ANIKE: EPISODES 6 - 7
(A STORY BY: TOYIN TAIWO)
EPISODE 6: ANIKE
Everything was going on smoothly between us, we find time to hang out once in a while, I got to meet Olamilekan’s friend Jude. I love his choice of friends, they have so many things in common. Olamilekan also gave me a copy of the key to his room. He said I can always come around any day, anytime, he said I should consider it as my second room.
We were really getting serious and Olamilekan was a sweet guy to be with.
Tinukes got a call from home. Her mum called and informed her that her grandma passed on and she said she has to join them in Ogbomosho her home town, this weekend for her burial.
Her grandma who died at 85 already instructed her children before she died that they must bury her immediately when she died, she hated the morgue.”
“Can you sleep in the room all alone?” she asked.
“I doubt if I can sleep here alone, I’m not used to it” I said.
“I have an idea, maybe you should spend the weekend at his place.”
“And by his, you mean Olamilekan right? No way.”
“I don’t want you to be lonely while I’m gone, you know how dry hostel is on weekends and that’s the only place that can assure me that you’ll be fine without me. I’ll give him a call, because I know how stubborn you can be sometimes.”
“Please don’t call him, at least I have a room to myself at home, it's just that this place will be empty without you, but I’ll be fine.”
“I’m calling him, watch me” she took her phone and put a call through to him.
She called Olamilekan and told him about her grandma and trip to Ogbomoso. “Please come pick her up on Friday evening, because I’m sure my stubborn friend won’t come on her own and that’s why I’m calling you personally” She said and ended the call.
I thanked her for planning my weekend for me without my consent.
In the evening, I was busy preparing dinner and gisting with Tinuke while she on the other hand, lay on the bed. We were discussing about the fight that happened in class that day between two girls that fought over a guy, inside the lecture theater.
“That reminds me. Anike, have you guys talked about sex?”
“Tinuke!”
“I’m serious o, you guys need to make decisions on what you want in this relationship.”
“Please just stop, I can’t believe we are having this conversation. I’m not a baby, spare me the lectures.”
“You are a baby, because you are new in this game. I’m a year older than you and I still have experience than you, this is the first relationship both of you are having, so shut up and listen.
First, both of you have to know your HIV status, then in order to avoid unwanted pregnancy, you have to use protection. Now as your friend I’m asking, what do you want?”
“Tinuke, honestly, I want to remain A VIRGIN TILL I GET MARRIED. I just wish we are on the same page.”
“It takes two to tango you know, hence the reason to talk about it and remember you are spending the weekend at his place.”
“We’ll talk about it, thank you. Counsellor Tinuke.”
“You are welcome” she winked at me.
Lectures ends by 12pm on Fridays, we headed straight to the hostel after lectures. Tinuke pack some few things for her journey, I saw her off to the park, I waited for the bus to move before I left the park.
I got back to the hostel and most of the rooms were locked.
By 4pm, the hostel was almost empty, especially the rooms in our wing.
I thought about everything Tinuke said and it got me scared. Maybe I should just stay in the hostel, I’ll survive” I said trying to encourage myself.
Olamilekan called me later around 6pm, he said he’ll be in the hostel in 20mins. I told him not to bother but he said he had already promised Tinuke.
I packed everything I knew I’d need for the weekend, Olamilekan came by to pick me. I was already set, he grab the bag and felt the weight.
“If I may ask, why is this bag heavy Anike? it's just two days.”
“I know, its just that I packed everything I’ll need along with me.”
“Like what ma?” he asked with sarcasm.
“My personal things including some fast food.”
“What?” he shouted placing his hand on his temple.
“I’m sorry I only took beverages, cereal and noodles.”
“Jesus! Anike.”
Olamilekan sank into the bed and turned the standing fan to face him, because he suddenly started sweating.
“Please hold on a sec, I think I need some air.”
“Why are you sweating all of a sudden, is it because of what I said?”
“Anike! Please just keep quiet, I don’t want to raise my voice at you” he paused for a bit then continued.
I have never been humiliated like this all my life, you packed foodstuff? You know I’m still trying hard to comprehend this.”
