Shadow Of Love

Episode 34

The three weeks I spent at home was really worth it cause I had fun, hanging out with childhood friends and my parents, attending different functions and getting to meet new neighbours that packed into the estate.
Two days after I came home, Franca’s parents had visited. I wanted to excuse myself but her mum asked that I stay since it was all about me. They said Franca had refused to come home and they have no choice but to believe that she’s guilty. Surprisingly, her father apologised to us, pleading that we do not ruin a relationship of 21 years just because we got admission into the university. We had all hugged each other and had lunch together while they advised me to avoid getting into trouble with Franca once I get back to school.

The rest of my stay at Onitsha was a very pleasant one. My dad even stayed around through out. Three days before I was to return to Enugu, I decided to visit a friend that lives in GRA (akpaka). She was my classmate in secondary school so we still kept in touch through our group chat, both on Facebook and WhatsApp.

I got there around some minutes past twelve and drove in. She was already waiting for me at the garden when I got there so after a long hug, admiring and laughter, we went inside.

Me: Nice

I said immediately we got in. Her father was late and her mother owned a clothing line which had it’s main branch at Abuja. Claire was always alone each time she came back from school (IMT…..got to know all these from the gossiping girls we had in the group shaa).
And we became close because during our wassce days, we were each others’ back bone. While she helped me in mathematics and government, I helped her in Igbo language, Economics and Agricultural science. We had bonded immediately.

Claire: Sit down joor. I’m sure your own house is heaven on earth.

We settled to a cushion and started the conversation proper.

Claire: What do I offer you? Don’t say nothing cause I won’t take that.

Me: Hia. I took something before coming here.

Claire: And I’m guessing it’s breakfast. So tell me what to offer you
I heaved a sigh and shook my head.

Me: I’ll be spending some hours here. So before I leave, I’ll definitely take something.

Claire: Alright. So tell me, this one you decided to visit after how many years?

Me: Ah! Ibiakwa (you’ve come now). At least we chat nau. It’s just that we haven’t seen since then but we chat.

Claire: Gini bu chat? (what is chat?)
I smacked my lips and apologised, not wanting to prolong the matter.

Claire: If I had not suggested we meet up, would you have come? All you small small girls with rich fathers.

Me: Thankfully, I’m not a small girl

Claire: You wish o.

Me: See her head.

Claire is a damsel. Beauty gets intimidated by her. She’s chocolate in complexion, with this oval face that gives her an angelic look, she is tall, with straight legs, but she lacked the boobs and behind thing. But she’s very very beautiful.

Claire: So tell me about school. To think we’re both in Enugu and never thought of seeing each other.

Me: You just told me your school last month nau. Stop whining joor.

Claire: Oya start talking. How many boyfriends? Do you stay alone? How do….

Me: One at a time joor. You want to kill me with questions?

Claire: Sorry but start talking.

Me: I only have one boyfriend. I live alone. I used to live with Franca but she messed up so I had to send her packing.

Claire: Is it the Franca I know? Your bestie?
I nodded.

Claire: Ah! What happened?
I briefly told her what transpired between Franca and myself.

Claire: Ahn ahn. See as you people just spoilt your friendship because of a guy. I just hope he’s worth it.

Me: Tobe is a nice guy.

Claire: Every girl must refer to her boyfriend as nice nau.

I frowned at her but she didn’t even seem to notice.

Me: You that’s talking, is your own boyfriend nice?

Claire: I won’t vouch for him alright? We’re just starting so I don’t know him too well yet. He’s even a student of your school sef. Final year, chemical engineering.

Me: Wow. Nice. So what’s his name?

Claire: Edward.

Me: Oh! Anyways, where do you stay in Enugu?

Claire: My aunt’s place. Mum insisted I must live with her. I drive to school from her place and it’s really giving me trouble.

Me: Where’s that?

Claire: Abakpa o.

Me: Hmmm. Mums eh. They won’t just allow you flex your life even when your own youthful age is still wearing pant.

We both laughed.

Me: For me, once I get back, I’ll start looking for a roommate. I can’t stay in that flat alone.

Claire: How many rooms?

Me: Two. But it has a sit out and a big sitting room.

Claire: Wow. This boyfriend of yours. I think I’ll just move in to your place then. It’s better than coming from abakpa.

Me: For real? Won’t your mum….

Claire: I’ll tell her. But just know I’m moving in with you.

Me: Alright. I’ll be going back in three days shaa.

Claire: Cool. I’ll go with you. My car is in my aunt’s place. We’ll shop tomorrow then.

Me: Alright.

We spent the rest of the day gisting (gossiping) about our classmates. I also called Lois, Cynthia and Vanessa and they all spoke with Claire.

That was how I got a new roomie and a plus one gossip mate. School will be fun this semester, 200 level all the way.

---

Two weeks after resumption and we five were together in the garage of my apartment. The power had gone off while we were eating so we quickly rounded up and went downstairs to get fresh air (Cynthia’s choice actually).

A push at the gate and two cute guys walked in. I’ve not seen them before and I wondered who they were looking for. Secondly, since I packed in, I only minded my room, I didn’t even know who my neighbours were. I was about going to meet them when they started walking towards our direction.

Vanessa: See fine boys o.

It was a whisper but we heard right so we all laughed to her open admiration.

The guys walked up to us and we had to struggle to put ourselves together.

It was one of the boys who spoke up. He was tall, dark, broad chest laced with muscled arms, his very flat stomach was obvious and he was putting on a white short and body hugged black top.

William: Hi girls.

Wow! His smile was perfect. He even has a gap teeth and a dimple on his right cheek.

While we took turns to return his greetings, I decided to check out the other guy and yes, I caught him staring at me. He smiled and looked away. He was not different from his friend, except that he was putting on a suit and his complexion was a little bit lighter than that of his friend.

William: I’m William and this is my friend, Leonard.

We all shook hands and we told them our names.

Leonard: Pamela, its really nice to see you outside today. You’ve not done that since you packed in.

Me: Oh! Oh my God! You both are the copers that live here?

And did I mention that Leonard has a very deep baritone voice? I think I just did. But I didn’t drool on that because I had an answer to give.

Leonard: Yes we are.

Me: Wow. Its nice meeting you.

We shook hands again and i introduced them to Claire, emphasizing that she’s my roommate.

We chatted for a while before they left for their apartment.

Vanessa: Mehn! Some guys are just so cute for my liking.

Lois: Can’t you see how speechless I am? You won’t even be able to pick the best among the two. They fine joor.

Claire: And did you notice their good command of English? This guys are over hot.

Me: I’m already planning on a house barbeque so we can get to stare at them longer than this one.

Vanessa: You and Claire no suppose to dey follow us talk o because una two don get bobo already.

We laughed again, throwing our heads back as the laughter flowed.

Cynthia: I just dey look all of you. How many una dey sef?

She counted us and added the two guys.

Cynthia: Ehe. This one no go be threesome again. It’ll be sixsome.

My stomach almost blew open with laughter. As I didn’t die that day, I no fit die any other day.

We spent the rest of the evening outside. Truth be told, it was Tobe’s call that took us upstairs. He’ll be back in a fortnight(travelled to Canada to see his sister that gave birth). He took time to speak with the girls before we bade each other good night.

The girls left and Claire started cooking noodles which we’ll have for dinner.