CHAPTER 15&16
🍒TIMI🍒
The following day, we returned to Abuja, where the security team assisted us in unpacking our belongings and settling back into our home.
“Goodbye, aunty,” I bid farewell, but Mrs. Austin swiftly halted me in my tracks.
“I wanted to speak with you about something,” she said, and I nodded, granting her permission to continue.
“It’s about Atlas and his girlfriend,” she began, prompting me to listen attentively.
“What about them?” I inquired, curious about her concerns.
“I love my son dearly, but I fear he’s on the wrong path. I’ve heard unsettling things about that girl, Dera, and I believe she may not have his best interests at heart,” she confessed, causing me to nod in understanding.
“It seems he’s deeply in love with her, but I worry she’ll only bring him heartache in the end,” she sighed, voicing her anxieties.
“I want you to try and talk some sense into him,” she implored, catching me off guard.
“Wait, what?” I exclaimed, taken aback by her request.
“Yes, as a woman, perhaps you could influence him to see reason by spending more time together,” she suggested, leaving me stunned by her proposition.
“He hardly speaks to me anymore,” I confessed, expressing my doubts about the effectiveness of her plan.
“I know, but it’s worth a try, isn’t it?” she persisted, reaching out to hold my hands in a gesture of camaraderie.
“I don’t want him to suffer any further, especially after losing his father. I’ve done my best to provide a happy home for both Atlas and Adam,” she revealed, her voice tinged with sorrow as she reminisced about their family’s past struggles.
“It was a difficult time for Atlas after his father’s passing. I had hoped our move to Nigeria would bring us solace and happiness, but it seems we’ve encountered more challenges,” she lamented, reflecting on their journey.
“I even thought he might develop feelings for you; you’re a beautiful young woman and everything a man could desire. What does my son see in her?” she pondered aloud, her laughter easing the tension.
“I’ll try all my best to persuade him about Dera, but if you hear that I’ve resorted to slapping your son, it’s likely because he said something particularly disagreeable,” I joked, earning a chuckle from Mrs. Austin.
“Even if it takes a few slaps to bring him to his senses, so be it,” she quipped, sharing in our laughter.
“Thank you for your understanding,” she expressed her gratitude before walking away.
I began making my way to my room, thinking over Mrs. Austin’s words. It’s ironic—I’d practically instructed Atlas to avoid me, and now I find myself obligated to engage with him.
Ugh, this is solely for Mrs. Austin’s sake. She’s genuinely one of the kindest souls I know, and her happiness means everything to me.
After dinner, everyone retired to their rooms. I took a refreshing bath and settled in with my books, realizing it’s been ages since I last read. Lazy as I am, I couldn’t muster the energy to sit at my desk; instead, I sprawled out on my bed.
Lost in my reading for about an hour, I suddenly sensed a pair of eyes on me. I turned to find Atlas perched on his bed, his gaze fixed on me. As soon as our eyes met, he averted his gaze.
“I saw you,” I called him out, but he remained silent. Sometimes I forget he’s actually 18; his behavior can be so Childish.
“I thought I told you not to look at me anymore,” I reminded him.
“I wasn’t looking,” he retorted bluntly. I sighed, feeling a surge of frustration, but there were so many things I wanted to say that just wouldn’t come out.
“We have tutorials tomorrow,” I announced, attempting to redirect the conversation.
“Listen, Timi, or wh@tëver your name is, I won’t be attending your tutorials anymore. I already know everything,” he declared. I was so angry, and filled with anger that I could barely contain. Maybe I do have anger issues.
“Ever since you started dating that girl, you’ve become a puppet. You’re acting like a child, and even Adam shows more maturity than you,” I lashed out.
“You bring Dera into everything. I don’t have a problem with her; in fact, I care about her deeply. Accept it and stop acting like a fool,” he snapped back.
“You’re the one acting foolishly. Dera and I have been in the same school for our entire lives. Do you really think you’re the first white boy she’s dated? I pity you. When she’s done with you, she’ll discard you like yesterday’s trash. Who knows, she might even be cheating on you as we speak,” I spat out bitterly.
“Are you finished?” he asked calmly, prompting me to scoff in disbelief at his audacity.
“Goodnight,” he muttered before closing his window.
