ALL FOR NOTHING…
Episode nine…
The career week was fast approaching and all the SS3 students of Achievers high school were looking forward to it. There was going to be an educating session with the guidance and counselling unit as to which career students should pursue and why they should be careful in pursuing such careers.
The one week was specially dedicated to the SS3 students and to end it all, the school management had decided to organise a prom. It has been the culture of Achievers high school to organise a prom at the end of her career week since time immemorial and it was one reason Achievers high school stood tall amongst other schools. Although other schools like Pillars of knowledge and Comprehensive high school have started copying us too, Achievers high school’s prom was always a different one maybe because the school was founded by a white man.
The students were really looking forward to the prom more than every other program that had slated to take place during the career week. They were all busy looking for a date for the prom. Since the girls in my class were more than the boys it was obvious everyone would have a date. Some might even get two.
Seun and some of the other boys in the class had eyes on Toyin. Everyone wanted Toyin to be his date for the prom including Timi my best friend. I just couldn’t understand what the fuss was all about. Toyin and I had been going on steadily. Spending time with her studying was doing something to me that I couldn’t quite understand. Whenever she was around, there was this joy that filled my heart. Her presence was just enough to put a smile on my face. I didn’t know how to actually thank her for the phone and she wasn’t even acting as if she had done something really worth thanking for. Everytime I try showing my gratitude, she will say she only helped out a friend who was really in need of a cell phone.
“What are you waiting for before you create a Facebook and WhatsApp account?” She asked me on one of those occasions she stayed behind to study with me. Since the term had fully begun, she no longer asks her driver to come pick her up immediately after closing. We now had the privilege of studying like we used to.
“I don’t want to create one and besides I don’t really need it.” I replied.
“You don’t need it? What do you mean by that?”
I almost reminded her that we were in the library but thank God we were a bit far from the librarian and other students who were using the reading room.
“Look, I know how tempting Facebook and WhatsApp can be especially Facebook. I really don’t want things that will be eating up my precious time. It’s enough that I’ll be working very late at the hotel where I now work. Thank God madam Fatimah is a nice lady that’s why she has allowed me to study for a while after school before coming in to help her with the dishes. So you see I won’t have the time for it.”
“That’s not your only reason. There is something you are not telling me.” She said.
“Yes that’s not all, social media platforms are distraction and I can’t afford to be distracted right now.” I replied firmly.
“Am I a distraction too?” She asked almost making my heart to skip.
I didn’t what to say. Toyin was my friend but honestly when I’m with her it’s different. I wouldn’t say she was distracting me but Everytime I’m with her I am not thesame. I keep having funny thoughts.
“Why would you say that?” I managed to ask.
“Stop evading my question. Tell me am I distracting you?” She asked becoming serious.
“No you are not. Why would you think that?” I answered firmly.
“So if I’m the one asking you to create an account, why do you think you’ll be distracted?” She asked.
“It’s not what you think okay. Please let’s go back to our books. We still have alot to cover.” I said smiling.
“You think you are smart _abi?_”
We went back to studying but I couldn’t keep myself from stealing glances. There were times she caught me stealing glances and she’ll just smile without saying a word. I was beginning to see why every boy in class was looking forward to having Toyin as a date for the prom.
“You know Facebook or WhatsApp are not necessarily means of distraction okay? There are educative groups you can join and believe me you’ll be thankful for joining them. Just Incase you change your mind this is my username on Facebook. It’s Toyin Belle.” She said.
“Toyin Belle?” I asked.
“Yes Belle that’s my other name. You remember Belle in beauty and the beast? That’s the Belle.” She said smiling.
I haven’t seen the movie yet so I didn’t answer her questions. For sixteen years of my life, I have been living without a television. The only electronic device we had at home was a small radio in which we listen to the news. I was staring at her while she smiled and I could really say she was beautiful. She was indeed beauty personified.
When I got home, I started contemplating if I should create the Facebook account or not. There was this drive in me to create it and make Toyin my friend so we could start chatting but on a second thought, I was scared I might be carried away with the online stuff and I might not achieve my set goal of graduating as the best student ever recorded in Achievers high school. Madam Fatimah had asked me to stop working that she could see the stress I was passing through. I tried telling her that I really needed the money but she insisted. She said if I am able to pursue my dreams first money will pursue me later.
“If ever you need help, you can always meet me.” She said.
That was our last term in Achievers high school and I still had the dreams of having A’s in all my papers and social media could prevent that from happening but on a second thought, it would be easier to talk with Toyin as I wouldn’t have to worry about call credits and I would also join the educational groups she had mentioned earlier that day.
After taking dinner that night, I decided to embark on the Facebook creation adventure. I followed every detail and step as my phone instructed me and before I knew it I was done. I wasn’t the photogenic type so it was really difficult chosing a nice picture as my profile picture. After that, I added some people but the friend I wanted most was Toyin. I searched for her and it appeared there were so many “Toyin Belle”. I looked carefully and found “my” Toyin. She was wearing a beautiful blue gown and her smile was beautiful. For minutes I kept admiring her and how beautiful she was especially when she smiled. Indeed she was Belle because she radiated so much beauty. I added her up and waited for a notification. I soon got a notification that she had accepted my friend request. I was about sending her a message when I got one from her.
“Wow! The great Achiever finally took my advice. Welcome to Facebook dear.” She texted me causing me to smile.
“Thank you” I replied. I told her that I had stopped working at the hotel so that I could have time to study for the exams which were barely month away.
“Can you add me to the groups now?” I asked.
“Ayo, take it easy. You this guy, you love book so much oo. You know you are unbeaten. Even last term that I thought I could still beat you, you still came first position. So take it easy.” She said.
“I’ll be leaving very soon. I have created the account so you add me to the groups.” I replied. I didn’t know what else to say to her so I went off. I still had Physics to study that night and I had a target which I must hit before going to bed. Mama was beginning to notice how fond I was of Toyin and I could tell she knew what exactly it was.
The following day at school, Toyin appeared to be angry with me. She didn’t as much stay behind to chat with me after classes and she didn’t seem to want to talk to me at all.
“Toyin, wait up.” I called out to her as she was leaving the class. She turned but appeared to be in a hurry to leave.
“Have you added me to the groups?” I asked.
“Oh yes I have. I added you to all the groups.” She replied and I could tell all wasn’t well.
“Are you alright?” I asked.
“What does it matter to you. All you are concerned about is book book and book. Am I really your friend?” She asked me.
“Of course you are. You are my friend.”
“I’m not sure. Last night I was looking for a friend to talk to and when I saw your send request, I was happy because I believed I could talk to you but you just went off as if I was already disturbing you.” She said.
“I’m sorry Toyin. It’s not what you think. There was no power and I wanted to use the battery remaining to study last night. You were not disturbing me.” I replied. Alright, I’ll make it up to you tonight.” I replied.
“That won’t be necessary. I needed a friend to talk to last night.” She said.
“But it’s not too late to talk is it? I’m here now.”
“That’s what I really wanted us to talk about. I won’t be staying after school again to study with you. There is a change of plans for me. My driver is here to pick me up.” She said looking sad.
“Let’s talk online later. I’ll get my battery charged because of you.” I Said.
“Is that a promise?” She asked.
“Yes. Let’s meet online by 9pm. I’ll be the one to chat you up.”
Her expression finally changed. She smiled and bid me farewell as she went to meet with her driver. All these while, Timi had been staring at us and appeared to be in deep thoughts over something which I had no idea what it was….
Vicky’s stories…
Touching lives….
Changing people….
All rights reserved: Ayodawha Ejaeta Victory
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