SIXTEENTH

FOUR

                               
"I'm leaving. I'm going back to Nigeria. My parents are separating, and I'll be staying with my mum. I wish things didn't turn out this way, but there's nothing I can do now. It is decided," Josh said. He couldn't even look me in the eye.

I couldn't say anything. A day after my birthday, the boy I've liked for three years was breaking it to me that he couldn't be a part of my life anymore. I couldn't breathe. I just stood there, frozen. I didn't even know when tears rolled down my eyes.

"Is there nothing we can do? Talk to me, I need you. Don't leave me, please." This was the last thing I was expecting to hear when I saw Josh. Apart from my dad and Leah, he was the only person I cared about. I'm not sure how well I can handle losing one more person.

I was going to give him a hug and tell him it was fine, and everything would be alright with his parents. He always looked out for me, and I think now is the time for me to do the same. I decided to push my feelings aside and be there for my friend.

Before I could do anything, someone tapped Josh from behind and slapped him so hard across the face.

It was Leo. Who does he think he is to touch Josh? I dragged his arm and asked him to stop. The boy was already bleeding from the head when I tried to help him up.

"Stay out of my business, you psycho." I was so angry I couldn't even look him in the eye. I was disgusted by him and his guts. He was spoiled and was getting on my nerves. What was his reason for doing this?

I helped Josh up to his feet, and we walked over to the side of the park. He was holding his side. I let him sit gently on the side bench and searched my bag for a spare handkerchief to dab the blood on his forehead.

"Sorry, I don't know what Leo was thinking to hit you. Sorry." I blew some air on the opening so it wouldn't hurt so much.

"Arrgg."
"Sorry, sorry."
"You know, you had better watch out for your friend. I think he's either crazy or obsessed with you," Josh chuckled.

What a sweet soul. He wasn't even mad at me that someone I knew just battered him for nothing.

"He is obviously crazy. I'll have to tell my dad about this tonight. Was he on drugs or something?"
"When are you leaving?" I asked, taking our conversation back to where it started.
"This night. The flight is for 8 pm."
My face fell. Why was he leaving so soon?

"Look, we can always text and call, send each other pictures and stuff. You know, out of sight should not always be out of mind, okay? Nothing has to change between us, right?" He was so comforting.

"Yeah, sure. I'm sorry to hear about your parents, by the way." I hugged him so tight I could feel him go out of breath.

That night we said goodbye to each other and promised to stay in touch. I left the park with a heavy heart because I knew I was going to miss him a lot. Somehow I decided not to tell my dad about the fight. I didn't want him to worry too much.

I met my dad on my way into the house. Apparently, he had a quick meeting with friends. These days he spent most of his time in the study, making hush calls or going out to meet "friends."

I had a very big house, so big it was anyone's dream house, a mansion maybe. The all-white state-of-the-art building stood in all its glory on the outskirts of town. One would think it was owned by a footballer or maybe the president's secret hideout. It's funny how we do not have men guarding our house most times. I couldn't help but imagine what it would have been like if my mum had stayed.

It was just me, my dad, and the housekeeper who came in once in a while. The stairs on both sides of the living room led to the hallway upstairs, with my dad's study facing my room and his room at the far end of the hallway.

I got into my room, had a cold shower, changed into my nightdress, texted Josh to apologize about the fight earlier, and wished him luck with this phase of his life.

I picked out one of Shakespeare's works from my bookshelf to read. Deep down I knew what was next. I'd read for an hour or two till I eventually fell asleep. That was my thing.

I closed my eyes for a bit and said a silent prayer for Josh, for him to always be happy, and for him to always find happiness.