What a clueless idiot.
I couldn’t even muster the focus to read after my counter with Atlas. He’s become a real pain in the neck. I always thought Kelvin was a terrible listener, but Atlas takes it to a whole new level.
Frustrated, I closed my books and flopped down on my bed, closing my eyes as exhaustion washed over me.
The next day unfolded much like any other. I followed my usual routine, attending classes and enduring the usual disruptions. Strangely, though, I found myself feeling slightly less agitated than before.
“d@mn, you’re looking stunning today,” Kelvin remarked as he slid into the seat beside me. I glanced at him, rolling my eyes in response.
“I saw your little sister’s Instagram post,” he continued, a grin playing on his lips.
“Yeah, we went to a beach house,” I replied curtly.
“Dera went too, huh? Why?” he inquired.
“Maybe she’s one of your ‘whores.’ Ask her,” I replied flatly.
“My whore’s? Nah, we had a thing back then, but I’m over it now,” he explained.
“Why the sudden change of heart?” I probed.
“Can’t you see? What’s there to like? She’s a community slut, half the guys in school have had their way with her,” he retorted.
“Including you,” I added pointedly.
“Yeah, guilty as charged. But that doesn’t mean you and I can’t have something,” he insisted, edging closer.
“I’ve got feelings for you, Timi. It’s like you’ve cast a spell on me,” he admitted, eliciting a chuckle from me. Why am I laughing? Oh, dear.
“Being with you would feel like settling for Dera’s leftovers, so… I don’t know,” I confessed.
“Ouch, that hurts. But technically, Dera’s with Atlas now, so he’s the one indulging in my ‘leftovers’,” he quipped.
“You’re no different from her; you’ve had your fair share of flings too,” I countered.
“I haven’t slept with every girl. Have I slept with you?” he countered.
“No, and it’s never going to happen, you know that, right?” I shot back.
“I don’t care about that. I like you for you, not just your…” he trailed off, and I finished his sentence in my mind.
“You don’t need to mention my ‘big @$$,'” I interjected, making him grin.
“But seriously, Timi, you’re gorgeous, and I genuinely want us to be together. I may joke around a lot, but I won’t toy with your feelings,” he asserted, leaning in to peck my lips. My eyes widened in shock.
“Why did you do that?” I demanded, frowing.
“Timi,” he began.
“You just kissed me, Kelvin. Why?” I pressed, irritation creeping into my voice.
“I like you, Timi,” he repeated.
“But that still doesn’t give you the right to do that, you know?” I reminded him sternly, and he nodded.
“I’m sorry,” he apologized, sighing. I couldn’t believe he had actually kissed me on the lips. As I glanced around, I caught Atlas staring at us. What’s his problem?
“So, there’s a party coming up,” Kelvin announced suddenly.
“And how does that concern me?” I countered.
“Come on, this must be the hundredth time I’ve invited you to a party, and you always say no,” he lamented.
“I have to study; it’s Friday, right?” I reasoned.
“Yeah,” he confirmed.
“Oh, I have to study. I have a crucial exam coming up, remember? JAMB is coming,” I explained.
“You’re not even taking JAMB, Timi,” he pointed out. Right, I’m not planning to attend college in Nigeria after high school.
“WASSCE,” I corrected myself.
“That’s not until next year, around May or so,” he countered.
“Yeah, and I need to study hard to have all A’s” I insisted.
“Timi, come on, it’s just one party. It won’t kill you,” he cajoled.
“No,” I firmly refused. Partying? Never again. After what happened the first time I went to a party, I made a vow never to repeat the experience. Plus, my parents would never allow it.
After all Kelvin’s pleading, I still didn’t agree. The thought of partying again sent shivers down my spine; I’d made a vow to myself to steer clear of such events. The memories of that first and only party still haunted me, but that’s a tale for another time.
Entering my room, I dropped my books, feeling drained from the day’s events. Ah, what a day.
After a refreshing shower and a change of clothes, I returned to my room and fired up my laptop, I know you all must be thinking I only read well I don’t spend all my time buried in books, I enjoy watching movies too.
“Hi,” I heard, causing me to turn and find Atlas standing by his window.
“Hey,” I replied.
“So… you’re dating Kelvin?” he inquired.
TBC
