Part Thirty-Seven

NNENNA'S POV

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I was talking and laughing with Dinma and Umma, about Dinma's misfortune in the exam hall. She was complaining that she couldn't answer four complete questions that we were expected to write in the Biology theory section.

She managed to complete three questions only, that she wasn't able to answer all the questions. I felt a little bad for her, but three questions out of four is still a pass mark. Besides, our teacher Ogbonna told her that it wouldn't fail her, only if she's certain of the three answers she rendered.

We were headed to the school canteen to spend the short break we had, before we go in for Biology objective questions. There's no need to continue stressing ourselves to read, we've written the most part of the subject, the objective would just be a walkover.

"Nawa oo, I no know the type of witch wey follow me enter this exam today. In fact, when I get home today I'm fasting and praying till tomorrow." Dinma complained, waving her arms around for emphasis.

"That's rich my dear. Forget all those fears they will put inside us about WAEC, one thing is that... students hardly fail biology exams." Umma advised looking directly at Dinma, who's standing in adjacent direction to her.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"What I mean is...excuse us please," she tapped a junior student that was standing in our way "Biology is living science and is a subject that's more concerned with correct spellings and proper labellings. Even though someone should answer all four questions from each section, but the person got so many spellings wrong, that's inevitably going to be a poor result."

"Yeah that's true." Dinma confirmed by nodding her head.

What Umma said reminded me of why our biology teacher always sounded as a warning, that we should always put into consideration our spellings and drawings. I'm glad that I didn't write down any spelling I wasn't sure of, and every label I made was on one side of the diagram.

"At least now that you know, you'll be more careful during the practical exam." Umma said, before we walked into the canteen.

As usual, the place was crowded with students. Sometimes I wonder how junior students could afford the money to buy food from the school. I always thought they came to buy one or two snacks and drinks, until I saw lots of them consistently carrying cellophane bags with food pack.

It was as shocking as it was difficult for me to believe. When I was in junior year, I don't buy food in my former school. To buy snacks was a rare case for me, and that was when my dad was still alive. When he died, we had to cut on our expenses. The house we had lived in in Ikeja was not easy to maintain coupled with three kids. Mother used to work in a big spa as a manicurist and earned merger salary, income rarely enough to keep up.

With the huge amount of money paid to keep my siblings and I in school, she realized she wouldn't be able to manage the house and all the expenses that came with taking care of three children and herself. After that term, she made the decision to leave the city. I was aware of the move beforehand of course, and I didn't like it but I could do nothing. Except I chose to be a dropout and a vagabond.

"That's why I hate coming to this canteen, there's always a queue and a crowd." Umma complained, loud for us to hear.

"No, there are lots of people here now because the other students are on break period. Don't you see lots of junior uniforms scattered over the place?" Dinma pointed out before making herself comfortable on an unoccupied chair.

I scanned the crowd, I had no idea what I was looking for but I felt like feeding my eyes. My eyes suddenly fell on David and slowly accessed him. His mouth twitched slowly to one side when his saw me looking at him, I suddenly had a feeling that he has been looking at me for a while now. Using his eyes, he motioned towards the back of the canteen, then he stood and walked in the direction of the back.

What I had to worry about was how I was going to leave my friends and go to meet him. I had to find a way to go outside without making my friends suspicious of my movement, as I don't know how long he would keep me.
I started coughing and took an excuse to leave.

"Alright love." Umma said while I briskly walked towards the back.

When I went outside, I saw David bent on his stomach, it seemed like he was fixing the lace of his black Nike shoes.

"Hey," I called to him.

"Hey," he replied, standing to his full height. David was quite tall and fit too. His ebony-dark-skin was in complete contrast to bright eyes and white set of teeth.

"I thought you won't come." He started.

"I wouldn't have, I just wanted to hear what you called me out here to say."

"But you know already..." He drawled, coming closer to me.

"I don't... Listen uhh, if you have nothing important to say, I should go back to my friends. As you're well aware, we should eat before going to write the next paper for today."

There's a narrow path at the back of the canteen which leads to a small cubicle, the cubicle has a water-system toilet erected inside for use by customers. Weeds were growing by the left and right sides of the path. I wonder why these food vendors have not told the authorities of the school, so they can have it grazed.

"You haven't replied my question yet, remember the question?" He continued coming closer, and I moved backwards with each step he took.

"Uhmm... it's just... I don't..." I don't know why I was stuttering, but these days it's the effect David has on me.

"I'll ask it again." He paused and moved even closer. This time I was stuck between his body and the wall of the canteen. "Will you become my girlfriend?"

"David uhmm, it's not..."

"Yes or no. It's a simple question that deserves a simple answer." He placed both his hands on the wall, beside my ears.

"Alright, yes I'll be your girlfriend." I replied, but he suddenly pulled me to his chest. Surprising me with an embrace.

"Thank you, I'm so happy right now." He was still crushing me in his arms, but I didn't mind, I was carried away by his beautiful smile.

~~***~~

"Okay dear, bye bye. See you girls next week." I waved at Deborah and Dinma, before walking out of the school gate. They were waiting behind for Adam and Johnson.

Adam is in SS3B class and he had no paper to write today. But he came to school anyways, according to him, he didn't want to stay at home alone so he chose to come and bring us good luck.

"So, are we going yet?" David spoke behind me.

I jumped at his voice, he startled me "You scared me, I'm going home yes."

"Then let's go." He started walking off.

"Are you not going with Hassan?" I asked, following behind.

"No. Besides, Hassan's house is not far from here, so he's not going to meet any danger. You're the one that needs my protection." He looked me in the eye and passed me his killer smile.

I blushed at his words, he's going to kill me with them one day.

He talked and talked until we got to my compound. Time seems to move faster whenever I'm with him, I didn't realize we had gotten home that quick.

"So...do you have any edible you might want me to join in on?" He queried, wriggling a brow at me.

"Uhh uhh, no. I'm going to cook indomie noodles once I pull my uniform." I replied.

"Okay, then just let me in so I can get to know you better."

"No David, not now please. Can we keep our relationship between us for now?"

"Why?" He sounded displeased.

"Because I'm not ready to give an explanation as to why I'm with you, and there's my mom too. She's not going to be happy with it, especially since we have external exams to conclude."

"I'm not going to be a distraction to your focus, I promise."

"I know that but...can you please try to understand, I can't let anyone know about us for now." I pleaded, hoping he'd understand.

"Are you ashamed to be with me?" He asked.

"What? No! It's not that David, please don't think like that. Things are just going to be complicated for me and... please understand." I never thought I'd ever beg a guy in my life, but here I am, begging David to give in to my request.

"It's okay, I understand. Whenever you're ready then. I'll be on my way now. Goodbye." He looked so sad and completely different from the guy I came home with.

I must have really hurt his pride but I can't do anything as of this moment. Coming to the open about my relationship with him, would jeopardize everything in my life right now. With my mom pressuring me about registering to sit for JAMB exam, I can't let her feel disappointed in me, not right now.

David would have to sacrifice if he wants to continue this relationship, or else, I don't see this going anywhere.

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Awww my poor baby David, he must feel so hurt.

Tell me, have you ever hurt a person's feelings before?

ME: Yes I think I have, on so many occasions 😔.

Check the next chapter 👇 please.

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