Even though I thought I would never see him again after High School, But there he was in the university too. I never wanted to be caught up on clashes with him, but I couldn't let him walk over me either. But university clashes reached next level when my bestie, Hisi, told me she was in love with Nhuja one lunch break.
"Hisi, are you crazy? He doesn't deserve sweet girl like you!"
"I have always found him attractive from the start. But today, when he saved me from getting hit by that ball, with him so close, it confirmed. Etu, he is the one," dreamily, she put her head on her hands.
"What 'The One,' he is made for no one. Have you ever seen him with same girl more than a week?!" I try to make her see beyond her love blindness, but I think she got deaf too... -_-
"I feel I can change him. He just needs a caring girl in his life who will hold his heart in right place."
"We have witnessed so many girls crying over him. He is a heartbreaker."
"I can do it, Etu. I will eventually win his heart."
"You already have my heart, my love" Nhuja walks over to our lunch table and holds Hisi's hand. "Didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I feel so happy you feel the same. With you in my arms today, your hair dancing to the soft breeze, you looked so breathtaking, .. that feeling.. that magical connection, I have never felt with anyone in my life."
"Really" Hisi asked him dreamily and Nhuja nodded and planted a kiss on her hand that made Hisi so flushed, she looked down on table. Dumbstruck by what just happened, I stare at them for a moment before recovering. I stand up and point my fork at his throat, "what game are you playing this time jerk" Hisi pulls me back to sit "Don't be like this. You should be happy for me," looking irritated. "I would be, trust me girl, had it been someone else I would."
"Why, what's wrong with him? You are the only one who has problem with him. He has always been nice to me." she looks at me getting angrier.
I am at loss of word to see her this angry at me; she rarely gets angry, had never even yelled at me. "I.. I didn't mean to." Hisi apologized immediately. I shake me head, "No, you are right, I shouldn't get worked up, it's your life and you can be with the one you love" I hug her then I again point the fork at him, "If you dare hurt my bestie, you will regret it" and leave the new couple on their own.
I go to terrace for some air, so confused, what I should and shouldn't do... "Are you mad at me" Hisi asked softly, hesitating to sit beside me. I tap the floor beside me for her to sit.
"I'm just scared for you. I can't let him break you like all others girls.." I look at her worried.
She gently touched my cheek "Stupid, it's my job to worry about you, not yours" and we both chuckled. Indeed, since Grade 7, it has always been her to worry about me.
"I will protect you. If he dares to hurt you, just tell me, I will break all his bones" Hisi teasingly slaps on my back "Don't you dare touch my hubby."
"Oh, already planning on marriage or even kids and grandkids?" I tease her mischievously raising my brows and laughing. Blushing violently, she looks away.
"Omo, that far too?!" I tease her more.
"No stupid, not that far" she takes my hand and we head to class.
But I mean it about breaking his bone if he dares break her heart. Nhuja came to pick Hisi after class, and I excused myself out saying I had work. I went straight to well-known Judo Institute in town and enrolled myself.
Month went smoothly without me clashing with Him and Hisi seemed happy, but every weekend she would spend time with me instead of going on dates with him.
"Why is your dating limited to university only? Why not go somewhere nice on weekends?" I asked Hisi, but instantly regret it as I see her smile fade away. Seeing me concerned she smiled cheerfully and made her cute face again, "Why, are you burdened by me taking your weekend time?" She sure knows to bat away the question. I shake my head and we head to movie hall where we met my friend Sejun. I introduced them to each other and we had splendid day. Next day at university when Nhuja came in to have lunch with us, I asked him "Why don't you take her to movie this Saturday? Her favorite movie's next sequel will release that day."
"No-no, it's fine. Etu, come on, he is busy, we can go.. "
"Why honey, you don't want to go with me?" making puppy face, he asked her. Happily, she nodded her head, "I would love to." I turn away from them and do 'Yes! Misson accomplished' and turn back to them to finish up hurriedly and leave them.
It seems like Hisi really is a wonderwoman. I have not seen him fooling around with other girls anymore. Maybe he does really love her and I was worried for nothing.
Friday, I miss my judo class to go shopping with Hisi. She was so nervous, excited and happy about her date that we had to roam all dress stores in town! We ended up buying quite a lot of stuffs. Leaving her home safely, I returned to my home. Everything really seems to be great now. I pray nothing changes.
