If I could describe how I felt that moment, It was for the ground to open up and swallow me.

What do I say o? I thought he didn't come today na! What kind of problem is this, God."

I braced myself a little and tried to smile.

"O-okay, nice to meet yo- you."

Nice to meet you keh? Someone you've been stalking for 3 years?

"Have this." He replied, ignoring my greetings.

You should've just nodded. See now, he didn't reply!

"What is this?" My heart thumped in fear.

Jummy your voice is shaky!

"My phone number. Text me in the evening, we'll talk about the project." He didn't look twice before walking away.

You could have even said goodbye.

"Ouuuh" I exhaled deeply as I watched him disappear.

"Jummy Jummy!"

I heard Enny's voice from afar. She was running towards me.

I eyed her
"Kini?"

"Was that not Alex?" She cried out.

"Lower your voice na, I'm the one you're talking to."

"See, forget that one. What did Alex come and do here? I saw him talking to you just now. You were looking like someone that wanted to enter the ground."

"Jesus!" I screamed.

"He's in heaven."

"Was it very obvious that I was shy?"

"Yes, you couldn't even look him in the eye. Nawa for you o."

"Let's start going home, I'll gist you."

We stood up and headed to the Western Gate. We only passed that gate whenever we had lectures nearby. The university's main gate was a little far.

"So what happened?"  Enny asked curiously.

"The 311 practical. Who were you paired with?" I replied.

"It's Raymond jor."

"That weirdo that sings?"

"Hun, you nko."

"Alex!"

"Oh, my, God!" She squealed.

"Yes, oh my God!"

"Was that why he came earlier?''

"I don't even know what to do. How will I face him? How would we even do the project together?"

"Babe, see you o, instead of you to be happy that God finally answered your prayers. You'll get to spend time with him and even confess your feelings sef."

"No o, nah, never, I can't tell him."

"Why?"

I didn't reply. I didn't look at her either.

She continued;
"See, babe, opportunities like this are very rare, and now that you're given one, you shouldn't misuse it. Do you want to tell me that you're not happy about it?"

"I'm happy o, but...."

"But what? There's no but" You're happy is all that matters. Try to talk to him one day, Jumoke. I've said my own.''

There she goes again, talking like my mother.

"I'll think about it."

"You're always thinking about it."

"Enny!"

"Jummy!"
"I almost forgot to tell you. Samuel said I should say Hi to you."

"Are you guys dating already?"

She smiled.

"God when Ooooo!"

"I've not told him yes yet."

"You're still playing hard to get?"

"I don't know jor."

"Love nwantiti," I whispered as I touched her cheeks.

She pushed me away gently.

We reached the main road. It was Monday so everywhere was buzzing. Shop owners were advertising their goods and Cab drivers were looking for passengers.

A Cab approached.
"See you tomorrow baby."

"We don't have lectures tomorrow. It's till  Wednesday." I replied.

"Pele o, Aunty Timetable. Anyways, till Wednesday."

"Eshey o, Aunty Elenu Razor."

She laughed as she entered the Cab.

"Bye, bestie."

Enny always left first because her house was at Oke street while mine was at Kasa. Both were at Ikala Town, here in Lagos but hers was farther.

I preferred bicycles. I found them more comfortable than cabs since you would be the only passenger.

"Bike!" I called out as I saw one bike man with no passengers coming towards me. He stopped and asked.

"Where?"

"Kasa. How much?" I replied

"Aunty, na one hundred and fifty naira o. I drive carefully and fast."

"Wahala. Na hundred naira I get o." I replied, pretending to leave.

"Oya sit. I go carry you because you are fine."

Happy that my plan worked, I sat on the bike.

We headed to Kasa and within 15 minutes, we reached the front of my house. I paid the bike man and came down.

My family was a small one. We were 4. My mom, dad, my elder brother, and I.
My Dad was a Secondary School Teacher  while my mom owned a small shop where she sells foodstuffs, provisions, and snacks. My elder brother also attended Hallmark but he was done. He studied Biochemistry and was waiting to be posted for his NYSC Programe

I knocked on the gate.
"I'm home o. Brother Timi!"

"Coming." I could hear his deep voice from inside.

He opened the gate.

"Jummy baby."

"Brother Timi."

"Welcome o."

"Eshey."

We entered.

"There's beans o." He said, leaning on the parlor wall.

"Ah, why?" I cried out.
Beans was one of my worsts.

"We ate rice yesterday night. I can't be cooking rice again."

Spaghetti is there, Indomie is there. You're now cooking beans.

I went to my room without uttering a word. My elder brother hated complains.

He had this huge stature that always made people think he was my father whenever we went out together.

I brought out my phone and flung my bag on one corner of the bed.

Time to text Alex! 

Beaming with smiles, I typed his number on my phone.

What do I save his number with ooo?
Alex? Alex with love emoji? Crush? I think crush is good. No, wait, if Brother Timi happens to see it nko?

After thinking for a while, I finally concluded.

I'll use MAD. Brother Timi would never know it means "My Adorable Darling." Yes! Mad!!! But where should I text him? WhatsApp? Telegram? He didn't mention any, he just said "text me"

I'll just use iMessage.

I went straight to my messages and texted him.

"Hi"

Within seconds, I saw his reply.

"??????"

Was he waiting for my text? By And why would he just send a question mark?

"It's Olajumoke  Adams, your partner for the 311 practical."

"Told you to text me in the evening, not afternoon."

Ehn, what's now the difference?

"Forgot."

He didn't reply again as I expected.
I flung my phone on the bed.

I like him so much that I'm not even upset!

I left my room and headed to the kitchen.

The smell of beans filled everywhere.

Brother Timi and beans sha.

I took a plate and served myself. Then I heard my phone beep from the room. It was a notification sound.

Is that a new message? Could be Alex.
I ran to the room without covering my food.

"Why are you running?" I heard my mom's voice from outside.

"Oh, mom, you're back?" I answered.

"No, I'm talking From the shop. Come and open the door for me jor."

My mother was a very sarcastic woman. She was funny too.

"Mummy, I'm coming ma."

My mother closes her shop at 4 pm daily but she came early that day.

"Dami lohun, Timi nko?"

"I think he's sleeping."

I picked up my phone and checked the message.

From MAD.

I could feel Butterflies in my stomach when I saw the name. I clicked on the message and it read thus;

"Let's meet tomorrow."

...................

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Word count; 1229❤️