Love & Denial

Chapter 4

The interior of the cafeteria is beautifully painted in white and brown. Sets of round tables with chairs are neatly arranged. David, Lola, and Shemagh sat at the end of the cafeteria, a spot not often used. Lola contemplated what to say to break the silence, as Shemagh was too shy to start a conversation.

"Hope you're not hurt?" she finally asked.

"No, I'm not. Don't worry about me," Samuel replied.

"I'm so sorry, David. It all happened because of me." Shemagh said.

"Don't say that, Shemagh. The guy was rude to you. You didn't expect me to just sit back and watch him insult you."

David responded.

"Thank you for everything." He held her hand and patted it softly.

Lola spotted someone she knew from home and excused herself to go see the person. Shemagh and David were left alone. The absence of Lola made Shemagh uneasy. To help her relax, David played a song from his phone. Before he knew it, Shemagh began to hum along.

"It seems you know the song?" David asked.

"Yes. 'Celebrate Life' is one of my dad's favorites; he loves Lucky Dube's music."

"You really had a good time with your dad."

"He is the reason I'm here. He coached me during my studies for WAEC, and his efforts paid off. I got the highest JAMB score of the year. My dad suggested this place when I had the opportunity to choose my institution."

"Wait a minute, you're Shemagh Adams who got the highest JAMB score last year?"

"Yes."

"I never knew I had a national luminary as a friend. 390 points is prodigious. Your father did a great job. What led to his death?" David asked.

Before she could utter a word, her eyes became teary. The memory of her father's death Is something she hates to remember; he died because he ran an errand she was supposed to run that day and got hit by a reckless driver, one week after they celebrated her scholarship. David moved his chair closer and wiped her tears with his handkerchief.

"You don't have to talk about it if you're still grieving," he said.

"Hey guys," Lola said excitedly as she returned. "What did I miss? Why is everyone looking so serious?" She faced Shemagh.

"Were you crying?"

"No, I'm not," Shemagh replied.

"Who was the guy you were talking to?" David asked.

"He's Richard, my neighbor from home. He's also a student here, from the music department. Check this out," she said, dropping a flyer on the table. The flyer read:

Song Audition

Sponsored by Marvin Dynasty and Atlantic

The voice is an elixir

Registration: N100,000

Prizes:

Winner: N20 million and a membership with one of the sponsors.

2nd runner up: N6 million.

"This is quite a lot of money," David said.

"You see why I'm so excited. Richard gave me the flyer?" Lola replied.

"I wish I could sing. I would seize the opportunity. I can imagine the kind of people that will be there. This is an international audition and the first of its kind," David said.

"Yes, it is the first of its kind. You and I know our voices are too good for this kind of audition," she said ironically. David laughed heartily, remembering how his kid sister preferred bedtime stories to his singing. "The cricking sound of the cricket at night and the sound of flying insects are better than yours," she once told him bluntly.

"I admit I can't sing," he said, still laughing.

"I know someone with a sweet voice who has everything it takes to win."

"Who?" Shemagh asked.

"Follow me, let me show you." Lola walked out of the cafeteria, and they followed. When they walked a few steps away from the door, she asked Shemagh to look at the window. Shemagh looked through the window.

"Don't look at the people in the cafeteria, just look at the window," Lola said.

"This is the person I'm talking about." She pointed at the reflection of Shemagh."What! No way, Lola. This is a huge audition, it's not a joke."

David was not as surprised as she was. Even though he had never heard her sing before, but most of her stories were about how she spent time singing with her dad."Shemagh, I believe you can do it," David said.

"So we are doing this, right?" Lola asked.

"I'm not sure, Lola," Shemagh sounded worried.

"Think about it, you have nothing to lose," Lola said.

"What about the registration? My mom doesn't have that kind of money to register me for an audition, that's if she even agrees to let me participate."

"I'll take care of that," David said. Lola hugged him out of excitement.

Theresa, Molly, and Esther also came to the cafeteria to eat. Theresa smiled at David stupidity.

"Hello, Dave," Theresa greeted.

"Hello, Theresa."

"Sorry about what happened with you and Samuel. Hope you're not hurt." She came closer to him and placed her hand on his chest.

"I'm fine," he replied and gently removed her hand from his chest.

"Do you care for anything? We're going to the cafeteria to eat."

"Everybody knows the cafeteria is a place where food is purchased and consumed," Lola snapped.

"I wasn't talking to you," Theresa replied rudely.

Molly and Esther were embarrassed by how Theresa threw herself at him every time she had the opportunity.

"Esther's birthday is on Friday. You are invited," Theresa announced.

"Is that true, Esther?" David asked.

"Yes David, and you're all invited."

"All of them?" Molly repeated in disappointment. She knew Samuel's attention would be distracted if Lola was there. He had feelings for her; Molly noticed that he always talked about her whenever they were together. Though it was more of a complaint, she knew he used it to hide his true feelings.

"Where is the venue?" David asked.

"My apartment. I'll send you the address if you give me your number," Esther replied. He handed her his phone, and she typed in his number.

"Bye, David." Theresa said after stealing a quick peck. As soon as she left, Lola began to mimic her walk. Shemagh felt a bit jealous and tried to hide it, but Lola noticed.

"What was that behavior all about?" Molly asked.

"Why do you keep throwing yourself at him?" Molly showed her disappointment.

"If there's anyone who throws themselves cheaply, it's you, Molly. You know Samuel loves Lola, but you still force yourself on him. At least David doesn't have a girlfriend yet," Theresa retorted proudly.

"And you think David is going to look in your direction?"

"Leave that worry to me. Go and focus on your philandering boyfriend."

"You two, stop this senseless talk," Esther raised her voice. A few people in the cafeteria glanced over before turning back to their meals.

"These guys are somewhere, not even thinking about any of you. The only time they remember you is when they see you, and you're here fighting over them." She said and left them on the table to get her food.