Chapter 5 : Library Encounter
1468 Words
As the Uyigue family gathered around the breakfast table, Efosa and his mother, Mrs. Uyigue, engaged in a lively discussion. Jacob, however, seemed disconnected, his eyes fixed on his phone as he scrolled through his social media feed.
But when Mrs. Uyigue asked Efosa about his days at school, Jacob suddenly chimed in with a sarcastic remark, his eyes still fixed on his screen. "Ah, look at him, completely smitten. The allure of a mixed school and its lovely faces has clearly captivated his attention."
"And what's with that...interesting eyebrow cut? Efosa's really exploring his creative side, isn't he?" He added with a smirk, his gaze finally shifting to Efosa's left eyebrow.
Efosa's face flushed with embarrassment as he shot Jacob a withering glance. However, Mrs. Uyigue's curiosity was piqued, and she took a closer look at Efosa's eyebrow, noticing the unusual styling. "Efosa, what's with the eyebrow?" she asked, surprise etched on her face.
Efosa felt a surge of defensiveness, his eyes darting between his mother and brother. "It's nothing, Mum. I just thought it would be a nice change. My stylist suggested it last night when I got my hair done."
Mrs. Uyigue raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "Isn't that style prohibited in your school?"
Efosa shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "No, Mum, it's not prohibited. Some of the guys in my class have it too."
"Let him be, Mum. Efosa's finally found his true self. At least he's no longer the same awkward boy he was in that all-boys boarding school." Jacob snorted, rolling his eyes.
"You should be guiding your brother, not encouraging him to indulge in frivolous fancies. You're his older brother, for goodness' sake!" Mrs. Uyigue's gaze lingered on Jacob, her eyes flashing with disapproval.
"Mum, relax. Efosa's old enough to make his own decisions. I'm just his brother, not his keeper. There's not much I can do." Jacob shrugged, his expression nonchalant.
"I just pray you pass your JAMB exams," Mrs. Uyigue's expression turned stern.
As she returned to her meal, Efosa felt caught in the middle, his eyes darting between his mother and brother. The tension was palpable, but he knew better than to intervene.
The breakfast tension finally dissipated as Mrs. Uyigue navigated the car through the bustling streets, finally arriving at the imposing entrance of Camp Academy. Efosa's excitement grew as he gazed out at the vibrant campus, its grandeur a welcome respite from the morning's strained atmosphere.
With a sense of liberation, Efosa stepped out of the car and onto the campus, the energetic atmosphere enveloping him like a warm embrace. He took a deep look at his surroundings, as he noticed the sea of students clad in their crisp white shirts and blue trousers or skirts, adhering to the school's dress code. However, some students had opted for a more relaxed approach, their uniforms slightly disheveled.
Just then, Jeremiah appeared beside him, a mischievous glint in his eye. "You look like you just stepped out of a prison cell," he joked, chuckling at the sight of Efosa's styled eyebrow.
"What do you mean?" Efosa's hesitation was brief, already aware of the attention his new look was garnering.
"The bad boy vibe doesn't quite suit you, my friend." Jeremiah's sigh was exaggerated, his head shaking in mock disapproval.
With a gesture, Jeremiah then beckoned Efosa to follow him to the school hall for assembly. Efosa wavered, his mind racing with doubts about his bold new look. Had he made a mistake by styling his eyebrow? The uncertainty lingered as he trailed behind Jeremiah, his eyes scanning the crowd for reactions to his fresh appearance.
As the day unfolded, Efosa's initial apprehension about his new look began to dissipate. He noticed that his classmates were utterly indifferent to his styled eyebrow, their focus solely on the lessons at hand. The lack of attention was almost...liberating.
Efosa's thoughts wandered, his mind reevaluating the earlier encounter with Jeremiah. Perhaps his friend's jibe had been nothing more than a playful jab, a test of his confidence. He smiled to himself, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. Maybe, just maybe, he didn't look as ridiculous as he thought.
