Between two worlds

Chapter 7: Moving On and Unspoken Feelings

As I walked into class, I spotted Akim and felt a familiar knot in my stomach. Our usual banter was replaced by a simple, polite greeting. I was determined not to dwell on the past, so I kept my interactions with him brief, focusing instead on my studies and my growing friendship with Kingsley.

In the weeks that followed, Kingsley and I found ourselves chatting more, even during lectures. It was refreshing to share ideas and laughs with him, and I could feel the connection between us deepen. Our friends began to notice the chemistry, often teasing us about being a couple. Kingsley, however, denied any romantic feelings, and I hesitated to admit my own, still wary from my experience with Akim. We both claimed to be just friends, but our behavior suggested otherwise. Accepting those feelings felt like a daunting obstacle neither of us was ready to confront.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel and Alimat were navigating their own complexities. Alimat didn’t harbor any romantic feelings for Emmanuel; he simply wasn’t her type. With a boyfriend who lived with her, she saw no reason to pursue anything with him. Despite his obvious affection, she often took advantage of his kindness, which frustrated him. Emmanuel tried to express his feelings, hoping she would understand, but Alimat dismissed his concerns, leading him to step back and give her space.

Feeling overwhelmed, Emmanuel decided to step outside one day to cool off after another frustrating conversation with Alimat. He wanted to confront her about her behavior, but it seemed futile. He chose to remain distant instead of continuing to be hurt by her indifference.

Glorious, on the other hand, was struggling with the logistics of attending our readings. The transport fare made it difficult for him and to trek from his house to Alimat's place regularly is hard. He still joined us occasionally, but the commitment was becoming harder for him to maintain.

Daniel, as always, was more focused on having fun than studying. He stopped attending readings altogether, only resurfacing a week before exams. The dynamic within our group was shifting, with each of us dealing with our personal challenges while trying to stay connected.

As I sat there, reflecting on my own feelings for Kingsley and the situation with Akim, I realized that moving on was a process. I didn’t have all the answers, but I knew I was growing closer to Kingsley—whether either of us was ready to admit it or not.

**Mariam's POV**

As I sat with Abosede, we filled Joy in on the latest happenings from our group readings. “You wouldn’t believe how things have been between Emmanuel and Alimat,” I started, shaking my head. “It’s like he can’t see how she’s treating him.”

Joy leaned in, intrigued. “I’ve noticed how he acts around her. It’s so obvious he likes her. He practically lights up whenever she’s around.”

Abosede nodded in agreement. “Exactly! But Alimat doesn’t seem to care how much she’s stringing him along. She talks to him like he’s just another friend, completely ignoring his feelings.”

“It’s frustrating,” I continued. “Everyone knows it. Even the guys have tried to talk to her about it, but she just brushes them off. It’s like she’s completely unaware of how much he’s into her.”

Joy frowned, her concern evident. “But does she really not see it? Or is she just playing with his feelings?”

“Honestly, it’s hard to say,” Abosede replied. “She can be really bossy and dismissive, and I think she knows how Emmanuel feels but just doesn’t care enough to change her behavior.”

I sighed, reflecting on our discussion. “It’s tough because we all have our own issues. I mean, everyone complains about how I can be too playful or talkative, but we all cope with each other’s quirks. It feels like we should do the same with Alimat.”

Joy looked thoughtful. “You’re right. But it’s different when someone’s feelings are involved. Emmanuel is such a good guy; it hurts to see him get hurt like this.”

We agreed to keep Joy updated on what happened during the readings, but it was hard to ignore the growing tension. Watching Emmanuel struggle while Alimat remained oblivious felt like a weight on all of us. I just hoped things would eventually turn around for everyone.