Life Of Jiji

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©2022 Tena Ifiemi

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soaked - BENEE ♪

tales by moonlight - tiwasavage & amaarae ♪

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"They've been sneaking around since we resumed." One girl explained even as I haven't still gotten over the shock of it all.

The Kene that cheated on her with Chisom.

The Kene that has cheated on her with other girls apart from Chisom?

The Kene that obviously doesn't value her.

I'm confused as I glanced over at Khadi who was propped up on her pillows scrolling down a smuggled phone. Feeling my gaze, she turns to me and shrugs,

"Disappointed, yes. Surprised, no." She says simply and turns back to her phone.

Amarachi nods her agreement, "I'm not surprised. You weren't here, Ejiro. They're relationship was basically like a marriage."

"Doesn't mean she shouldn't identify red flags and run." Katherine piques in.

"I agree sha, the whole thing is toxic." Amarachi says.

"It scares me bro. I'm sorry, but just by looking at some relationships in this school, I'm not sure I want to be in one." Someone says and Amarachi turns to her,

"Not all are bad." She says quietly, an uncertain look in her eyes.

"Yeah, please just say Kene and Ayo abeg " Tolani says.

"But it's not just them. Do you know that Jay and Christine have broken up?"

A chorus of shocked sounds emits from the room. Even I am shocked because I know the couple. Everyone knows Jay and Christine, I'm sure even staff envy their relationship...or what used to be their relationship.

"I just can't believe Ayo is doing this." I finally speak, "I mean most of us were here when she sat on my bed," I pat my bed beside me for reference as I speak,"...and said that she can't be his girlfriend if she can't trust him. What happened to that?"

"Maybe she can trust him now." Someone snickered.

"That doesn't even make sense." Mercy says.

"Well she also said she still loves him." Khadijah adds quietly and just then Ayo walks into the room.

Everyone fell silent and someone stupidly tried to change the topic, doing it in a way that was so obvious, I wanted to bury myself in my bed. Talk about speaking of the devil!

Then Khadi says something that puts me on edge, "How was it Ayo?"

My head snaps to her, I wanted to plead with her not to do what I knew she was about to do but she won't meet my eyes.

"How was what?"

There's a pause and Khadi makes the lot of us who have figured out what she was doing wait in fear and Ayo in confusion for what she was about to say before she slowly drops the bomb,

"Making out with your cheating boyfriend."

Ayo's face falls.

"Khadijah!" Amarachi yells while others gasp. "What is wrong with you!?" Amarachi is fuming and when I glance over at Ayo again her hands are shaking and in a second, she flees from the room.

I sigh and go after her but halt when I see that she has gone into her room. The room she shares with Chisom and Niniola. I scold myself for hesitating and tell myself that I'm being stupid but still, I can't go in. My mind plays and replays possible scenarios that could unfold if I go in there. What if they scream at me to get out? Or if Ayo rejects my company and I end up looking stupid.

I stand there for a few more seconds, biting my lip. Shaking my head, I turn around and walk to my room. I can't go in...and Ayo knrw that. Probably why she went there because ever since the Chisom and Kene issue, Ayo had withdrawn from them.

When I get back to my room, the others have gone back to their rooms leaving behind just my roommates and Amarachi who is still talking to Khadijah, her forehead and jaw wrinkled to show that she is still angry —or maybe just frustrated.

"Let me guess, she went to her room and you couldn't talk to her?" Khadi turned to me when Amarachi was in the middle of saying something.

Amarachi thinned her lips and clenched her fists and appeared to be mentally telling herself not to explode.

"Amarachi I'm sorry okay?" Khadi finally sighs. "But you're just angry that she saw you here when I said it which makes it look like you were talking about her behind her back, which you were."

"I...well..."

"Look, it's better this way. Yes, I hurt her feelings but I didn't wrong her. She's the one doing that to herself. It's better I said it than the the entire class talking about her behind her back."

When she was done speaking she brought out her phone from under her pillow and started tapping to show she was done with this conversation. Amarachi no longer looked angry but guilty and she soon left the room. I understood how Amarachi was feeling cause I felt it too. I low-key feel like a bad person. What I don't understand is how Khadi manages to be so bold and nonchalant about things.

When Amarachi left, Khadijah sighed, "How does my gender manage to embarrass me like?" She complained.

