ALL FOR NOTHING
Written by Ayodawha Ejaeta Victory.
Episode Eleven
The career week went on smoothly and with the lectures we had received from different experts in different fields of knowledge, one could be sure of what one intends to go for. Timi had concluded that he wanted to go for marine engineering. His father had friends who worked at sea and with his influence Timi was sure to get a good job after graduation.
All the SS3 students were ready for the prom except for me. Toyin had really expected me to muster the courage to ask her out but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to betray Timi.
All said and done, when Toyin saw that I wasn’t ready to ask her out, she agreed to be Timi’s date for the party. It was obvious she had intentionally turned down the other boys in the class like Seun, Bala and the others who had shown interest in her because she was expecting me to ask her out.
“She finally agreed to be my date for the prom.” Timi said excitedly.
“Imagine me Timi with a beautiful and intelligent girl like Toyin. We’ll be ‘T-square’ or double-T’. What do you think?” He asked.
I couldn’t give an answer because honestly speaking I was beginning to feel a bit jealous.
“Congrats bro.” O managed to say with a pretentious smile. I realised Toyin was avoiding me again. She was beginning to act funny again.
“Timi told me you are his date for the prom.” I said to her after classes that day. Timi had to go ahead because he had something very important to do at home and I wanted to have a talk with Toyin.
“Oh yes, any problem with that?” She asked.
“Not at all. Best of luck.”
“Thank you.”
That night as I logged into Facebook to chat with Toyin, it was as if we were fighting. I did the questioning and she was just doing “yes or no.” I was beginning to feel irritated. She didn’t seem to want to chat with me even if I tried keeping the conversation. I decided to go offline because she was practically the only person I come online to chat with and when she wasn’t making the conversation an interesting one, I got bored and frustrated at the same time.
“Are you tired of me?” She asked knowing that I was no longer replying her messages as I used to.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked.
“Doing what?”
“You know if you really don’t want to chat tonight you could just say that and allow me do something important with my time.” I replied sounding annoyed.
“I never compelled you to remain online. It’s your choice.” She replied.
I became annoyed and went offline. I felt really bad that I came to conclude that it was because she was the one who had gifted me the phone that she was doing all that she was doing. I decided to give it back to her in school the following day.
I made sure that I packed everything that came with the phone together with it that morning as I got ready for school. I knew the only thing I would have to try explaining to mama later was the reason I was no longer with the phone. Though I was poor, I had this ego and it was one of the few qualities that appeared to be my flaws as a human being especially as a teenager.
“I’m really grateful for this gift but I believe we were much better without it. When there was no cell phone we could talk, gist and laugh even if it was just for few minutes but now that there is a phone we are always fighting. I want my friend back and if I’ll have to give up the cell phone just for me to get her back, I’ll gladly do so. This is your cell phone. I want my Toyin back. I want that Toyin who will want me to study and make me believe I have a reason to do so. I’m sorry but I need her more than I need the phone.” I said and without waiting for her to say anything, I turned my back and marched to my seat. I felt really stupid for returning the cell phone but at that moment, it appeared to be the best decision I could ever take. I knew deep down that my actions couldn’t really be justified but I was left with no other option.
Immediately the closing bell was rung, I picked up my bag and went straight to the library. I could tell Timi was surprised to see me behave that way but I didn’t even as much stay behind to chat with him. I knew he would want to raise the issue on himself and Toyin again and I wasn’t ready for any of that.
“Why did you return my gift to you?” I heard some one asking me. I was deeply focused on what I was doing but I could tell it was Toyin. Her perfume and voice were enough to make me know it was her and besides she was the one I had returned her gift.
“Ayo, I gave this gift to you because I wanted us to be closer. You really don’t understand do you? I have no friends. I was this all locked up and monitored girl. I didn’t know how to relate with guys until I met you. I really thought we could be very good friends. You are not even concerned as to why I stopped studying with you as I used to. You are only concerned about yourself and not others. I’m sorry if I ever Disturbed you or made you feel like I was pulling you down. All I ever wanted was a friend and one I could tell anything and everything.” She said and I could see droplets of tears running down her cheeks. I suddenly felt remorseful for what I have done.
