Sing Of A Tree In The Wild

Nineteen Eighty-Four

Dennis

16:39

My life has proven really volatile in the last few days. Sleepless nights, loss of appetite and now, I'm having football practice just a day after resumption.

And yes, I haven't quite gotten over today's mini-encounter with Elfrida.

It's amazing how a moment so brief could create a vacuum of longing so wide. I still can't give a definite Yes or No answer to the nagging question of acceptance, but I can say I have more clarity regarding my future with her.

"Boys! Gather round!"

I and the rest of the team jump off the grass after a ten-minute timeout. Trust me, the pressure on us keeps increasing in magnitude with each passing second

"Good evening Coach Jide." We say in unison.

"Good evening boys. I want to officially welcome you all back to school, and to the very first training session of the term. I hope you all enjoyed your vacation. Lest I forget, APC!"

You can trust majority of the squad to reply with a thunderous "Change!" Truth be told, I haven't thought about the elections for once since they concluded. Now, you have the license to call me politically apathetic.

"Yes. Change. Let that change extend to Thursday's game with CMS Grammar School, our slightly distant neighbours. Let's change it for them! They can't afford leave our premises unscathed."

"Yes o!" Captain Chike rings out heartily.

"Very good. I want that team spirit. This is our toughest game yet. By implication, double your efforts, your dedication, your commitment, your prayers. And Dennis, leave Elfrida alone....for now. I saw the both of you after break today."

This is one of the most embarrassing moments of my life. The "Ahh!! Bad guy! Dennis always balling!" is starting to get to me. You can trust Isaac to give me a knowing glance. After the excitement dies down, we divide ourselves into teams of eleven as we prepare to take on one another.

**********************
That was tiring.

I'm really not up for any more surprises. I just want to get home, gulp down a bottle of Fanta, listen to music and sleep properly. Deep down, I know that's equal to halving my everything- the very opposite of what Coach Jide said not quite long today...

Today!

This day just keeps getting better and better.

Why are Elfrida and Coachie having a conversation? What is she looking for here, by this time?

Thankfully (but surprisingly), they do not notice me. Even as Elfrida leaves him, walking briskly towards the school gate, I double up to meet her. I'm now inches within of her and I open my mouth to speak...but Elfrida begins without even turning back to see me.

"You finding me waiting by the pitch after closing shouldn't give you the impression that we're cool." She turns to face me, her fingers crossed below her waist. "Because we're so not cool."

"I know we're not-"

"Do you think I'm avoiding you because you haven't given me a reply?"

After hesitating, I open my mouth to speak but she cuts in again.

"I'll help you with that. Yes, that's what you think. I always knew it'd be a hard choice for you, that's why I didn't open up earlier. I knew my secrets -the same secrets you'd been dying to know- would change your view of me forever."

She untangles her fingers as she walks closer. "What hurt was the fact that you said nothing when I asked you that question. It's not your fault, really. I jumped to conclusions too quickly. You need time to focus on your game; that's what Coachie was talking to me about. You also need time to think about what I said. So," She taps me on my arm, "Don't call or text until you're convinced. And yes, until the game is won. Be the deciding factor again, Dennis." After that, she walks away.