Tolani looked at her like she was about to say something but I shook my head at her, indicating that she should not speak. Sometimes the way to go is to not indulge Khadijah...at least, for peace to reign.

A few minutes later, our door pushed open slowly and soon Reya came to light. She looked sleepy but smiled a bit and waved. My side eye told me that the greeting was for Khadijah. The two were friends for whatever reason.

"Jiji, someone told me that they called you to pick up the phone earlier. Why didn't you wake me?"

I was confused for a second before a blush took over my face, "Oh, um, it wasn't mummy."

"Daddy called?"

"Um, no, it wasn't him."

She wore a look of confusion for a few seconds while I just sat there, not knowing how to explain. She was about to open her mouth again when some sort of realization seemed to have been gifted to her. She then smirked and said, 'okay' before leaving the room.

I sigh in relief and lay down, turning to the the side in my bed and folding up my legs. I knew that someone would say something and I wasn't anticipating it so I willed myself to sleep faster than Khadi's mouth could open.

Because yes, I knew that whoever the someone that would have something to say would be, it would be Khadi.

I didn't have to wait long, "So it was man you were talking to?"

When I didn't answer, she probed on, "Or more specifically, Da—"

"Khadi, stop!" I begged, turning to her and she snickered but she let me be.

I drifted to sleep after that. It was past three by then and when I woke up later I felt so refreshed. I felt like I had slept enough for the first time in a while. I let out a long yawn as I stretched my entire body and then for a reason I wasn't exactly sure of, the corners of my lips lifted up in a smile. It was when I stood up, I realized that I was the only one in the room. I was confused for a second before I heard the noise outside and realized that it was probably time for evening sports.

Not wanting to be alone in the hostel, I threw on a black shirt and sat back down on my bed to pull on my hot pink sweatpants. I played with my lip as I hovered over my sneakers for a few seconds. It would look so good with this outfit, I knew but who wears sneakers for evening sports? Except if you're actually playing though; Mr Amaga is strict about his no shoes, no games rule.

But me, I don't do sports. I never do sports so I'm going to stick with slides.

When I go outside, it takes a while of looking round the massive fields and courts but I finally find my roommates plus the other girls I hang out with. I know I should probably just say, 'my friends' but knowing my history, 'friend' is such a strong word. Although, I do realize that I've never fit in anywhere like I do in this school, I just don't feel safe enough to completely relax into it.

Tolani sights me from afar and beckons to me with a wide grin. The girls seemed excited like they were really enjoying themselves and I wondered what was going on. As I got close, I scanned the area for Ayo but she wasn't there.

"Ejiro come and join us, we're playing a game!" Mercy yelled in her usual excited manner.

"What are you guys playing?" I ask them. They were sitting on the ground in a circle.

"Have you ever played Among Us?" Mercy asks and I shake my head, no.

"Wha—"

"I'm not surprised." Mercy cut off Katharine's shocked proclamation,"Anyways I'm asking because what we're playing is basically like Among Us, but in real life."

After saying that, she goes on to explain the game which actually does sound fun. We were to pick from the folded papers on the ground to know our status. Its either you're part of the five 'saint' or you're the 'impostor'. No one is supposed to know what you picked and if you're the impostor you try your best to kill all the saints: without anyone knowing that its you (except the people you've killed of course).

If anyone suspects that you're the impostor, they can voice out their suspicion and if they're correct, the saints win. And finally, you kill a saint by winking at them and if you're winked at, as a saint, you simply fall to the ground.

When the explanations were over, it was time to pick the papers. I found myself grinning as it was all very thrilling. I was almost scared to open the paper and when I finally did, I wasn't expecting what I saw.

impostor, written boldly in Amarachi's pretty handwriting.

I swallow, I thought I'd have more time before I get the 'impostor' paper if it ever even came to me. Now, I'm sure everyone had already seen on my face that it was me. I folded the paper back and dropped it into the bowl that Mercy pushed in front of me.

I decided to not wink at anyone right away, so instead I stretched out my arms on the ground behind me and then leaned back on its support. I mimic everyone as they look at each other in the face as if trying to see 'impostor' tatooed on their foreheads. In fact, everyone was acting funny and then before you know it, Mercy  raised her hand and said that she suspected Tolani.

Tolani frowned at her and defended, "Why would you think that? It's not me."

"Sure."

"I'm not the impostor, I swear." Tolani said and then lay on the ground.

