CUSP

It wouldn’t have crossed my mind that spending the day with Astridah would be so much fun, in my head I had already made conclusions and was ready to have a bad day but here I am with ribs hurting from laughing all because she is fun to talk to.

‘We should do this more often.’ She says getting to her car

‘Yeah I have nothing against it seeing as we both don’t have so many friends.’

‘Honestly do you have to call a cab when I can just drop you home?’

‘Don’t bother, home is not so far from here and I wont be paying a fortune.’

‘If you insist.’

We say our goodbyes and I wait for the Ulendo driver to arrive, as I wait in the car park I look at my phone – Obrien had been calling and he has dropped me numerous texts but then I was having such a good day I didn’t want to spoil it by seeing him.

The driver arrives and we drive out of the mall, I save Astridah’s number in my phone and almost immediately she updates her whatsapp status. We had taken some photos together and they look so good, I am not just sure how Claudia is going to take them. I don’t want her thinking we are in some sort of competition.

When I get home I notice that Caleb’s car is not parked but Nancy’s is, it’s weird that she is home early or maybe I am just the one that is late.

‘Hey good...’

I pause trying to look at the time, it’s thirty minutes to five PM.

‘Good afternoon.’ I finish

‘Good afternoon.’ She responds but I notice she has this serious look on her face

‘Are you okay?’

‘Astridah is not your friend?’

I am not sure in what context the question is being asked and I want to respond but I am also afraid that I might respond in a whole different tone from how she is asking it.

‘I don’t know how I am supposed to respond.’ I tell her honestly

‘I care about you and the decisions that you make Wane.’

‘And I am guessing my hanging out with Astridah doesn’t sit well with you yes?’

‘I am just trying to protect you.’

‘I see.’

‘Wane I honestly care about you, all this is coming from a great place in my heart, trust me I care about you and I don’t want you sinking in a pool of water.’

‘I understand Nancy, but you do know that asking me to stay away from her without any reasons is more reason I will continue being with her right?’

She sighs heavily, almost out of frustration.

‘I am just trying to protect you.’

‘I heard you the first time and thank you for looking out for me.’ I tell her before walking to the bedroom, I don’t tell her whether her words will make me stay away from her but what I do know right now is that I have more reasons to be curious.

Knowing she has already started with dinner, I put my phone to charge and go and take a bath. The drinks have gotten to my head and I feel light head but again it might be a good thing because then I will get to rest after this whole period of exams. I find my phone ringing when I get into the bedroom, it’s Obrien calling. I want to ignore it but then I have done that already and he hasn’t stopped calling so that might not be the best solution.

‘What?’ I say immediately picking up

‘I am outside, I can either walk up to your gate and knock or you will come out and meet me.’ He says before dropping the line

I look at the phone for a few seconds trying to think of what just happened, I can’t understand because he has never done anything like this and I must have pushed him too hard to get to these lengths.

I quickly get into my pajamas and carry my phone, Caleb is just walking in.

‘Hey good evening.’

‘Good evening, you look like you are in a hurry.’

‘I want to buy airtime.’

‘Your mobile money is not working anymore?’ he asks looking at the time

‘Let her live her life Caleb.’ Nancy says coming to my rescue

‘And when something happens to her you won’t be there to say all these things will you now?’

‘It’s just airtime.’

‘I know these lies.’

‘Because you told them yes?’

‘I will be back soon.’ I say amidst their conversation, I wouldn’t want Obrien to start calling me whilst here.

True to his word he is parked a few houses away from our yard.

‘What in God’s name are you doing here at this ungodly hour Obrien? You know someone can see you and how are we supposed to explain that?’ I ask immediately I get into the car

‘How were the papers?’

I am too upset to respond

He gets a small box from the glove compartment.

‘Here.’

‘What is this?’

‘Open it.’

I sigh before pulling one string so that the ribbon on top opens.

‘Obrien.’ I say looking at the box, I can almost guess what is inside just looking at the tempo box.

‘I wanted to give it to you after you finish your exams knowing the stress you have been under.’

‘Thank you so much.’ I say looking at the black watch, I had been eyeing it for a while and I didn’t notice he saw me save the photos on my phone.

‘Thank you so much, I love it.’

‘I am glad you do, now you can go on and continue ignoring me.’

I laugh feeling shy.

‘The exams were not what I expected but I managed and I had a date with Claudia and Astridah, that helped me feel better.’

‘That’s good.’

‘I need to get going, Caleb is around and might start asking questions.’

‘Sure.’ He responds

I am about to get out of the vehicle when I turn around and kiss his lips.

‘Thank you.’ I say when we pull away

‘I love you.’ He tells me and I don’t respond instead get out.

I walk towards our houses and I am surprised to find Caleb by the gate.

‘In the living room, now.’ He says walking away angrily

..

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Winnie

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