Next day, I thought of calling her to tease her but just texted her "Have an amazing date."
I got a call from Sejun to watch the same movie. I didn't want to disturb them on their special date so decided not to tell her about going to same movie. Sejun came dressed all black, black mask, black gogs, black hat; when he called me over, I didn't even recognize him. This man sure is full of surprises. When I laughed at him, he complained I didn't recognize him when he thought black made him look sexy. During movie interval, when returning from restroom, I thought I saw Nhuja and Hisi kissing at corner. I smiled wickedly taking out my phone to click photo to tease her later. So as to not disturb them, I checked the setting to make sure camera sound and flashlight is turned off.
*Click*
What the.. this is not Hisi!! Angry, I look up but they are gone. Sejun pulls my hand "what took you so long, movie is about to start."
Distracted, I shake my hand "Sorry, I have to go, we will meet tomorrow" and run out to see if there is any sign on them. Trembling... I call Hisi, "where are you?"
"At home.."
"Why????" I am yelling now, I don't care if people are looking at me.
"He is busy so had to postpone, we can go somewhere next time."
"I am coming over." I hung up the phone and hurried her home.
Hisi looked like she had been crying. She was so looking forward to this date. I hug her, not sure if I should tell her what I saw. She smiled at me, "It's ok, he was busy."
"No, it's not ok. You can't let him ditch you like this." Angrily I shout. I feel so confused, I thought he would treat her better. She asked what's wrong. Unable to bring it up, I asked her to call him and ask where he was. At first she refused but when I forced her a lot, she finally called and asked. I silently waited to hear what lie he cooked up this time.
"I told you he is busy, he is over at cousin's house, family thing he said." She trusts him so much, should I tell or not .. I weigh pros and cons of telling her; seeing me disturbed, she took my hands and presed them on her cheeks, "Don't worry so much that you get wrinkles and look like scary witch." She is such a sweetheart, how can anyone not love her, I started crying. She hugged me tight and kept asking what happened. After a long pause, I slowly told her, "He.. He is lying. He betrayed you."
"No, he was over at cousin's..."
" What kind of cousin do you go around kissing?" without thinking I blurted out in anger.
She looked at me shocked and scared. "What"
Unable to look at her sad face, I look down at my phone, "I saw him kissing someone"
"NO YOU ARE LYING. YOU HAVE ALWAYS HATED HIM. ALWAYS BEEN AGAINST THIS FROM THE START," her face displayed the mixed emotions of sadness, anger, pain, and disbelief.
"I'm sorry 😔. .. But I... think it is better to know the truth sooner than later..."
"It's a lie, it's a lie, right?" I silently look down at my phone unable to say anything.
"Clear it up to me. What are you looking down at?" She snatched my phone and dropped it after some time... I hug her tightly, she cried and cried without uttering a word. I won't forgive him for doing this to you, I clench my fist.
Next day, I go to pick Hisi up, she didn't look good so I told her to take leave but insisted on going to class. We were late and reached in the middle of first period. At lunch break, he came in with that shameless smile on his face, it made me so angry I stood up but Hisi held my hand. I glared at him. "Easy wild cat, you look like you want to eat me alive." I look away from him but he brings his face closer; furious, I slap him across the face with the sound echoing in class, making everyone go silent. "Have you lost your mind" he roars and bangs on the desk. Hisi started crying, oh no, I lost my temper, I sit down to put my arm around her shoulder. "See, Hisi, your friend here is so vicious" saying that he tries to take her hand; "Don't touch her" I yell at him, glaring. With voice deepened by sorrow,she asked "Where were you yesterday?"
"I told you I was over at cousin's."
Unable to stand his lies I snapped "a cousin you kiss?"
He looks shocked but regained his posture, "what proof do you have"
I showed him the photo in my phone.
Hisi looked at him and said "Please leave. Don't talk to me ever again"
Angry, he went out of the room.
Hisi packed her bag and prepared to leave, I touched her hand "I will come with you"
"Please I need some time alone" I looked at her and let go of her hand, "I will give you your space but call me..." She smiled weakly at me and left. I stared at her, regretting I told her, I caused her to grieve so much....