Lessons After Class.

Chapter 12

Sunday. Days after we had the argument. I’ve been at Yemi’s place since I came to drop off jollof rice. I woke up to sunlight spilling across the bed. It felt warm and soft, like a hug I never wanted to end. I could smell coffee from downstairs and faint flowers from outside. Yemi was still asleep beside me. His chest rose and fell slowly, steady, like calm water. I watched him for a while. After the fights we had last week, this quiet felt like medicine. I wanted to stay here forever.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand. I reached over and saw Melissa’s message. “Today is picnic day. Meet you at the park at eleven”. My heart leapt. I typed back fast, “Yes. I will be there”.

Yemi had planned this picnic with her and Malik to celebrate our getting back together.

I quickly brushed my teeth quickly and went to the kitchen to have a hot cup of coffee and toast while listening to music. Shortly afterwards Yemi emerged from the room, still a little sleepy. He gave me a peck on my forehead then a soft kiss on my lips. His lips tasted like toothpaste.

He took a sip of my coffee and ate a slice of my toast claiming he made good preparations for the picnic and wasn’t really hungry at the moment.

We took a long shower together, then I dressed in a soft yellow sundress that swayed when I moved. I braided my hair loosely, letting curls fall around my face. A touch of lip gloss and mascara, and I was ready. I checked the mirror, smiling at myself. Today felt like a new start.

When we got to the park, everything and everywhere were set up. Malik and Melissa were a few meters away, laughing while they unpacked sandwiches and drinks. My chest fluttered when I looked at Yemi again after seeing what he prepared. The music, food, flowers, location, it was all perfect.

He stood when he saw me and pulled me into a hug. I rested my head against his chest. He smelled like citrus and fresh laundry. I wanted to stay there forever.

“You look beautiful”, he repeated for the umpteenth softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face.

I blushed. “Thanks”, I murmured. “You look good too”.

We sat on the blanket, and started dishing out food on our plates. I had baked chocolate muffins because it looked to good and I couldn’t resist the white wine, it looked like the expensive stuff and the smell and smooth taste, expensive. Yemi had fancy soda, and Malik teased him about it. I laughed, feeling happy just watching them. Melissa leaned toward me, whispering, “You two are too cute. Stop making us jealous”. I nudged her playfully.

We played frisbee near the lake. My stomach hurt from laughing so much. I flicked the frisbee extra hard and Yemi almost fell. I ran to him, laughing, and he grabbed my hand, pulling me down beside him. He tickled me, and I squealed. I loved moments like this—simple, light, and full of laughter.

Later, we lay on the blanket, the sun warming my skin. Yemi brushed crumbs from my dress and lingered. I rested my head on his chest, feeling his heart beating.

“Do you know what I love about you?” he asked softly.

I shook my head, my heart beating faster.

“Everything”, he said. “Everything about you”.

I wanted to say the same, but words felt small. I just stayed there, soaking in the warmth, the quiet happiness around us.

Then my phone buzzed. My mother’s name flashed. Panic rose in my chest. I didn’t want to answer here. Whispering, I told Yemi, I need to take this, and walked a few steps away.

“안녕하세요, 엄마”, I said quickly. (Hello mama)

“안녕, 내 딸!” She replied (Hi, my daughter)

“Hana, are you studying?” she asked, cheerful.

“Yes, Mama”, I said, lying. “I am in the library”.

She asked about my friends, my classes, and how I felt. I answered softly, careful not to sound suspicious. After a few minutes, I said I would call her later. “사랑해요, 엄마” (Love you, Mama),

“나도 사랑해!” (Love you too), she replied. I let out a quiet breath and went back to Yemi, who watched me with a teasing smile.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, just my mother. I told her I was in the library”.

He laughed softly. “Classic you”, he said, taking my hand.

The afternoon flew by. We walked hand in hand by the lake, feeding the ducks. Malik and Melissa joined us, laughing as the birds rushed toward the bread pieces. I bent to pick up a small stone and flicked it into the water, splashing Yemi lightly. He gasped, then pretended to be scandalized. “You are going to pay for that”, he said, chasing me around a tree. I laughed until my stomach ached but didn’t run. I wanted this chase, this moment.

We went back to the blanket dripping and laughing, sharing sandwiches and muffins.

Malik said, “the muffins were dangerously good”.

I teased Yemi about charging people. You see, everything else was catered for except the muffins. Yemi describes cooking as a form of art and you can’t possibly describe it but he loves art probably more than he loves me. He baked the muffins himself because he wanted to add a special and personal touch to the picnic while I gave him emotional support in the kitchen plus loads of kisses.

Melissa whispered, “You should. Maybe start a blog”. He laughed. “I am not ready for that yet ooo”. Then we all laughed out loud in the empty resort park.

As the sun dipped lower, clouds turning soft pink and gold, I felt the warmth of Yemi’s hand in mine. He brushed grass from my hair, slow and tender. I leaned closer, feeling a bubble of happiness inside me.

We decided to watch a movie at a nearby open-air cinema. We shared a blanket, snuggled close. My phone buzzed again. My mother. Panic. I whispered to Yemi, I need to take this, and walked to the edge of the seating area.

“안녕하세요, 엄마”, I said. (Hello, Mama)

“Where are you now?” she asked.

“I am still at the library”, I replied. I answered her questions carefully, nodding as if alone, keeping Yemi and the others out of it. Finally, I said I would call later. “사랑해요, 엄마” (Love you, Mama.)

“나도 사랑해!” she said. (Love you too). Relief poured through me. I went back to Yemi, who raised his eyebrow. “Smooth move”, he whispered.

I laughed softly, resting my head on his shoulder. “You know I have to”, I murmured.

The night ended with soft kisses under the stars. Whispered words. My heart felt full.

Walking home, Yemi held my hand, thumb brushing over mine. I rested my head against his shoulder. I thought about my mother’s call, the lies, but it felt small compared to the warmth and joy I had felt today.

Back in my room, we lay together, talking about dreams, plans, and silly ideas. I laughed at some, rolled my eyes at others, but loved every word.

Tomorrow would bring studies, routines, challenges, but tonight I was free. Free to laugh. Free to love. Free to simply be.

And that was enough.