ALL FOR NOTHING
Episode Twelve
I got everything ready for the prom and I was looking forward to having the spotlight with Toyin. Who would have thought that thesame Ayo from JSS1 was now the Ayo who was looking forward to a dance with a beautiful girl like Toyin. I ironed my trousers to the extent that even if I didn’t iron again for another couple of months, it still won’t be obvious that I didn’t. Timi was the only problem I was having. He didn’t come to school the previous day and the possibility of him getting angry when he discovers that I later took his place was very certain. I knew what I was doing was wrong but I had no choice. I was beginning to be completely carried away by Toyin. I was just sixteen and it was one of those feelings we teenagers have. It’s as if Toyin was the only person that matters. I couldn’t say I love her but I knew it wouldn’t be long before we find ourselves in a romantic entanglement. She was always in my mind. I could say I had completely lost control of my feelings when it had to do with Toyin.
I arrived a bit late and by the time I got there, Timi had already come. He was on a nice suit and tie and was looking really cute. Seun and Bala had their suits customized and one could tell it was the best of all. I was on a pair of trousers and a white shirt. I had no tie but I was confident I wasn’t looking as bad as I thought I would.
“I thought you said you weren’t going to attend?” Timi said to me. I could tell he was looking for Toyin as well as I was.
“I changed my mind.” I replied.
“Really? So whose your date or are you alone?” He asked me. I could tell Timi was becoming interested in Toyin and not just the prom stuff.
“I can’t find Toyin yet. Have you seen her?” He asked me looking disturbed.
I almost wanted to tell him that Toyin might not be his date again as I had made her change her mind but I didn’t know how to go about it.
“No, I haven’t.” I managed to say.
The principal and all staffs of Achievers high school were there and it was a colourful night. The girls were looking really beautiful more than they looked on their uniforms. I just couldn’t help but wait to set my eyes on Toyin. I knew she would be the most beautiful of all the girls that night. I could already see myself holding her hand and walking down the aisle like a bride and a groom. I was just smiling and Timi had no idea why.
“Mr Silas was the master of ceremony and he was looking really good on his blue suit. I just couldn’t believe everyone could look so good for just a prom. Thank God I changed my mind and attended.
Principal Ogunsola gave the opening prayer and during this time Toyin was still no where to be found. Every boy had a girl by his side with arms worn over the other. I was almost believing that Toyin wasn’t going to attend and was already feeling disappointed when she walked in like an angel. I stood with mouth agape with an undivided attention looking at her as she walked towards myself and Timi. I guess Timi was as excited as I was to see Toyin. She was wearing a pink gown that had no sleeves. She was looking as beautiful as one of the angels I have read about. Toyin was indeed the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen and the kind of chemistry I felt inside of me was enough to convince me that I was falling for her. I have never felt anything like that before in my life. It was different. It was a passion that resembled an unquenchable flame burning inside of me. As she moved closer, I could feel my heart beating fast and I was still in the state of unrealistic expectations.
Timi was already smiling and without being told I knew one of us will get hurt. I knew our friendship was at stake should Toyin chose me over Timi. But I wanted Toyin to chose me even if I knew it would hurt Timi. I came to agree with Toyin that there’s no fairness in love and war. Everyone is unarguably selfish when it comes to matters of the heart.
Toyin walked up to me and with a smile stretched forth her hand.
“I’m sorry I came late.” She said.
I could tell that Timi was surprised to see that I was the one whom Toyin had gone to meet instead of him. I felt reluctant to take Toyin’s hand but with the series of chemical and emotional reactions going on in my inside, I just couldn’t resist. I grabbed her hand and we both walked together to the dancing floor. Every student at Achievers high school could dance a ball dance as it was one of the classes we took in our senior secondary classes.
The prom was declared open and students were asked to officially dance with their dates. If there was one thing I loved about Achievers high school, it was in the fact that we were treated like American high school students and that was because the school was founded by a white man.
I turned to look at Timi’s direction but he wasn’t there anymore. I felt guilty. I shouldn’t have done what I did. I was a bad friend. Timi had always been kind to me and the first chance I have to prove that I could equally be a friend to him, I blew it.
As I wrapped my hand across Toyin’s waist taking the course of the dance, I was being mesmerized. Her smile was doing something to me that I couldn’t understand. I felt we were alone in the hall. For the first time in my life somebody else mattered other than mama. I felt like kssing Toyin. I felt I was lost!
After about ten minutes, Timi was back, he didn’t seem to be happy and I was already looking for a way to apologise to him after the party. He later found a dance partner and that was Sola the “shakara girl.” Sola had no one to ask her to be his date for the prom because of how proud she was. She was lucky to get a partner that night.
There was slight refreshment but I lost my appetite. I walked up to Timi so I could apologise to him.
“If you know you had plans to ask Toyin out why did you make a fool out of me?” Timi said expressing his anger as well as his disappointment.
“I’m sorry Tim. I didn’t mean to. I know what I did was wrong but you would have done the same thing if you were in my shoes.” I said.
“What do you mean by that? I personally asked you because I knew there was something you were not telling me about Toyin. I knew you were having feelings for her that was why I asked you so I won’t be intruding but you claimed nothing was going on and that I could go ahead. I trusted you but what did you do? You played me for a fool.” Timi Said.
“Look, I know what I did was wrong. I wanted to tell you about it yesterday in school but you were not around. I had no airtime to call and no data. I actually wanted to tell you about it. Honestly I did.” I said but Timi appeared to be enveloped in anger.
“Tell me Ayo, do you love Toyin?” Timi asked becoming really serious.
“I don’t know but I all I know is that I’m different when I’m with her. She’s doing something to me that I can’t really explain.” I said.
“You haven’t answered my question Ayo. This is no longer an ordinary friendship. Do you love Toyin?”
“Yes I do. I love Toyin.” I replied.
I turned and saw Toyin looking at the two of us. She must have heard what I said. I didn’t know she was standing there and for a moment I felt the ground should just open abd swallow me.
I walked out leaving Toyin and Timi. I knew there was already a dent in my friendship with Timi and after overhearing what I told Timi, I was afraid I might lose Toyin too.
I never planned for anything of such to happen. I just wanted to study hard and graduate as the best student ever recorded in Achievers high school but with Toyin around, I wasn’t sure of that anymore….
All rights reserved: Ayodawha Ejaeta Victory.
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