OTIS
Otis had just finished her morning lectures and was on her way downstairs when someone called her name in a too-familiar way "Otis Daniel's". She turned and was surprised to see it was no one else other than Monalisa.
"Monalisa Dale. Hi. It's Daniel, not Daniel's" she responded faking a smile. The last time they spoke to each other was two years ago during which time she broke Mona's nose with Mona promising vengeance.
"Hi OT, good to see you" Mona replied smiling "Not familiar with your faculty building, was here to search for you" she added
"Really? So to what do I owe this strange visit? I'm I safe?" she asked suspiciously
"Of course you are. Now come on OT, stop giving me that suspicious look you always do. We've left FGGC." she said laughingly as she lightly punched Otis on the shoulder
"But you're still Monalisa Dale." she also laughingly reminded her in a way that suggested she meant Mona still didn't like her.
"A new person OT. I'm sorry I've always been a pain in the neck to you OT. Let's say my hormones had a better part of me then. So where are you headed?"
"To meet Sola But I'm not convinced you came here to ask me where I was going Moa," she said as they both walked downstairs
"Moa?" she repeated, surprised Alexis still remembered how everyone called her back in primary school. "so you still remember my pet name? Almost forgot the name myself. Even Dad and Mom call me Mona now." she said happily
"Good for you I guess.. So what's up Mona?" she stressed the name in a tone that suggested mockery.
"You're not serious Otis. I met with some other ex-girls from secondary school and we suggested since a lot of us are here in UNICAN, why don't we form an Alumni or something like that. Talked to a few girls and we've been trying to pass the message around. Considering you were our head girl, I felt your presence would send a strong message you know. Coupled with your ability to hold the girls together and stuff like that you know." she said as they walked towards the Ice cream stand.
"I think something like that already exists. I mean, the Alumni stuff?" she said in a way that suggested she was interested.
"I not sure. Most of the ex-students, especially our seniors are still forming for the juniors. The girls I spoke with thought of something like a unifying group to help and look out for ourselves in whatever capacity we can here in UNICAN and beyond you know." she said
"Two cups please," Otis said to the Ice cream guy before turning to face Mona. "So what's the plan? How do you guys plan on going about the whole thing" she asked as she received the ice cream from the guy and gave Mona a cup.
"Thanks," she said as she collected the cup from Otis. After a spoonful of the ice cream, she said "That's why I was looking for you so we can share ideas with the rest of the girls. At least we should be able to have a plan before approaching others."
"So how many people have indicated interest so far?"
"About ten. Though most of them would invite other girls too. We agreed to meet on Friday" she said as she helped herself to her ice cream. "I expect you to come with Sola too" she added
"Alright. No sweats. I tell her about it."
"Ok. Lemme get your number so I can get across any other info to you"
"See your life Moa, so you don't even have my number? I haven't changed my number since I got my first phone. Perhaps if you bothered calling me you would have known I still use the same number" she replied, mocking Mona.
"Don't mind me. After I lost my second phone, I didn't bother about retrieving the line or my contacts.." she said truthfully.
Otis calls the number for Mona who knows immediately dials it on her phone. Alexis's phone begins to ring as she brings it out of her purse, reading out the number Mona confirms it to be hers.
"yea.. That's my phone number" Mona confirmed
"Ok. Saving it," she said as she added the phone number to her phone book
Then they were both quiet for about two minutes before Mona finally spoke.
"You know Otis. I've never really been nice to you in the past. Over time I thought about how under-caring I've been towards you. I just feel ashamed of myself. I just want to use this opportunity to formally beg for your forgiveness. I'm very sorry for all the wrong and pain I caused you in the past. Please forgive me. You're a very nice person but that's a fact I found it hard to come to terms with. I guess childishness had a better part of me then. I'm sorry OT" she said
Although Otis never saw Mona as an enemy with Mona being more of a frenemy, she never really had any grudge against her. So it was surprising to hear Mona apologizing for the past.
"Hey. Don't even go there Moa. It's all in the past. Besides, there's nothing to forgive cos you never wronged me. And I hold nothing against you. Please let's just leave everything in the past there, ok?. She said as she patted Mona's shoulders.
"Thanks, dear. Always wondered when I'll get to have a friendly chat with you again.
They went on to chat about nothing in particular until Sola came to join them and they all went their way.
Sola on the way home asked her what she was doing with her sworn enemy. She told her all that Mona said and her apology too.
"Just be careful Otis. I still don't trust that girl. The stories about her ain't pleasing to the ears. After two years, she just came seeking forgiveness like that? Same girl that swore to get back at you when you broke her nose. Be careful We're talking Monalisa Dale here." Sola said to her
"Hahaha… Don't worry. I'll still give her the space" she laughingly answered her best friend.
Sola and she have been friends right from Junior Class one and have maintained that friendship to date. Although not as beautiful, intelligent (academically), or from a rich home as she or Mona, the girl had always remained loyal. Both of them shared the same apartment in her off-campus residence.
A student of Microbiology, she had always wanted to study Medicine and Surgery. But her cut-off mark in her second entrance examination denied her the chance. Hence she settled for Microbiology.
Monalisa
As she drove out of the campus in her Union³ hatchback ride, she knew her plans were falling into place. Picking up her phone, she called some ex-students to meet her at her residence.