Twelve Days to Valentine ✨✨

 

Three days more...😣

 Our paths have crossed

It's the last time I'll have with you

When we're old

We'll o'er come this golden love

I pulled off my headphone and sat on a bench at Love Garden. My head was cloudy with thoughts of today's events.

Earlier, I had been so scared for Chenka that I had run up the podium thinking she would fall. In the process, I had pushed Dr Griffin. 🤦‍♂️

"Rich kid, I'm okay. It's just a stumble," Chenka had protested.

"But you almost fell," I had responded.

"Mr Ekrong, is anything the matter?" Dr Griffin had asked. Only then did I realize that I had brushed him slightly in my effort to save Chenka who wasn't even in danger.

"Oh. I'm sorry, sir. I'm terribly sorry. I thought..." I began despite the laughter of my course mates.

"Is that what you have to say for interrupting Miss Chenka's presentation and nearly running me over?" he said angrily. His glasses were in his hands.

"I'm, I'm really sorry, sir..."

"Back to your seat!" he commanded and I obeyed at once.

I felt so embarrassed. My course mates didn't even help matters as they showered me with nasty teases. Chenka alone seemed concerned and tried to talk to me but I avoided her. I didn't have the liver to meet her curiosity.

I later went to apologize again to Dr Griffin. At first, he ignored me. Eventually, he told me to meet him the following day and left the office for a meeting.

I had also made a fool of myself during practical class and ENG 416 class. In both instances, I had felt that Chenka was in harm's way. Twice, my forebodings had been proved wrong and I had been made a laughing stock.

"Guy, chill! Don't lose your cool over a girl," Dan had advised after laughing at me.

"You won't understand," I replied him quietly.

"There is nothing to understand. You're head over heels for Chenka. That's cool but you don't know if she feels the same way."

I woke up from my bed of thoughts and dialled a number.

"Hello. Sammy, this is Noah. I'm cool, man. How's work? That's good. Listen. I want you to do me a favour..."

Chenka's call came in immediately I hung up on Sammy. I picked it.

"Hello?" I cleared my throat to change the dispirited tone of my voice.

"Rich kid, where are you?" she asked.

"Somewhere. Why?" I didn't really want to meet her. What she said next changed my mind.

"I'm hungry. I want you to buy me meshai."

I smiled. I knew what she meant. I was about to reply her when my eyes spotted the voluptuous figure of Mikaila. She was in a short yellow gown and long black boots. She was coming towards me. Her face brightened up when she saw my sour expression. Her cruel smile reminded me of all my earlier fears.

"Rich kid. Rich kid!" Chenka called my attention back to her. Mikaila was before me now.

"Look, I'm really busy now. I'll talk to you later," I said and hung up just as Chenka began to say something.

"No need to pretend. I know that's your precious darling. I just don't know if she'll be happy you hung up on her like that," Mikaila said sarcastically.

"What do you want?" I asked in calm rage. A mixture of anger and hate was welling in me.

Regardless of my menacing demeanor, Mikaila drew close to me and touched my collar while looking steadily at me. She said, "I'm happy you took my warning seriously, but you still can't protect your girlfriend from my revenge."

"If anything happens to her..." I threatened.

"Don't worry. I'll be careful not to leave her half buried," Mikaila said with a mocking laugh.

"Mikaila!" I yelled sternly as my blood grew hot.

"Awwn, are you scared?" She laughed. "You should have seen your face in Physics class. Chenka is so lucky! It's enough to make me jealous," Mikaila said and laughed again.

My brows furrowed. "Wait, how do you know that?" I said nearly breathless.

"I had better leave you to fly to your precious Chenka. Enjoy the love while it lasts," Mikaila said and caressed my chin briefly before walking away.

"Mikaila," I called weakly.

She stopped, looked back at me, mouthed Chenka's name and made a slicing gesture on her neck. Then she laughed wildly as she walked away.

Get a grip of yourself, Noah. She's probably bluffing. She can't mean it. Stop worrying about Chenka. Stop worrying...

"Oga, everything dey well?" my friend, the guard asked me as I entered Guest house.

"Bros, no mind me. I dey," I said in appreciation. My face didn't convince him though. I sighed and went inside.

I met Chenka seated alone in the lobby. She was gazing at her phone so she didn't notice me. I passed her and headed for my room.

"Rich kid."

I stopped. I was wrong. I looked back and met her eyes; I could see pain in them. She walked up to me and took my hand. Hers were warm. I could tell from her trembling lips that there was a lot she wanted to say. Strangely, I didn't have the patience to hear it. I pulled my hand from hers and walked away. It's best I stayed away from her. Maybe that way she would be safer. Maybe that way, I would have peace of mind. I had suffered too much anxiety and humiliation on her behalf, and as Dan had said, I didn't know if she felt the same way.

"Noah," she called.

I stopped impatiently. I watched as she ran towards me and embraced me. It was a brief hug but it was enough to remind me of my devotion to her.

Chenka broke the hug and looked at me. I startled. She had tears in her eyes. She wiped them and said in a quiet voice, "You're my rich kid."

"Chenka!" I called her as she left the room. She stopped and looked at me. It was my turn to run to her. "I'm fine," I said, "just be safe."

She gave me a quiet nod and a smile.

"I can't live without you," I whispered as she left the room.

To be continued.