Haoyu walked over until he stood in front of Tejumole. He then leaned over the counter to come face to face with her.
"You lied to me, little one."
Tejumole unfolded her arms and held Haoyu's chin with her fingers. She looked into his dark eyes that widened at first before curving up slightly.
Tilting his head, so she could cover his cheeks with her palms, Haoyu said.
"What did I lie about." His voice was deep and charming. It was a magnetic voice that tickled one's ears and turned their thoughts into mush.
Tejumole narrowed her eyes and once again used her fingers to clasp his chin, this time a little tighter.
"…about the food. Why did you say it tasted alright… when it didn't?" Her voice was hesitant. Of course, she would rather not admit that her food was terrible, but in other to put the child on the right track, Tejumole dismissed the embarrassment she felt.
Haoyu looked into the brown eyes that were stern yet concerned. He then said sincerely.
"You worked hard today, and I didn't want you to be upset."
Tejumole felt tongue-tied. How could she be angry after hearing those words? She sighed and covered Haoyu's cheeks with her palms. Then she spoke in a softer voice.
"Little one, you… first worry about yourself. I'd rather you tell me off than you getting food poisoning."
"Mmm." Haoyu hummed in reply while Tejumole continued.
"Good. You can't lie to me again."
"Okay, I promise. But, I'll still eat whatever you make." Haoyu held her hand and traced the lines on it.
Tejumole felt it a little itchy, but still nodded contentedly at his words.
She raised her free hand and began to stroke Haoyu's hair. It was so soft, and she noticed it had grown longer than before. He would need a trim soon.
'He'd look good with long hair.' She thought about it and concluded.
Tejumole didn't notice that she had gone absent-minded while touching Haoyu's hair.
Haoyu watched the petite lady daydream while touching his hair. He wanted to avoid disrupting her focus, so he stayed in place and let her touch to her heart's content.
His handsome features were bright as he watched her. Her brown eyes were looking at him like there was nothing else that mattered. He had always thought that was how Tejumole felt. She was a very antisocial person with only a few people around her. Her thoughts and expressions were always hidden and indifferent, and she was enshrouded in so many secrets.
Even though she was so good to him and only let her guard down around him, Haoyu still felt there was a massive door that separated them.
If he could, he would really love to break down all her defences, discover her secrets and get closer to her.
Then even closer…
Thinking up to here, Haoyu snapped out of his thoughts. He felt confused. What was he thinking? This is the professor. How could I have…those thoughts?
He glanced at Tejumole's beautiful face and quickly looked away. His heart was beating strangely.
'But, that might not be a bad thing.'
"Grumble…"
Haoyu's stomach rumbled, and it caused Tejumole to snap out of her daze.
"You haven't eaten?"
"Yeah…" Haoyu responded, a little abashed.
'How embarrassing…'
"Let's go out."
"Where to?"
Tejumole walked away and went to the living room to grab her keys. Haoyu followed her with a hand in his pocket.
"To a restaurant. Do you want to change?"
"No, I'm fine like this." Haoyu was wearing a blue shirt coupled with black pants and black sneakers. His appearance was smart and casual, hugging his muscles and showing his tall and fit figure.
"Alright, let's go, little one."
•••
"That's good. Perfect! Shittu, you're up next. Get into position. Mamidu next time raise your upper body and keep your legs up. Come on people!"
Coach Brume clapped his hands and urged the students on. It was a little over five o'clock in the evening. He and his students, all six of them, had been practising on the field since earlier today, and he was beginning to feel the fatigue take over him.
Shittu stood at the end of the track, leaning back and adjusting his form before he took off in a running sprint. His strides were powerful and packed with force.
In no time, he reached the jumping point and took off with a foot.
His body curved and went over the bar, but unfortunately, his leg hit the crossbar and dislodged it, causing Shittu to squat on the crash mat in frustration.
"Relax boy. That jump was a lot better than last time. We'll have to work on a few areas, but you're much better now. Get off the mat. Oyinbo! It's your turn."
Coach Brume nodded his head in satisfaction after watching Shittu's performance. He called on Haoyu to begin his routine.
"Go, go Dipo! Woo-hoo! You can do it."
"Yeah. Make the jump. Our lives depend on it!"
"If you don't we'll be stuck here for another six hours. No pressure bro!"
Five people were sitting by the side. Three males and two females. They all looked completely spent.
Their coach, they thought, was a demon! He told them that if no one managed to jump over the 1.92 m height, he would make them train until someone did!
"What are you all yelling about? Oyinbo, are you ready?"
"Yes." Haoyu responded coolly and averted his gaze to the horizontal bar a distance away. He was going to attempt the 1.88 m height for the second time.
Haoyu took a deep breath and his gaze changed. He appeared more concentrated. Like a beast about to strike fiercely. There was a sharp aura excluding from his body and a burning desire to win coursing through his veins.
Coach Brume gave the order to begin, and Haoyu started to run a few seconds after.
It was then that Tejumole arrived on the field. Today was a Saturday. She was dressed in a two-piece black, long-sleeved top and skirt with orange engravings. She walked in and sat herself down on the bleachers.
Just in time to see Haoyu make his jump.
"See. I told you he's fine. Why do you always think someone will kidnap him?"
Ranta appeared and sat next to Tejumole. Today, he was a green rabbit with exceedingly long ears, and his round eyes gazed at Tejumole in helplessness.
"Why? Because my child is so beautiful. Who knows if some creep will take a liking to him and abduct him? Children should be watched closely. Now shush."
Tejumole answered in a tone that translated to "isn't it obvious". Her words made Ranta roll his eyes silently.
He fiddled with his ears and watched the child along with Tejumole.
Haoyu currently hadn't noticed Tejumole's presence.
He began in a running sprint and then took off at the jump point.
This time, Haoyu made the jump. Beautifully so.
"Great job bro!"
"Did you see that?! He made the jump. He made the jump!"
"Yes, he's astonishing. I'm not blind. But I might become crippled if you don't release my arm. Fatima!"
"Oh, sorry. I'm just excited." Fatima let go of her tight grip on Ovie's hand, who rubbed it and sighed in relief.
Tejumole and Ranta who were away from the group were also watching.
"Ha, your child is amazing!"
"I know." Tejumole replied the bunny simply but proudly, causing Ranta to roll his eyes for the umpteenth time today.
'Tsk, anyone would think she was the one who made the jump…'
Tejumole ignored the grumbling rabbit and concentrated her gaze on her little one. She placed her elbow on her lap and rested her chin on her hand. She then whispered softly.
"Good job, little one."
"Oyinbo, great job. You can rest now." Coach Brume said to Haoyu, visibly delighted with his result.
"Coach."
"Yes, boy?"
"I want to go again...thank you." Haoyu jogged to the starting track, where Coach Brume was standing. He took a bottle of water from his coach and nodded in thanks before continuing.
"I want to attempt the 1.92 m height." Haoyu dropped the bottle and licked the water droplets on his lips.
"Really? Alright then. Amaka, Mamidu. Go and adjust the bar. Our oyinbo is going to attempt the height that'll save you all today."
"Alright coach."
"Got it."
The two of them stood up and moved to raise the horizontal crossbar.
"Well, do your best."