The hall was already fully packed when I arrived. Thankfully jenny had gone ahead of us to save a few seats. I remembered at the very last minute that I hadn't gotten Devon a graduation present. Fred offered to drive me and I was thankful for the help. Without it, I was not sure I would have arrived at the time I did.
There were so many people. I wondered how they all managed to fit in. There was no doubt that those sitting ar the back rows wouldn't here a single sound.
"And now, to kick start this auspicious occasion, I would like to invite our PTA chairman to give us the opening remark. Personally, I am highly elated to make his acquaintance. There is a high rush of adrenaline in my bloodstream right now as I welcome the most dignified, highly respectable and well-known Mr. David Matthews.Three times champion in the common wealth configuration contests. He possesses an award winning degree in chemistry and photography he has been granted a honorary citizenship of the united states due to bis exception and intelligence. Over the years, his true..."
He just kept talking. Palming my head, I thought; "is this dude ever going to shut up? "
No seemed Like the appropriate answer. I recognized this man. Principal Jagba. He loved to talk. He was never short of words. He seemed to believe that using big words made him look smart so he just throws large words into sentences without minding if they made sense. Adrenaline, emergency hormone, what has that with to do with with anything?
The PTA chairman had long since arrived on stage and had been trying without success to collect the microphone from the principal.
"... And as we all know, there is a juxtaposition of jurisdictions in between our bulwark of ideas which is a whole circle of diabolic crustaceans."
Alright, I couldn't hold it anymore. I bursted into a fit if uncontrollable laughter and those around me followed suit. I was laughing so hard that I didn't even notice when principal Jagba returned to his seat. The PTA chairman who was now in charge of the audience proved to be a lot more reasonable.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in charge of Lagos central was the guest of honor. He donated 20 HP laptops to the schools E-Library. He also awarded the best graduating student with the sum of 100,000 Naira, the second best with 50,000 and the third best, which happened to be my Devon was given the sum of 25k. I was so proud of him.
The presentations by the junior classes were quite boring but I was pretty much impressed by the presentations of grade 10 students.
After the event was over, I had to go through another long process of getting out of the hall. Thankfully, there were doors closer to the front but that only reduced the traffic by a little.
Outside, there were absolutely no clear clouds. I was definitely sure it was going to rain.
"Oh my God Alyssa you came."
Turning around, I saw Devon running towards me. He had already taken of his graduation robe.
" I told you I would, didnt I? Besides, you gave me a good reason not to regret coming." I said, patting his head. "I'm so proud of you, happy graduation" I said handing him the gift I got him. "... And congratulations."
"Thanks Alyssa, I love you." He said while hugging me. After the hug, we walked through the crowd towards Fred's car.
"So, Dev, have you decided which college you want to attend? "
"Yes, I actually considered... "
We were interrupted by Jenny shouting my name.
"Hey, Jay." Devon said.
"What's up Devon. " she asked hugging him. "And congratulations on your graduation."
"I'm fine and thank you" he replied.
"So, where would you like us to go and celebrate? " Jenny asked.
There was a long pause before Devon replied; "please can you be my sister instead of Alyssa? "
Jenny laughed and I pretended to be upset as I stormed to the car.
"Babe, chill." Jenny shouted after me. "Before you go and start sulking, guess who I met?"
I didn't have a clue so I didn't bother guessing. The mysterious person however showed up quite promptly.
"Hello Allysa."
For a while, I actually thought I had seen a ghost.
"Oh my God, Mike what are you doing here? " I asked, my eyes wide in shock.
"Same as you" he said. "My niece Lydia is also graduating today." He continued.
"You are Lydia's uncle? " Devon asked. An unusual expression on his face.
"I suppose I am. Any problem?" Mike asked.
"No, not really, not exactly, I was just making sure, just confirming, never mind. How do you know my sister again?"
"Well... " Mike began.
"He's a friend, we met at a party." I interrupted him.
"And you must be Devon. " Mike continued.
"I am. I see big sister has been telling you about me." Devon said, while nugging me in the shoulders.
"Actually, she hasn't. Someone else has though." Mike finished with a mischievous grin.
