18 Blazing fire

*Matured and disturbing content* (Reader's discretion is advised.

Minka frowned in confusion as she read the note that Ogar had given her.

It read:

NEGRO AGONY

My blood built economies.

Upon the ache of my back

World powers were born.

My agony propelled the world

Into a new age.

My sweat expanded the maps

Upon my breast

Princes and presidents fed

Yet my young one starved.

I am a wonder, stolen from my world. "

"What is the matter ?" Ogar enquired as he went down the porch to where she stood by flowers near the fence.

"You gave me a poem. You wrote this?" She asked staring at him "My mum writes poetry. I didn't know you did as wel.."

Minka kept talking but Ogar had drifted away. He was furious with himself. He wondered why he kept making mistakes when it came to Minka. He had written her a love note but instead, he gave her this? He decided to express his feelings and find out if she felt the same. He felt the need to do so, rather than to live in regrets for the rest of his life. After all if his uncle and aunty Sheila were not going to continue with their relationship, it will be to his gain.

He smiled sheepishly, thankful for the presence of Ramses, though he wasn't happy to see uncle Travis sad.

He had suffered alot already. He is an orphan who had only a surviving relative. No siblings, no cousins, nieces or nephews. Pathetic! This might be life's way of consoling him.

He looked in the direction of Minka and his countenance changed.

She had walked away. She probably informed him while he was deep in thought but he didn't hear her.

"Minka wait" he called out to her as she shut the gate to his residence.

"Yes?" She turned around to look at him.

"You are leaving?"

"That is what I just said" she replied calmly. Her composure. One thing that Ogar admired about her.

"Oh, I didn't realize"

"I have to run an errand for my mother right away" she turned to go.

"But Minka--" started Ogar. He froze as she turned to look at him.

"Did you say something?"

"Hmmmmn..." He heaved as he kept suppressing the voice inside persuading him to talk to her, and stop being a baby.

" I am listening..." She added as she blinked severally. That seemed to send a shiver down his spine. "Okay Ogar, I am leaving"

"No Minka-- " he said but she kept walking briskly . He ran after her and caught her arm.

"I really love-- like, like you-- " he managed to say.

Minka giggled.

Ogar blushed uncomfortably.

"Really?" She turned to look at him. Ogar looked away. He hated himself now. He would have kept his feelings to himself but here he is, he has told her and she is laughing. Oh my goodness,he is such a clown.

"You know what? I am sorry. Forget everything I just said" He said as he turned to leave.

"Oh, That's it? I was here thinking we felt the same way about each other" Minka called out to him. He stopped walking and kept still as though he wanted to decipher all that she had said. Did she just agree to having similar feelings? Does this mean all along she knew he had a thing for her and she pretended or rather played along? He could see the voice inside him, had transformed into its human self and was moonwalking on the stage of his mind, for joy. He felt a sudden burden lifted.

"If that was a joke then I will take it to be that"

"Oh no, it was not a joke" Ogar turned around and walked fiercely towards Minka. He grabbed her hands and kissed them both.

"I adore you, Minka" he said. There were both only sixteen but he was sure about his utterance.

He looked into her eyes for a moment. Their gazes locked.

"I am glad I got to know how you feel about me. There don't want to rush you or anything but I have always thought about what the future will be like.

Each time I thought, I envisaged you in it"

"I am happy you feel that way towards me" she returned.

"As I said I have to run an errand for my mum"

"Okay, okay, let me let you go" Ogar said releasing her both hands.

" Can we meet up later, say three in the afternoon?"

"Hmmmmn... My mum wants me to do a task for her by that time"

"Is it something we can do together?"

"Positive"

Ogar could feel the voice leap in victory. His insides bubbled with joy.

"Okay then, 3pm it is"

"Bye"

"Bye love" he returned. He was surprised at his utterance and wondered where the boldness had come from.

The sun seemed to shine brighter. Ogar could see it's golden rays splutter about. The birds tweeted more alluring tunes. He smiled and greeted everyone on the way back home. Uncle Travis was by the door.

"I have been looking all over the place for you. Where did you go?"

"Oh, I saw Minka off" he responded almost immediately, his eyes were dancing with joy. Uncle Travis notice his nephew grinning from ear to ear.

"Oh"

"Good morning uncle Travis. Hope you slept well?" He asked smiling and winking as he walked in the direction of the kitchen.

"I did " his uncle replied. His uncle followed him and he heard him whistling.

"What is this all about?" He asked as he leaned against the door lintel and watched Ogar.

"What are you talking about uncle?"

"Well you seem extra cheerful today" uncle Travis observed.

"How do you mean uncle. I am always this cheerful you know"

"Does this have anything to do with your waec results?"

"No"

"They are not out at the moment, are they?"

"No"

His uncle laughed.

"Why are you laughing. This is my normal behaviour"

"I wish I could say so but in the past I cajole you to do the dishes" he said

"You do?" Ogar asked rather surprised.

"Yes. Also you grumble your greetings but today you greeted cheerfully and even asked me how my night was"

Ogar said nothing. He kept on washing the dishes. He began to whistle again.

"Hello? I am still here. You have not yet answered my question" his uncle reminded him. Ogar turned to look at him. He had a smile on him face That smile that said "I know what you are up to". That did not bother Ogar.

"Well, I just thought today is a good day so why not, do things better?"

"Is that it?" His uncle asked suggestively.

"Of course uncle Travis. That's it. There could not be more to it" uncle Travis nodded in defeat and turned to go.

"Are you sure?" He continued. Ogar stared at the tiles around the sink area to avoid giving himself away.He silently prayed that his uncle doesn't walk into the kitchen to take a look at his face because at the moment he was blushing and he couldn't help it.