“I’m sorry, if you don’t like it, I don’t want to inconvenient you, I don’t like being a burden to people….”
“Anike! Stop talking.”
“I can see you are angry, I’ll leave them behind.”
“You will leave everything behind “ he said firmly.”
“What! including my clothes too.” I said trying to pick my clothes from the bag. "You know what I’m not going again.”
“Fine, then stay because if you are coming with me then you are not taking anything with you and I mean it, imagine you even pack your cover clothes, you are just so unbelievable. I doubt if I can put up with this your childish attitude” he said throwing his hands into the air.
That was the first time we argued, Olamilekan was really pissed off, I looked into his eyes, and saw that part of him I never saw before and it’s not nice at all. I had to change my mind. He left the room and I followed after him after locking the door.
Inside the car, I was thinking of how I’ll spend two days with him without clothes, or did he expect me to wear his clothes. I looked up and realized he was taking another route.
“Olamilekan, this is not the way to your house” I said breaking the silence.
“Of course, I know the way to my house.”
“It's like you are still angry” I said and he didn’t say a word.
He parked in front of a shopping mall, he alighted from the car, went to the other side of car and opened the car door for me. He held my hand still not smiling and led me into the mall.
“Pick everything thing you need for the weekend” he ordered.
“Must you do this” I asked.
“Yes, since you think I’m not capable to host you for two days, then I think it's high time I flaunt my riches, so start shopping, girlfriend” he commanded and I obeyed.
When I was through, he paid via POS and went straight to the car. I followed him back to the car.
“The only thing you can’t get in my room is a ladies wears” he said and drove off.
That was the only statement he altered throughout the drive. And that silence made me boiled within me.
★★★★
Olamilekan helped me carried my things from the car into the room, we got back around 7:30pm. From the mall down to his lodge, none of us talked to each other. I called Tinuke to ask after her journey.
“I’m missing you already” I said to her while we were talking on phone.
“Don’t miss me too much, don’t worry your boyfriend will fill in for me.” Little did she know that we are not on good terms.
We talk briefly before ending the call.
“What do you want for dinner?” he asked.
“Nothing” I replied.
“Anike for the love of God, why are you making a mountain out of a mole hill?”
“I said I don’t want anything, in fact I want to go back to the hostel” I bursted into tears.
Olamilekan was sad when he saw me crying, he quickly rushed to my side to comfort me.
“Anike mi, please stop crying.”
“Let me cry, you refused to talk to me, if you are still angry with me, then let me leave.”
“I’m not angry at you believe me, though I don’t like what happened earlier, I just gave you the piece of my mind and it has ended right there in your room.”
I stopped crying because of what he said. He asked what I wanted for dinner but I told him I was not hungry that all I want is a good sleep. I slept without taking dinner.
I woke up in the middle of the night, I checked the time and to my surprise its 1:00am, I recollected everything that happened that night. Unknown to me Olamilekan was awake too. I woke up hungry so I told him I was hungry. He went into the kitchen and made noodles for me.
After eating, I went back to sleep. I woke up early that Saturday morning because of the physics practical class I have by 9am. I was about to enter the bathroom to take my bath, when he called out.
“There is towel, toothbrush and toiletries in the bathroom, and they are all new.”
“Thanks, I’m using yours except you don’t like the idea” I said teasingly.
“Really! Are you sure?”
“Except your toothbrush” I said smiling.
“Come here” he said pulling me into an embrace. My Anike is growing up.”
“So I’m a baby right.”
I showered and joined him in the kitchen, He already boiled yam, and I fried the egg. I served the food. “We are eating together” I told him.
“Yes ma” he said.
After breakfast I left for my practical class after.
I came back around 4pm, I met him watching a football match. Guys can bore you with their weekend football matches.
“Welcome, how was the practical class?” he asked, he’s eyes fixed on the game.
“A bit stressful, I had to fill in for Tinuke too, but it’s fine.”
“Do you mind us going out later, I don’t want to bore you here with football.”
“Let’s stay indoor, you can continue with your match. I’ll freshing up and join you later.”
