My Failed Love Story (Chapter 3)
“Oh. I don’t like bad boys but he is cute and funny and we all make bad decisions, right?”
So it’s been two days since I came to school. The final year started so slowly. I don’t even know my supervisor yet. My course mates were discussing whom they would like to be their project supervisor.
“I want only Adebambo and Adebambo alone” Steven one of the smart kids said
“That stuff is on probability. I don’t know how students are merged with supervisors.” Jide, another course mate said
“They always pair the worst lecturer with the best students” Steven replied
“Let them hear you o… Which people are you calling worst?” Enitan, the head of the class asked as she sat on the desk in front of them.
“Enitan, stop eavesdropping on people’s conversations. If you report us, it won’t make you find favour in the HOD’s eyes” Steven said laughing.
Enitan stood up and left the silly boys of our class. I was sitting at their back watching as things unfolded. I never expected what happened 30 minutes later.
Jide turned his back and saw me with my laptop. He tapped his friend lightly to look at me: “See that genius over there. That anti-social. She will still get an A no matter the lecturer she is paired with or the group she falls under. Is it not Nene again?”
Just then, some ‘who is not to be named’ figure appeared to join the conversation because she heard my name.
“Are you talking about Nene? Why do you people believe she is genius? I get she is computer-savvy but do you know that her dad is a stakeholder in this university?” Voldemort said
“Really? Are you sure? Nene is a Niger Delta babe” Jide replied
“So you think if she is pure Deltan, she would have come to this school? She knows she can’t fail now. Anyway, Nene’s father is like rich-rich. So when she got admission, he had to ‘you know’, settle the university in a big way. Come on, look at it. Nene is saucy and rude, yet look at how the lecturers are always praising her in class. I mean, even the technician at the computer lab, Nene is rude but they always have good things to say. Is it normal? Her dad used to visit her at school now. He probably gave them money so they treat her well and give her good grades. Rich people can do and undo”
“Babe, are you sure of what you are saying? At this point, it doesn’t make sense”
I was so dumbfounded about how stupid ‘who is not to be named’ could be. This wasn’t the first time she was saying something stupid about me. One time, when I had bad cramps, she said I was pregnant and talked about how I was a girl living among boys so anything is possible.
This time around, I felt like putting her in place. Maybe she thinks I am soft. We would soon finish school. I need to put ‘who is not to be named’ in her place.
I stood up and walked toward where she was. “Even this semester, you have started blabbing your mouth” I snapped at her
“But am I lying? Did your father not pay off people in this school?”
“How? What are you even saying, Madam? He is a stakeholder. He paid off the lecturers. What exactly is your problem?”
“I stand by what I said. I am not expecting you to agree with me. Stop playing the victim”
“Come, babe. Are you sure you are not in love with Nene? Why are you picking up a fight with her?” Jeffrey, the fine boy in our department asked
Everyone gathered around to watch our argument. I was already tired but I need to say something so gut-wrenching that will make her cry.
“This ugly fat thing? I no fit change my sexuality because of this kain babe” Voldemort said
And at that moment, I snapped out. I am not one to fight but my huge body gave me the upper hand. The security guards came soon enough but the damage had already been done by me. We were taken to the security post and I was so glad I punched her mouth so hard
“I hope the two of you know that fighting is a big offense in this school” one of the blue and purple men said
“We do. We are very sorry sirs” Voldemort immediately apologised
“Young woman, won’t you apologise too? Don’t you know that if we report this matter to the school authorities, you might both be suspended? You almost destroyed the school’s property”
“I am very sorry sir. I am not one to fight. but this girl was lying about me right in front of me. She called me names. She said;
Voldemort immediately cut in;
“Nene. Do you have to do this in front of these wonderful guards? You are displaying your proud and disrespectful behaviour as usual. Don’t you have respect for authorities?”
“She has started again sir…
“Please, you girls should calm down. From your ID cards, you are both in your finals. We won’t report you. Just make peace and take your fights outside the school” A female security officer who entered the building said
“Ok, ma. Thank you” Voldemort turned to me and clicked her finger as she walked out of the building
I walked slowly to the bus park as my legs were hurting from my earlier wrestle. As I walked, I heard a voice shouting ‘wait’ so I turned back to see if it was for me. I saw a cute rugged individual walking toward me with a big grin.
“Hello… Hello” The guy said immediately after he came to where I was. He paused and gasped for breath.
“Where you running to meet me?”
“Yes. I am Olamide. What is yours?” He asked as he stretched out his hands for a handshake
“The name is Nene” I only said, ignoring his hands
“Nene… Are you Ghanaian or Deltan?”
“I am from Delta state. Urhobo to be precise”
“Ok… I saw you displaying some TNA skills earlier today. Have you ever taken taekwondo classes or are you a natural fighter?”
“None. I actually don’t fight. That was a one-off incident”
“One-off? Erm, Nene. I don’t think I have seen you before. I know we are over 100,000 but you were around the laboratory offices which is where I am always so why haven’t I seen you before?” Olami asked me.
“It could be we are in different departments and levels. What course are you studying?” I managed to ask
“SLT. I am in 300 level”
“I am in computer science. Final year”
“Oh. The glasses. Should have known. The glasses look pretty solid even after the fight” Olami said. I was getting angry already at the repetition of the fight.
“I don’t know how to put this but can you please stop talking about the fight?” I said. I paused as I realized I had passed the bus park. In fact, I was so close to the school main gate.
“Have we talked for so long?” I said shocked
“Yes. Walking with people makes the journey less burdensome. Anyway, Nene. I like girls that are badass, like you. Can.. can I get your number? Will you give it to me?” Olami asked
‘2 days into final year and I have gotten a phone number request. It never happened in the last three years. Final year about to be lit’
One thing about me is that I am never desperate and I hate receiving phone calls, so I said to Ola: “I am sorry. No. I barely know you apart from your name and department and level”
“Oh. How would you know me if I don’t get your number? Or you don’t date guys that are levels lower than you”
‘Did he just say date? date??’
“Our level is not the reason. I feel… Ola, I am not that easy..” I demonstrated enough to get Olami irritated and say goodbye and turn the other way, leaving me stranded on the way to the school’s gate.
I kept smiling till I got out of school and took a cab.
‘Olami… Olamide.. who are you? and why did you get a hard girl like me giggling after a single conversation with you’
