Another Clash

I went home a different person. Enough is enough. Maybe I've being too naive and vulnerable but from today henceforth, I'll change. In fact, I've changed. No more men. I refused to mention what had happened to anybody even Chizzy. I'm not going to spoil her fun. 

I started going out, trying my best to socialise more with people that weren't just course mates. I registered into a driving school and that was how I started passing time, waiting for school to resume.   

I was in my room five days later when my phone rang. It was an unsaved number. I picked it and listened. 

Joseph: Bae. I hissed. I've refused picking his calls and now, he's calling with different numbers. 

Joseph: Bae, I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I wronged you, yes I really wronged you but please, for the sake of all we've shared, forgive me. 

Me: Is that all? He paused for a while so I continued. 

Me: For goodness sake, why my friend? Do you know Daniel is better than you? To think I trusted you and loved you with all my life? Jeez I can't believe I'm in this now. 

Joseph: C'mon bae, I'll do anything to make it right. Anything. 

Me: Fine. Alright. Anything right? 

Joseph: Yes. Anything. 

Me: Good. Kill yourself.  I hung up and went back to my magazine. Nobody was going to kill me in this life. If I had survived at the Okoye's house, I'll survive anything. I was flipping through the pages of the magazine, muttering to myself when Daniel came in. 

Daniel: Hey. I looked up. He was looking calm and a bit happy so I relaxed. 

Me: Hi. He sat down beside me and rubbed his palm 

Daniel: You free to talk? 

Me: Yup. So long as its not those your normal bickering. He chuckled and oh yea, I was surprised. 

Daniel: I wanna apologise. Sincerely, I've being a pain in the a$$ and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone to certain extents but I dunno what happened to me. I'm not that kinda person. So I just wanna ask for your forgiveness. 

STUNNED is indeed a very big understatement to the way I felt at that moment. I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out. He noticed my reaction and plastered a smile. 

Daniel: I knew that's how you were going to take it. I'm deeply sorry for everything. It's wrong that we're living in the same house yet we don't talk. I understand that we can't be together again but at least, bring me to heart just like you do with Ben and Chizzy. 

Me: So you're jealous. 

Daniel: Of course. You run to them for explanations, you laugh and play with them and I'm the outcast. It’s somehow dear. 

Me: And this is not a plan to get something from me? 

Daniel: Oh please. I'm not that kinda person okay? I promise never to hurt you with my words or actions anymore. Hmmm. Today can't get any better. 

Me: Okay. We're good but under one condition. He rolled his eyes and clapped his palm. 

Daniel: Name it. 

Me: You'll make up for the lost times. You're taking me shopping and getting me another phone. We'll go out together till the vacation is over and that's next two weeks. Movies, lunch, dinner, window shopping, everything. 

Daniel: Hmmm. Why not make me your husband? It will be better that way  

Me: Your head. In or out? 

Daniel: Can I ever be out? 

Me: Good for you. We'll start tomorrow and better don't use this as a reason to try any rubbish with me cause I'll ply out your manhood. 

Daniel: Oops. That's scary. But I promise, I won't misuse my new opportunity. 

Me: Okay. Maybe I should just call Chizzy and tell her the good news. 

Daniel: She knows already.  

Me: Oh. So you had it all planned out? 

Daniel: Kinda. 

Me: Okay. Its alright. 

Daniel: And, the doctor called me this morning. 

Me: What doctor? 

Daniel: From comforter of the afflicted. I sat up immediately, my curiosity switch (like in smartest pop queen’s literature) active immediately. 

Me: What did he say? 

Daniel: Its good news actually. With the sperm samples collected from your body that day, those criminals has being caught. 

Me: What? How? After a year? But the police said they couldn't do anything about it since there was no evidence. 

Daniel: Yes, but thanks to the equipment that were shipped into the country from the US, the police and the doctor used your case to check if the instruments work and just like magic, it did. 

Me: Have they being arrested? 

Daniel: Just one of them. The other is late. But one thing is that, he's refused to speak up. 

Me: Hmmm. I thank God. I don't even want to see him. 

Daniel: If its necessary, you'll have to see him 

Me: Thank you. Till I'm called then..

*****************************

I was still in bed when I heard a honk outside. My alarm rang about three hours ago, yet, I was still in bed, tossing and hissing. I came out from my room and walked to the balcony to see who came in but surprisingly, there was a knock at the gate. Maybe it was a cab. 

The gateman opened the gate and Stephanie cat walked into the house. My blood started boiling and I knew she would get another dose from me before leaving the house. She didn't look up. She just walked past the other houses and walked in to Ben's apartment. 

This girl just dey find trouble. She go hear nwii today. I went back to my room and brushed up, took my bath and wore my usual bum pant and singlet ,making sure to wear a tight fitting bra just in case another beating tournament was going to happen. 

I stepped out just as Daniel was about driving out. He honked for me and I went to say hi. 

Me: Morning. 

Daniel: Beautiful morning my dear. How was your night? 

Me: Grateful for life. 

Daniel: Thank God. I wanna go sort some things out in the office. I'll come back before lunch. 

Me: Yes please, we won't eat out. I'll cook for us. 

Daniel: Interesting. Can't wait. 

Me: Okay. See you then 

Daniel: Take care. He drove out and I smiled. Today is Monday and since Thursday, Daniel had done more than enough. He bought me a Tecno Camon Phone. Not like I needed it since I still had my old iphone 6, but I loved it all the same, along with the clothes ,handbags, jewelries and a make up kit. 

He never went beyond his limit. Eh! Still doesn't mean I'm taking him back. I remembered my mission and turned, ready to make someone shiver. I stepped into Ben's apartment and there they were,s he had her head on his laps and they were both laughing at something I didn't get. 

WOMEN. I cleared my throat and walked in further to the sitting room. An innocent Stephanie would remain in her position and yab me for trying to disturb them but today, she sprang up immediately and sat properly. 

Ben: Hey sis. Sit down. 

Me: Of course I won't stand. This was the first time I'm in the house since the other incident. Ben and I haven't spoken to each other except on Facebook where he'll comment my pictures and I'll reply. Surprisingly, he didn't look like anything was between us. He laughed at my dry joke and watched me sit. 

Me: Stephanie, you didn't tell me you were coming. I wonder where our relationship is heading this days. 

Stephanie: I....uhm...I....I wanted to...I tried... 

Ben: What's that? When did it start? I smiled.  

Me: You don't know Stephanie always gets tensed whenever she's caught in the act. Stephanie gave me a pleading look but I wasn't stopping. 

Ben: What act? What? 

Me: Romance. Weren't you two getting all intimate before I walked in? 

Ben: Silly girl. Thought you were talking of something else. 

Me: Like? 

Ben: Let's forget it.  

Me: I didn't come down for breakfast. What do you have? 

Ben: Provisions. Make yourself comfortable with them. 

Me: Thanks. I stood up and walked to the dinning, leaving Stephanie with a wicked glance.  I made a mixture of cornflakes and golden morn with a good quantity of milk and groundnuts. I sat down to enjoy my meal, staying as close as possible to hear whatever Stephanie would say and just two spoons into my big bowl, it happened.

 Stephanie: She should excuse us. She spoke more in a whisper but I heard right. I dumped my plate and went straight to her. 

Me: Hello? What did you just say? 

Ben: Jessica calm down. Are you girls having a feud or something? 

Me: Bros wait. I want to be sure I heard clearly.  I squatted just in front of Stephanie and cupped her chin with my hand.