ALL FOR NOTHING…

Episode twenty four

Life overseas was not as cool as I thought it’d be but I was able to cope. I worked in a grocery shop after school just to make both ends meet. Mr Omotayo had bought mama a phone and though it cost so much making international calls, I still tried to hear from mama as often as I could.
Lola and I made it a habit of communicating online as it was the cheapest way we could do so. Toyin also had made it a habit of always checking on me. She’d call me as often as she could and had said she’d visit me in school someday.

Toyin actually kept her word and paid me a visit. She had returned back to the States and it was easy for her to visit me.

“Hello, Ayo I’m at your school.” She called to notify me that evening. She had taken a flight all the way from Quebec to Vancouver where I schooled. I was already done with classes for the day so I had to come out and welcome her.

“Welcome Toyin. What a surprise.” I said.
“Oh yes. I decided I’d pay you a surprise visit.” She said smiling.
“How are you doing? How is the weather over here?” She asked.
“Different from the way it is back home.” I replied.
“I’m done with classes for the day and I was about going home.” I replied.
We took a taxi and then headed for my place. We scholars got a flat each on the top floor of university guest house. It was a few kilometers from the University.

“So how was your journey?” I asked.
“It was okay.” She said.
I handed a glass of water to her and then went to the kitchen to see what was there. Cooking had been very difficult since I came in since it was difficult to get the local spices from home.

“How long are you staying?” I asked her.
“Are you already sending me back home?” She asked sounding a bit serious.
“No not at all. I just wanted to know that’s all.”
“I’ll be going back on Sunday. We still have a lot to do for our extra curricular project. I joined the social workers and it’s really hard working with kids. I came here to take a break.” She said..

“A break from what?”
“Dad is beginning to make things hard for me. He’s insisting I get married to a white man here after my education which I don’t want.” She said.
“Really? Why does he want you to marry a white man?” I asked.
“Please don’t mind him, once I’m done with my schooling, I’ll return home. How about you? I guess you’ll be marrying a white girl too.” She said.
“Marriage is still very far. I don’t think I should be thinking of that now.” I replied.
“Says who? It’s our African culture that makes us think that one has to get up to thirty or more before getting married. Here, it doesn’t matter.” She said.
I was preparing some french toast while the discussion was going on. I had learnt it from a colleague in school. He took out time to write out the recipes and how to go about preparing it.
“Lunch is ready.” I said smiling.
“Lunch? How can this be lunch? It’s past five in the evening and you are calling this lunch. But all thesame I’m hungry and I’ll eat. Hope I don’t get a stomach upset?” She said.
I could still see the old Toyin from Achievers high school. I could still remember those times we spent together studying in the library and then joking causing Mr Ola the librarian to always ask us to keep quiet.
“Hmmm, nice one. It taste delicious.” She said forcing me to smile.
“Thank you.” I replied.
“You welcome.”

“Is there any place we can visit here in Vancouver? Let’s go out. Don’t tell me you are still the book worm from Achievers high school that I know you to be.” She said

“Of course not. I work after school and hardly even have time to study. I’m just depending on God to help me.” I replied.

We went out that evening to a beautiful park. As I walked with Toyin that evening, memories of old started coming back. Thesame memories I have tried to forget started coming back.

“Remember at Achievers high school, when we used to walk along the palm trees path way? It was really cool then. I wonder how it would be to visit that school again.” She said but I wasn’t really listening to her. I was in deep thoughts. I didn’t want to think of it that way, but I could tell I was still in a way affected by what had happened between us back then at Achievers high school.

We got home around 9pm and as I went in with Toyin, I was not comfortable anymore. I once had feelings for her and it’s possible for them to return. I knew it wasn’t ideal for a guy and a girl to stay in a room together especially not when feelings are attached.

I decided to allow her take the bed while I study all through the night. My flat was a room, a kitchen, the restroom and the study room.

“Can I ask you a question?” She said as I prepared the bed for her.

“Yes what is it?” I asked.
“Are you still angry at me for not believing you back then?”

