Episode 12
The light inside came on,Stephanie had woken
up. I looked at my watch,it was getting to
9pm. I made to stand up,dusted my short just
as i heard the door creak open.
“Hey,why are u outside?,i didnt know you were
awake already”. I told her i just needed some
fresh air,and i didnt wanna sleep too much so
i’d be able to sleep at night.
“Ok”,she replied.
“I didnt cook anything,we have to go into the
school to eat. Do you wana go with me?”.
“Yeah,get dressed na”. I just realised i was
very hungry. I didnt even remember food until
she mentioned it,my soliloquay had jaded my
reasoning.
We set out into the night,walking side by
side,under the array of solar panelled street
lights,which beautifully adorned the paved
street. She suggested we race to the next
speed bumps. I obliged and so we raced. She
was light on her feet,and i wasnt particularly
a good runner. I was so happy running down
that street,beaming with a loud laugh as the
wind gushed past my face. She beat me,or i
let her win,depending on what you believe. She
teased me endlessly,playfully laughing in my
face,asking how on earth i lost to a girl. I told
her she was very athletic,and that she won
fairly. I could do just about anything to please
her.Panting from the short race,i squated in
front of her,implored her to hop onto my
back,i wanted to carry her all the way.
Damn i was tired,but i didnt relent,i was
definitely gonna carry her till we got to the
first shop.
“I know your about to collapse,but it feels
good riding on your back,lazy âss.”,she teased
again. I pretended to trip her and she
screamed,chuckling while landing light
punches on my back. I laughed along,albeit
uncontrollably. There are moments you share
with that special someone,that you would
never forget,and i tell you,its the little
things,the shared laughter,the playful pranks
and the naughty subtle acts. You never forget
them. Its hard to remember alot of things
from the good times in your past,but this little
things act as cues,gently reinforcing your
belief in tomorrow,telling you that two hearts
can connect,and that love exists,no matter
how much we deny it.
Opting for the local bread and egg
sandwiches,expertly made by the hausa food
sellers,who always beckoned you to patronize
them in a funny way,we sat on the stone
benches and ate,talking intermittently btw
bites. Then we drank beverages,and headed
back home,playing as we walked.
There was a bright moon that night,and shiny
stars illuminating the skies above us. Our
shadows formed a triangle as we stood in
front of the gate,admiring the night sky.
Occasionally a car would zoom past,and we’d
hurl insults at the fading car,finding a
familiar solace in our mischief. When a car
would seem to be slowing down,we’d scramble
the gate open,running inside,and then coming
out again when the car disappeared. When we
finally went into the yard,we sat on the porch
steps,and continued gisting. She straddled my
legs,while i massaged her heels. We talked
about virtually everything,jumping from topic
to topic,sometimes not even completing
one,before nonchalantly switching to another.
It was music,her family,mine,her
fears,escapades,childhood years,food,and even
embarrassing stories,or times when we
faltered. I told her things i had never told
anyone,i trusted her and i knew she
understood me so well. It was easy talking to
her,i let go of every restrain,at the same time
making sure to listen carefully,not judging
her,just laughing at the silly stories and
picking up every message.
“Your such a good listener,you know
right?”,”Alot of girls will enjoy you”.
“Hmmmmm,probably”,i replied.
“I wish we were age mates,or i had met you
first”,she said again,after a lengthy pause.
My heart started beating fast,i thought i was
gonna have a heart attack right there. This
was what i had been waiting for,and she had
brought it up unexpectedly,giving me no time
to brace myself. I looked at her,trying hard to
search her face,to know how she felt saying
these words,or her general facial
expression,but even the moon was not
enough. I could not make out her eyes,i could
not see her face,i couldnt tell how she felt. I
turned my head,staring straight ahead,trying
to say something,anything. The words formed
in my head,but became tired lumps in my
throat when i tried to open my mouth. Seeing
as i was not responding,she kept on
talking,pausing at times to let me reply,and
then continuing when i didnt. I bowed my
head btw my knees,trying hard to push away
the anguish,pretending she wasnt talking to
me. Subconciously her words still permeated
into my being,pricking me like a thousand
needles. I felt moisture on my knees,i thought
i was sweating,but when i brought my hand to
my eyes,they were moisty,i didnt know when it
built up. I felt a tight knot in my chest,like i
was suffocating,i could hear anymore,i stood
up and went inside the room,falling tiredly on
the bed. I didnt even bother to take off my
clothes,i just lay there,the pillow covering my
head,entirely thoughtless.