....This event seemed to have shaken Val reasonably because throughout that week and the next, she was solemn and refused talking to anyone we weren't familiar with. I, for one was glad since the major cause of our squabbles had been arrested. My joy was dashed when a month later , we were back to where we used to be. Val was running errands for unknown people, carrying the heaviest loads for strangers on the way, giving her texts books to people at the lesson center who never returned them. Of course, we had to share mine at such times. Val was clearly at it again, only she was worse this time.
Senior secondary school came to an end and it was time to prepare for our much dreamt about future. I wanted to be a Lawyer while Val was going to be a Physiotherapist. We purchased and filled our Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board JAMB) forms and that September, we enrolled for lessons at a center six streets in a closeby neighborhood. The lesson teachers were so good at what they taught that Val and I concluded they were the best in the whole of the state. I enjoyed maths classes so much that I sometimes almost forgot I applied to study Law in the university. The knowledge was everything and more and so we couldn't afford to miss a day's class.
As time went by, we found more reasons to enjoy JAMB lessons. We began to meet new friends, friends we believed shared the same dreams as us. The exams was nearly six months away so we could always make up for lost time. Lessons availed us the opportunity to be away from home for as long as we wanted, hang out with our new friends, and have as much fun as we wanted. This was the beginning of what was to become a sad tale.
One friday evening, a new friend from the lesson, Simi was throwing a birthday party at a small eatery few streets away from our house. Val and I knew or maybe, we thought our parents would not let us attend if we told them so we dressed up and ofcourse told everyone we were going for friday class which was known to dismiss later than other days because general weekly revision had to be done. My mum noticed the extra attention we were paying to our hair that evening when Val came to our house to wait me up for lessons. "Hehehe, Teena, what is happening today at the centre"? She asked. "Una hair go cry o". Mum said in pidgin. "Will there be a beauty pageantry there"? She added and left my room before we could reply. .We crumpled a change of clothes and little make up in our bags and hurriedly left. We walked along the usual first three streets just incase anyone was suspicious and decided to follow us.
The party was a very fun filled one. Val and I were having the time of my lives There was plenty of food, drinks and games. We even made new friends that evening.Val got up and went in search of the toilet. I waited for her to come back but she didn't show up. I eventually went in search of her and found her discussing with one very handsome guy. Needless to say, I was mesmerized by his looks. I overlooked him and went on to question my friend. "This girl, where have you been na?" I asked. "I've been out here with Kene", Val replied in a voice I'd never heard her use before. It was obvious she was blushing really hard and that she was already so much attracted to Kene. "Yes, meet my friend Kene. He's a second year Mechanical engineering student at the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT Minna)". Val said excitedly. "Woa! your friend? haba. you guys just met na.. Besides he's....." I tried correcting her. "Ehmmm enough already. Enough of your messages". Val cut me short. "I know we just me but whats wrong with calling him my friend? ". Babe, I'm sorry oo. Its..."I explained. "Just stop ok? Val hushed me further. "Its nice to meet you,ehmmm...."Kene started. "Teena", I said. I figured I had annoyed Val so I excused myself and and walked off to a corner in the eatery's compound.
This was a new Val o. In all our years of being friends, we had never had to hush or belittle each other before any one.This evening was different obviously. Half an hour later, the discussion was over..."T- baby, come and sat good night to Kene". I heard Val say. "Goodnight Kene" I said in the coolest voice I could come upwith.
We quickly rushed to a hidden corner close to a parked car, changed our clothes, washed off the excess makeup we were wearing and applied a little talcum powder instead.
All along, I concealed my anger over the unfair treatment I'd gotten from my friend. On our way home, I couldn't hold it any longer so I voiced it out. "Val what was that? why did you treat me like that in front of that guy na?.... I'm sorry joor. I just didn't want you to spoil my show....... Hmm nawa oo....So what do you think about him? Is he ok? Val enquired. I nearly choked on my saliva. "what? Babe calm down na. you don' know him. He isn't even your friend yet".... He is my friend" Val protested. No he's not! yes he is! no! yes! ok oo.....i gave in. the guy is not bad. He's sha too fine for his own good. Hahahahaha... we laughed , linked arms and continued going.The anger was over.
Kene told us his school was on long vacation he was going to be around for quite a long time. Within the few weeks that followed, he and Val became very attached to each other. I figured I had to give them some space as it seemed my presence wasn't helpful to to their growing fondness for each other. We had to keep all these a secet from our parents. We were just 16 years old and had our exams coming up so we knew they weren't going to approve of any closeness with the opposite sex at this time.
I was happy that Val was happy with Kene but I had the following grudges where Kene was; Val was missing lessons alot because of him, she was always agreeing to run errands at home so she could spend some time with him, She was avoiding and standing me and everyone else up continuously 'because Kene needed her'.. My fears weren't overstretched since I knew the kind of person my friend was. I was scared she would go overboard with the friendship... I mean Val was too trusting, kind and selfless. I warned her against these and she agreed to keep those in check.
Before long, Kene started making incessants demands from Val. I figured out he had come to know her kind of person and so was taking advantage of her fondness of him to get whatsoever he wanted from her. "Teena, pls lend me #1500. I'll pay you back on friday. Val begged me the following day on our way to the lesson centre."#1500 for what na?' I replied. Kene needs to buy one scratch card like that to check something in school.. "But he's not in school".I observed.. Yes someone will do it for him".... What does he want to check sef? I asked.... "Aah aah this girl, whats your own sef? will you give me the money or not? why are you interrogating me? is it because of common #1500?.....
