Stuck in Between

Three

I lay on my bed to rest for a bit before unpacking my stuff. I am still thinking of why Kabir will invite me for dinner. Maybe he is lonely, I said to myself. But he has his friend, Jeffery 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. 7:00 pm dot, I walk to Kabir'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. Com'on Ahmad, 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 the bowl and passed it to him. You are really good 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, all these modern foods, I said. Are you serious, you know I love traditional food, Kabir 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 head to the living room. So how good are you preparing for your exams, Kabir 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, its bunch of past questions for SSCE, 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 bro 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. You can join me too, he said. Okay, sir, I replied. Let me help you with the dishes. You don't have to Ahmad. 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 Ahmad, just go get some rest, there will be school tomorrow, he said. Okay sir, good night, I said and walked out.

I was extremely happy to visit his room, he is nice and caring too. I wish I could get the chance to date this guy, I said as I lay on the bed.

I went to school very early, as usual, the following day. Good morning Ahmad, 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. Com'on Ahmad, you know me too well, just want you to help me give these chocolates to Mr. Kabir. 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. Kabir is in a relationship, so take your gifts somewhere else, I said, rejecting the package. Hey, there you go again Ahmad, 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 said. 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 Kabir. 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 2 days since I returned and I haven't seen your friend Jeffrey, 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 system. Here, you should start studying with it, he said, handing me over the system. Thank you, sir, I replied as I collected it.

I am enjoying Kabir'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. Kabir, I am doing well. All this while, Kabir 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 practice 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. Sometimes 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 on my phone yesterday, I am sure you would like it, he said. Okay, sir, I will come over after the 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. Ahmad! Ahmad!! 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 system and headed to Kabir'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 sit 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 interesting. I liked it. After 2 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 Jeffery, get out, he shouted. I was afraid. I quickly ran out to see what's happening. Is it because of this boy? Jeffery, 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, Kabir shouted. You can't leave me now Kabir, not after what we have been through, and not for a village boy you met recently, Jeffery said. We have been through nothing Jeff, it's I 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! Kabir said. You lie, Kabir, you can't break up with me, I will surely come back for you, Jeffery 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 Kabir moved closer.

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