Hello Nigeria!

Chapter 21: Fights

A month.

It's been a month since Nes and I had our big fight; a month since I talked to Enoch; a month since I saw the deep hurt on Jason's face. He has become even more reclusive over time and it's obvious Nes is not ready to take back her words.

It's been a month since Ousman and I became a thing and I must say, it has been nothing like I expected. I had imagined I would feel different, that we would hang out every day and all that stuff. But I guess being in a relationship feels no different from being single. Gosh, I still haven't had my first kiss!

Yes, we text and call every time but he seems too preoccupied for my liking. According to him, he's either busy with school work or is helping his father with company work. When I asked him what company work implied, he told me his father owns one of the largest research institutes in the country and they want to start working in collaboration with Crick research institute.

I'm really happy for his family but I think his father's constant need for his attention is taking too much of his time.

Apart from that though, I kind of feel guilty. Guilty that I'm only dating him because of some stupid girl fight with Lima. Truth be told, I like him. A lot. He has been as caring, supportive and understanding as he can and I love him for that. But I know deep down that I'm betraying him by playing with his feelings.

It's been a month since Lima and I were on bad terms. I am fully aware of the slight disagreement that has existed between us ever since but this time, her dislike towards me seems full blown. Every single chance she gets, she uses to start a fight with me. She appears to be changing both in attitude and appearance.

I shuffle on the recliner to attain a better position as I drop my phone in my lap. It's a Tuesday afternoon and we just got back from school. Mum is still not home so we just stuff our faces with junk food out of laziness to cook. To be honest though, today has been stressful. Not that I did any strenuous work or anything.

A cool breeze hits my face, bringing with it the petrichor produced after the light rainfall. I inhale deeply as a cool song filters into my ears through the headset I'm wearing.

This is my favourite smell.

I open my eyes, letting my lips curve up in a content smile. Over the past month, I've come to discover that this is my favourite spot in the entire house. I usually come here to do most of my stuff. Staring at the bright yellow marigolds sway gently in the light wind, I grin from a sudden burst of excitement. Nature does that to me.

You know how stupid you look right now, grinning like a nut case?

I let out an audible chuckle at the thought of someone seeing me. It takes a few seconds for me to notice a figure through the corner of my eye. Looking in that direction, I find myself under the scrutiny of prominent gray eyes. Although Kemi and Ego claimed his eyes are steel blue, I disagree. Those eyes scream slate; gray so powerful, one could drown in them. Sometimes I wonder if he can see but at the same time, feel he can see even the very soul of a person.

Why am I suddenly speaking wise words?

I whip my head to the right, looking away.

I was drowning in them...

I find myself folding my hands defensively when I espy him strolling over.

"A beautiful weather we have today, huh?" his deep voice cuts through the air. I roll my eyes dramatically, still not looking at him.

The extra space beside me on the lawn chair sinks, startling me. I almost fall off the other side but a strong arm around me stabilizes me.

"What on earth are you doing?!" He simply smirks at me, balancing the both of us on the chair and making me realise his arm is still around me. I clear my throat awkwardly, trying to move away but finding nowhere to go.