(UN-EDITED)

Y'ALL DESERVE AN HEARTFELT APOLOGY FROM ME, BUT LETS READ THIS CHAPTER FIRST.🥺❤️

***
He drew his lips closer as my poor heart pounded heavily. Moving them to my ears, he whispered:

"Breathe, Jummy."

It was the first time someone ever told me to breathe. Then I realized I had been holding my breath for a while.

I took in fresh air, half of which was filled with his body scent because he still stood next to me.

''I.....''

Wait, what? Jummy, you what? You want to confess your feelings? You dey dream?''

As usual, there was an heated argument happening in my head.

''You what?'' He interrupted my thoughts.

''I look forward to the Party.'' I answered. Even I, wasn't expecting me to say that.

He smiled. His smile had stopped sending me to heaven and back. It's now sending me to hell!

"Let's go." He commanded, finally moving away. I wanted more, but that was all.

As he switched the lights off and drew the curtains, I glanced at him. If he was a movie, he'd be too hot to show in a Cinema. He's going to blow the screens! God was definitely in a good mood when he created Alex.

Leaving his house, we walked straight to the road. All houses in his street was fenced. Unlike ours, only a few houses were fenced.

''We should see a Cab soon.'' I said.

Jummy! Nobody asked, hun, I know. The air was too tense, there was nothing else to say.

''I hope so, too. By the way, when next should we meet for the next..''

''Project date?'' I interrupted, but now I regret it.

Jummy, but why is your mouth running faster than your brain? Quickly say something to back this up!!

His calm eyes met mine.

''I mean the date for the project meeting.'' I added, slightly rubbing the back of my head with my right hand awkwardly.

''Yes, which date should we fix it?''

''I'm okay with any day''

''Okay.''

If someone ever told me that I'd talk to my crush one day, I was definitely not going to believe, let alone go
to his house!

''Wait.'' He grasped my wrist.

My heart skipped a beat.

''You forgot something?''

He pulled me closer.

''I just remembered that Cabs were difficult to find from here.''

''Oh.''

He could've told me without touching me or drawing me close. This guy won't be the death of me..

''Let's take my car.'' He finally let go of my hand.

''You...you..have...a...car?'' I questioned in shock.

He laughed.

''It's my Dad's though. But we could use it. He gave it to me before he left.''

''When did you learn how to drive?''

''I've always loved driving since I was little but when I clocked 19, the big man finally gave me the chance to learn it.

"That's cool."

''You keep making me do new things.''

Our eyes locked.

''What?''

''I rarely make use of that car.''

''Well...It just happened that way.''

''Let's go in."

My crush and I are going to his car! What could be more romantic? Did I say crush? I mean my boyfriend -to-be!

He led me into the car and brought out a remote control. He then used it to close the gate.

''An electric gate?''

He nodded.

The drive wasn't tense, just quiet. I tried hard to bring up a conversation but my head was blank. When something finally came, I spilled:

''Turn right whenever you see welcome to Oke Street"

Almost immediately, he replied;

''How did you feel when you saw my name as your project partner?''

Okay, I wasn't expecting that.

Say you were happy! Jummy! Happy? Why would you say you're happy? Are you a fool? Say you were shocked and scared. Shocked ? Is he a ghost or..... Jeez, Jummy he's staring at you! Say something!

''I was wondering what kind of person you'd be.''

''So what kind of person did I turn out to be?''

Say he's cool. Cool? Jummy? Is he a fridge?

''I'm still trying to figure out.''

He smiled.

He's always smiling!

We reached Oke street. Enny's house wasn't far from the junction so we got there in no time.

''Looks like a big party.''

''It definitely is.''

All eyes were on us as we entered. The party had barely started but the sitting room was filled with people already.

''He's so cute!
''Is he a student?''
''He looks like a Celebrity!''
''Omg!''
I could hear whispers from different angles.

You people should not steal my man, abeg.

''Jummy!'' I heard Enny's voice.

''Happy Birthday, Love of my life!!!'' I screamed as I ran to her.

''See you o! I thought you'd be the first person to come.'' She sneered.

''I'm so sorry I lost track of time. I went to Alex's house!''

''For real?'' She squealed.

''Shhhhh! Do you want him to hear us? Infact, He drove me here.''

''He has a car?''

''I'm as surprised as you.''

''Wow! Just wow wow!!''

''Eniola!'' A woman called. It was Mrs. Adeleye, Enny's mother.

''Kilo shi n se? Gbogbo eniyan ti n duro de e!'' [What are you still doing? Everybody is waiting!]

''I'm almost done ma.''

''Good afternoon ma.'' I greeted, bending my knees in respect.

''Jumoke my dear. How are you?''

''I'm fine ma.'' I bent my knees again.

''Thanks for coming for my daughter o. Yours too shall come in Jesus name.''

''Amen ma.''

''Enny! Be quick o!'' She concluded as she walked away.

Pulling me into her room, Enny locked the door and said;

''Jummy! We'll gist later. Come and dress up first.

''Won't you dress up too?''

''You're the only one that hasn't dressed here!'' She chuckled.

''You don't mean it.''

''I'm done with my makeup, can't you see it? It's just remaining my dress.'' She moved her head stylishly for me to see.

''I was too busy with hugging you earlier. I didn't even notice.''

Her lipgloss shone beautifully on her lips. She had her eyelashes fixed and on her head was a full lace frontal wig.

''Gosh you're so pretty!'' I cried out.

''So, here are the two dresses I picked for you, choose one.'' She handed two sets of clothes to me.

One was a two piece jean jacket with a white matching jean trousers while the other was a short sleeveless pink gown striped faintly with silver.

''Wait, Enny, what are you wearing?'' I hollered.

''A ball gown.''

''What color is it?''

''Pink''

''Yaaaa! I'm wearing the pink! Thank you so much.''

''Okay, Jummy, let's dress up!!!''

Within few seconds, we changed into our dresses. She helped to style my braids into a ponytail. She also gave me her silver heels to match with the gown.

''Can we go out now? I'll walk you.'' I said after 10 minutes of looking at the mirror.''

''Aren't you going to apply small makeup on your face?'' She questioned.

''The one I did from home is still on my face. And we've even ran out of time.''

''Huh. Do you know if Kay is around?''

''I'm not sure. I didn't check.''

''Okay dear. You can walk me outside now.''

I held her hands firmly as we opened the door.

Reaching the sitting room, everybody, including me started to sing:

Happy Birthday To You

Happy Birthday To You

Happy Birthday To You, Enny

Happy Birthday To You.

''Thanks so much!'' Enny trumpeted.

The guests sats in groups. The parents shared the cushion with the Kids while Hallmark Students that were present sat round a rectangular wooden table.

''Thanks for coming guys! Enny whispered as Ola, our Course Rep walked towards us.

"Hi, Ola." We greeted.

"Hey guys, Happy Birthday, Enny."

"Thanks dear. Why aren't I seeing Alex anywhere?"Enny quizzed.

"Oh, yeah, he left already."

"Left? Why?"

"He didn't really say, he just said I should have fun." Ola concluded as he walked away.

I was disappointed.
"Why did he even come with me when he knows he would leave?" I mumbled as Enny held my hands.

"Maybe something happened, just calm down, hun."

For a moment, I got sad and angry. He was the second reason I wanted be here. I tried to focus on the party.
The kids danced happily while adults sat with drimks and had conversations.

Should I text him?

I sent him a text.

"What's up?''

Like he was expecting my text, he replied within seconds.

"Good"

"Why'd you leave?"

"It's just not my thing"

Thanks for reading.🖤
Vote, comment, and share.💜

WORD COUNT: 1405