Chapter 2
How can a face be this perfect? A skin this chocolate? An eye this radiant? A nose this Nigerian ...Elly was thinking.
She stood there transfixed, breathless, tongue -tied . She'd never seen a boy this handsome .....today was indeed special
"Miss, are you okay?.Hello miss, are you hurt? He dropped the bicycle and came closer. Elly was in another world in her mind. Her face never left his. It was her first time having such a feeling. She thought she did with Korean actors, but no, when it's real, it's different.
It was until he touched her that she noticed he'd been talking to her. She was almost startled. She then noticed her skirt again and began to feign anger... "How's that even possible, where did all that rage I was feeling go to?" She thought.
"Miss are you okay, are you hurt" he asked still trying to get her to look up.
"Isn't that a rather lame question to ask"
Elly started , grateful she could even act normal.
"My legs are covered with mud and my uniform's mess, of course I'm okay. Thanks to you" Elly continued, getting a handkerchief from her bag.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it that way " I think there's there's a shop at the major road, we could get sachet water there and get you cleaned up." He said, starting to head towards his bicycle.
Elly watched his elegant gait. His sparking sneakers that now had a tinge of mud at the back of the right foot. His full hair. The flaying checkers shirt that housed what she imagined would be an athletic body...."Hmmm!!! gross.. Elly !!! " She thought aloud, Shook her head and made to follow him .
"It's few minutes past seven, do you think any shop would open this early " Elly asked, trying to be polite.
"Well, we'll definitely find a way " He said.
Elly nodded. She didn't see any other way but somehow she just knew they'd find a way . It sounded reassuring when he said it. It had to. He was perfect after all.
"Do you want to ride with me? it'll be fun." He asked picking up bicycle.
"No way!!! I already had enough. I wouldn't want to go back to change into a new uniform." Elly interjected.
"Of course I was trying to make a joke" He looked back.
"Sorry, it wasn't funny " Elly snapped, trying to avoid his face.
"Yeah I know. I get that a lot of times." He turned and started pushing his bicycle.
"Now that's funny" Elly laughed, feeling a little at ease.
"That's was the intention " he came in almost immediately. Stopped the bicycle and turned.
" Miss, I'm really sorry for your uniform"
"It's okay, just try and find a way like you said" Elly was all smiles.... He's got good manners too.
"Definitely" he nodded and continued walking.
"So, are you a learner" Elly began trying to be nice.
"Of what " he returned with a question.
"Learning how to ride a bicycle " She answered.
"Of course not, just missed a leg I guess " He defended.
"Ooh!!! Okay" she said almost disbelieving.
He walked ahead and she followed slowly behind. Admiring everything he did and said. He was just perfect. His looks were intimidating. It was as if he wasn't real.
His voice carrird an energy that was powering and yet so soft and calm . He was so much for a teenager.
" Hmmm , you were right. The shop is not yet open" he said pointing to the looming tarred road ahead.
"So what now?" Elly asked aghast.
"Just calm down , we'll definitely find a way." He assured her again.
"Let's just walk to the main road, we'll see what to do" He looked at her and gave her a reassuring look and just immediately, she knew it'd be fine.
Most of the walk down the street continued with silence only but a few times he told her to watch her step or avoid a mud on her path .
They walked down till they got to the end of the street , about to enter the main road when he stopped to greet the street security guard in their little security house.
"Odili, how far naa" he said offering the guard a handshake.
"I dey oo. How your side?" The guard replied receiving the shake.
"Everywhere good" he replied.
Elly was just watching, wide-eyed. She couldn't fully comprehend what they were conversing in pidgin English but somehow she knew he was asking for water. What else could he be asking for . At least,she heard him mention "wota" .
The security guard slapped hands with him again and dashed inside, in less than a minute he was back with a bucket half filled with water. He was very fast from Elly's calculation. It was as if he'd kept the water there expecting them. Anyways, anybody can have a half bucket of water idling away in his house.
He handed the bucket to her and continued chatting with the security guard.
He was so athome with him.
Elly watched them and somehow admired him more.
His English was fluent, but his pidgin was out of this world. He seemed to be two different persons....Elly wanted to know him more. Who he actually is.
She was done with cleaning her clothes and as she handed him the bucket, she thanked the security guard.
They walked into the main road.
"Which way are you headed " she asked him. He was going to the right and she was following left.
"That means we're saying our goodbyes here." He smiled.
"Obviously " she returned the smile.
"Nice meeting you" he said still smiling.
"Same here " she then looked down, couldn't keep up with the lengthy smile.
And then a Keke pulled up. She was finally going to enter Keke. But this wasn't how it happens in the movies, Keke doesn't just pull up in front of you, you have to wave at them for them to stop.
She smiled at him and entered the Keke.
The thought of him couldn't leave her mind even though she wanted to concentrate and enjoy this moment with people from the other side of life.
She was in the almighty Keke alright?
But she couldn't concentrate. His face was in her head. His easiness and calmness even when things were not going well stuck in her mind. His pidgin vibe and social aura overwhelmed her. How he could switch immediately and come down to the level of the security guard. He was just.... something...and then it struck her...
She didn't even get his name.
Who exactly is he?
It seemed crazy and funny at the same time.
she didn't notice she had a grin on her face until the passenger sitting next to her couldn't take it anymore.
"This one you just dey look up dey smile since, you sure say you no be Ogbanje.
Driver abeg I no dey go again. I wan come down "
The driver stopped and the man immediately alighted . He was mumbling something in Igbo but Elly was careful to hear "tufiakwa" and she smiled even more.
"Your money na 150 naira oga" the driver said.
"But driver, I no reach junction again naa, this place na 100 naira " the man snapped.
"Na junction me and you talk and my money na 150 naira abeg." The driver pleaded.
"So you wan collect 150 naira for this small place . Igbo men eeh" the man said sarcastically.
"No problem I go reach junction " he looked at Elly who was almost laughing and reentered the Keke, sitting as far from Elly as possible and mumbling something in Igbo as if he was making incantations.
"Entering Keke was eventful nonetheless"
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Elly got to school and the morning assembly was already over.
"So I came late after all , thanks dad" she muttered.
She walked into her classroom and Mr.Ben, their form teacher was in front of the class and guess who was standing right next him...The bicycle guy.