God I think I'm in love.
Tumi came out a few minutes later and we started walking home.
You won't believe what happened today?!... I began.
what happened? Tumi asked curiously.
I saw my period for the very first time today.
Wow, I'm so happy for you, now you are a full woman... Tumi teased.
Tumi had started seeing hers two months ago although we are both 13 years of age.
I narrated everything that had happened that day.
That's very nice of her... but is there anything else that happened because you look too excited for someone who has been embarrassed in front of the whole class, she observed.
Tumi was a very observant girl, she would make a good detective.
I blushed
That piqued Tumi's curiousity.
Tell me what happened, she demanded.
David Akingbade asked me for my number
Oh my god!!! she squealed.
I quickly covered her mouth with my palm. Don't you know we are on the street.... I reprimanded her giving her a disapproving look.
Sorry... she apologized. Tell me everything.
I'll tell you tomorrow, my aunt is going to be very angry if I get back home late.
Tomorrow then.... she conceded.
It was already 3:30 pm in the afternoon. My aunt was already back home when I got there.
I told her everything that had happened at school.
Now you can see that you are maturing into adulthood, you will experience puberty and your women body parts will start growing. Ensure you take your bath two times a day, change your pads at least 3-4 times a day. You are not the only one that is aware of this change, boys and men and other women and girls are also aware... so don't allow anyone to touch you in your private areas.... Aunt Damilola advised.
Yes aunty, I replied dutifully.
Alright then.. go and wash up and start preparing dinner. I'll join you soon... she stood up to signify that the discussion was over.
After doing all my chores, school work plus assignments, it was already 6:30pm, do I went down to eat dinner with the family.
Dinner consisted of Jollof rice, garnished with greens, carrots and drumsticks of chicken. I rolled my eyes intermittedly as I listened to my aunt and uncle complain about Nigeria's economy and all the evil going on in the nation.
After dinner, I cleared the dishes, washed the plates and helped Ade with his homework before finally going to take my bath and lay on my bed,
to wait for David's call but it never came.
I eventually fell asleep disappointed.
********
The rays of sunlight that shone through the blinds of my window, pierced my eyelids and woke me up from Dreamland. I got out of bed and went down to do my chores after saying my morning prayers.
I met my aunt already downstairs, preparing breakfast.
Good morning ma.. I knelt down to greet her.
How are you? she asked
I am fine.. I answered.
I immediately joined her to start making the food. Breakfast was boiled yam and fried eggs garnished with tomatoes, onions, pepper and other spices.
After making breakfast, I went on to do my chores. Everyday before I go to school, I had to water the vegetable garden and get Ade ready for school. The house keeper, Mr Duru always comes in every weekend to clean the house. The only time I was excluded from this routine was when I was sick or writing exams.
After getting ready for school, I picked up my bag and headed out. Luckily my aunt was going to drop Ade at school in her car so she gave me a ride as well.
Throughout the whole ride, I was lost in thought about what the silence from David meant. Could it be that yesterday was a dream and I just imagined it, I asked myself several times.
A gentle tug pulled me back to reality.
Shewa, we are here... aunty Dami informed.
I got down and closed the door gently.
Thank you ma, I called as she zoomed off.
I turned around and went into the school compound. The compound was sparsely populated with few students miling about. Assembly hadn't started yet, I was around 7: 30 am. I was on sweeping duty today in class so I couldn't afford to come late. I went into the class, some of my classmates were already around... including David Akingbade looking as handsome as ever.
Our eyes met and he excused himself from his friends and started walking towards me.
Hey Shewa, good morning
Good morning I replied
I am so sorry I couldn't call yesterday, we had a power outage last night and my phone battery died.. he explained.
I heaved out a sigh of relief, thank God it was just that.. I mused internally.
it's no problem
No seriously, I feel really bad and I would like to apologize by taking you out for lunch on Saturday, my treat.. he grinned, that's if you are down, I don't want to get my hopes up.
Okay.. I whispered. so it's like a date I asked sheepishly.
Yes, it's a date he conceded.
Alright then.. I felt a blush creep unto my cheeks
I'll text you the details later,
would you like some help, he gestured at the broom in my hand?!
No thanks.. I croaked
Okay dear, call me if you change your mind, he grinned as he turned around and left.
wow.. that was intense.
I went back to sweeping absentmindedly. few minutes later, the bell rang for assembly. I glanced at my watch.
Tumi is going to be late.
*****
The whole day was a breeze, I couldn't stop thinking about David.
how could some one be so perfect?
I wondered if he felt the same way for me as I felt for him. The bell rang for break and Tumi came bursting into my class with her ears itching for gossip.
Let's go out to the cafeteria to buy some snacks I said as I pulled her out of the class.
So what happened? Tell me everything, she demanded.
There's nothing much to tell, I said.
please stop acting all modest with me, Tumi rolled her eyes suggestively.
Fine, he stood me up but before you start criticizing him, he apologized this morning and offered to take me on a date on Saturday.... I squealed happily.