CHAPTER TWO: WILL YOU BE MY GIRLFRIEND?

Farida and I went back to our class. For the rest of the day, I tried to concentrate on my studies but the thought of me knowing the new guy was all over my mind. My talkative friend, Farida, did not hesitate to tell me her every thought about the new guy. She kept gushing over him and telling me how handsome he is.

The classes for the day were soon over and it was time to go home. As we were trekking back home, Farida finally noticed that I was not listening to everything she was saying.

"What is wrong with you Mauyan? You have been looking like you have seen a ghost since you saw the new guy", she said.

"Nothing is wrong Farida, I think I have met him before. I just can not place that face".

"Ohhh about that, that is not a problem, you can always ask him that question once you get a chance to speak with him".

"I am definitely not going to talk with him. Stop dreaming babe".

"Well, don't think I am trying to match-make you both. He is just cute, you know and it is difficult not to keep talking about him".

"You should stop, I am not interested in every talk about him".

"Okay I give up...Can we talk about other things now?" (She rolled her eyes)

We continued talking till we parted ways to go to our separate houses.

(Two Weeks Later)

We just ended our Junior High School Examination and it was one of the most interesting examinations I have written (I won't dare say this in the presence of my classmates though). Many of my classmates probably don't feel good about the examination. I think they will do well though (if they actually prepared).

I got to school very early as usual. I didn't meet anyone in class; maybe because we just ended a major examination and they want to take their time at home before another academic session starts. I cleaned my seat and desk with my dust napkin, sat down and said my prayers after which I was ready for the day. Few minutes later, I found myself wondering why I actually came to school because many of my classmates were obviously not going to show up today since we won't be having lectures till the next session.

"Why didn't I just stay at home", I said aloud

"You probably couldn't stop yourself from coming to see me", a voiced replied me

I turned to looked back surprised at who was in the class with me only to lock my eyes with the new guy.

"Okay..." I swallowed. "Have we met before?"

He raised an eyebrow and said, " are you for real? Don't tell me you don't remember me!"

Totally surprised, I answered, "I I I can't remember you".

"You haven't outgrown this shy nature of yours Mauyan. Common! I can't believe you don't remember me though, I am Dawson, Anita's cousin...We all were in the same class in elementary school"

"Ohhhh my WORLD!!! Dawsonnnnn!!!" I screamed. "I remember you, I'm so sorry, your face has really changed. How is Anita? So, You are the Mr. Handsome everyone is talking about" (we both laughed)

"Well, I don't know about that and about Anita, she has gone to live with her parents" (He smiled)

"Wow, that is nice, I will get her phone number from you, just to say hi to her". Suddenly, I remembered Farida. "Ohhh my friend...I haven't seen her this morning, she dare not say she is not coming to school today" (I tried to fake an angry face)

"Farida will always take her time" (He laughed)

"Yes she will" (then it dawn on me), "Wait! What! how do you know Farida?"

(Dawson started laughing). "Mauyan, is there anything you remember apart from books" (He continued laughing hard).

"Don't tell me you don't know that Farida was our Junior in elementary school. She was in a class lower than ours".

(Then it dawn on me). "No wayyyy...Dawson...How come I don't remember her and she never talked about it?"

"Well, that's probably because you used to be extremely quiet so you probably didn't know her or never met her".

"Wow, I will ask her if she remembers me", I said.

"Ask me what? Wait!!! I can't believe it", Farida screamed from the entrance of the class.

"Farida just stop with the noise and how did you even know it was you I wanted to ask something?" I tried to scold her.

"Come of it babe...Introduce me to the handsome dude", she winked.

Perplexed, I decided to take the pain to introduce Dawson to Farida. "Farida meet Dawson, Dawson meet Farida. He knows you by the way", I said to Farida

Looking surprised, she quickly stressed her hand to shake Dawson who reciprocated, "You know me Dawson?"

"Ofcourse, I do...You used to be our Junior, (mine and Mauyan's) in elementary school and I know this not because we used to talk but because I used to see you whenever I pass by your class in those days".

"Wow, that's a lot to take in", (she laughed). You mean Mauyan was my senior?"

"Yes, I was" (I interjected). "So, how did we end up in the same class? Because I can't remember repeating a class" (I folded my hands in front her)

For the first time, I noticed Farida being very uneasy and she even stuttered when she wanted to respond to me.

"Well, I I I I I...My parents said I should write the elementary qualifying examination before the final class because they could not afford the fees for the final class. Fortunately for me, I passed very well and that was how I was offered admission into Junior High School with your set", she said, looking very shy.

"Wow!!! You are a genius. That's a good thing to be proud of and nothing to be ashamed of at all, Don't mind Mauyan, we are proud to have you in our class", Dawson said extending his hand to Farida for a second hand shake.

"Ofcourse, I am very proud of you baby...Don't mind my rude question. I was definitely kidding", I said embracing my Farida.

By then, many of our classmates have arrived. Although, the class was still not as full as usual. Everyone was chatting away with their friends and having fun, since we would not be having classes for the next one month. We were all expected to surf the internet for Senior School courses and learn on our own before we fully resume the Senior School One session. I decided to leave Dawson and Farida alone since they seemed to be having so much fun chatting with each other. I went back to my seat and started checking out the Senior School courses that I saw on google; and that was how I spent the whole day.

(At Home)

After a long day of surfing the internet at school, I got home really tired but I still had to do the laundry for my mom. So, I decided to do the laundry first before I rest. My mom who was selecting her clothes by their colours was busy showing me which one to wash first when my phone suddenly vibrated indicating that I just received an sms.

I decided to delay reading of the text message till my mom was done selecting and showing me which of her clothes to wash first but the steps felt like it won't end so I decided to just skim through the sms and check who sent it. Behold! I read the text message and fell on the pile of clothes my mum left for me to wash (thank God she already left). The content of the sms read:

"I LOVE YOU AND I WANT YOU TO BE MY GIRLFRIEND - DAWSON"