Married, Not Dating

CHAPTER THREE

After the examination was over, we all left the class and was on the hall way of the school when the voice of the principal came out through the PA system.

We were listening to the principal through the PA system but I had something else in my mind, I was already looking forward to the birthday gift my father would send especially the cards as I have grown fond of seeing them every birthday.

As soon as the principal was through with the announcement, I had run all the way to his office and knocked on the door.

Knock Knock!!

"Yes who is that"

he said

"Sir, it's me"

I walked into the office.

"Oh Cassy dear, sorry for not asking to see you earlier, I have been busy"

"No problem sir, I had exam too"

"look Cassy, I am really busy now, would you mind coming back during lunch time?

he said, I was a bit disappointed and Scared because this have never happened before, I came in my own since forgot But he only asked me to see him later at lunch time?

"Ho--hope there - there is no problem, sir"

I stammered.

"Not at all,"

The principal answered curtly.

Before I could say anything more,he was already talking to one of the teacher who had just walked into the office.

He appeared upset by something.

I noticed he didn't say a happy birthday to me like he would usually do.

That also never happened before. Usually, as he handed me the birthday gift to me from my dad, he would say..

"Happy birthday to daddy's angel and my superstar"

and we would both laugh. I wondered what could have happened this time.

Maybe he was distracted by whatever had upset him that morning.

As I walked towards the hallway that lead to my classroom, I glanced back at him and I could see he was gesticulating wildly.

The teacher looked thoroughly chastened.

My mind raced through all the possibilities that exists Or did something happen to my dad? He travelled a lot.

Had he been involved in an accident!, was there a robbery!! or what could it be!!.

Now, I got really scared. I remembered a couple of my classmates who suddenly lost their fathers and how they had struggled to remain in the school afterwards.

I remembered how I even got my dad to help some of them. But my worry at that moment was not about how to remain In school if anything happened to him, because my mom would be there but to keep on living with out my daddy? with out my best friend? I could never I would join him if something bad happend to him I had thought but what about my mother? what would happen to her if we both left? why was I having this thoughts? it's not like I was told any thing why was I thinking this way? come off it Cassy.

I loved my parents,no doubt about that. But I was particularly close to my dad. I could say he was the only true friend I had. Even though he could be very strick on some things, he always made me feel I could discuss anything with him.And in most cases, I did.

I recalled what happened earlier in February,on valentine's Day.

A boy in my class gave me a teddy bear and told me he liked me. Everyone called him Jay, but his full name is Jason. I was walking back to the hostel from the school shop where I had gone to buy some toiletries. I looked up and saw him coming towards me on the narrow concrete walkway. I held my shopping bag tight. I had a pack of sanitary pads among the newly bought items in my bag. I wouldn't want him to see that not like I am ashamed of anything I just felt a little awarkard if he saw it. He was also clutching a small, blue gift bag.

"Hi Jay, what's up? Happy valentine's Day,"

I greeted him.

"Happy valentine's Day Cassy."

He fidgeted a bit, looking rather nervous.

"Are you okay?I see you have a Valentine's gift already. Did someone give that to you or are you got it to give someone?"

I said trying to make the situation less condensed.

"Actually... it's actually for you,"

He stammered.

"Me?Oh,thank you. I took the bag from him."

"You know,I have always wanted to tell you that... that...."

He stutter some more

"Go on, that what?"

"That I like you"

He said.

"You like me?Wow! I... don't know what to say."

Now it was my turn to be nervous, because this had never happened to me before. Night had ever said he liked me. I didn't even know how I was supposed to respond.

"Anyways,thank you,"

I managed to say, and continued towards the hostel. Not once did I even look back,but I could feel that he was still standing there, watching me. I felt so conscious I even stumbled on something and wondered if he saw that.

When I got to the hostel,I opened the bag and found a red teddy bear. 'I love you' was written on a heart-shaped embossment on its tummy. I liked the teddy, but I was not sure I did the right thing by accepting the gift from Jay, I did know what he meant for giving me the gift but I wasn't sure if I felt the same or even if I did was I ready to reciprocate the feeling.

At least I have a story to tell my dad when he comes for visiting the next time, I would still ask for his opinion.