ABOUT LAST NIGHT

Coincidence

I lay on my bed to rest for a bit before unpacking my stuff. I am still thinking about why Mr. Daniel will invite me for dinner. Maybe he is lonely, I said to myself. But he has his friend, Andy, who always comes over, I said again. Or are they not on good terms since the argument? I asked myself again. I kept on thinking about it while unpacking my stuff until 7:00 pm dot, I walk to Mr. Daniel's apartment.

He was cooking when I entered. The whole place was filled with the aroma of the soup he was making. Wow, I never thought you can cook sir, I said as I walk into the kitchen.

Lexi, do you think there is a student that will pass through the university without learning how to cook, he replied. Pass me that bowl of meat, he added. I hurriedly picked up the bowl and passed it to him. You are superb sir, the aroma is all over the place, I said. I am sure you are not bad too, he replied. Yes, I can cook, but most traditional foods, and few of the modern foods, I said.

Are you serious, you know I love traditional food, Mr. Daniel said with excitement? Can you make vegetable soup, he asked? Yes, I can, that is simple, I replied. Wow, you will teach me all that you can make, and I will teach you my recipes too, he said looking at me. Sure, I would like that, I replied.

We arranged the food in the flask and headed to the living room. So, how good are you preparing for your exams, Mr. Daniel asked while we were eating. I am still reading, I felt like have almost read everything, I replied.

Here, he said giving me a book, it's a bunch of past questions for SS CE, I am sure they will be of help, he said. Wow, I have been wanting to buy one, thank you, sir, I said, collecting the book from him. What do you want to study at school, by the way? He asked. Computer science. I like that, I replied. So, are you good at computers, I don't think you own one, he said? Yes, but I always practice with the school's computer, and with Mr. Lukman coaching me, I am doing good, I replied. I think I can spare you mine since I don't use it much, you can practice with it more, even on weekends like this, and you can start practicing for your Jamb examinations too, he said.

Thank you very much, sir, you are really helpful. Stop thanking me, you are a kid brother to me already, he said. But I will also use it to watch movies sometime, hope you won't mind, he asked. Of course, you are welcome to, I replied.

Let me help you with the dishes. You don't have to do that, Lexi. Oh please, sir, you already help me a lot, let me do this little for you too, I said, packing the plates and flasks to the kitchen. I watched everything and cleaned the kitchen. He was resting in the sitting room when I walked in. I stood by the door. I will be heading out sir, would you like anything else, I asked. Oh no Lexi, just go get some rest, there will be school tomorrow, he said. Okay sir, good night, I said and walked out.

I was delighted visiting his room, he is nice and caring too. I wish I could get the chance to date this man, I said as I lay on the bed.

I went to school very early, as usual, the following day. Good morning Lexi, I heard Julia greeting me while I was trying to take my seat. What do you want Julia, it's too early for favors, I said sitting down?

Lexi, you know me too well already, just want you to help me give these chocolates to Mr. Daniel. I looked at her angrily. My heart was bitter, seeing how she is ready to seduce him. Is she trying to snatch him from me, I asked myself? But he isn't mine either, I said again.

Hey silly girl, Mr. Daniel is in a relationship, so take your gifts somewhere else, I said, rejecting the package.

Hey, there you go again Lexi, it's not a harmful gift anyway just take it, she pleaded. You know this girl won't leave this place if you didn't take this from her, just take it, and we will see what to do later, Mike chipped in from the back.

Okay, I said, And collected the package. I was angry throughout. These girls are annoying, I am pissed off with the way they are looking at Mr. Daniel. They are overreacting and it annoys me seriously. I walked to his apartment in the evening to deliver the sweets Julia sent.

What are these, he asked as I kept it on his table. It's from a classmate sir, those girls are madly tripping for you, I replied. Lol, he laughed. You, young people, have lots of courage in you, how could a girl send this to me, he asked. I was surprised too, sir, I replied. Okay, take it, he said. Why are you giving me, I asked. Because I don't take sweets, he replied. I felt a bit relieved in my heart, at least, he turned her down. Yes, sir, it has been Two days since I returned, and I haven't seen your friend Andy, I asked. Oh, him, he traveled, he replied.

Oh, I thought as much, I said. Are you going to start studying, or you will keep on asking questions, he said. Of course, I said, sitting by the table. We studied for a while before he went in to bring out his Laptop. Here, you should start studying with it, he said, handing me over the laptop. Thank you, sir, I replied as I collected it.

I am enjoying Daniel's company. He will tutor me every day after school, and we will have dinner together. Time flies and my exams are almost finished. All thanks to Mr. Daniel, I am doing well.

All this while, Daniel has been caring, apart from tutoring me, he would come to the exam hall to make sure I answered the questions well, he would deliver food to my room and send me practical questions. My friends would be jealous, most especially the ladies, claiming he is treating me partially. I know what I feel about him and I hope he does that too. Every so often I wonder if he is giving me signs, the way he looks and talks to me, and the way he is free with me. I became confused.

****

So, what will you do tomorrow after your last paper, he asked as we were sitting in the field. I don't know, I guess I will sleep all day, I replied. You are not serious, come watch a movie with me, he said. Are you sure, sir? Why not, I downloaded this new movie from Netflix on my phone yesterday, I am sure you would like it, he said. Okay, sir, I will come over after paper tomorrow, okay, I will be expecting you then, he said. We should get going, it's getting late, he said as he stood up. We walked back to our apartments and bid him good night.

I hurriedly finished up my exams the following day. I quickly walked out of the hall.

Lexi! Lexi!! I heard Mike calling as I was rushing to my room. Where are you rushing to, he asked. I am pressed and need to make use of the restroom, I replied. But there are toilets all over the school, he said. I prefer mine, Mr. Mike, I replied with a keen look, trying to leave. Wait, Mr., when are you returning to the village, he asked, pulling me back. Well, you know I have to prepare for my Jamb examinations too, I said and dashed out. What is wrong with him, Mike asked himself as he turned and walked away.

I went straight to my room, took a shower, and changed into normal clothes. I took the laptop and headed to Daniel's apartment. He was sitting on the sofa. Good afternoon sir, I greeted. Oh, Ahmad, how were your exams, he asked. It was fine, sir, I replied. Come sit with me, I have been expecting you, he said pointing at the seat next to him. I walk slowly and sat with him. He arranged the movie and we began watching. He laid on the sofa, placing his head on my lap, my heart was racing already. The movie was very intriguing. After Two hours, we were done watching the movie. I think you will be the one to cook dinner for us tonight, he said, looking at me. What would you want to eat, I asked. Mmmm, it's been a long time since I take a swallow, you know, why not pound yam, he said. Okay, Sir, I said and walked to the kitchen.

I was cooking in the kitchen when I heard him shouting. Get out of my house Andy, get out, he shouted. I was afraid. I quickly ran out to see what was happening. Is it because of this boy? Andy, who was standing by the door, asked, pointing at me. It's none of your business if it's for him or not, just leave me alone, Mr. Daniel shouted.

You can't leave me now Daniel, not after what we have been through, and not for a village boy you met recently, Andy reckoned. We have been through nothing Andy, it's me who has been through a lot, for tolerating you all this while, and guess what? I can't take it any further, so it's over! Mr. Daniel fired back.

You lie, Daniel, you can't break up with me, I will surely come back for you, Andy shouted and walked out of the room. I stood numb by the kitchen door, looking at them as some kind of movie. What is going on, are these guys lovers or what? I couldn't believe what my ears were hearing. I slowly leaned on the wall as Mr. Daniel moved closer.

Guess you have seen and understood what just happened, he asked, tapping my shoulder!