The atmosphere was glaring and azured. It shined beautifully on each and everyone as students began to troop in and out of the school environment. Shade and I had just resumed like every other students. Such beautiful smile that rested on our faces formed a furrowed brown and we waved to each person as we walked pass them. I couldn't help but imagined what the semester would be like, would it be as unfitting or unacademic like the last semester?
Dele and I haven't spoken since the last time I ended things with him. I didn't miss him though, maybe just his touch. He was a guy that really knew how to satisfy his lady. But that wasn't enough, I wanted more. All through the holiday, he would call on few times but I would intentionally not pick his call until he stopped calling for good and that was fine with me.
Shade and Joshua are still the love birds soaring high in the high heavens. Shade seemed not to ever grow tired of him and he will not grow tired of Shade too. He would call in the morning and in the late night everyday for the whole holiday. Sometimes they would even plan to meet and take themselves out. Joshua is not that rich guy but at least he is not broke. If Dele was just not as penniless as he was, maybe a little more richer than Joshua. I am not saying he must be a magnate or a cat-fat but at least little more than Joshua, I would have just loved him all the way.
Maybe something can just happen on a long run and Joshua can become mine. I would be joyfully elated, not given to frivolity but for the course of a triumphant victory.
"But can this ever happen?" Became a question that rested on my mind throughout the holiday.
"Maybe if opportunity will not present itself, I can as well make my own opportunity. A little deed here and a little deed there will satisfy my goal. Maybe not? Perhaps time can heal my wound? Time may bring him to me? But with a little spice?"
We set foot in our room as we continued to sweat profusely. It wasn't easy walking under the gaze of the Sun igniting fusion as it's core. The room appeared to be disorderly chaotic and messy. We had no choice than to make it tidy as quickly as we can.
Shade's phone will continue to ring from time to time as she would pick each call for several minutes grinning like a Cheshire cat. She'd leave me attending to the cleaning alone and return only to do little of the work before her phone cries another ring. As much as I would like to ignore, it became annoying that I couldn't just endure.
"Abeg, get out of here if you know you won't be helping." I said aloud with an annoying roll of eyes.
She pleaded with her hand and shook her head with a gesture of impatience. She left the room still laughing hysterically. I could hear her sounds which seemed like the whine of a dog.
I wondered why my phone wouldn't just ring even if it was only for a time. I need to just go accept a call and leave her to finish all the rest of the work. I kept looking at my phone for several minutes hoping it would ring a bell, just a short vibration and I will run in series of leaps to pick it up.
My intention would not materialize as my phone remained dumb on the table where I placed it.
"Maybe I just needed to place..."
"Help me lift this will you?" Shade interrupted my thought as early as it started.
"Lift what?" I answered with a confused look.
"The bed" She responded almost immediately.
Her eyes fluttered around the room as she suddenly became moody. I could tell something was making her feel unease. But I cared less to know or do not want to know at all. After all, all she ever did was laughing ever since we got there.
"Cynthia, there is something I have been meaning to tell you." She opened her mouth to talk anyway.
"There are some things you do or say I do not really like. I understand sometimes we may not be in the perfect mood to want to talk about some things but transferring aggression is also bad to do."
"Have I been transferring aggression on you?" I asked trying to decode where she was heading at.
"Yes, you do Cynthia. Not once not twice and it's really sad. We shouldn't transfer aggression on one another no matter how frustrated we might be."
"Okay. I am sorry and I will change." I said looking firmly into her eyes and also in a solemn tone.
Shade's phone began to ring again and with a happy gesture of smile she picked as she seemed she couldn't be happier. I had no issues with her picking calls from now til the end of time but should she pick her calls now?
I began to have series of thoughts, imageries; if her happiness can become her unhappiness. Or I can just sit back and watch how time will fight for me. I know one of them will eventually get tired of another someday. But what if no one gets tired?
Shade's call ended and my phone began to ring almost immediately. I do not know who the caller might be but it didn't change the fact that it made me happy and I couldn't be more happier. I sprung through the air, higher in the level of impatience. Though the number which called was an unknown number, I could not help but to wear the garment of happiness.
"It's your turn to do all the work alone like I had been doing, Ode! [Idiot]" I thought as I dashed out of the room.
"Hello," I said with a cool voice and a small smile.
"Hello o, Muhammad" a cranky female voice which seemed like an old woman penetrated into my ears.
"Ina Kiran ku tun [I have been calling you since] where you dey? [where are you]"
"Muhammad?" I wondered if she didn't notice it's a lady's voice talking to her.
"Sorry, this is a wrong number." I responded in a strong voice.
"Me Kika ce [what did you say] Muhammad, Ina Kiran ku tun? Baba na nemanka [ I have been calling you, Dad has been looking for you]