Chapter 8: Drawing Boundaries

Aunty Pei travel go abroad again. House empty, wall dey echo every sound.

Just me and Pei Yan remain. Silence thick like ogi for pot.

I dey go school, come back, routine no change. Class, home, chop, sleep. No more wait for Pei Yan call or find am for corridor.

Only difference be say I no dey disturb Pei Yan or his matter with Lin Xi. I draw line for myself.

Before, if I see them together,

I go waka carry zobo go Pei Yan seat, dey complain. My voice go loud, make people notice.

"Oya, Pei, you no suppose give Lin Xi some space?" I go tease, poke him arm.

He go dey solve maths, face paper. Brow go squeeze.

"Why?" He no go even look up.

"Because your girlfriend go jealous." My talk go make class giggle.

He go pause, then laugh, "Which one?" Eye go shine with mischief.

I go blush, answer bold,

"We go marry soon now. I no fit call myself your girlfriend?" Heart go dey beat fast, but I go form.

Pei Yan go just smile, no reply. Silence between us then sweet, full of promise.

But e never serious. He go still share umbrella with Lin Xi, still give her jacket. Small small, hope dey leak from my heart.

Now, I fit ignore am. I stop to count smiles, stop to measure every move. Ache dull, peace small small enter.