My Ex-ex

Chapter Three

The Previous Day, February 14th.

Valentine's Day was no ordinary day at Jefferson's High. Students and teachers alike were basking in the feeling of love. Simi felt like she could literally smell the love in the air. It seemed like nature was also aware of it as the birds sang love songs to one another in melodious notes while the sun greeted everyone with a lovely golden beam.

"OMG! Tosan... You're the best!" Sheyi squealed after unwrapping the gift box that Tosan had given her.

After Simi entered the classroom, she eyed them for a while before settling down on her seat. She wasn't particularly interested in the drama Sheyi was acting though she wasn't the only one acting up such a drama. According to the timetable, it was free period for SS3 students so the class was rowdy. Almost everyone was busy gushing over the gifts they received from their vals.

Where is Tobi?

She had not set eyes on him since morning. She unzipped her school bag and took a look at the small beautifully wrapped gift box she wanted to give him. In it was an expensive leather wristwatch that Tobi had once offhandedly remarked that he wanted. Unlike Tobi who came from a middle class family, it wasn't particularly difficult for Simi to afford. She was the over pampered and almost spoilt daughter of a wealthy lecturer, Mr. Adekunle, afterall. Her father basically gave her anything she wanted as long as it could be bought with cash. The fact that she was an only child simply heightened matters.

She suddenly had a nudge to leave her classroom and go see Tobi. She didn't find him in his class when she got there. She felt like taking a walk so she took a longer route to her classroom passing by the library. As she walked by, she heard voices coming from the library. She stopped when she recognized Tobi's voice though she couldn't recognize the voice of the other person with him.

"Dude you have to tell her the truth someday. She needs to know how you really feel about her." The other person said.

"I know but... I can't. I... I just can't." Tobi replied.

"Because of wetin?" The other guy asked in pidgin in a tone that suggested that he was irritated.

Simi pressed her ear against the wall wondering if they were talking about her. She was sure they were alone in the library.

"Just tell her the truth. You can't continue pretending to like her when you clearly don't— well except you're planning on chopping her sha, you know her dad is loaded."

Tobi started to laugh and the other guy joined in.
"I've chopped enough sef— not that I willingly take the gifts from her. She just sort of imposes them on me."

Convinced that they were talking about her, Simi's heart skipped a beat as she recalled the countless number of gifts she had given Tobi in the time past most of which she had forced him to take. According to him, he was supposed to be the one spending on her and not the other way round. Not that it had bothered her though. She loved him— or so she thought.

"I'm sure she's got something nice for you today. Did you even get her anything?"

"No. I've been avoiding her since morning." Tobi stated bluntly.

"Dude, that's harsh. Today's Valentine's! How do you think she'd feel?"

"But I don't love her..." Tobi was saying.

"So?" The other guy interrupted. "You don't have to love her to get her something. Plus she doesn't know that you're not into her..."

Simi couldn't listen anymore. She walked away wiping the tears that were cascading down her cheeks with the back of her left palm. So all these while she had been in a pretend relationship with Tobi. He didn't even love her. How had she been so blind? Why hadn't she seen the signs long ago? She felt stupid. She felt used.

Meanwhile the guys continued their conversation.

"How can she not know that? For crying out loud I'm in a relationship Jeff!" Tobi said almost raising his voice.

"Maybe she thinks you'll leave Simi for her someday." Jeff said calmly.

Tobi scoffed. "That's never going to happen. My world is built around Simi."

"Then for Simi's sake tell Amanda the truth. You have to tell her off else she'll start spreading the ideas she's gotten into her head to other people then everyone will think you're cheating on Simi with her. Trust me, that's the last thing a relationship needs."

Tobi inhaled. "Okay. Fine. I'll tell her—but not today."

Simi dried her tears before entering her classroom. She didn't want anyone asking her questions, not because they cared but simply because they wanted to tap gist. She felt like tossing the gift she had bought Tobi into the trash can. On a second thought she decided to give it to Kenneth who's had a crush on her since JSS3 though she'd never glanced at him more than once. Not because he was unattractive but because she'd been head over heels in love with Tobi. She made her reluctant legs walk to his seat.

"Hi..." Her shaky voice trailed off.

"Simi, how are you?" He asked showing her all his teeth.

"I want to give you this." She stretched out her hand which held the gift box toward him, completely ignoring his question knowing that she was everything but fine, but wasn't going to mention it.

"Woah... Simi... This is really lovely." He said shyly, taking the box from her hand. His eyes shone and Simi wasn't sure if she saw him blush.

Do black boys blush?

Anyway she couldn't care less.

"I'm glad you like it." She muttered and hurried back to her seat before his already opened mouth could vomit more words out.

Lectures began. Simi who was emotional down couldn't pay attention. During English class the teacher, Mr. Peter, had told everyone to bring out their textbooks. Then he assigned Toyosi to read a really long comprehension passage while the other students kept up with what she read with their own textbooks. Simi randomly opened her text pretending to be following up with what Toyosi was reading. Even at that the pages appeared blank to her devoid of words and meaning.

"Thank you very much Toyosi. You may have your seat." Mr Peter said. "Simi would you mind continuing the passage from where she stopped?"

Simi's head snapped up when she heard her name jolting her from her reverie.

"Uh..."

"Simi I said continue reading the passage to the class from where Toyosi stopped!" He barked getting angry at her. She felt like crawling into her skin. She wasn't even sure she knew the title of the passage.

She carried her text, stood up, opened her mouth, closed it and opened it again. She drew in a quiet breath, opened her mouth and let the words flow out.

"Shut up! Just shut your mouth! What passage do you think you're reading? So you have not been following ever since ehn? Very good! I'll deal with you today! Meet me in the staffroom at breaktime. When I'm done lashing you, you'll not be able to seat down for weeks. Then you'll wash the staff toilet through out this week. I'm sure that'll teach you something about paying attention in my class..."

Kukuma kill me!

******************************

And there's chapter 3!!! A little flash back to the day before so we all can know what happened. The flashback and the drama continues in chapter 4 soo don't go anywhere yet!
By the way how many of you were able to relate with Simi in the last part? Well I know I sure did! Those days in secondary school when 'wicked' teachers flogged your yansh until sitting down became a problem. Lol! 😂
I just hope you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Tap that little star and support your sisters. 😁

Shout out to @Renee-mira et @BlueSkaie

Check out @niks007official if you love good stories
Muah!! 💋