The sound of my phone ringing woke me up "hello…" I said in a very low and weak voice "hello Olanna how are you doing? I didn't see you in school today are you alright? And why do you sound like that?" "I wasn't able to make it today I'm a bit under the weather. I've been sleeping all day" "I knew something was wrong. How are feeling now? Have you had something to eat? Is someone with you" "no, no and no" "babe I'm coming over right now and I'm not seeking for your permission this time. Text me your address now!". She ended the call before I could say anything. For a few seconds I sat frozen in disbelief of what had just happened. I didn't want her over but I did need someone around. After hesitating for a couple of minutes I texted her my address and went right back to sleep.
"Knock knock" there was a knock on my door 30 minutes later. I answered the door and there was Francesca standing right at my doorstep. For a minute I was bewildered. "Hey sick lady, may I come in?" she joked. The sound of her voice brought me back to reality and I ushered her into the house. She looked round the house while placing her palms on my forehead, I shrugged and she took her hands off. "Girl you're burning up and you stink, you need to shower right now. Which one is the kitchen?" I was hesitant for a while about granting someone else permission into my kitchen but I did in the end anyway. She prepared a bath for me and helped me into the bathroom. While I showered she prepared the meal and fruits she had gotten for me on her way to the house. After my bath, she ensured I had my meal and the fruits, then administered my medications to me and played a game with me. She spent the entire day by my side until night fall before leaving. By the time she left I was already feeling a lot stronger than I was earlier in the day. She kept visiting and calling for the next few days to check up on me.
Four days later I was better, back on my feet and ready to return to school. "Good morning life saver" I said as I hugged her from behind. She turned in shock: it was boldly written on her face that she was glad to see me all recovered. She hugged me tightly "I'm sooo happy you are all recovered now Ola" "yes I am and it's all thanks to you" she laughed "yeah right, like I did anything out of the ordinary. You are just funny Ola" we both burst out in laughter. "I just realised I called you 'Ola' twice now and you did not react to that" "I know" I chuckled "its fine, you can call me that from now on if that's what you want" she gave me a big grin on hearing that. "Let's grab launch after class, my treat?"
Later in the day we went out for launch at the cafeteria; I really wanted to do something to show my appreciation because she has been putting a lot of effort into this friendship and I've only been waiting for her to get tired. We placed our orders and sat down to eat. We had two hours until the next class so there was enough time for us to eat and talk. I thought about it a lot and it was a tough decision to make and it will be a new experience coated with uncertainties but with all she's done the least I could do is give it a try. "Hey…so I've been thinking about your request to become my study buddy and I think I'm willing to give it a try" "really?" "Yes really. I mean you're my friend so why wouldn't I be able to do that for you if you really need it" "girl!!! You just called me your friend!? You don't do friends" "I do now. It's actually a bit scary and it is a big step for me but I think it's worth a trial" "OMG! I've got a friend, I've got a friend" she sang jokingly and we both laughed and toasted to friendship. We talked about the study plan and the timetable, made some adjustments to suit each other before leaving for class.
We started studying together, helping each other out with assignments, she paid me visits and we played some games together. The study group was going so well and it helped boost our grades. I found that it was actually more helpful to me than it would have been a distraction while it made us both happy. Slowly, I started feeling more at ease with her sharing my space and getting used to having a friend. "It wasn't entirely a bad decision after all" I said to myself one day.
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"Hello mum" I said picking up my phone, "hello princess, kedu?" "A di m mma nne m, What about you? How's dad and my siblings. I miss you guys a lot" "we miss you too sweetheart. How is school and how are you holding up" "I've been coping quite well. Studies have been great and I love it here" "that's great dear. Made any friends yet?" -here we go again, gosh! She always does this- "mum! We've talked about this why are you always going on and on about making friends? You know I don't buy the idea." "I know dear but you do need friends; everybody does" "everybody except me!!.... Well if it would get you off my back, there's this girl who's been nice to me in class. Her name is Francesca we are sort of friends now and study buddies too" for some reason I smiled when I said this. "That's good darling. I'm glad you finally made a friend, you'll see she'll change your perspective of friendship" "we will see" I said. We went on for hours talking about family, her work and I and Francesca; I could see how happy it made her. She has waited so long to hear the words "my friend" from me. I have never had any friend until now. I can recall when I changed schools in jss3; I went a whole month without speaking to anyone or socializing, how much my mum begged me to socialize and make friends so I could be brought up to date but I couldn't and how frustrated it made her and my father.
Getting off the phone with my mum I was happy I heard from her after a long while and more at how much joy I brought her with the news of my new found friend. I really wanted to share it with Francesca so I picked my phone and dialled her number. Immediately she picked up the call I could hear her shouting from her end in her usual energetic and high spirited voice "hey giirrrl!!" "werey child" I said laughing "guess what, I've got news you would love to hear" "we don't have to study today?" "That's not it. Well I will save you the stress and tell you. I want to visit you at your place today". "Really!? arrgh?" she screamed so loud I had to take the phone off my ear for a while.
We met at the junction and she took me to her apartment. She was so happy that I finally made it to her house. "I can't believe you are finally in my house Ola" "young lady it's not a big deal. Why are you acting like it's the president that visited" I said laughing "Eh? Uche gi adiro ya. You don't know you're like the president? It's very difficult to see you in fact one needs an appointment to see you" she said almost choking with laughter. "Come on you silly girl I'm not that bad. That reminds me I told my mum about you, you should have seen her reaction. She was so happy and teased me a lot." "Hei!! Miracles just keep happening today" she exclaimed loudly while doing a weird dance move. We laughed and talked about my discussion with my mum while she teased me at every chance she got. This news made her so happy; I could see the glow in her eyes even as she tried to hide it. It was an exciting feeling to know I could make someone this happy. "Hey, I'm famished can we make something to eat?" "Yes, I am also hungry. You're the guest so you decide. What should we prepare?" "Okay miss landlady, with your permission I would like to make my special spaghetti recipe" "you have my permission" we laughed so heartily at our acting that tears rolled down our eyes. We went into the kitchen, continued with our discussion and clownery while preparing the meal together. "mhmm! Now that's one hell of a special recipe girl". "Awwwn, thank you. I dey burst brain sha" "Normally!!" she chuckled.