I raised a brow in confusion. I'm pretty sure, I didn't wink at her. Katherine turned to me, "Oh, we forgot to mention that part. If you're suspected you have no choice but to reveal whether you're the impostor or not. If you are, game over but if you're not, you just die and we carry on with the game."

"Oh." I say and nod in understanding and then before she could look away, I wink at her.

She looks surprised but turns away from me and smiles, before dropping to the ground.

"Oh my God, Katherine is down!" Mercy screams and its like someone turned up the music or screamed, 'let the party begin' because everyone had become excited as they got more serious in trying to find out the impostor.

Me.

They were pointing hands at each other, saying that Katherine looked in this direction or that before falling. I joined them of course, giving people who I knew were saints suspicious looks and saying stuff like 'whoever the impostor is, kill me next abeg'.

Then Khadijah catches my eye to tell me something and I immediately see my chance. I wink at her and look away so that when she falls and the girls exclaim, I turn to her direction and exclaim as well.

I'm enjoying this way to much.

It took a while but when it seemed like they were going to call out their suspicion towards me as Mercy and Amarachi suddenly started looking at me with suspicious smiles after whispering to each other, I winked at them both.

I'm elated when I throw my hands in the air and shout, "I won!"

When they realize that I've eliminated all of them, they all get back up and literally come for me.

"You sly girl." Khadijah says tackling me to the ground. I giggle uncontrollably as they play fight me and voice out how surprised they were when I winked at them.

"I was so shocked." Katherine says, "I just finished explaining a rule to her and baby girl thought it was nice to just go ahead and stab me in the back."

I let out another loud laugh at that.

"I knew it was you from the beginning." Khadi said, "I just didn't have strength to report."

"Ha! Khadi!" Mercy exclaimed as the rest of us were just about to die with laughter. Even Khadi joined in.

One round after that, they blew the whistle, announcing that sports was over and we should freshen up for dinner. I was still very excited as we walked back to the hostel. Mercy was the impostor this time and out of spite for suspecting her wrongly the last time, Tolani called suspect immediately the game begun, not knowing that Mercy was actually the impostor. It was really very funny.

It was when everyone was bathing and freshening up that a rumor began to go around that tonight was movie night. I was washing my face in my bathroom stall when I heard it and nearly blinded myself. Rinsing off my face quickly, I turned off my tap for the meantime,

"What!?" I called out, knowing someone would reply.

"Movie night boo, grab your seatmate before someone grabs him."

I turned on the shower again and got under it as my heart dropped to my stomach. One thing I've been looking forward to since Damian and I got closer this holiday is Movie  Night. I've not sat with Damian during Movie Night before but according to what people say, its fun sitting with the guy you like.

Still moody, I went back to my room, my towel tied securely on my chest. Making my usual barricade around my wardrobe, I begin to dress. My roommates had still never seen me naked and I was glad when I noticed that they had stopped teasing me about being too shy to even be seen in underwear. I realized it was weird a long time ago when girls literally walk stark naked around the bathroom and in their rooms.

"Why do you look so down all of a sudden?" Tolani asked me, glancing at me even as she applied cream all over her naked top half. I look away and shake my head,

"How?" I had finished dressing up, so I removed the wrappers I hung round my wardrobe and turned to them.

"Well you were smiling like a portrait during sports and even when we came back and now all of a sudden you're looking like you failed a test."

"No, I —"

"Don't you know Ejiro is bipolar?" Mercy says and Tolani chucks her with an wrapped tissue.

"I know why she's not happy." Khadijah says and I roll my eyes.

"Of course you do. Madam know-all."

Even I was shocked at my tone but Khadijah looked anything but fazed. She smiled and walked passed me but not before whispering into my ear.

"Don't worry, I'll sit beside you okay?"

My eyes widen in shock and then I blush before sticking my head into my wardrobe like I was looking for something.

The rumors were true, there was movie night and no, Damian did not mysteriously appear contrary to my fantasies and my seatmate ended up not even being Khadijah. I had been sitting for a while, glancing around for Khadi and I admit Damian —for some stupid reason— when I heard someone take the seat beside me.

Expecting to see Khadijah, I turn and I'm met with Ayomide instead. Anxiety makes my chest act funny as I expect her to call me out for being a bad friend when Ayo breaks into a smile.

"Hi Ejiro."

"H—hi?" I stutter at loss of what to expect.

