I love my country Cameroon

3 - Soya and ice cream

A wise person once said, we can not avoid conflicts but how we resolve it, is in our control. This is why I bought some pots-de-vin in order to bribe Bouba's trust again.

To be honest I don't see why she got all angry yesterday but here am I doing this again. She is not usually this picky so I guess this has something to do with her personally. I was not wrong right ?

However, Bouba is the most unpunctual person I know. It is true she lives on the outskirts of the town and that she has to be out of her house before 6am to be in school on time, but she could still make an effort.

But as strange as it seems, I came to see her in school before me. She had her head on her desk so she didn't see me coming. I quickly cleaned my desk and dropped my bag on my sit before going to her.

I gently stroke her back in order to wake her up

"Hello girl" I say in a soft whisper

What I saw next was the most terrific thing I saw in my life.

Bouba was crying. Not the soft tears trickling cry but the full on red eyed tears snot cry. I felt like my heart just broke into pieces seeing her like that.

I even forgot about our issue. I just took her in a big hug and she completely broke down on my shoulder.

This means there is a big issue so I asked her to stand up and we went behind the school building AKA illicit zone AKA the wisdom corner. Don't ask me how the name came about. I also met it.

I made her to sit down and went to call Dongmo.

I know I said I will never go to the arts class again but there is no jocking matter here.

I stood at the door and almost immediately I met gaze with Dongmo and made sign for her to follow me. She did.

When we came back to the wisdom corner, Bouba seemed better but still looked flustered.

We all stayed there in silence, the tension between the 3 of us palpable but none of broke the silence, until Bouba did.

"My parents want me to get married" she said with her lips trembling.

Bouba comes from a region in Cameroon where it is very common to marry young girls. Some girls are given out for marriage at younger ages than Bouba even. And all this is without their consent.

"They want me to be the 7th wife of their rich friend" she continued.

I could see she was trying hard not to cry again.

"I told my mother about Eteme before. She was even eager to meet him. But yesterday it's like she wasn't the same person anymore. I had this feeling that my parents were keeping something from me but I could never imagine it was this big." She said tears starting to make their way down her cheeks.

I didn't know I was crying too until I felt the saltiness around my lips. This is so heartbreaking. Now I understand why she was picky yesterday. She was anxious about what her parents where keeping from her and I was there only thinking about myself.

I didn't know what to say at that very moment. I couldn't say it was going to be better because I didn't know anything to say about that.

All I could do was hug her and so did Dongmo.

After a few minutes of staying like this, we let go.

"I don't know how your parents may react but I have an idea." said Dongmo

"You remember Amina when we were in form 3 ? She was faced with a similar problem, her parents wanted her to stop school and get married. She went to seek help from the school counselor. Together with the principal and some other teachers they went to Amina's house to talk to her parents. At the end they convinced them otherwise." She added calmly.

"I know right now you feel like your life is nonsense but it will be alright" said Dongmo

Bouba nodded, wiped her face and stood up.

"Yeah, it must be alright" she said with a little chuckle.

"I don't for you guys but who wants some soya and ice cream" I said getting up as well.

And both of them laughed raising their hands in approval. We all went to my class and ate my pots-de-vin, laughing and joking around.

~~~

At the end of the morning periods, Bouba asked us to accompany her to the counselor.

We went there, she told her story to the counselor who listened with so much attention.The counselor gave her some advice on how to talk to her parents. The counselor also said she will talk to the principal and some teachers and they will decide on how to proceed from there.

After that we went back to our respective classes and the day went on normally.

~~~~

Later that day we had ICT class together with the arts students.

I saw a not so familiar face walking in my class.

The guy was even walking towards me.

Bouba who was seating next to me disappeared within the blink of an eye only to leave me with Fouda

"Hey, can I seat here ?" he asked, a playful smirk on his pink lips

"Yeah" I say not looking at him.

And here comes the most awkward situation of my life. I must say I am not a flirt. I don't just know how to. I am always very awkward around guys so this is the worst situation that could ever happen.

I turn around to look for Bouba but I find her in an animated discussion with Eteme and Dongmo. And I am here stuck with Fouda. Just great.

"Please, can I borrow your book, I want to compare the notes with the ones of my former school" he said and I gave him my book not saying a word, not even looking at him.

"By the way I think I didn't present myself before. I am Allan Fouda, nice to meet you" he said extending his hand with a cheesy grin, revealing perfectly aligned white teeths.

I took his hand reluctantly.

"I am Belomo" I say looking finally at him, feeling the heat rising to my cheeks as I take his face in. Man this guy is really something.

Stupid teenage hormones. I should not be distracted by his looks. No I should not.

I look up again to see him smirking to himself. Then the teacher enters and the class starts.

"Good afternoon everyone. I see we have a new student. Welcome Mr Fouda, we are happy to have you here. I will like to add that Fouda here present was the 3rd national best in the country for the o'level so beware guys, he might beat you all."says the teacher

"I see he is already in good, company. Belomo, be careful about this guy" he adds with a chuckle.

So this Fouda guy is smart. Asides from the good looks he also has the brains. Not bad. But I can't have him be better than me. I have to be better than him at all costs.

~~~~

New chapter !!!!

1265 words !!

What do y'all think about this Fouda ?

How about Bouba, will she be okay ?

Discover this next chapter.

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Peace out to y'all