Our confrontation had already attracted a crowd so students gathered around us watching the drama. the anger in me brought out boldness and I answered her.
look here, it's none of your business what goes on between David and I so stop interfering in what doesn't concern you.
David warn her.. I added.
David then stood up and pushed me away. please keep quiet, don't you have any shame Shewa?! he growled angrily.
how dare you harass Jennifer in such a way?
For your information, I'm done with you, with this relationship. it's over. Jennifer is my new girlfriend now. I didn't want to embarrass you Infront of everyone but apparently you can't take a hint so I'm left with no choice.
I stood there dumbfounded. my eyes begun to sting with tears threatening to rush out but I wouldn't cry Infront of them. I had to maintain my little dignity left. so I turned away and went to the female restroom where I cried my eyes out.
I had to take a sick leave from school so I went home early. luckily my aunt wasn't back. my uncle was on a business trip in Lagos, I couldn't deal with any questions from anyone.
I cried for hours, I had never expected David to hurt me in such a way. the same guy that made feel all loved is the same guy that is making feel all wretched and lost.
The next few weeks were hell, I told lies upon lies to stop my aunt from finding out the truth. I had to take pills to be able to sleep at night. after my exams, I would hurry home and lock myself in my room and hit myself over and over for being so stupid, to cause myself pain and then cry myself to sleep.
Shewa, this has been the 4th day you have gone to bed without eating, if things don't get better by the Weekend, I'm taking you to the hospital... aunty Damilola threatened.
I wished for death but it never came, it was a dark part of my life that I never want to experience again. one I couldn't share with anyone. to have your heart ripped from you. to be betrayed by what you thought was love.
it never left, only this gnawing pain that continued until I met my knight in shinning armor Jaiye or so I thought.
this heart of mind has a mind of its own.
I was coming back from the local market in my area where I had gone to buy some soup items for our meal that night, when a young man grabbed the polythene bag that I was clutching and ran away. that bag contained all the soup items, my phone, my aunt's change, ATM card and house keys.
Thief! thief! I shouted as I begun to run after him.
A large crowd soon gathered behind me as we ran after the thief.
He must have realized that there was no escape so he decided to run into the bustling traffic with cars speeding up and down the road. the whole crowd and I halted abruptly because it was sucidal to barge into the road just like that but a young man from the mob ran into the traffic and weaved his way through it expertly, still in pursuit of the thief.
The crowd soon began to disperse while my eyes begun to sting with tears. what was I going to tell my aunty? where would I start from? my mind was clouded with all this questions when I felt someone tug on my shoulder a little hard breaking me from my reverie.
I turned to see who it was and realized that it was a handsome young man who was was sweating profusely, obviously out of breath and clutching my bag in his right hand.
He had gotten it back from the thief. He handed me the bag and asked me to check if everything was complete. luckily, it was.
Thank you so much, I said thanking him profusely. you just saved my life.
It's not a problem, he said waving away my thanks with a smile.
my name is Jaiye.
Shewa I answered.
Do you need a ride? he asked. it's kind of late and I don't think you will get a tricycle easily because you don't look like someone from around here.
He was right, it was already late, the earlier I got home, the better for me.
I agreed and he took me to his car, a Toyota Corolla parked In a corner of the market.
we got in and I described my address to him, when we got to my street, I opened the door to get out after thanking him, when he grabbed my hand. Shewa please, can I get your number? he asked.
sure no problem, I said as I gave him the number, he had helped me, this was the least I could do to show my appreciation.
Good night, I said.
after a few minutes, I turned to see Jaiye still there waiting probably to ensure I get home safe indeed.
what a gentle man?! I thought as I felt a blush creep unto my face.
what's wrong with me, I internally berated myself.
I got home late, but although I received a scolding from my aunt, a smile was continuously plastered on my face.
the first time I had smiled genuinely in months.
The next few weeks were tiring as we prepared for our transition into senior secondary school.
school resumed as scheduled. we were divided into various sections, science and arts.
I kept a low profile in school and tried to focus on maintaining excellent grades in all my subjects.
without doubt, I was the subject of mockery a couple of times because of the David incident but I tried not to let it bother me.
my grades were picking up astronomically every other thing was falling into place, but what bothered me was Tumi's changing attitude towards me. she was starting to avoid me or so it seems. she gave me vague answers when I questioned her and tried not to be seen around me in public