EPISODE EIGHTEEN
I was having my lunch at the cafeteria when a guy came to sit beside me. I didn’t want to have a look at the person who was sitting beside me because I was too hungry to mind the fact that someone was beside me.
The smell of the person filled the air and it felt like I was eating the fragrance along with my food. I wanted to turn to see who it was, but I’m not good at making eye contact with people.
Clears throat..
” don’t you observe your surrounding”? he asked.
God he sounded rude but his voice sounded sweet. I wanted to look at the face to be sure of where the voice was coming from but I didn’t want to embarrass myself because I had food in my mouth. I think he was getting irritated by my attitude when he said;
“be sure a suicide bomber doesn’t take a sit beside you without you observing”.
I was scared when I heard this so I immediately turned my face saying “what” with food still in my mouth having a surprised look at my face when I noticed that Gaffar has been the guy seating beside me all along.
He was the one whose fragrance filled the air. Gaffar has been watching me eat like a glutton.
Oh my! The only way my wish would have come through is about to be ruined by my foolish attitude.
I should have been nice enough to look at him and act normal maybe he’d consider me. I was about saying “hi” when he pushed his hand forward saying;
“I’m Gaffar”.
I melted at the sight of his teeth c’mon Gaffar who doesn’t know you’re Gaffar? I’m sure heaven knows you’re Gaffar (thoughts) I shook his hand anyway thrusting my shaky hands into his.
Why would Gaffar of all people be sitting with me I thought to myself. As if he was reading my thought,
“don’t worry, I’m not here to hurt you, I just want to be friends with an innocent soul who has a captivating face. Would you mind giving me the pleasure of been friends with you beautiful”? He asked.
I smiled at his use of words. After all, this has been my dream and wish all along ever since Kayode left but I’m sure God sent Gaffer to me as a rebound.
“May I know your name, he asked”?
” I’m Sholape”.
“Wow what a lovely name”, he said.
I smiled and I was about getting up to pay for my bills when he said I’ll handle that. He paid my bills.
I wanted to ask him why he was being nice to me but I just said “thank you”. :You’re going to your hostel right? He asked” ..
“yes” I said.
“Let me drive you down:, he offered.
I wanted to say no but I couldn’t bring my eyes in contact with him not to talk of objecting. I was just too shy that I didn’t even know how to act around him.
“I know with time, you’ll loosen up. I just want to be a friend” he said.
We were walking down to his car when some little girls came to us saying; “please give us money we are hungry”.
I was touched by this and I was about giving them a wad of naira when I realised I didn’t even have enough money. If Gaffar hadn’t paid for my food then I wouldn’t even have nothing but wad of naira notes.
All these was in my thoughts when I realized Gaffar had already given those girls money.
“God will bless you sir, you’ll never lack they say”…
its okay Girls, he replied.
This act of his melted my heart. Does it mean even with all his play boy looks there’s a big part of him who’s loving and caring I thought to myself. I’m sure once we get married he’ll take care of me.
God did I just think that? I smiled at my stupidity. Overall, Gaffar is a good guy with a bad guy looks.
He drove me down to my hostel and we chatted about little things. I was at my hostel gate when I realised I’m suppose to get out of the car.
Hey don’t judge me, is not like I didn’t know. I was just too caught up in the moment and I didn’t want it to end.
“Hey dear”, he said,
I smiled shyly..
” can I get your number at least so we could go on from there”, he said. I was about stating my number when I remembered I didn’t have a phone.
” I don’t have a phone”, I said to him. “What! At this time and year? Really? He said in shock.
I felt embarrassed and I wanted to tell him that not everyone is privileged, bless or lucky like him. But I just kept quiet but I made sure my facial expression did the talking.
Oh I’m sorry he said, don’t worry we’d do something about that. He said with sympathy. I got down of the car while I waited for him to drive out of sight. Once this was done, I stared to dance and scream, God dreams do come true.
Just then my subconscious said to me, won’t you think? Why is Gaffar with you all of a sudden but I ignored her and continued my dance while people were looking at me. I didn’t want my subconscious to ruin my moment.
Next Day
The lectures that day was so tiring, I was famished and I wanted to rush out so I could get something to eat.
I was on my way out when I heard someone shouting my name from the other end. “Sholape, G.money asked me to drive you down” he said.
“Well, I think you got the wrong person because I dont know any one by that name”, I said in return.
He eyed me up and down as if to say “you must be kidding”
” well I was sent here and I’m sure its no mistake” he said in return.
” G.money is Gaffar, he said
I shook my head while he said;” this was exactly how you’ve been described. He told me you were going to be difficult to obey” he said.
I rolled my eyes at him like I don’t even care because I’m so hungry at the moment. He dialled a number and gave the phone to me.
I questioned the phone with my eyes while he said just talk to him please. A husk “hello” came from the other end while I said hello in return “Sholape, this is Gaffar speaking, please go with Harris, he’ll bring you down to where I am”
“how am I suppose to believe its you”? I asked.
“Trust me Sholape”, he said.
I knew I could trust Gaffar but not this jerk so I handed over the phone to him. The drive down to wherever we were heading was quiet while we exchanged weird look.
The good thing was my eyes weren’t covered so at least I could still run for my life if anything dares to happen.
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