Later in the night, we were about to sleep, then I remembered the issues I want to discuss with Olamilekan.
“Olamilekan, Are you sleeping already?” I asked to be sure since his eyes was closed.
“No, you need something?”
“Not really, there’s an issue I’d like us to discuss” Olamilekan sat up.
“What issue? I cleared my throat.
“I want us to discuss about sex as regarding this relationship.”
He smiled. “Anike, for the record, this is not you talking, that’s your friend talking.”
“And how do you know that?”
“Trust me I sure know what Tinuke is capable of saying.”
Anyways, He was right. I told him I want to KEEM MY VIRGINITY TILL I GET MARRIED and he agreed. I was happy and I counted myself lucky to have that kind of a guy.
I returned to the hostel on Sunday, I had already called my friend and she informed me that she’s on her way. I tidy up the room and did some washing, I also cooked for my friend, so she could eat something when she comes back.
“Welcome” I said and help her with her bag.
“How was your journey?”
“Fine, I bless God.”
“And the burial?”
“It went well, all thanks to God.”
Tinuke called her parent and boyfriend to let them know she has gotten to school. She showered and went straight to sleep. I persuaded her to eat before sleeping but to avail. She woke up after two hours, now she looked refreshed.
“Can I serve you food now?” I asked.
“Not now, maybe later, thanks. So how did your weekend go with Olamilekan, please I don’t mind hearing details” she said teasingly. I downloaded the movie that played during the weekend between my boyfriend and I.
... to be Continued.
EPISODE 7: ANIKE
Things were going smooth between Olamilekan and I until one fateful day, he was in 500l then, while I was in 200l.
My phone rang I checked the caller ID it was an unknown number.
“Hello, please who I’m I speaking with?” I asked.
“This is Jane on the line, now listen and listen good. I don’t want to ever see you with my boyfriend again….”
“Sorry I think there’s a mix up here, I can’t date your boyfriend because I have mine, I think you called the wrong person….”
“Wrong person? She laughed, are you not Anike, 200l microbiology student, you stay in providence hostel.”
I was shocked this person really knew me.
“This is the last time I will call to warn you, the next time, I will send touts to spoil that your beautiful face for you, you this little boyfriend snatcher.”
I tried to calm myself down before speaking.
“Please can I know the name of this boyfriend of yours?” I asked.
“You want to tell me you don’t know Olamilekan right?”
“Ola what?" I exclaimed and the line went off.
If there’s anything I hated most, this is one of them, to be caught up in a drama like this. I picked my phone and dialed Tinuke’s number.
“Hello where are you?” I asked.
“I’m on my way to the hostel, hope all is well, why are you sounding like this….?
“I will tell you everything later, you won’t meet me in the hostel, I’m going to Olamilekan’s place.
“What’s going on Tinuke, you sound tensed?”
“Yes I am, an insane girl just called me now threatening me. She told me to stay away from his boyfriend and guess who her boyfriend is? Olamilekan, so apparently my boo has a boo.”
“What kind of a joke is that?”
“Trust me she did not sound like someone joking.”
“Please, don’t jump into conclusions, just hear his side of the story.”
“OK, I'll see you later.”
I did not even bother to knock, I forced the door open.
“Anike you scared me, what’s the matter?” He asked.
“Who is Jane” and how did she get my number?”
“Jane!”
“And don’t pretend as if you don’t know who I’m talking about.”
“You know what Anike, just calm down and sit.”
“Oh! You think I came all the way here to sit, boyfriend you better start talking.”
“The only Jane I know is just a friend, my course mate.”
“Your friend my foot. She threatened to beat me up, if I don’t leave you and you stand here telling me she’s just a friend!”
“I’m confused, how did she even get your number in the first place?”
“Are you seriously asking me that dumb question, it's obvious she got the number from you.”
“Just take it easy baby, we’ll sort this out.”
“You and who? Who is she to you?”
“I already told you.”
“Friends with benefits right?”
“I beg your pardon!”
He was upset too, but he had to calm down. “Anike trust me there’s nothing between that girl and I” He moved towards me to touch me.