“It’s not like that Toyin.” I said.
“Then what is it?” She asked.
“I’m not used to this chatting stuff and you are the only reason I come online on Facebook. When you are not online I don’t feel the vibe to chat.”
“But you don’t chat with me. You are just so rigid that you could just leave me in the middle of a conversation. What do you expect me to do? You were making me feel like I was really a burden or an element of distraction.” She said.
I was able to trace the root of our misunderstanding. While I was thinking she was indirectly insulting me because she was the one who bought the phone for me, she was thinking of me as one who saw her as a disturbance which wasn’t true. I had to apologise and to tell her how sorry I was.
“I’m really sorry Toyin. I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. I’m really sorry.” I apologised. I couldn’t believe I was the one apologizing to a girl. I knew how proud I could be but with Toyin it was different. She had so much power over me.
“This belongs to you. Don’t ever do that again. I was really hurt when you returned the gift.” She said.
“I won’t ever! I promise mommy.” I said causing her to smile. I noticed how beautiful she was behind that smile. I just couldn’t take my eyes off her.
“Why are you staring at me?” She asked noticing how fixed my gaze was on her.
“Nothing.” I lied.
“You think I’m beautiful don’t you?” She asked.
“I guess so.” I replied.
She gave me a gentle hit with the book she was holding.
“This is a library!” Shouted the librarian.
“The two of you are disturbing.”
We quickly composed ourselves and continued laughing but we were careful not to be heard again.
“Let’s go out.” Toyin said.
“Why?” I asked.
“I have something to tell you and I don’t want the librarian to send us out.” She said.
Since we were just making peace, I had to oblige and then pack my stuff.
“Why won’t you be attending the prom?” She asked when we came out of the library.
“I don’t have a date for the party.” I replied.
“Are you kidding me?” Whom did you ask to be your date and the person turned you down?”
“No one. I didn’t ask anyone out.” I replied.
“You are shy aren’t you?”
“Shy? I’m not shy.” I replied.
“So why couldn’t you muster the courage to ask her out?” She asked.
“I guess you are right. I was afraid she might say NO to me and that I am not the perfect date for her.” I replied.
“If you don’t ask her, how would you know?”
“Well, it’s too late because she’s already agreed to be someone’s date for the prom.” I replied.
“The prom is still two days away and who knows she may end up changing her mind.” Toyin replied with a stare at my face.
“But doing that will not be fair to the other person.” I replied.
“Nothing is fair in love and war.” She replied smiling.
“Are you sure if I ask her out now she would say YES?”
“Why not give it a try? There has never been any harm in trying.” She replied. Her smile was already doing something to me and she wouldn’t stop.
Knowing that I stood a chance to get Toyin to be my date for the prom, I mustered the courage and asked her out.
“Toyin would you be my date for the prom?” I finally asked.
“Of course I will. It will be my pleasure to be your date for the prom.” She replied.
I let out a smile and it was as if something very heavy had been lifted off my shoulders.
“What took you so long to ask me out?” She asked.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d say YES.” I replied.
“A little advice my friend. Life will not always answer yes to you so you shouldn’t be afraid of getting a no as answer. Disappointments are a part of life and without them we won’t really see the need for trying out new things. Also if you don’t make a move in most cases, you may never get what you really want or that which should be rightfully yours.” She said.
I was stunned as to how Toyin could speak with so much wisdom. She was indeed a lady of class.
“So it’s official. I’m officially your date for the prom. You better show up that day” She said smiling.
“Of course I will.” I replied.
We decided to walk together for the first time. Since she was commuting, I played the gentle man by walking her to where she could find a safe Taxi to take her home. We bid each other farewell and I watched as her car drove off until it finally vanished from my sight. I was feeling guilty because I had betrayed Timi. I didn’t know what to do but as I walked home that day, I felt different. I felt invincible…
Vicky’s stories….
Touching lives….
Changing people….
All rights reserved: Ayodawha Ejaeta Victory.
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