Oaths

Episode 5

“Girls, how did you see the paper?” Oluchi, Mimi’s friend, asked as we all trooped out of the exam hall. We had just ended a paper on Literature and Geography.

“It wasn’t what I expected, but it was fine,” Mimi answered.

“The invigilators were too strict today, I wonder why.” Oluchi lamented.

“What were you expecting?” Mimi asked. Oluchi didn’t reply. We just kept walking.

“Doesn’t she talk?” Oluchi asked after a brief silence.

“Who?”

“Your friend.”

“Oh, you mean Fifi? She does. Just that you rarely find her doing so,” Mimi answered.

“Nawa for her o! Is this how she does at home?” Mimi nodded.

“Sister Fifi, hope all’s well? I am not understanding this your sq££zed face again o,” she joked.

“I’m fine,” I answered with a smile. “I’m just a bit drowsy.”

“Ehya! I learnt of your condition. Mimi told me. How’s your health now?”

“Getting better,” I replied.

“You know what? There’s someone I want you guys to meet. He’s my new catch. He should be at the cafeteria now, waiting for us. I told him I might bring some friends along with me, and he agreed. I hope you girls don’t mind?” Oluchi asked.

“Sure. Why not?” Mimi approved without my consent. I had no choice but to follow them.

When we got to the cafeteria, the place was already crowded and rowdy. It had no distinct difference from that of a market square. We were still trying to find him when we saw someone waving at us from an angle. He had spotted us.

We followed the direction the wave came from and soon got to his table.

For the second time in the same week, I was shocked to see who I saw again, so was he. He now looked decent and much more sophisticated than the last time we met. His old school Afro haircut was what I used to recognize him easier! His beards were trimmed and neatly shaped; as well as his skin radiated and glowed in its dark-coloured complexion.

I briefly withdrew my gaze from him in pretence like I hadn’t seen him, but he knew I had. He never stopped staring at me, and it made me highly uncomfortable. Two other guys were also sitting beside him, but he sat at the most extreme edge.

“Girls, meet Simon my baby boo, and his friends Kingsley and Boma.” Oluchi introduced as she hugged tight to Simon.

“Hello, ladies!” Simon and Kingsley chorused together, apart from the last guy who just waved at us. He was acting strange, probably because we had met before.

I personally didn’t fancy alcohol, so I ordered for Malt instead when we were asked to make our orders. Mimi and Oluchi mixed theirs with a bottle of Stout, while the guys all had beer and Whiskey.

“She doesn’t drink?” Boma suddenly asked, for the first time he said something since we got there.

“No, she does not. She’s holy holy!” Mimi answered. They all cracked up with laughter.

“And na their type dey worst pass o!” Kingsley cut in immediately, which made them release another outburst of laughter again.

I was starting to feel like the major topic they came there for. They probably thought it was funny to them, when it wasn’t a bit funny to me.

I gently picked up my bag and stood up with the excuse that I wanted to use the rest-room, meanwhile, my main route was to go home.
I had barely stepped out of the cafeteria when a hand grasped me from behind. I looked back… it was Boma.

“Where’re you going?”

“Home.”

“Why?”

“None of your business.”

“Is this how rude you usually are?”

Those words struck me like poison! I felt my blood boiling deep inside like a volcano.
The next thing I knew, I felt my left hand super-glued tight to his cheek.