Twelve Days to Valentine ✨✨

 

Ten days more💓

"Alright class. We have come to the end of today's lecture..."

"Ahhh!" we all exclaimed in relief. Cheers of "thank you sir" and "bye bye" escorted Professor Bolaji out of the class. The prof was a good lecturer with awesome teaching tactics and a large store of knowledge but he had a fault; he didn't know the law of diminishing returns. He could teach for hours on end😩

"Chenka," I called and ran to her; she was just about leaving the lecture hall. I nearly ran into some of my course mates. "Sorry," I said as I brushed past them for Chenka. The first mumbled something. However, the second one cried out, "Haba, Noah. Mrs Ekrong no fit fly. Abi you no sabi walk meet your wife?"I turned back with a smile. I was too occupied to care to reply her. Chenka however turned and said, "Bisi, you are at it again right? I told you not to call me that!"

The second girl chipped in, "How do you know she's referring to you, eh, Chenka? Do you know if it's me? Yes na. Noah, baby! I'm available. I won't play hard to get!" She cried dramatically and came to give me an embrace. I made to accept the embrace. I am glad I did for Chenka stood between us and pushed Bisi's friend away with, "Are you done with your project, eh Tola? Stop chasing my rich kid when you have a boyfriend." She whispered these words but my hungry ears caught them all. However when she faced me, I pretended not to have heard her. I did not want her to feel embarrassed. I was flattered all the same, and pleased too.

"Why did you leave without me?" I asked when she faced me.

"Was I supposed to wait for you?" she asked with folded hands.

"Of course, Mrs Ekrong," I teased. Her eyes widened in anger. She turned her back to me and made to leave. I quickly caught her shoulder and faced her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to tease you. I was just kidding." She looked at my hands that had begun to fiddle with her collar and hair. "Nice try," she said and pulled my hands away. I frowned and said, "Why do you have to play hard to get? I just heard you call me your..." I thought better of that and changed the subject. "Have you eaten?"

"Yeah," she replied.

"When? Yesterday? I won't fall for that," I said.

"So what if I haven't eaten?" she retorted.

"Come here," I said and led her towards Ekpo ref.

"What are we doing here?" she asked when we stopped at the counter of Eleven Forty-Five restaurant.

"Let me buy you a meal," I said.

"Awwwn, that's so cute of you, sir," said the lady behind the counter who stared at us keenly. Chenka thought differently. "I didn't ask you to." She was flaring up.

"Chenka..." I moaned.

"We can just go to Ibrahim and buy meshai. Why do you want to spend..."

"Ah, aunty! Meshai ke? Is that one food?" the lady said.

"Chenka please," I whispered pleadingly as I squeezed her hand.

"Awwwn, God when?" cried two girls who just entered the restaurant.

"Aunty, say yes, na," the lady behind the counter jeered and soon everyone echoed her. This calmed Chenka down and she let me buy her dinner. How happy I was! For the first time in four years, I was buying Chenka food in an eatery! I bought her a tasty plate of fried rice and chicken and a bottle of soft drink. I also got her ice cream as dessert. She was pissed off but I was joyful. She nearly screamed at me when I ordered some chicken for her to take home with. I still did.

"Eat up," I said with a smile as Chenka eyed me furiously. She began to eat anyway and my joy was complete.

"How's your family?" I asked after some time of watching her.She nodded.

"What of your sister? Did she get the job?"

She nodded again.

I added quietly, "How much is her salary?"

"Why the probing? Since when did my business become yours?" she said sharply. I lowered my head. One fault of Chenka, she hated pity. One fault of mine, I loved her for it. She softened at my gesture for she rested her beautiful fingers on my hand and said in a humbled voice, "Thank you, but I don't need your pity." Just like Chenka, I thought.🙄 She continued, "You have your own problems. Don't add mine to them. Anyway, they're not paying her much, but it will go a long way in taking care of mum and dad."

"What of your school fees?" I asked.

"My uncle promised to help," she mumbled.

"When? Chenka there's no time. The semester is short. If I ask you for your account number now, you'll get angry."

"I told you why. My parents don't want me collecting money from anyone."

"Explain to them that I don't want anything in return. I'm not like some guys who take advantage of girls. I just want to help my friend," I said rather passionately. Surprisingly, she looked at me and smiled. That smile...😍

"Are you still at Sharon's place?" I asked.

"Yeah. Oma said I can stay in her room when Sharon travels. It's a small room but I'll manage."

"Why don't you just move in with me?" I asked in a quiet voice giving her a deep gaze.

"Werey," she said and I laughed. My intentions were clean. I really wanted to help her. What was the point of being her rich kid if I couldn't even buy her meshai without her demanding to pay me back?

"Just take care of yourself," I said. Her reaction was unexpected. She raised the spoon to her mouth and said, "The rice is very nice. Try it." Then she pushed it to my mouth. Surprised, I opened my mouth and accepted the spoon. Then she continued eating, conscious of my eyes. She looked up after her third spoon and said, "Rich kid, is the food not up to your taste? Or do they serve better food in Lagos?"

I laughed and watched her eat. Chenka. Darling Chenka. Beautiful Chenka. Serious Chenka!

I escorted her to her hostel. She didn't let me follow her past the quadrangle for some reason. However, I had the pleasure of holding her hand which, to me, was just as blissful as a kiss. Bewitched, I watched her disappear through the door and my plans for the coming Valentine continued. I stood there for sometime hoping she would come back. As I waited, my phone vibrated and I saw it was a message from her."Go home, rich kid."

I laughed and wondered which window she was watching me from. My phone vibrated again and I looked eagerly for Chenka's message, but, it was a couple of titillating pictures from... Mikaila. The last had a caption, "Don't you want me?"

My hand twitched angrily. I nearly dropped my iPhone. Another message from Mikaila. Despite my anger, I viewed it. The two simple words, "Let's meet," greeted my eyes.

I swallowed and looked towards the rows of windows, thinking of Chenka. I must admit, I thought of Mikaila as well.

To be continued.