“No I’m not. If I was, I wouldn’t welcome you to my house. It’s all in the past now. Let’s work with what we have right now.” I replied.

“I’m really sorry for what happened back then. If only I could turn back the hands of time I’ll do that.”

“You don’t have to. Like I said, Everything happened because there was a lesson I needed to learn.” I replied.

“Have a good night rest and sweet dreams and pray before you sleep.” I added.

“You too.” I replied.

As I sat down to study, I decided to drop a good night message for Lola. I could tell she was already asleep.

I saw that she had dropped a message for me before going to bed. I replied her message and went ahead to study. I was really exhausted that I couldn’t study far before sleep sneaked up on me and sent me to dream Land.

The following morning being on Saturday, there was no class but I had to resume work at the grocery shop early. Toyin was still enjoying her sleep and I didn’t want to wake her up. I had to drop a note by the side of the bed so she wouldn’t think I left her all alone without a word.

While I was at the shop, I felt like my life was getting complicated. I really didn’t want to go back to the past again but I could feel I still had a soft spot for Toyin. I thought I had completely forgotten about her but I was wrong. The fact that I wasn’t seeing her then was what made me think so. Now that she was back, my heart was beginning to admit to it’s weakness.

By the time I arrived home, Toyin had prepared something really nice. She was able to get some of our home made recipes and I couldn’t tell where she got it from.

“I saw your note this morning. Thank you.” She said smiling.
I couldn’t remember writing anything special on that note other than “good morning dear, hope you slept well. I could see you really enjoyed your night rest. I’ll be off to work by the time you wake up. Don’t be scared and take care of yourself.”

“You are welcome.” I replied.
“Go and take your bath and by the time you are done, food is ready.” She said.
The aroma of the food was enough to command me to do as she had said. In a jiffy I was done and I came to join her for dinner.

“Wow! This is great. I really miss this. Thank you so much Toyin.” I said as I dived in like a devoted soldier.
“Take it easy Ayo. It’ll choke you.” She said smiling.
“Don’t worry about that. There is water here.” I replied.

After eating that meal I came to agree with the statement that the way to man’s heart is through his stomach.

“Are you still hearing from your friend Lola?” She asked me.

“Yes, we do talk online and I do call her sometimes too. You know how expensive international calls are.” I replied.

“How long have you two known each other?” She asked.
I was so carried away by the food that I couldn’t get exactly where she was heading to with those questions.

“She is the only friend I could say I had in Republic town. She is very nice and has really been a friend to me.” I replied.

“I guess she must be very special to you then.”

“Yes she is.”
Immediately, Toyin’s countenance changed.
“Alright Ayo, I think I’ll be going to bed now. I’ll be leaving tomorrow morning.” She said.

“Are you okay? Your countenance changed all of a sudden. Is there something wrong?”

“No I’m fine. Just that since we separated, it was really hard getting a friend like you again. I really missed you. Anyway thank you for making me comfortable. Have a good night rest.” She said she turned towards the room.

“Toyin, I missed you too. Honestly I did. Thank you for coming around.” I replied.

She went ahead and came back with a pillow.

“You need this more than I do.” She said and threw it to me.

“Good night and sweet dreams and don’t forget to pray before you sleep.” I advised.

That night, I felt really happy knowing that Toyin had really missed me but about Lola I didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t shown any sign that she loves me but I could tell Toyin still does.
I decided to drop a message for Lola too only to discover that she already dropped one for me.
“Hope you are doing great over there? I really miss you. Take care of yourself for me and don’t forget that I’m always here for you. Good night and sweet dreams.” I read.

I heaved a sigh and looking closely at the situation, I could tell I had two girls who love me and whom I respect and care about too. I just hoped it wouldn’t get to the point that I’ll have to choose between the two of them because if that should happen, I’ll not know what to do as the two of them really mean alot to me…

Hope you enjoyed this episode?

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Episode twenty five loading…

Vicky’s stories…
Touching lives….
Changing people…

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