"Oh no, Lydia did not... " Devon was Visibly terrified. He looked away.
"Oh yes she did boy, but dont worry, your secret is safe with me."
He said laughing, putting an arm around Devon's shoulders as they walked to the car. Jenny and I just stared in shock as we watched the boys walk away.
"Hey guys." it was Fred. He volunteered to collect Devon's testimonial from the vice principal. "I'll go turn the car around. You guys just wait for me over there." He added, pointing at a spot.
At least his arrival had woken us both from our daze and our legs finally decided to start walking.
"Can you imagine that?" I asked Jenny as I pointed at Devon and Mike as they chatted away. They seemed like people who had known each other for ages.
"Actually I can." Jenny said laughing. "The dude has found his girl. Now it's time for you to find your man. "
"What do you mean he has found his girl?" I asked. Totally understanding what she meant but not wanting to admit that my baby boy was growing.
"Oh come on, Al. Cut the crap already. He is happy. Just let him be an adult for once." She said and I looked at him. He did seem happy.
"Now back to important matters."
"What matters?" I asked, my eyes still fixed on the boys.
"Mike of course."
"What about him?" I asked, partly facing her but still keeping an eye on the boys.
"What do you mean; what about him. Don't you see it? That guy is totally into you and he is gorgeous. He seems like a very nice guy too. "
"And how has that got anything to do with me? " I asked. Evidently uninterested in the subject.
"Everything, Al, everything. This can be a great opportunity to try something new. You are twenty two, time to stop being a baby. You have been single for like forever. You need a life beyond books and stuff. are you even listening to me?" jenny asked.
"Hmmm" I mumbled. "There's Fred, let's go."
Jenny just sighed, apparently frustrated as she followed me to the car.
Everyone was now seated in the car. Everyone except Devon who had dissapeared to God knows where with Mike.
when i got tired of waiting, I stepped out to find him. Somewhere at the side of the hall, I spotted him and a girl, the one I supposed was Lydia. As I walked towards them, someone caught my arm.
"Let them have their moment."
"Mike let me go, we've been waiting for too long already."
"Someone's jealous of the young lovers? " he asked with a smirk.
"No...what...why would I be jealous...that's a preposterous suggesgion." I stuttered.
"Leave them be then." He said, putting his arms around my shoulders and leading me back towards the car. "Now, how about dinner next weekend? Just you and me, you know get to know each other better? " he continued.
"Uhm, that... Sounds-nice. But why... Why would you want to go out with me?" I asked the first and lamest question that came to my mind.
"Well, for starters, I think you are a very interesting person and I'd like to know you better. Besides, your brother and my neice are growing quite intimate so we might have to see each other at some point. If not for anything, just to ensure that we're not strangers during such moments."
"Oh" was all I managed to say.
"... Plus" he continued. "I've been unable to get you out of my head ever since the last time we met. I think i am pretty lucky to have met you again"
"Really?" I asked. I knew it was a dumb question but I asked it anyway.
"Oh yes, really, so what do you say Alyssa, dinner?"
I didn't have the time to answer because Devon came out just then but he wasn't alone. He was with Lydia.
"Alyssa, I'd like you to meet Lydia, Lydia, this is my sister, Allie."
"Nice to meet you Lydia. " I said while my head kept on repeating; he called me Allie, he called me Allie. He called me Allie.
"You should come over for dinner sometime." I offered.
"Maybe." She replied shyly.
"I have to go now, my parents are waiting for me." She said and walked away after hugging Devon and waving the rest of us goodbye.
Devon was very excited and he pulled me all the way to the car after saying goodbye and thank you to Mike for God knows what.
I turned around to Mike apologetically for not being able to finish our conversation. He just mouthed to me. "I'll call you."
And he did call me. We planed to go out on Saturday and that turned out better than I expected. He chose a very nice restaurant and we had a nice meal.
We talked about family and movies and hobbies and food and music and several other things. When we we're done eating, he asked me to dance and I accepted .
We danced and talked and the moment was beautiful. At some point, he kissed me and I returned the favour. Outside, he kissed me again and said we had to do this again. I was totally in agreement. Then he dropped me off at home and I had the best sleep I had gotten in a very long time.