MY LOVE LIFE

A NEW YES

The next morning, I felt like I was floating. For the first time, the weight on my chest was gone. I couldn't wait to tell Tobi.

As soon as I entered the class, I scanned the room for him. He was sitting in our usual spot, head bent over his book, probably pretending to read.

When he saw me, he broke into that bright smile that always made my heart skip.

"Good morning, Madam Bookworm," he teased, as usual.

"Good morning," I replied, smiling shyly.

"Ah! She’s smiling today. Who gave you free food this morning?" he joked, poking my arm playfully.

I giggled, shaking my head. "Nobody gave me food, silly. But… I do have something to tell you."

His expression shifted instantly from playful to curious. "What is it? You look like you’re hiding a surprise."

I took a deep breath, then looked straight into his eyes. "Ask me again."

He tilted his head. "Huh?"

"Ask me that question again," I repeated, my voice trembling with excitement.

Realization hit him slowly, and his eyes widened. He sat up straight, his hands trembling slightly.

"Wait… are you serious? Are you actually..."

"Ask me, Tobi," I insisted, grinning now.

He laughed nervously, stood up abruptly, and walked to the front of my desk like he was about to give a speech.

"Delight," he said, clearing his throat dramatically. "I’ve asked you this question a thousand times, and you’ve always said no. But today, I’m asking you one more time… Will you be my girlfriend?"

The class went silent. A few students turned to watch, sensing that something big was happening.

I stood up too, my heart beating so loudly I thought everyone could hear.

"Yes," I said clearly, my voice steady. "Yes, Tobi. I will."

He froze for a moment as if he couldn’t believe it. Then, with the biggest smile I’d ever seen, he pulled me into a gentle hug. The class erupted into loud cheers and claps, some girls screamed, and the boys started shouting "We knew it! We knew it!"

He pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against mine. "Are you sure?" he whispered, his eyes shimmering with tears he was too proud to let fall.

"I’ve never been more sure," I whispered back.

We stood there, completely lost in each other, until one of the boys at the back yelled, "Oya kiss her now!"

We both burst into embarrassed laughter and quickly sat back down. My cheeks were on fire.

After we settled, Tobi looked at me, still smiling like a little boy with a new toy. "Thank you, Delight. I promise to take care of your heart."

"But…" I said, suddenly serious.

He stopped smiling and looked nervous. "But what?"

"You’ll have to meet my brothers first," I said firmly. "They gave me permission… but they want to know you. And I want them to know you too."

He swallowed hard. "Ah. The famous twins. They won’t beat me, right?"

I burst into laughter. "They might try, but you’ll survive. Besides, you’re Tobi. You can charm anyone."

He shook his head, pretending to be terrified. "Hey God! Me that I like my face like this o! But for you… I’ll do it."

I reached for his hand under the desk. "Thank you," I said softly.

His fingers wrapped around mine, squeezing gently. "Anything for you, Delight."

By the end of the day, the entire school had heard about us. The news spread like wildfire.

During lunch, girls kept walking past our table, some staring in shock, others whispering and giggling.

One girl stopped and said, "So it’s true? You people are dating for real?"

Tobi put his arm around me proudly. "Yes, she finally said yes. You can go and announce it at assembly tomorrow," he teased.

I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide my smile.

The boys in Tobi’s circle started calling me "Our wife," and girls who used to ignore me now wanted to sit near me or borrow my books.

For the first time, I wasn’t the shy girl hiding from the world. I was Delight, the girl who chose love bravely and finally allowed her heart to be happy.

And as I walked hand-in-hand with Tobi across the school field later that afternoon, my heart felt free.

For the first time, love wasn’t a secret. It was a story we could write together boldly, joyfully, and with everyone watching.