With his newfound confidence, Efosa strode into the library during his free period, eager to immerse himself in the pages of Sarah Ladipo Manyika's "Independence". As he delved into the novel, a gentle voice interrupted his focus, "You're a fan of Sarah Ladipo's work too?"
Efosa's gaze lifted, and his heart skipped a beat as he met the inquiring eyes of Itohan, the last person he expected to encounter. Her presence left him momentarily breathless, his stammered response barely audible, "Y-yes...yeah..."
"May I join you?" Itohan's smile hinted at amusement as she asked.
Efosa's nod was hesitant, his unease palpable as he struggled to compose himself. "S-sure..." he managed to reply, his eyes darting to the vacant chair beside him.
As Itohan settled into the chair beside him, Efosa's mind raced with the challenge of composed nonchalance. Unaccustomed to engaging with girls, especially ones as captivating as Itohan, he struggled to strike a balance between interest and awkwardness.
"What's up with your new look? You seem...different." Itohan's gentle curiosity, broke the spell, her eyes sparkled with amusement.
"What do you mean?"
"Your eyebrow looks different." Her gaze lingered on his face, as if studying the new feature.
Efosa's nervousness surfaced, "Hmmm...do you like it?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty. For a fleeting moment, he thought his new look had impressed Itohan, but her next words shattered that illusion.
"Hell No! I consider it childish," she replied, her smile unwavering. "I prefer your eyebrow better before." Efosa's heart sank, but his mind began to whirl with a different realization.
As he stared at Itohan, lost in thought, he pondered the significance of her observation. For her to notice the change in his appearance meant she had been paying attention to him, perhaps even admiring him from afar. The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
"Hello, are you okay?" she asked, noticing Efosa's distant gaze.
"Yeah... My mind just wandered." He nervously smiled.
As their conversation flowed effortlessly, delving into the realms of literature and meandering into random topics, Efosa found himself increasingly invested in maintaining a facade of composure. He was determined to avoid appearing awkward or unrefined in Itohan's presence, his gaze locked onto hers with an intensity that bordered on fascination.
Just as they were hitting their stride, Jeremiah burst into their little bubble, his arrival announced by a charming smile and a greeting that made Itohan's cheeks flush. "Hello, Angel," he said, his voice low and smooth, like honey dripping from a spoon.
Itohan's brief giggle at the compliment was music to Efosa's ears, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she turned to acknowledge Jeremiah's presence.
"What's up, men?" Efosa replied, his voice a little too loud, a little too forced, as he struggled to regain his footing in the conversation.
"I'm cool, bro... so what's the discussion about?" he asked, as he settled into the empty chair, his eyes darting between Efosa and Itohan.
"Nothing really... just a brief discussion." Efosa's response was hesitant, his words tumbling out in a nervous rush.
"Indeed brief," Jeremiah's gaze lingered on Itohan, his expression a masterful blend of humor and suspicion, as if he was privy to a secret they weren't sharing.
"I think I'll leave you two to your secrets," she smiled, her gaze flicking between Efosa and Jeremiah, who was still seated, as she was prepared to go.
"No, no, I can leave you both alone... Me and this ugly face here have nothing to share," Jeremiah said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. His protest was comical, his small stature making his pleading expression all the more endearing.
"No need for that, their other things I also need to attend to," Itohan's laughed, her smile warm as she turned to Efosa. "Anyway, If you'd like to continue our conversation, I'd be happy to give you my number... perhaps we can meet up this weekend?" The suggestion hung in the air, heavy with possibility.
Efosa's momentary hesitation was met with Jeremiah's intense stare, his foot nudging Efosa's leg in a silent urging to accept Itohan's offer. But Efosa's resolve crumbled under the pressure, his response tumbling out in a hasty, unconvincing manner. "I'm afraid I'm always busy on weekends... it won't be possible," he said, his voice laced with a false air of finality.
"Oh... is that so?" Itohan surprise was palpable, hanging in the air like a gentle rebuke. With a gracious smile, she then bid them farewell, leaving Efosa to face Jeremiah's incredulous gaze.
"You're a big fool, bro," Jeremiah exclaimed, his playful hit on Efosa's head a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within.
- Writer
