Alisha #ProjectNigeria

Chapter 3

Alisha's POV
Kamsi's messages or calls always put the widest smile on my face. He was the only friend I had and he makes me happy. But how can someone who you have never met in your entire life give you such comfort and happiness? Well, I thank God for this era, social media just keeps people like me busy. If not for that, I wonder how my life would have been, very boring and sad. I have no regrets or whatsoever meeting my idiot online.

I met him years back when I was in form 3. I just got my new phone as my birthday gift from dad and mum. I was so excited because I always thought I will get it after my external examination. Yea I know right, after my external examination. African homes are something else. Discipline is priority especially Nigerian homes. Parents won't buy you something until you prove to them that it is worth it. I can remember how I worked my ass off to get good grades just to prove to them that getting me a phone won't distract me from my studies.

"Mum, I made it this year, am the overall best" I told my mum grinning like someone who just fixed her teeth and wouldn't want to close it forever just for people to see how great it is

"I can see that Obi, congratulations" mum said equally happy as she hugged me.

"So mum, you always said that if I keep maintaining my good grades, you will get me a phone" I reminded my mum while looking at her with puppy eyes to see if she can be charmed by it and just help her daughter out who just reads and watch movies during her leisure time. It was getting too boring for me and I needed something new.

"Biko, Obi, don't disturb me now. When we want to get you a phone, we will get it. You need to come of age first. Do you know how parents lose their children because of that handy stuff? Biko, not now, you need to mature first. My charm didn't work at all.

Oh gosh! There she goes again. Preaching to me about how parents lose their children because of phone. I just listened to her like a good daughter will do.

"Alright mum, whenever you feel I am matured, you get it for me".

I was so sad that period. I wanted to see what my class mates always rant about in class. Since I didn't have any friends, I was clueless. I was in form 2 then and as my mum said, I wasn't matured at all, I was just 13yrs old. Yes 13yrs old and I wasn't matured even after my experience as a woman a year before.

Well,  when I got my phone, I was so attached to it. I was always on Facebook meeting friends. I felt comfortable because most of them did not know me and so when we chat, I was always free. Gladly, the so called phone didn't distract me from my goal of getting good grades and my folks were relaxed although mum was constantly reminding me not to check the 'bad stuffs'. One of such occasions while I was online, a message popped.

"Hi"
I immediately checked the name, Kamsiyochukwu Okoye but there was something off about the profile. There was no clue about the person in question. All I could see was that I was the only friend. It was creepy but I just assumed the person joined Facebook recently so the profile was blank with no picture at all. I didn't even know if the person in question was a girl or boy and so curiosity came and I replied the message.

"Hello"
And that was it. Kamsi became my tight online friend. He became my buddy so I didn't feel lonely anymore because I didn't have a friend. He kept me company and we tell each other everything. He was my best friend.
******
I hope it is that idiot"
I paused my movie and picked my phone and there on the screen was Kamsi's message.

"Al, what have you been doing since morning? Not even a message to let me know you are ok"

"Kamsi Biko, I am well o"

"Are you sure? I know you very well, am sure something happened because you have been silent"

He always shows his caring abilities and it makes me feel better always. But I don't want to always put him in the position of being worried so I didn't tell him about my encounter with the 'huge gate of the school'.

"Kamsi, you worry a lot jor, I didn't want to disturb your night rest and besides you told me you have a quiz today so I didn't want to bother you" I replied him.

I was done with my meal so I went to the bathroom to wash off the things I used and my hands as well. My phone couldn't just stop beeping. Kamsi can disturb seriously. I was just out for few seconds and he is already bombarding me with messages.

"Al, alright if you say so"
"Al, so have you made new friends?"
"Al?
"Al?"
"Why aren't you answering me?"

I picked up my phone, rolled my eyes before sending him a message

" Idiot, I was busy. You don't have to blow off my phone"

"Oh really? Answer me my friend🙄"

"Well, prior to your question, how do u expect me to make a friend on the first day? Are u nuts?"

"You don't have to insult me, just trying to find out. I know you will never make any at all until you leave that school in years time"

"You are mean, I will change I bet you"

"Haha, oh really?  Is it Alisha Adaobi Azubike talking or someone else?"

" I don't blame you idiot"

"Why do you always call me idiot while I am always nice to you?"

"Because you are not important to me"

I left my WhatsApp to check on my instagram page. I had a lot of followers close to 9k. They love my write ups and so they keep following me. If only I could make friends not online, but that is totally impossible. I waited for close to 20 minutes for Kamsi's reply but to no avail. He must have been hurt. Alisha you are something else. If only I could wag my mouth to other people the way I do to Kamsi but never. I can never do that because I am Alisha who is always dumb.

"Kamsi, why are you silent?"

"Are you asking me or what?"

"Alright, I am sorry. I didn't mean it. You know I was joking."

"No problem, I am use to your bad behaviour."

That's Kamsi, always ready to let things lie. I was online for the whole night. I couldn't sleep at all because I was in a strange environment and Kamsi knew that so he ditched his other activities just to be with me. When it was about 6:00am, my eyes became so weak so I told him I wanted to shot it for few minutes before the day begins properly.

"Alright Al, let me check the school website and know when the forthcoming examination will commence."

"Oh that's true, soon-to-be graduate. Just one semester left for you. But I thought it was to start next week?"

"Oh yes but it was postponed. I really want to take this exam and be done with school for real. Next semester will be all about project. Alright Al have your rest. Love you"

"Love you too"

The four letter words didn't mean anything serious. It was just casual and best friends say it to each other randomly. I placed my phone under my pillow, did the sign of the cross (am catholic), said my morning prayers and within seconds I was off.
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Hope you enjoyed this chapter

And for my non-Nigerian buddies, any word that is strange to you, drop your comment and I will be at your service.🤗

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