose.

“Look, I'm here to say I'm sorry for what happened in class.” Yomi apologized, intertwining his hands for emphasis, his bright eyes locked with Idara's. “I really am.”

Idara shrugged, faking a smile. “Okay, cool.”

Isioma was, with no doubt, surprised by Idara's calm reply. She'd expected Idara to tongue-lash him like hell, but Idara just played it cool like a pro. At least tongue-lashing Yomi was what Isioma would've done if she were in Idara's shoes.

Yomi himself didn't even feel any atom of sincerity in Idara's response. It was pretty obvious that she was just putting up a façade for him. “Look,” he glanced at Isioma, “I know that what you think I'm doing is wrong by staying away from you guys, but it isn't. I don't want you both to assume that we are now enemies, all right?”

Isioma scoffed, crossing her arms, keeping her cool like Idara.

“We are still friends,” Yomi continued sharply, “and friends are prone to have disputes once in a while, so I believe this is just a phase that we will all get over soon enough. Okay?”

He tried to touch Idara's shoulder, but she pushed him away at once. He almost misstepped and fell on the ground, if not for a strong pillar which he'd held on to.

“Stay away from me!” Idara warned, hissing.

It was at that exact moment Candice appeared from nowhere, right behind Yomi. “What's goin' on here?”

Yomi shivered, frightened. This was exactly what he'd been trying to avoid all along: another unnecessary drama.

Idara, however, quickly gave Isioma a ‘let's-leave-here’ look, but Candice understood it and stood in their way with her arms spread out. “Nobody leaves until I know what's goin' on.”

“Candice, with all due respect, we don't have time for this.” Idara stated politely. “Let us pass.”

“Wonders shall never end.” Candice gave her a nasty once-over, before hissing aloud. “See who's talking sha.”

“Babe, chill.” Yomi intervened, patting Candice's back. “Let them go. It's not worth it.”

Right now, there was pure tension between everyone. Isioma had her eyes solely on Candice, watching her every move, waiting for her to make just one dumb mistake so that she could deal with her mercilessly.

But, to Isioma's disappointment, Candice stepped aside after considering Yomi's advice. “Just pack yourselves and go sha. I don't have time for this, either.”

Relieved, Idara hissed silently and stormed off with Isioma, who kept glaring at Candice on her way to the faculty's main gate.

As expected, many students were watching raptly, and that was why Idara wanted to leave fast. Unnecessary attention just wasn't her thing at all.

Surprisingly, Candice actually heard Idara's hiss at her, and it pissed Candice off to the point that she shouted, saying, “If you continue this way, no man will ever love you, Idara!”

Idara ignored her, but Isioma offered her two middle fingers in response.

“Jealousy and hatred will do you no good!” Candice flipped her middle fingers at Isioma too. “You two should amend your ways before it's too late. Have a nice life!”

__________

Immediately Isioma and Idara exited the compound, Candice's statement started having a terrible effect on Idara.

“What did she mean by no man will ever love me if I continue this way?” Idara inquired from Isioma, grimacing. “What way?”

Isioma shot Idara a disappointed look. “Seriously?” Her eyebrows shot up automatically. “Are you really minding that one?”

“I'm not.” Idara shook her head. “I just don't understand what she meant by that, that's all.”

“What's the difference?!” Isioma halted, prompting Idara to a halt as well. “Heck! I'm so disappointed in you right now.”

“Why?”

“For taking that moron's opinion seriously, of course.” Isioma cringed. “Must you always let everything she says get to you?”

Idara looked away, feeling guilty as charged. It was completely true that she always cowered before Candice, that she never really stood up for herself, that she was too loving, gentle and polite to the point of being taken for granted.

But all that was about to change pretty soon, because, starting from today, she was willing to make the right decisions for herself.

“What're you doing?” Isioma asked as Idara took her phone out of her purse.

“Give me a moment.” Idara replied, dialling Tayo's number. “I'm about to take a big leap.”

Truthfully, Isioma didn't understand what Idara meant by that until she heard her say, “Hello, T.”

“Hey, senõrita. Long time!” Tayo's voice was evident of surprise to Idara. “How're you doing?”

“I'm all good, T.” Idara replied casually, curbing her impulse to laugh due to Isioma's funny face. “How's life treating you na?”

“Well, what can I say? Life has been fair to me, Elle. We thank God.” Tayo sounded quirky. “This one that you're calling me today, I hope I'm safe sha?”

Idara laughed. “You're a very silly guy o,” she teased. “But, um, actually, there's a solid reason behind this call, Tayo.”

“Really? What could that be?”

Idara took a deep breath, preparing for the worst. ‘Here goes nothing!’

“Remember that movie trip you once proposed to me, Tayo?”

“Yes, I do.” Tayo sounded somewhat anxious. “How could I possibly forget that?”

“Well,” Idara said coolly with a lovely, big grin on her face, “if you're free tonight, consider yourself lucky, T, 'cause you just hit the jackpot. We have a date!”

Wait, is it just me or does anybody else think that Idara kind of moved on too fast? 🤔 I mean, damn! Look at it yourself! She didn't even waste time! 😅

P.S. Don't forget to VOTE, comment and share, abeg. Help my ministry! 😅🤲