To be continued...
Senior secondary school came to an end and it was time to prepare for our much dreamt about future. I wanted to be a Lawyer while Val was going to be a Physiotherapist. We purchased and filled our Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board JAMB) forms and that September, we enrolled for lessons at a center six streets in a closeby neighborhood. The lesson teachers were so good at what they taught that Val and I concluded they were the best in the whole of the state. I enjoyed maths classes so much that I sometimes almost forgot I applied to study Law in the university. The knowledge was everything and more and so we couldn't afford to miss a day's class.
As time went by, we found more reasons to enjoy JAMB lessons. We began to meet new friends, friends we believed shared the same dreams as us. The exams was nearly six months away so we could always make up for lost time. Lessons availed us the opportunity to be away from home for as long as we wanted, hang out with our new friends, and have as much fun as we wanted. This was the beginning of what was to become a sad tale.
One friday evening, a new friend from the lesson, Simi was throwing a birthday party at a small eatery few streets away from our house. Val and I knew or maybe, we thought our parents would not let us attend if we told them so we dressed up and ofcourse told everyone we were going for friday class which was known to dismiss later than other days because general weekly revision had to be done. My mum noticed the extra attention we were paying to our hair that evening when Val came to our house to wait me up for lessons. "Hehehe, Teena, what is happening today at the centre"? She asked. "Una hair go cry o". Mum said in pidgin. "Will there be a beauty pageantry there"? She added and left my room before we could reply. .We crumpled a change of clothes and little make up in our bags and hurriedly left. We walked along the usual first three streets just incase anyone was suspicious and decided to follow us.
The party was a very fun filled one. Val and I were having the time of my lives There was plenty of food, drinks and games. We even made new friends that evening.Val got up and went in search of the toilet. I waited for her to come back but she didn't show up. I eventually went in search of her and found her discussing with one very handsome guy. Needless to say, I was mesmerized by his looks. I overlooked him and went on to question my friend. "This girl, where have you been na?" I asked. "I've been out here with Kene", Val replied in a voice I'd never heard her use before. It was obvious she was blushing really hard and that she was already so much attracted to Kene. "Yes, meet my friend Kene. He's a second year Mechanical engineering student at the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT Minna)". Val said excitedly. "Woa! your friend? haba. you guys just met na.. Besides he's....." I tried correcting her. "Ehmmm enough already. Enough of your messages". Val cut me short. "I know we just me but whats wrong with calling him my friend? ". Babe, I'm sorry oo. Its..."I explained. "Just stop ok? Val hushed me further. "Its nice to meet you,ehmmm...."Kene started. "Teena", I said. I figured I had annoyed Val so I excused myself and and walked off to a corner in the eatery's compound.
This was a new Val o. In all our years of being friends, we had never had to hush or belittle each other before any one.This evening was different obviously. Half an hour later, the discussion was over..."T- baby, come and sat good night to Kene". I heard Val say. "Goodnight Kene" I said in the coolest voice I could come upwith.
We quickly rushed to a hidden corner close to a parked car, changed our clothes, washed off the excess makeup we were wearing and applied a little talcum powder instead.
All along, I concealed my anger over the unfair treatment I'd gotten from my friend. On our way home, I couldn't hold it any longer so I voiced it out. "Val what was that? why did you treat me like that in front of that guy na?.... I'm sorry joor. I just didn't want you to spoil my show....... Hmm nawa oo....So what do you think about him? Is he ok? Val enquired. I nearly choked on my saliva. "what? Babe calm down na. you don' know him. He isn't even your friend yet".... He is my friend" Val protested. No he's not! yes he is! no! yes! ok oo.....i gave in. the guy is not bad. He's sha too fine for his own good. Hahahahaha... we laughed , linked arms and continued going.The anger was over.
Kene told us his school was on long vacation he was going to be around for quite a long time. Within the few weeks that followed, he and Val became very attached to each other. I figured I had to give them some space as it seemed my presence wasn't helpful to to their growing fondness for each other. We had to keep all these a secet from our parents. We were just 16 years old and had our exams coming up so we knew they weren't going to approve of any closeness with the opposite sex at this time.
I was happy that Val was happy with Kene but I had the following grudges where Kene was; Val was missing lessons alot because of him, she was always agreeing to run errands at home so she could spend some time with him, She was avoiding and standing me and everyone else up continuously 'because Kene needed her'.. My fears weren't overstretched since I knew the kind of person my friend was. I was scared she would go overboard with the friendship... I mean Val was too trusting, kind and selfless. I warned her against these and she agreed to keep those in check.
Before long, Kene started making incessants demands from Val. I figured out he had come to know her kind of person and so was taking advantage of her fondness of him to get whatsoever he wanted from her. "Teena, pls lend me #1500. I'll pay you back on friday. Val begged me the following day on our way to the lesson centre."#1500 for what na?' I replied. Kene needs to buy one scratch card like that to check something in school.. "But he's not in school".I observed.. Yes someone will do it for him".... What does he want to check sef? I asked.... "Aah aah this girl, whats your own sef? will you give me the money or not? why are you interrogating me? is it because of common #1500?.....
To be continued...
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