“Please don’t, in fact stay away from me” I picked my purse and dashed out of his room.
★★★★
I knew Olamilekan would come to the hostel, so I went straight to a restaurant when I left his place.
I checked the time it's 8pm already, visiting time is over, so definitely Olamilekan would have left the hostel by now.
I took a cab to the hostel, I checked for his car at the parking space and it’s not there. I was about entering into the gate of my hostel when I heard my name and I froze because I recognized the voice.
“Anike!” I turned and it was Olamilekan standing in front of me.
“So you stayed out till this time just to avoid me right? I purposely stay here by the gate to confirm this, you thought I would have left since it’s past visiting time, right? Good night” he said and left.
Two weeks gone and we weren't still talking. Olamilekan did not call, I too refused to call him, though I miss him. Tinuke is pissed at the way I was handling the issue. She gave me the piece of her mind.
“Anike, I don’t know if you know how much I love you, I love you like my own blood sister. I’ve learnt so many good things from you. You are smart, intelligent, beautiful inside and out, caring, humble, honest, straight forward. You are a friend anyone would wished for and I’m grateful to God for giving me the privilege of having someone like you. Despite all this qualities you have a ‘But’ and a big one at that. Do you know what that but is? You get angry at the slightest provocation and you are stubborn.
Anike, You and I know that this Jane or whatsoever she call herself is not dating your boyfriend, it’s just a false accusations, you know that deep down in your heart, but instead of you to give him the chance to explain himself, you shut him out completely. You decided to punish him, for what? You are really lucky to have that guy, I know you two deserve each other but good guys are few out there and you are lucky to have one of them.
We ran into your boyfriend in school area and you pretended not to see him. You better fix your relationship problem before it’s too late” she adviced.
By the time Tinuke was done talking, her words hit me like a blow.
I thanked her and promised to make amends.
I went to Olamilekan’s apartment. I met Jude his friend.
“Hi” I said.
“Hi” Jude replied. I’ll be on my way Olamilekan. I’ll see you later” he said and left. We were both alone in the room.
“I’m not going out with Jane, there’s nothing between us.”
“I know.”
“So why did you make us go through all these, when you know her accusations was false.”
“I was upset and angry.”
“That girl wanted to date me and I said no, so she decided to get back at me. You did not even allow me explain myself, You walked out of my room and told me to stay away from you, that’s bad Anike, I can never do that to you.”
“I’m sorry for everything, I was just angry. I hate dramas like this, I can’t start fighting a girl because of a guy.”
“So you can’t fight for us?” Then you are the dumbest girl on planet earth.”
“Really! Do you just call me dumb?”
“Bitter truth, but that’s the fact.”
I remained quiet.
“Anike I’m sorry about what Jane said to you, I’ve put her in her place, trust me.”
“I’m sorry too.”
He hugged and kissed me. He later took me out, that was how the fight ended.
Ever since that day we’ve been good. I had a swelled time with him in school till he graduated. He was a perfect boyfriend but sadly we had to end things between us.
Olamilekan graduated and after NYSC he travelled out of the country. One problem he had is that he never had a say on his life. His parents are the controlling type. They planned everything for him without consulting him first.
He travelled abroad to further his education. We had to break up on the basis of distance, we both know ourselves and we know we can’t handle a long distance relationship. Also he’s parent’s plans for him is to stay abroad permanently, since the whole family has relocated abroad.
The break up was not easy for me but with Tinuke by my side, I moved on with my life. He calls once in a while and we chat online as well. We ended up as friends nothing more.
Fortunately for Tinuke, she got admission into a university in US to study medicine that was 300 level second semester, I was happy for her but at the same time I know I’m not going to get over her leaving me easily. It was a tough time for me, I wondered why everyone I cared about left me.
Olamilekan left, now Tinuke, I wept uncontrollably. I tried to concentrate on my exams.
I was glad we are going on end of section break at least going home to my family members we help me forget my runaway friends. Little did I know that missing Tinuke was the least of my problems.
... to be Continued.
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Watch out for Episode 8