"Why are you acting funny? Look, I'm sorry for overreacting okay? I admit I was hurt at the time, and embarrassed but I'm over it now." She says and I stare at her confused at her excessive energy.

Tentatively, I ask, "But are you really dating Kene again?"

"Yes." She said with a smile and what shocked me wasn't the answer but how proud she was of the answer. It just didn't seem right in my head. I mean, why was she hiding it in the first place if she was so proud and why would she even be so proud of it anyway?

Ayo was not herself for the longest time because of that rat's disrespectful behavior. Cheating on her with one of her closest friends and then she finds out that there have been others. I remember the way Kene talked to me that day in the Art Studio, the things he said. That boy was anything but sorry.

"Look, Ejiro. I've decided I don't care what anybody has to say about my relationship. He made a mistake and he won't be the first to do it..." She trailed off when the movie finally begun and I've never been so relieved.

I didn't know whether to take her serious or not but I knew I was very uncomfortable listening to her say what she was saying. I'm not sure how old Ayo is but I know she's under seventeen, and she's already accepting cheating as a guy's way of life?

"Look, we'll talk about it later okay?" She says nodding towards the big screen and I say a halfhearted 'okay' as I concentrated on the screen. A few second later, a cheer erupted from the boys and I frown, wondering why they were making so much noise. My mood definitely didn't increase when I find out that its because they recognized the movie as one most people have been dying to watch especially guys, because of it's genre.

I sunk deeper into my seat, I hate action movies.

Halfway into the movie, I doze off and unknowingly to me, eventually rest on another person's shoulder until the movie ends. I'm shaken awake and when I'm confused for a bit when I turn and see Richard's hand on my shoulder.

'Ejiro, the movie is over." He let me know as I squinted at the bright light.

"Oh." I finally respond, swallowing a small yawn. Finally realizing that I slept on his shoulder, I sat up straight and turned to him,

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was sleeping on you." I rushed out, inspecting his shoulder and checking the corners of my mouth, with hope that I did not drool. Not that I do, normally but awkward situations like this tend to make you more cautious.

"It's no problem. But you missed out, I'm telling you, the movie was really in—" Richard was caught off by Mide pulling me away.

"What are you doing?" I ask but he seemed to be busy glaring at someone behind me. "Mide?" I try again and he turned, smiling,

"Yeah?"

"That's rude, I was talking to someone." I chastise but he just shrugged.

"Who, him?" He asked and I follow his gaze to Richard's figure, walking away. I frown up at Mide but he seemed to be done with that talk.

"I heard you were sulking over not being able to sit at the back with all the boo'd up people." He said with a knowing smile.

My face burns and I look to the ground.

Khadijah!

"You do know what goes on at the back though, right?" He has a mischievous smile on his face, "Everyone is usually too busy with other stuff  to be watching the movie."

Maybe it was the way he emphasized 'other stuff', but I immediately got an idea of what he was talking about and if I wasn't before, I'm definitely a tomato now.

I wrenched myself away from his grasp and hurried away while he laughed. Who knew Mide thought about those kind of things. I ended up walking on my own the rest of the way which gave me time to think. And the fact that I'm an over thinker made it a very bad move because what Mide said went on to keep me up the whole night.

I couldn't sleep.

My fears about what happens after I tell Damian how I feel about him begin to surface faster than I can suppress them. I nearly scream in frustration, I was doing so well until now!

But the truth remains the truth, Damian is as hormonal as every teenage boy there is out there and soon he'll want more than holding my hand and having small talk. I only manage to even let him hug me without having a panic attack. How am I supposed to explain that? I feel like I'm selfishly betraying him.

The next time it'll be movie night, he'll be here for sure and I'll want to sit beside him as much as he'll want to be beside me, but I heard Mide. And I heard the girls talking in the room too, about what people were doing at the back.

I know I don't want anyone's hands under my skirt. Not for any religious or moral reasons but because I don't think I'll be able to handle it. To not get triggered. But how am I supposed to explain that to anybody?

My mind goes on to replay the conversation I had with Khadijah the other day. It wouldn't be the first time I'd think about the possibility of actually telling someone the cause of my nightmares, why my dad hates me and why I withdrew from my family when I was younger but the cons always overcomes whatever pros there might be.

My chest compresses painfully at the thought of the rest of my family hating me just like dad does. Or loosing my friends... and Damian.

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still on my apologetic behavior 🙏🏼

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